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In this study, we present a novel cost-sensitive approach for uplift modeling in the context of cross-selling and workforce analytics. We leverage referrals from sales agents across business units to estimate the individual treatment effects of incentives on the cross-selling outcomes within a company. Uplift modeling is employed to predict relationships between salespeople that should be encouraged based on the probability of successful cross-selling - defined when a customer accepts the product suggested by sales agents. We conducted experiments on data from a Chilean financial group, evaluating both statistical and profit metrics. Exploring various machine learning classifiers for predictive purposes, we observed a significant improvement over the current approach, which exhibits an uplift below 0.01. Finally, we show that selecting the best classifier with profit metrics results in a 31.6% improvement in terms of average customer profit. This emphasizes the importance of defining an adequate compensation scheme and integrating it into the modeling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of different commercial ultrasound contrast microbubbles (MBs) when measuring bladder phantom pressure with sub-harmonic-aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) methodology. We hypothesized that SHAPE performance is dependent on MB formulation. This study aimed to advance the SHAPE application for bladder pressure measurements in humans. Using a previously designed and built bladder phantom, we tested four different commercial agents: Definity, Lumason, Sonazoid and Optison. A standard clinical cystometrogram (CMG) system was used to infuse a MB–saline mixture into the bladder phantom to measure pressure. Ultrasound imaging was performed using the GE Healthcare LOGIQ E10 scanner. All agents showed a predicted inverse linear relationship between change in pressure and SHAPE signal. However, they differ from each other in terms of stability, linear correlation, sensitivity to pressure and error. Generally, Definity and Lumason showed the highest performance during the SHAPE-based bladder phantom pressure assessments. Our results show that the SHAPE signal decreases as bladder phantom pressures increases, regardless of the agent or CMG phase, suggesting the possibility of using SHAPE for measuring bladder pressure without a catheter. However, the efficacy of SHAPE in measuring pressure varies by MB formulation. These observations support using Lumason and Definity in a human subject feasibility study as we advance toward a catheter-free solution for measuring voiding bladder pressure via SHAPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor healing of diabetic wounds is characterized by prolonged inflammation and decreased collagen deposition. Diabetic patients exhibit changes in the plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the role of specific dressings may have an impact on healing. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a combined treatment comprising a bacterial cellulose dressing and melatonin application on the regulation and expression of inflammatory cytokines, VEGF, PCNA, and collagen in the healing of cutaneous wounds of diabetic rats. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, and VEGF, along with PCNA and type I and III collagen, were evaluated after 14 days. Immunohistochemistry showed decreased levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and VEGF, along with an increased expression of PCNA and type I collagen, in the groups treated exclusively with melatonin and bacterial cellulose associated with melatonin compared to the control and the commercial healing agent. It was concluded that treating the skin lesions of diabetic animals supplemented with melatonin using a bacterial cellulose-based dressing has positive effects in regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor, and collagen, showing that this association could be a viable therapy approach in wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most commonly used commercial sunscreen agents are aromatic compounds oxybenzone and octinoxate, as they offer a wide range of protection in the UV spectrum. However, oxybenzone has the highest rate of skin irritation, while octinoxate has poor photostability. Oxybenzone is also a genotoxicant and skeletal endocrine disruptor to corals. Appropriate, less toxic and preferentially biorenewable alternatives should be recommended. Lignin, an abundant byproduct of pulp and biorefinery industries, is expected to be an effective replacement for oxybenzone and octinoxate due to its aromatic structure, which, in synergy with a wide variety of functional groups, produces the absorption of energy in the entire UV region. Additionally, lignin is a biocompatible polyphenolic with a strong radical quenching ability, i.e., anti-oxidizing potential. Therefore, it is a promising replacement for synthetic chemicals in cosmetics, sunscreen, and other applications. The UV absorption analysis of selected crude and functionalized lignin samples was conducted, and the results were compared to those of commercially used UV-absorption agents--oxybenzone and octinoxate. The results showed that the total absorption capacity of the lignin samples is lower by 6.4x and 16.3x compared to oxybenzone and octinoxate, respectively; however, it covers a wide absorption range in the UV spectrum. The lignin samples also showed good photostability and color stability, in contrast to the observed yellowing of octinoxate after 3 hours of exposure to sunlight. The UV spectra of some of the lignin samples indicate that their UV absorption capacity was enhanced by as much as 13.31% after exposure to sunlight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Match & Matters: Challenges of (Intra)Entrepreneurship and Open Innovation" presents Larissa's journey in creating the Match & Matters platform, which connects business agents with positive socio-environmental impact. Larissa faced challenges regarding the profitability of the platform at Deloitte, where she decided to engage in intrapreneurship. The dilemma was to maximize the opportunities of the platform and overcome the challenges to keep it viable, reconciling positive impact and open innovation in a traditional corporate environment. The platform became a hub for promoting meetings between companies of different sizes and natures, contributing to innovation and positive socio-environmental impact. Classroom discussion can address topics such as entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, open innovation, and sustainability. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Industria Textila is the property of Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Textile si Pielarie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Anbar University for Law & Political Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Necmettin Erbakan University School of Law Review is the property of Necmettin Erbakan University School of Law Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Internationales Handelsrecht is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Esboços: Historias em Contextos Globias is the property of Esbocos: historias em contextos globais and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria is the property of Agrosavia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article explores the evolution of tracing infrastructure in Poland for locating missing persons. The number of reported disappearances in Poland has risen due to factors like increased mobility and socioeconomic pressures. The tracing infrastructure involves various actors, including government agencies, search groups, police regulations, social media search groups, SAR teams, and commercial services. While the expansion of this infrastructure has provided new opportunities for civilians to participate in searches and has been beneficial for families, there are challenges such as a lack of oversight and transparency, varying standards among search groups, and questionable reliability of private detective and clairvoyant services. The article emphasizes the need for greater transparency, collaboration, and ethical practices in the search for missing persons in Poland. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Economia e Sociologia Rural and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Internationales Handelsrecht is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Internationales Handelsrecht is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

During the sixteenth century, small diasporic communities of businessmen of Ragusa Republic settled in some Mediterranean ports. These communities were made up of commercial agents, merchants and seamen who, using the detailed information system of the motherland and relying on the Republic's fleet, were engaged in the trade of grain. This study expands previous analysis of Mediterranean Ragusan trade considering it as a trade network diaspora and investigating it in this perspective. In particular, using a network-institutional approach, the role of the Ragusan diaspora in grain trade has been analysed as an instrument of diffusion of the merchant practices in commerce, shipping and finance which have thus become as a cultural heritage of the Ragusa society. The environmental and social pressures conditioned the activity of the merchants and shaped its role as mediators of social capital in support of the economic activity of the motherland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1892, Richard D. Mohun assumed the post of United States commercial agent in the Congo Free State. It was the springboard for a lifelong career in colonial Africa, serving a monarch, corporations and investors. Mohun's activities in the Congo are but one example of numerous American careers in colonial Africa. The seizure of the continent by European powers provided Americans with new opportunities, whether for adventurers, soldiers or experts, and entangled them with colonial empire building. In addition, through travelogues and newspaper coverage, they had a significant impact on American conceptions of Africa and ensured the dissemination and connectivity of colonial discourses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study agents' incentives to form horizontal coalitions before a principal offers vertical contracts. When a vertical contract generates negative externalities on other agents, the agents may collude in order to obtain better deals; when one contract benefits other agents, the agents may decentralize, instead. Contractually induced institutional changes always harm the principal and the negative effect can outweigh the direct effects of the contracts, making the contracts counterproductive. The model is tractable and sufficiently flexible to be relevant for applications such as regulation of pollution, payments for forest conservation, and mergers between firms in a supplier–franchisee relationship. (JEL D86, H23, H87, Q58). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the competitive environment among athlete-agents in the NIL era and proposes reforms to improve regulation. Topics include the historical context and issues of client poaching and fraudulent inducements among athlete-agents, the limitations of existing legal frameworks for resolving disputes, and need for a revised amendment to the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA) to enhance educational requirements and registration standards for agents.

This document is an introduction to a special issue on international counter-trafficking. It acknowledges that human trafficking is a complex and fluid concept, and that counter-trafficking efforts often prioritize securitarian, moralistic, and neoliberal concerns. The special issue includes articles that provide valuable insights into the experiences of sex workers, Quran teachers, Nigerian migrant women, and women in counter-trafficking programs in Italy and Spain. These articles challenge dominant narratives about trafficking and highlight the need for more critical approaches to counter-trafficking. The author expresses gratitude to the contributors and the journal for their interest in this important topic. [Extracted from the article]

Achieving hemostasis effectively is essential for surgical success and excellent patient outcomes. However, it is challenging to develop hemostatic adhesives that are fast‐acting, strongly adherent, long‐lasting, and biocompatible for treating hemorrhage. In this study, a sequential crosslinking fibrin glue (SCFG) is developed, of which the first network of the fibrin glue forms in situ within 2 s to act as an initial physical barrier and locks the gelatin methacryloyl precursor for tight construction of the second network to enhance wet adhesion and durability for tissues covered with blood. The sequential crosslinking glue can provide large pressures (≈280 mmHg of burst pressure), makes strong (38 kPa of shear strength) and tough (≈60 J m−2 of interfacial toughness) interfaces with wet tissues, and outperforms commercial hemostatic agents and gelatin methacryloyl. SCFG are demonstrated as an effective and safe sealant to enhance the treatment outcomes of bleeding tissues in rat, rabbit, and pig models. The ultrafast gelation, strong adhesion and durability, excellent compatibility, and easy manufacture of SCFG make it a promising hemostatic adhesive for clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Internationales Handelsrecht is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Internationales Handelsrecht is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Evolving climatic conditions impact the behavior of microorganisms. The lack of efficiency of beneficial microorganisms against pathogens can be due to these evolving abiotic factors more favorable to the development and adaptation of pathogens. It is therefore of great interest to understand their impact (especially temperature increase and relative humidity (RH) variation) on pathogenic and non‐pathogenic microorganisms. This work aimed to examine the possible effects of increasing temperature (20, 25, 30 and 33 °C) and RH (40%, 50%, 60% and 80%) on the growth and mycotoxin production (deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN)) of Fusarium graminearum, on the growth of three commercial biocontrol agents (BCAs; Mycostop®, Xedavir® and Polyversum®) and on the pathogen–BCA interaction. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that BCAs have contrasting impacts on the growth and mycotoxinogenesis of F. graminearum depending on abiotic factors. At 25 °C and regardless of RH, commercial BCAs limit DON production by F. graminearum, but at 30 °C and intermediate RH, Xedavir® is no longer effective. The ability of Xedavir® to control the production of ZEN production by F. graminearum is also affected by abiotic factors. However, increasing temperature has an opposite effect on its ability to control the accumulation of ZEN. Polyversum® oomycete is the BCA with the most resilient efficacy against F. graminearum toxinogenesis under the different abiotic factors. CONCLUSION: This work provides new knowledge of the effect of these abiotic parameters on the interaction between BCA and F. graminearum, especially on the production of mycotoxins. It paves the way for the development of efficient and resilient mycotoxin biocontrol strategies using beneficial microorganisms against F. graminearum, thus contributing to global food security. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coordination bonds with a dynamic nature and wide‐spectrum bond energy have gained great popularity in use for fabricating tough soft materials. However, most existing coordination‐based elastomers are prepared through complicated procedures, usually involving elaborate synthesis of ligand‐containing monomers or polymers, ion diffusion to form coordination complexes, and removal of organic solvent during the synthesis, which are neither easy operation nor environmentally friendly. Here, a facile and effective strategy is demonstrated to fabricate tough metallosupramolecular elastomers by one‐pot polymerization of aqueous precursor solutions containing commercial agents, 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid, 2‐[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl acrylate, and Zr4+ ions. After solvent (i.e. water) evaporation, the obtained elastomers are transparent and extremely tough owing to the presence of sulfonate‐Zr4+ coordination complexes as physical crosslinks. Their mechanical properties are tunable over a wide spectrum by adjusting the composition of copolymers and the density of coordination bonds. This eco‐friendly strategy is further extended to various commercial monomers, manifesting good universality to toughen elastomers. Furthermore, the abundant functional groups of copolymers make the elastomers adhesive to various substrates including themselves, favoring applications such as interfacial adhesion and encapsulations. The easy fabrication, tunable mechanical properties, and adhesion ability endow the elastomers with great potential as the substrate of wearable soft electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, the business correspondent model was introduced to improve banking outreach in remote and rural areas. Although the BC Model struggled in the initial years, but in the last decade it has made continuous strides and currently provides banking services in more than 95% of villages in India. This research paper is targeted at investigating the impact of the BC Model on financial inclusion. To fulfill this objective, firstly, on the basis of theoretical support, we identified the factors that affect the usage of banking services through the business correspondent agents and then the impact of the identified factors on the banking usage behavior have been empirically tested using PLS-SEM. The findings reveal that the affordability of banking services at BC point, proximity of BC agents and time saved in accessing banking services through BC agent exerts a significant positive impact on banking usage behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Internationales Handelsrecht is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In many areas of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, there has been an unplanned and random shift in urban land use where a significant portion of the residential land within the city has been converted to commercial uses. This alteration in land use has led to severe traffic congestion due to the influx of vehicles frequenting these areas, the streets' insufficient capacity to handle the vehicular traffic, and a lack of adequate parking spaces. The research aims to develop a statistical model to calculate the needed parking spaces in Baghdad's commercial areas. It is estimated that the required vehicle parking can be determined by the areas of the buildings. The research concludes that certain commercial activities, such as restaurants and stores, necessitate more vehicle parking compared to other commercial activities, and the demand for parking spaces is directly proportional to the commercial activities' area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern paints and coatings are designed for a variety of applications, ranging from fine art to extraterrestrial thermal control. These systems can be engineered to provide lasting color, but there are a limited number of materials that can undergo transient changes in their visual appearance in response to external stimuli without requirements for advanced fabrication strategies. The authors describe color‐changing paint formulations that leverage the redox‐dependent absorption profile of xanthommatin, a small‐molecule colorant found throughout biology, and the electronic properties of titanium dioxide, a ubiquitous whitening agent in commercial coatings. This combination yields reversible photoreduction upon exposure to sunlight, shifting from the oxidized (yellow) form of xanthommatin, to the reduced (red) state. The extent of photoreduction is dependent on the loading density and size of titanium dioxide particles, generating changes in hue angle as large as 77% upon irradiation. These coatings can be blended with non‐responsive supplemental colorants to expand the accessible color palette, and irradiated through masks to create transient, disappearing artwork. These formulations demonstrate energy‐efficient photochromism using a simple combination of a redox‐active dye and metal oxide semiconductor, highlighting the utility of these materials for the development of optically dynamic light‐harvesting materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mn2+ complexes of 2,4‐pyridyl‐disubstituted bispidine ligands have emerged as more biocompatible alternatives to Gd3+‐based MRI probes. They display relaxivities comparable to that of commercial contrast agents and high kinetic inertness, unprecedented for Mn2+ complexes. The chemical structure, in particular the substituents on the two macrocyclic nitrogens N3 and N7, are decisive for the conformation of the Mn2+ complexes, and this will in turn determine their thermodynamic, kinetic and relaxation properties. We describe the synthesis of four ligands with acetate substituents in positions N3, N7 or both. We evidence that the bispidine conformation is dependent on N3 substitution, with direct impact on the thermodynamic stability, kinetic inertness, hydration state and relaxivity of the Mn2+ complexes. These results unambiguously show that (i) solely a chair‐chair conformation allows for favorable inertness and relaxivity, and (ii) in this family such chair‐chair conformation is accessible only for ligands without N3‐appended carboxylates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sodium silicate can be used as a bio-stimulant agent during the commercial micropropagation of sugarcane hybrids. • Silicon helps to increase morphological and photosynthetic pigments responses in sugar cane in vitro. • The stomatal index and stomatal occlusion are not altered with the application of silicon. • Acclimatization survival rate increases with the presence of silicon. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) is used as raw material in the agri-food and bioenergy industries. Plant tissue culture (PTC) allows production of many propagules in a relatively short time and limited space. Silicon (Si) is considered a non-essential element, and studies have demonstrated a positive impact on the development of plants obtained through PTC. This study aimed to evaluate the bio-stimulant effect of sodium silicate (Na 2 SiO 3) on the in vitro propagation of sugarcane (CP 72-2086 and Mex 69-290). Plant tips were established for each variety. The shoots obtained were then cultivated in an MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of Na 2 SiO 3 (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg L−1). After 30 d, morphometric analysis, quantification of photosynthetic pigments, and stomatal index measurements were performed. The results showed that 10.0 mg L−1 of Na 2 SiO 3 had a positive effect on the morphology of both varieties. The CP 72-2086 variety had a 0.5 number of shoots, 6.36 leaves and 5.8 roots more compared to the control. In contrast, the Mex 69-290 variety had more sizable proportion of shoot length (1.42 times), root length (2.20 times), and dry weight (1.33 times) compared to the control. However, 2.5 and 5.0 mg L−1 of Na 2 SiO 3 decreased the responses of variables evaluated in both varieties compared to the highest concentration. While the addition of Na 2 SiO 3 in both varieties had a bio-stimulant effect on the content of photosynthetic pigments. Results obtained suggest that Na 2 SiO 3 can be used as a bio-stimulant agent during the commercial micropropagation of sugarcane hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nocardioides, a genus belonging to Actinomycetes, can endure various low-nutrient conditions. It can degrade pollutants using multiple organic materials such as carbon and nitrogen sources. The characteristics and applications of Nocardioides are described in detail in this review, with emphasis on the degradation of several hard-to-degrade pollutants by using Nocardioides, including aromatic compounds, hydrocarbons, haloalkanes, nitrogen heterocycles, and polymeric polyesters. Nocardioides has unique advantages when it comes to hard-to-degrade pollutants. Compared to other strains, Nocardioides has a significantly higher degradation rate and requires less time to break down substances. This review can be a theoretical basis for developing Nocardioides as a microbial agent with significant commercial and application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of four commercial biocontrol agents (BCAs: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAD), Aureobasidium pullulans (APD), Metschnikowia fructicola (MFN), and Trichoderma atroviride (TAS)) was evaluated using turbidimetric assays on artificial substrates mimicking the chemical berry composition at four stages: pea-sized berries, veraison, softening, and ripe berries. The response of BCA growth differed among BCAs. Subsequently, the BCAs' population size was assessed after 1 to 13 days of incubation on the substrate mimicking ripe berries at 15 to 35 °C. The population size of BAD increased with temperatures, while that of MFN decreased; the population sizes of APD and TAS showed bell-shaped patterns with lower growth at 15 or 35 °C. Finally, the BCAs were applied to ripe berries and then incubated at 15 to 30 °C. After 1 to 13 days, the berries were inoculated with B. cinerea and incubated for 7 days, after which the BCA control efficacy was assessed. The highest control was observed at 25 °C for BAD and APD, at 15 to 20 °C for MFN, and at 25 to 30 °C for TAS. The results confirm that the plant substrates and temperature affect the population size of the BCA following application; temperature also affects the preventative efficacy of BCA against B. cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Internationales Handelsrecht is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: This paper intends to shed light on the teaching-leaning methodologies that best contribute to developing entrepreneurial competences. Design/methodology: We pose an active learning model that integrates the content of three subjects from the field of marketing in a single business project. We also measure the impact of this model on entrepreneurial competences through a validated questionnaire. The measurement instrument includes the short FINCODA questionnaire version to assess innovative behaviour and creativity, and indicators from the GEM survey on entrepreneurial perceptions for assessment of entrepreneurial spirit. Findings: The results show a slightly positive effect on creativity and innovation capacity but that some active models may not be sufficient to develop skills linked to starting up projects or risk-taking. Originality/value: It seems reasonable to consider rethinking the teaching-learning model used with marketing students in order to boost greater development of their entrepreneurial capacity. Setting up systems that promote greater engagement between universities and social, cultural or business agents in their area could foster entrepreneurial competences. This paper contribute to the debate on education policies that drive entrepreneurship and the possibility of designing new education models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Northwest A & F University - Natural Science Edition is the property of Editorial Department of Journal of Northwest A&F University (Natural Science Edition) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

If the asset market is complete, then the difference between foreign and domestic agents' log intertemporal marginal rates of substitution (IMRSs) equals the log change in the real exchange rate. This equation is frequently used to argue that changes in real exchange rates reflect differences between agents' required compensation for exposure to asset return uncertainty. We show that the relative returns on frictionlessly traded assets are only reflected in the common component of agents' IMRSs, not in differences. Instead, when this equation does offer insights, frictions in the goods market are the source of economic distinction between agents. Received December 10, 2013; editorial decision November 5, 2018 by Editor Geert Bekaert. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to seek natural antisporulating agents used in the control of Aspergillus flavus, 54 essential oil compounds were employed to evaluate their antisporulating activity against A. flavus at the concentration of 100 μg/mL. The results indicated that isoborneol could inhibit spore production at 100 μg/mL. The light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed that A. flavus did not produce any conidia, vesicles, phialides and conidiophores after treatment with isoborneol at 80 μg/mL, confirming the effectiveness of isoborneol. The in vivo bioassay results demonstrated that isoborneol could prevent the peanuts from A. flavus contamination by inhibiting the sporulation when treated with isoborneol at concentrations higher than 100 μg/mL. RT-qPCR results suggested that isoborneol exerts its antisporulating activity by suppressing the fluG expression. These results proved that isoborneol could be used as a natural and safe antisporulating agent for commercial applications to control spore infections of A. flavus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dynamis is the property of Dynamis - Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Granada and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study was on inculcating digital contents, technological tools as agents for enhancing business education curriculum for Skill Acquisition in Universities in Anambra State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A population of 34 business educators in Universities in Anambra state were used for the study. No sample was drawn for the study since the size of the population is manageable. The instrument used to collect data for the study was a structured questionnaire with two parts; part A contained item on the demography of respondents and part B contained items on the two research questions under the study. The questions were structured on a 5point rating scale of Strongly Agree (SA); Agree (A), Moderately Agree (MA), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree. The instrument was validated b three experts, two from the Department of Business Education and one from Measurement and Evaluation. Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient was used to test consistency of the instrument and a general coefficient of 0.81. Data collected was analyzed using arithmetic mean and standard deviation while t- test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. When the p value was found to be equal or less than 0.05 alpha levels, the noted difference was said to be significant, therefore, the null hypothesis was be rejected. However, a p value found to be greater than 0.05, the noted difference was insignificant, therefore, the null hypothesis will be accepted. The findings of the study revealed that business education lecturers in universities in Anambra state agree that provision of instructional technology, inculcating digital contents can enhance business education curriculum for skill acquisition. These findings were discussed and conclusion was drawn. Relevant recommendations were made based on the findings of the study part of which included that Management of business education programme should incorporate digital tools and platforms that are relevant to various business disciplines, such as data analytics software, marketing automation platforms, project management tools, or simulation software. Provide hands-on training and practical exercises using these tools to develop students' proficiency in digital technologies applicable to the business context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital light processing (DLP) is a rapidly developing technology accessing the opportunity to print complex ceramics objects. The main prerequisite for successful printing is the preparation of kinetically stable suspension with low viscosity and homogenous distribution of perfectly dispersed particles. All three mentioned assumptions could be fulfilled by a selection of a suitable dispersant and starting zirconia powder. In this paper, a commercial agent Disperbyk-103 was used to create a highly stable suspension with 30 vol% of zirconia powder with appropriate viscosity (0.93 Pa s at a shear rate of 10 s−1). The optimal concentration of the agent was set not only by rheological measurements but also with the help of measurement of the kinetic stability over time using an analytical centrifuge. Stability measurement was evaluated as an appropriate supplementary analysis to the conventional viscosimetric analysis. Furthermore, the predictive viscosity models were tested either as a tool how to estimate the maximum solid volume fraction for the ceramic suspensions as well as for the prediction of suspension dynamic viscosity according to the used solid content in the prepared suspension. Finally, the suspension with the most suitable physicochemical properties was printed, sintered, and subsequently characterized using the analysis of mechanical properties by the Vickers hardness (1315 HV), relative density (98.2%) and shrinkage. The presented work points to the excellent possibility of using stability analysis as a complementary ceramic suspension analysis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) plays an essential role in maintaining normal cellular activities. Its heteroplasmic mutations are known to cause various genetic diseases. Current genetic engineering strategies, such as those based on RNA interference (RNAi) and antisense technology, are difficult to genetically alter mtDNA, however, due to the inability of highly negatively charged oligonucleotides to translocate across the double‐membrane mitochondria. We report herein a universal mitochondria‐targeted gene‐delivery approach by using cell‐penetrating poly(disulfide)s (CPDs). Novel CPD‐based mitochondrial transporters, named Mito‐CPDs, were synthesized by using triphenylphosphonium (TPP)‐fused propagating monomers containing either disulfide or diselenide backbones. Upon spontaneous complex formation with an oligonucleotide (single‐ or double‐stranded), the resulting nanoscale Mito‐CPD@Oligo exhibited excellent properties in common biological media. While the intracellular gene‐delivery efficiency of these Mito‐CPDs was comparable to that of commercial transfection agents, their unique mitochondria‐localized properties enabled effective release of the loaded cargo inside these organelles. Subsequent mitochondrial delivery of siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides against suitable mtDNA‐encoded proteins showed successful down‐regulation of target protein expression, leading to profound effects on mitochondrial functions. Mito‐CPDs thus provide a useful tool for future investigations of mitochondrial biology and treatment of mitochondria‐related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a comprehensive community‐level model is developed advancing the use of agent‐based modeling for the purpose of community resilience planning. Agents to simulate businesses, healthcare system, and people are introduced, which are utilized along with a set of developed agents for the education system, utilities, and households to create an agent‐based model of the Centerville testbed subjected to tornado hazards. Resilience measures are also introduced to quantify the resilience of the community and its systems and make it possible to assess various strategies related to pre‐disaster preparedness for informed decision‐making. The results show the capability of the proposed computational model to capture the complex behaviors and dynamics of interdependent systems within a community and to evaluate the impact of disruptions on the community as well as a series of resilience measures (mitigation strategies) for the purposes of community planning. Therefore, the proposed model and its findings could provide a new tool for interested community stakeholders and decision‐makers assessing mitigation strategies to enhance the recovery time and resilience of the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Who would choose to be a busker and why? How are buskers positioned by, and in relation to, state, commercial and social formations that configure public spaces and public selves? I approach busking through the concept of micropolitics, developed by Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, which argues that life and politics are immanent: inseparable from and coextensive with one another. I take Zygmunt Bauman's pessimistic vision of 'liquid modernity' – a chimeric analysis that maps the coercive and alienating conditions of postmodernism and neo-liberalism – as a fitting backdrop for highlighting the significance of street music. To facilitate this discussion, I draw on memories of my background as a busker, documentary sources and autoethnographic fieldwork conducted in ten locations across regional New South Wales (Australia) between June and August 2022. I adopt a storytelling approach, foregrounding the experience of busking for the busker, and combine this with documentary analysis of regulatory frameworks and quantitative analysis of my busking sessions and earnings in different locations. In contrast to recent studies that applaud the efficacy of regulations, and that represent buskers as rational agents pursuing commercial and artistic interests, I argue that busking, as a way of life, makes little sense except as micropolitical resistance to the alienating conditions of liquid modernity. Moreover, expressions of state, economic and social power frequently manifest contempt for buskers and busking, sometimes to the point of precluding buskers from effectively conducting their livelihoods within the scope of the law. I draw on Macalester Bell's theorization of contempt as an indispensable ethical position that manifests disregard for its object, to consider the ways in which busking appeals to the humanity of state, commercial and social agents. 'Ask forgiveness, not permission' is an idiom of conventional wisdom for buskers, signalling, on the one hand, an internalization of the contempt they are accustomed to receiving from those in a position to facilitate 'permission' and, on the other, the ideal that, if things go well, they might inspire human agents to condemn the regulatory pedantry that would proscribe their livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the age of technological change, attracting the attention of consumers can be an organization's biggest challenge; after all, these business agents have changed and are more demanding. The article deals with technological renewal and the concept of Internet of Things (IoT), proposed by Kevin Ashton. This study aims to list the main contributions of this technology to the creation of new business models and new markets. IoT changes businesses and consumers as it integrates the physical world with the virtual, generating massive amounts of information that can be used for a variety of purposes, primarily to improve productivity and reduce unnecessary spending. The IoT represents an opportunity to create new business models and open up new innovative markets; all of this possible thanks to the processing of a large volume of information and events that will be generated by the connected objects, enabling a quick response for each of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper includes the curing of previously synthesized multifunctional bio-based epoxy resins (PEMPAE/TMPAE) with rosin-based imidoamine curing agents (IAMDK/IASDK/IAEDK) which are nucleophilic addition reaction products of diamino diphenyl ether (DDE) and dimaleopimaryl ketone (DMPK), a dehydrodecarboxylated derivative of MPA. Curing dynamics of rosin-based epoxy resins (PEMPAE/TMPAE) with rosin-based imidoamine curing agents (IAMDK/IASDK/IAEDK) were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry. For comparison, the bio-based epoxy resins were also cured with rosin derivative dimaleopimaryl ketone (DMPK) and commercial-based diamino diphenyl ether (DDE). The universal testing machine and thermogravimetric analyzer) were used to measure the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the cured epoxy samples. The samples' chemical resistance was assessed by calculating the weight loss in percent after they were submerged in solutions of NaOH, HCl, and NaCl. We also used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the morphological changes. Rosin-based epoxy cured with imidoamine curing agents outperformed the commercial epoxy in terms of performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the dynamics of three agents in the emerging business bubble model based on the Mittag–Leffler law pertaining to the piecewise classical derivative and non-singular kernel. By generalizing the business bubble dynamics in terms of fractional operators and the piecewise concept, this study presents a new perspective to the field. The entire set of intervals is partitioned into two piecewise intervals to analyse the classical order and conformable order derivatives of an Atangana–Baleanu operator. The subinterval analysis is critical for removing discontinuities in each sub-partition. The existence and uniqueness of the solution based on a piecewise global derivative are tested for the considered model. The approximate root of the system is determined using the piecewise numerically iterative technique of the Newton polynomial. Under the classical order and non-singular law, the approximate root scheme is applied to the piecewise derivative. The curve representation for the piece-wise globalised system is tested by applying the data for the classical and different conformable orders. This establishes the entire density of each compartment and shows a continuous spectrum instead of discrete dynamics. The concept of this study can also be applied to investigate crossover behaviours or abrupt changes in the dynamics of the values of each market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis is one of the most common oral polymicrobial infectious diseases induced by the complex interplay between the altered subgingival microbiota and the host's dysregulated immune-inflammatory response, leading to the initiation of progressive and irreversible destruction of the periodontal tissues and eventually to tooth loss. The main goal of cause-related periodontal therapy is to eliminate the dysbiotic subgingival biofilm in order to arrest local inflammation and further periodontal tissue breakdown. Because, in some cases, subgingival mechanical instrumentation has limited efficiency in achieving those goals, various adjunctive therapies, mainly systemic and locally delivered antimicrobials, have been proposed to augment its effectiveness. However, most adjunctive antimicrobials carry side effects; therefore, their administration should be precociously considered. HybenX® (HY) is a commercial therapeutical agent with decontamination properties, which has been studied for its effects in treating various oral pathological conditions, including periodontitis. This review covers the current evidence regarding the treatment outcomes and limitations of conventional periodontal therapies and provides information based on the available experimental and clinical studies related to the HY mechanism of action and effects following its use associated with subgingival instrumentation and other types of dental treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]