Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Organizational Culture on Personal and Organizational Outcomes in Pakistan

This study is conducted to see weather HRD practices can play an important role in personal and organizational outcomes of employees of the private organizations. The organizational culture has played a leading role in business progress in private organizations in the twenty-first century. The organizational culture can improve and promote the employee performance. This research was designed to inspect the effects of Reward System, Innovation, Control, Identity, Compromise with Conflict, Integrity, Leadership, Communication Pattern, Management Support and Organizational Culture on the performance output of employee in private organizations of Pakistan. Result of study shown that the effects of these factors influences performance of employees in private organizations. Many other factors contribute in employees performance including instinct, attitude, commitment and intact Pattern. The nine variables jointly as Organizational culture. The conclusion focuses on the increased management concern for the betterment of organization as well as employees.
Consumer pre-purchase decision taxonomy

A high level of customer perceived value is the key to customer loyalty and to the profitability of customers and companies. It is not enough to meet the customer's needs in order to win customer loyalty. Instead the aim for companies should be to try to delight customers. Customers are delighted when they feel that the product or service not only fulfils their needs and expectations, but also gives them unexpected additional value. Value has been studied widely and there are several different models and theories to describe customer perceived value. In the main, they tend to be too general or insufficient or they do not provide a useful guide for management practices. Therefore the aim of this thesis is to generate a theory for consumer perceived value which could be useful for managements trying to develop superior value so as to improve their customer loyalty. Pre-purchase consumer value was examined applying Grounded Theory methodology and by synthesizing the existing research results. The resulting theory from this synthesis consists of three main stages namely, gaining, sacrifice and purchase factors. The gaining stage has three sub elements: substance, reputation and interaction. All these sub-elements have the same four subcategories: emotional, social, functional and economical elements. What is novel about this research is its treatment of customer perceived value firstly, from the perspectives of the companies – based on three functionally different factors: substance, reputation and interaction – and secondly from the perspective of the customers based on the identified subjective outcomes (i.e. emotional, social, functional and economic factors). Based on this approach companies can develop products based on a better understanding of consumer perceived value.
Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Association With Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas: Implications for Disease Progression and Recurrence

The development of pancreatic cancer (PC) several years after curative resection for noninvasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and the presence of PC distant from IPMN suggest that PC may develop independently of the IPMN. Here, we identified pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions, the putative precursors of PC, in the ducts of pancreata resected for IPMN and assessed the frequency of molecular aberrations common to PanIN and PC, within these lesions. The protein expression of p53, p21WAF1/CIP1, cyclin D1, p16INK4A and DPC4/Smad4 were examined by immunohistochemistry in 267 PanIN lesions from a cohort of 23 patients with IPMN. Overexpression of p21WAF1/CIP1 was present in PanIN-1A and -1B lesions and increased in frequency in PanIN-2 and PanIN-3. Overexpression of p53 and cyclin D1, and loss of p16INK4A expression were detected in PanIN-2 and PanIN-3 lesions. Loss of DPC4/Smad4 expression occurred only in the PanIN-3 lesions. PanIN lesions that were more dysplastic than the coincident IPMN were identified in 5 of 12 patients, and 2 of these contained a greater number of aberrations in protein expression than the IPMN. PanIN lesions seen in association with IPMN demonstrate molecular and histologic changes identical to PanIN lesions found in association with PC and, in some cases, are more advanced than the associated IPMN. These data suggest that PanIN lesions found in the ducts of a pancreas with IPMN may be relevant to the development of PC either coincident with IPMN or in the remnant pancreas after curative resection of IPMN.
Adaptive JPEG steganography using convolutional codes and synchronization bits in DCT domain

In this paper we propose an adaptive data hiding method that divides the host image in suitable and ineligible blocks. This classification is based on the DCT energy features from the horizontal, vertical and diagonal frequency information. Only the suitable blocks are used for data embedding using quantization index modulation (QIM). After the composite image is attacked by JPEG compression, a desynchronization happen due to positive and negative fail detection in the decoder. For that reason, we propose to use two synchronization bits to solve the desynchronization problem and convolutional codes for decoding errors. Our results show that we can obtain composite images (stego-images) with an average PSNR equal to 36.69 dB and the secret information can be recovered without errors after compression with a quality factor (QF) greater or equal to JPEG quantization matrix quality factor used in the embedding process.
A decrease in the prevalence and improved control of allergic conditions in 13‐ to 15‐yr‐old Maltese children (ISAAC)

To cite this article: Montefort S, Ellul P, Montefort M, Caruana S, Agius Muscat H. A decrease in the prevalence and improved control of allergic conditions in 13‐ to 15‐yr‐old Maltese children (ISAAC). Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: e107–e111.
THREE. Confidence in Public Institutions: Faith, Culture, or Performance?

Is there a widespread loss of faith in the core institutions of representative democracy? Based on a comparison of 17 trilateral democracies this study examines institutional confidence from the early 1980s to the early 1990s then considers explanations based on the social psychology of trusting personalities, cultural accounts based on life experiences, and theories of institutional performance. The study concludes that at national level, social trust and confidence in government and its institutions are strongly associated with each other. Social trust can help build effective social and political institutions, which can help governments perform effectively, and this in turn encourages confidence in civic institutions. Paper for presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Atlanta, 1-5th September 1999. Panel 14-2T WHAT'S TROUBLING THE TRILATERAL DEMOCRACIES? (Co-sponsored by 11-6) Friday 3rd September 1.30-3.15. This study is forthcoming as Chapter 8 in Susan Pharr and Robert Putnam (eds). DISAFFECTED DEMOCRACIES: What's Troubling the Trilateral Countries? Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Membrane potentials in pinched‐off presynaptic nerve ternimals monitored with a fluorescent probe: evidence that synaptosomes have potassium diffusion potentials.

1. Some physiological properties of tissue fractions from rat brain homogenates have been examined. Of the three fractions studied (presynaptic nerve terminals, mitochondria and fragmented membranes), only the nerve terminals (synaptosomes) have the ability to accumulate 42K from physiological salt solutions. 2. The ability to accumulate and retain K is lost if synaptosomes are exposed to very hypotonic solutions. The K uptake and total K content is reduced by ouabain and by inhibitors of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. 3. These results suggest that synaptosomes in physiological saline accumulate K against a concentration gradient, and may have K diffusion potentials across their surface membranes. The voltage‐sensitive fluorescent probe, 3,3'‐dipentyl 2,2'‐oxacarbocyanine (CC5), was used to test this possibility. 4. In the squid axon, the fluorescent emission of CC5 is directly proportional to membrane potential; depolarization causes an increase in fluorescence. 5. The fluorescence of synaptosomes (‘synaptosome fluorescence’) treated with CC5 is increased when [K]o is increased or [K]o is reduced; replacement of external Na by Li or choline has little effect on the synaptosome fluorescence. In quantitative terms, synaptosome fluorescence is proportional to log ([K]o plus 0‐05[Na]o). Rb is about as effective as K in enhancing synaptosome fluorescence; Cs is about 1/4 as effective. The effect of increased [K]o is reversible. 6. The fluorescence data provide corroborative evidence that there is normally a large K gradient ([K]o smaller than [I]i) across the synaptosome surface membrane. The data suggest the [K]i may be in excess of 100 mM. 7. Replacement of Cl‐ by methylsulphate did not significantly affect the relationship between synaptosome fluorescence and [K]o, nor did removal of external Ca. 8. The fluorescence of CC5‐treated mitochondria, membrane fragmnets, or lysed synaptosomes is unaffected by changes in the K concentration of the medium. 9. Veratridine and gramicidin D, both of which enhance Na permeability (PNa) in some intact tissues, increase synaptosome fluorescence when added to the standard medium. The increment is greatly reduced or abolished when external Na is replaced by choline. 10. If synaptosomes are first Na‐loaded (by pre‐treatment with cyanide + iodoacetate), and then placed in a choline medium, addition of gramicidin D significantly decreases fluorescence. This effect could be explained if, with [Na]o smaller than [Na]i, the increase in PNa causes the synaptosomes to hyperpolarize. 11. The veratridine‐induced increase in synaptosome fluorescence was prevented by 3 times 10− minus 7M tetrodotoxin, which also blocks the depolarizing effect of veratridine in intact neurones. 12. The main conclusion is that synaptosomes may retain resting membrane potentials and the ability to increase Na permeability.
Identification and Characterization of pvuA, a Gene Encoding the Ferric Vibrioferrin Receptor Protein in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

ABSTRACT We previously reported that Vibrio parahaemolyticus expresses two outer membrane proteins of 78 and 83 kDa concomitant with production of siderophore vibrioferrin in response to iron starvation stress and that these proteins are the ferric vibrioferrin receptor and heme receptor, respectively (S. Yamamoto, T. Akiyama, N. Okujo, S. Matsuura, and S. Shinoda, Microbiol. Immunol. 39:759-766, 1995; S. Yamamoto, Y. Hara, K. Tomochika, and S. Shinoda, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 128:195-200, 1995). In this study, the Fur titration assay (FURTA) system was applied to isolate DNA fragments containing a potential Fur box from a genomic DNA library of V. parahaemolyticus WP1. Sequencing a 3.2-kb DNA insert in one FURTA-positive clone revealed that an amino acid sequence deduced from a partial gene, which was preceded by a full-length gene (psuA) encoding a receptor for a siderophore of unknown origin, was consistent with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 78-kDa ferric vibrioferrin receptor. Then, the full-length gene (pvuA) encoding the ferric vibrioferrin receptor was cloned and characterized. The deduced protein encoded by pvuA displayed the highest similarity (31% identity; 48% similarity) to RumA, a ferric rhizoferrin receptor of Morganella morganii. Primer extension and Northern blot analyses indicated that psuA and pvuA constitute an operon which is transcribed from a Fur-repressed promoter upstream of psuA. The product of the pvuA gene and its function were confirmed by generating a pvuA-disrupted mutant, coupled with genetic complementation studies. A mutant with disruption in the upstream psuA gene also displayed a phenotype impaired in the utilization of ferric vibrioferrin.
Education Programmes for Entrepreneurs in the Creative Industries in St. Petersburg

One of the key factors considered to influence the choice of entrepreneurship as a career is creativity. Entrepreneurship and innovative behaviour have long been associated with creativity (Amabile 1996), and recent literature suggests that creative individuals are more likely to engage in entrepreneurial activities (Ward 2004). We investigate several programmes for creative entrepreneurs launched by creative organisations and â€œthird spacesâ€ to understand the key topics, competencies, and methods of education practiced during these courses. This effort is important because creative and cultural industries (CCI) need a workforce both trained and industry-ready for their development. As a result of this research, we propose recommendations for future entrepreneurial educational programmes at higher education institutions and creative centres.
The Korean retailing sector since the 1970s: Government, consumers and the rise and fall of the department store.

This thesis is a study of the Korean retailing sector since the 1970s. It focuses on analysis of the three elements in retailing development - government, retailer and consumer - which engaged in a process of mutual interaction. It is used to address two main questions, namely why was the leading role of the department store in the Korean consumer market delayed, and why was its golden age both quite explosive and extremely short. The thesis argues that the emergence of modern retail formats in Korea was artificially delayed through consumption repression. It also argues that the explosive golden age of the department store industry was a result of the combination of two sets of behaviour: a strategic change by the department stores to focussing on necessities rather than luxuries; and the enthusiastic consumption attitude of consumers in response to previous consumption repression and consequent purchasing power. It shows that the short golden age of the department store industry was in addition closely related to the ownership structure of the big retail businesses which also owned other types of retail format. Companies made strategic decisions that led to the Korean department store sector moving back into the luxury market and giving the existing mass market up. The research also examined the application of the conflict theory of retail evolution to Korea, and the thesis argues that this theory is of limited applicability. Under Korean conditions of ownership, the evolution of retailing, particularly the department store format, was likely to depend not on competition and conflict between different types of retail format, but on mutual cooperation for the profit maximisation of the big retail businesses. The thesis also considers consumption as a criterion of equality or inequality, and argues that consumption should be regarded as a factor that had a huge effect on people's willingness to comply with the prevailing economic system.
Strategic marketing plan for a hotel

Author Maarit Karppinen Title Strategic Marketing Plan for a Hotel Year 2011 Language English Pages 59 + 2 Appendices Name of Supervisor Peter Smeds The aim of this thesis was to form a strategic marketing plan for Hotel X, a small privately owned hotel in Helsinki. The theoretical part of this thesis presents tourism and marketing from the hospitality industry’s point of view; what challenges the accommodation providers face when marketing their products and what kind of plans can be formed in order to keep their marketing actions up to date. In the research a qualitative method was used and the data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire. In-depth interviews were conducted with the hotel owner and staff members. The results of the research formed the strategic marketing plan outlining the action plans on how Hotel X should proceed with its marketing.
An analysis of neural-network forecasts from a large-scale, real-world stock selection system

LBS Capital Management employs a system for managing several large investment portfolios that is founded on financial engineering principles. Over three thousand neural networks form the backbone of this system. Network forecasts spanning several weeks in the recent past are analyzed with respect to their horizon as well as their accuracy. In comparing 4-week and 12-week risk-adjusted excess return or alpha forecasts, the 13-week forecasts appear more accurate for the time period studied. Splitting the stock universe according to the magnitude of actual alpha exposes certain asymmetries in the forecasts. Using a relatively large number of observations, some preliminary conclusions are drawn. The relevance of these conclusions is not confined to neural network stock selection models.
The primary structure of component 8c-1, a subunit protein of intermediate filaments in wool keratin. Relationships with proteins from other intermediate filaments.

Component 8c-1, one of four highly homologous component-8 subunit proteins present in the microfibrils of wool, was isolated as its S-carboxymethyl derivative and its amino acid sequence was determined. Large peptides were isolated after cleaving the protein chemically or enzymically and the sequence of each was determined with an automatic Sequenator. The peptides were ordered by sequence overlaps and, in some instances, by homology with known sequences from other component-8 subunits. The C-terminal residues were identified by three procedures. Full details of the various procedures used have been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50133 (4 pp.) at the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1986) 233, 5. The result showed that the protein comprises 412 residues and has an Mr, including the N-terminal acetyl group, of 48,300. The sequence of residues 98-200 of component 8c-1 was found to correspond to the partial or complete sequences of four homologous type I helical segments previously isolated from helical fragments recovered from chymotryptic digests of microfibrillar proteins of wool [Crewther & Dowling (1971) Appl. Polym. Symp. 18, 1-20; Crewther, Gough, Inglis & McKern (1978) Text. Res. J. 48, 160-162; Gough, Inglis & Crewther (1978) Biochem. J. 173, 385]. Considered in relation to amino acid sequences of other intermediate-filament proteins, the sequence is in accord with the view that keratin filament proteins are of two types [Hanukoglu & Fuchs (1983) Cell (Cambridge, Mass.) 33, 915-924]. Filament proteins from non-keratinous tissues, such as desmin, vimentin, neurofilament proteins and the glial fibrillary acidic protein, which form monocomponent filaments, constitute a third type. It is suggested that as a whole the proteins from intermediate filaments be classed as filamentins, the three types at present identified forming subgroups of this class. The significant homologies between types I, II and III occur almost exclusively in segments of the chain that have been identified as having a coiled-coil structure together with the relatively short sections connecting these segments. The non-coiled-coil segments at the C- and N-termini show no significant homology between types, nor is homology in these segments apparent in all members of one type. Component 8c-1 does not show homology in its terminal segments with the known sequence of any other filamentin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Tissue trafficking patterns of effector memory CD4+ T cells in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Clonal populations of CD4+,CD28- T cells accumulating in rheumatoid arthritis functionally resemble end-differentiated, nondividing, short-lived effector memory cells that reside in peripheral tissues. We undertook this study to examine the tissue niche for CD4+,CD28- T cells and the signals regulating their survival and tissue homing patterns. METHODS Chemokine receptor expression on CD4+,CD28- T cell clones and peripheral blood lymphocytes was assessed by multicolor cytometry. In vitro chemotaxis and transendothelial migration were examined in a Transwell system. In vivo tissue-homing patterns were established by adoptively transferring fluorescence-labeled T cell clones into SCID mice engrafted either with rheumatoid synovium or with human lymph nodes. RESULTS CD4+,CD28- T cell clones adoptively transferred into human tissue-SCID mouse chimeras infiltrated rheumatoid synovium but preferentially homed to lymph nodes. Such T cells coexpressed the chemokine receptors CCR7, CCR5, and CXCR4 and migrated in response to both inflammatory chemokines (CCL5) and homing chemokines (CXCL12). T cell receptor crosslinking abrogated chemotactic responsiveness. In contrast, interleukin-12 stimulation induced the up-regulation of CCR5 and a shift in the in vivo homing pattern away from the lymph nodes toward the inflamed synovium. CONCLUSION CD4+,CD28- T cells resemble both short-lived effector memory cells and long-lived central memory cells, and they find a niche both in inflamed synovium and in lymph nodes. Nonspecific cytokine stimulation, not antigen recognition, triggers the transition from the lymph node to the synovium. By maintaining CCR7 expression, these end-differentiated T cells can home to lymphoid organs, enhance their survival, support clonal expansion, and perpetuate autoreactivity.
Model-Based Analysis of Privacy in Electronic Services

Many stakeholders are involved in complex electronic services. Individuals release personal information to front-ends in advanced web services. However, to what extent the acquired information is distributed and processed, what other data is included and/or merged in user profiles, remains unclear. Much more personal information is often released than strictly necessary. As is well known, many authentication technologies release personal data and make transactions linkable. Service providers can accurately profile individuals and trade profiles with external commercial entities. Moreover, service providers delegate their responsibilities for the data they collected to external entities who receive these data, while consequently, individual users lose control of their personal information. The present dissertation presents a logic based modeling approach to inspect privacy in composite electronic services from different viewpoints in data protection. The first part provides the background for the major concepts on privacy complemented by an overview of the different privacy analysis approaches currently available. The second part presents a logic based modeling approach for inspecting the user privacy. First of all, the key concepts necessary to reason on privacy in composite electronic services are identified. Examples are privacy policies, authentication technologies; but also, the privacy preferences and trust assumptions of users. These concepts are mapped to components of a logic based framework supporting automated privacy inspection of composite electronic services. The approach extracts profiles, containing a set of personal data that can be compiled by service providers after a user has interacted with a particular service provider. The resulting profiles constitute the input for a qualitative privacy analysis capable of providing meaningful feedback to both end-users and service designers. The former can select a service based on the minimal data disclosure principle. The latter can use the framework to select privacy-enhancing technologies and define consistent privacy policies from the