Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating critical criteria for supplier quality development

Abstract Identifying critical criteria for supplier quality development is vital for improving the performance of suppliers. In this paper, we determine critical criteria for supplier quality development based on review of literature and discussion with supplier quality experts from industry. The criticality of the criteria is determined based on: (a) Kano’s model (must haves, satisfiers, dissatisfiers); (b) Hill’s manufacturing strategy (order winners and order qualifiers); and (c) criteria weights. The results of the study yield the following as the must-be and order winning elements for supplier quality evaluation: price; delivery performance; service; environment; health and safety; ISO 9000; European Foundation for Quality Management; quality management policy; understanding of customer requirements; supplier product quality; process control; quality inspection programs; process for handling complaints; and a system for corrective action. For supplier quality development, the must-haves and order winning elements are: honoring outstanding suppliers; involving suppliers early in product and process development; and sending instructors and technical consultants to the supplier’s site. The proposed results have strong practical applicability and can be used by decision makers for supplier performance evaluation, setting targets for performance improvement, resource allocation for supplier quality development, and designing necessary operations for improving the performance of their suppliers.
An adaptive game algorithm for an autonomous, mobile robot - A real world study with elderly users

This paper presents a field study of a physical ball game for elderly based on an autonomous, mobile robot. The game algorithm is based on Case Based Reasoning and adjusts the game challenge to the player's mobility skills by registering the spatio-temporal behaviour of the player using an on board laser scanner.We have investigated the adaptiveness of the game algorithm in an open-ended environment with older adults using different assistive tools and playing in at a rehabilitation center. The study shows that the robot operates robustly in the real world and that the game algorithm adjusts the challenge to different players, but fails when players show non-standard behaviour.
The inhospitable vulnerability

Purpose The purpose of this conceptual paper is to underline several issues related to cybersecurity in the hospitality industry; address the importance of evaluating cyber risks, vulnerabilities and capabilities; and provide suggestions for hospitality operators to minimize the damage that cyberattacks could cause. Future research addressing cyber threats is a call to action. Design/methodology/approach To understand the occurrence and the impact of information security, the researchers reviewed the previous research regarding information security and used the database from Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and collected 76 information security incidents in the US hospitality industry since 2006. Finding The increasing frequency of data breach incidents from 2006 to 2017 indicates that the issue of cybercrimes has become more critical in the hospitality industry. Originality/value This conceptual paper sheds light on the issues of cybersecurity in risk assessment and heightens the necessity of discussing data breach issues in future hospitality research.
High resolution MRI guided endovascular intervention of basilar artery disease

Background and aim High resolution MR imaging (HRMRI) has been used to study intracranial atherosclerotic plaques. How HRMRI guided our decision making process in endovascular intervention of basilar artery (BA) atherosclerotic disease is reported. Methods 3 patients with symptomatic BA atherosclerotic disease underwent BA wall HRMRI under a 3 T MR scanner. Endovascular intervention was then performed utilizing HRMRI findings to guide therapy and to aid in planning the intervention. Results HRMRI clearly identified the eccentric atherosclerotic plaque at the opposite side of the adjacent right anterior inferior cerebellar artery in one patient and left posterior cerebral artery in one patient, and eccentric atherosclerotic plaque protruding BA lumen at the opposite side of the adjacent right anterior inferior cerebellar artery in the remaining patient. The BA stenosis was stented without compromise of the adjacent branch arteries in the three patients. Conclusion HRMRI may be used to delineate the eccentric atherosclerotic plaque and the ostia of the major side branches of BA. The HRMRI findings seem helpful in guiding BA stenting with reduced complication risk.
A protocol for gynecological and obstetric examination of owl monkeys using ultrasound Protocolo para exame ginecológico e obstétrico por ultrassom em macacos-da-noite

The objective of this study was to establish a physical restraint protocol for gynecological and obstetric examination using ultrasound in Aotus azarai infulatus. The study was conducted with 10 previously established adult couples, evaluated during two different time periods (P1 and P2). In P1, the conditioning was carried out by daily repetition of the gynecological exam associated with the offering of fruits before, during and after the exam. In P2, gynecological examinations were performed on non- pregnant females (n = 6), and obstetric examinations on those who became pregnant (n = 3). The exams were performed using the Medical SonoAce 9900®ultrasound equipment equipped with a multifrequential linear array probe (5-12 MHz). The initial and final heart rate (HR1 and HR2) for each female were calculated based on the interval between systolic peaks. No significant differences were observed in the heart rates in terms of time of examination, suggesting that the time did not interfere in the variables analyzed during the exams. The gynecological and obstetric exams presented a HR2 lower than HR1 during the two periods evaluated (p<0.01). The stress caused by initial restraint increased sympathetic activity and raised HR1. Offering fruits and habituating the animals favored the parasympathetic modulation, thereby explaining the decrease in HR2. This was observed in both gynecological and obstetric exams.
Corporate social responsibility in madagascar: an investigation on chinese companies

ABSTRACT The objective of this research is to analyze and describe corporate social responsibility practices of Chinese companies in Madagascar and its impacts on the social economy. Quantitative and qualitative design was tested as part of an online survey conducted on 654 participants, including members of various Sino-Malagasy and non-governmental organizations. The article shows that Chinese companies that maintain corporate social responsibility practices in Madagascar achieve greater results than their competitors do. This article was established by the use of an online survey, how the company add significant value to native and international communities by implementing corporate social responsibility. Corporate social responsibility practices were illustrated to bear a significant impact on the overall company's sustainability and economic performance. The concept of corporate social responsibility practices demonstrates an analytical innovation. This system has been used in various countries that embrace on corporate social responsibility. Therefore, this work concludes that these practices have a significant impact on the social and economic performance of Madagascar.
Perception of suprasegmental speech features via bimodal stimulation: cochlear implant on one ear and hearing aid on the other.

PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to evaluate the contribution of acoustic hearing to the perception of suprasegmental features by adults who use a cochlear implant (CI) and a hearing aid (HA) in opposite ears. METHOD 23 adults participated in this study. Perception of suprasegmental features-intonation, syllable stress, and word emphasis-was assessed. All tests were administered in 2 conditions: CI alone and CI + HA (bimodal). RESULTS Scores were significantly higher in the bimodal condition in comparison to scores in CI alone for all 3 tests. In both conditions, there was great variability among the individual participants. Significant negative correlations emerged between perception of suprasegmental features and the unaided pure-tone average of the contralateral ear to the CI. CONCLUSIONS This study found a significant bimodal advantage for perception of all suprasegmental features, most probably due to the better low-frequency acoustic hearing that is provided by the HA. Outcomes suggest that in cases of residual hearing in the contralateral ear to the implanted ear, HA use should be encouraged.
The Real Effects of Share Repurchases

We employ a regression discontinuity design to identify the real effects of share repurchases on other firm outcomes. The probability of share repurchases that increase earnings per share (EPS) is sharply higher for firms that would have just missed the EPS forecast in the absence of the repurchase, when compared with firms that “just beat” the EPS forecast. We use this discontinuity to show that EPS-motivated repurchases are associated with reductions in employment and investment, and a decrease in cash holdings. Our evidence suggests that managers are willing to trade off investments and employment for stock repurchases that allow them to meet analyst EPS forecasts.
Cardiology Myocardial infarction Cardiac liver Other diseases Surgery Rheumatology Cancer Without metastasis Liver metastasis Other metastasis Dermatology ( leg ulcers ) Gastroenterology Cirrhosis Acute hepatitis Lithiasis Chronic pancreatitis Other diseases Other diseases

We describe here an easy method of determining prolidase (EC 3.4.13.9) in plasma after preincubation with Mn2 for 24 h at 37 #{176}C to maximize prolidase activity. The mean activity in 338 patients who were either in hospital or outpatients was 900 U/L ± 520 (2 SD), unrelated to sex or age. In 25 of these 338 samples tested, prolidase activity was between 1500 and 2000 U/L. It exceeded 2000 U/L in eight, all of whom were patients with chronic liver disease. Plasma prolidase activity was normal in cytolytic syndromes such as liver or heart disease. Of the 27 patients with cirrhosis, only five exhibited prolidase activity >2000 U/L. Plasma prolidase activity was uncorrelated with six biochemical indexes to liver function (the aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, glutamyltransferase, total bilirubin, and serum albumin) or with the degree of cirrhotic fibrosis. We believe that plasma prolidase activity may be high only in the early stage of fibrosis. This hypothesis would be consistent with the data on rat-liver collagenolytic activities during CCL administration. Monitoring of plasma prolidase activity might be useful in evaluating fibrotic processes in chronic liver disease in the human.
Awareness of High Blood Pressure Stimulates Platelet Release Reaction

Summary The present study aimed at testing the hypothesis of a link between mental stress and blood platelet function. Twenty-nine 19-year-old men were recruited from the 98th percentile of mean blood pressure (116 mmHg) at a routine medical screening. They were not informed about their elevated blood pressures at the time of the screening. One year later they were randomized into two groups. Group 1 (n = 16) was exposed to mental stress by a letter informing them about their high blood pressure, while group 2 (n = 13) was sent a neutral letter. At an examination 2 weeks later, heart rate (p <0.05) and plasma adrenaline (p <0.05) responses to a cold pressor test were exaggerated in the informed group. The plasma beta-thromoglobulin (pTG) concentration was elevated in the informed group (p <0.05) as was mean blood pressure (p <0.05). (3TG correlated positively with hematocrit (r = 0.59, p <0.005) and mean blood pressure (r = 0.43, p <0.05), and negatively with plasma HDL (r = −0.61, p = 0.001). The study shows that awareness of hypertension induces a hyperadrenergic state which is associated with the platelet release reaction. Under these circumstances platelet release seems to be correlated to established coronary heart disease risk factors.
Development of a nursing home vision-targeted health-related quality of life questionnaire for older adults

Purpose: To develop a questionnaire assessing vision-targeted health-related quality of life in older adults residing in nursing homes. Methods: Using content previously identified through structured interviews with nursing home residents, the 57-item Nursing Home Vision-Targeted Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire (NHVQoL) was drafted with nine subscales—general vision, reading, ocular symptoms, mobility, psychological distress, activities of daily living, activities/hobbies, adaptation/coping and social interaction. Construct validity and internal consistency and test-retest reliability of subscales were evaluated in a sample of adults ≥60 years old residing in nursing homes in Birmingham, Alabama, who had Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores of ≥13. Results: Participants (n=189) had a mean age of 82 years (SD=7.7), were 84% women and 16% men, 24% African-American and 76% Caucasian and had resided in a nursing home for two years on average. All NHVQoL subscales were correlated with subscales from other vision-targeted and generic health-related quality of life instruments (ADVS, 0.43 to 0.85; VF-14, 0.46 to 0.84; SF-36, 0.19 to 0.43). Lower scores were associated with increased depressive symptomatology by the Geriatric Depression Scale (−0.23 to −0.59), increased mobility problems (−0.17 to −0.54), worse distance and near acuity (−0.21 to −0.51) and worse contrast sensitivity (0.20 to 0.50). All subscales had Cronbach α>0.95. Test-retest reliability (two-week period) for subscales ranged from 0.57 to 0.84. Subscale scores did not differ as a function of MMSE scores. Conclusions: The NHVQoL has subscales with good internal consistency reliability and validity. Test-retest reliability is comparable to other questionnaires designed for the nursing home population. This questionnaire may ultimately be useful in understanding the personal burden of visual impairment and eye disease on quality of life and mental health in older nursing home residents and for evaluating the impact of psychosocial and eye care interventions on health-related quality of life in this population.
Social inequalities and the context of vulnerabilities: HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention knowledge among married women

ABSTRACT Worldwide, socioeconomically disadvantaged women bear disproportionate risks of HIV infection. To examine if the individual and community-level socioeconomic disadvantages further increase their vulnerabilities, we used Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys. Between 2004 and 2014, we found pronounced disparities in HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge among women based on their socioeconomic status and community context. We observed substantial growth of knowledge among all women while the greatest growth occurred among those living in the disadvantaged communities. There is a need for greater understanding of the social determinants to develop and implement HIV/AIDS education programs that would benefit all segments of the population.
Manual Segmentation of MS Cortical Lesions Using MRI: A Comparison of 3 MRI Reading Protocols

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Double inversion recovery has been suggested as the MR imaging contrast of choice for segmenting cortical lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis. In this study, we sought to determine the utility of double inversion recovery for cortical lesion identification by comparing 3 MR imaging reading protocols that combine different MR imaging contrasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 3 with secondary-progressive MS were imaged with 3T MR imaging by using double inversion recovery, dual fast spin-echo proton-density/T2-weighted, 3D FLAIR, and 3D T1-weighted imaging sequences. Lesions affecting the cortex were manually segmented by using the following 3 MR imaging reading protocols: Protocol 1 (P1) used all available MR imaging contrasts; protocol 2 (P2) used all the available contrasts except for double inversion recovery; and protocol 3(P3) used only double inversion recovery. RESULTS: Six hundred forty-three cortical lesions were identified with P1 (mean = 22.96); 633, with P2 (mean = 22.6); and 280, with P3 (mean = 10). The counts obtained by using P1 and P2 were not significantly different (P = .93). The counts obtained by using P3 were significantly smaller than those obtained by using either P1 (P < .001) or P2 (P < .001). The intraclass correlation coefficients were P1 versus P2 = 0.989, P1 versus P3 = 0.615, and P2 versus P3 = 0.588. CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging cortical lesion segmentation can be performed by using 3D T1-weighted and 3D FLAIR images acquired with a 1-mm isotropic voxel size, supported by conventional T2-weighted and proton-density images with 3-mm-thick sections. Inclusion of double inversion recovery in this multimodal reading protocol did not significantly improve the cortical lesion identification rate. A multimodal approach is superior to using double inversion recovery alone.
Differences in MicroRNA Expression Profiles of Adrenocortical Tumors – Letter

We thank Dr. Tombol and colleagues for their interest in our article and their comments. As with our study, Dr. Tombol and colleagues also performed microRNA (miRNA) profiling of adrenocortical tumors. There were however only two miRNAs in common between the two studies. This is, of course,
Locally Administered Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor cDNA Increases Survival of Ischemic Experimental Skin Flaps

&NA; Microvascular surgery has emerged as an attractive area for recent advances in the field of gene therapy. The present study investigated the survival of ischemic, experimental skin flaps after treatment with the gene encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In 30 Sprague‐Dawley rats, anterior abdominal skin flaps supplied by the epigastric artery and vein were created. Ten animals were treated with a mixture of liposomes and the cDNA encoding the 121‐amino acid isoform of VEGF. Another 10 animals were treated with control plasmid DNA and liposome transfection medium; a third group of 10 animals was given physiologic saline. Each solution was injected directly into the femoral artery distal to the origin of the epigastric pedicle supplying the flap. Four days after injection, the pedicle was ligated and blood flow in the flap was approximated using dye fluorescence. Seven days later, the amount of viable tissue within the flap was measured by planimetry. After the animals were killed, specimens from both the operated and nonoperated sides of the abdomen were harvested for immunohistologic evidence of VEGF protein expression. Average dye fluorescence indices of the three groups (VEGF cDNA, control plasmid, and saline) 2 hours after pedicle ligation were 35.9, 23.9, and 53.9 percent, respectively (p < 0.05). Compared with the two control groups, flaps receiving VEGF cDNA had significantly greater tissue viability at the end of 7 days: 93.9 versus 28.1 percent for the control plasmid DNA group and 31.9 percent for the saline group (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining documented increased deposition of VEGF protein in flaps that were infused with the VEGF cDNA versus saline alone (p < 0.05). The results indicated that the survival of ischemic tissues can be enhanced by administration of a cDNA encoding VEGF, a protein known to be important in the process of angiogenesis and wound healing. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 102: 2033, 1998.)
Online Shopping Perceptions of Offline Shoppers

Recent advancements in technology have facilitated commerce around the globe. The online medium of commerce has provided and will continue to provide great opportunities for consumers and businesses. However, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed before the advantages of online shopping can be fully realized. One significant aspect is consumer perception of online shopping. The purpose of this paper is to examine the online shopping perception of consumers who shop from traditional stores. A survey was conducted in shopping malls in the southeastern region of the United States. The results show a positive perception of offline consumers toward online shopping. In addition, the results coincide with national trends for online shopping which show many traditional shoppers gather information on products and services online, but still make the purchase onsite in a traditional setting by visiting a store.
STABILITY OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL GLYCINE UNDER ENERGETIC PARTICLE RADIATION ESTIMATED FROM 2 keV ELECTRON BOMBARDMENT EXPERIMENTS

The destruction of solid glycine under irradiation with 2 keV electrons has been investigated by means of IR spectroscopy. Destruction cross sections, radiolysis yields, and half-life doses were determined for samples at 20, 40, 90, and 300 K. The thickness of the irradiated samples was kept below the estimated penetration depth of the electrons. No significant differences were obtained in the experiments below 90 K, but the destruction cross section at 300 K was larger by a factor of 2. The radiolysis yields and half-life doses are in good accordance with recent MeV proton experiments, which confirms that electrons in the keV range can be used to simulate the effects of cosmic rays if the whole sample is effectively irradiated. In the low temperature experiments, electron irradiation leads to the formation of residues. IR absorptions of these residues are assigned to the presence CO2, CO, OCN−, and CN− and possibly to amide bands I to III. The protection of glycine by water ice is also studied. A water ice film of ∼150 nm is found to provide efficient shielding against the bombardment of 2 keV electrons. The results of this study show also that current Monte Carlo predictions provide a good global description of electron penetration depths. The lifetimes estimated in this work for various environments ranging from the diffuse interstellar medium to the inner solar system, show that the survival of hypothetical primeval glycine from the solar nebula in present solar system bodies is not very likely.
Le contexte comme base de la conscience de groupe

Dans cet article, nous proposons une nouvelle facon d'aborder le probleme de la conscience de groupe, par l'utilisation du contexte de travail d'un utilisateur. Nous detaillons la modelisation d'un utilisateur par son contexte, ainsi que les methodes permettant une telle modelisation. Nous montrons alors que l'utili- sation du contexte permet d'avoir une conscience de groupe plus complete, plus adequate et plus adap- table.