Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Harnessing Difference: A Capability‐Based Framework for Stakeholder Engagement in Environmental Innovation

Innovation for environmental sustainability requires firms to engage with external stakeholders to access expertise, solve complex problems, and gain social legitimacy. In this open innovation context, stakeholder engagement is construed as a dynamic capability that can harness differences between external stakeholders to augment their respective resource bases. An integrative systematic review of evidence from 88 scientific articles finds that engaging stakeholders in environmental innovation requires three distinct levels of capability: specific operational capabilities; first-order dynamic capabilities to manage the engagement (engagement management capabilities); and second-order dynamic capabilities to make use of contrasting ways of seeing the world to reframe problems, combine competencies in new ways, and co-create innovative solutions (value framing), and to learn from stakeholder engagement activities (systematized learning). These findings enhance understanding of how firms can effectively incorporate stakeholder perspectives for environmental innovation, and provide an organizing framework for further research into open innovation and co-creation more broadly. Wider contributions to the dynamic capabilities literature are to (i) offer a departure point for further research into the relationship between first-order and second-order dynamic capabilities, (ii) suggest that institutional theory can help explain the dynamic capability of value framing, (iii) build on evidence that inter-institutional learning is contingent on not only the similarity but also the differences between organizational value frames, and (iv) suggest that operating capabilities impact the effectiveness of dynamic capabilities, rather than only the other way around, as is usually assumed. A methodological contribution is made through the application of quality assessment criteria scores and intercoder reliability statistics to the selection of articles included in the systematic review.
Interoception: A Measure of Embodiment or Attention?

Interoception provides a link for the affective and cognitive mechanisms of embodiment. fMRI studies suggest that brain areas known to mediate selective attention, are also relevant for interoceptive awareness (IA). Yet the relationship between attention, embodiment and interoception is poorly understood. This study attempts to understand this relationship by considering whether IA is possible when attention is compromised. Using two versions of an IA task, the standard mental tracking task (MMT) and a modified version of the same task, the IA of 20 healthy participants (9 female, 11 male) was measured. A significant difference in mean IA was shown between the tasks with the modified mental tracking task (MMTT) showing greater sensitivity. These findings suggest that IA is possible even when attention is compromised which supports somatic theories such as the somatic marker hypothesis. Most importantly this implies that IA may be a good measure of somatic awareness and may be useful as a measure in body psychotherapy research and clinical practice.
Design and optimization of tightly packed erbium-doped waveguide amplifiers

The design of tightly packed spiral erbium-doped waveguide amplifiers (EDWAs) under two constrains is considered. First is the minimization of the area required to obtain a predetermined gain; second is the maximization of gain obtained from an available area. The design is based on a numerical model specially developed for EDWAs containing bends in the waveguide configuration. The model uses rate-propagation equations and takes into account bend-induced losses. It is shown that high gain from small area is feasible, and the optimal design parameters are obtained.
Internet-Based Relationship Marketing: A Sub-Saharan African Perspective

ABSTRACT Establishing, maintaining, and enhancing relationships over the Internet have progressively gained global attention. Nevertheless, the dawn of this modernization draws many theoretical debates and practical concerns, some of which have received little research attention, especially within the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. On this premise, we explored the contemporary practice, challenges, and benefits of Internet-based relationship marketing (RM) within the Ghanaian telecommunication industry. Expert interviews with 12 employees from four telecommunication firms elicited a wealth of experiential data analyzed thematically to understand the practice, challenges, and emerging benefits of Internet-based RM. Our findings suggest that issues of privacy concerns, erosion of face-to-face communication, and the tendency of unsolicited communication do not necessarily militate Internet-based RM within the Ghanaian telecommunication industry. We also identified emerging benefits, including online “virality,” a discovery environment, and improved firm reputation. We suggest enhancing online personalization through empathy, creating value with analytic information and managerial openness, and supporting enhanced knowledge development within the area. Directions for future studies include the possibility of comparative studies across service industries and examining the role of content marketing in Internet-based relationships. The challenge of exploring Internet-based RM was similar to hitting a moving target, as the use of the Internet for relationship marketing activities is constantly evolving. Additionally, our findings and conclusion are confined to the knowledge contribution of the experts interviewed. As one of the few studies within the Sub-Saharan region, we expand contributions from the Sub-Saharan domain. The findings of this study also bring to light new insights for establishing, maintaining, and enhancing Internet-based relationships.
Simulation of long term evolution (LTE) based communication system with different protocols

In accordance with the explanation given by 3GPP (3rd generation partnership program) the Machine type communication is the one that requires no human assistance. The network architecture consisting of LTE assures group mobility, lesser delay, and higher throughput but also provides flexibility of deployment. Problems such as increasing mobile communication over cellular networks enforces new requirements and challenges which the present network cannot handle. Therefore the main objective of this work is the promotion of performance of network access by reducing congestion and overload. Lastly, problems of performances of LTE in overloaded condition are illustrated in this work.
[Surgical treatment and prognostic analysis of 109 patients with primary esophageal small cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE Since the principles of treatment of primary esophageal small cell carcinoma (PESCC) remain still in controversy, the aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment modalities and prognostic factors of this malignancy. METHODS The clinical data of 109 patients treated by surgery in our hospital between October 1989 and April 2009 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. According to the most recently published TNM staging system for esophageal cancer (AJCC 2009), there were 17 patients in stage Ib, 31 patients in stage II, 59 patients in stage III, and 2 patients in stage IV. All the data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 software. The median survival time (MST) and overall survival rate (OS) were calculated and compared by the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. The prognostic factors were calculated by Cox hazard regression model. RESULTS Among all the 109 patients included, 93 patients were treated by radical esophagectomy, and 11 patients by palliative resection, while 5 patients by exploration. The median survival time (MST) of the whole group was 14.4 months and the 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates (OS) were 56.9%, 17.6%, and 12.0%, respectively. The median survival time (MST) and 5-year overall survival rates (OS) were 18.5 months and 21.4% for pathological N0 cases, 23.5 months and 24.0% for N1 cases, 8.5 months and 0% for N2 cases, and 10.5 months and 0% for N3 cases, respectively (P < 0.001). The MST and 1-, 3- and 5-year OS of patients treated with postoperative chemotherapy were 17.0 months, 60.7%, 19.8%, and 13.0%, respectively, statistically significantly longer than the 7.0 months, 28.5%, 8.9% and 8.9%, respectively, of the patients without chemotherapy (P = 0.005). The pathological N stage and postoperative chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors by Cox multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Primary esophageal small cell carcinoma is an aggressive systemic disease, characterized by early and wide dissemination of lymph nodes and poor prognosis while treated with surgery or chemotherapy alone. Multimodality treatment based on radical esophagectomy should be recommended for patients in pathological stage I and II.
Alkaloids from Narcissus asturiensis

Narcissus asturiensis (Jordan) Pugsley, belonging to the Pseudonarcissi DC. section (1), is an Amaryllidaceae species endemic to the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Plants of this genus have been used throughout history to treat a variety of human medical problems (2). In this paper we report the isolation of six alkaloids: haemanthamine, haemanthidine, tazettine, 3-epimacronine, trisphaeridine (1), and ismine (2). The collection was made during the flowering period, in February 1994, in Salamanca (Spain). A voucher specimen (No 900030 B) has been deposited in the Institut Botanic de Barcelona.
The effect of halothane and nitrous oxide on phagocytosis and human leukocyte metabolism.

Wound infection is a serious complication following surgery. Because abnormalities of neutrophi1 function seriously impair the immunologic defense against infection, we examined the in vitro effect of halothane and nitrous oxide (N,O) on the function of human leukocytes. Latex particle phagocytosis by leukocytes was measured by microscopic examination of cells, and the associated leukocyte enzymatic reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium dye (NBT) was measured spectrophotometrically. Incubation of leukocytes for 30 minutes in either 0.5 to 2.5 percent halothane or 80 percent N,O produced only minimal, statistically insignificant, inhibition of latex particle phagocytosis or NBT reduction. These findings suggest that inhibition of phagocytosis reported in vivo during anesthesia results from other factors, such as stress or altered blood flow.
Gonadal Function in Low Birth Weight Infants: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate gonadal function and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) serum concentrations during the first 3 months of life in low birth weight (low-BW) and normal birth weight (normal-BW) infants. INFANTS: Twenty low-BW and 29 normal-BW infants were studied. METHODS The pituitary-gonadal axis was evaluated by a GnRH agonist test (leuprolide acetate, 10 microg/kg s.c.). Circulating concentrations of gonadotropins, steroid hormones, sex hormone binding globulin, inhibin B and AMH were determined by specific assays. RESULTS In both sexes, basal concentrations of gonadotropins, sex steroids, sex hormone binding globulin and inhibin B were similar between low-BW and normal-BW infants. However, AMH concentrations were significantly higher in low-BW compared to normal-BW females (p = 0.004). This was not observed in males. After leuprolide administration, estradiol concentrations were higher in low-BW compared to normal-BW females (p = 0.043). In males, post-stimulated sex steroid concentrations were similar in both groups except for 17-OHP, which was significantly higher after leuprolide in the low-BW group (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS An increase in AMH and post-stimulated estradiol serum concentrations suggests altered follicular development in low-BW girls. In contrast, the normal circulating levels of AMH and inhibin B seem to indicate that Sertoli cell function is normal in low-BW boys. We suggest that ovarian function seems to be more vulnerable than testicular function in infants with intrauterine growth restriction.
Mergers and Acquisitions in Croatia and Lithuania

With increased external pressures Croatian and Lithuanian companies have increasingly searched outside their internal boundaries to build or reinforce their competitive capabilities. Analysis method was used in order to examine the role and importance of mergers and acquisitions as growth strategies in Croatia and Lithuania. Comparison of M&A activities was based on analysis of acquirers, targets or merged companies, and also acquirer/target countries along with industry analysis. Furthermore Croatia and Lithuania were compared with the regard to significance of cross-border M&As activities for their economies. The relevance of M&A activities in Croatia and Lithuania have been confirmed. Cross-border M&As are verified as significant segment in total M&A activities in Croatia and Lithuania. Trends in M&A activities are consistent with general - national and globe – economic tendencies.
Resistant versus Acquiescent Responses to Ingroup Inferiority as a Function of Social Dominance Orientation in the USA and Italy

Social identity theory typically emphasizes how low status group members resist and challenge imputations of inferiority (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), whereas system justification theory emphasizes the tendency to accept and justify status hierarchies (Jost & Banaji, 1994). On the theoretical assumption that responses to ingroup inferiority would vary according to individual differences in social dominance orientation (SDO; Pratto, Sidanius, Stallworth, & Malle, 1994), we predicted and found in two studies that low SDO members of low status groups engage in resistance and social competition, as social identity theory would predict, whereas high SDO members follow system justifying patterns of acquiescence and even active bolstering of the status quo. The fact that the studies were conducted in two cultures (USA and Italy) that differ with regard to hierarchical traditions and beliefs about social mobility increases the generalizeability of the results and strengthens the conclusion that SDO predicts acquiescent vs. resistant responses to ingroup inferiority.
A numerical control algorithm for navigation of an operator-driven snake-like robot with 4WD-4WS segments

SUMMARY This paper presents a new algorithm for the control of a snake-like robot with passive joints and active wheels. Each segment has four autonomously driven and steered wheels. The algorithm approximates the ideal solution in which all wheels on a segment have the same centre of curvature with wheel speeds, providing cooperative redundancy. Each hitch point joining segments traverses the same path, which is determined by an operator, prescribing the path curvature and front hitch speed. The numerical algorithm developed in this paper is simulation tested against a previously derived analytical solution for a predetermined path. Further simulations are carried out to show the effects of changing curvature and front hitch speed on hitch path, wheel angles and wheel speeds for a one, two and three segment robot.
Two Modes of Change in Southern Ocean Productivity Over the Past Million Years

Working Together The variability of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations over glacial cycles, which are central aspects of the climate cycle, was documented decades ago. However, it has been difficult to identify which mechanisms have driven CO2 variability. Attention has focused on the Southern Ocean, because of its unique combination of hydrology and biology, although it has not been clear how the different behaviors of its Antarctic and Subantarctic zones might be reconciled with the observations of atmospheric CO2 change. Jaccard et al. (p. 1419) present a record of productivity from the Atlantic Antarctic Zone that extends back in time far enough to cover the last 10 glacial cycles. The findings show how the combination of effects in the Antarctic and Subantarctic zones can explain most of the atmospheric CO2 record over the past million years. Subantarctic iron fertilization and Antarctic stratification explain the past 10 cycles’ glacial-interglacial carbon dioxide variation. Export of organic carbon from surface waters of the Antarctic Zone of the Southern Ocean decreased during the last ice age, coinciding with declining atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, signaling reduced exchange of CO2 between the ocean interior and the atmosphere. In contrast, in the Subantarctic Zone, export production increased into ice ages coinciding with rising dust fluxes, thus suggesting iron fertilization of subantarctic phytoplankton. Here, a new high-resolution productivity record from the Antarctic Zone is compiled with parallel subantarctic data over the past million years. Together, they fit the view that the combination of these two modes of Southern Ocean change determines the temporal structure of the glacial-interglacial atmospheric CO2 record, including during the interval of “lukewarm” interglacials between 450 and 800 thousand years ago.
Branding in Social Media : Branding upcoming designers in social media

Companies have realized the opportunities of social media as one way of marketing. By involving and being in direct contact with the customer the branding has reached a new level. The thesis describes how designers can use social media in branding. In order for a brand to get noticed the existence and visibility of the brand in social media is important. The aim of this study is to obtain an understanding of how designers can use social media and -networks to create a stronger brand around them. The focus lies on Finnish upcoming designers. In order to answer the purpose interviews were conducted. The sample consists of five respondents, which were collected through critical and convenience sampling. The theoretical framework is based on strategic brand management literature from the authors Grönroos and Kapferer. The literature review processes the correlation between branding and social media marketing.
Comparison of procalcitonin with C-reactive protein, interleukin 6 and interferon-alpha for differentiation of bacterial vs. viral infections.

BACKGROUND Procalcitonin (PCT) concentration increases in bacterial infections but remains low in viral infections and inflammatory diseases. The change is rapid and the molecule is stable, making it a potentially useful marker for distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections. METHODS PCT concentration was determined with an immunoluminometric assay on plasma collected at admission in 360 infants and children hospitalized for bacterial or viral infection. It was compared with C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 and interferon-alpha measured on the same sample. RESULTS The mean PCT concentration was 46 microg/l (median, 17.8) in 46 children with septicemia or bacterial meningitis. PCT concentration was > 1 microg/l in 44 of 46 in this group and in 59 of 78 children with a localized bacterial infection who had a negative blood culture (sensitivity, 83%). PCT concentration was > 1 microg/l in 16 of 236 children with a viral infection (specificity, 93%). PCT concentration was low in 9 of 10 patients with inflammatory disease and fever. A CRP value > or =20 mg/l was observed in 61 of 236 patients (26%) with viral infection and in 105 of 124 patients (86%) with bacterial infection. IL-6 was > 100 pg/ml in 14% of patients infected with virus and in 53% with bacteria. A secretion of interferon-alpha was found in serum in 77% of viral infected patients and in 8.6% of bacterial infected patients. CONCLUSIONS In this study a PCT value of 1 microg/l or greater had better specificity, sensitivity and predictive value than CRP, interleukin 6 and interferon-alpha in children for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections. PCT values are higher in invasive bacterial infections, but the cutoff value of 1 microg/l indicates the severity of the disease in localized bacterial infection and helps to decide antibiotic treatment in emergency room. PCT may be useful in an emergency room for differentiation of bacterial vs. viral infections in children and for making decisions about antibiotic treatments.
Use of Web 2.0 Technology to Enhance Customer Relationships

The broadening of Web 2.0 offerings opens up new opportunities and challenges to improve customer relationships. Customers can have an active voice, but this voice has to be carefully “managed” so as to create a lively dialog between customers and the company and to produce ultimately a win-win relationship. The panel discusses opportunities and challenges and shares experiences.
The Type, Level, and Distribution of Microorganisms within the Ward Environment: A Zonal Analysis of an Intensive Care Unit and a Gastrointestinal Surgical Ward

Objective. To investigate the distribution of hospital pathogens within general and critical care ward environments and to determine the most significant bacterial reservoirs within each ward type. Design. Prospective 4-month microbiological survey. Setting. The intensive care unit (ICU) and gastrointestinal (GI) surgical ward of a London teaching hospital. Patients. Sampling was conducted in and around the bed space of 166 different patients (99 in the ICU and 67 in the GI ward). Methods. Conventional agar contact methodology was used to sample 123 predetermined sites twice a week for 17 weeks. Sixty-one surfaces were located within the ICU, and 62 were located within the GI ward. Each surface was located within a theoretical zone of increasing distance from the patient. Aerobic colony counts were determined, and confirmatory testing was conducted on all presumptive pathogens. Results. Regardless of ward type, surfaces located closest to the patient, specifically those associated with the bed (side rails, bed control, and call button), were the most heavily contaminated. Elsewhere, the type of surfaces contaminated differed with ward type. In the ICU, bacteria were most likely to be on surfaces that were regularly touched by healthcare workers (eg, telephones and computer keyboards). In the GI ward, where the patients were mobile, the highest numbers of bacteria (including potential nosocomial pathogens) were on surfaces that were mainly touched by patients, particularly their toilet and shower facilities. Conclusions. In terms of cleaning, a hospital should not be considered a single entity. Different ward types should be treated as separate environments, and cleaning protocols should be adjusted accordingly.
Factors Affecting Electronic Supply Chain Management adoption in Egyptian Travel Agencies

Electronic supply chain management (e-SCM) is an innovative dimension emerging from the supply chain management concept. E-SCM has developed as a consequence of the evolution of the information technologies. The main objectives of this study are to identify the extent of the current adoption of e-SCM in Egyptian travel companies, toshed light on the range of factors that have an effect on the implementation of e-supply chain management, and then to propose a model that explains the relationship between the theoretical factors and adoption of e-SCM. Sincethe main aim of this study is to identify the factors that have greater association with e-SCM adoption within the travel companies; dings of this study prove that travel agencies use e-SCM tools, but they are still used to a limited extent. Moreover, the factors that affect the adoption of e-SCM in travel agencies are as follows: Innovation, internal business environment, e-SCM supporting infrastructure, organizational factors, external business environment, and government rules and regulations. Keywords: Supply chain management, e-SCM, e-commerce, travel agencies .