Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
«Industry 4.0»: A first critical reflection

«Industry 4.0». Such a title can be drawn into the deception that this only concerns manufacturing enterprises. In fact, it does not. The digitization of manufacturing processes affecting all economic spheres, from trade to industry, from tourism to crafts, to the public administration. No one (it can be) excluded. It would be more appropriate to define it as «Enterprise 4.0» or, in a more extended, «Environment 4.0», as it not only involves the actors of the economy, but consumers themselves. It thus develops a sort of circular movement: with their customers preferences and choices redefine the offer and the markets, interact with those who manufactures products and services, which in turn adapts to the demands.
Steps Against Recurrent Stroke Plus: Patient Transition Program

ABSTRACT Stroke is a devastating health event that affects 800,000 people annually in the United States. Nearly 20% of strokes are recurrent strokes. Research shows that support after discharge from the hospital poststroke is frequently inadequate. The purpose of “Steps Against Recurrent Stroke (STARS) Plus: Patient Transition Program” was to design and deliver a program to facilitate optimal recovery for stroke survivors and prevent recurrent stroke. The program began at discharge from the hospital and continued through the first year of rehabilitation and recovery. Twelve hospitals participated; 261 patients enrolled, and contact was established with 193. Outcomes were gathered based on patient self-report of health status using the Short-Form Health Survey at 30, 90, 180, and 360 days. A dependent sample t test was completed comparing participants’ 30- and 360-day follow-up scores. Results demonstrated an overall increase in subjective pain. A repeated multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to compare 30- and 360-day Short-Form Health Survey scores across age and subscales. Results revealed that those in the younger and older age groups reported poorer health outcomes. Findings demonstrate a reduction in rehospitalization after stroke, increased medication adherence, strong patient satisfaction, and significant differences in health-related outcome measures across age groups, suggesting that middle-aged stroke survivors experience better health outcomes than younger or older age groups. Future programs should consider targeting pain management in all ages and education targeted at younger and older age groups, because they reported poorer health outcomes. The findings from this program should contribute to the guidance and insight for others developing transitional interventions for stroke survivors.
Low-dose Thoracoabdominal Irradiation for the Treatment of Refractory Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease

Background. Half of the patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) do not achieve a complete remission with first-line therapy. No clear recommendations are available regarding second-line treatments. Methods. We retrospectively report our single-center experience of low-dose thoracoabdominal irradiation (1-Gy TAI) in 41 patients with refractory extensive chronic GvHD from 1983 to 2000. Median time from extensive chronic GvHD to TAI was one year (median GvHD episodes before TAI, n=4). Results. Eighty-two percent of the patients achieved a clinical response at a median of 34 days after TAI (range, 15-180). Best response rates were observed in fasciitis (79%), and oral GvHD lesions (73%). A complete clinical response was achieved in 11 patients by 2 years postTAI. Fifty-seven percent of the patients had at least a 50% reduction of their corticosteroid daily dose by 6 months postTAI. Probability of corticosteroid discontinuation was 38% by 2 years postTAI (95% CI, 23-56%). Two-year chronic GvHD relapse incidence was 34%. Ten-year survival from irradiation was 57% (95% CI, 42-78%); patients with fasciitis, lymphocytes >1.0 × 109/L, and platelets >200 × 109/L had a better outcome. Conclusions. TAI is a safe and efficient option in patients with refractory chronic GvHD, leading to a significant tapering of systemic corticosteroid dose in most cases.
A review of contractor selection methods in Iceland: Risky business?

It has long been recognised that poor quality, delays and cost overruns are common in the construction industry due to reasons that have often been linked to the unpredictable nature of the industry. However, even though many factors can contribute to project failure one of the most influential factors affecting a projects' outcome is the selection of a contractor in the pre-construction phase. The combination of frequent cost overruns in Icelandic public projects, recent news about tax evasion, human trafficking and shortcomings regarding safety in the Icelandic construction industry have led to the impression that the methods used by Icelandic organizations impose too much risk and need to be reviewed. The overall aim of this study was to understand the contractor selection methods applied by Icelandic organisations, compare them to those recommended by experts, and conclude if the methods used impose too much risk for organisations. In an attempt to explore the topic an extensive literature review was conducted, semistructured interviews were held with a small sample of construction industry professionals, and an e-mail questionnaire survey of 1378 Icelandic organizations was sent out. The results indicate that Icelandic organisations use multiple criteria selection to some extent but price is the most important criteria. The criteria most frequently used are professional knowledge, experience of a similar project, and whether the contractor has worked for the organisation before. Other criteria, such as financial stability of contractors, their health & safety policy, and whether they work in accordance with a certified quality management system have a much lower weigh in the selection process. These results indicate that the methods used are somewhat lacking and that there is ample room for improvement in order to minimize risk. Aðferðir við val á verktökum – er hætta á ferðum? Björg Brynjarsdóttir
TOMOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF BRANCHING VASCULAR NETWORKS IN POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY

Purpose: To identify the tomographic features of the branching vascular networks in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods: We prospectively performed third-generation optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography for 44 eyes of 42 patients (mean age ± SD, 67.1 ± 9.1 years) with PCV. All eyes had branching vascular networks and polypoidal lesions that were confirmed by indocyanine green angiography. Results: OCT showed double reflective layers that consisted of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and another highly reflective layer beneath the RPE (“double-layer sign”) in the area of the branching network vessels in 26 (59%) of 44 eyes. The remaining 18 eyes had no double-layer sign, but 17 (94%) of 18 eyes had a slightly elevated RPE. A serous retinal detachment was present in 23 (88%) of 26 eyes with a double-layer sign, while only 1 (6%) of 18 eyes without the sign had a serous retinal detachment. Conclusions: In PCV, the double-layer sign is seen frequently in the area of the network vessels, particularly in eyes with a serous retinal detachment. The sign may reflect fluid accumulation between RPE and Bruch membrane resulting from leakage from the network of abnormal vessels.
Effects of Online Brand Community on Value Creation Practices and Brand Loyalty: Mediating Effects of Community Loyalty

Yongsoo Ha. Ph.D., Purdue University, August 2016. Effects of Online Brand Community on Value Creation Practices and Brand Loyalty: Mediating Effects of Community Loyalty. Major Professor: Richard Feinberg. Online brand community refers to a specialized, non-geographically bound, online group of consumers, based on social communications and relationships among brand’s consumers. This study has four objectives; (a) testing the effects of online brand community by a sum of community markers, (b) testing the effects of online brand community on value creation practices and brand loyalty, (c) testing the mediating effects of community loyalty in a relationship between value creation practices and brand loyalty, and (d) testing the effects of consumers’ motivation for participation on online brand community. A survey-based empirical study was conducted. Data were collected, using Amazon Mechanical Turk, from members of online brand communities. Data were analyzed through structural equations modeling using AMOS 20. Test results showed that, as hypothesized, as community markers strengthen, the levels of online brand community increase. Online brand community showed
Molecular Modeling of the M3 Acetylcholine Muscarinic Receptor and Its Binding Site

The present study reports the results of a combined computational and site mutagenesis study designed to provide new insights into the orthosteric binding site of the human M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. For this purpose a three-dimensional structure of the receptor at atomic resolution was built by homology modeling, using the crystallographic structure of bovine rhodopsin as a template. Then, the antagonist N-methylscopolamine was docked in the model and subsequently embedded in a lipid bilayer for its refinement using molecular dynamics simulations. Two different lipid bilayer compositions were studied: one component palmitoyl-oleyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and two-component palmitoyl-oleyl phosphatidylcholine/palmitoyl-oleyl phosphatidylserine (POPC-POPS). Analysis of the results suggested that residues F222 and T235 may contribute to the ligand-receptor recognition. Accordingly, alanine mutants at positions 222 and 235 were constructed, expressed, and their binding properties determined. The results confirmed the role of these residues in modulating the binding affinity of the ligand.
Treating hypertension in type 2 diabetes

Introduction: The co-existence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus is very common. Hypertension remarkably increases the cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. Lowering blood pressure (BP) in these patients is particularly beneficial. Areas covered: This paper will discuss what the target BP is for diabetic patients and how that target can be reached. Expert opinion: Previous guidelines recommended lowering BP < 130/80 mmHg in diabetic patients. However, recent studies did not support this target and accordingly most recent guidelines recommend lowering BP to < 140/90 mmHg in diabetic patients. Non-pharmacological approaches are recommended in all patients. If BP levels are above the target despite non-pharmacological treatment, drug therapy should be initiated. Despite the lack of clear evidence, blockers of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) represent the cornerstone of the antihypertensive arsenal; however, in most patients combination therapy is required. Combination of RAAS blocker and a calcium antagonist is the preferred one. In many patients three or four drugs are needed. Treatment should be individualized according to concomitant risk factors and diseases and according hemodynamic and laboratory parameters as well as age. In order to maximally reduce cardiorenal risk, lipid and glycemic control should also be achieved.
Factor V Leiden (FVQ 506) is common in a Brazilian population

Resistance to activated protein C (APC) is the most common risk factor in venous thrombosis. A missense mutation in the factor V gene (factor V Leiden) is the molecular basis for this phenotype. Factor V Leiden was previously found in about 20% of unselected patients with thrombosis but also occurred in 3‐5% of healthy Dutch controls. In the present study of Brazilian patients with venous thrombosis we also observed a frequency of 20% for this factor. In addition, in healthy Brazilian controls the frequency of the mutation was 2%. These data suggest that factor V Leiden has a similar distribution worldwide irrespective of the ethnic origin of the population. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Helicobacter pylori and risk of gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori infection is thought to modify susceptibility to gastroenteritis. METHODS Members of northern California households with an index case of gastroenteritis were interviewed regarding recent episodes and tested for H. pylori. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of secondary gastroenteritis within households matched for members with secondary gastroenteritis (cases) and those without symptoms (control subjects). Case and control subjects were also tested for hepatitis A virus (HAV). RESULTS Of 801 households, 205 (26%) had at least 1 member with secondary gastroenteritis, of which 116 (56%) also included at least 1 member without symptoms (158 case and 285 control subjects). Compared with uninfected members and adjusting for age, those with antibodies to only 1 infection were at a decreased risk of secondary gastroenteritis (odds ratio [OR] for H. pylori infection, 0.25 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.82]; OR for HAV, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.23-0.87]). Having antibodies to both H. pylori and HAV did not add to this negative effect (adjusted OR, 0.39 [95% CI, 0.18-0.84]). CONCLUSIONS H. pylori did not increase the risk of gastroenteritis in these households. A strong negative association between H. pylori infection and gastroenteritis is likely explained by prior exposure and immunity to other enteric pathogens.
Comparative research on performance of cross-border mergers and acquisitions implemented by state-owned and private enterprises based on event study model and Fama-French three factor model

Abstract This paper creatively applies Event Study Model and Fama-French Three Factor Model to research the differences in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) performance between Chinese state-owned enterprises and private enterprises Research findings demonstrate that cross-border M&A implemented by Chinese private enterprises show positive value. By contrast, the performance of cross-border M&A implemented by Chinese state-owned enterprises show negative value.
Influencer identification in Twitter networks of destination marketing organizations

Purpose Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) use Twitter to promote attractions and special events and to build brand awareness. Tweets of a DMO spread through a complex network of connected accounts. Some of these are more influential than others due to their position within the network. This paper aims to use a network analysis of 14 DMOs to identify the categories of influencers that have the greatest reach. Design/methodology/approach NodeXL was used to download and analyze network data from Twitter during July 2016 for a collection of DMOs promoting US cities. Accounts in the networks were ranked using several measures of relative influence such as the number of times the accounts mentioned/retweeted others or were mentioned in posts about the DMO. The most influential accounts in the network were identified and coded by category. Findings Media, promotional accounts and those of individuals were determined to be influential by each metric considered. Stakeholders such as hotels and restaurants occupy positions of low importance in the networks and generally do not capitalize on opportunities provided by the DMOs. Practical implications DMOs can seek out strategic partnerships with key influencers to maximize their effectiveness. Additionally, stakeholders can improve their Twitter presence by interacting with the DMOs and other influential accounts. Originality/value This paper identifies influencers that can aid in DMOs’ marketing campaigns. It also presents a methodology that can monitor the effectiveness of such campaigns, something absent in the current literature.
Effects of in ovo administration of amino acids on hatchability and performance of meat chickens

The effects of in ovo amino acid administration on hatchability traits and post-hatch performance were studied using eggs from a meat-type breeder flock (Ross) at 38 weeks of age. On day 15 of incubation, five treatments were applied, consisting of six replicates with 16 eggs per replicate. The treatments consisted of a non-injected negative control; a positive control in which saline was injected; and three treatments with saline, containing 23.72 mg lysine, glutamine, glycine and proline (AA1); 23.60 mg arginine, glutamine, glycine and proline (AA2); and 28.76 mg lysine, arginine, glutamine, glycine and proline (AA3). The hatchability traits were incubation period, chick weight at hatch as an absolute value (CWT) and chick weight at hatch as a percentage of egg weight (CWTP), and the post-hatch performance traits were body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Measurements on the chickens were taken during the starter (1 - 21 days of age), finisher (22 - 35 days of age) and entire (1 - 35 days of age) experimental periods. In ovo amino acid treatments improved CWTP without affecting hatchability traits, and increased FI without altering the FCR of chickens during the entire experimental period. Chickens of the in ovo AA1 treatment had a higher FI than those of the control treatments during the finisher period. In ovo AA2 treatment increased CWT and BWG of the chickens during the starter period and entire experimental period and FI during the finisher period, when compared with those of the control treatments. In ovo AA2 treatment resulted in a longer period of incubation than those of other treatments. It was concluded that in ovo amino acid treatment increased CWTP and FI of chickens without affecting hatchability traits and feed efficiency and in ovo of AA2 treatment increased the incubation period, CWT and BWG when compared with those of control treatments during the entire experimental period.
Remote Radio Control of Insect Flight

We demonstrated the remote control of insects in free flight via an implantable radio-equipped miniature neural stimulating system. The pronotum mounted system consisted of neural stimulators, muscular stimulators, a radio transceiver-equipped microcontroller and a microbattery. Flight initiation, cessation and elevation control were accomplished through neural stimulus of the brain which elicited, suppressed or modulated wing oscillation. Turns were triggered through the direct muscular stimulus of either of the basalar muscles. We characterized the response times, success rates, and free-flight trajectories elicited by our neural control systems in remotely controlled beetles. We believe this type of technology will open the door to in-flight perturbation and recording of insect flight responses.
Comparative Analysis Of Oil Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Operating in Different Environments (Nigeria and USA)

This research is an attempt at finding the institutional trajectories of Royal Dutch Shell operations concerning the question of Corporate Social Responsibility/Social Investment (CSR/SI) strategies in two different environments i.e. The United States and Nigeria. In the quest to ascertain these facts and variables, the question of adequacy of this responsibility and the policy framework of Royal Dutch Shell has become a subject of concern being that issues of corporate strategies towards different states and communities around the globe has raised questions of disparate arrangements, approaches and attitudes.A perusal of various literature and reports, including the Social Investment Disclosure in the sustainability report of the Royal Dutch Shell (2012), as well as economic indices and demographic data suggest how the question of CSR is a field amass with facts and figures about how differently global conglomerates approach their corporate responsibility toward host communities. The subject of CSR/SI strategies as contained in the analysis of the sustainability report of the Royal Dutch Shell (2012) states that in Nigeria. Yet, the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) reveals some level of inadequacy of the company’s Social Investment (SI) programmes in Nigeria as compared to the United State. ), and the “Lack of Goodwill” Indicators designed by IPIECA (2008), bring to the fore the demographic and socio-economic indices of the two environments, which give an insight into issues that include ethical considerations and limitations. Most of the thematic issues show that the Royal Dutch Shell has in place diverse social and voluntary investments programs. Keywards: Environment, Corporate Social Responsibility, Niger-Delta and Oil & gas
Механизм банковского участия в финансировании инновационной деятельности компаний

An important role in the functioning of the economy and in the analysis of the competitiveness of companies is played by the top management echelon, represented by charismatic CEOs, who often determine the direction of company development, considering the specifics of everyday life and general organizational processes. There is a transformation of the stages of value formation, the zones of profitability are shifting, new players are emerging – all this creates a completely different ratio of shares in the industries, greatly accelerating the generation and implementation of new ideas and developments. Companies must respond to new technologies in a much riskier way and understand that the time stage of their implementation should be reduced. The article analyzes the position of the personal characteristics of CEOs, in particular, such qualities as "riskiness", and their impact on the innovative activities of companies. The object of studying this relationship is the world-class CEO as an example of successful implementation of innovation through the ability to take risks in a timely manner. мотивационные, межличностные. Данные были получены CEO-женщины к
Augmented testing and effects on item and proficiency estimates in different calibration designs

Broadening the term augmented testing to include a combination of multiple measures to assess examinee performance on a single construct, the issues of IRT item parameter and proficiency estimates were investigated. The intent of this dissertation is to determine if different IRT calibration designs result in differences to item and proficiency parameter estimates and to understand the nature of those differences. Examinees were sampled from a testing program in which each examinee was administered three mathematics assessments measuring a broad mathematics domain at the high school level. This sample of examinees was used to perform a real data analysis to investigate the item and proficiency estimates. A simulation study was also conducted based upon the real data. The factors investigated for the real data study included three IRT calibration designs and two IRT models. The calibration designs included: separately calibrating each assessment, calibrating all assessments in one joint calibration, and separately calibrating items in three distinct content areas. Joint calibration refers to the use of IRT methodology to calibrate two or more tests, which have been administered to a single group, together so as to place all of the items on a common scale. The two IRT models were the oneand three-parameter logistic model. Also investigated were five proficiency estimators: maximum likelihood estimates, expected a posteriori, maximum a posteriori, summed-score EAP, and test characteristic curve estimates. The simulation study included the same calibration designs and IRT models but the data were simulated with varying levels of correlations among the proficiencies to determine the affect upon the item parameter estimates. The main findings indicate that item parameter and proficiency estimates are affected by the IRT calibration design. The discrimination parameter estimates of the three-parameter model were larger when calibrated under the joint calibration design for