Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating the linkage between business objectives and information technology objectives : a multiple case study in the insurance industry

This research study used a multiple case methodology to investigate two questions: 1) how can the degree of linkage between business and information technology (IT) objectives be measured, and 2) what factors are associated with the attainment of linkage. The linkage within multi-divisional life insurance companies was studied at both the corporate (3 sites) and business unit (10 sites) levels. Linkage was defined as a state in which there is a high level of "mutual understanding between IS and business executives about each others' mission, objectives and plans. " It was measured by assessing 1) cross-references between IT and business plans, 2) mutual understanding of current objectives by information systems (IS) and business executives, 3) congruence in long term vision for IT among executives, and 4) subjective assessments of linkage by interviewees. The research model included four factors which would potentially influence linkage: 1) shared knowledge between IS and business executives, 2) previous IT implementation history, 3) frequency of communication between IS and business executives, and 4) connections between IT and business planning processes. The data collection process was designed to enable new factors of interest to emerge from the sites. A total of 57 long, semi-structured interviews were held with 45 informants. Written business and IT strategic plans, minutes from IT steering committee meetings, and other strategy documents were collected from each of the three corporate units and the ten business units. Data analysis indicated that both short term and long term linkage existed within the units. Of the four linkage measures, mutual understanding of objectives (by IS and business executives) and congruence in IT vision were found to be the best measures of short and long term linkage, respectively. Data on these measures showed little congruence, indicating that short and long term linkage are two separate dimensions of
The effect of cholinergic substances on the discharges from thermal receptors.

Summary. The effect of cholinergic substances on the thermal receptors of the tongue of the cat has been studied by recording the impulses set up in single thermal fibres. Minute amounts of acetylcholine shift the temperature range of the steady discharge of cold fibres towards the warm side and increase definitely the rate of the stationary discharge of the receptors inside the normal range of temperature. Larger amount. ; produce a depression of the steady discharge and a narrowing of the temperature range recorded. Corresponding results were found on warm fibre preparations. Menthol was found to exert a similar effect on the cold and on the warm fibre discharge.
csgIndex: An scalable contrast subgraph-based indexing model

In comparison to traditional graph search, containment search has its own indexing characteristics that have not yet been examined. We propose a scalable contrast subgraph-based indexing model, called csgIndex. Using a redundancy-aware feature selection process, csgIndex can sort out a set of significant and distinctive contrast subgraphs and maximize its indexing capability. Taking this solution as a base indexing model, we further extend it to accommodate hierarchical indexing methodologies and apply data space clustering and sampling techniques to reduce the index construction time. Experimental results on real test data show that csgIndex achieves near-optimal pruning power on various containment search workloads, and confirms its obvious advantage over indices built for traditional graph search in this new scenario.
Increased biosynthesis of CoA in the liver of rats treated with clofibrate.

1 The amounts of CoA in rat liver increased about three fold after treatment with clofibrate. About 10 of total CoA were long-chain acyl-CoA in normal rats, and slightly less in clofibrate-treated animals. The wet weight and protein content of the liver increased by about 25%. 2 From livers of clofibrate-treated rats, mitochondrial and lysosomal fractions were obtained in increased amounts by conventional tissue fractionation techniques. The supernatants from such livers had rather high activities of marker enzymes for lysosomes and peroxisomes. 3 No changes of the specific activities of the two first enzymes in the degradation pathway for CoA, i.e. acid phosphatase and nucleotide pyrophosphatase, were found in the liver homogenate from clofibrate-treated rats. In the mitochondrial fraction from such livers, both (contaminating) activities were decreased. The degradation of CoA was increased in the supernatant, however, probably because of an increased leakage of acid phosphatase from lysosomes during the fractionation procedure. 4 The synthesis of CoA from pantothenic acid was estimated by two different methods in vitro: by quantitation of CoA formed and by estimation of the incorporation of [14C]pantothenic acid into CoA. By both methods, CoA synthesis was found to be increased 3–4-fold in livers from clofibrate-treated rats. 5 Dephospho-CoA kinase was found to have a dual localization, with a minor pool in the mitochondrial fraction. This enzyme was only slightly increased in the clofibrate-treated animals. 6 The activity of pantothenate kinase was more than doubled after clofibrate treatment. This is thought to be the most important factor for the increase of CoA. CoA exerted feed-back inhibition at this step in liver supernatant from normal and clofibrate-treated rats.
Left Atrial Volumes in Health and Disease Measured Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

> It is not the size of a man, but the size of his heart that matters. > > —Evander HolyfieldThe left atrium (LA) plays an important mechanical role in cardiac performance. There are 3 discrete phasic functions within the cardiac cycle: first, the LA acts as a reservoir for storing pulmonary venous return during left ventricular (LV) contraction; second, it acts as a conduit because blood is passively transferred into the LV; third, active LA contraction in LV end-diastole contributes significantly to LV filling. It is also responsible for secreting natriuretic peptides in response to stretch, thus, helping to mediate fluid and hemodynamic homeostasis. See Article by Zemrak et al Given these various and important functions, it is unsurprising that disturbances of LA morphology are associated with important cardiovascular comorbidities, such as stroke,1 heart failure,2 atrial fibrillation (AF),3 and even premature mortality.4 Overall, LA size has been the most widely investigated atrial characteristic and has been found to be consistently increased in association with these and other cardiovascular complications. Given the enormous and increasing combined public health impact of these diseases, there is significant clinical interest in LA imaging as a potential biomarker to not only identify individuals at increased risk (suggested by the presence of LA remodeling), but also guide potential treatments and assess the therapeutic response—that is, reverse LA remodeling.5 The traditional metric of LA size has been the anteroposterior LA diameter in ventricular end-systole (ie, maximal atrial dimension within the cardiac cycle), measured from a parasternal long-axis M-mode echocardiographic view. This approach has advantages, given the widespread availability of echocardiography and the ease and reproducibility of this particular measurement. However, the LA is a morphologically complex chamber, and overall volume is more accurately estimated using the biplane area–length method, which combines LA areas and lengths …
T-Cell Responses before and after the Fifth Consecutive Acellular Pertussis Vaccination in 4-Year-Old Dutch Children

ABSTRACT Immunization with acellular pertussis vaccine (aP) induces higher specific antibody levels and fewer adverse reactions than does immunization with the whole-cell vaccine (wP). However, antibody levels in infants induced by both types of pertussis vaccines wane already after 1 year. Therefore, long-term T-cell responses upon vaccination might play a role in protection against pertussis. In a cross-sectional study (ISRCTN65428640), we investigated T-helper (Th) cell immune responses in wP- or aP-vaccinated children before and after an aP low-dose or high-dose preschool booster at 4 years of age in The Netherlands. T cells were stimulated with pertussis vaccine antigens. The numbers of gamma interferon-producing cells and Th1, Th2, Th17, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine concentrations were determined. In addition, pertussis-specific IgE levels were measured in plasma. Children being vaccinated with aP vaccinations at 2, 3, 4, and 11 months of age still showed higher pertussis-specific T-cell responses at 4 years of age than did wP-vaccinated children. These T-cell responses failed to show a typical increase in cytokine production after a fifth aP vaccination but remained high after a low-dose booster and seemed to decline even after a high-dose booster. Importantly, elevated IgE levels were induced after this booster vaccination. In contrast, wP-vaccinated children had only low prebooster T-cell responses, and these children showed a clear postbooster T-cell memory response even after a low-dose booster vaccine. Four high-dose aP vaccinations in infancy induce high T-cell responses still present even 3 years after vaccination and enhanced IgE responses after preschool booster vaccination. Therefore, studies of changes in vaccine dosage, timing of pertussis (booster) vaccinations, and the possible association with local side effects are necessary.
Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve Analysis May be Helpful to Study the Prognostic Value of miR-155 in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Aberrant expression of microRNA (miR-155) has been reported previously in several hematological malignancies [1,2,3,4]. Recently, Bedewy et al. [5] published their excellent findings in this journal. They reported that miR-155 expression was significantly upregulated in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) compared with normal controls. In patients with B-cell NHL, a high level of miR-155 expression was associated with the presence of B symptoms, involvement of extranodal sites, and high Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score. In patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), high miR-155 levels were related to non-germinal B-cell-like type and higher International Prognostic Index scores. High miR-155 expression was also associated with inferior event-free survival. Accordingly, the authors concluded that miRNA-155 might be a potential biomarker of prognosis and monitoring in B-cell NHL, and especially that of the DLBCL type [5].
Deficient leucocyte antisedimentation is related to post-stroke infections and outcome

Background: Patients with stroke are more susceptible to infections, suggesting possible deficiencies of early immune responses, particularly of leucocytes. Aims: To serially examine leucocyte antisedimentation rate (LAR), a simple test to detect activation of leucocytes, and correlate it with S100β, procalcitonin and outcome in patients with acute ischaemic events. Methods: Venous blood samples were taken from 61 healthy volunteers and 49 patients with acute ischaemic events (acute ischaemic stroke (AIS), n = 38; transient ischaemic attack (TIA), n = 11) within 6 hours, at 24 and 72 hours after onset of symptoms. Results: LAR was significantly higher in acute ischaemic events compared to controls within 6 hours after onset of stroke regardless of post-stroke infections. In addition, the increase of LAR was delayed and attenuated in TIA in contrast to AIS. A deficiency in early increase of LAR was associated with post-stroke infections and a poor outcome, measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale in AIS. There was a positive correlation between LAR and S100β at 72 hours after the onset of ischaemic stroke. Increased levels of S100β at 24 and 72 hours after stroke were associated with poor outcome. Conclusions: An early activation of leucocytes indicated by an increase of LAR is characteristic of acute ischaemic cerebrovascular events. A delayed and ameliorated leucocyte activation represented by LAR is characteristic of TIA in contrast to stroke. Deficient early activation predisposes to post-stroke infections related to poor outcome. In addition, the extent of tissue injury correlates with the magnitude of innate immune responses.
Paradox of e-health: Computer usage assessment among the staff in a government hospital

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of computers in a government hospital. Specifically, what is level of acceptance or usage of computer technology in the healthcare arena. Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), other independent variables measured were training program, functional department, usefulness and ease of use. A cross-sectional survey design was employed for this research where 150 (n=150) hospital employees at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang, Selangor were the units of analyses. Eighty-three or 58.3% completed questionnaires were returned. The results indicated that computer usage among the hospital staff is moderately high ( =4.16) where most of the respondents only use the computer between one to two hours per day. In this Digital Era and with many government initiatives such as the tele-health flagship, non usage of computers meant that some hospital staff would be technology laggards and their career prospects would be dim as most health and medical processes in government hospitals in Malaysia have already been automated and digitized. Furthermore, by identifying these stumbling blocks, hospital administrators would be able to plan the necessary training programs to improve their staff’s computer skills and change their attitude towards technology adoption.
Effect of Ketotifen on the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species from Human Eosinophils Primed by Eotaxin

Ketotifen is an antiallergic drug and may have direct inhibitory effects on eosinophils. To investigate the anti-eosinophilic effect of ketotifen, we examined the effect of ketotifen on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from eotaxin-primed human eosinophils. Ketotifen at 10–10–10–6 mol/l significantly reduced the production of ROS evoked by A23187 from eosinophils primed by eotaxin. In contrast, ketotifen at 10–5 mol/l significantly augmented the production in the absence of eotaxin. We demonstrated that appropriate concentrations of ketotifen may have direct inhibitory effects on eosinophil oxidative metabolism primed by eotaxin. Ketotifen may contribute to the treatment of allergic disease through its anti-eosinophilic effects.
The carbon disclosures project: accounting information beyond 2007

The carbon disclosures project is founded on a simple idea – if corporations are asked to disclose greenhouse gas related information, a number of benefits should ensue. Most importantly, firms will build greenhouse gas related strategies into their planning and it is hope this will have positive environmental outcomes. The project has grown significantly, and in 2007 firms have been asked specifically about their greenhouse gas accounting systems. Although, the results of this new information request haven’t been published, this paper considers how this may help enhance the legitimacy of the information corporations are disclosing.
Vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation analysis prior to percutaneous coronary intervention for exclusion of postprocedural major adverse cardiovascular events

Summary. Background: Despite dual antiplatelet therapy, the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after percutaneous coronary angioplasty remains high. Studies have shown interindividual variations in response to clopidogrel. Furthermore, there is an apparent link between clinical outcomes and clopidogrel resistance. Objectives: To investigate the value of platelet reactivity index (PRI), assessed by vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation analysis, for predicting MACE after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation.Methods: A prospective monocentric study was performed on 144 patients undergoing PCI. PR was evaluated by VASP phosphorylation analysis 24 h after they received a 300‐mg loading dose of clopidogrel. MACE were recorded during a 6‐month follow‐up. Patients were divided into quintiles according to PRI, as assessed by VASP analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve served to determine the optimal cut‐off value of VASP analysis to detect MACE.Results: Of the 144 patients, 34% had stable angina pectoris, 40% silent ischemia, and 26% low‐risk non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. During the follow‐up, 21 MACE were observed. Patients in quintile 1 of VASP analysis had a significantly lower risk of MACE as compared with those among the four higher quintiles (0 vs. 21, P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis of VASP showed an optimal cut‐off value of 50% PR to exclude MACE. The negative predictive value of the test was 100%. Conclusions: VASP phosphorylation analysis can evaluate the individual response to clopidogrel loading dose prior to PCI and predict postprocedural MACE.
Lognormal Distribution of Epiphytic Bacterial Populations on Leaf Surfaces

Total populations of epiphytic bacteria and selected components thereof were determined on sets of 24 to 36 individual leaves (corn, rye) or leaflets (snap bean, soybean, tomato) of field-grown plants by washing and dilution plating. In general, levels of component populations (e.g., bacteria that are ice nucleation active) were quantitatively more variable from leaf to leaf within a set than were total epiphytic bacterial populations. Populations of a given component frequently varied by a factor of 100 to 1,000 within a set of leaves. Total bacterial populations usually varied by a factor of about 10. For each set of leaves, total and component epiphytic bacterial populations were found to approximate a lognormal distribution by the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. Due to the lognormal distribution of epiphytic bacterial populations, estimates of population size based on the common practice of using bulked samples (wherein several leaves are washed together) will overestimate the population median by a factor of approximately 1. 15σ2. From the known probability distribution of bacterial populations, the frequency with which a given bacterial population size is met or exceeded on individual leaves can be estimated. If the bacterial component is phytopathogenic, the frequency estimates could be used to relate quantitatively pathogen populations and disease incidence.
An Empirical Study and Analysis of Residents' Perceptions of Tourism Impact in China's Tourist Destinations

The authors have conducted a questionnaire survey in 23 tourist destinations nationwide to acquire first-hand data and SPSS 13.0 is used as a tool for data statistics.We inquire into residents' perceptions of tourism impact and the differences of perceptions among residents in different areas and identify six factors relating to their perceptions of tourism impact.The study results show that at present the positive perceptions of Chinese residents about tourism impact are in dominant position;the differences in perceptions mainly result from individual and demographic factors of the residents.Residents in Chinese tourist destinations can be grouped into "positive supporters with overall perspective","ambivalent and rational supporters" and "positive but self-centered supporters".
Screening for dilated cardiomyopathy in Great Danes in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND Great Danes (GD) are predisposed to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), but little is known about progression, clinical manifestations, or inheritance in dogs in the UK. For echocardiographic screening, breed-specific reference intervals (RI) are required. OBJECTIVES To document the prevalence, clinical manifestations, and inheritance of DCM in UK GD. To establish RI for Doppler echocardiography (ECHO) in GD. ANIMALS One hundred and seven client-owned GDs. METHODS Echocardiographic screening study. Dogs were scored on ECHO and ECG variables and classified as normal (NORM), equivocal (EQUIV), or affected (AFX). Forty NORM dogs were used to determine RI for ECHO. Pedigrees from all dogs were examined for mode of inheritance. RESULTS The prevalence of DCM in this population, based on score, was 35.6%. Significant differences in M mode left ventricular dimensions (MMLVD) were identified between male and female dogs (P < .011). RI for MMLVD and transformed MMLVD (allometric scaling) were lower than previously suggested. When dogs were reclassified using amended RI for MMLVD, prevalence increased to 47%. End-systolic volume index more reliably identified AFX dogs than other systolic function indices. Ventricular arrhythmias (VA) were commonly identified, with the highest prevalence in AFX dogs (54%). Pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The prevalence of DCM in UK GD is higher than previously reported and autosomal dominant inheritance is likely. Sex or body weight-dependent RI should be used for ECHO in GD and current RI might underestimate ESVI in GD. VA might play an important role in GD with DCM.
Measuring Service Quality Dimensions: An Empirical Analysis of Thai Hotel Industry

The aim of this study is to focus on hotel service quality based on the application of 29 characteristic indicators from the SERVQUAL model by comparing two hotel types, namely the boutique and the business hotel, in Thailand and to understand the expectation, perception and gaps between expectation and perception regarding hotel service quality. The study applied a self-administered questionnaire to measure the expectation and perception of service quality characteristics of hotels in Thailand. A total of 108 usable questionnaires were analyzed. The analysis shows that the service quality of hotels in Thailand was moderately low. Hotels were not able to deliver services as expected. Also, the customer expectation of the services of the boutique hotels was higher than that of the business hotels. It is observed that this study can claim to be the pioneer study of hotel service quality in Thailand; in that sense this study contributes to the literature by providing an advanced understanding of the hotel service quality in different types of hotel. This study also provides an opportunity for a comparison with other studies conducted previously in different parts of the world.
Effects of exercise on muscle activation and metabolism in multiple sclerosis

We investigated the role of metabolism in muscle fatigue during voluntary exercise in persons with mild multiple sclerosis (MS). Six MS and 8 healthy control subjects performed intermittent, progressive, isometric contractions of the ankle dorsiflexors, during which we measured maximum voluntary force (MVC), inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphocreatine (PCr), and pH. During exercise. MVC fell sooner in MS, but by the end of exercise the relative decrease in MVC was similar in both groups. In contrast, at the end of exercise Pi/PCr increased to 1.86 ± 0.22 in controls but to only 0.66 ± 0.04 in MS (P < 0.01); likewise, pH was 6.75±0.04 in controls and unchanged (7.06 ± 0.04) in MS (P <0.01). The smaller metabolic change at the same relative exercise intensity suggests a failure of muscle activation that is present even in mild MS. Neurophsyiologic measures of activation indicated some central activation failure and no neuromuscular junction impairment in MS, and suggested that activation failure beyond the muscle membrane(excitation–contraction coupling) may be important in MS. We conclude that metabolic factors do not play a significant role in the development of muscle fatigue during voluntary exercise in mild MS. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.