Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social media, reputation risk and ambient publicity management

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the emergence of corporate reputational risk in terms of social media, exploring its threats to and possibilities for organizations' strategic reputation management. Design/methodology/approach – Reputation risk, the possibility of damaging one's reputation, presents a threat to organizations in many ways. Little is known, however, about the connections between reputation risk management and social media as a mediated business environment. Following the latest conceptualizations of strategic reputation management and social media, the paper identifies several challenges for organizations. To make sense of this issue, the paper proposes a novel context for strategic reputation management, founded on the metaphor of ambient publicity, which involves not only social media, but also organizations and their stakeholders. Findings – The paper argues that social media expands the spectrum of reputation risks and boosts risk dynamics, and that social media can have notable effects on corporate‐level strategic endeavors, which must be considered in order to be successful in the modern business environment. Nine tenets for corporate leaders involved in strategic reputation management are presented. Originality/value – The paper offers new insights on social media's relation to reputation risk and its management. The ambient publicity, for example, has value to leaders involved in strategic reputation management when trying to identify factors characterizing the changing business environment. Understanding ambient publicity as an environment of meaning indicates that organizations, their stakeholders, and the public create a “complex narrative web” surrounding reputation. The more unified this web is, the stronger the organization is in terms of reputation risk.
Structural breaks and stochastic trends in macroeconomic variables in Norway

This paper analyses the dynamic properties of several macroeconomic variables in Norway, using different unit root tests and measures of persistence. For none of the variables can we reject the hypothesis of a unit root in favour of a deterministic linear trend alternative. However, when allowing for a structural break in the trend alternative, we can reject the hypothesis of a unit root for unemployment, government consumption, investment and real wage. Most of the Norwegian time series display little persistence. However, for those series that show a high degree of persistence, adjusting for the break in the trend, persistence falls considerably.
Local developers as virtual entrepreneurs - do difficult surroundings need initiating interventions?

This paper discusses the preconditions and strategies of local development and turnaround in difficult surroundings such as peripheral rural communities. Its key premise is that local decision makers' beliefs of how such small economies function and of ‘proper’ interventions are critical. Such thought patterns were studied among Finnish rural municipality directors (RMDs), using comparative cause mapping. The findings show that while private initiative, entrepreneurship, is regarded as key for development, prevalent views of entrepreneurship, especially firm formation, are unsophisticated, stressing personal traits and social factors such as supportive cultures and role models. Paralleling these views, the current developmental doctrine is indirect, focused on resource provision and implying passive waiting for entrepreneurs to emerge before developers ‘can’ act. Considering their bleak perspectives, the paper argues that communities with weak autonomous turnaround capabilities need more interventionist strategies than those built-in the dominant paradigm, whereas current resource-providing models may be suitable in more benevolent environments. To augment the dominant thinking, the paper suggests an initiating ‘business-based development model’ as a parallel approach for a more effective local economic development in difficult surroundings.
Genetic algorithms hybridized with the self controlling dominance to solve a multi-objective resource constraint project scheduling problem

The Resource Constraint Project Scheduling Problem (RCPSP) is one of the most challenged scheduling topics. Compared to the other scheduling problems, the RCPSP pays special attention to the consumable resources with limited capacities, which is the major issue that industry has to cope with. In our study, we tackle a Multi-Objective RCPSP with minimization of the makespan, the total job tardiness and maximization of the workload balance level. Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGAII) and NSGAIII are applied at first to find approximated Pareto fronts. In particular circumstances, decision makers would prefer preselected propositions than the whole Pareto front. For this reason, we have integrated in our study, the Self Controlling Dominance Area of Solutions (SCDAS) in our algorithms find more fine-grained Pareto fronts, and solutions with good qualities on all objectives. Small, medium and large size instances, featured by different parameters of jobs and resources are tested. A comparative study is carried out where the hypervolume and the metric-C are used to evaluate the performances of different methods. The improvements brought by the SCDAS are proved regarding both metrics.
Electrical Stimulation and Motor Recovery

In recent years, several investigators have successfully regenerated axons in animal spinal cords without locomotor recovery. One explanation is that the animals were not trained to use the regenerated connections. Intensive locomotor training improves walking recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in people, and >90% of people with incomplete SCI recover walking with training. Although the optimal timing, duration, intensity, and type of locomotor training are still controversial, many investigators have reported beneficial effects of training on locomotor function. The mechanisms by which training improves recovery are not clear, but an attractive theory is available. In 1949, Donald Hebb proposed a famous rule that has been paraphrased as “neurons that fire together, wire together. ” This rule provided a theoretical basis for a widely accepted theory that homosynaptic and heterosynaptic activity facilitate synaptic formation and consolidation. In addition, the lumbar spinal cord has a locomotor center, called the central pattern generator (CPG), which can be activated nonspecifically with electrical stimulation or neurotransmitters to produce walking. The CPG is an obvious target to reconnect after SCI. Stimulating motor cortex, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves can modulate lumbar spinal cord excitability. Motor cortex stimulation causes long-term changes in spinal reflexes and synapses, increases sprouting of the corticospinal tract, and restores skilled forelimb function in rats. Long used to treat chronic pain, motor cortex stimuli modify lumbar spinal network excitability and improve lower extremity motor scores in humans. Similarly, epidural spinal cord stimulation has long been used to treat pain and spasticity. Subthreshold epidural stimulation reduces the threshold for locomotor activity. In 2011, Harkema et al. reported lumbosacral epidural stimulation restores motor control in chronic motor complete patients. Peripheral nerve or functional electrical stimulation (FES) has long been used to activate sacral nerves to treat bladder and pelvic dysfunction and to augment motor function. In theory, FES should facilitate synaptic formation and motor recovery after regenerative therapies. Upcoming clinical trials provide unique opportunities to test the theory.
Ultra Low Power ASIP Design for Wireless Sensor Nodes

This work presents a methodology for designing an ultra low power application specific instruction set processor. This paper shows the different steps to develop a digital signal processing architecture for a single channel ECG application assuming a system level power dissipation constraint of 100 muW. We follow a bottleneck driven approach based on the following steps. First coarse grained clock gating is applied. Next, the static as well as the dynamic dissipation of the digital processor is reduced and possibilities for future improvements are discussed. Finally, an optimal processor is built consuming 8.40 muW when running the reference application.
Evidence that the TM1-TM2 Loop Contributes to the ρ1 GABA Receptor Pore*

Considerable evidence indicates the second transmembrane domain (TM2) of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor lines the integral ion pore. To further delineate the structures that constitute the ion pore and selectivity filter of the ρ1 GABA receptor, we used the substituted cysteine accessibility method with charged reagents to identify anion- and cation-accessible surfaces. Twenty-one consecutive residues were mutated to cysteine, one at a time, in the presumed intracellular end of the first transmembrane domain (TM1; Ala271-Met276), the entire linker connecting TM1 to TM2 (Leu277-Arg287), and the presumed intracellular end of TM2 (Ala288-Ala291). Positively (MTSEA+) and negatively (pCMBS–) charged sulfhydryl reagents, as well as Cd2+, were added extracellularly to test accessibility of the engineered cysteines. Four of the mutants, all at the intracellular end of TM2 (R287C, V289C, P290C, A291C), were accessible to positively charged reagents, whereas seven mutants (A271C, T272C, L277C, W279C, V280C, P290C, A291C) were functionally modified by negatively charged pCMBS–. These seven modified residues were at the intracellular end of TM2, in the TM1-TM2 linker, and at the intracellular end of TM1. In nearly all cases (excluding P290C), the rate and the degree of modification were state-dependent, with greater accessibility in the presence of agonist. Select cysteine mutants were combined with a point mutation (A291E) that converted the pore from chloride- to non-selective. In this case, positively charged reagents could modify residues in the TM1-TM2 linker (Leu277 and Val280), supporting the notion that the modifying reagents were reaching their target through the pore. Taken together, our results suggest that, up to its intracellular end, the TM2 domain is not charge selective. In addition, we propose that the TM1-TM2 linker and the intracellular end of TM1 are along the pathway of the permeating ion. These findings may lend new insights into the structure of the GABA receptor pore.
Monoclonal antibodies for use in detection of Bacillus and Clostridium spores

Five monoclonal antibodies against bacterial spores of Bacillus cereus T and Clostridium sporogenes PA3679 were developed. Two antibodies (B48 and B183) were selected for their reactivity with B. cereus T spores, two (C33 and C225) were selected for their reactivity with C. sporogenes spores, and one (D89) was selected for its reactivity with both B. cereus and C sporogenes spores. The isotypes of the antibodies were determined to be immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) (B48), IgG1 (B183), and IgM (C33, C225, and D89). The antibodies reacted with spores of B. cereus T, Bacillus subtilis subsp. globigii, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus stearothermophilus, C. sporogenes, Clostridium perfringens, and Desulfotomaculum nigrificans. Antibody D89 also reacted with vegetative cells of B. cereus and C. sporogenes. Analysis of B. cereus spore extracts showed that two of the antigens with which the anti-Bacillus antibodies reacted had molecular masses of 76 kDa and approximately 250 kDa. Immunocytochemical localization indicated that antigens with which B48, B183, and D89 react are on the exosporium of the B. cereus T spore. Antibody D89 reacted with the exosporium and outer cortex of C. sporogenes spores in immunocytochemical localization studies but did not react with extracts of C. sporogenes or B. cereus spores in Western blotting. Some C. sporogenes antigens were not stable during long-term storage at -20 degrees C. Antibodies B48, B183, and D89 should prove to be useful tools for developing immunological methods for the detection of bacterial spores.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging of personality switches in a woman with dissociative identity disorder.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a controversial condition characterized by fluctuating constellations of affective, memory, and behavioral symptoms that are associated with a changing sense of personal identity. 1 Clinically, DID is often associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychodynamically, it is considered rooted in childhood traumatic experiences and is usually an extreme form of defense against overwhelming abuse. Researchers have recently reported hippocampal volume to be decreased in persons with PTSD secondary to childhood abuse. 2 The hippocampus is sensitive to stress and overarousal, 2 which individuals with DID—like those with PTSD—often encounter in early life. We performed a volumetric study of the hippocampus in a patient with comorbid DID and PTSD for comparison with the literature on PTSD. Very little is known about the brain substrate involved in DID, particularly the mechanism of personality switch. Neurophysiological study of DID is limited due to the dynamic nature of the disorder. Although measurable neurophysiological differences among personalities in DID have been reported, the results have been inconsistent and often mixed. 3
Australia's Recent FTAs: Insights from Theory and Modelling on Rationale, Welfare Gains and Political Heat

type="main" xml:id="ecpa12116-abs-0001"> This paper uses the theory of efficiency gains and terms-of-trade losses to explain the proliferation of free-trade agreements (FTAs). It then focuses on Australia's FTAs with Japan, Korea and China in a discussion of gains from FTAs. Continuing that focus, the paper explains why FTAs (and trade policies more generally) are politically divisive. With regard to the China-Australia FTA the conclusions reached in the paper are: (1) There will be a modest but worthwhile welfare gain for Australia; (2) The gain will be mainly from terms-of-trade improvement, not employment; (3) The Government is exaggerating the likely gain; (4) There will be losers as well as winners; (5) The Opposition is well within its rights to question labour-market aspects of the agreement; and (6) The formation of FTAs is likely to be a continuing process and the Government would best serve the Australian public by encouraging evidence-based discussion and providing answers to legitimate queries.
Collagen X Chains Harboring Schmid Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia NC1 Domain Mutations Are Selectively Retained and Degraded in Stably Transfected Cells*

Collagen X is a short chain, homotrimeric collagen expressed specifically by hypertrophic chondrocytes during endochondral bone formation and growth. Although the exact role of collagen X remains unresolved, mutations in theCOL10A1 gene disrupt growth plate function and result in Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (SMCD). With the exception of two mutations that impair signal peptide cleavage during α1(X) chain biosynthesis, SMCD mutations are clustered within the carboxyl-terminal NC1 domain. The formation of stable NC1 domain trimers is a critical stage in collagen X assembly, suggesting that mutations within this domain may result in subunit mis-folding or reduce trimer stability. When expressed in transiently transfected cells, α1(X) chains containing SMCD mutations were unstable and presumed to be degraded intracellularly. More recently, in vitrostudies have shown that certain missense mutations may exert a dominant negative effect on α1(X) chain assembly by formation of mutant homotrimers and normal-mutant heterotrimers. In contrast, analysis of cartilage tissue from two SMCD patients revealed that the truncated mutant message was fully degraded, resulting in 50% reduction of functional collagen X within the growth plate. Therefore, in the absence of data that conclusively demonstrates the full cellular response to mutant collagen X chains, the molecular mechanisms underlying SMCD remain controversial. To address this, we closely examined the effect of two NC1 domain mutations, one frameshift mutation (1963del10) and one missense mutation (Y598D), using both semi-permeabilized cell and stable cell transfection expression systems. Although able to assemble to a limited extent in both systems, we show that, in intact cells, collagen X chains harboring both SMCD mutations did not evade quality control mechanisms within the secretory pathway and were degraded intracellularly. Furthermore, co-expression of wild-type and mutant chains in stable transfected cells demonstrated that, although wild-type chains were secreted, mutant chains were largely excluded from hetero-trimer formation. Our data indicate, therefore, that the predominant effect of the NC1 mutations Y598D and 1963del10 is a reduction in the amount of functional collagen X within the growth cartilage extracellular matrix.
Exclusive Dealing and Business Efficiency: Evidence from Industry Practice*

Exclusive dealing has been the subject of intense public policy debate. A central issue in this debate has been the relationship between exclusive dealing and business efficiency. Despite its importance, there has been a general lack of empirical evidence on business efficiency arguments. The existing evidence on exclusive dealing is limited almost entirely to legal case studies involving firms whose distribution practices have been challenged under antitrust law. In this article we use a new source of microlevel data to study the use of exclusive dealing in industrial markets, gathered through a survey of managers who were responsible for making the distribution decisions in their firms. Our central finding is that business efficiency factors play a significant role in firms' decisions regarding exclusive dealing. Specifically, we find evidence that firms are more likely to use exclusive dealing when there is a potential that other manufacturers can free ride on the services they provide. We also find that difficulties with evaluating distributors' adherence to assigned restrictions decrease the likelihood of using exclusive dealing in the first place. Finally, we also find that when manufacturers are concerned about the costs that exclusive dealing imposes on end customers, such arrangements are less likely.
Migraine, Serum Serotonin and Platelet 5–HT2 Receptors

In spite of recent theories about the aetiopathogenesis of migraine, serotonin continues to play a central role, explaining the efficacy of almost all migraine prophylactic drugs. In migraineurs with and without aura we measured (by HPLC-EC) the serum serotonin (5–HT) and 5–hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5–HIAA) levels between as well as during headache attacks. Between attacks of migraine with aura and at the beginning of attacks of both types of migraine the serum 5–HT and 5–HIAA concentration was significantly increased. These results were corroborated by 3H-spiperone binding to platelet membranes: in migraineurs with aura in the attack-free interval, there was a significant decrease in its Bmax, which suggests down-regulation of 5–HT2 receptors. In conclusion, we have verified that migraine with aura differs biochemically from migraine without aura.
The international Assignments of Peacekeepers: What drives them to seek future expatriation?

From a social learning perspective, factors predicting seeking future international assignments and that are more or less under control of the human resource management department through training were examined. We tested our hypotheses on data from 745 Dutch peacekeepers. It appears that preparation, adventurism, and cultural empathy are important factors in willingness to expatriate again. Peacekeepers scoring high on self-effi cacy are more willing to accept future international assignments than peacekeepers scoring low on self-effi cacy. Further, the relationship between adventurism and seeking future international assignments is stronger for peacekeepers scoring high on self-effi cacy than for peacekeepers scoring low on self-effi cacy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glutathione S-Transferase Mu Modulates the Stress-activated Signals by Suppressing Apoptosis Signal-regulating Kinase 1*

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase that can activate the c-Jun N-terminal kinase and the p38 signaling pathways. It plays a critical role in cytokine- and stress-induced apoptosis. To further characterize the mechanism of the regulation of the ASK1 signal, we searched for ASK1-interacting proteins employing the yeast two-hybrid method. The yeast two-hybrid assay indicated that mouse glutathioneS-transferase Mu 1-1 (mGSTM1-1), an enzyme involved in the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics, interacted with ASK1. We subsequently confirmed that mGSTM1-1 physically associated with ASK1 both in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro binding assay indicated that the C-terminal portion of mGSTM1-1 and the N-terminal region of ASK1 were crucial for binding one another. Furthermore, mGSTM1-1 suppressed stress-stimulated ASK1 activity in cultured cells. mGSTM1-1 also blocked ASK1 oligomerization. The ASK1 inhibition by mGSTM1-1 occurred independently of the glutathione-conjugating activity of mGSTM1-1. Moreover, mGSTM1-1 repressed ASK1-dependent apoptotic cell death. Taken together, our findings suggest that mGSTM1-1 functions as an endogenous inhibitor of ASK1. This highlights a novel function for mGSTM1-1 insofar as mGSTM1-1 may modulate stress-mediated signals by repressing ASK1, and this activity occurs independently of its well-known catalytic activity in intracellular glutathione metabolism.
Coming out on a South African university campus: Adaptations of gay men and lesbians

Abstract Despite Africa's sordid view that same-sex behavior is a “social syphilis,” gay and lesbian students at Stellenbosch University in South Africa are developing networks of support and becoming visible both on and off campus. This exploratory study examines the opinions and beliefs of 20 gay and lesbian students (one student identified as bisexual) and the relationship between their social support networks, their involvement in a gay and lesbian Society at Stellenbosch University, and their experiences and interactions with others in college and their community. Findings reveal that some gay and lesbian students remain silent about their sexual orientation due to hostile campus environments and fear of discrimination and victimization. This article concludes with a brief discussion of Afrikaner nationalism vis-à-vis the gay and lesbian community in Stellenbosch.
Condition Monitoring Power Module Solder Fatigue Using Inverter Harmonic Identification

Condition monitoring power semiconductor devices can inform converter maintenance and reduce damage. This paper presents a method to monitor solder fatigue in a voltage source inverter insulated gate bipolar transistor power module by detecting the change of an inverter output harmonic. It is shown that low-order harmonics, caused by nonideal switching, are affected by the device junction temperature, which in turn depends upon module solder condition. To improve the detection accuracy of the phenomenon, the inverter controller is set to cause harmonic resonance at the target harmonic frequency. The would-be resonance is suppressed by an outer control loop where the control action can be used as the condition monitoring signal. Simulation and experiment are presented to validate the method and evaluate its performance in operation.