Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring maintenance performance: a holistic approach

Performance measures should be linked to an organization’s strategy in order to provide useful information for making effective decisions and shaping desirable employee behaviour. The pitfalls relating to the indiscriminate use of common maintenance performance indicators are discussed in this paper. It also reviews four approaches to maintenance performance measures. The value‐based performance measure evaluates the impact of maintenance activities on the future value of the organization. The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) provides a framework for translating strategy into operational measures that collectively capture the critical requirements for sustaining the organization’s success. System audits are the tool for measuring organizational culture, which in turn determines the appropriate approach to the organization of maintenance functions. The operational efficiency of an organization’s maintenance function can be benchmarked with those of its counterparts in other organizations by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Among these approaches, the one which builds on the BSC embraces the design principles of a good performance measurement system. To smooth the adoption of the BSC approach to managing maintenance operations, a related research agenda is proposed in the concluding section.
Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture: Assessing global availability

▪ Abstract Plant genetic resources provide the biological underpinning for agriculture and food production. No nation is independent in terms of these resources. Interdependence levels are high among countries. Policy impediments to access may subside, increasing already substantial germplasm flows. Serious questions exist, however, about the health and availability of the actual resources. Genebank collections contain many unintended duplicates, making aggregate numbers seem larger than they really are. Information about individual accessions, particularly those found in situ, is often poor, reducing frequency and efficiency of use and ultimate benefits. Although not firmly established today, the link between conservation and use must be strengthened.
Non-SH2 Domains within Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 and SHC Mediate Their Phosphotyrosine-dependent Interaction with the NPEY Motif of the Insulin-like Growth Factor I Receptor (*)

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and SHC become rapidly phosphorylated upon tyrosines after insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGFIR) activation. In this study we demonstrate that IRS-1, SHC, and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase interact directly and specifically with the IGFIR. The interaction of all three proteins is dependent upon IGFIR kinase activity and, furthermore, substitution of Tyr-950 with Phe within the NPEY motif of the IGFIR eliminated interaction with both SHC and IRS-1 but had no effect upon p85 interaction. We show that residues 160-516 of IRS-1 and 1-238 of SHC are sufficient and necessary for receptor interaction in the yeast two-hybrid assay. We also demonstrate a direct in vitro interaction between the IGFIR and a fusion protein containing SHC amino acids 1-238. No interaction was observed with a SHC protein containing only the SH2 domain. We conclude that SHC and IRS-1 interact with the tyrosine-phosphorylated NPEY motif of the IGFIR, and that both proteins interact via related motifs located in their amino termini. We conclude that the interactions of SHC and IRS-1 with the IGFIR are similar to those which we have previously defined with the insulin receptor.
Interstitial Cajal‐like cells (ICLC) in human resting mammary gland stroma. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) identification

We have previously shown the existence of ICLC in human resting mammary gland stroma by means of methylene blue (vital) staining and c‐kit immunopositivity (immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry). In addition, we reported the phenotype characteristics of these ICLC in vitro (primary cell cultures). Since the identification of ICLC outside the gut requires, at this moment, the obligatory use of TEM, we used this technique and provide unequivocal evidence for the presence of ICLC in the intralobular stroma of human resting mammary gland.
Terpene Biosynthesis in Glandular Trichomes of Hop12[W][OA]

Hop (Humulus lupulus L. Cannabaceae) is an economically important crop for the brewing industry, where it is used to impart flavor and aroma to beer, and has also drawn attention in recent years due to its potential pharmaceutical applications. Essential oils (mono- and sesquiterpenes), bitter acids (prenylated polyketides), and prenylflavonoids are the primary phytochemical components that account for these traits, and all accumulate at high concentrations in glandular trichomes of hop cones. To understand the molecular basis for terpene accumulation in hop trichomes, a trichome cDNA library was constructed and 9,816 cleansed expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences were obtained from random sequencing of 16,152 cDNA clones. The ESTs were assembled into 3,619 unigenes (1,101 contigs and 2,518 singletons). Putative functions were assigned to the unigenes based on their homology to annotated sequences in the GenBank database. Two mono- and two sesquiterpene synthases identified from the EST collection were expressed in Escherichia coli. Hop MONOTERPENE SYNTHASE2 formed the linear monterpene myrcene from geranyl pyrophosphate, whereas hop SESQUITERPENE SYNTHASE1 (HlSTS1) formed both caryophyllene and humulene from farnesyl pyrophosphate. Together, these enzymes account for the production of the major terpene constituents of the hop trichomes. HlSTS2 formed the minor sesquiterpene constituent germacrene A, which was converted to β-elemene on chromatography at elevated temperature. We discuss potential functions for other genes expressed at high levels in developing hop trichomes.
An econometric evaluation of the effect of firing a coach on team performance

Firing the manager is a drastic measure employed by firms to deal with poor performance. However, data on within-firm dynamics are scarce, and the firing of individual managers is rarely recorded in the firm level data currently available. This makes the value of firing a manager difficult to assess. Data on sports offer a unique opportunity to study this phenomenon because the firing of a coach is usually well-publicized. Using data on soccer, the author evaluates the effect of the firing of a coach on team performance. As teams do not face the same opponents before and after a coach is fired, the issue of sample selectivity is addressed.
Overview of Formation of G‐Quadruplex Structures

There are many structures that can be adopted by nucleic acids other than the Watson‐Crick duplex. In particular, a noncanonical four‐stranded topology, called a G‐quadruplex, is of great interest because of its roles in key biological processes such as the maintenance of telomeres and regulation of gene transcription. This review describes the condition for forming the G‐quadruplex structure, G‐quadruplex‐forming sequences, and methods for studying the structures. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 40:17.2. 1‐17.2. 17. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Youth and New Media

The prevalence of digital media use among children and adolescents is indisputable. One medium to which children and adolescents dedicate a sizeable portion of their time is that of the digital game. Accordingly, digital game play continues to grow as a context for cognitive development. We showcase new research and practice addressing the impact of this very popular activity on children’s and adolescents’ learning. Our goal is to stimulate new research and interest in examining the positive ramifications of digital play for development among today’s youth.
Binocular accommodation reaction and response times for normal observers

Accommodation was recorded from right and left eyes of visually normal observers in both binocular and monocular viewing. Reaction and response times were similar in monocular and binocular viewing and are not influenced by eye dominance. Far‐to‐near responses were significantly quicker than near‐to‐far responses. The origin of this difference may be a feature of the elastic properties of the accommodation mechanism. Limited data are presented that indicate that the slowing of accommodation speed with age affects the near‐to‐far response disproportionally. Errors in the initial direction of response were fewer in binocular viewing in comparison with monocular viewing.
Creating wealth in organizations: The role of strategic leadership

Wealth creation in entrepreneurial and established organizations is a complex, challenging task in today's global and technologically advancing business environment. Strategic leadership enhances the wealth-creation process in entrepreneurial and established organizations, and leads to above-average returns. On the other hand, managerial leadership will likely lead to average returns at best, but is most likely to achieve below-average returns and destroy wealth. Organizations led by visionaries who are not properly supported by strong managerial leadership may destroy wealth even more quickly than organizations led by managerial leaders. This article defines strategic leadership, differentiates among the concepts of strategic, visionary, and managerial leadership, and examines the differential links between the three types of leadership and wealth creation. When organizations restore strategic control and allow the development of a critical mass of strategic leaders, these leaders will be a source of abo.
Bubbles, Stock Returns, and Duration Dependence

Abstract A new testable implication is derived from the rational speculative bubbles model stating that the presence of bubbles implies positive duration dependence in runs of high returns. Specifically, the probability of observing an end to a run of high returns declines with the length of the run. Traditional duration dependence tests are adapted for use with discrete stock runs data and, consistent with the existence of bubbles, evidence of duration dependence in monthly real stock returns is found.
WARNING DISPLAYS IN SPINY ANIMALS: ONE (MORE) EVOLUTIONARY ROUTE TO APOSEMATISM

Abstract To date, theoretical or laboratory simulations of aposematic evolution in prey animals have focused narrowly on internally stored chemical defense as the source of unprofitability and ignore aposematic advertisement of physical defenses such as spines (and defensive hairs, claws, etc.). This has occurred even though aposematism in spiny animals has been recognized since the 19th century. In this paper we present the first detailed theoretical consideration of aposematism in spiny animals, focusing on questions of initial evolution, costs of display, and coevolution of displays with defenses. Using an individual-based evolutionary model, we found that spines (or similar physical defenses) can easily evolve without aposematism, but when spines do evolve, aposematic displays can also easily evolve if they help to make the prey animal distinctive and if they draw attention to the physical threat. When aposematic displays evolve, they cause reduced investment in costly spines, so that, in addition to signaling unprofitability, aposematic display may enhance the cost-effectiveness of antipredator defenses (one exception to this conclusion is if the display is itself as costly as the defense). For animals with stinging spines, combining physical and chemical defense, the evolution of aposematic display may lead to reduced investment in the toxin compared to the spine. This occurs because spines act as both secondary (repellent) defenses and as primary defenses (their own visible, honest advertisement), whereas internally stored toxins only (generally) act as repellent secondary defenses. We argue that conspicuous aposematism in spines functions as an attention-getting mechanism, whereas conspicuous aposematic display in purely toxic animals may be explained by signal reliability arguments. Finally, one (more) route by which aposematism may initially evolve is by spiny rather than purely chemically defended species, spreading to species with other forms of secondary defense as the signal becomes common.
Mammalian Genes Are Transcribed with Widely Different Bursting Kinetics

Real-time monitoring of gene expression reveals transcription kinetics of mammalian genes. In prokaryotes and eukaryotes, most genes appear to be transcribed during short periods called transcriptional bursts, interspersed by silent intervals. We describe how such bursts generate gene-specific temporal patterns of messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis in mammalian cells. To monitor transcription at high temporal resolution, we established various gene trap cell lines and transgenic cell lines expressing a short-lived luciferase protein from an unstable mRNA, and recorded bioluminescence in real time in single cells. Mathematical modeling identified gene-specific on- and off-switching rates in transcriptional activity and mean numbers of mRNAs produced during the bursts. Transcriptional kinetics were markedly altered by cis-regulatory DNA elements. Our analysis demonstrated that bursting kinetics are highly gene-specific, reflecting refractory periods during which genes stay inactive for a certain time before switching on again.
Detection of behavior violating Ethics Rules in computer networks

Most of the human destruction can be attributed to the ethical rules sabotage. Existing methods are mainly conduct to property calculation or structure measure of the malicious program code, lack of weighing from ethics rules angle. This paper proposes a network threaten detection algorithm to measure how much a behavior violating the ethics rules. It weighs the malicious behaviors through improved ethics rules and comprehensively estimates the structure similarity of intentional programs. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can make a more accurate estimation for the intentional similarity thus measuring the behavior violates ethic rules.
Fair allocation with common prior beliefs

We consider the problem of allocating indivisible objects among agents with private values and common prior belief about preferences of others. The recent literature shows that in an environment without monetary transfers ordinal assignment mechanisms are not able to satisfy simultaneously the criteria of stratefy-proofness, eciency, and fairness. We study a simple cardinal assignment mechanism that allows agents to report for each object a limited number of preference intensities. We provide necessary conditions for Bayesian incentive compatibility of this mechanisms for any nite number of agents. We characterise the set of incentive compatible mechanisms for the case of three agents. We consider ex post incentive eciency of the mechanism as a measure of social welfare and ex post no envy property as a measure of fairness. We provide some necessary conditions for regularity of the optimization problem related to the interim efcient mechanisms. We show that the ex post envy-freeness may be incompatible with ex post incentive eciency of the mechanism. We provide an example of a common belief for which the set of ex post incentive ecient and ex post envy-free allocations is empty.
Bone-supportive behavior of microplasma-sprayed CaP-coated implants: mechanical and histological outcome in the goat.

BACKGROUND New microplasma spray (MPS) equipment to deposit calcium phosphate (CaP) ceramic coatings onto titanium substrates has been developed. With this apparatus, it is possible to spray fine particles, as well as to apply textured hydroxylapatite coatings onto titanium surfaces. Moreover, due to the low heat power of the microplasma jet, overheating of the powder particles as well as excessive local overheating of the substrate is reduced. Furthermore, because of the small laminar plasma jet, it is possible to achieve high spray efficiency in the case of spraying of dental implants. Additionally, the low level of noise (25-50 dB) and hardly any dust makes it possible to operate the MSE under normal workroom conditions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the biological properties of different MPS - CaP coatings on titanium implants when inserted into the femoral condyle of goats. MATERIAL AND METHODS For histomorphometrical evaluation as well as mechanical testing, 48 screw-type titanium implants were inserted into the femoral condyles of 12 goats each. The implants were either coated with a conventionally plasma-sprayed CaP ceramic, MPS CaP ceramic, or acid-etched without an additional CaP coating. Six and 12 weeks after implantation, the animals were sacrificed and bone-to-implant contact, amount of bone, as well as mechanical bone fixation were evaluated. RESULTS For bone-to-implant contact no statistically significant difference was found between the different CaP coatings. However, statistically significant differences were found between non-coated, acid-etched titanium implants and CaP-coated implants after 6 and 12 weeks of healing. The bone values were not statistically significantly different between the different CaP coatings at 6 and 12 weeks. Furthermore, CaP ceramic-coated implants showed statistically significantly higher torque values compared with the non-coated implants after 6 and at 12 weeks of healing. No significant differences existed between the various types of CaP coatings. CONCLUSION On the basis of our observations, we conclude that conventionally plasma-sprayed CaP ceramic-coated implants, as well as MPS-coated implants have a comparable effect on adjacent bone response.
SOX9 is required for the differentiation of paneth cells in the intestinal epithelium.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The transcription factor SOX9 has been shown previously to have an essential role in the differentiation of a small number of discrete cell lineages. In the intestine, Sox9 is expressed in the epithelial cells of the crypts and is a target of Wnt signaling. METHODS To examine the function of SOX9 in the intestine, we inactivated the Sox9 gene in intestinal epithelial cells by generating mice that harbored a conditional Sox9 gene and a Villin-Cre transgene. RESULTS In the absence of SOX9, Paneth cells were not formed, but the differentiation of other intestinal epithelial cell types was unaffected. The lack of SOX9 also lead to crypt enlargement, to a marked increase in cell proliferation throughout the crypts, and to replacement of the Paneth cells by proliferating epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that SOX9 is required for the differentiation of Paneth cells. Our results elucidate an essential step in the differentiation of gut epithelium.
The role of environmental activity integration into the R&D department to obtain competitive advantage

The objective of this work is to examine to what degree the integration between R&D and environmental departments facilitates the achievement of an environmental practice-derived competitive advantage. With this aim, we surveyed 110 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certified factories. The results reveal that the integration of environmental action into the R&D department enhances a company's reputation through the product quality and image. Moreover, the said integration positively influences the company's overall innovative capability and, hence, its ability to penetrate international markets.
EFL Teachers' Perceptions on Blackboard Applications

The widespread availability of technological infrastructure has enhanced the adoption of learning management systems (LMSs) in educational institutions. Blackboard is one of the most popular marketable LMSs adopted in higher education institutions. As some previous studies have viewed that positive perceptions played a vital role in adopting new technologies, this paper aims to investigate teachers’ perceptions on blackboard applications in the context of teaching English as a foreign language (EFL). To gather data, 32 EFL university teachers from Saudi Arabia were surveyed and interviewed about their perceptions toward the use of the blackboard. The results from the data instruments reveal that EFL teachers have positive perceptions on Blackboard applications to English language teaching. Most teachers view Blackboard as a structured e-learning platform that helps improve the teacher-student relationship in a course and aids to make teaching English more successful. The study findings; however, revealed that the use of blackboard as a blending learning is still focusing on administrative issues rather than pedagogical significance for language learning. Recommendations and directions for future research are highlighted at the end of this article.
Lymphatic Elephantiasis in One Neglected African Country-Democratic Republic of Sao Tome e Principe

Volume 1 • Issue 2 • 1000108 Trop Med Surg The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome e Principe (DRSTP) consists of the two islands of Sao Tome and Principe and a number of smaller islets in the Gulf of Guinea. Sao Tome lies approximately 180 miles from Gabon on the West African coast, and the equator crosses its southern tip. The climate is tropical with two rainy seasons. The total number of inhabitants in the DRSTP is estimated to be 160,000. Due to the suitable climate, many neglected tropical parasitic diseases e.g., intestinal parasites, Schistosoma intercalatum, and Toxoplasma gondii have been found endemic in DRSTP [1,2]. Since arthropodborne parasitic diseases e.g., falciparum malaria has been long seriously endemic, the infection rate of malaria has been greatly reduced from 25% in year of 2000 to less than 3% in year of 2008 in DRSTP through intensive insecticide spray; and that the achievement was accomplished by the efforts of Taiwanese experts who were financially supported by Taiwan government [3-5]. Nevertheless, Lymphatic Elephantiasis (LE) cases can be still found in some inhabitants (Figure 1) who have been living in Sao Tome Island for more than 25 years; whereas LE was ignored and overshadowed by malaria for a long time in DRSTP. Although Ruiz et al. [6] has indicated such elephantiasis in STP people is possibly produced by deposits of inorganic materials in the lymph node of the lower extremities which is alternatively named of Podoconiosis; it is evidenced that in fact filarial lymphatic elephantiasis (FLE) co-exists with Podoconiosis in DRSTP because we found one FLE case in STP reporter who has filarial dance sign [7] in left inguinal region as detected by Ultrasonography with a linear array transducer at 7.5 MHz (Sonoma Health Products, Inc., CA, USA) (Figure 2). Comprehensive epidemiological investigations for STP inhabitants are urgently needed to elucidate whether FLE is commonly transmitted among rural areas. Although FLE has been regarded by World Health Organization as important Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD); until 2011, WHO designated podoconiosis as one of the 20 NTDs [8]. Since the different infection routes for Podoconiosis and FLE, measures against Podoconiosis is to prevent inhabitants walking on the soil with bare feet from the skin being penetrated by inorganic materials derived from alkaline volcanic rock; while measures against FLE including avoid mosquito’s biting and take Albendazole regularly.