Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cultural Influences on Strategic Behavior of Hotel Executives: Masculinity and Femininity

As more hotel companies progressively internationalize their operations, the composition of their top management teams becomes more diversified. This necessitates the understanding of whether variations in strategic behavior and philosophy among these executives exist, which can be partially explained by differences in their national cultures. This article investigated the potential influence of masculinity on strategic behaviors by comparing hotel executives from three countries, the U.S., Thailand and Turkey. The findings indicated that executives associated with masculine cultures tended to use less involvement of others and less rationality in strategy development than their counterparts from feminine cultures. No differences were found regarding emphasis on content of strategic goals and openness to strategic change. Managerial implications and directions for future research are presented.
The Demand for Day-Visits: An Analysis of Visitor Spending

A tourism destination comprises a number of elements and features, which combine to attract staying or day visitation or, in some cases, transitory visitors. Various factors which determine the degree of attractiveness of any place promoted for tourism purposes have, in recent years, been the subject of more detailed analysis. However, studies have concentrated primarily on pre-trip motivational factors, destination selection, imagery and levels of visitor satisfaction. Within the context of visitor management studies the emphasis has been placed on the quality of the physical environment. In contrast, there has been little discussion on visitor spending at a destination level, and the consequent marketing implications for tourism practitioners following from this type of analysis. This paper presents the findings of a study of day visitors to Cheddar, a small-scale, well-known inland destination in the UK. The authors conclude that while market attractors are important in encouraging visitation, the level of spending at the destination is very closely related to duration of stay and composition of party; a number of implications are drawn for those responsible for marketing destinations.
Staphylococcus saprophyticus Recovered from Humans, Food, and Recreational Waters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is an important agent of urinary tract infection (UTI) in young women, but information about this pathogen in human microbiota and in common environment is lacking. The aim of this study was to characterize S. saprophyticus isolates from genitoanal microbiota of 621 pregnant women, 10 minas cheese packs, and five beaches in Rio de Janeiro city and compare PFGE profiles of these isolates with five UTI PFGE clusters described in this city. We investigated 65 S. saprophyticus isolates from microbiota, 13 from minas cheese, and 30 from beaches and 32 UTI isolates. Antimicrobial resistance was determined by disk diffusion, MIC by agar dilution, and PCR. Erythromycin-resistance genes erm(C), msr(A), msr(B), mph(C), and lin(A) were found in 93% of isolates. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance correlated with dfrG or dfrA genes. Three cefoxitin-resistant isolates carried the mecA gene. All isolates obtained from cheese were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents. Six of 10 pregnant women with >1 isolate had monoclonal colonization. Isolates from pregnant women shared 100% similarity with UTI PFGE cluster types A and E obtained almost 10 years previously, suggesting temporal persistence of S. saprophyticus. Antimicrobial resistance of beach isolates reflected the profiles of human isolates. Taken together, results indicate a shared source for human and environmental isolates.
Automatic Fiscal Stabilisers in Estonia

Abstract The paper discusses the functioning of automatic fiscal stabilisers in Estonia. The aim of the research is to evaluate government budget sensitivity to economic fluctuations and thereby assess the importance of automatic fiscal stabilisers in Estonia. Specifically we are interested in whether the functioning of automatic fiscal stabilisers might under certain circumstances create difficulties for the fulfilment of the Maastricht deficit criterion according to which the public deficit is not allowed to exceed 3% of GDP.
A Low-Power 2.4GHz CMOS RF Receiver with Temperature Compensation

In this paper, a low power 2.4 GHz front-end for sensor network application (IEEE 802.15.4 LR-WPAN) is designed with 0.18 um CMOS process. A power supply circuit with novel temperature compensation scheme is presented. The simulation and measurement result shows that the front-end (LNA, Mixer) can achieve 35.3dB voltage gain and 3.1 dB Noise Figure with 2.16 mW power consumption at 27degC. NF included the loss of BALUN and BPF. The voltage gain, noise figure and third order intercept point(IIP3) variations over -45degC to 85degC are less than 0.2 dB, 0.25 dB and 1.5 dB respectively.
Time course of mechanosensitivity changes in articular afferents during a developing experimental arthritis.

1. In 37 cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose recordings were made from single-afferent units of the medial articular nerve (MAN) of the right knee joint. First the mechanosensitivity of such units was characterized while the joint was in normal condition. Thereafter, keeping the afferents under continuous observation, an experimental arthritis was induced by injecting kaolin and carrageenan into the joint cavity. The effects of the developing arthritis including the time course of the changes were studied on low- and high-threshold units and on afferents that had no mechanosensitivity in the normal joint. 2. The arthritis increased the mechanosensitivity in the majority of the low-threshold units, i.e., in units that responded already in the normal joint to movements in the working range. Enhanced responses to movements were found for 12 of 16 thick myelinated group II, 10 of 10 fine myelinated group III, and 1 of 3 unmyelinated group IV afferents. The augmentation of reactions developed in most cases within the first hour after the injection of the inflammatory compounds, sometimes starting immediately after the injection. A further rise of the mechanosensitivity was observed within the following 2-4 h. In most group III units enhanced responses for movements were accompanied by an induction or increase of resting discharges. In 1 group II and 1 group IV unit spontaneous activity developed in the absence of any change of movement-sensitivity. 3. The inflammation led to enhanced mechanosensitivity in high-threshold afferents, i.e., in units that responded in the normal joint only to noxious movements exceeding the working range of the knee. One group II, 10 of 12 group III, and 5 of 10 group IV units of this type became responsive to movements in the working range during development of arthritis, in most cases within the second to third hour after induction of inflammation with a further increase later on. In a high proportion of these units resting activity was induced too. Few high-threshold units developed spontaneous discharges but no responses to movements in the working range. The time course for development of resting activity was similar to that for lowering of the mechanical threshold. 4. The experimental arthritis induced afferent activity in 1 of 2 group III and 10 of 14 group IV units that in the normal joint were unresponsive to local mechanical stimulation and to innocuous/noxious movements (but responsive to a bolus of a KCl-solution applied intraarterially close to the joint). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Multiple (Familial) Trichoepitheliomas: A Clinicopathological and Molecular Biological Study, Including CYLD and PTCH Gene Analysis, of a Series of 16 Patients

Multiple familial trichoepitheliomas (MFT) constitute an autosomally inherited syndrome possibly related to Brooke-Spiegler syndrome (BSS). Although some early studies suggested a role for the PTCH gene on chromosome 9q22.3 in the etiopathogenesis of MFT, recent studies of occasional patients with the MFT clinical phenotype identified mutations in the CYLD gene on chromosome 16q12-q13, a gene responsible for BSS. A systematic investigation of PTCH and CYLD mutations in patients with MFT has never been performed. Our main objective was to collect a reasonably large series of patients with MFT to (1) study the clinicopathological spectrum of the disease, (2) determine whether the PTCH gene is implicated in the pathogenesis of MFT, and if so (3) determine the relative frequency of CYLD and PTCH mutations, (4) establish if there may be any possible genotype-phenotype correlations, and (5) study the spectrum of somatic mutations. Clinical analysis including family histories, histopathological investigations, and molecular genetic studies were performed. There were 9 female and 7 male patients ranging in age from 11 to 63 years. They presented with multiple, small, discrete and sometimes confluent, skin-colored to pink, asymptomatic nodules preferentially located on the face, being especially prominent and confluent in the nasolabial folds and inner aspects of the eyebrows. A total of 66 conventional trichoepitheliomas (TEs) were studied microscopically. Aside from typical features of TE, some also exhibited variant morphological patterns including areas reminiscent of other benign adnexal neoplasms and melanocytic hyperplasia. In none of the 9 patients tested was a germline mutation of the PTCH gene identified. Germline CYLD mutations were detected in 6 of 13 patients tested (identical in 2 unrelated patients) including 2 novel mutations, whereas the remaining 7 individuals showed wild-type alleles. Two patients with germline wild-type CYLD showed, however, a somatic mutation in the gene (1 duplication, 1 substitution mutation). Neither CYLD nor PTCH germline mutations were found in the 5 patients in whom both genes were analyzed. MFT seems to be a phenotypic variant of BSS. The PTCH gene is rarely, if ever, involved in the pathogenesis of MFT. Absence of a germline mutation of the CYLD gene in cases harboring a somatic mutation may be explained by large deletions in the gene or by mutation in intronic sequences or in the promoter region. Considering our 5 patients with no mutation in either gene, the final possibility is that another, as yet undescribed gene (neither CYLD nor PTCH) is implicated in the pathogenesis of some patients with MFT.
Electrochemical Syntheses, XVII [1]. Ozone Synthesis by Electrolysis of Water

Dimensionally stable lead dioxide anodes on a titanium substrate [2, 3] were tested for application in ozone electrosynthesis in a variety of aqueous electrolytes. At room temperature an ozone concentration of up to 13% by weight in the anodic gas composed of O3 and O2 is attained by using an aqueous phosphate electrolyte.
Sulfur Dioxide Compliance of a Regulated Utility

Electric utilities can reduce sulfur dioxide emissions through a variety of strategies such as adding scrubbers, switching to low- sulfur coal, or shifting output between generating plants with different emissions. The cost of achieving a given emission target can be minimized using a market for emission allowances, as under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, if firms with high abatement costs buy allowances while those with low abatement costs reduce emissions and sell allowances. However, public utility commissions regulate which costs can be passed to customers. Previous theoretical work has analyzed effects of regulations on a utility's choice between permits and a single continuous `abatement technology. ' Here, we consider three abatement technologies and the discrete choices among them. Our numerical model uses market and engineering information on permit prices, scrubber cost and sulfur removal efficiency, alternative fuel costs and sulfur content, plus generating plant costs and efficiency. Using illustrative sets of parameters, we find that regulatory rules could more than double the cost of sulfur dioxide compliance.
Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Mapping

ABC Fax + 41 61 306 12 34 E-mail karger@karger.ch www.karger. com © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel 0301–0171/02/0984–0291$19.50/0 Accessible online at: www.karger. com/cgr Abstract. Lower vertebrates like fish exhibit tremendous diversity in sex determination. There are wide interplays between environment-dependent sex differentiation ranging from natural hermaphroditism to sex reversal and genetic sex determination. Diverse systems of male and female heterogamety coexist in fish and sex chromosomes are rarely distinguishable in morphology. Here we show that the spiny eel (Mastacembelus aculeatus) of the Perciformes, has evolved highly heteromorphic X and Y chromosomes. The metacentric X and Y chromosomes are the largest among 24 homologous pairs, differ from each other in size and morphology, and become distinct after C-banding because of conspicuous heterochromatin blocks which exhibit alternate distribution around the centromeric region. Chromosome painting using probes from the microdissected X chromosome revealed sequence homology between X and Y. During the pachytene stage of meiosis the X and Y form a bivalent. However, their synapsis is delayed which is particularly evident in one terminus. Therefore, the X and Y have resulted from a pericentric inversion in the Y. We conclude that M. aculeatus represents an example of a highly advanced stage of sex chromosome evolution in fish.
SMEs and e‐business

This paper explores a range of issues surrounding the adoption of ICT and e‐business technologies and techniques by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The paper reviews the nature and extent of the take‐up of these technologies by small firms, and the digital divides that have emerged. Models of e‐business adoption by SMEs are examined, the linear model being contrasted with the more realistic “PIT” model. Barriers to the adoption of e‐business technologies and techniques are discussed, together with factors that promote successful adoption, and the major role played by human capital. It is concluded that the take‐up of e‐business by SMEs needs to be seen as a means to an end and not an end in itself. Government preoccupation with the take‐up of the technology of e‐commerce needs to be tempered with a more realistic view of how small firms operate.
The psychological implications of injury [proceedings]

3. The level of competition in which the injury has occurred, an implication of which is that the psychological effects of injury are more worthy of serious study in relation to what might be termed "serious" sport. Physical fitness is also important; the sportsman who is physically fit, having become adapted to fairly severe physical stresses before injury, can more easily adapt to the demands of a physical rehabilitation programme he is less likely to "acquiesce" to the disability (Bender, Renzaglia, and Kaplan, 1971).
Increasing Salesperson Performance With Social Capital: The Impact of Centrality, Tie Strength and Network Diversity

We thank seminar participants at Arizona State University, University of Sao Paulo and Ibmec Sao Paulo. We are indebted with Sergio Lazzarini for comments and suggestions. The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by the firm involved in the project. Our special thanks go to the sales managers who provided information to test our conceptual framework.
Insights into the pathogenesis of thyroid-associated orbitopathy: evolving rationale for therapy.

A to understand the pathogenesis of thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) have failed, in part because of confounding features associated with its variable clinical presentation. In the absence of a more complete insight into disease mechanisms, no specific and effective therapy can be developed. It is our view that much of the information necessary to unravel the complexities of TAO and therefore formulate rational therapy has already been gathered.
Activity of difloxacin (A-56619) and A-56620 against clinical anaerobic bacteria in vitro

We determined the MICs of difloxacin (A-56619) and A-56620 against anaerobic bacteria and assessed the effects of alterations in pH, size of inoculum, addition of human serum, and repeated exposure to subinhibitory levels of antibiotics. We tested for synergism of these drugs with cefoxitin against Bacteroides spp. We found that difloxacin and A-56620 were as active as ciprofloxacin, inhibiting about 90% of B. fragilis (4 micrograms/ml) and other Bacteroides spp. (8 micrograms/ml), A-56620 being more active than difloxacin against several isolates. Increased inoculum size and changes in pH did not alter their MICs much, but human serum and exposure to sub-MICs of antibiotic effected increases in their MICs against Bacteroides spp. Cefoxitin was not synergistic with either difloxacin or A-56620 against B. fragilis.
Factors That Affect Feed Intake of Meat Birds: A Review

1 Abstract: Feed intake is the major factor that influences both the body weight gain and feed efficiency in meat-type poultry. Because so many factors can influence feed intake, it is often difficult to correct a problem of poor feed intake unless a complete review of feed and management practices is made. Management and flock health issues are usually more likely to reduce feed intake than dietary factors. Dietary factors that influence feed intake would be common among all flocks in a complex rather than on individual flocks. In contrast, environmental or immunological stresses have the most profound effects on flock variation in feed intake. Any management protocol that would alleviate these stressors will improve feed intake. To improve flock feed intake, initially investigate the source of greatest stress or disease challenge.
A Task-Centered Framework for Computationally-Grounded Science Collaborations

Collaboration is ubiquitous in today's science, yet there is limited support for coordinating scientific work. The general-purpose tools that are typically used (e.g., email, shared document editing, social coding sites), have still not replaced in-person meetings, phone calls, and extensive emails needed to coordinate and track collaborative activities. Scientists with diverse knowledge and skills around the globe could collaborate by opening scientific processes that expose all tasks and activities publicly to achieve a shared scientific question. This paper describes the Organic Data Science framework to support scientific collaborations that revolve around complex science questions that require significant coordination, entice contributors to remain engaged for extended periods of time, and enable continuous growth to accommodate new contributors as the work evolves over time. We discuss how the design of this framework incorporates principles followed by successful on-line communities. We present initial results to date of several communities that are collaborating using this framework.
Adaptive integral sliding mode compensation control for a class of uncertain switched nonlinear systems

This work presents an adaptive integral sliding mode compensation control scheme for a class of switched nonlinear systems with uncertainties and external disturbances. Adaptive updated law is based on switched Lyapunov function approach, and a periodically switching signal which is suit for practical implementation is constructed. With the proposed control scheme, it's proved that the resulting closed-loop switched system is asymptotically Lyapunov stable such that the sliding surface of the control system is well reached. Simulation studies have shown that the proposed controller shows satisfactory control performance.
A placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study of a growth hormone releasing factor in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation

Objective:To investigate the effects of TH9507, a novel growth hormone releasing factor, on abdominal fat accumulation, metabolic and safety parameters in HIV-infected patients with central fat accumulation. Design and methods:Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling 61 HIV-infected patients with increased waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. Participants were randomized to placebo or 1 or 2 mg TH9507 subcutaneously, once daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was change in abdominal fat, assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and cross-sectional computerized tomography scan. Secondary endpoints included change in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), metabolic, quality of life, and safety parameters. Results:TH9507 resulted in dose-related physiological increases in IGF-I (P < 0.01 for 1 mg (+48%) and 2 mg (+65%) versus placebo). Trunk fat decreased in the 2 mg group versus placebo (0.8, −4.6 and −9.2%; placebo, 1 and 2 mg, respectively, P = 0.014 for 2 mg versus placebo), without significant change in limb fat. Visceral fat (VAT) decreased most in the 2 mg group (−5.4, −3.6 and −15.7%; placebo, 1 and 2 mg, respectively) but this change was not significant versus placebo. Subcutaneous fat (SAT) was preserved and did not change between or within groups. Lean body mass and the ratio of VAT to SAT improved significantly in both treatment groups versus placebo. Triglyceride and the cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio decreased significantly in the 2 mg group versus placebo. Treatment was generally well tolerated without changes in glucose. Conclusions:TH9507 reduced truncal fat, improved the lipid profile and did not increase glucose levels in HIV-infected patients with central fat accumulation. TH9507 may be a beneficial treatment strategy in this population, but longer-term studies with more patients are needed to determine effects on VAT, treatment durability, and safety.
India's International Trade in Services

Traditionally, foreign trade analyses have been concerned with merchandise. But with emergence of service’s sector in international trade, interest is growing in analysing their behaviour. The purpose of this study is to investigate behaviour of India’s international trade in services and their broad determinants. Both exports and imports of services shall be considered. Trade in services can be classified into (a) transport (b) travel (c) insurance (d) capital services (e) professional, technical and other services. This study considers the period arising from the beginning of sixties till eighties.
Sleep Quality, Sleep Patterns and Consumption of Energy Drinks and Other Caffeinated Beverages among Peruvian College Students.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate sleep quality in relation to lifestyle characteristics including consumption of energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages among Peruvian college students. METHODS A total of 2,458 college students were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire that collected information about a variety of behaviors including consumption of energy drinks, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Logistic regression procedures were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for poor sleep quality in relation to lifestyle characteristics. RESULTS A total of 965 males and 1,493 female students were enrolled in the study. 52.0% of males and 58.4% of females experienced poor sleep quality (p=0.002). Females (OR=1.28; 95% CI 1.08-1.51) and those who reported consuming ≥ 3 stimulant beverages per week (OR=1.88; 95% CI 1.42-2.50) had higher odds of poor sleep quality. Students who consumed 1-19 alcoholic beverages monthly (OR=1.90; 95% CI 1.46-2.49) had a higher odds of long sleep latency. Consumption of ≥ 3 stimulant beverages per week was associated with daytime dysfunction due to sleep loss (OR=1.45; 95% CI 1.10-1.90), short sleep duration (OR= 1.49; 95% CI 1.14-1.94), and use of sleep medication (OR= 2.10; 95% CI 1.35-3.28). CONCLUSIONS Consumption of energy drinks, other caffeinated beverages and alcoholic beverages are risk factors of poor sleep quality. Increased awareness of these associations should promote interventions to improve students' lifestyle habits, including consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, and overall health.