Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategic Leadership and Organizational Performance: A Critical Review of Literature

Effective strategic leadership is considered as a major ingredient for the successful performance of any organization operating in the ever dynamic and complex environment of the 21st century. In the context of information uncertainty and resource scarcity, strategic leadership is required to confront the reality of environmental turbulence and a continuous need for appropriate organizational change in order to achieve performance goals. Most of the conceptual and empirical studies have shown that strategic leadership actions significantly influence performance. Despite its importance, studies have demonstrated that the influence of strategic leadership on organizational performance is contingent upon situational constraints or random effects. To date, very little empirical research has analyzed the direct and indirect relationship between strategic leadership, external environment, organizational change and performance. This paper seeks to unearth this research gap by critically reviewing relevant conceptual and empirical literature to bring out the possibility that the external environment and organizational change could influence the relationship between strategic leadership and organizational performance. The paper advances the emerging postulations which anchor a conclusion that the direct effect of strategic leadership on performance is contested and hence inconclusive due to possible moderating and mediating influence of the external environment and organizational change respectively. It is hoped that the paper’s postulations would guide empirical research in various contexts to hasten addressing of the extant knowledge gaps.
On the damped oscillations of an elastic quasi-circular membrane in a two-dimensional incompressible fluid

Abstract We propose a procedure – partly analytical and partly numerical – to find the frequency and the damping rate of the small-amplitude oscillations of a massless elastic capsule immersed in a two-dimensional viscous incompressible fluid. The unsteady Stokes equations for the stream function are decomposed into normal modes for the angular and temporal variables, leading to a fourth-order linear ordinary differential equation in the radial variable. The forcing terms are dictated by the properties of the membrane and result in jump conditions at the interface between the internal and external media. The equation can be solved numerically, and excellent agreement is found with a fully computational approach that we have developed in parallel. Comparisons are also shown with results available in the scientific literature for drops, and a model based on the concept of entrained fluid is presented, which allows for a good representation of the present results and a consistent interpretation of the underlying physics.
Cowpox virus: What’s in a Name?

Traditionally, virus taxonomy relied on phenotypic properties; however, a sequence-based virus taxonomy has become essential since the recent requirement of a species to exhibit monophyly. The species Cowpox virus has failed to meet this requirement, necessitating a reexamination of this species. Here, we report the genomic sequences of nine Cowpox viruses and, by combining them with the available data of 37 additional genomes, confirm polyphyly of Cowpox viruses and find statistical support based on genetic data for more than a dozen species. These results are discussed in light of the current International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses species definition, as well as immediate and future implications for poxvirus taxonomic classification schemes. Data support the recognition of five monophyletic clades of Cowpox viruses as valid species.
Should males ever undergo wedge resection for stage 1 non-small-cell lung cancer? A propensity analysis.

OBJECTIVES Wedge resections are frequently performed for small peripheral lesions in patients unfit for a more extensive resection. We aimed to investigate whether patient sex and histology type are important factors determining survival in patients undergoing a wedge resection for stage I lung cancer. METHODS We retrospectively analysed a prospective thoracic database of patients (n = 2859) who had undergone potentially curative wedge resection for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer. Only patients with adenocarcinoma or squamous carcinoma were included (n = 540). We benchmarked our 5-year survival against the sixth International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer results. Kaplan-Meier, Cox multivariate regression analysis and propensity analysis were utilized to assess the effect of sex and histology on survival post-wedge resection with regard to long-term survival. RESULTS Cox regression of patients who had undergone wedge resection demonstrated that adenocarcinoma (odds ratio [OR]: 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-4.19), P = 0.02 was the only significant term determining long-term survival. Cox regression of male patients identified adenocarcinoma (OR: 3.29, 95% CI: 1.22-8.86), P = 0.02 as the only significant term determining long-term survival. Cox regression of female patients failed to identify any significant factors that determine long-term survival. Propensity matching based on gender identified that gender had no effect on survival, P = 0.46; however, histology was associated with a difference in survival, P = 0.02. This effect occurred in males, P = 0.02, but not females, P = 0.26. Propensity matching based on histology identified that gender had no effect on survival, P = 0.29; however, histology was associated with a difference in survival, P = 0.01. This effect occurred in males, P = 0.01, but not females, P = 0.26. Differing life expectancy between males and females was adjusted for by the use of the Framingham-predicted life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS Long-term survival of patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer who undergo a wedge resection is affected by gender and histological type. Male patients undergoing wedge resections for adenocarcinoma have outcomes inferior to those of patients with squamous carcinoma. Histology type does not affect survival in female patients undergoing wedge resections.
Plasma Incretin Levels and Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Activity in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

RATIONALE Incretin hormones, namely glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) activity are important factors in glucose metabolism and have not been investigated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the association between OSA and incretin and DPP-4 activity. METHODS This study included 96 consecutive patients without diabetes who were suspected of having OSA. We investigated the fasting and post-prandial incremental area under the curve (IAUC) of GLP-1, GIP serum levels, and serum DPP-4 activity levels, as well as their association with OSA. Changes in clinical variables were evaluated in the 43 patients who continued continuous positive airway pressure therapy for 3 months. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Apnea-hypopnea index was an independent determining factor for fasting GLP-1 (β = 0.31; P = 0.0019) and IAUC GIP (β = -0.21; P = 0.037) after adjusting for known confounding factors. In those with very severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥50), the IAUCs for GLP-1 and GIP were significantly decreased, while fasting GLP-1 and fasting GIP were significantly increased. DPP-4 activity had no relation to OSA parameters or severity, while body mass index was significantly higher in those with severe OSA. Although significant changes in incretin secretion were not seen for 3 months after onset of continuous positive airway pressure therapy, the fasting GLP-1 level in the treated patients with severe OSA decreased to the same level as in untreated patients with normal to moderately severe OSA. CONCLUSIONS OSA is associated with elevated serum levels of the incretin hormones GLP-1 (fasting) and GIP (post-prandial) in patients without diabetes. A significant association between body mass index and DPP-4, which is said to exist in healthy persons, was not found in the patients with OSA. Fasting GLP-1 in patients without diabetes with OSA may influence fasting glucose levels.
Identification de systèmes dynamiques non linéaires par réseaux de neurones et multimodèles

Cette etude traite de l'identification de systeme dynamique non-lineaire. Une architecture multimodele capable de surmonter certaines difficultes de l'architecture neuronale de type MLP a ete etudiee. L'approche multimodele consiste a representer un systeme complexe par un ensemble de modeles de structures simples a validite limitee dans des zones bien definies. A la place de la structure affine des modeles locaux generalement utilisee, cette etude propose une structure polynomiale plus generale, capable de mieux apprehender les non-linearites locales, reduisant ainsi le nombre de modeles locaux. L'estimation parametrique d'une telle architecture multimodele peut se faire suivant une optimisation lineaire, moins couteuse en temps de calcul que l'estimation parametrique utilisee dans une architecture neuronale. L'implantation des multimodeles recurrents, avec un algorithme d'estimation parametrique plus souple que l'algorithme de retro-propagation du gradient a travers a travers le temps utilise pour le MLP recurrent a egalement ete effectuee. Cette architecture multimodele permet de representer plus facilement des modeles non-lineaires boucles tels que les modeles NARMAX et NOE. La determination du nombre de modeles locaux dans une architecture multimodele necessite la decomposition (le partitionnement) de l'espace de fonctionnement du systeme en plusieurs sous-espaces ou sont definies les modeles locaux. Des modes de partitionnement du systeme en plusieurs sous-espaces ou sont definies les modeles locaux. Des modes de partitionnement flou (base sur les algorithmes de "fuzzy-c-means", de "Gustafson et Kessel" et du "substractive clustering") ont ete presentes. L'utilisation de telles methodes necessite l'implantation d'une architecture multimodele ou les modeles locaux peuvent etre de structures differentes : polynomiales de degres differents, neuronale ou polynomiale et neuronale. Une architecture multimodele heterogene repondant a ses exigences a ete proposee, des algorithmes d'identification structurelles et parametriques ont ete presentes. Une etude comparative entre les architectures MLP et multimodele a ete menee. Le principal atout de l'architecture mudltimodele par rapport a l'architecture neuronale de type MLP est la simplicite de l'estimation parametrique. Par ailleurs, l'utilisation dans une architecture multimodele d'un mode de partitionnement base sur la classification floue permet de determiner facilement le nombre de modeles locaux, alors que la determination du nombre de neurones caches pour une architecture MLP reste une tâche difficile.
Systemic Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Experimental and clinical studies indicate that early reperfusion of occluded brain-supplying arteries reduces the size of injury and improves outcome. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is the only drug approved for systemic reperfusion in acute ischemic stroke. However, the use of intravenous t-PA is currently limited by its narrow therapeutic window. Methods: We reviewed the approaches to extending systemic reperfusion in cerebral ischemia currently under investigation in human clinical studies. Results: Strategies to expand the systemic reperfusion include: a better use of conventional t-PA; to extend the intravenous rt-PA window to 270 min; new fibrinolytic agents (tenecteplase, microplasmin, desmoteplase, V10153); combination of lytics and antithrombotics (t-PA + tirofibran, t-PA + abciximab, reteplase + abciximab, t-PA + eptifibatide and t-PA + eptifibatide + aspirin + tinzaparin); combination of lytics and neuroprotectans; externally applied ultrasound to enhance enzymatic fibrinolysis, and improving patient selection with multimodal imaging. Conclusion: There is considerable opportunity to explore safe strategies to expand systemic reperfusion therapy which could further benefit stroke outcome.
Three-dimensional photoacoustic tomography based on graphics-processing-unit-accelerated finite element method.

Compared with commonly used analytical reconstruction methods, the frequency-domain finite element method (FEM) based approach has proven to be an accurate and flexible algorithm for photoacoustic tomography. However, the FEM-based algorithm is computationally demanding, especially for three-dimensional cases. To enhance the algorithm's efficiency, in this work a parallel computational strategy is implemented in the framework of the FEM-based reconstruction algorithm using a graphic-processing-unit parallel frame named the "compute unified device architecture. " A series of simulation experiments is carried out to test the accuracy and accelerating effect of the improved method. The results obtained indicate that the parallel calculation does not change the accuracy of the reconstruction algorithm, while its computational cost is significantly reduced by a factor of 38.9 with a GTX 580 graphics card using the improved method.
Epigenetic Changes: Potential Therapeutic Targets

Abstract: Recent advances in human genome research have resulted in novel approaches for the identification of epigenetic modifications associated with cancer. Modulators of DNA methylation and chromatin structure have a dramatic effect on gene expression, cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Molecular pathways regulating epigenetic events that occur during tumorigenesis have been exploited as new targets for therapeutic intervention. Clinical studies exploring the effectiveness of therapeutic agents targeting DNA methylation and acetylation of histones have yielded promising results. Molecular profiles of epigenetic alterations in cancer cells could allow better stratification of patients who may show responsiveness to specific treatments.
Glutamate receptor agonists decrease extracellular dopamine in the rat nucleus accumbens in vivo

Intracerebral microdialysis was used to investigate the effects of local application of L‐glutamate, N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate, and the glutamate uptake inhibitor l‐trans‐pyrrolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylic acid (PDC) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on extracellular dopamine (DA) concentrations. The effects of locally applied PDC on extracellular glutamate concentrations were also examined. Glutamate produced a concentration‐dependent decrease in extracellular DA that could be blocked by concurrent, local application of the broad spectrum ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid (KYN: 1 mM). N‐Methyl‐D‐aspartate had a concentration‐dependent effect on DA release, with a low concentration (0.1 mM) producing a decrease and a higher concentration (1.0 mM) resulting in an increase. Both effects were blocked by KYN. PDC (1 mM) increased extracellular glutamate concentrations to 102% above baseline. The same concentration of PDC decreased extracellular DA concentrations, and coapplication of KYN attenuated this effect. These results indicate that glutamate receptor agonists can have both facilitatory and inhibitory effects on extracellular DA concentrations. However, the effects of PDC indicate that inhibition of DA release is the more physiologically relevant effect. Furthermore, the results of these and other experiments suggest that glutamate's inhibitory effects on DA release in the NAc are not due to direct actions of this excitatory amino acid on DA terminals. A multisynaptic model that accounts for glutamate's actions on DA release is proposed. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus growing on fibronectin-coated surfaces to bactericidal antibiotics

Several recent studies have shown that bacteria either grown in vitro as adherent biofilms or recovered from infected prosthetic devices have decreased susceptibilities to antimicrobial killing. To further study the microbial and environmental factors responsible for this decreased antibiotic susceptibility, we developed an in vitro model of surface-adherent Staphylococcus aureus growing on polymethylmethacrylate coverslips coated with pure fibronectin. After exponential growth for 4 h, the population of fibronectin-attached S. aureus remained constant for a further 48-h period, as evaluated by CFU counts of organisms quantitatively removed from the coverslips. At selected time points, surface-bound organisms were exposed to bactericidal concentrations of either oxacillin, vancomycin, fleroxacin, or gentamicin in short-term (0.5 to 2 h) or long-term (24 h) killing assays. Whereas at 2 h surface-growing organisms were still optimally killed by all antimicrobial agents, at 4 and 24 h attached bacteria expressed markedly altered susceptibilities to these agents. The decrease in susceptibility was moderate for fleroxacin, more important for oxacillin and vancomycin, and extensive for gentamicin. When surface-attached S. aureus was compared with bacteria grown in a fluid phase, both populations showed a parallel time-dependent decrease in their susceptibilities to either oxacillin, vancomycin, or fleroxacin. In contrast, attached organisms became considerably more resistance to gentamicin than suspended bacteria did. Subpopulations of organisms spontaneously released from coverslips during antibiotic exposure also showed markedly reduced susceptibilities to antimicrobial killing. This simple model of S. aureus colonization of in vitro fibronectin-coated surfaces might represent a useful approach to the study of the physiological and biochemical changes that underlie the decreased antibiotic susceptibilities of biomaterial-attached organisms.
Genome Plasticity among RelatedLactococcus Strains: Identification of Genetic Events Associated with Macrorestriction Polymorphisms

ABSTRACT The genomic diversity of nine strains of the Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (NCDO712, NCDO505, NCDO2031, NCDO763, MMS36, C2, LM0230, LM2301, and MG1363) was studied by macrorestriction enzyme analysis using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. These strains were considered adequate for the investigation of genomic plasticity because they have been described as belonging to the same genetic lineage. Comparison of ApaI and SmaI genome fingerprints of each strain revealed the presence of several macrorestriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), despite a high degree of similarity of the generated restriction patterns. The physical map of the MG1363 chromosome was used to establish a genome map of the other strains and allocate the RFLPs to five regions. Southern hybridization analysis correlated the polymorphic regions with genetic events such as chromosomal inversion, integration of prophage DNA, and location of the transposon-like structures carrying conjugative factor or oligopeptide transport system.
A study of the interactions between internal audit function and external auditors in Italy.

This paper shows the results of a research study whose main objectives have been to understand the way and the extent of dependence and consideration which the directors of internal audit departments and the partners in external audit firms have of each other. We relied on the exploratory research methods that examine the level of operative co-operation and activity co-ordination between Internal audit functions and auditing firms through questionnaires and interviews. The findings suggest that mutual collaboration increases the reliability of controls and that, at least in part, avoids duplication of work, although there is no full agreement on the usefulness of the internal audit outcome for the external auditor activities. These findings are particularly relevant given the growing emphasis on the role of Internal Audit as an important corporate governance mechanism and on the new challenges faced by external auditors in the form of greater audit requirements. Overall, our findings have practical implications for both (i) external auditors who are evaluating the role of internal audit functions and its usefulness and (ii) CAEs who could on their turn increase the efficiency and effectiveness of internal audit functions. This article also provides a contribution to the literature examining public companies internal and external audit interrelationships as well as the literature on audit effectiveness and performance.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) application at dell computer

Dell Inc.'s assembly centers previously used bar code scanning to track components and kits through the process. The bar-code system had low read-accuracy rates and was difficult to trouble-shoot when problems occurred and required additional headcount. The success of a pilot Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) led to a project to convert the assembly tracking to RFID. As a result of this implementation, read-accuracy improved from 95.86% to 99.86% and Mean-Time-To-Repair was reduced by 38%. The Return-on-Investment was 122%. This paper will highlight RFID technology, the project goals at Dell, how their benefits were achieved, and the lessons learned.
Post-heat treatment effect on the dielectric response of epoxy samples

In the present experiment, the dielectric response of various types of epoxies was investigated in the frequency and time domain. The samples consisted of nanostructured epoxy microcomposites and reference microcomposites. Water ingression at the fabrication step and/or at measuring time is known to affect the dielectric response of materials such as epoxy. Prior to measurement, some samples were submitted to 160°C during 48 hours under vacuum. Heating the epoxy sample under vacuum was found to have a substantial effect on dielectric properties specially when the microcomposite was nanostructured. In the nanodielectric case, pre-treatment conditions could produce a drop in the dielectric constant, about 5% at around 10-2 Hz. This observation would be consistent with the removal of the polarisability associated with water molecules.
Détection d'une source faible : modèles et méthodes statistiques : application à la détection d'exoplanètes par imagerie directe

Cette these contribue a la recherche de planetes extra-solaires a partir d’instruments au sol imageant une etoile et son environnement tres proche. Le grand contraste lumineux et la proximite entre une potentielle exoplanete et son etoile parente rendent la detection de l’exoplanete extremement difficile. Une modelisation qualitative et probabiliste fine des donnees et l’utilisation de methodes d’inference adaptees permettent d’accroitre a posteriori les performances des instruments. Cette these se focalise ainsi sur l’etape de traitement des donnees et sur un probleme de methodologie statistique plus general. Chaque etude est abordee sous des angles theoriques et appliques. La these decrit d’abord les donnees attendues pour le futur instrument SPHERE du Very Large Telescope, simulees a partir d’une modelisation physique detaillee. Un modele probabiliste simple de ces donnees permet notamment de construite une procedure d’identification de candidats. Les performances des inferences sont aussi etudiees a partir d’un modele decrivant de facon plus realiste les bruits caracterisant les images (bruit de speckle correle, bruit de Poisson). On souligne la difference entre les probabilites de fausse alarme calculees a partir du modele simple et a partir du modele realiste. Le probleme est ensuite traite dans le cadre bayesien. On introduit et etudie d’abord un outil original de test d’hypotheses : la distribution a posteriori du rapport de vraisemblance, notee PLR. Son etude theorique montre notamment que dans un cadre d’invariance standard le PLR est egal a une p-value frequentiste. Par ailleurs, un modele probabiliste des donnees est developpe a partir du modele initial et un modele probabiliste de l’intensite de l’exoplanete est propose. Ils sont finalement utilises dans le PLR et le facteur de Bayes.