Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
- itt * An Empirical Model of the Relationship between Manufacturing Capabilities : Evidence from the Thai Automotive Industry

Regardless of the importance of manufacturing strategy and capability, the relationship between competitive capabilities has been recognized as an important element of operations strategy. However, there is still a lack of comprehension study and empirical evidence in justifying the precise relationships between different elements of manufacturing capability. Between the two suggested models from the literature, the cumulative (or sand-cone) model appears to be more sensible as opposed to the trade-off model. Therefore, the objectives of this research are to develop and test hypotheses based on the cumulative model of manufacturing capability relationships. Based on quantitative investigation of 151 firms from Thai automotive industry using structural equation models (SEM), we reveal interesting 20 An Empirical Model of the Relationship between Manufacturing Capabilities: Evidence from the Thai Automotive Industry วารสารพัฒนบริหารศาสตร์ ปีที่ 50 ฉบับที่ 2/2553 relationships especially in supporting the cumulative model. This study adds a new knowledge to the operations management by investigating the relationships and fills the gap in the literature on manufacturing capabilities, especially in Asian context. As a result, it takes the next step of trying to not only to examine but also to justify the relationships between manufacturing capabilities in the sand-cone model.
Effect of Salt on the Growth and Metabolism of Glycine max

Soybean plants cultivated with 50, 100 and 200 mM of NaCl, revealed that root growth was less affected by salinity than shoots. Salinity led to a reduction in leaf area and an increase in water content of the roots. These factors could contribute to the adaptation of the plant, improving its hydration. Although nitrate and free amino acid levels were reduced by salt treatment in roots, protein content of leaves was not altered. Salinity led to alterations in xylem amino acid composition, with increases in Ser, Ala, Gaba and Pro and a decrease in Asn. Similar changes were seen for Asn and Ser in roots together with a much stronger increase in Gaba. It is suggested that the decline in Asn reflects its conversion to Ala and Gaba (via Glu) in the roots while the increase in Pro and Gaba could be related to the adaptation of the plant to salinity.
Investigating the Factors Affecting Youth Brand Choice for Mobile Phones Purchase - a Study of Private Universities Students of Peshawar

Youths, today, are highlytechnology oriented and an activesegment of society in the usage ofdigital technology and transformingof applications. There can be seen anincreased use of mobile phonesamong young consumers world wide.Because of their fast adoption curveand orientation towards technologyand innovative feature, this agegroup has become an area ofsignificant interest to the marketers.This study intends to determine allthose factors which affect the youth’sbrand choice for purchase of mobilephones. The data of the study wascollected from the private universitystudents of City University andSarhad University, Peshawar. Thestudy uses a self administeredquestionnaire, which was distributedrandomly among 110 students, tomeasure their brand choice criteria.The responses were measured byusing descriptive statistics,regression and coefficient analysis.The findings of the study show thatQuality, brand image andrecommendations by family andfriends are the key variables thatinfluence the brand choice of youthsfor mobile handset purchase inPeshawar Pakistan.
Regulation of Immune Responses and Chronic Inflammation by Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes

Synovial tissue is a membranous non-immune organ lining joint cavities where it supports local immune responses, and functions directly and indirectly in joint destruction due to chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), the dominant non-immune cells of synovial tissues, mainly contribute to joint destruction via multiple mechanisms. In RA, FLS respond to endogenous ligands of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and inflammatory cytokines as non-immune cells. In addition, FLS aid in the activation of immune responses by interacting with immune cells and by supporting ectopic lymphoid-like structure (ELS) formation in synovial tissues. Moreover, FLS directly cause the pathogenicity of RA i.e., joint deformities. Here, we describe new findings and review the mechanisms underlying the regulation of immune reactions by non-immune FLS and their roles in inflammatory diseases such as RA.
Interaction of caisson foundations with a seismically rupturing normal fault: centrifuge testing versus numerical simulation

Dramatic failures have occurred in recent earthquakes as a result of the interplay of surface structures with outcropping fault ruptures, highlighting the need to account for fault-induced loading in seismic design. Current research into the mechanisms of fault rupture–foundation–structure interaction has revealed a potentially favourable role of caissons in comparison with other foundation types. This paper explores the mechanisms of normal fault rupture interaction with rigid caisson foundations, with an integrated approach using both experiments and analysis. A series of centrifuge model tests were first conducted to study the response of a square (in plan) caisson foundation of dimensions 5 m × 5 m × 10 m, founded on a 15 m thick layer of dry dense sand. A non-linear three-dimensional numerical simulation of the problem was then developed, and adequately validated against centrifuge test results. Depending on its position relative to the fault, the caisson interacts with the fault rupture, sometimes m.
Mushroom Inoculation on Switchgrass Feedstock during Storage: Effects of Subsequent Pre-processing for Intended Biofuels Production

The objective of this project was to examine the effect of fungal treatment and liquid hot water pretreatment of switchgrass combine in view of increasing glucose release. The fungal treatment consisted of incubating Pleurotus ostreatus in square switchgrass bales, at 50% moisture content for 25 days, 54 days, and 82 days. The digestibility of the switchgrass biomass was subsequently evaluated using Accelerase 1500 enzyme. Lignin is an important barrier to enzymatic hydrolysis, and it was stipulated that incubation with P. ostreatus would disrupt plant cell walls, resulting in enhanced saccharification. Three different concentrations of P. ostreatus were evaluated: 0%, 2%, and 3% by weight. Maximum digestibility was observed in switchgrass pretreated with 3% P. ostreatus for 25 days but not yet pretreated in hot water, which resulted in 39% saccharification as opposed to 32% with that of 0% P. ostreatus. This indicated that the fungal inoculation facilitated structural carbohydrate release. Switchgrass samples collected after solid state fermentation with P. ostreatus were subjected to liquid hot water (LHW) pretreatment at 200°C for 10 min, and 180°C for 30 min, and the prehydrolyzates were washed with 5X volumes of water, before being used for enzymatic analysis. Overall, LHW pretreatment enhanced the enzymatic digestibility of fungal fermented switchgrass. For fermented switchgrass samples pretreated using LHW, at 200°C for 10 min, maximum saccharification of 82% was obtained for the samples inoculated with 3% P. ostreatus and stored for 82 days. However, there were no significant differences between the other conditions. Enzymatic hydrolysis was also performed for the washed LHW pretreated switchgrass samples. Washing prehydrolyzates after LHW pretreatment was supposed to enhance its enzymatic digestibility; however in this study, a significant overall reduction in enzymatic digestibility was observed as compared to the non-
The Up-regulation of Carbonic Anhydrase Genes of Bacillus mucilaginosus under Soluble Ca2+ Deficiency and the Heterologously Expressed Enzyme Promotes Calcite Dissolution

Molecular mechanisms and gene regulation are of interest in the area of geomicrobiology in which the interaction between microbes and minerals is studied. This paper focuses on the regulation of the expression of carbonic anhydrase (CA) genes in Bacillus mucilaginosus and the effects of the expression product of the B. mucilaginosus CA gene in Escherichia coli on calcite weathering. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to explore the relationship between CA gene expression in B. mucilaginosus and promotion of calcite dissolution under condition of Ca2+ deficiency. The results showed that adding calcite to the medium, which lacks Ca2+, can up-regulate the expression of the bacterial CA genes to accelerate calcite dissolution for bacterial growth. CA genes from B. mucilaginosus were transferred into E. coli by cloning. We then employed crude enzyme extract from the resultant E. coli strain in calcite dissolution experiments. The enzyme extract promoted calcite dissolution. These findings provide direct evidence for the role of microbial CA on mineral weathering and mineral nutrition release.
Analytic Hierarchy Process based method to evaluate teacher's ability in network education

In network, teacher's ability is a key element to the teaching quality, and network education managers have to attach importance to teacher's ability evaluation. In this paper, we propose an analytic hierarchy process based method to evaluate the teacher ability, the social service, specific guidance, communication and cooperation, learning and innovation, and teamwork are considered in the evaluation process. On the basis of principles of teacher ability evaluation, analytic hierarchy process is used to evaluate teacher's ability, which can evaluate the teacher ability from different aspects, thus providing teachers with clear and actionable feedback to enhance their practice.
The role of psychosocial risk factors in the burden of headache

Purpose: Psychosocial risk factors are common in headache patients and affect the impact of headache in multiple ways. The aim of our study was to assess how psychosocial risk factors correlate with the headache impact test-6 (HIT-6). To our knowledge this is the first study to evaluate the impact of several psychosocial factors on the HIT-6 score. Patients and methods: Our study population consisted of 469 Finnish female employees reporting headache during the past year. Psychosocial risk factors were assessed using validated, self-administered questionnaires: the generalized anxiety disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) for anxiety, the major depression inventory (MDI) for depressive symptoms, the ENRICHD short social support instrument (ESSI) for social isolation, the cynical distrust scale for hostility and the Bergen burnout indicator (BBI-15) for work stress. Results: Exploratory factor analysis of the HIT-6 scores revealed two factors, one describing psychological and quality of life aspects affected by headache and the other describing severity of pain and functional decline. Internal consistency of the HIT-6 was 0.87 (95%CI: 0.85–0.89). Correlations between the total HIT-6 score and all measured psychosocial risk factors except for hostility were weak, but statistically significant. Conclusion: The HIT-6 questionnaire has good construct validity and it describes reliably and independently the impact of headache without interference of psychosocial factors in general working-aged female population.
Investigation of Formation, Development and Application of Arthrobacter Oxydans 1388 Biofilm

ABSTRACT Biofilms are microbial communities attached to different kinds of surfaces or associated with interfaces. These microbial communities are often composed of multiple species that interact with each other and their environment. The determination of biofilm architecture, particularly the spatial arrangement of microcolonies (clusters of cells) relative to one another, has profound implications for the function of these complex communities. Numerous new experimental approaches and methodologies have been developed in order to explore metabolic interactions, phylogenetic groupings, and competition among members of the biofilm. Bioremediation is an innovation technology, which controls the pollutants, using biological systems for degradation or transformation of different toxic compounds Taking in consideration the efficiency of the bioremediation by means of different microbial strains the aim of this study is to investigate the creation and application of biofilms for wastewater treatment. The dynamics of the formation of a biofilm from cells of strain Artrobacter oxydans 1388 on newly synthesized different carriers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are biopolymers of microbial origin in which biofilm microorganisms are embedded. Exopolysaccharides and proteins are one of the main factors in biofilm formation, evidence for microenviromental changes of microbial cells. In this study the biofilm growth and characteristics are researched by biochemical methods of investigation of extacellular polymeric substances. The microbial cells are immobilized by two methods—covalently binding and adhesion to the different polymeric matrixes. Matrixes were obtained on the base of copolymer of acrylonitrile with acrylamide and mixed with cellulose acetate butyrate. In this case they were with high mechanical stability. Two methods of immobilization were applied. The obtained results demonstrated that better and more effective was the covalent binding.
Current Scenario of Molecular Diagnostics in Indian Healthcare Sector

After successfully accomplishing the Human genome project and opening new avenues for genome based diagnostics and therapy in healthcare sector, development of personalized medicine and advancing molecular diagnostics has been the prime agenda of scientists all-round the globe. Molecular diagnostics has made possible the diagnosis of the previously undetected viral nucleic acids, early access of data to doctors, a deeper understanding of the disease cause, treatment dose and success of the treatment depending upon the case. It has provided an immense scope of novel and more sophisticated biotechnology and biomedical tools to be employed in the sector procreating a new interdisciplinary field. The gene based testing in all fields has flourished in leaps and bounds after the prediction of >5% in 2005. Here we discuss the current scenario, scope and limitations of the Molecular diagnostics in terms of its significance in public health care.
SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS JULY, 1977 FACTORS AFFECTING EFFICIENCY OF FEEDER CATTLE HEDGING IN KENTUCKY

Recent commodity price volatility and development of new futures contracts has kindled interest in hedging among farmers in many parts of the country. Due to the importance of feeder cattle production in Kentucky and in the South generally, recent development of a feeder cattle contract is of special interest. This paper addresses some potential problems associated with use of feeder cattle futures markets by Kentucky producers. Specifically, it tries to: (1) determine the effect, if any, of location basis variability on ex post hedging results in Kentucky markets versus delivery markets at Omaha and Oklahoma City, (2) assess the ability of hedging to reduce revenue variability as compared to cash marketing and (3) determining the presence of bias in feeder cattle futures prices. All these factors are important in evaluating effectiveness of production hedging. Location basis variability is a factor potentially associated with hedging in areas distant from designated futures contract delivery points. Hedgers in such areas would incur substantial transportation charges if they attempted to discharge their contractual obligations by delivery and, so, would seldom find delivery to be a viable alternative to contract repurchase and sale of the commodity in local cash markets. Therefore, hedging effectiveness in distant areas depends upon the basis relationship between futures market prices and spot prices in local markets. The possibility of arbitrage between spot and futures markets should enforce price convergence at delivery points, but this convergence may not apply in distant cash markets. To the extent that it does not, revenues from hedging will be more variable than at delivery points and correspondingly less effective in forward pricing of the commodity in production. Existence and magnitude of location basis variability is an empirical question. In previous studies of production hedging in southern markets, Bobst found location basis variability a significant factor for fed cattle [1] but not for hogs [2]. Samuelson [9] has suggested that variability of futures prices tends to increase as contracts near maturity. If this principle applies to feeder cattle futures, then it may be possible to reduce the variability of feeder cattle marketing revenue through hedging. During the study period, 1973-1976, the feeder cattle futures market was characterized by low open interest and trading volume as compared to more established contracts in fed cattle and hogs. Gray [6] has suggested that thin futures markets exhibit a characteristic downward bias, i.e. futures prices consistently underestimate eventual spot prices. If present in feeder cattle futures, such a bias would be an impediment to hedging in that expected hedging revenues would be lower than expected revenues from cash marketings.
Molecular and meso-scale computational analyses of microstructure and behavior of actin monomers, trimers and polymers

This paper deals with the study of microstructure a nd properties in actin monomers and polymers using advanced computational methods and tools. Specific aspects of actin microstructure and properties include: topolo gical stability, DNase I-binding (DB) loop conformation, G-actin flatness, conformat ion of nucleotide-binding cleft, rate of ATP hydrolysis, filament persistence-length , filament bending stiffness and axial stiffness, and actin-material elastic-stiffne ss matrix/moduli. These actin microstructural and property aspects are investigat ed using a combination of all-atom and coarse-grained molecular-level computational methods, and various coarsegraining and trajectory-data post-processing proced ures. Wherever possible, the results obtained are compared with their experiment al counterparts in order to validate the computational approach used. Also, by comparing the all-atom and the corresponding coarse-grained simulation results, it has been established that, for the most part, coarse-grained force-field functions der ived are of sufficient accuracy/fidelity to yield reasonable data regardin g actin microstructure and properties.
AGRONOMY AND SOILS An Evaluation of Alternative Cotton Harvesting Methods in Northeast Louisiana - A Comparison of the Brush Stripper and Spindle Harvester

In response to increases in cotton production costs, producers are seeking ways to reduce input expenses. Because brush strippers are less expensive to operate than spindle harvesters, research was performed to compare the efficiency of a brush stripper harvester to a spindle harvester. Yield and high volume instrumentation (HVI) data were analyzed from paired comparisons of stripper- and spindle-harvested plots to examine the economics associated with each harvesting system. Additionally, advanced fiber information system (AFIS) analysis was performed on lint to further examine fiber properties associated with cotton from both harvesting methods. Weights of harvested material (seed cotton plus trash) were higher in plots harvested with a brush stripper, but gin turnout was lower. In 2000, lint yields were not significantly different, but in 2001 lint yields were significantly higher in stripper-harvested plots at two of four locations. Trends in HVI data displayed decreased micronaire values and increased color grade values in stripper-harvested plots. Both changes were likely a result of the greater efficiency of the stripper in harvesting bolls that had been partially rotted and/or “hardlocked”. Factoring yield data, HVI data, and reductions in input costs, stripping significantly increased overall dollar value per hectare at two locations and numerically increased revenue at one of the two remaining locations in 2001. Based on AFIS analyses, increased foreign matter, neps immature fibers, and short fibers, which are negative fiber characteristics, were recorded in the stripper-harvested cotton. Because these fiber characteristics can lead to discounting and even rejection of cotton at the mills, a better understanding of the cost and benefits of brush stripper harvesting are needed.
Present Status and Future Perspectives of the NEXT Experiment

NEXT is an experiment dedicated to neutrinoless double beta decay searches in xenon. The detector is a TPC, holding 100 kg of high-pressure xenon enriched in the 136Xe isotope. It is under construction in the Laboratorio Subterraneo de Canfranc in Spain, and it will begin operations in 2015. The NEXT detector concept provides an energy resolutionbetter than 1% FWHM and a topological signal that can be used to reduce the background. Furthermore, the NEXT technology can be extrapolated to a 1 ton-scale experiment.
TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION IN INDIAN NORTH-WESTERN HIMALAYAS

The technology transfer for rural livelihood development had greater impact to protect microclimatic conditions which further affects the microflora and microbial activities to larger extent in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The technological interventions were made by the Himalayan Research Group organization which helped in economic upliftment of rural poor, women empowerment and in environment protection in hill region. The major activities are Passive Solar Retrofitting (namely, Thermosyphoning Air heat Panel (TAP), Trombe Wall (TW), and Sun Spaces (SS)) fodder development, vermicompost biotechnology, button mushroom cultivation and protected cultivation for climate change mitigation and adaptations. The solar retrofits reduced estimated 4.97 tones carbon emission per household during six winter months which helped in reducing the fuel wood consumption. Improved varieties of different fodder spp. were introduced for year round green fodder availability and reduce soil erosion and reduction in tree lopping. Fodder choppers and silage preparation was popularized to contain the fodder wastage. Vermicompost biotechnology was popularized among farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers for improving the quality of soil. The button mushroom cultivation was used for conversion of agriculture residue into compost making by reducing crop residue burning which increases carbon emission. Protected cultivation in local made polyhouse was popularized to generate maximum returns from small piece of land through cut flower and vegetable cultivation and by raising plant nurseries.
OPTICAL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE Q1D MULTIBAND MODELS - THE TRANSVERSE EQUATION OF MOTION APPROACH

The electrodynamic features of the multiband model are examined using the transverse equation of motion approach in order to give the explanation of several longstanding problems. It turns out that the exact summation of the most singular terms in powers of 1/ω leads to the total optical conductivity which, in the zerofrequency limit, reduces to the results of the Boltzmann equation, both for the metallic and semiconducting two-band regime. The detailed calculations have been carried out for the quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) two-band model corresponding to the imperfect charge-density-wave (CDW) nesting. It is also shown that the results of the present treatment of the impurity-scattering processes for the DC conductivity of the ordered CDW state are in agreement with the experimental observation. Finally, the DC and optical conductivity are calculated numerically for a few typical Q1D cases.