Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate Real Estate Management Practice in Nigeria: A survey of the Attitude of Business Executives

Background and aims: With globalisation of business and trade activities propelled by information technology, the need for efficient utilisation of organisational resources in African emerging economies is apparent. The corporate real estate management, as the management of the fifth and major resource of the organisation, could be restructured in order to achieve shareholders value. Its decision is vital to general national economic growth and specifically, to organisational survival. Therefore, the attitude of business executives to the use of corporate real estate needs to determined Materials and Methods: In this study, questionnaires were administered to senior real estate managers of recently recapitalised Nigerian banks, insurance companies and global system for mobile communication companies. The data were analysed with the aid of descriptive statistical analysis. Results: The successful rate of return (70 %) of the questionnaires administered revealed that Nigerian companies adopt a reactive real estate management style that was statistically lower than that operational in advanced countries. However, they lacked the added value of corporate real estate owing to wrong perceptions of real estate. Conclusion: In conclusion, corporate executives in the sampled firms attached little value to the use of real estate, because they were driven by the need for brand development and client satisfaction.
Adoption and Diffusion of Innovations in Fast Food Industries

Intensive completion in fast food industry force the companies to develop new recopies as well as implement the innovative marketing and business strategies to capture the higher market share in industry. However, the large numbers of innovative ideas and products have failed in market because they could not find the right channel to approach the customers. To get the better perspective regarding this issue, this study tested the model, which can explain the reasons why sometime customers are not keen to purchase from particular brand or location. The proposed model explains that how the four product/service characteristics 4As (affordability, awareness, acceptability, accessibility) can influence various groups of consumers by different level of innovativeness. The objective of this study is to study the relationship between individual characteristics and new 4As (availability, awareness, accessibility, acceptability). According to the results for affordability of product in fast food industry is one of the main factors for customers in among Malaysian. In addition, the results indicated that availability of information on product package is one the concern for customers and can influence their shopping behavior. In contrast, respondents did not show any serious interest for other factors of 4As. Results showed that acceptability and compatibility of food with local food is not the main concern for them to consume the fast food products. Moreover, results did not indicate any significant relationship between innovativeness and advertisements about the products.
Generating Referring Expressions: Constructing Descriptions in a Domain of Objects and Processes

Part 1 Introduction: what this book is about the phenomena considered the aims of the work starting points an overview of the system structure of the book. Part 2 The representation of entities: some ontological problems in recipes a survey of objects in recipes generalized physical objects eventualities the representation language summarized limitations. Part 3 The generation of connected discourse: an overview of EPICURE deciding what to say discourse generation and domain modelling generating clauses. Part 4 Generating referring expressions: introduction referring building noun phrases initial references. Part 5 Generating anaphoric references: the pronominalization decision subsequent reference "one"-anaphora the referring expression algorithm summarized. Part 6 A worked example: the target recipe the ingredients of recipe generation generating the discourse specification generating the text conclusions.
On the danger of developing measures without clarifying concepts [software measurement]

Defining concept before developing theory must be a fundamental requirement of any science. We show that this requirement, though seemingly trivial, is to a large extent not respected in software measurement research. Many basic software quality concepts are used ambiguously without a clear definition and consequently their measures, though growing in number, have no serious scientific foundation and risk being misleading in further research. We demonstrate the differences between concept and measure, show the risks to develop measures without clarifying concepts, and underline the paramount importance of concept clarification and definition for the development of software measures.
Determinants of Continuance Intention in Music Streaming Services: A Dual-Model Perspective

With the rapid development of information and communication technology and the rise of digital era, the trend in music consumption has gone through a tremendous change in recent years: from physical, online downloads, and streaming. The success of music streaming services depends heavily on customer’s continuance usage, a topic not yet adequately investigated in information systems research. It is unclear to what extent, and how, the existing theories can be extended to explain the continuance usage of such services. In consideration of the distinctive features of these services, this study adapts the dedication-constraint framework and develops a model of music streaming services continuance, which is assessed empirically using data collected from 315 actual users. Results indicate that music streaming services’ continuance intention is jointly determined by two mechanisms: perceived benefits (usefulness and enjoyment), and service-specific investments (personalization and learning), with the former playing a more central role. Perceived usefulness and enjoyment directly promote satisfaction, while service specific investments in personalization and learning increase switching costs. Theoretical and practical implications and future research directions are subsequently discussed.
Understanding Digital Platforms: Types of Platforms and Their Evolution in the Organizational Context

In our interconnected world, everyday it becomes more difficult to think of a product or a service that could provide its full value if not combined with other products. In this chapter an overview on platforms is presented, illustrating the different types of platforms that exist, its origins, how the literature on platforms evolved, their role in organizations, why understanding how platforms work is crucial to increase the success rate of their roll-out and how those platforms are shaped through platform governance and architecture, including an overview on platform-centric ecosystems.
Pulsed power requirements for future naval ships

Nowadays research is being performed in the field of electric energy guns, high power microwaves and laser systems. Next to new sensors such as pulsed sonar and ultra wide band radar, these weapon systems exhibit pulsed operation and require electrical energy at the gigawatt power level. A short description of the mentioned weapon and sensor systems is given and the method to calculate the required power to be installed is demonstrated by means of an example. It is shown that for a single weapon system the required power is high and therefore, integration of propulsion, weapons and sensor systems is inevitable and asks for dedicated energy management strategies.
Divergent effects of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma on macrophage-derived chemokine production: an amplification circuit of polarized T helper 2 responses.

Macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) is a CC chemokine that recognizes the CCR4 receptor and is selective for T helper 2 (Th2) versus T helper 1 (Th1) cells. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the prototypic Th2/Th1 cytokines, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), on the production of MDC by human monocytes. IL-4 and IL-13 caused a time-dependent (plateau at 24 hours) and concentration-dependent (EC50 2 and 10 ng/mL, respectively) increase of MDC mRNA levels in monocytes. Increased expression of MDC mRNA was associated with protein release in the supernatant. MDC expression and production induced by IL-4 and IL-13 were inhibited by IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma also suppressed the constitutive expression of MDC in mature macrophages and dendritic cells. These results delineate an amplification loop of polarized Th2 responses based on differential regulation of MDC production by IL-4 and IL-13 versus IFN-gamma and on the selectivity of this chemokine for polarized Th2 cells.
Recovery of Cognitive Performance from Sleep Debt: Do a Short Rest Pause and a Single Recovery Night Help?

We studied the recovery of multitask performance and sleepiness from acute partial sleep deprivation through rest pauses embedded in performance sessions and an 8 h recovery sleep opportunity the following night. Sixteen healthy men, aged 19–22 yrs, participated in normal sleep (two successive nights with 8 h sleep) and sleep debt (one 2 h night sleep followed by an 8 h sleep the following night) conditions. In both conditions, the participants performed four 70 min multitask sessions, with every other one containing a 10 min rest pause with light neck‐shoulder exercise. The multitask consisted of four simultaneously active subtasks, with the level of difficulty set in relation to each participant's ability. Physiological sleepiness was assessed with continuous electroencephalography/electro‐oculography recordings during the multitask sessions, and subjective sleepiness was self‐rated with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale. Results showed that multitask performance and physiological and subjective sleepiness were impaired by the sleep debt (p>.001). The rest pause improved performance and subjective sleepiness for about 15 min, regardless of the amount of prior sleep (p>.01–.05). Following recovery sleep, all outcome measures showed marked improvement (p<.001), but they failed to reach the levels observed in the control condition (p<.001–.05). A correlation analysis showed the participants whose multitask performance deteriorated the most following the night of sleep loss tended to be the same persons whose performance was most impaired following the night of the recovery sleep (p<.001). Taken together, our results suggest that a short rest pause with light exercise is not an effective countermeasure in itself for sleep debt‐induced impairments when long‐term effects are sought. In addition, it seems that shift arrangements that lead to at least a moderate sleep debt should be followed by more than one recovery night to ensure full recovery. Persons whose cognitive performance is most affected by sleep debt are likely to require the most sleep to recover.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Epilepsy and Myoclonus

Specific inhibitors of 5-HT reuptake are reported to have lower preconvulsive activity than other antidepressants. A patient with post-traumatic epilepsy who had remained fit-free for many years until she was given the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine is reported. Changes in serotonergic function may play a more widespread role in the pathophysiology of seizure disorders than hitherto thought.
[The Effects of IFN-γ on AKT activated 32D Cells and its Mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of activated AKT on murine myeloid precursor cells (32D cells), and the effects of IFN-γ on 32D cells and its mechanisms. METHODS Plasmid transduction was used to enhance the expression of AKT on 32D cells. After the transfected cells treated with IFN-γ for 24 hours, proliferation rate was tested by WST-1, apoptosis by flow cytometry, expression of phosphorylated Erk1/2, Stat3 and phosphorylated Stat3 was determined by Western blot. RESULTS (1) IFN-γ at low concentration (100 U/ml) enhanced the growth and proliferation of 32D cells, while at high concentration (1000 U/ml) suppressed them. (2) Compared with control groups, low concentration IFN-γ increased (1124 ± 13) Stat3 phosphorylation in 32D-cell, while it high concentration IFN-γ decreased (601 ± 13). 32D cells transfected with activated Akt grew rapidly (0.287 ± 0.010) and had a low apoptotic rate [(9.57 ± 0.17)% (P < 0.05)]. (3) The expression of p-Erk1/2 in transfected 32D-cell was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). (4) Apoptosis rate of IFN-γ treated group was significantly decreased in transfected 32D cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS IFN-γ has dual effects on 32D cells, namely, at low concentration enhanced the growth and proliferation of 32D cells, while at high concentration suppressed them. Its mechanisims is possibly through Stat3 pathway. Activated Akt can significantly promote the growth and proliferation of 32D cell and significantly inhibit apoptosis and IFN-γ can regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis through AKT. AKT activation can inhibit the Erk signal pathway, which may be affected by inhibition the modificaton of Raf1.
An Immersive Memory Palace: Supporting the Method of Loci with Virtual Reality

We investigated the impact of an increased level of immersion on the effectiveness of the method of loci (also memory palace). This is an old memorization strategy which relies on the mental association between the learning content and spatial cues in an environment like an apartment (memory palace). An experiment was conducted in which the participants were assigned to one of two groups. Subjects were instructed to use the method of loci to memorize and recall five lists of words. These lists consisted of eleven words each. The first group was told to use a virtual environment, presented on a laptop, as a template for their memory palace. The second group received an immersive head-mounted-display to explore the memory palace in virtual reality (VR). It was hypothesized and partially shown, that the VR group outperforms the laptop group in terms of accuracy and actual use of the instructed method.
DC/DC Step-Up Converters for Automotive Applications: a FPGA Based Approach

One emerging application of power electronics is the driving of piezoelectric actuators. These actuators can be used for different kinds of application. They are employed for micro and nano positioning tasks as well as hydraulic or pneumatic valves, where they replace magnetic control elements. Piezoelectric actuators have some specific advantages such as high resolution of the displacement, excellent dynamic properties and energy consumption near to zero for static or quasi static operations. So, high performances, low emissions and less fuel consumption bring car designers to adopt new technologies in automotive systems. The use of piezoelectric actuators (used as injectors) allows less response time with respect to traditional magnetic actuators but requires high driving voltages in order to be driven in a smaller time. This is a big concern in automotive environment, where the battery voltage is still the main power source available. A switching amplifier for reactive loads generally consists of two components. A unidirectional DC/DC converter with a small input power loads and large buffer capacitor and, a second bidirectional DC/DC converter that controls the energy exchanged between the buffer capacitor and the reactive load. The requirements on the unidirectional DC/DC converter are few. It only needs to compensate the power losses of the two stages plus the energy dissipated in the actuator and the connected mechanical system. Second stage presents more problems, because it must be designed for full system power. Conventional DC/DC boost converter is not the best solution in piezoelectric based applications where high step-up ratio and high efficiency power conversion is required. The coupled inductor boost converter meets the demanding requirements of these applications, including high reliability, relative low cost, safe operation, minimal board space and high performance, therefore an excellent choice for interfacing the battery with the high voltage DCBUS used for piezoelectric actuator system. An FPGA based controller allows interleaving two phases reducing both peak primary current and output current ripple. Moreover, a quasi constant frequency hysteretic current control technique reduces EMI interferences and ensures control loop stability. A soft start sequence permits to limit average input current and guarantees start-up phase in a short time.
Which patients with prostatic carcinoma require a staging bone scan?

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can be used to decide which patients with newly diagnosed prostatic carcinoma require a staging bone scan. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of patients referred during an 18-month period for a staging bone scan, 98 (median age 72 years, range 52-89) had had their serum PSA level determined within 4 weeks of the bone scan and were assessed retrospectively for the presence of bony metastases. RESULTS Of the 98 patients, 26 who had bone scans showing bony metastases had a PSA level > 40 ng/mL. Reviewing the other published studies showed that in those newly diagnosed patients with a PSA level of < 20 ng/mL, the probability of having bony metastases detected on a bone scan was < 1%. CONCLUSIONS A staging bone scan can be omitted in the vast majority of patients with newly diagnosed prostatic carcinoma and a PSA level < 20 ng/mL.
Incident Reporting and its Impact on Quality of Health Care Services in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: The diversity, scope and variation of in structure of primary health care (PHC) give more opportunity of errors. Awareness of errors and reporting incident’s is one key to improve quality of care. This study aimed to assess the PHC provider’s awareness and attitude in addition to identify the barriers of reporting the incidents.
Comparison of low-dose isotretinoin with beta carotene to prevent oral carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND High-dose isotretinoin therapy has been determined to be an effective treatment for leukoplakia. However, a high rate of relapses and toxic reactions led us to conduct a trial of a much lower dose of isotretinoin in the hope of maintaining a response and limiting toxicity. METHODS In the first phase of the study, 70 patients with leukoplakia underwent induction therapy with a high dose of isotretinoin (1.5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day) for three months; in the second phase, patients with responses or stable lesions were randomly assigned to maintenance therapy with either beta carotene (30 mg per day) or a low dose of isotretinoin (0.5 mg per kilogram per day) for nine months. RESULTS In the first phase, the rate of response to high-dose induction therapy in the 66 patients who could be evaluated was 55 percent (36 patients). The lesions of seven patients progressed, and therefore they did not participate in the second phase of the trial. Of the 59 patients included in the second phase, 33 were assigned to beta carotene therapy and 26 to low-dose isotretinoin therapy; these two groups did not differ significantly in prognostic factors. Of the 53 patients who could be evaluated, 22 in the low-dose isotretinoin group and 13 in the beta carotene group responded to maintenance therapy or continued to have stable lesions (92 percent vs. 45 percent, P < 0.001). In situ carcinoma developed in one patient in each group, and invasive squamous-cell carcinoma in five patients in the beta carotene group. Toxicity was generally mild, though greater in the group given low-dose isotretinoin therapy. CONCLUSIONS When preceded by high-dose induction therapy, low-dose isotretinoin therapy was significantly more active against leukoplakia than beta carotene and was easily tolerated.
Electric Vehicles Charging Scheduling Strategy Considering the Uncertainty of Photovoltaic Output

The rapid development of electric vehicles and distributed generation bring new challenges to security and economic operation of the power system, so the collaborative research of the EVs and the distributed generation have important significance in distribution network. Under this background, an EVs charging scheduling strategy considering the uncertainty of photovoltaic(PV) output is proposed. The characteristics of EVs charging are analysed first. A PV output prediction method is proposed with a PV database then. On this basis, an EVs charging scheduling strategy is proposed with the goal to satisfy EVs users’ charging willingness and decrease the power loss in distribution network. The case study proves that the proposed PV output prediction method can predict the PV output accurately and the EVs charging scheduling strategy can reduce the power loss and stabilize the fluctuation of the load in distributed network.
Regionalism, Competition Policy and Abuse of Dominant Position

Co-ordination of competition policies within regional trade agreements (RTAs) seems desirable, especially within deeper forms of regional integration. This contributes to a healthy and stable regional trading system. We argue, however, that regional competition policies should be carefully elaborated not to neglect efficiency considerations linked to economies of scale/scope within a regional liberalisation program, in particular, in the case of dominant positions. We also suggest that, in the short term, a less stringent approach to competition policy should be adopted in RTAs among developing countries where market failures may be due not only to imperfect competition but also to credit and labour market constraints.
Radiotechnetium polyphosphate joint imaging.

An assessment of the efficacy of 99â€Tc-poly phosphate (IImTcPP) in the disclosure of syno vitis in 27 patients is presented. A comparison was made between Â°9@â€TcPP, clinical evaluation, 99mT@fJ4, and radiography. in general 9OmTcPP was found to be more sensitive in the detection of inflammatory synovitis in peripheral joints than the other three methods, but it is also non specific as increased periarticular accretions were found in degenerative osteoarthritis, meta bolic bone disease, and trauma. Although O9mTcpp joint imaging qualifies as a screening procedure, regions of increased uptake should be radiographed to determine whether other causative factors exist.