Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Market Orientation on the Relationship Between Customer Relationship Management Practices and Performance of Large-Scale Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

The main objective of the study was to measure the influence of market orientation on the relationship between customer relationship management practices and firm performance of large-scale manufacturing firms in Kenya. The population of the study comprised large-scale manufacturing firms that were members of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used. The target respondents were three top managers in each firm, and aggregated single scores were computed to lessen single source response bias. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results revealed that market orientation was a strong statistical predictor of firm performance. In addition, the moderating effect of market orientation on the association between CRM practices and performance (F=9.138, P-value<0.05) was found to be statistically significant. The study supported findings of previous studies on the influence of CRM practices on firm performance. In addition, the study found that both CRM practices and market orientation had a positive and significant influence on performance. Further, the findings of the study support the theoretical link between CRM practices, market orientation and performance. Acknowledgment I thank and appreciate almighty God for this opportunity, his grace and favor. I also extend my sincere gratitude to my University Supervisors; Prof. Justus Munyoki, Dr. Joseph Owino and Dr. James Njihia for their valuable guidance, support and encouragement during the writing and completion of my Ph.D thesis. I also thank all members of the University of Nairobi Business Administration who contributed in one way or the other to make the writing of my thesis a success. I would also like to thank sincerely all top and senior managers in large-scale manufacturing firms in Kenya who participated in this research. Finally my sincere appreciation goes to my family members for supporting, encouraging and being there for me during the entire journey of pursuing my Ph.D. program. Keywords: customer relationship management, market orientation, performance, large-scale manufacturing firms
The effects of the tocolytics atosiban and nifedipine on fetal movements, heart rate and blood flow

Background. The choice of first-line tocolytic agent is a topic of worldwide debate. The oxytocin receptor antagonist atosiban and the calcium antagonist nifedipine appear to be effective in postponing delivery. However, information is lacking on their possible effects on the fetal biophysical profile. Objective. To study the direct fetal effects of tocolysis with atosiban or nifedipine combined with a course of betamethasone. Method. We performed a randomised controlled study including women with preterm labour requiring tocolytic treatment. Primary outcome measures were the effects on fetal heart rate (FHR) and its variation. Secondary endpoints were the effects on fetal movement and blood flow (pulsatility index – PI) of the umbilical (UA) and medial cerebral arteries (MCA). Results. One-hour recordings of FHR and fetal movements were made on each of five successive days (days 0–4). Fetal blood flow velocity patterns were studied daily by Doppler ultrasound. Baseline characteristics of 31 women who had not delivered at day 0 and needed no escape tocolysis did not differ between the study groups. Multilevel analysis showed no significant effect of either tocolytic on FHR and movement parameters over the 5-day study period. The use of tocolytics also did not significantly alter the time courses of PI-values for UA (p = 0.37) and MCA (p = 0.62). Conclusion. This study demonstrates for the first time the direct effects of atosiban on fetal movement, heart rate and blood flow. Tocolysis with either atosiban or nifedipine combined with betamethasone administration appears to have no direct fetal adverse effects.
Drug Points: Metabolic abnormality induced by streptomycin

Streptomycin sulphate is an effective aminoglycoside with limited nephrotoxicity. We report a case of renal electrolyte wasting that mimicked Bartter's syndrome and was induced by streptomycin. A 40 year old woman presented with a four month history of fever, enlarged liver, and a macular rash. Results of physical examination, bone marrow and lymph node biopsies, computed tomography, and …
Interrelationships in the metabolism of liver arachidonoyllecithins and plasma cholesteryl arachidonate in the rat.

Male rats were injected intravenously with albumin-bound 1-14C-arachidonic acid or 1-14C-palmitoyllysolecithin and the molecular species of the labeled liver and plasma lipids were identified after various periods of time. There was an extensive esterification of lysolecithin with arachidonic acid in the rat liver, which was in agreement with the earlier demonstrated specific incorporation of labeled arachidonic acid into the liver lysolecithins. The subsequent gradual release of the labeled liver arachidonoyllecithins into the plasma was accompanied by a steady rise in the radioactivity of plasma cholesteryl arachidonate. In other experiments, it was shown that radioactive arachidonic acid esters of cholesterol are readily formed in vitro from 1-14C-arachidonoyllecithin and free cholesterol, and that such esters upon subsequent injection can contribute arachidonic acid for the biogenesis of lecithin from lysolecithin in the liver as a result of hydrolysis. These results are compatible with the operation .
2 Designing Software Ecosystems : A Set of Descriptive and Analytical Requirements

It has become an increasingly common practice for software companies to collaborate with external developers in order to develop software platforms for a shared market, constituting software ecosystems. Creating and sustaining a software ecosystem is a challenging problem that involves numerous technical, organizational, and business concerns. To support the systematic design of software ecosystems, modeling is a crucial tool. In this paper, we (a) identify a set of descriptive and analytical requirements raised in the design of software ecosystems; (b) review several modeling techniques used for describing and examining software ecosystems; and (c) assess the support of the reviewed techniques towards addressing the identified requirements. The results provide insight into the gaps between the issues raised in the design of software ecosystems, and the coverage of the studied techniques, suggesting an agenda for future research.
A robust audio identification for enhancing audio-based indoor localization

Nowadays, user localization in indoor environments is more necessary to build many location-based services. This paper presents a robust audio identification method for enhancing a real-time indoor localization system on a mobile device using the audio signals emitted by nearby loudspeakers. The proposed audio identification method deals with various noise distortions due to different noisy indoor locations by using foreground/background audio separation, prominent spectral pitch-based binary audio fingerprinting, and spectral peak-triplet-based audio fingerprinting. Experimental results confirm that the proposed audio identification method is quite robust in different noise conditions and achieves preliminary promising results for discriminating the location and orientation of a user in large indoor locations.
Review: Avoiding restenosis: is there a role for glucocorticoids in the drug-eluting stent era?

Restenosis is an important limitation of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). In-stent restenosis is mainly due to neointimal hyperplasia, a proliferative process modulated by inflammatory mechanisms. Numerous technical and pharmacological means have been tested to reduce restenosis rates, with frequently disappointing clinical results. Drug-eluting stents (DES) have demonstrated a high efficacy in reducing restenosis, but there are some associated problems that limit its generalized utilization. Glucocorticoids (GC), as potent anti-inflammatory agents, may exert beneficial effects on neointimal proliferation. Clinical studies with oral and intracoronary GC therapy have demonstrated reduction in restenosis rates in selected patients. Although further investigations are warranted, GC might have a potential role for restenosis prevention in selected cases.
A filter bank based ultra-wideband receiver front-end for ranging applications

This paper is intended to detail the practical implementation of a receiver front-end, used in an impulse radio ultra-wideband testbed for low data rate communications and ranging. The receiver architecture consists of a filter bank followed by a downconversion stage that relaxes the analog-to-digital converters requirements in terms of input analog bandwidth. The filter bank is implemented by a four-way Wilkinson power divider and by a set of four Gaussian filters. A low noise amplifier stage precedes the filter bank limiting the receiver noise figure and providing the required gain for medium range communications.
THE EVOLUTION OF SELF‐FERTILIZATION AND INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN PLANTS. II. EMPIRICAL OBSERVATIONS

A bimodal distribution of outcrossing rates was observed for natural plant populations, with more primarily selfing and primarily outcrossing species, and fewer species with intermediate outcrossing rate than expected by chance. We suggest that this distribution results from selection for the maintenance of outcrossing in historically large, outcrossing populations with substantial inbreeding depression, and from selection for selfing when increased inbreeding, due to pollinator failure or population bottlenecks, reduces the level of inbreeding depression. Few species or populations are fixed at complete selfing or complete outcrossing. A low level of selfing in primarily outcrossing species is unlikely to be selectively advantageous, but will not reduce inbreeding depression to the level where selfing is selectively favored, particularly if accompanied by reproductive compensation. Similarly, occasional outcrossing in primarily selfing species is unlikely to regularly provide sufficient heterosis to maintain selection for outcrossing through individual selection. Genetic, morphological and ecological constraints may limit the potential for outcrossing rates in selfers to be reduced below some minimum level.
15-GHz variability of 9C sources

We present results from a 3-yr study of the 15-GHz variability of 51 9C sources. 48 of these sources make up a subsample of a larger one complete to 25 mJy in 9C, and as the sources are selected pseudo-randomly the results should be representative of the complete sample. 29 per cent of this subsample are found to be variable above the flux calibration uncertainties of ~6 per cent. 50 per cent of the flat-spectrum objects are variable whilst none of the steep-spectrum objects or the objects with convex spectra peaking below 5 GHz are variable. Nine of the objects studied have convex spectra and peak frequencies above 5 GHz; eight of these were found to vary at 15 GHz, suggesting that the high-frequency peaking class in this sample is largely populated by objects with jets aligned close to the line of sight whose emission is dominated by beamed components.
From Sustainable Market Orientation to Sustainability Marketing

Contemporary companies are operating under challenging and volatile circumstances, but at the same time they are also conditions which provide companies with powerful opportunities on an unprecedented scale. Marketers have a key role in the process of facing these challenges. By taking a lead in the process of implementing sustainability into marketing strategies, they can create sustainable company growth. The success of this process is determined by whether or not the concept of sustainability marketing becomes fundamental in the company. Sustainability marketing should be embedded at the heart of any corporate strategy and become integral to that strategy, not just a part of it or to supplement it. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the influence of the sustainable development concept on marketing strategy. To begin with, the chapter examines how the development of this concept influenced the understanding of the essence of the functioning of modern enterprises. Next, the process of managing an organization in the context of sustainable development as well as the idea of a company’s sustainable market orientation as a source of its financial and market success are discussed. The final part focuses on identifying the role of marketing in implementing the concept of sustainable development as well as clarifying the assumptions of sustainability marketing.
Electrooptic imaging of near-field electric vectors rotating over side-fed planar spiral antenna

Electrooptic imaging of moving electric vectors has been proposed and demonstrated for the first time. Distributions of near-field polarization states over a side-fed planar spiral antenna with an infinite balun have been successfully visualized experimentally by two dimensionally arrayed arrows rotating elliptically as well as by arrayed polarization ellipses.
The thymidine-14C and -3H double-labeling technic in the study of the cell cycle of L1210 leukemia ascites tumor in vivo.

A study was performed to evaluate the double-labeling technic with thymidine-14C and -3H in the determination of the duration of DNA synthesis, duration of mitosis, and generation time of LI210 leukemia ascites tumor. The results were comparable with data obtained from labeled mitoses curves. The average duration of DNA synthesis was 9.0 hours, and the average duration of mitosis was 0.20 hours. Prolongation of generation time on the seventh day of tumor growth (18.1 hours) compared with the sixth day (13.3 hours) was noted. This difference is highly significant (P ≦ 0.001). Evidence was presented to suggest that the prolongation was related to a lengthened G1.
Spatially realistic plant metapopulation models and the colonization–competition trade‐off

1 Results from patch‐occupancy metapopulation models indicate that a trade‐off between competitive and colonization abilities is necessary for species to coexist in patchy environments. However, such models are often based on unrealistic ecological assumptions, such as global dispersal and no local population dynamics. 2 We develop a plant metapopulation model that allows us to sequentially relax unrealistic assumptions about dispersal and local population interactions. We use our model to examine the extent to which the conclusions of analytical, patch‐based coexistence models depend on their assumptions. 3 We found that the need for an inferior competitor to be a superior colonizer was reduced by using a dispersal kernel to distribute seeds, and totally removed by relaxing the assumption of instantaneous competitive displacement. These results hold for annual or perennial plants with or without seedbanks, for global, local and stratified dispersal, for delayed competitive exclusion, two‐way competition and neighbourhood competition, and for landscapes where habitat patches are either adjacent or disjunct. 4 We conclude that the results of patch‐occupancy metapopulation models differ greatly from results of models that incorporate more realistic assumptions about dispersal and local population dynamics. As a result it may be premature to base biodiversity management and policy on the results of patch‐occupancy models.
Percutaneous Repair Followed by Accelerated Rehabilitation for Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures

Purpose. To evaluate the outcome after percutaneous repair followed by accelerated rehabilitation for acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Methods. 21 men and 9 women (mean age, 41 years) underwent percutaneous repair by a single senior surgeon for acute Achilles tendon ruptures, followed by early weight bearing and accelerated rehabilitation. Outcome measures included the Achilles tendon re-rupture rate, the Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) at 3 and 6 months, the incidence of sural nerve injury, wound infection, wound dehiscence, patient satisfaction, and the time to return to pre-rupture activity. Results. The mean follow-up period was 12.5 months. The mean ATRS score improved from 57.65 at 3 months to 86.95 at 6 months (p<0.001). No patient had intra-operative complications, tendon re-rupture, sural nerve injury, wound dehiscence, or deep infection. Two patients developed a superficial wound infection, which was resolved with oral flucloxacillin. Two patients had a mass at the transverse incision, but neither had any symptoms or functional restriction. All patients were able to bear full weight comfortably without the walker boot at 8 weeks, and return to their work by 3 months. The mean time to return to pre-rupture activity, including sports, was 10.4 months. The mean satisfaction rate was 87% at 6 months. Conclusion. Percutaneous repair of the Achilles tendon followed by early weight bearing and accelerated rehabilitation achieves good functional outcome.
The Second Intracellular Loop of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Recognizes C Termini of G-protein α-Subunits*

Heptahelical receptor coupling selectivity to G-proteins is controlled by a large contact area that involves several portions of the receptor and each subunit of the G-protein. In the G-protein α subunit, the C-terminal 5 residues, the N terminus, and the αN-β1 and α4–α5 loops play important roles. On the receptor side, both the second and third (i2 and i3) intracellular loops as well as the C-terminal tail probably contact these different regions of the G-protein. It is now accepted that the C terminus of the α subunit binds in a cavity formed by the i2 and i3 loops. Among the various G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), class III receptors that include metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors greatly differ from the rhodopsin-like GPCRs, but the contact zone between these receptors and the G-protein is less understood. The C terminus of the α subunit has been shown to play a pivotal role in the selective recognition of class III GPCRs. Indeed, the mGlu2 and mGlu4 and -8 receptors can discriminate between α subunits that differ at the level of their C-terminal end only (such as Gqo and Gqz). Here, we examine the role of the i2 loop of mGluRs in the selective recognition of this region of the α subunit. To that aim, we analyzed the coupling properties of mGlu2 and mGlu4 or -8 receptors and chimeras containing the i2 loop of the converse receptor to G-protein α subunits that only differ by their C termini (Gqo,Gqz, and their point mutants). Our data demonstrate that the central portion of the i2 loop is responsible for the selective recognition of the C-terminal end of the α subunit, especially the residue on position –4. These data are consistent with the proposal that the C-terminal end of the G-protein α subunit interacts with residues in a cavity formed by the i2 and i3 loops in class III GPCRs, as reported for class I GPCRs.
European Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Cost-Effectiveness of Fuel-Efficiency Technologies for Long-Haul Tractor-Trailers in the 2025-2030 Timeframe

The United States, Canada, China, Japan, and most recently India have all adopted heavy-duty vehicle CO2 standards, a significant step toward improving efficiency. The EU is contemplating similar action. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of efficiency technology packages for long-haul tractor-trailers that could be deployed by 2020– 2030, as a contribution to the EU policy dialogue on heavy-duty vehicle efficiency standards.
Serum and milk folates during the first two gestations and lactations in Romanov, Finnsheep, and Suffolk ewes.

Concentrations of folates in serum and milk were determined during the first two parities in 7 Suffolk, 12 Finnsheep, and 15 Romanov ewes at 0 (mating), 60, 110, and 140 d of gestation and 1, 7, 14, 21, and 50 d of lactation. The number of lambs born at first and second parturitions was 1.38 +/- . 13 and 1.71 +/- . 13 for Suffolk, 2.00 +/- . 32 and 2.33 +/- . 57 for Finnsheep, and 2.67 +/- . 24 and 3.20 +/- . 22 for Romanov, respectively, and the concentration of folates at d 0 was 1.17 +/- . 21, 1.87 +/- . 19, and 2.14 +/- . 17 ng/mL, respectively. During gestation, serum concentrations of folates declined in the three breeds, more quickly in Romanov and Finnsheep (from d 0 to 60) than in Suffolk (from d 0 to 110). This decline was followed by an increase in serum concentrations of folates from d 110 to 140 of gestation in the three breeds; the largest increase was observed in Romanov (breed x quadratic effect of time, P = .001). During lactation, Romanov had higher serum concentrations of folates than Finnsheep, which in turn had a higher concentration than Suffolk (P = .001). Colostrum of Romanov had the highest concentration of folates (164.9 +/- 11.9 ng/mL), followed by that of Finnsheep (125.0 +/- 9.5 ng/mL) and Suffolk (98.2 +/- 13.3 ng/mL). On d 7 of lactation, concentration of folates was similar in milk of Romanov (97.1 +/- 5.6 ng/mL) and Finnsheep (94.9 +/- 4.0 ng/mL) and was higher than in Suffolk (72.4 +/- 3.7 ng/mL). From d 14, the concentration of milk folates was similar among breeds and decreased slowly to approximately 40 ng/mL at d 50 (breed x quadratic effect of time, P = .005). The changes in serum concentration of folates during gestation of ewes were similar to those observed in sows, suggesting that exogenous supply of folates may not be optimal in ewes during gestation and lactation.
Nitric oxide and insulin resistance

Obesity with increased visceral adiposity is a low grade inflammatory state leading to insulin resistance. Because the insulin signaling pathway is coupled with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation, insulin resistance is always associated with impaired nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Recently, accumulating evidence has suggested that physical exercise and dietary nitrate/nitrite diets rich in vegetables improve the features of insulin resistance by enhancing NO availability, and thus provide potential options for prevention and therapy for these patients. This review discusses the mechanisms by which insulin resistance develops in the presence of increased adiposity, the causative relationship between impaired NO availability and insulin resistance, and the implications of life-style changes to prevent insulin resistance.
Multiresolution Color Image Segmentation

Image segmentation is the process by which an original image is partitioned into some homogeneous regions. In this paper, a novel multiresolution color image segmentation (MCIS) algorithm which uses Markov random fields (MRF's) is proposed. The proposed approach is a relaxation process that converges to the MAP (maximum a posteriori) estimate of the segmentation. The quadtree structure is used to implement the multiresolution framework, and the simulated annealing technique is employed to control the splitting and merging of nodes so as to minimize an energy function and therefore, maximize the MAP estimate. The multiresolution scheme enables the use of different dissimilarity measures at different resolution levels. Consequently, the proposed algorithm is noise resistant. Since the global clustering information of the image is required in the proposed approach, the scale space filter (SSF) is employed as the first step. The multiresolution approach is used to refine the segmentation. Experimental results of both the synthesized and real images are very encouraging. In order to evaluate experimental results of both synthesized images and real images quantitatively, a new evaluation criterion is proposed and developed. >