Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Transformational Leadership to Predict Employees' Turnover Intention: The Mediating Effects of Trust and Employees' Job Performance in Bangkok, Thailand

Transformational leadership has been found to have negative relationship to employee turnover intention but there does not seems to have any study that examines the mediating effects of trust and job performance on the relationship of transformational leadership to turnover intention. This study attempted to fill this knowledge gap by investigates the meditational effect with multiple mediators. The study was conducted among 187 employees’ of the international fast food chains in Bangkok, Thailand. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to collect the data. Transformational leadership was operationalized as the extent a leader who transforms followers to perform beyond their expectation by triggering their intellectual works, raising confidence and creativity. Trust was operationalized as the extent to a psychological state comprised the expectations, assumptions or beliefs about the likelihood that another’s future actions will be beneficial, favorable or at least not detrimental. Job performance was operationalized as the extent to an aggregated set of behaviors that an employee contributes directly and indirectly to the organization. Turnover intention was operationalized as a cognitive process of thinking, planning and desiring to leave a job. Regression analysis with bootstrap method was used to analyze the data. The results supported the meditational model whereby transformational leadership was both directly and indirectly predicted turnover intention, and the mediating effects of trust and job performance were significantly negative on the relationship of transformational leadership to turnover intention.
Associations Between Immune Phenotype and Inflammation in Murine Models of Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), the most common occupational cutaneous illness, is an acute inflammatory response caused by topical irritant exposure. Multiple factors are associated with the manifestation and severity of ICD and contribute to the lack of effective prophylactic and treatment strategies. To determine the pathomechanism of ICD caused by the irritants, benzalkonium chloride (BKC) and JP-8 jet fuel, 2 mouse strains, C57BL/6 and Balb/c, were assessed due to their differential immune predispositions. Dermatitis lesions were obtained for histological examination, cytokine protein expression analysis, and determination of immune cell infiltration via flow cytometric analysis. Following acute (3-day) BKC exposure C57BL/6 skin displayed increased neutrophils and expression of 19 distinct cytokines, but fewer dendritic cells and lower expression of IL-1α and IL-9 as compared with Balb/c skin. Following prolonged (7-day) exposure to BKC, inflammatory cell populations trended similar to 3-day exposure; however, only 6 distinct cytokines were higher in C57BL/6, whereas Balb/c displayed higher expression of IL-27, 28, and 31. Following acute JP-8 exposure, C57BL/6 skin displayed higher levels of γδ T cell infiltration, G and M-CSF expression, but lower populations of neutrophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells compared with Balb/c skin. As with BKC, skin inflammatory cell populations following 7-day JP-8 exposure trended similar to 3-day exposure. However, C57BL/6 skin displayed higher levels of IL-6 and LIF, whereas Balb/c showed increased IL-1β, IL-27, G-CSF, TNFα, and 7 additional chemokines. These findings further define the pathology of ICD, partially explain individual variation of ICD, and offer insight into biomarkers for risk assessment.
The Factorization Method for Inverse Problems

Preface 1. The Simplest Cases: Dirichlet and Neumann Boundary Conditions 2. The Factorization Method for Other Types of Inverse Obstacle Scattering Problems 3. The Mixed Boundary Value Problem 4. The MUSIC Algorithm and Scattering by an Inhomogenous Medium 5. The Factorization method for Maxwell's Equations 6. The Factorization Method in Impedance Tomography 7. Alternative Sampling and Probe Methods Bibliography
DNA Analysis of PCR-Inhibitory Forensic Samples

DNA evidence, linking perpetrators to crime scenes, is central to many legal proceedings. However, crime scene samples often contain extraneous substances that may interfere with the PCR-based forensic analysis, resulting in partial or negative DNA profiles. Extensive DNA purification may remove inhibitors, but involves the risk of DNA loss. In this work, pre-PCR processing was applied to improve the success rate of forensic DNA analysis of “dirty” samples without interfering with the composition of the samples. An experimental model system was developed to screen for inhibitor-tolerant DNA polymerase-buffer systems. The best-performing polymerases, Bio-X-Act Short, ExTaq HS and PicoMaxx HF, were applied in STR DNA analysis of PCRinhibitory crime scenes samples, i.e. samples that failed to produce complete DNA profiles in routine casework despite containing acceptable levels of DNA. A ranking index, called the forensic DNA profile index (FI), was developed to quantitatively describe DNA profile quality. The application of analysis of variance (ANOVA) to FI values confirmed that the three alternative polymerases significantly improved DNA profile quality for 20 of 32 problematic samples, compared with the standard polymerase AmpliTaq Gold. ExTaq HS and PicoMaxx HF showed complementary inhibitor-relieving properties. A blend of the two polymerases exhibited tolerance to a broader range of extraneous compounds, improving DNA profile quality in 34 of 42 PCR-inhibitory forensic samples. When used separately, ExTaq HS and PicoMaxx HF improved the results of analysis for 26 and 23 samples, respectively. Apart from their complementarity, synergy between the polymerases was mathematically proven by calculating the geometric mean values of FI and applying ANOVA. In November, 2010, the customised DNA polymerase blend was introduced in routine casework at the Swedish National Laboratory of Forensic Science, increasing the proportion of complete DNA profiles generated from impure samples from 38% to 87% for saliva, and from 69% to 94% for blood. Many presumed saliva crime scene stains give negative DNA results if presumptive testing is not performed. In this work, amylase activity testing was evaluated as a tool for saliva screening. No direct correlation was found between amylase activity and the DNA content of saliva. However, the sensitivity of the developed swab screening procedure (positive results for 0.5 μL of dried saliva) makes it applicable in cases where the number of DNA analyses is limited due to cost.
GENOTYPIC VARIABILITY OF PEANUT LINES IN RESPONSE TO WATER STRESS, BASED ON BIOCHEMICAL DESCRIPTORS

Seven biochemical descriptors were used to estimate the genotypic variability of peanut in response to moderate water stress. Six genotypes, constituted by four lines and two cultivars, were grown in pots, each containing two plants. At 15 days after emergence (DAE), the treatment differentiation was carried out: Control-plants maintained with daily watering, and Stress-plants submitted to water stress by complete suspension of watering for 15 days. The experimental design was completely randomized with factorial scheme 6 x 2 (genotype x water treatments), with five replications. The biochemical variables evaluated were: catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), free proline, total carbohydrates, soluble proteins, and amino acids. Results obtained by biochemical analysis and estimation of genotypic variability indicated that proline is the most appropriate descriptor for selecting genotypes tolerant to water stress, which led to identification of L81V and L108V as promising lines for drought tolerance breeding program.
VCAN gene expression and its association with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer patients

Introduction: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the most leading causes of cancer related mortalities and metastasis is the main cause of death in CRC patients. Versican (VCAN) is an Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM) proteoglycan that is involved in tumor progression and cancer metastasis. The overexpression of VCAN has been observed in some cancer. Objective: In this study we aimed to analyse VCAN gene expression in patients with colorectal cancer to investigate its association with patients clinico-pathological features. Materials and Methods: We collected CRC tumors and the adjacent normal tissues from 72 Iranian patients. To measure VCAN gene expression level, Real time RT-PCR was performed. Results: VCAN gene expression level is significantly increased in tumor samples compare to the adjacent normal tissues with 2.6 change in fold and also there is a significant association between VCAN gene over expression in patients with CRC stage IV and lymph node positive. Conclusion: VCAN gene is correlated with invasion and metastasis of CRC and has a capability as a candidate prognostic marker in patients with colorectal cancer.
I-MEET FRAMEWORK FOR THE EVALUATION E-GOVERNMENT SERVICES FROM ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS’ PERSPECTIVES

I-MEET is an Integrated Model for Evaluating E-government services Transformation from stakeholders' perspectives. It is based on an integration of concepts from value chain management and business process transformation to optimize the system-wide value chain of providers and users simultaneously. It aims to align stakeholders on a common global value against traditional disintegrated approaches where each stakeholder optimizes its e-service local value at the expense of others. The measured variables are derived from the literature and focused groups. They are then categorized into cost and risk (Inputs) and (benefit and opportunity) Outputs after a validation process based on Structured Equation Models using a sample of 1540 user-responses of e-services in the UK. Finally, Data Envelopment Analysis is conducted to derive an aggregated of an e-service satisfaction value using the various inputs and outputs. The empirical results demonstrate that data-derived weights for aggregating indicators are variable rather than fixed across e-services. The novelty of the assessment approach lies in its capability to provide informed suggestions to set targets to improve an e-service from the perspective of all engaging users. Hence it provides a better transformation of public administration services and improved take up by citizens and businesses.
Citation Practices in the Literature Review: A Contrastive Study of Sudanese and British Applied Linguistics Ph.D. Theses

Manifest intertextuality is a fundamental aspect of all academic discourse, and, hence, this study purports to explore the myriad functions of citation in a representative and contrastive corpus drawn from 20 Literature Review chapters in the domain of Applied Linguistics, and equally divided among Ph.D. theses successfully defended in Sudan and Britain. A variety of typologies were utilized to elicit citations, including Thompson’s (2005) classification of integral and non-integral citations, together with Hyland’s (2002) designation of denotative and evaluative functions associated with reporting verbs. Groom’s (2000) and Petric’s (2007) notions of averral and attribution, propositional responsibility and knowledge transformation also inform this investigation. Results indicate that the dense deployment of citations and the predilection both corpora have for integral structures, verbatim quotations and present active Discourse reporting verbs are largely dictated by the discursive and human-imbued nature of Applied Linguistics. On the other hand, the findings reveal that Sudanese candidates formally and functionally employ citations in manners markedly different from their British peers. Thus, the Sudanese corpus is characterized by blatant errors, repetition and awkwardness in both documenting sources and reporting the findings of research. Moreover, naive unwarranted quotations and authorial evaluations were ubiquitously observed, as compared to the British corpus. More significantly, there were ample variations in the way in which the two groups conceive of the role of the Literature Review. While the British adopted a range of Writer-oriented and metadiscoursal strategies to amalgamate and integrate the cited materials within their mainstream arguments, the Sudanese candidates were strictly concerned with unmediated and uncontested attribution of ideas to their authors. Such is the synthetic nature of the resultant type of this Literature Review that the writer’s textual voice is submerged under the sheer burden of successive descriptive citations, thus eclipsing almost all of the objectives of this chapter in critiquing sources and subordinating the cited literature to the overarching transformative perspective of the thesis writer. The Discussion is illuminated through extensive quotations from the two corpora.
Enabling Entrepreneurial Practices with Market-Oriented Approach: A Case Study

The market-oriented approach which includes ensuring a continuous flow of intelligence about customers, market, and competitors to the business to adapt to the ever changing and developing market dynamics and transferring such intelligence to all units of the business to assure quick response to the market, has become very important to gain competitive advantage. The market-oriented approach can be implemented in a business only if there is an organisational culture where all kinds of product/service developments and business process developments that will create a value for customers are supported. An effective implementation of this approach requires both entrepreneurial practices, which are carried out with other businesses and organisations in the external environment and intrapreneurial practices, which are based on encouraging employees in terms of creativity, innovation, idea generation, and developing an organisational climate and management strategies that are appropriate for this. In this regard, the purpose of the current study is to reveal the importance of entrepreneurial activities such as practices supporting market-oriented strategy. Besides, the study aims to explore how such practices are developed in Logo, which is a software company engages in a range of entrepreneurial activities. This paper is designed as an exploratory research employing case study method. Interviews were carried out and documents were examined. This study is anticipated to be beneficial by contributing to establishing entrepreneurship for businesses as a culture. The findings of the study will be a road map for businesses that wish to develop managerial strategies in this matter.
High-Throughput Sequencing Strategy for miR-146b-regulated circRNA Expression in Hepatic Stellate Cells

Background This study was designed to detect and analyze miR-146b-mediated circular RNA (circRNA) expression in hepatic stellate cells. Material/Methods The experiment was divided into a control group and a siRNA-miR-146b group. The interference efficiency of siRNA-miR-146b was confirmed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and the cells were collected, and total RNA was collected for high flux sequencing. The miRNA-targeted carcass were predicted. Finally, the expression of 5 circRNAs was verified by qRT-PCR. Results miR-146b expression in the siRNA-miR-146b group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The quality of the original sequencing data and the processed data satisfied with the analysis, and the expression of circRNAs was modulated after the reduction of miR-146b. Among them, 18 circRNAs were upregulated, while 77 circRNAs were downregulated in the miR-146b group compared with the control group. The gene prediction showed that hsa_circ1887 was the largest contact point in miRNA and circRNA regulatory networks. qRT-PCR showed that rno-circRNA-469, rno-circRNA-1138, rno-circRNA-2168 and rno-circRAN-1907 were significantly reduced, while circRNA-1984 was significantly promoted in the siRNA-miR-146b group compared with the control group, which were consistent with the measurements by high-throughput sequencing technique. Conclusions miR-146b could regulate the expression of circRNAs in HSCs, which might take part in the formation and development of hepatic fibrosis.
The linearly modulated IRSL red emission from feldspars

This paper uses the linear modulation technique to study red IRSL emission of potassium feldspars. Sub-samples were subjected to various pre-treatment and measurement conditions in an attempt to understand the relevant mechanisms of charge transfer. The linear modulation curves fitted most successfully to a sum of three first order components and we present supporting empirical evidence for the presence of three separate signal components. Additionally, the form of the red emission was observed to closely resemble the UV emission, implying the same donor charge concentrations may supply different recombination centres (assuming emission wavelength depends on centre type).
Continuous Calibration of 3D Vision Systems

This report is about continuous calibration of 3D camera systems. It seeks to make it possible for two freely moving cameras to know each others relative position as long as they are monitoring a common frame. The short conclusion of this paper is that it is possible to a certain extent. The system presented is capable of computing the relative orientation of the cameras, which leaves the distance between the cameras as a free variable to be decided by other means. Simulations of the calibration model indicates that the relative orientation of the cameras can be estimated within a 0.2 degree deviation, while estimation of the relative position needs to be perfected. Live system tests confirm that the relative orientation can be estimated accurately. They also show that accurate estimation of relative position will require more work. Utilizing three or more cameras is an alternative way of estimating relative position, since the relative position can be calculated by using the relative orientations. The yaw angle was estimated with high precision in the simulation, while during the live tests the system had trouble estimating the angle correctly about 0 degrees. This might be a field for further work, but it is believed that having a good spread of matched features will make the problem disappear. In the test, the feature points was not only close to each other, they were also located in the same plane. The test environment is believed to have affected the results negatively because of this. This master's thesis was initiated by the wish of National Oilwell Varco to be able to estimate the relative orientation of cameras mounted on their crane systems, using the output calibration for depth-mapping the environment. This is one possible usage area, but the continuous calibration system is not limited to this application. In theory, it could be applied to any multiple camera system. The system used for testing was two initially calibrated web cameras, which demonstrates the minimal requirements for using the continuous calibration.
Results from the ESCI-N3.1 and ESCI-N3.2 marine deep seismic profiles in the northwestern Galicia Margin

espanolEl perfil marino ESCI-N3 registra 20 s de datos de sismica de reflexion vertical en el noroeste de Galicia. En este trabajo se analizan dos segmentos del perfil, que incluyen la llanura abisal, pasando por el talud continental (ESCI-N3.l) hasta la plataforma continental (ESCI-N3.2). En el perfil ESCI-N3.1 las reflexiones horizontales entre 6.5 y 8.8 s corresponden a sedimentos marinos depositados sobre un basamento oceanico. Un horizonte fuertemente reflectivo de varios kilometros de-longitud, situado a 11, 2 s se interpreta como la Moho oceanica. En la transicion oceano continente se observa un pequeno prisma de acreccion y una banda de reflexiones inclinadas hacia el sureste que alcanza la base del talud continental. El perfil ESCI- N3 . 2 se caracteriza por la existencia de alta reflectividad en la corteza inferior (entre 8 y 10 s) y por una banda fuertemente reflectiva por debajo de la Moho que se inclina suavemente hacia el suroeste desde 10 hasta 13,5 s. Los horizontes reflectivos se correlacionan con estructuras mayores relacionadas con los diversos episodios tectonicos registrados en la historia geologica del margen Nord-lberico. Esta historia geologica incluye al menos tres episodios tectonicos principales: la colision varisca en el Paleozoico, la extension mesozoica que genero el Golfo de Vizcaya y la compresion cenozoica que afecto el norte de la peninsula EnglishThe ESCI-N3 marine profile recorded 20 s of near vertical reflection seismic data offshore Northwest Galicia. This paper deals with two segments of the profile; ESCI-N3.l which crosscuts the continental slope anda short part of the deep sea areas, and ESCI-N3.2 which images a section of the continental platform. In the ESCI-N3.l profile, horizontal reflections from 6.5 to 8.8 s (TWT) c01Tespond toan undisturbt
Influence of hydrogen peroxide or gold nanoparticles in protoporphyrin IX mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on Staphylococcus aureus

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) has been considered to treat skin diseases infected by drug resistant microorganisms. In this work, attempts were made to study the effectiveness of APDT with protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in the presence of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) against the human bacterial pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus. To photoactivate the PPIX, xenon light source was used at 626 nm. The bactericidal effect was analyzed by standard plate counting method. Attempts were also made to study whether fluorescence spectroscopy can be used to characterize the damage at protein level. Results of the study revealed that PPIX with H2O2 has showed higher bactericidal effect than that of PPIX alone and PPIX with GNPs. From fluorescence spectroscopic characterization it was found that protein damage is one of the reasons of bactericidal effect as there is a considerable change in the intensity of emission and fluorescence lifetime of tryptophan present in the microorganism between pre and post APDT.
An in silico analysis of the key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in Citrus sinensis

Citrus species are known by their high content of phenolic compounds, including a wide range of flavonoids. In plants, these compounds are involved in protection against biotic and abiotic stresses, cell structure, UV protection, attraction of pollinators and seed dispersal. In humans, flavonoid consumption has been related to increasing overall health and fighting some important diseases. The goals of this study were to identify expressed sequence tags (EST) in Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck corresponding to genes involved in general phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and the key genes involved in the main flavonoids pathways (flavanones, flavones, flavonols, leucoanthocyanidins, anthocyanins and isoflavonoids). A thorough analysis of all related putative genes from the Citrus EST (CitEST) database revealed several interesting aspects associated to these pathways and brought novel information with promising usefulness for both basic and biotechnological applications.