Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the NPD Process by Applying Lean Principles: A Case Study

Abstract: This article extends the new product development (NPD) literature by presenting a case study of a lean product development (LPD) transformation framework implemented at a U.S. based manufacturing firm. In a departure from typical LPD methods, in this article the design structure matrix and the cause and effect matrix are integrated into the lean transformation framework, allowing analysis of the underlying complexity of a product development (PD) system, and thus facilitating determination of the root causes of wasteful reworks. Several strategies to transform the current PD process into a lean process are discussed. Besides the two-phase improvement plan, a new organizational structure roadmap and a human resources plan are also suggested to support the recommended changes in the NPD process. The results of the first phase show a 32% reduction in PD cycle time due to the proposed NPD process. The article concludes with lessons learned and implications for engineering managers based on the case study.
Ecosystem consequences of changing biodiversity

F. Stuart Chapin (e-mail: fschapin@socrates. berkeley.edu) is a professor and David U. Hooper is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720. Osvaldo E. Sala is a professor at the Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires, Av. San Martin 4453, Buenos Aires 1417, Argentina. Ingrid C. Burke is an associate professor in the Department of Forest Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523. J. Phillip Grime is a professor in the Unit of Comparative Plant Ecology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. William K. Lauenroth is a professor in the Rangeland Ecosystem Science Department, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 80523. Amanda Lombard is a research scientist at the FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa. Harold A. Mooney is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. Arvin R. Mosier is a research scientist in the USDA Agricultural Research Service, P. O. Box E, Ft. Collins, CO 80522. Shahid Naeem is an assistant professor and David Tilman is a professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108. Stephen W. Pacala is a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544. Jacques Roy is director of research at the Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS, F-34293 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. William L. Steffen is executive officer of GCTE, CSIRO, Division of Wildlife and Ecology, Lyneham ACT 2602, Australia. Changes in biodiversity can have significant
Small molecule inhibitors of histone deacetylase

This patent deals with novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors and methods of their use for treating cell proliferative diseases or conditions, such as cancer, restenosis and psoriasis. Claimed herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising small molecule HDAC inhibitors as the active ingredient, optionally combined with the use of an antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits HDAC expression. The claimed compounds were synthesised according to given reaction schemes and tested for their inhibition of HDAC enzymatic activity using nuclear extracts from cancer cells (pooled HDACs) and recombinant human HDAC1. An exemplified compound is stated to have caused a significant reduction in tumour weight and volume relative to saline-treated controls in BALB/c nude mice subcutaneously bearing A549 human lung carcinoma cells.
Eugenia brachypoda, new host of Cylindrocladium pteridis in the State of Pará, Brazil.

The socoro (Eugenia brachypoda DC) belongs to the Myrtaceae family and voluntarily grows on the margins of rivers and lakes in the micro-region of mid-Amazon. The mature fruits are round and orange to purple in color; the sweet and sour pulp is highly appreciated by the local population, especially of Monte Alegre and Alenquer in the State of Para. In June 1996, seedlings were raised from seeds obtained from the fruits collected from the margin of the LakeArariquara in Alenquer-PA, and planted on uplands in the experimental fields of Embrapa in the eastern Amazon, in Belem, Para. Leaf spots of irregular size and shape (Figure 1), resulting in leaf desiccation and defoliation were observed in May 2002. The fragments from diseased leaf tissues were cut from the margins of the leaf spots, surface disinfected in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, rinsed in sterile water and plated on 2% water agar. The colonies that developed after three days of incubation at room condition were transferred to PDA, where the fungus showed morphological characteristics typical of Cylindrocladium pteridis Wolf (Figure 1B), teliomorph Calonectria pteridis Crous, Wingfield & Alfenas. The cylindrical, hyaline, uniseptate conidia measuring 65 76 μm x 4.6 5.4 μm (av. 70 x 4.9 μm) were characterized by a clavate vesicle. The fungus has been reported from Brazil as causing lesions on Pinus caribaea Morolet var. hondurensis Barr. & Golfari (Hodges et al. Brasil florestal 6:8-11. 1975), coconut (Cocus nucifera L.) (Silva & Souza, Fitopatol. bras. 6:515-517. 1981; Ponte & Silveira Filho. Fitopatol. bras. 22:567. 1997; Trindade et al. Fitopatol. bras. 23:412. 1998), in buritizeiro (Mauritia flexuosa L.) (Silva Fitopatol. bras. 21:523. 1996) and in Eucalyptus spp. (Ferreira et al., 1992. Fitopatol. bras. 17:226.1992). The pathogenicity test was done by inoculating the host leaves with a PDA culture disc of C. pteridis, and incubating in a
Epigenetics and stroke risk – beyond the static DNA code

Correspondence: Philip A Marsden Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Room 522, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1C6, Canada Tel +1 416 847 1734 Fax +1 416 864 5813 Email p.marsden@utoronto.ca Abstract: Advances in high-throughput genome sequencing and genome-wide association studies indicate that only a fraction of estimated variability in stroke risk can be explained by genetic variation in protein-coding genes alone. Epigenetics is defined as chromatin-based mechanisms important in the regulation of gene expression that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence per se. Epigenetics represents an alternative explanation for how traditional risk factors confer increased stroke risk, provide a newer paradigm to explain heritability not explained by genetic variation, and provide insight into the link between how the environment of a cell can interact with the static DNA code. The nuclear-based mechanisms that contribute to epigenetic gene regulation can be separated into three distinct but highly interrelated processes: DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation; histone density and posttranslational modifications; and RNA-based mechanisms. Together, they offer a newer perspective on transcriptional control paradigms in blood vessels and provide a molecular basis for understanding how the environment impacts the genome to modify stroke susceptibility. This alternative view for transcriptional regulation allows a reassessment of the cis/trans model and even helps explain some of the limitations of current approaches to genetic-based screens. For instance, how does the environment exert chronic effects on gene expression in blood vessels after weeks or years? When a vascular cell divides, how is this information transmitted to daughter cells? This review provides an introduction to epigenetic concepts and a conceptual framework for understanding the shortcomings of an approach to stroke research that focuses solely on the static DNA code. Additionally, it will discuss classical and emerging mechanisms of epigenetic gene regulation that are especially relevant to large-vessel ischemic stroke.
The effect of wind speed on the flight responses of tsetse flies to CO2: a wind‐tunnel study

Abstract. Female Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood were video‐recorded in a wind‐tunnel as they entered, in cross‐wind flight, a broad plume of CO2 (a component of host odour). At a wind speed that corresponds with peak catches in the field (c. 0.6 ms‐1) odour produced both significant upwind turning responses (in‐flight anemotaxis) and kinetic responses (reduced flight speed and increased sinuosity (d̀m‐1). At a wind speed of c. 0.2 ms‐1 flies displayed anemotactic, but not kinetic, responses to odour. At very low wind speeds (0.1ms‐1) neither upwind turning responses nor kinetic responses to odour were detected. The results are discussed with regard to current theory of host‐location by tsetse.
Decreased feeding ability of a minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) with entanglement‐like injuries

The effects of nonlethal injuries on the lives of whales are poorly understood. Such effects receive less attention than issues of entanglement frequency and acute mortality. Although fishing gear entanglements are thought to be the largest current threat to whales (Perrin et al. 1994) evidence is limited involving any significant effects that may persist beyond the entanglement period. Here we detail an unusual encounter with a lunge-feeding minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) with fresh entanglement-like injuries to its head and ventral pouch. Although we cannot be certain of the exact cause of these injuries the laceration strongly resembled a rope injury; it was linear with clean edges and had a width typical of most fishing gear ropes in our study area. We also discuss results from a short-term comparative study that tested whether the whale fed differently than five uninjured minke whales feeding in the same area. This information: (1) quantifies how much a rope-like injury can restrict the expansion of a minke’s ventral pouch while feeding, (2) provides the first minke whale lunge-feeding velocities from a photogrammetric method using digital video, and (3) describes a new lunge-feeding aerial maneuver for minke whales that is possibly associated with the injury.
Caractérisation des huiles de sept variétés d'olivier tunisiennes

L’oliveraie tunisienne est riche en varietes, mais en depit de cette richesse, aucune evaluation biochimique des huiles issues de ces varietes n’a ete entreprise jusqu’a l’heure actuelle. C’est pourquoi nous procedons dans le present travail a l’etude de la composition chimique des huiles de sept varietes a huiles cultivees en Tunisie. Outre la caracterisation varietale, cette etude a pour objectif l’amelioration de la qualite de nos huiles par le choix de varietes performantes du point de vue de la composition chimique de l’huile, pour repondre aux exigences du marche international relatives a la norme commerciale. Dans ce premier travail, nous nous interessons a la composition de l’huile en acides gras et especes moleculaires de triacylglycerols. Notre etude confirme qu’aussi bien la teneur en huile des olives que la composition en acides gras et triacylglycerols des huiles sont etroitement liees a la nature du cultivar. Parmi les varietes etudiees, la Sayali et la Chemchali se distinguent par un rendement eleve en huile, superieur a 50%. Ces deux varietes possedent les taux les plus eleves en acide oleique (82 et 71%) et les taux les plus bas en acide linoleique (respectivement 4 et 10%). Elles possedent aussi les taux les plus faibles de trilinoleine, respectivement 0,05 et 0,19%. Par consequent, les huiles de ces deux varietes sont a recommander pour des coupages permettant de corriger la composition chimique des huiles des autres varietes
Integrated long-term responses of an arctic-alpine willow and associated ectomycorrhizal fungi to an altered environment

We evaluated ectomycorrhizal (ECM) colonization and morphotype community composition together with growth response and biomass distribution in the arctic–alpine, prostrate willow Salix herbacea L. × Salix polaris Wahlenb. after 11 seasons of shading, warming, and fertilization at a fellfield in subarctic Sweden. The aim was to assess responses of the integrated plant–fungal system to long-term field experiments simulating expected environmental changes. Warming more than doubled aboveground S. herbacea × S. polaris biomass and shoot growth, whereas shading and nutrient addition had less influence on these variables. In shaded plants, adjustments at leaf level probably buffered major changes in plant biomass allocation. Fertilization increased the root mass fraction and changed root system morphology by decreasing the number of root tips per unit root mass. While no long-term changes in total ECM colonization (%ECM root tips) in response to the treatments were identified, ECM colonization in June just afte.
Distribution of Mortality During the Period of Incubation.

Abstract The factors which cause high mortality of chick embryos during the period of incubation are more or less obscure. Results obtained at the Massachusetts Agricultural College demonstrate that mortality is not evenly distributed throughout the 21 days of incubation. For the past three seasons we have kept accurate records of the daily mortality from a portion of the eggs incubated at the College plant, and there has been a marked similarity in the death rate with certain periods of incubation. The mortality by days was determined in the following manner. A number of eggs were placed under hens, and an egg with a normal embryo was broken every twenty-four hours from the first to the twenty-first day, and the embryos were mounted in glass jars. The dead germs taken from the incubators on the 7th, 14th, and 22nd days were broken, except the blood rings, and the dead embryos were …
A psychological assessment of adolescent and young adult inpatients after traumatic brain injury

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cognitive, behavioural, depressive and self-awareness disorders, and their relationships, after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adolescent and young adult inpatients. Two groups of patients with (n = 83) and without (n = 103) TBI, aged 14-25 years, hospitalized after severe traumatic pathology, were compared using the clinician's report and self-report. A higher frequency of depressive tendencies in TBI patients than in controls was shown in the clinician's therapeutic attitude (i.e. prescription of antidepressant drugs), the clinician's report and the self-report. The same difference between the two groups was observed for behavioural and schooling problems in the clinician's report, but not in the self-report. Discrepancies between self- and clinician's evaluation were in favour of a lack of self-awareness of behavioural and cognitive disorders among TBI patients. Correlations of depressive mood with anxiety and cognitive complaints were stronger in TBI than in non-TBI patients. Depression in TBI patients seems compatible with some degree of lack of self-awareness of cognitive and behavioural difficulties.
An Esterase with Superior Activity and Enantioselectivity towards 1,2-O-Isopropylideneglycerol Esters Obtained by Protein Design

The Escherichia coli esterase YbfF displays high activity towards 1,2-O-isopropylideneglycerol (IPG) butyrate and IPG caprylate, and prefers the R-enantiomer of these substrates, producing the S-enantiomer of the IPG product in excess. To improve the potential of the enzyme for the kinetic resolution of racemic esters of IPG, an enhancement of the activity and enantioselectivity would be highly desirable. Molecular docking of the R-enantiomer of both IPG esters into the active site of YbfF allowed the identification of proximal YbfF active site residues. Four residues (25, 124, 185 and 235) were selected as targets for mutagenesis, in order to enhance YbfF activity and enantioselectivity towards IPG esters. Random mutagenesis at positions 25, 124, 185 and 235 yielded several best YbfF variants with enhanced activity and enantioselectivity towards IPG esters. The best YbfF mutant, W235I, exhibited a 2-fold higher enantioselectivity than wild-type YbfF, with an E=38 for IPG butyrate and an E=77 for IPG caprylate. Molecular docking experiments further support the enhanced enantioselectivity shown experimentally and the structural effects of this amino acid substitution on the active site of YbfF are provided. The engineered W235I mutant is an attractive catalyst for practical applications in the kinetic resolution of IPG esters.
Antagonistic selective binding agents of osteoprotegerin binding protein

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand is an essential cytokine for osteoclasts, the cells that promote bone resorption and bone loss, while osteoprotegerin neutralises RANKL and prevents these skeletal changes. OPG binding protein is able to block OPG and activate the receptor for RANKL, thus enhancing osteoclastic activity. This patent claims antagonistic selective binding agents of OPGbp useful as modulators of the interaction of OPGbp with the osteoclastic receptor for RANKL. It also claims invention of antibodies and antigen binding domains (including coding nucleic acids, expression vectors and host cells), which may selectively bind to OPGbp and could be used to prevent bone resorption.
Emerging treatments in acute myeloid leukaemia

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the most common form of leukaemia in young adults. Although 75 – 85% of patients will achieve complete remission after induction chemotherapy, the long-term survival is still < 50% at 5 years. Chemotherapy has increased in intensity in recent years and is perceived to have reached the limit of toxicity. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, which is undoubtedly the most effective way to prevent relapse, may not add substantial survival benefits. Several new pharmacological approaches to the treatment of AML are now becoming available, with various molecular targets identified, including the farnesylation of RAS family proteins and tyrosine kinases involved in signal transduction and epigenetic methylation. More selective delivery of chemotherapeutic agents is also feasible using humanised monoclonal antibodies, with the intriguing possibility of increasing treatment delivery without increasing the toxicity. However, despite the progress in the rational design of drugs in disorders such as chronic myeloid leukaemia, AML lacks a single specific pathognomic genetic event to act as a drug target. This review discusses the drugs presently under investigation in Phase II or Phase III trials in AML.
New approaches for identifying antiarrhythmic drug targets

Sudden cardiac death, secondary to ventricular fibrillation (VF), remains the leading cause of death in many developed countries. Substantial experimental and theoretical support exists for the idea that VF is caused by spiral wave re-entry. The initiation and subsequent break-up of spiral waves have been linked to electrical alternans, a phenomenon typically associated with a steeply sloped restitution relationship. Interventions that reduce the slope of the restitution relationship have been shown to prevent the induction of VF and to terminate existing VF in experimental models. These results suggest that electrical restitution may be a promising new target for antiarrhythmic therapies.
Stability of Vitamins A, E, and B Complex in Infant Milks Claimed to have Equal Final Composition in Liquid and Powdered Form

ABSTRACT: Two infant milks claimed to have the same final composition in liquid and powdered form respectively were stored for 12 mo at 20, 30, and 37 °C. Vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid, and nictoinamide remained constant at the three temperatures. However, there were statistically significant losses of vitamin A (approximately 35%) in samples stored at 37 °C. No differences were observed in vitamin stability between the two infant milks studied. Final levels of vitamin A were always higher than the minimum set by Spanish legislation. Vitamin A overfortification (approximately 200%) was more than that needed to compensate for losses during storage.
Modelling the geographic distributions of endemic genera in the eastern Central Asian desert

This study simulates the distributions of 13 endemic and near-endemic genera (Ammopiptanthus, Sympegma, Iljinia, Elachanthemum, Potaninia, Tugarinovia, Kaschgaria, Sarcozygium, Timouria, Zollikoferia, Stilpnolepis, Synstemon and Tetraena) to indicate areas of plant diversity and conservation importance within the eastern Central Asian desert, and to identify the determinant environmental variables contributing to the spatial distribution patterns. Using known distribution localities and 14 environmental variables, the Maxent and Domain species distribution models were employed to map the patterns of geographic distribution. The power of predictability of the models was tested using the receiver operating characteristic method and the jackknife validation approach, according to the different number of species localities available. The estimated richness and the superimposed potential distributions of 13 genera were used to indicate endemic patterns of distribution. The comparison of Maxent and Domain further identified previously unknown areas of endemism and described the distribution for each taxon. Both observed species occurrence and the species occurrence predicted from the Maxent indicated that the eastern Alashan of Inner Mongolia is the most noticeable endemic area, and the northwestern and northern Tarim Basin of Xinjiang is the secondary center of plant diversity. These regions were then prioritized for conservation importance. Potential evapotranspiration ratio and precipitation seasonality played important roles in driving the observed patterns of endemic distribution.
A Study on the Scale Development of Hotel Brand Equity Using ZMET

Abstract This study conducted in-depth interviews with hotel managers using ZMET, and produced the components and measuring variables of hotel brand equity by analyzing the data. The components of hotel brand equity were reconstructed according to theoretical definitions, and through literature research, the variables reflective of the characteristics of hotels were adopted among the measuring variables tested by precedent researchers. Thus, a new scale of hotel brand equity was developed. A survey was made of this among hotel visitors in order to make sure whether this scale can be used as a valid tool for measuring hotel brand equity. The survey revealed that the scale for hotel brand equity consists of sixteen items with the four dimensions. The evaluative scale is made up of six items for brand image, four for loyalty, three for perceived quality, and three for awareness.
Temporal variation of allele frequencies in a natural population of wild Vigna unguiculata

Abstract Temporal variation in allele frequencies in a natural population of wild Vigna unguiculata was studied by making monthly collections of seeds over a two-year period. Using starch gel electrophoresis, four out of seven loci analysed were shown to be polymorphic (Enp, Fdh, Fle3 and Pgd2 ). These four loci showed significant variation in allele frequencies over time. Changes in population structure over time were analysed using F-statistic estimators. Although heterogeneity was evident between loci, the analysis showed significant differentiation among months within a year for all polymorphic loci. Fixation indexes were all positive and statistically different from zero, highlighting a significant departure from random mating. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA), the pattern of inbreeding (f) showed significant changes over time (season); among the polymorphic loci, Enp most strongly contributed to this significance. Significant correlations were found between allele frequencies at different loci. The monthly average gene diversity (He) and allele frequencies at the Enp locus were found to be significantly correlated with weather conditions (temperature and rainfall distribution). These allele frequency deviations over time can be attributed to changes in pollinator behaviour, and frequent genetic bottlenecks that are associated with changes in environmental conditions.