Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Establishing a Logical Nexus Between the Application of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Organisational Performance

In this study, there will be a testing of the strength of the relationship between TQM practice and the performance of the organisation and with the use of covariates, the size of the company, the type of industry and the ISO 9000 certification status. There will be an analysis of a very large and random sample of 150 manufacturing companies in Saudi Arabia was chosen for the study. The main finding that is made here that TQM tends to have mixed results when it is covaried for company size and the type of industry involved. It was found that the relationship that exists between TQM and organisational performance is not very much affected when it is covaried for ISO 9000 certification status. The conclusion that is made in the reseas is that there are significant differences within the relationship that exists between TQM and the performance of the organisation across industry sectors and various different size companies, and this is particularly of concern relating to the effect of defect rates, the warranty costs and the innovation of new products. In reference to the main implication of the findings for managers that was made here is that a typical manufacturing organisation can be likely to achieve better performance when it comes to employee relations, the level of customer satisfaction, the level of operational performance and also business performance, when they apply TQM principles and practices as opposed to if they did not practice TQM.
Promotion of Ventures by the Entrepreneurs in the Modern Era

The concept of entrepreneurship has wide range of meanings. On one extreme end, the entrepreneur is a person with high aptitude to take changes and on the other hand, entrepreneur is a person who takes economic activities for himself. The concept of entrepreneur venture differs from the small scale business in this the amount of wealth created is more and the speed of wealth created is high. The risk associated with the venture is high and is designed by the innovative abilities of the entrepreneurs. The entrepreneur is a person with high aptitude for changes and he works for himself. The venture capital has significant benefits and the venture back companies generally grow at a faster and accelerated pace. With venture capital in place, customer, supplier’s staff and even the banks have higher confidence. The basic aim of the paper is to analyse the potential opportunities to build the ventures by the entrepreneurs so to design the world of creativity by his innovative abilities.
Fragility of photonic band gaps in inverse-opal photonic crystals

Inverse-opal techniques provide a promising routine of fabricating photonic crystals with a full band gap in the visible and infrared regimes. Numerical simulations of band structures of such systems by means of a supercell technique demonstrate that this band gap is extremely fragile to the nonuniformity in crystals. In the presence of disorder such as variations in the radii of air spheres and their positions, the band gap reduces significantly, and closes at a fluctuation magnitude as small as under 2% of the lattice constant. This imposes a severe requirement on the uniformity of the crystal lattice. The fragility can be attributed to the creation of this band gap at high-frequency bands (eight to nine bands) in inverse-opal crystals.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polysulfone Hydrogels

Polysulfone (PSF) membranes are frequently used in ultrafiltration, due totheirchemical and structural stability and mechanical robustness. Despite these advantages, successful utilization of this membrane technology has been greatly limited by the susceptibility of these membranes to fouling, due totheirhydrophobic nature. Here we report on the synthesis and characterisation of hydrophilic PSF membrane materials prepared by incorporation of polyvinyl alcohol, through chemical crosslinking to produce mechanically and chemically stable PSF hydrogels. The hydrogel composition was controlled at three different ratios to evaluate the effect of the PSF contributioni.e. 25:75, 50:50 and 75:25. PSF hydrogels were characterized using high resolution scanningelectronmicroscopy (HR-SEM), cyclicvoltammetry (CV), and drop shape analysis techniques. The polysulfone hydrogels formed showed a decrease in contact angle by 50% for all hydrogels regardless of their polysulfone contribution, confirming an improvement in hydrophilic nature. The electron diffusion and ionic transport properties of thehydrogels as immobilised thin films in aqueous solutions,wereevaluated using cyclic voltammetry.
Is Company Performance Dependent on Outside Director 'Skin in the Game'?

Whilst researchers extensively investigate executive incentives, very little appears in the literature on the effect of outside-director ‘skin in the game’ on board monitoring and thus firm performance. Utilizing a unique panel dataset, we observe a sizeable positive relationship between non-executive director ownership and firm performance. Companies with just one standard deviation greater non-executive director ownership, perform 28.2% better than the mean, as measured by Tobin’s Q. We also show that the effectiveness of monitoring improves as one reduces both board size and the proportion of outside directors. Greater skin in the game possessed by executive board members also improves firm performance over most but not all ownership ranges. We subject our results to a powerful event study: do investors recognize that outside and inside director skin in the game protects investors during a calamity, namely the Global Financial Crisis (GFC)? Yes, the relative stock price decline is far less for incentivized boards during the GFC, consistent with the panel data results utilizing Tobin’s Q. These results during a calamitous period have the added advantage of casting doubt on the reverse causality argument: directors of better performing firms have sufficient foresight to choose to hold more equity.
Neighborhood risk factors for low birthweight in Baltimore: a multilevel analysis.

OBJECTIVES Past research on low birthweight has focused on individual-level risk factors. We sought to assess the contribution of macrolevel social factors by using census tract-level data on social stratification, community empowerment, and environmental stressors. METHODS Census tract-level information on social risk was linked to birth certificate records from Baltimore, Md, for the period 1985 through 1989. Individual level factors included maternal education, maternal age, medical assistance health insurance (Medicaid), and trimester of prenatal care initiation. Methods of multilevel modeling using two-stage regression analyses were employed. RESULTS Macrolevel factors had both direct associations and interactions with low birthweight. All individual risk factors showed interaction with macrolevel variables; that is, individual-level risk factors for low birthweight behaved differently depending upon the characteristics of the neighborhood of residence. For example, women living in high-risk neighborhoods benefited less from prenatal care than did women living in lower-risk neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS Multilevel modeling is an important tool that allows simultaneous study of macro- and individual-level risk factors. Multilevel analyses should play a larger role in the formulation of public health policies.
Simple Technique for Transvaginal Aspiration of a Tubo-Ovarian Abscess

Large tubo-ovarian abscesses (TOAs) usually require drainage or operative management in addition to antibiotics. All previous reports of transvaginal aspiration have been described utilizing a needle/biopsy guidance system, which may not be available to many obstetrician/gynecologists. We present a simple technique for transvaginal drainage of large TOAs using a long angiocath needle under transabdominal ultrasound guidance in a patient in whom percutaneous drainage and operative management were not ideal options. This is the first report about the use of this technique. Our patient has recovered fully and remains free of infection 10 months later. Providers should consider this technique when other modalities are not available, are of questionable benefit, or present high potential for additional complications.
Cottontail rabbit papillomavirus L1 protein-based vaccines: protection is achieved only with a full-length, nondenatured product

Papillomas induced by the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) progress at a high frequency to carcinomas. In this regard, CRPV and its tumors can serve as an animal model for highly oncogenic human papillomaviruses. We have previously shown that immunization with major structural protein L1 elicits neutralizing antibodies and protects rabbits from papilloma development (Y.-L. Lin, L.A. Borenstein, R. Selvakumar, R. Ahmed, and F.O. Wettstein, Virology 187:612-619, 1992). In this study, we demonstrated that vaccination with the TrpE-L1 fusion protein not only protected rabbits from papilloma development but also prevented latent infection. This was indicated by the failure to amplify CRPV sequences by polymerase chain reaction in biopsies from infection sites of immunized animals. Furthermore, we showed that TrpE-L1 immunization protected rabbits from papilloma formation induced by virus but not from that induced by viral DNA. To explore the possibility of developing vaccines based on L1 subfragments, we mapped the linear L1 epitopes recognized by TrpE-L1-immunized rabbits and by virus-infected rabbits resistant to superinfection. Sera from papilloma-bearing rabbits reacted with one major epitope located at the carboxy-terminal end of L1, between amino acids (aa) 480 and 505. A second epitope, and in some animals a third one, was located in the amino-terminal region, between aa 78 and 101, as well as between aa 37 and 62. Sera from TrpE-L1-immunized animals recognized only one major epitope, located between aa 6 and 37. Immunization of rabbits with L1 subfragment fusion proteins led to seroconversion, but no neutralizing antibodies were produced and the animals were not protected against papilloma formation. The data indicate that a successful papillomavirus vaccine must be based on immunization with full-length native L1 and that further simplification to smaller peptides containing major linear epitopes is not feasible.
SAMHSA's commitment to eliminating the use of seclusion and restraint.

Objectives: This study examined the use of seclusion and mechanical restraint from 1990 to 2000 and the rate of staff injuries from patient assaults from 1998 to 2000 in a state hospital system. Methods: Records of patients older than 18 years who were civilly committed to one of the nine state hospitals in Pennsylvania were included in the analyses. Two databases were used in each of the nine hospitals: one identified date, time, duration, and justification for each episode of seclusion or restraint and the other identified when a patient was hospitalized and the demographic characteristics and the diagnosis of the patient. Rate and duration of seclusion and restraint were calculated. Reports from compensation claims were used to determine staff injuries from patient assaults. Results: The rate and duration of seclusion and mechanical restraint decreased dramatically during this period. From 1990 to 2000, the rate of seclusion decreased from 4.2 to . 3 episodes per 1,000 patient-days. The average duration of seclusion decreased from 10.8 to 1.3 hours. The rate of restraint decreased from 3.5 to 1.2 episodes per 1,000 patient-days. The average duration of restraint decreased from 11.9 to 1.9 hours. Patients from racial or ethnic minority groups had a higher rate and longer duration of seclusion than whites. Seclusion tended to be less likely, but longer, during the night shift. Patients were restrained less often during the night shift, but for a longer duration. The rate of restraint was higher during the week than during weekends and holidays. Younger patients were more likely to be secluded and restrained, but older patients remained secluded and restrained longer. No significant changes were seen in rates of staff injuries from 1998 to 2000. Conclusions: Many factors contributed to the success of this effort, including advocacy efforts, state policy change, improved patient-staff ratios, response teams, and second-generation antipsychotics.
Media filter access

Silently and without attracting much attention, the filter establishes itself at the heart of digital media: It becomes an essential tool and a limiting factor, on technical and conceptual levels, in all areas of life. In this brave new world of digital technically implemented policies, essential decisions are made for us, many of them in microseconds, of which we never know. This installation employs the tactics it criticises; it offers a limited world to explore easily while making it difficult to access anything else. The work indicates a pervasive tendency in digital, networked media to filter and therefore control. Participants are offered a direct and controversial experience, and are challenged to make up their own minds.
Corporate financial distress : a complete guide to predicting, avoiding, and dealing with bankruptcy

Bankruptcy and Reorganization: Background. Aggregate Influences on Business Failure Rates. Predicting Corporate Bankruptcy: The Z-Score Model. Zeta? Analysis and Other Attempts to Classify and Predict Business Failures. Fine-Tuning Failure Classification Models: A Commercial Bank Lender's Perspective. Bankruptcy Models: A Catalyst for Constructive Change--Managing a Financial Turnaround. Accounting Implications of Failure Prediction Models. Legal Implications of Bankcruptcy Classification. Investor Implications of Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Models. Bankruptcy Prediction, Bond Ratings, and Fixed Income Investment Strategies. Developing Failure Prediction Models for Nonindustrial Sectors. Business Failure Models: An International Survey. References. Index.
Prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in raw chicken on retail sale in the republic of Ireland.

To assess the current risks to consumers from Campylobacter and Salmonella in raw chicken products sold in the Republic of Ireland, a retail survey was undertaken to define their prevalence. Samples (n = 510) were analyzed using protocols based on ISO 10272-1:2006 and ISO 6579:2002. Processor codes on pack labels showed that 67% of samples were produced in the Republic of Ireland and 25% in the United Kingdom. Salmonella was present in 5.1% of samples, but the eight serovars found caused less than 7% of human salmonellosis reported in the Republic of Ireland. The results suggest that on-farm controls to limit Salmonella infection of broilers have been successful and that in Ireland raw chicken is not a significant cause of salmonellosis in humans. The overall prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was 84.3%. Isolation by the ISO method found 52.7% of samples to be positive, but overgrowth by contaminants was frequently evident. Therefore, in addition to enrichment, an homogenized sample was plated directly onto modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar, and this detected a further 31.6%. Speciation of isolates (n = 426) determined that 67% were Campylobacter jejuni and 32% were Campylobacter coli. These species are the most common cause of campylobacteriosis in man. The results indicate that there is a need for poultry producers to introduce interventions to minimize the exposure of consumers in the Republic of Ireland to Campylobacter spp. , as has been successfully done for Salmonella.
Evaluation of Salmonella typhimuriumMutants in a Model of Experimental Gastroenteritis

ABSTRACT Salmonella typhimurium strains harboring independent, defined mutations in aroA, invA,ssrA, or msbB were assessed for their ability to induce fluid accumulation, tissue damage, and local inflammation in rabbit ileal loops. Three wild-type strains of S. typhimurium, TML, HWSH, and SL1344, and two mutant strains,S. typhimurium SL1344 ssrA and S. typhimurium SL1344 msbB, consistently induced fluid accumulation in the lumen of loops and inflammation of loop-associated tissues. In contrast, three different S. typhimurium aroAstrains and an invA mutant of SL1344 did not induce significant fluid accumulation in the rabbit ileal loops. However, theS. typhimurium aroA strains did induce an inflammatory infiltrate and some local villus-associated damage, but theinvA mutant did not. Histologically, wild-type S. typhimurium, S. typhimurium SL1344 ssrA, and S. typhimurium SL1344 msbB demonstrated more severe effects on villus architecture than S. typhimurium aroA strains, whereas S. typhimurium invA-infected loops showed no detectable damage. This suggests that villus damage most likely contributes to fluid accumulation within the loop.
Trends in Homeownership: Race, Demographics, and Income

The nation's homeownership rate recently reached an all-time high, with especially large gains among black households. This article quantifies the impact of underlying demographic and income trends on homeownership, concluding that while much of the increase in the aggregate homeownership rate can be attributed to faster growth in real incomes, the gains experienced by blacks may, in part, reflect a new regulatory environment.
Effect of Skin Intervention Protocol on Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis among Patients with Fecal Incontinent

Incontinence-associated Dermatitis (IAD) is a serious and common problem that must be addressed in acute care settings. Aim: to examine the effect of skin intervention protocol on incontinence-associated dermatitis among patients with fecal incontinent. Methods: Quaziexperimental design was utilized. A convenience sample of 60 adults patients. Patients were divided randomly and equally into two groups (30 patients each) control group, received the routine hospital skin care and the study group, received the skin intervention protocol. Twenty patients were dropped from the study from both groups. The final sample was 40 patients (20 patients for each group). The study was conducted in medical and surgical departments at one of the Ministry of Health Hospitals at Center region in Saudi Arabia. Four tools were used to collect data, a demographic and clinical characteristics data sheet, The Perineal Assessment Tool (PAT), The Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis and Its Severity Instrument (IADS) and Skin intervention protocol. Results: The study results showed that there was statistical significant difference between study and control groups post intervention among high risk participants. In the study group, there was a significant reduction of the IAD incidence by the fourth day. Additionally, there was a statistical significant difference between study and control group for IAD participants from the Fifth day to the Seventh day. In the study group, there was improvement in the management by the end of day Seven. Conclusion: The skin intervention protocol was effective in prevention and treatment of IAD among high risk and IAD patients of the study group. Recommendation: Replication of the study with larger sample size to determine the safety and effectiveness of commonly used products and procedures.
An inducible amidase produced by a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

SUMMARY: A strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was obtained which was able to grow on acetamide or propionamide as sole source of carbon and nitrogen. When grown on these amides, whole bacteria and cell-free extracts rapidly hydrolysed acetamide, glycollamide, acrylamide and propionamide and slowly hydrolysed formamide and butyramide. N-Methylformamide, N-methylacetamide, N-ethylacetamide, N-acetylacetamide, N-methylpropionamide, N-ethylpropionamide, lactamide and methyl carbamate were found to be non-substrate inducers of the amidase when the organism was grown in succinate + ammonium chloride medium. N-Methylformamide, N-methylacetamide, lactamide and methyl carbamate did not inhibit propionamide hydrolysis by whole bacteria, but under the same conditions glycine amide, iodoacetamide and urea were effective inhibitors of amidase activity. N-Phenylacetamide, cyanoacetamide, glycine amide, sarcosine amide, β-hydroxy-propionamide and thioacetamide were neither substrates nor inducers of the amidase in this strain, but inhibited amidase induction by N-methylacetamide in succinate + ammonium chloride medium. Formamide also inhibited amidase induction under the same conditions.
Adapting Feature Curve Networks to a Prescribed Scale

Feature curves on surface meshes are usually defined solely based on local shape properties such as dihedral angles and principal curvatures. From the application perspective, however, the meaningfulness of a network of feature curves also depends on a global scale parameter that takes the distance between feature curves into account, i.e., on a coarse scale, nearby feature curves should be merged or suppressed if the surface region between them is not representable at the given scale/resolution. In this paper, we propose a computational approach to the intuitive notion of scale conforming feature curve networks where the density of feature curves on the surface adapts to a global scale parameter. We present a constrained global optimization algorithm that computes scale conforming feature curve networks by eliminating curve segments that represent surface features, which are not compatible to the prescribed scale. To demonstrate the usefulness of our approach we apply isotropic and anisotropic remeshing schemes that take our feature curve networks as input. For a number of example meshes, we thus generate high quality shape approximations at various levels of detail.
Phase-specific modulation of cortical motor output during movement observation

The effects of different phases of an observed movement on the modulation of cortical motor output were studied by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). A video-clip of a reaching–grasping action was shown and single TMS pulses were delivered during its passive observation. Times of cortical stimulation were related to the phases of the shown movement, locking them to the appearance of specific kinematic landmarks. The amplitude of the motor evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by TMS in the first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle was modulated by the amount of the observed finger aperture. The presence of such an effect is consistent with the notion of a mirror neuron system in premotor areas that couples action execution and action observation also in terms of temporal coding.