Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of business model on evaluation of business development performance of chemical companies

A suitable business model is an effective way for chemical companies to maintain their market competitiveness. This paper takes chemical companies as research objects to study the relationship between business models and business development performance. Based on the analysis of the literatures on the concept, connotation of business model and the concept of business performance, this paper clarifies the diversity of the business performance indicators of the chemical companies; it constructs a business performance influence model that includes the business models as the intermediate variables, factors that influence the business model as the antecedent variables, and regulatory factors, then it validates the hypothesis through empirical analysis. The conclusion is that the factors that have a significant impact on the business models are corporate resources and technological changes; the resource integration capabilities in the regulatory factors have a significant relationship with the adjustment of the two.
Cationic antimicrobial peptides activate a two‐component regulatory system, PmrA‐PmrB, that regulates resistance to polymyxin B and cationic antimicrobial peptides in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The two‐component regulatory system PhoP‐PhoQ of Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulates resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides, polymyxin B and aminoglycosides in response to low Mg2+ conditions. We have identified a second two‐component regulatory system, PmrA‐PmrB, that regulates resistance to polymyxin B and cationic antimicrobial peptides. This system responds to limiting Mg2+, and is affected by a phoQ, but not a phoP mutation. Inactivation of the pmrB sensor kinase and pmrA response regulator greatly decreased the expression of the operon encoding pmrA‐pmrB while expression of the response regulator pmrA in trans resulted in increased activation suggesting that the pmrA‐pmrB operon is autoregulated. Interposon mutants in pmrB, pmrA, or in an intergenic region upstream of pmrA‐pmrB exhibited two to 16‐fold increased susceptibility to polymyxin B and cationic antimicrobial peptides. The pmrA‐pmrB operon was also found to be activated by a number of cationic peptides including polymyxins B and E, cattle indolicidin and synthetic variants as well as LL‐37, a component of human innate immunity, whereas peptides with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations tended to be the weakest inducers. Additionally, we showed that the putative LPS modification operon, PA3552‐PA3559, was also induced by cationic peptides, but its expression was only partially dependent on the PmrA‐PmrB system. The discovery that the PmrA‐PmrB two‐component system regulates resistance to cationic peptides and that both it and the putative LPS modification system are induced by cationic antimicrobial peptides has major implications for the development of these antibiotics as a therapy for P. aeruginosa infections.
Netzwerke mit universellen Regeln

In unserer Welt scheint alles irgendwie miteinander zusammenzuhängen. So gibt es Vernetzungen in sozialen und ökologischen Systemen oder im Zusammenspiel der Zellproteine. Inzwischen treten sogar erdumspannende Zusammenhänge auf, etwa das World Wide Web oder die Globalisierung von Wirtschaft und Kultur. Doch zwischen all diesen "Netzwerken" besteht mehr als nur eine lockere Analogie. Sie sind in ihrem Aufbau einander überraschend ähnlich.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA WORD-OF-MOUTH, CONSUMER-BASED BRAND EQUITY AND CONSUMER RESPONSE AMONG AUTOMOTIVE CONSUMERS IN MALAYSIA

The literature on Consumer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE) continues to grow enormously. Previous studies on CBBE have maintained that marketing communications play a significant role in developing CBBE. Furthermore, researchers have argued that social media has become a renowned and strategic platform for disseminating brand-related communication. Hence, the advent of brand-related communication on social media is as well increasing the freedom and involvement of consumers in the co-creation of brandrelated contents, thus giving rise to Social Media Word-of-Mouth. However, researchers have paid little attention to determining the role of Social Media Word-of-Mouth in developing CBBE and evoking favourable consumer behaviour. Therefore, this study sets out to examine the relationships between Social Media Word-of-Mouth, CBBE and Consumer Response. For this purpose, 290 consumers of two automotive brands were surveyed using the survey questionnaire. The data collected was analysed using both SPSS version 23 and AMOS version 23. The results revealed that Social Media Word-of-Mouth is important for enhancing CBBE and stimulating Consumer Response. Consequently, brand managers and marketers of automotive brands in Malaysia were charged to increase their engagements and investments in social media communications and encourage favourable word-ofmouths from their consumers on social media in order to improve the acceptance of their brands and increased positive consumer behaviour. This study concludes that consumer reviews, comments and posts on social media have significant implications on brands and consumer behaviour.
FPGA-Based Predictive Control System for Spacecraft Rendezvous in Elliptical Orbits

A field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based model predictive controller (MPC) for two phases of spacecraft rendezvous is presented. Linear time varying prediction models are used to accommodate elliptical orbits, and a variable prediction horizon is used to facilitate finite time completion of the longerrange manœuvres, whilst a fixed and receding prediction horizon is used for fine-grained tracking at close range. The resulting constrained optimisation problems are solved using a primal dual interior point algorithm. The majority of the computational demand is in solving a system of simultaneous linear equations at each iteration of this algorithm. To accelerate these operations, a custom circuit is implemented, using a combination of Mathworks HDL Coder and Xilinx System Generator for DSP, and used as a peripheral to a MicroBlaze soft core processor on the FPGA, on which the remainder of the system is implemented. Certain logic that can be hard-coded for fixed sized problems is implemented to be configurable online, in order to accommodate the varying problem sizes associated with the variable prediction horizon. The system is demonstrated in closed loop by linking the FPGA with a simulation of the spacecraft dynamics running in Simulink on a PC, using Ethernet. Timing comparisons indicate that the custom implementation is substantially faster than pure embedded software-based interior point methods running on the same MicroBlaze, and could be competitive with a pure custom hardware implementation. Copyright c © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alternaria cerasidanica sp nov., isolated in Denmark from drupes of Prunus avium

The ex-type strain of Alternaria cerasidanica was isolated in 2001 from an immature, asymptomatic drupe of Prunus avium collected at a commercial cherry orchard near Sklskør, Denmark. Cultural morphology, sporulation pattern and cluster analyses of combined RAPD, RAMS (microsatellite), and AFLP fingerprints of A. cerasidanica and 167 strains of Alternaria spp. support the placement of A. cerasidanica within the A. infectoria species-group sensu Simmons and its segregation from other members of this group. A. cerasidanica is currently monotypic and known only from preharvest sweet cherry fruit in Denmark.
A simulation tool for RFID EPC Gen2 protocol

RFID technology is increasingly being used in many kinds of applications, using bigger amount of tags. A simulation tool to test the performance of the system before being implemented is very important. In this paper, a simulator of the EPC Gen2 Class1 (for passive tags) protocol is developed. This simulator allows the user to know the behaviour of the RFID system with a concrete number of tags, since it is one of the most used protocols nowadays. Some tests have been done comparing them with the latencies measured in a commercial RFID reader to validate the behaviour of the simulator.
Artificial Intelligence and Neurology

Computers and information technology has played a pivotal role in the advancement of healthcare. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine has significantly evolved over the last few decades, now making it possible to initiate its involvement in real world clinical practice. AI can also be incorporated in a personalized, integrated, adaptive and context aware environment creating the so called Ambient Intelligence (AmI). Neurology is a discipline of medicine that deals with the disorders of nervous system. Large amount of literature exist in regards to utilization of AI and AmI in several aspects of neurology. Using AmI, individual’s neurological function can be monitored around the clock for early recognition of neurological disorders. Electroencephalography and electromyography data can be interpreted by AI with high accuracy. Treatment responses can be monitored objectively by AmI in many conditions like movement disorders and epilepsy. Large quantity of data produced in the neurocritical care units can be processed by AI for better monitoring, treatment and outcome prediction. AI can reduce the cost of care and may potentially benefit remote parts of the world by playing role of an expert adviser. In this brief article, author has discussed the application and potential of AI and AmI in neurology. Some obstacles in their development are briefly discussed and several speculations about their future are made.
Utility of Childhood Glucose Homeostasis Variables in Predicting Adult Diabetes and Related Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: The Bogalusa Heart Study

The article by Nguyen et al. (1) assessed the usefulness of the childhood glucose homeostasis variable homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in predicting pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic risk factors in adulthood. In the investigators' retrospective cohort study of adults aged 19–39 years who were followed for 17 years since adulthood, at least 50% of the subjects who ranked the highest (top quintile) for HOMA-IR in childhood maintained their rank …
Laboratory development and field testing of sentinel toys to assess environmental faecal exposure of young children in rural India.

BACKGROUND Sentinel toys are increasingly used as a method of assessing young children's exposure to faecal pathogens in households in low-income settings. However, there is no consensus on the suitability of different approaches. METHODS We evaluated three types of toy balls with different surfaces (plastic, rubber, urethane) in the laboratory to compare the uptake of faecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli) on their surface. We performed bacteria survival analysis under different environmental conditions and tested laboratory methods for bacteria removal and recovery. In a field study we distributed sterile urethane balls to children <5 from 360 households in rural India. After 24 hours, we collected and rinsed the toys in sterile water, assayed for thermotolerant coliforms (TTC) and explored associations between the level of contamination and household characteristics. RESULTS In the laboratory, urethane foam balls took up more indicator bacteria than the other balls. Bacteria recovery did not differ based on mechanic vs no agitation. Higher temperatures and moisture levels increased bacterial yield. In the field, the only factor associated with a decreased recovery of TTC from the balls was having a soil (unpaved) floor. CONCLUSIONS Sentinel toys may be an effective tool for assessing young children's exposure to faecal pathogens. However, even using methods designed to increase bacterial recovery, limited sensitivity may require larger sample sizes.
Treatment of a Superior Sagittal Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula with Onyx: Technical Case Report

OBJECTIVE: The endovascular treatment of a complex superior sagittal sinus dural arteriovenous fistula with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) in one session is described. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old man presented with dizziness and a bruit. A cerebral angiogram demonstrated a superior sagittal sinus dural arteriovenous fistula with a patent superior sagittal sinus that was supplied via multiple branches of the external carotid arteries bilaterally and the left anterior and middle cerebral arteries. Drainage was mainly through the superior sagittal sinus and, only in part, retrogradely through the cortical veins. A decision was made to proceed with endovascular treatment followed by surgery. INTERVENTION: Transarterial injection of one pedicle of middle meningeal artery on both sides with Onyx resulted in complete obliteration of the dural supply and some of the pial supply to the malformation without complications. The superior sagittal sinus remained patent. Based on this result, surgical treatment was cancelled. The residual pial supply had disappeared by the 10-month angiographic follow-up examination and the patient remained neurologically intact and without symptoms. CONCLUSION: Definitive treatment may be attained with Onyx in dural arteriovenous fistulas. The potential of Onyx for use as a permanent embolic agent in dural arteriovenous fistulae needs to be investigated.
Partner Management Capability and New Product Development Performance: The Moderating Role of Product Lifecycle Management System Capability

The business value of information technologies and systems can only be created if firms have developed the context-specific management capabilities. In the context of collaborative new product development (NPD), firms can strengthen NPD performance by developing appropriate partner management capabilities. This study investigated the role of two partner management capabilities in influencing NPD performance and how the ability to diffuse and routinize product lifecycle management (PLM) system in NPD (i.e., PLM system capability) moderates the effects of the two partner management capabilities on NPD performance. This study conducted an empirical survey to evaluate the proposed research model. The results revealed that partner alignment capability and relational governance capability significantly influence NPD performance. Moreover, this study observed that PLM system capability plays a complementary role in reinforcing the effect of partner alignment capability on NPD performance. PLM system in NPD processes (i.e., PLM system capability) influences whether the firms can achieve excellent NPD performance. The empirical results also revealed that PLM system capability moderates the relationship between partner alignment capability and NPD performance, such that the positive relationship is stronger for firms with strong PLM system capability than for firms with weak PLM system capability.
Identification and characterization of differentiation mutants in the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Two forms of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii are associated with intermediate hosts such as humans: rapidly growing tachyzoites are responsible for acute illness, whereas slowly dividing encysted bradyzoites can remain latent within the tissues for the life of the host. In order to identify genetic factors associated with parasite differentiation, we have used a strong bradyzoite‐specific promoter (identified by promoter trapping) to drive the expression of T. gondii hypoxanthine–xanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HXGPRT) in stable transgenic parasites, providing a stage‐specific positive/negative selectable marker. Insertional mutagenesis has been carried out on this parental line, followed by bradyzoite induction in vitro and selection in 6‐thioxanthine to identify misregulation mutants. Two different mutants fail to induce the HXGPRT gene efficiently during bradyzoite differentiation. These mutants are also defective in other aspects of differentiation: they replicate well under bradyzoite growth conditions, lysing the host cell monolayer as effectively as tachyzoites. Expression of the major bradyzoite antigen BAG1 is reduced, and staining with Dolichos biflorus lectin shows reduced cyst wall formation. Microarray hybridizations show that these mutants behave more like tachyzoites at a global level, even under bradyzoite differentiation conditions.
ACCESSIBILITY ASSESSMENT: TRAINING THE SLUM RESIDENTS IN SCALING THE ‘ACCESSIBILITY’

Abstract. With almost half of the developing world turning ‘urban’, it becomes a major challenge for the local self-governments to assure availability and accessibility of basic infrastructural facilities to citizens at affordable rates. The issues of accessibility become especially complicated in the cities of Global South as ‘accessibility’ is highly politicized and governed by various forces that shape social, cultural and economic hierarchies. The city space not only experiences spatial segregation but also a peculiarly linked social segregation that runs along ethnic identities creating conditions of social and economic polarization at not only macro level as well as at micro levels within slums that house lower income groups (LIG) and economically weaker sections (EWS). The conditions of inaccessibility decisively affect the wellbeing of these groups leading to erosion of social and mental wellbeing. The effective implementation of various welfare schemes also mostly remains inadequate due to the highly complicated nature of ‘inaccessibility’ and lack of transparency.For effective implementation of various welfare schemes, the government has already moved towards ‘e-governance’. Ironically, the use of ‘smart’ technology remains restricted to higher income groups and the LIG and EWS gets excluded again due to lack of knowledge. In fact, these sections of urban population who suffer absolutely due to conditions of ‘inaccessibility’ need to be trained and involved in measuring the levels of accessibility and improving access to various basic infrastructural facilities. The paper will attempt at introducing a module that is based in simpler technologies like ODK (open data kit) and Quantum GIS to train the slum residents in mapping the accessibility vis-à-vis basic infrastructural facilities and improve the accessibility through positive deliberations with the local selfgovernments.
Research of Novel Modeling and Simulation Approach of Brushless DC Motor Control System

This work describes a novel modeling and simulation approach of brushless DC motor control system depended on analysis of it's mathematical model. The brushless DC motor ontology model, the voltage type inverter circuit model, the hysteresis current tracking comparative model and the PID speed controller model were constructed in the Simulink environment of Matlab. S-function was used in modeling to make the model simple and reflecting its mathematical model and the essence of running principle in the furthest way. Simulation results show that the modeling method is completely feasible, and simulating efficiency is high as the simulating model running quickly. The modeling approach provides a new idea for the model construction and has important application value for the research and design of brushless DC motor control system.
Transformation of Human Breast Epithelial Cells by c‐Ha‐ras Oncogene

To determine whether the c‐Ha‐ras oncogene plays a role in the initiation of mammary carcinogenesis, an immortalized human breast epithelial cell line, MCF‐10A, was transfected with the plasmid vector pHo6T1 containing the T24 Ha‐ras oncogene and the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene, which confers resistance to geneticin. Transfected cells exhibited an altered pattern of growth and tridimensional morphology in collagen gel. They also exhibited anchorage‐independent growth and loss of requirement for hormones and epidermal growth factor; in addition, they expressed invasiveness and increased collagenolytic activity in an in vitro system and became tumorigenic in irradiated nude mice, all properties indicative of malignant transformation. Transformed cells contained the mutated c‐Ha‐ras oncogene and expressed the p21 mutated protein. These data indicate that the c‐Ha‐ras oncogene is capable of inducing malignant phenotypes in immortalized human breast epithelial cells.
TOCOTRIENOL OFFERS BETTER PROTECTION THAN TOCOPHEROL FROM FREE RADICAL‐INDUCED DAMAGE OF RAT BONE

1. Free radicals generated by ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA) can activate osteoclastic activity and this is associated with elevation of the bone resorbing cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1 and IL‐6. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 2 mg/kg FeNTA (2 mg iron/kg) on the levels of serum IL‐1 and IL‐6 with or without supplementation with a palm oil tocotrienol mixture or α‐tocopherol acetate in Wistar rats.
Nutritional status and reproductive health of Orang Asli women in two villages in Kuantan, Pahang.

The study was conducted to determine the nutritional status and reproductive health of 34 Orang Asli women, aged 16-45 years, from two Orang Asli villages in Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur.The results of the study indicate that on the whole, the women's nutritional status is generally not satisfactory.Their mean iron intakes for example, are very low, about one-quarter to one-third of the required level.All their other mean nutrient intake levels are below the required level. Only their mean intake of vitamin C exceeds the required level due to their frequent intake of raw vegetables. Their main source of carbohydrate is rice, while their main source of protein is fish, and their main source of minerals and vitamins are Chinese mustard and cabbage.From BMI measurements, it is found that less than half of the women (42.9%) have normal weight, 35.7% suffer from chronic energy deficiency (CED), 7.1% (one) are overweight, and 14.3% (two) are obese.The accessibility and availability of food are a problem for the women, limiting their choice of varieties of food sources.For their reproductive health needs, the pregnant women rely on the government hospital and clinics for their antenatal check-ups and birth deliveries.Of all the women, nine suffer from menstrual pain and five from vaginal discharge.Food taboos and cultural practices are practised by the pregnant women during their confinement.It is concluded that the nutritional status of the women needs to be improved since most of them have insufficient nutrient intake.
A study of multi-hop cellular networks

The number of cellular communication subscribers continues to grow, attesting to the great success of this technology. However, cellular networks have inherent limitations on cell capacity and coverage and shortcomings such as the dead spot and the hot spot problems. Multi-hop cellular networks (MCNs) help enhance the cell capacity and coverage, while, at the same time, alleviating the dead spot and hot spot problems, increasing the utilization of radio resource, and reducing the power consumption of mobile terminals. In the past decade, more than a dozen of MCN architectures were proposed. In this paper, we study various types of MCN proposals. We identify and discuss the design decision factors and use these factors to classify most existing MCN proposals. Future research directions, including studies of capacity and energy consumption, and approaches addressing design issues such as cell size, routing, channel assignment, load balancing for MCNs are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (This project was supported in part by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and by a grant from Bell University Labs. )