Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Qualitative Investigation of Polish Consumers’ Retail Experiences during the Transitional Period: 1989-2001

I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Heesun Seo entitled “A Qualitative Investigation of Polish Consumers’ Retail Experiences during the Transitional Period: 1989-2001. ” I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Human Ecology.
It's no longer mine: the role of brand ownership and advertising in cross-border brand acquisitions

Although cross-border brand acquisitions are increasingly common in the global marketplace, research on how consumers respond to them is limited. Building on social identity and psychological ownership theories, we introduce the concept of brand ownership to the advertising literature, and show its negative effects on consumer reactions to a brand acquisition. Furthermore, we demonstrate that consumers’ disidentification (i.e., an oppositional motivation) with an acquiring country moderates the negative effect of consumers’ brand ownership on consumer attitudes after a brand acquisition. The results reveal that consumers with high levels of brand ownership develop more negative post-acquisition brand attitudes when a brand is acquired by a country with which consumers strongly disidentify (i.e. dissociative vs. out-group). Furthermore, our research introduces the concept of a brand ownership appeal in advertising, and demonstrates that it is an effective advertising strategy in enhancing post-acquisition brand attitudes for consumers with high levels of brand ownership. Important theoretical and managerial advertising implications conclude this research.
Development of cell‐mediated cytotoxic immunity to respiratory syncytial virus in human infants following naturally acquired infection

With virus‐infected autologous and allogenic mononuclear cells as specific targets, the development of cell‐mediated cytotoxic reactivity to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was studied in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in groups of infants with acute RSV infection and in other control groups of subjects during a community outbreak of RSV infection. No RSV‐specific cellular cytotoxicity was observed in cord blood lymphocytes and in other uninfected controls. The PBL of infants with acute RSV infection exhibited significant cellular cytotoxic response. The activity peaked early, usually within 1 week after'infection. The response appeared to be age‐dependent. Over 65% of infants 6–24 months of age and about 35–38% of infants under 5 months of age exhibited cellular cytotoxicity to RSV. Cellular cytotoxic reactivity was observed against autologous and less frequently against allogenic RSV‐infected target cells. These findings suggest the appearance of virusspecific cell‐mediated cytotoxic immune response after acute RSV infection. The development of cellular cytotoxic responses may play a role in the mechanisms of protection against or the pathogenesis of RSV infection in man.
Resistance to change: Role of relationship and communal coping for coronary heart disease patients and their partners in making lifestyle changes

Background: Lifestyle behaviours are important risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and, hence, motivation for lifestyle changes is suggested to be a key factor in the success of cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention programmes. The motivation for changing lifestyle among people with CHD may be influenced by those with whom they have long-term, intimate relationships. Aims: This study explores the role of the relationship between people with CHD and those closest to them in making lifestyle changes. This includes investigating if patients and partners experience autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and what role communal, i.e. relationship-centred coping serves in relation to patients’ health behaviour. Methods: The study is based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 10 couples; people who have experienced acute coronary syndrome, and their partners. Participants had diverse histories of disease and social backgrounds. A three-stage interview process was undertaken including focus group interviews, couple interviews and individual interviews. A thematic analysis, inspired by the self-determination theory and the interdependence theory, was conducted. Results: Communal coping is evident in various forms, and at different levels, among people with CHD and their partners. Satisfaction with new lifestyle, ownership of change, confidence in ability to change, and emotional distress are all factors that affect how couples deal with lifestyle changes in the aftermath of CHD. Conclusions: Rehabilitation efforts, aimed at lifestyle changes, need to address each individual, as well as the dyadic interaction within couples. Incorporating a dyadic perspective in the rehabilitation process may lead to a reduction in motivational barriers to lifestyle changes.
Density-dependent signaling: An alternative hypothesis on the function of chemical signaling in a non-territorial solitary carnivore

Brown bears are known to use rubbing behavior as a means of chemical communication, but the function of this signaling is unclear. One hypothesis that has gained support is that male bears rub to communicate dominance to other males. We tested the communication of dominance hypothesis in a low-density brown bear population in southeast British Columbia. We contrasted rubbing rates for male and female bears during and after the breeding season using ten years of DNA-mark-recapture data for 643 individuals. Here we demonstrate that male brown bears rub 60% more during the breeding than the non-breeding season, while female rubbing had no seasonal trends. Per capita rub rates by males were, on average, 2.7 times higher than females. Our results suggest that the function of rubbing in the Rocky Mountains may not only be to communicate dominance, but also to self-advertise for mate attraction. We propose that the role of chemical communication in this species may be density-dependent, where the need to self-advertise for mating is inversely related to population density and communicating for dominance increases with population density. We suggest that future endeavors to elucidate the function of rubbing should sample the behavior across a range of population densities using camera trap and genotypic data.
Optimizing the transport of porcine semen : a proposal for Brazil

Semen from the first 15mL of the ejaculate (P1) obtained from two boars (30mL) was diluted in glycineegg yolk extender, cooled at 5°C in a special container and rediluted in standard doses of 3x10 mobile spermatozoa after 12h of storage. Semen was also stored up to 24h after redilution. The physical characteristics of the semen were evaluated at different storage periods (fresh, 0h, 12h, rediluted, 24h, and 36h). The reproductive performance of the boars and their fertility regarding the insemination of primiparous sows were also determined. Two treatments were used: T1-15B sows inseminated with semen originated from hyperconcentrated heterospermic doses (15x10 mobile spermatozoa per dose), rediluted after 12h of storage at 5°C for standard doses of 3x10 mobile spermatozoa per dose and stored at 5°C up to 24h after redilution (n=10); T2-3B sows inseminated with standard heterospermic doses (3x10 mobile spermatozoa per dose), stored at 5°C up to 36h after semen collection (n=10). There was no effect (P>0.05) of treatments on the spermatic motility, even though a pronounced decrease (P>0.05) of their values at 12h of storage was recorded. However, they remained higher than 70% until 36h. There was effect of treatments on spermatic vigour at 0h (P<0.05), when T1-15B vigour was higher. There was also effect of the storage period for both treatments with a progressive decrease throughout 36h of storage, although the differences were not always significant. Pregnancy rates (90%) and the number of total farrowed piglets (15, 11-T1-15B; 13, 44T2-3B) did not differ (P>0.05) between the treatments. It was concluded that the semen hyperconcentration of 15 billion of mobile spermatozoa per dose, stored at 5°C for 12h, did not result in drawbacks considering the physical characteristics of the semen, maintaining the pregnancy rates and prolificacy of the inseminated sows.
Association of silent lacunar infarct with brain atrophy and cognitive impairment

Objective Silent lacunar infarct (SLI) is associated with cognitive decline and linked to an increased risk of stroke and dementia. We examined the association of SLI with MRI measures of cortical thickness, subcortical and lateral ventricular shapes and cognition in 285 ethnic Chinese elderly. Methods SLI, cortical thickness, shapes of subcortical and ventricular structures were quantified using MRI. The cognitive performance was assessed using comprehensive neuropsychological tests. Linear regression was used to examine associations among SLI, brain measures and cognition. Results SLI was associated with atrophy in multiple subcortical structures, ventricular enlargement and widespread cortical thinning. Both SLI and atrophy were independently related to poorer performance in attention, memory and language domains. Only SLI was associated with visuomotor speed and executive function, while atrophy mediated the association between SLI and visuoconstruction. Conclusions Our findings support a vascular contribution to neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment.
Bilirubin Toxicity in Neural Cell Lines N115 and NBR10A

ABSTRACT: The toxicity of bilirubin was investigated in 2 neural cell lines NBR10A and N115 using a quantitative dye assay 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium biomide (MTT) as a measure of cell viability and [3H]thymidine incorporation as a measure of DNA synthesis. Short exposures (up to 2 h) to bilirubin, even up to a bilirubin-albumin molar ratio of 1.5, yielded no evidence of toxicity using these assays. At longer exposure times (24 h) a decrease in cell viability and [3H]thymidine incorporation was detected at a molar ratio of 0.8 when the bilirubin concentration was 0.1 mM or higher, whereas lower bilirubin levels at this molar ratio showed no deleterous effect. The effect of bilirubin is more pronounced at a molar ratio of 1.5 with longer incubation periods. The MTT assay showed the N115 cells appeared to be more resistant to bilirubin cytotoxicity than NBR10A cells, a finding which was not obtained from [3H]thymidine incorporation studies. This discrepancy can be explained by the fact that we are measuring two different variables; the MTT assay estimates the number of viable cells at the end of the experiment by measuring mitochondrial function whereas the [3H]thymidine assay measures the rate of DNA synthesis during the last 2 h of the experiment. The concentration effect of bilirubin is evident from the [3H]- thymidine studies in that at a molar ratio of 1.5 and bilirubin concentration of 0.075 mM or higher, there is both cell kill (decrease in DNA) and inhibition of [3H]- thymidine incorporation (decrease in specific activity). When the bilirubin concentration is reduced to 0.03 mM, there is little or no cell death (no change DNA) but inhibition still exists (42% decrease in specific activity). Thus, cell viability and function of these two neural lines is dependent not only on the bilirubin albumin molar ratio, but also on the absolute concentration of bilirubin and albumin as well as the time of exposure.
Overview of different available chemotherapy regimens combined with radiotherapy for the neoadjuvant and definitive treatment of esophageal cancer

ABSTRACT Introduction: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) is the current standard of care for treatment of locally advanced cancer of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction. Many efforts have been made over the last years to identify the best chemotherapy and radiotherapy combination regimen, but specific randomized trials addressing this issue are still lacking. Areas covered: A systematic review of the literature was performed searching in PubMed all published studies of combinations CTRT regimens for operable or unresectable esophageal cancer to describe activity and toxicity. Studies considered were prospective series or clinical phase II-III trials including at least 40 patients and published in English language. Expert commentary: Long-term results of CROSS trial have established RT combined with carboplatin plus paclitaxel chemotherapy as the preferred neoadjuvant treatment option for both squamous and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. More effective multimodal treatment strategies integrating novel biological agents including immunotherapy and based on an extensive molecular tumor characterization are eagerly awaited.
The Comparative Effects of Desflurane and Isoflurane on Lumbar Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy for Supratentorial Tumors

We compared the effects of desflurane and isoflurane on cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), lumbar cerebrospinal fluid pressure (LCSFP), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in patients anesthetized with desflurane or isoflurane undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial mass lesions. Additionally, emergence from anesthesia was examined to determine if neurologic function could be assessed earlier after isoflurane or desflurane anesthesia. Thirty-six patients were randomized to receive either desflurane or isoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia at 1.2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC). Patients were hyperventilated (Paco2, 30 ± 2 mm Hg) after baseline LCSFP was obtained via the subarachnoid catheter. At a MAC of 1.2, mean LCSFP was not statistically different between the two study groups either before or after hyperventilation. Additionally, CPP was not significantly different between the two groups. Finally, patient’s time to respond to commands was 50% shorter in the desflurane group (30 ± 36 min) (mean ± sd) when compared with the isoflurane group (72 ± 126 min); however, this was not significant (P = 0.17). In patients undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial mass lesions, desflurane and isoflurane have similar effects on CPP and MAP. Additionally, desflurane in the setting of hyperventilation does not cause significant changes in LCSFP.
Heterocellular hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin affects the haematological parameters of β‐thalassaemia trait

Summary. To assess and define the effects of heterocellular hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH) on the haematological phenotype of heterozygous β‐thalassaemia, we have studied a large kindred that included a total of 204 subjects with 60 β‐thalassaemia carriers, of whom 35 were also heterozygous, and five homozygous, for heterocellular HPFH. The study was possible because of the homogeneity of the β‐thalassaemia mutation and the ability to genotype the heterocellular HPFH allele. Heterocellular HPFH had a significant effect on the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) A2 values in the β‐thalassaemia carriers and accounted for 29%, 30% and 24% of their respective variances. β‐thalassaemia subjects with heterocellular HPFH had higher MCV and MCH values, concomitant with lower levels of Hb A2, and a reduced ineffective erythropoiesis. We conclude that co‐inheritance of heterocellular HPFH leads to a primary increase in γ‐chain synthesis in β‐thalassaemia trait and can be another confounding factor in the use of red cell indices and Hb A2 levels in population screening for β‐thalassaemia.
Truncated Stop Loss as Optimal Reinsurance Agreement in One-period Models

We consider several one-period reinsurance models and derive a rule which minimizes the ruin probability of the cedent for a fixed reinsurance risk premium. The premium is calculated according to the economic principle, generalized zero-utility principle, Esscher principle or mean-variance principles. It turns out that a truncated stop loss is an optimal treaty in the class of all reinsurance contracts. The result is also valid for models not involving ruin probability. An example is the Arrow model with the Kahneman-Tversky value function.
Evaluation of the Field Performance of ImmunoCard STAT!® Rapid Diagnostic Test for Rotavirus in Dadaab Refugee Camp and at the Kenya–Somalia Border

Rotavirus commonly causes diarrhea in children, leading to hospitalization and even death. Rapid diagnostic tests are feasible alternatives for determining rotavirus outbreaks in refugee camps that have inadequate laboratory capacity. We evaluated the field performance of ImmunoCard STAT! ® Rotavirus (ICS-RV) in Dadaab Refugee Camp and at the Kenya–Somalia border. From May to December 2014, we prospectively enrolled children aged < 5 years hospitalized with acute diarrhea, defined as ≥ 3 episodes of loose stool in 24 hours for < 7 days. Stool samples were collected and tested by trained surveillance clerks using ICS-RV per manufacturer's instructions. The field performance characteristics of ICS-RV were evaluated against the gold standard test, Premier™ Rotaclone® enzyme immunoassay. The operational characteristics were evaluated using World Health Organization (WHO) ASSURED criteria to determine whether ICS-RV is appropriate as a point-of-care test by administering a standard questionnaire and observing surveillance clerks performing the test. We enrolled 213 patients with a median age of 10 months (range = 1–48); 58.2% were male. A total of 71 (33.3%) and 60 (28.2%) patients tested positive for rotavirus infection by immunoassay and ICS-RV, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of ICS-RV compared with the immunoassay were 83.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 72.3–91.0), 99.3% (95% CI = 96.1–100), 98.3% (95% CI = 91.1–100), and 92.1% (95% CI = 86.6–95.5), respectively. The ICS-RV fulfilled the WHO ASSURED criteria for point-of-care testing. ICS-RV is a field-ready point-of-care test with good field performance and operational characteristics. It can be useful in determining rotavirus outbreaks in resource-limited settings.
Can molecular dynamics simulations provide high‐resolution refinement of protein structure?

Recent advances in efficient and accurate treatment of solvent with the generalized Born approximation (GB) have made it possible to substantially refine the protein structures generated by various prediction tools through detailed molecular dynamics simulations. As demonstrated in a recent CASPR experiment, improvement can be quite reliably achieved when the initial models are sufficiently close to the native basin (e.g., 3–4 Å Cα RMSD). A key element to effective refinement is to incorporate reliable structural information into the simulation protocol. Without intimate knowledge of the target and prediction protocol used to generate the initial structural models, it can be assumed that the regular secondary structure elements (helices and strands) and overall fold topology are largely correct to start with, such that the protocol limits itself to the scope of refinement and focuses the sampling in vicinity of the initial structure. The secondary structures can be enforced by dihedral restraints and the topology through structural contacts, implemented as either multiple pair‐wise Cα distance restraints or a single sidechain distance matrix restraint. The restraints are weakly imposed with flat‐bottom potentials to allow sufficient flexibility for structural rearrangement. Refinement is further facilitated by enhanced sampling of advanced techniques such as the replica exchange method (REX). In general, for single domain proteins of small to medium sizes, 3–5 nanoseconds of REX/GB refinement simulations appear to be sufficient for reasonable convergence. Clustering of the resulting structural ensembles can yield refined models over 1.0 Å closer to the native structure in Cα RMSD. Substantial improvement of sidechain contacts and rotamer states can also be achieved in most cases. Additional improvement is possible with longer sampling and knowledge of the robust structural features in the initial models for a given prediction protocol. Nevertheless, limitations still exist in sampling as well as force field accuracy, manifested as difficulty in refinement of long and flexible loops. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Removal of Pb (II), Cd (II), Cu (II) and trichloroethylene from water by Nanofer ZVI

Zero-valent iron nanoparticle (Nanofer ZVI) is a new reagent due to its unique structure and properties. Images of scanning electron microscopy/electron dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed that Nanofer ZVI is stable, reactive and has a unique structure. The particles exhibited a spherical shape, a chain-like structure with a particle size of 20 to 100 nm and a surface area between 25–30 m2g−1. The time interval for particles to agglomerate and settle was between 4–6 h. SEM/EDS Images showed that particle size increased to 2 µm due to agglomeration. Investigation of adsorption and oxidation behavior of Nanofer ZVI used for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) ions and trichloroethylene (TCE) from aqueous solutions showed that the optimal pH for Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and TCE removal were 4.5 and 4.8, 5.0 and 6.5, respectively. Test data were used to form Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The maximum contaminant loading was estimated as 270, 170, 110, 130 mg per gram of Nanofer ZVI for Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) and TCE respectively. Removal of metal ions is interpreted in terms of their hydrated ionic radii and their electronegativity. TCE oxidation followed the dechlorination pathway resulting in nonhazardous by-products.
Evaluation of c-kit (CD 117) expression as a prognostic factor in testicular germ cell tumors: an Izmir Oncology Group (IZOG) study.

PURPOSE Despite the successful use of targeted and molecular therapies in other cancers, little progress has been made in the management of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). c-kit (CD 117) is a good target for cancer treatment and possesses an impressive role in the current oncological practice. We aimed to evaluate c-kit expression in early stage TGCTs as a prognostic factor. METHODS Patients with TGCTs who were referred to the Medical Oncology Clinic and underwent curative surgical operation were included in our study before starting chemo- therapy. Immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded three-micrometer thick sections with CD 117 Rabbit Anti c-kit in vitro gene kit. Biochemically, we utilized AFP and β-HCG Immunlite 2000 device with solid phase chemiluminescent immunometric method, and LDH Roche models with the DP-standardized UV method. AFP 0-15 ng/ml, β-HCG < 0.1 mlu/ml and LDH 240-480 mg/dl were considered as normal values. RESULTS Sixty-five patients were included in our study. Forty-one (63%) patients had non-seminoma tumors (NSGCTs) and 24 (37%) had seminoma. Statistically significant c-kit expression was found in patients with seminoma (p<0.0001). There was no difference between negative or positive c-kit expression in terms of clinicopathological characteristics, including preoperative serum levels of AFP, β-HCG, LDH, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, and IGCCCG risk classification. No correlation was found between these parameters and 5-year progression free survival (PFS) rate except for tumor stage, presence of lymph node metastasis and IGCCCG score (p=0.001, p=0.04, and p=0.0001, respectively). Five-year PFS rate of patients with positive CD 117 was 72.2% (95% CI, 54.6-89.8), and 56.6% (95% CI, 31.2-82.1) for those without CD 117 expression involvement (p=0.12). CONCLUSION So far, there has been no significant breakthrough in the treatment of cisplatin-refractory TGCTs in the era of targeted therapies. No prognostic importance of c-kit expression has been found in our study. However, we believe that c-kit expression, in numerical terms, can be considered as a good prognostic factor for patients with TGCTs. The fact that all seminoma cases displayed positive c-kit expression is what we think has driven this result.