Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Battle of Private and National Brands: Strategies to Win a Losing Battle against the Private Brands in India

Private brands which were once treated as inferior, substandard and poor man’s products are now proving to be the new game changers in the vibrant Indian retail sector, threatening to pose an existential threat to the various national brands. By adopting value pricing, better quality through upscaling, high safety standards, customized packaging, differentiation, and leveraging the brand equity of the retailers, they have significantly grown over the last decade across the world in general, and particularly in India. This sudden surge of private brands in India has necessitated a new strategy paradigm for the national brands which are increasingly facing a tough situation of eroding market share, dwindling profits and increased hostility with the retailers, who were once their loyal customers. This new strategic reality facing the national brand manufacturers is to find answers to pertinent questions like: Should they fight the expansion of private labels aggressively or adopt a defensive position? Should they risk the symbiotic relationship with retailers by taking aggressive measures against the private labels? and Should they partner with the big retailers and cash in on the market opportunity, or resort to discounting to stem the decline in market share? Therefore, the present paper intends to probe the emergence and surge of private brands in India, the reasons for their astounding success in India, and recommend strategies for the national brands to stem the onslaught of private brands in the vibrant Indian retail sector.
Reply to Mazzeu: Human Mutations in RYK Might Cause Robinow Syndrome

This is a response to a letter by Mazzeu (1). In our recent publication in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, we show that Ryk interacts with Vangl2 to control planar cell polarity (PCP). We further show that Wnt5a signals through Ryk and that the Ryk−/−;Vangl2−/− embryos resemble the Wnt5a−/− embryos (2). We have speculated that RYK might be involved in the etiology of Robinow syndrome, as mutations in human WNT5A cause dominant Robinow syndrome (DRS) and mutations in ROR2, another WNT5A receptor (3), cause recessive Robinow syndrome (RRS) (4, 5). It is encouraging to learn that a role of RYK mutations in DRS is being tested (1), but no mutations yet were found in the sequenced exons of RYK in 24 DRS patients. However, in a larger screening, sequencing all RYK exons and RYK regulatory elements might identify mutations in RYK in DRS patients. It should be noted that even defective WNT5A signaling is a major cause of DRS, mutations in one particular WNT5A signaling component may not be common in the DRS patients. For instance, WNT5A mutations were found in only two DRS cases (3). We have previously shown that Ror2 regulates Wnt5a signaling (6). As the Ror2−/− embryos show more severe phenotypes and resemble the Wnt5a−/− embryos more than the Ryk−/− embryos, it is likely that mutations in RYK cause RRS too. It is also possible that mutations in RYK may result in milder disease phenotypes that are difficult to identify. Screening for RYK mutations in RRS patients will help to clarify these possibilities.
Recognition of specific sequences in DNA by a topoisomerase I inhibitor derived from the antitumor drug rebeccamycin.

We investigated the interaction with DNA of two synthetic derivatives of the antitumor antibiotic rebeccamycin: R-3, which is a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor and contains a methoxyglucose moiety appended to the indolocarbazole chromophore, and its aglycone, R-4. Spectroscopic measurements indicate that R-3 intercalates into DNA and that its carbohydrate domain contributes significantly to reinforce the affinity for DNA. Two complementary ligation assays concur that R-3, but not its aglycone counterpart, exerts a significant effect on the curvature and/or the flexibility of DNA. The sugar moiety may be responsible for preferential binding of R-3 to circular (or bent) DNA molecules as opposed to linear DNA fragments. The sequence selectivity of binding to DNA has been studied thoroughly by footprinting with DNase I and two other nucleases. The glycosylated compound is highly selective for nucleotide sequences containing GpT (ApC) and TpG (CpA) steps. The derivative lacking the sugar moiety on the indolocarbazole chromophore binds at essentially identical sites but with considerably lower affinity, so it seems that the chromophore rather than the carbohydrate is responsible for the preferential binding to sequences surrounding GpT and TpG steps. The influence of the exocyclic substituents present on the bases at the recognition sites (i.e., the 2-amino group of guanine and the 5-methyl group of thymine) was evaluated using two series of modified DNA molecules prepared by polymerase chain reaction containing inosine and/or 2,6-diaminopurine and uridine and/or 5-methylcytosine residues. The introduction of the amino group onto purine residues or the addition of a methyl group to pyrimidine residues suffices to create new drug binding sites. Therefore, unlike most DNA-binding small molecules, the rebeccamycin analogue seems to be highly sensitive to any modification of the exocyclic substituents on the bases in both the major and minor grooves of the double helix. The footprinting profiles with the different DNA fragments bear a remarkable resemblance to those determined for nogalamycin and bisnaphthalimide compounds known to recognize their preferred GpT and TpG sites via intercalation from the major groove. The unique DNA binding characteristics of the rebeccamycin analogue correlate well with its inhibitory effects on topoisomerase I.
Perceptions of support among Swedish parents of children after end of successful cancer treatment: a prospective, longitudinal study

Abstract Introduction: Most children survive childhood cancer, however parenting a child diagnosed with cancer is a major challenge. The main aim of the current study was to describe Swedish parents’ need, opportunity and benefit of support from healthcare professionals and significant others after end of a child’s successful cancer treatment. Material and methods: Data was collected from approximately one week after end of successful treatment/six months after transplantation (T4, n = 212) up to five years thereafter (T7, n = 137). Parents answered questions via telephone about need, opportunity and benefit of talking to psychologists, social workers, partners and friends. Results: The proportion reporting need of support from healthcare professionals varied between 73% (mothers’ need of support from social workers, T4) and 7% (fathers’ need of support from psychologists/social workers, T7). Need of support from significant others varied between 99% (mothers’ and fathers’ need of support from partners, T4) and 27% (fathers’ need of support from friends, T7). The proportion reporting need of support decreased over time (p < .001), no decrease occurred from three months after end of treatment/nine months after transplantation (T5) to one year after end of treatment/18 months after transplantation (T6). More mothers than fathers reported need of support from friends at T5 (p < .001) and T7 (p < .05) and from psychologists at T7 (p < .05). Opportunities for support from healthcare professionals varied, most reported opportunity for support from significant others. Almost all reported benefit from received support. Conclusion: A declining number reports a need of support over time, however subgroups report an unmet need and almost every parent perceive support from healthcare professionals as beneficial. More parents should get access to psychosocial support services after end of a child’s cancer treatment/transplantation.
Performance in Flux - an Investigation of New Public Financial Management Reform in Action

The Australian public sector experiences significant turmoil in performance information disclosures as it adopts New Public Financial Management oriented changes. While these changes aim to promote greater accountability, we raise concerns about the effectiveness of current disclosures, especially in Victoria, to articulate useful perspectives on performance, due to their high turnover, high novelty and low survival rates.
Exercise in preventing falls and fall related injuries in older people: a review of randomised controlled trials

Objective—To assess the effectiveness of exercise programmes in preventing falls (and/or lowering the risk of falls and fall related injuries) in older people. Design—A review of controlled clinical trials designed with the aim of lowering the risk of falling and/or fall injuries through an exercise only intervention or an intervention that included an exercise component Main outcome measures—Falls, fall related injuries, time between falls, costs, cost effectiveness. Subjects—A total of 4933 men and women aged 60 years and older. Results—Eleven trials meeting the criteria for inclusion were reviewed. Eight of these trials had separate exercise interventions, and three used interventions with an exercise programme component. Five trials showed a significant reduction in the rate of falls or the risk of falling in the intervention group. Conclusions—Exercise is effective in lowering falls risk in selected groups and should form part of falls prevention programmes. Lowering fall related injuries will reduce health care costs but there is little available information on the costs associated with programme replication or the cost effectiveness of exercise programmes aimed at preventing falls in older people.
Neurofeedback or neuroplacebo?

mean? fMRI, MEG, oscillations and neurotransmitters. Neuroimage 2012; 62: 1121–30. Vaudano AE, Ruggieri A, Avanzini P, Gessaroli G, Cantalupo G, Coppola A, Sisodiya SM, Meletti S. Photosensitive epilepsy is associated with reduced inhibition of alpha rhythm generating networks. Brain 2017; 140: 981–97. Wilkins AJ, Bonanni P, Porciatti V, Guerrini R. Physiology of human photosensitivity. Epilepsia 2004; 45 (Suppl 1): 7–13.
Using involvement and brand equity to develop a wine tourism strategy

Wine tourism is a major public relations medium and for many wineries a major source of revenue. This article uses theories of brand equity to develop cellar door strategies. These theories are supported by previous research into product involvement with wine, which shows that high and low involvement wine buyers behave differently. The two segments must be catered for differently if a winery is to build its overall reputation and brand equity. Wineries can enhance their long‐term market‐based assets through building customer relationships at cellar door. Strategies and examples are provided.
Rising interest in credence qualities in agricultural products and the role for government

Consumers are increasingly interested in the impacts of agricultural production on the environment, animals, workers, health etc – all examples of credence attributes. While governments set and enforce minimum requirements regarding these attributes, roles for government in markets for products with additional levels of these attributes (‘ecolabelled’ products) are less clearly defined and understood. This presents a risk that government actions will create distortions in markets for ecolabelled and non-ecolabelled products. This is especially likely if policy is based on pursuing environmental and other outcomes through encouraging ecolabelling. There are some areas, it is argued, where government actions could increase the efficiency of markets for goods with additional credence qualities. This is because of the impacts of information asymmetries between producers and consumers. However, firms have developed many ways to signal the credibility of their claims, and any government intervention must be cognisant of this. The paper reports on a continuing body of work within the Victorian Department of Primary Industries aimed at identifying roles for government in ecolabelling, and progressing their implementation.
A CEO Survey of U.S. Companies' Time Horizons and Hurdle Rates

A survey of CEOs at Fortune 1,000 firms asked about their firms' hurdle rates and time horizons. Survey results suggest that most U.S. firms use hurdle rates that are higher than standard cost-of-capital analyses would suggest. The average discount rate applied to constant-dollar cash flows was 12.2 percent, distinctly higher than equity holders' average rates of return and much higher than the return on debt during the past half-century. At the time of the survey, the fall of 1990, U.S. CEOs believed that their firms had systematically shorter time horizons than their major competitors in Europe and (especially) Asia. U.S. CEOs also thought that government policy is a powerful agent affecting corporate planning horizons. They saw several policy reforms, including a cut in corporate tax rates, a permanent R&D tax credit, a corporate tax deduction for dividend payments, and a credible commitment to a stable tax policy for the next decade, as policies that could lengthen planning horizons.
STUDY CONCERNING CUSTOMERS’ LOYALTY IN THE AUTO MARKET

In this paper we made an analysis of the loyalty in the auto market. We selected a sample from the residents of Craiova and asked them about their intentions concerning satisfaction, repurchase and recommendation regarding their cars. We used as auto market as the base of our study, since the car industry is very attractive to customers. We documented some correlation among the three dimensions of the loyalty. At the applicative level we found out that the loyalty toward the German cars is much higher than the loyalty for the cars from other countries. Further studies are needed to investigate the complex dimensions of the loyalty in-depth.
The refolding of human lysozyme: a comparison with the structurally homologous hen lysozyme.

Pulsed hydrogen exchange labeling has been used in conjunction with circular dichroism in the near and far UV to study the refolding of human lysozyme from its guanidinium chloride denatured state. Human lysozyme differs in sequence by 51 residues and one insertion from the hen protein, which has previously been studied under identical conditions by similar methods [Radford, S. E. , Dobson, C. M. , & Evans, P. A. (1992) Nature 358, 302-307]. The two proteins show marked differences in their folding kinetics. First, the overall rate of refolding of human lysozyme is 4-fold faster than that of the hen protein. Second, although protection of amides in the alpha-domain develops faster than that of amides in the beta-domain in both proteins, unlike hen lysozyme stabilization of the secondary structural elements of the alpha-domain in human lysozyme does not occur in a fully cooperative manner. Rather, amide hydrogens in two alpha-helices located near to the N-terminus and in the 3(10) helix close to the C-terminus of the protein are protected from exchange significantly faster than those in the remaining two alpha-helices in the alpha-domain of the protein. Third, stopped flow CD measurements show that both proteins develop extensive secondary structure during the dead time of these experiments (ca. 2 ms); this is accompanied by formation of tertiary interactions, probably involving tryptophan residues, only in the human enzyme. These results suggest that although the fundamental folding process is similar in the two proteins, human lysozyme differs in that it forms a stable subdomain involving the two N-terminal alpha-helices and the C-terminal 3(10) helix in the first few milliseconds of folding, and that at least some tryptophan residues are ordered before the formation of the native state. This indicates that the details of the folding of homologous proteins may differ as a consequence of amino acid substitutions and suggests that the study of mutant and variant proteins can provide clues as to the determinants of folding.
Rayleigh Lidar Measurements of the Temporal Frequency and Vertical Wavenumber Spectra in the Mesosphere over the Rocky Mountain Region

Temporal and spatial spectral analysis techniques were applied to lidar data collected over a period of 18 months above the Rocky Mountain region at an altitude range from 45 to 70 km by a Rayleigh lidar system located in Logan, Utah (41.7°N, 111.8°W). Examination of the averaged temporal frequency F(ω) and vertical wavenumber F(m) spectra showed spectral slope values of −1.49±0.03 and −2.3±0.1, respectively. The observed slope for the overall averaged F(m) spectrum is considerably more positive than the value of −3 predicted by the linear instability theory but close to the value of ∼−2 that is predicted by the scale independent diffusive filtering theory using the measured F(ω) slope parameter. However, examination of the monthly averaged F(m) spectra for the transition from winter to summer showed the spectra became flatter suggesting that Doppler shift effects caused by the seasonal change in the magnitude and direction of the background wind field are significant. The characteristic vertical wavelength λ* was found to be ∼12 km for the altitude region of 45–70 km. Comparison of this value with the characteristic wavelengths from other lidar observations at lower and higher altitude ranges showed an overall increase of λ* with height. The observed enhancement of the F(m) spectral magnitude in winter is believed to be caused in part by the low–frequency wave activity observed in the temperature profiles.
Applicability of solid-phase cytometry and epifluorescence microscopy for rapid assessment of the microbiological quality of dialysis water.

BACKGROUND Currently, the gold standard to assess the microbiological quality of dialysis water is the determination of heterotrophic plate counts (HPC). The long waiting time of the HPC method and the fact that most bacteria are not culturable on agar plates provokes the search for rapid alternative methods for monitoring the microbiological quality of dialysis water. METHODS We tested the applicability of total viable counts (TVC) and total direct counts (TDC), determined via solid-phase cytometry and epifluorescence microscopy (EFM), in comparison to the standard HPC determination method in 113 samples from 13 dialysis water treatment units (59 drinking water and 54 dialysis water samples). Additionally, for a set of dialysis water samples (n = 22) endotoxin concentrations were also determined. RESULTS TVC showed high correlation with HPC and results were of comparable magnitude for most investigated dialysis water samples [median: 3 cells/colony forming units (CFU) 100 mL(-1)]. However, in one dialysis water sample, HPC values (5800 CFU 100 mL(-1)) were >35-fold lower than TVC values (2.05 × 10(5) cells 100 mL(-1)) indicating severe limits of the HPC method to assess the microbiological quality of dialysis water. For drinking water, TVC (median: 4.8 × 10(4) cells 100 mL(-1)) was on average one order of magnitude higher than HPC (median: 2.5 × 10(3) cells 100 mL(-1)). TDCs (median dialysis water: 1.1 × 10(4) cells 100 mL(-1) and median drinking water: 4.9 × 10(6) cells 100 mL(-1)) were always several orders of magnitude higher than HPC or TVC. CONCLUSIONS We propose that the TVC/solid-phase cytometry approach is a reliable and rapid alternative to the culture-dependent approach for assessment of the microbiological quality of dialysis water, especially when fast results are needed. TDC determined via EFM lacks sensitivity and reliability for assessing microbial concentrations in low-cell dialysis water samples since the limits of detection and quantification are high.
Controller and observer designs for discrete TS models using an efficient Lyapunov function

The present work deals with the design of control and observer for discrete Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models. It is well-known that quadratic synthesis for discrete TS models and/or LPV systems can be outperformed easily via non quadratic syntheses. Most of these syntheses rely on Lyapunov functions found in [1]. Nevertheless, this work shows that a better Lyapunov function can be used with a “small” change in the initial Lyapunov function. This one can introduce very important improvements in control and/or observer design.
Detection of Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplantation and the Management of Highly Sensitised Kidney Transplant Recipients

With the evolution in our understanding of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system, there have been substantial improvements in the HLA-typing techniques and the ability to detect anti-HLA antibodies, allowing accurate assessment of immunological risk among potential renal transplant candidates. Specifically, flow cytometry and the solid phase assay such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Luminex technology have improved the sensitivity of detecting low levels class I and II donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA). Although there is now established evidence showing the presence of DSA is associated with a greater risk of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and early graft loss, the clinical signifi‐ cance of low levels DSA remains unclear. As a result of prior sensitizing events, there has been an expansion in the number of highly sensitized transplant candidates with multiple anti-HLA antibodies. Management of these candidates for the preparation of transplantation continues to be a subject of intense debate. In this chapter, we will discuss the identification of potential clinically relevant DSA detected by the different assays including the ‘acceptable’ level of clinically significant DSA and the advantage of C1q-positive DSA in further stratifying the immunological risk of transplant candidates. The association between DSA and non-DSA with graft and patient outcomes following kidney transplantation will be discussed in greater detail. Furthermore, we will examine the transplant outcomes of highly sensitized patients under‐ going desensitization regimens and to determine the optimal desensitization regimens along with their risks and benefits.
Large-Signal Time Domain Modelling of Noise in the Design of MESFET Oscillators

An analysis technique for MESFET microwave oscillators based on a large-signal equivalent circuit model is presented. The operation of the circuit may be simulated, generating long periods of time-domain data that may be used to accurately predict the oscillator's frequency of operation, power output and harmonic content. By incorporating low-frequency, time-domain noise sources derived from physically representative frequency spectra the technique has the potential for modelling close-to-carrier noise, and could be used for the analysis of noise up-conversion and the effect of the device/circuit interaction on output noise. The model, and its use as both an analysis technique and a design aid is described. Difficulties encountered with the demodulation of the noise spectrum are discussed.