Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing cruise port of call performance: a passenger-based approach using PLS modelling

ABSTRACT In the present context of booming cruise demand, the study aims to advance the knowledge on port of call performance from cruise passengers’ perspective. The aim of this investigation was twofold: (1) to examine the structural links among port of call perceived quality–satisfaction–future intentions (revisit and word-of-mouth (WOM) behaviour); and (2) to test the moderating effect of cruisers’ motivation (push versus pull factors) to visit the port of call on the proposed structural links. Partial least squares path modelling was used to test the proposed model with a sample of 492 cruise passengers at a Mediterranean port of call. The findings revealed that port of call quality has a positive impact on port of call satisfaction, which in turn, strongly affects revisit and WOM intention. Besides, the results of the multi-group analysis indicated that the links between port of call quality–satisfaction and port of call satisfaction–WOM are moderated by cruisers’ motivation. Implications for port authorities and cruise lines are discussed.
The Circadian Energy Scale (CIRENS): Two Simple Questions for a Reliable Chronotype Measurement Based on Energy

This study presents the Circadian Energy Scale (CIRENS), a very short and simple chronotype measurement tool based on energy. The CIRENS consists of two introspective questions about the usual energy level (very low, low, moderate, high, or very high, scored 1 to 5) in the morning and in the evening. The difference between energy level scores (−4 to 4) felt by respondents in the evening and morning defines the chronotype score and classification. A concurrent validity analysis of the CIRENS with the widely used Horne and Östberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) was conducted using a sample of 225 college students, and with MSFsc, a sleep-based chronotype assessment tool based on the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ), using a sample of 34,530 subjects (18–83 yrs, 27% males). This large sample was collected in a Web survey for behavioral correlates of the CIRENS with variables previously associated with chronotype differences. The correlation of the CIRENS chronotype score was r = −. 70 with the MEQ and r = . 32 with the MSFsc. CIRENS chronotype scores declined with age and were not affected by sex. Both CIRENS and MSFsc chronotype scores were related to differences in tobacco, caffeine, and cola soft-drink consumption (all higher in evening types). The CIRENS provides a simple chronotype index and a measure of absolute energy throughout the day and seems to be a reliable chronotype assessment tool that may be useful both clinically and for large-scale studies. (Author correspondence: diogorlara@gmail.com)
Optimization of corona ring design for long-rod insulators using FEM based computational analysis

The paper presents a method to optimize the location and the dimensions of the corona ring for transmission line composite insulators using finite element based software, FEMLAB. The procedure used to optimize the corona ring design, which handles more than one parameter, has been verified with examples that have an analytical solution or known optimal values. In this work the optimization is based on finding the maximum field along the insulator surface, such that this maximum field is well below the corona inception level. The design parameters of the ring diameter, diameter of the ring tube, position of the ring in its vertical plane, and the maximum field that cannot exceed the corona inception level have been used in the optimization process.
Successful Transition to Secondary School in Tanzania: What Are the Barriers?

Transition to secondary school is a problem internationally. Tanzanian students face an additional challenge as the medium of instruction changes from Kiswahili to English. An 18-item questionnaire (N = 383) and focus groups (primary standard 7, secondary forms 1 and 3, and primary and secondary teachers) were used in this study. Most students started secondary school with high expectations. These were qualified by experiences of bullying and punishment. Teachers recognised students losing hope as an explanation for truancy. However, they lacked both the training to teach English and knowledge of alternatives to punishment. Peer mentoring potentially addresses these challenges during transition. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monoclonal antibodies

The ability of antibodies to the V3 region and the CD4-binding domain (CD4bd) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to act in synergy to neutralize HIV has been demonstrated previously. However, synergy between antibodies to other HIV-1 epitopes has not been studied. We have used 21 combinations of human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against different epitopes of the gpl20 and gp4l proteins of HIV-1 to evaluate their ability to act in synergy to neutralize HIV-1. Combinations of anti-V3 and anti-CD4bd antibodies, anti-V3 and anti-gpl20 C-terminus antibodies, anti-CD4bd and anti-C-terminus antibodies, anti-V3 and anti-gp4l antibodies, and anti-CD4bd and anti-gp4l antibodies were tested. Our results show that some, but not all anti-V3 antibodies can act in synergy with anti-CD4bd antibodies. In addition, for the first time, antibodies to the C-terminus region have been found to act in synergy with the anti-CD4bd antibodies. Various anti-CD4bd MAbs also act in synergy when used together. The use of such cocktails of human MAbs for passive immunization against HIV-1 may prove to be important for therapy in postexposure settings and for prevention of maternal-fetal transmission of the virus. The results also provide information on the types of antibodies that should be elicited by an effective vaccine.
Differences of Corporate Environmental Responsibility in Small and Medium Enterprises: Spain and Norway

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors that are related to Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs’) environmental attitude. We focus on Spain and Norway—two contrasting countries in this regard. Drawing on evidence from the Flash Eurobarometer 381 Survey: SMEs, Resource Efficiency and Green Markets, the results show that there is a significant difference on environmental commitment in favor of Norway. Our estimation results show that firms’ structural characteristics are strong factors influencing attitudes towards environmental responsibility, but even after controlling for such firm-specific differences, Norwegian firms still show a higher probability for a pro-environmental attitude. Moreover, our estimation results also show that the drivers for firms to go beyond environmental legislation are not the same in the two countries. Norwegian firms are more market-driven than Spanish firms in their pro-environmental attitude.
Increased alpha 2- but similar beta-adrenergic receptor activities in subcutaneous gluteal adipocytes from females compared with males.

alpha 2 and beta-adrenergic binding and action were studied in subcutaneous adipocytes from the gluteal region in females and males. The beta-selective antagonist [3H]dihydroalprenolol and the alpha 2-selective antagonist [3H]yohimbine were used to identify the beta- and the alpha 2-receptor, respectively. The biological effects mediated by these receptors were determined by measuring the glycerol release induced by isoproterenol (beta-receptor agonist) and by clonidine (alpha 2-receptor agonist). The study consisted of health volunteers (eighteen females and fifteen males). Compared to men the alpha 2-receptor binding was increased by 73% (P less than 0.01) in adipocytes from females. From Scatchard analysis it was determined that the increased binding was due to an increased receptor number (438 v. 262 fmol mg-1 protein, P less than 0.001) with unaltered Kd (1.18 v. 1.35 nmol l-1, P greater than 0.05). This increased alpha 2-receptor binding in female and adipocytes was associated with a significantly increased sensitivity (P less than 0.05) and maximal antilipolytic effect of clonidine (P less than 0.05). The beta-receptor binding was similar in adipocytes from females and males. However, isoproterenol was significantly more lipolytic in female adipocytes (P less than 0.01). Since the combination of theophylline and adenosine deaminase also was significantly more lipolytic in female adipocytes the enhanced effect of isoproterenol then seemed to be due to mechanisms not directly related to the hormone-beta-receptor binding. Finally, the mixed beta- and alpha 2-receptor agonist, adrenaline showed biphasic effects on lipolysis, with stimulatory effect at low concentrations (less than 500 nmol l-1) and pronounced inhibitory effect at higher concentrations (greater than 1 mumol l-1). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The impact of gonadectomy and adrenalectomy on acute withdrawal severity in male and female C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice following a single high dose of ethanol.

BACKGROUND Steroid hormones can influence neuronal excitability and subsequent seizure susceptibility through genomic and nongenomic mechanisms. For example, there are proconvulsant steroids such as estradiol and corticosterone and anticonvulsant steroids such as testosterone, progesterone, and their GABAergic metabolites. Recent findings indicated that a single, acute administration of ethanol increased levels of GABAergic steroids and that the source of this increase was peripheral organs such as the adrenals and gonads. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of removal of the adrenals and/or gonads on withdrawal severity following a single high dose of ethanol in 2 genotypes that differ in ethanol withdrawal severity. METHOD Male and female C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) mice were either left intact (SHAM), adrenalectomized (ADX), gonadectomized (GDX), or underwent ADX/GDX surgery. Seven days following surgery, baseline handling-induced convulsions (HICs) were measured prior to administration of a 4 g/kg dose of ethanol. HICs were assessed following the ethanol injection, then hourly for 12 hours and at 24 hours. A separate group of mice were used to measure the impact of surgical status on ethanol metabolism at 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after a single 4 g/kg dose of ethanol. RESULTS ADX and ADX/GDX treatments in male B6 and D2 mice increased ethanol withdrawal severity following a single dose of ethanol, measured by area under the withdrawal curve and peak HIC scores. Acute ethanol withdrawal also was increased in female D2 mice that had undergone ADX/GDX. In contrast, surgical status did not alter ethanol withdrawal severity in female B6 mice. Surgical status had only minor effects on ethanol metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Removal of peripherally derived steroids with anticonvulsant properties significantly increased HIC scores during acute ethanol withdrawal following a single dose of ethanol in male and female D2 mice and in male B6 mice. These increases were not due to changes in ethanol metabolism.
Impact of concurrent medication use on statin adherence and refill persistence.

BACKGROUND Effective therapy for chronic illness requires daily medication adherence (DMA) for prolonged periods. Overall medical regimen complexity may represent one barrier to successful adherence. METHODS To assess the relationship between the number of concurrently prescribed medicines and adherence to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), we analyzed a cohort of 5488 patients in a single health insurance plan who began statin therapy between July 1, 1999, and June 30, 2002. We assessed 2 parameters of statin adherence: (1) DMA ([total number of pills dispensed/total number of days between first and last prescription] x100) and (2) refill persistence (RP) (consecutive months of refills after initial prescription). RESULTS The cohort was 61.6% male, with a mean +/- SD age of 52.7 +/- 9.3 years. Patients were prescribed a mean +/- SD of 2.9 +/- 2 total medicines (range, 1-13), with a mean +/- SD statin DMA of 82.1% +/- 26.5%. By 12 months, only 68% of patients continued filling statin prescriptions. After controlling for age, income level, and treatment for hypertension or ischemic heart disease, a greater number of concurrently prescribed medicines was significantly associated with better DMA (P = .005) and longer RP (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS In this cohort, statin DMA was generally adequate, but RP was suboptimal. Patients with more concurrently prescribed medicines had higher DMA and better RP, even after adjusting for demographic factors and cardiovascular comorbidity. Physicians should not be deterred from initiating statin therapy by a patient's medical regimen complexity but should be alert for lack of therapy persistence, particularly in younger and healthier patients.
Advances in Vascular Hyporeactivity After Shock: The Mechanisms and Managements

ABSTRACT Vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors and vasodilators is greatly reduced after severe trauma, shock, and sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. This reduced vascular reactivity severely interferes with the treatment of shock and other critical conditions. In particular, it interferes with the efficacy of vasoactive agents. Consequently, it is very important to elucidate the mechanisms and search for the effective treatment measures. In recent years, a lot of studies focused on the characteristics and the change rules of vascular hyporeactivity and mechanisms following shock. Also, the treatment approaches based on various mechanisms have been a hot pot these years.
Preoperative Gastric Emptying Effects of Anxiety and Oral Carbohydrate Administration

BackgroundOvernight fasting is routine before elective surgery. This may not be the optimal way to prepare for surgical stress, however, because intravenous carbohydrate supplementation instead of fasting has recently been shown to reduce postoperative insulin resistance. In the current study, gastric emptying of a carbohydrate-rich drink was investigated before elective surgery and in a control situation. MethodsTwelve patients scheduled for elective surgery were randomly given 400 mL of either a carbohydrate-rich drink (285 mOsm/kg, 12.0% carbohydrates, n = 6) or water 4 hours before being anesthetized. Gastric emptying was measured (gamma camera, 99Tcm). Each patient repeated the protocol postoperatively as a control. All values were presented as the mean ± SEM by means of a nonparametric statistical evaluation. ResultsDespite the increased anxiety experienced by patients before surgery (p < 0.005), gastric emptying did not differ between the experimental and control situations. Initially, water emptied more rapidly than carbohydrate. However, after 90 minutes, the stomach was emptied regardless of the solution administered (3.2 ± 1.1% [mean ± SEM] remaining in the stomach in the carbohydrate group versus 2.3 ± 1.2% remaining in the stomach in the water group). ConclusionsPreoperative anxiety does not prolong gastric emptying. The stomach had been emptied 90 minutes after Ingestion of both the carbohydrate-rich drink and water, thereby indicating the possibility of allowing an intake of iso-osmolar carbohydrate-rich fluids before surgery.
Dielectric loaded tm01 to te11 mode converter for S-band applications

In this paper, a compact, high efficiency TM01 to TE11 mode converter is presented. In the proposed structure, dielectric material is loaded below a tapered centre conductor, in lower section of a circular waveguide. The input TM01 mode is initially transformed to TEM mode by the tapered centre conductor. The loaded dielectric material is designed to provide the desired phase shift for the mode conversion. Different dielectric materials are analyzed for loading to achieve high conversion efficiency and wide bandwidth. The proposed mode converter is fabricated with PTFE as dielectric for mode conversion and the results are verified through far field radiation pattern measurements. The mode conversion efficiency is more than 90% for 2.95-3.60 GHz band. Due to compactness and high conversion efficiency for wide bandwidth, it is suitable for S-band high power microwave (HPM) applications.
Identification of DGAT2 Inhibitors Using Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry offers significant advantages over other detection technologies in the areas of hit finding, hit validation, and medicinal chemistry compound optimization. The foremost obvious advantage is the ability to directly measure enzymatic product formation. In addition, the inherent sensitivity of the liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) approach allows the execution of enzymatic assays at substrate concentrations typically at or below substrate Km. Another advantage of the LC/MS approach is the ability to assay impure enzyme systems that would otherwise be difficult to prosecute with traditional labeled methods. This approach was used to identify inhibitors of diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2), a transmembrane enzyme involved in the triglyceride (TG) production pathway. The LC/MS approach was employed because of its increased assay window (compared with control membranes) of more than sevenfold compared with less than twofold with a conventional fluorogenic assay. The ability to generate thousands of dose-dependent IC50 data was made possible by the use of a staggered parallel LC/MS system with fast elution gradients. From the hit-deconvolution efforts, several structural scaffold series were identified that inhibit DGAT2 activity. Additional profiling of one chemotype in particular identified two promising reversible and selective compounds (compound 15 and compound 16) that effectively inhibit TG production in mouse primary hepatocytes.
Effect of wavelength and bandwidth on the clinical reliability of laser Doppler recordings.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of wavelength and bandwidth on laser Doppler flowmeter signals from vital and root-filled teeth, and to establish their sensitivity and specificity. Twenty human subjects were recruited, each with a vital tooth and the contralateral tooth root filled but not restored apart from the palatal access cavity. Readings were taken from these teeth for 3 min at 20 Hz for each of 3.1 kHz, 14.9 kHz and 22.1 kHz bandwidths using a modified laser Doppler blood flow monitor which permitted simultaneous recording using 810 nm and 633 nm light sources with a probe of four optical fibres with 0.25 mm separation. Ten traces from each combination of variables was examined by 10 trained observers who indicated if the traces came from vital or root-filled teeth judged by the amplitude and regularity of pulsatility of the trace. From the accuracy of their replies, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Median flux values were higher for vital teeth than for root-filled teeth and for the 810 nm wavelength than for the 633 nm wavelength. Flux values increased with wider bandwidth using the 810 nm light source. With the 633 nm light source, the highest flux values were recorded using the 3.1 kHz bandwidth. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, there was a highly significant difference between readings from vital and root-filled teeth for the 3.1 kHz/810 nm wave length combination (p<0.003) and a significant difference for the 3.1 kHz/633 nm wavelength group (p<0.02). Comparison of other groups showed no significant difference (p>0.05). The 810 nm wavelength showed good sensitivity but poor specificity at 14.9 and 22.1 kHz bandwidths. The 633 nm wavelength showed good specificity, but poor sensitivity, at 14.9 and 22.1 kHz bandwidths. The 3.1 kHz bandwidth showed the best sensitivity and specificity for both wavelengths. Sensitivity and specificity were increased if the results of fast Fourier analysis were considered in addition to observations of flux values and pulsatility of traces. The 810 nm/3.1 kHz combination offered the greatest sensitivity and specificity as a test to distinguish between root-filled and vital teeth. This combination was best when the results of Fourier analysis were considered in addition to visual observations.
Gene transfer to the mammalian reproductive tract†

Summary This review summarizes the results of research on gene transfer to the mammalian genital tract. Gene transfer experiments have been developed during the last 2 decades and have been applied using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo procedures. (i) In vitro methods have been applied to the uterine epithelial cells with the principal purpose of analysing some pathological change occurring in the uterus. In the male tract, epididymal cell lines have been used to evaluate the expression of particular genes and the function of specific proteins. (ii) Ex vivo methods have been applied to both the uterus and the vas deferens in humans, and good transgene expression has been recorded. (iii) In vivo gene transfer in the female tract has been employed in the uterus and oviduct using gene injections or electroporation methods. The glandular epithelium of both organs can be transfected efficiently, and transfection efficiency depends on the hormonal stage of the animal. The best expression occurred during pseudopregnancy and meta-estrus periods, when high progesterone and low estradiol concentrations occur. In the male tract, in vivo methods have been applied to mouse vas deferens and epididymis. In both organs, patches of epithelial regions appeared to express the transgenes. Furthermore, the secretions of both organs were also modified using gene constructions that led to the expression of some secretory proteins. In summary, gene modifications in the epithelium of the mammalian reproductive tract have been successful employing different technologies. Further improvements in transfection efficiency would help provide new insights into the physiology of these reproductive organs. Furthermore, the use of these methods could also be used to modify the fertility of mammals.
Melanosis coli--a harmless pigmentation or a precancerous condition?

UNLABELLED Melanosis coli has long been considered as a harmless pigmentation of the colorectum associated with the use of laxatives containing anthraquinone. Recent experimental and clinical studies, however, have provided some evidence of a possible association between melanosis coli/laxative use and colorectal cancer. METHODS In 2.229 consecutive patients we retrospectively analyzed the association of melanosis coli and laxative use with colorectal neoplasia. All the patients had undergone total colonoscopy, and the colorectal neoplasias had been examined histopathologically in accordance with the WHO classification. Information concerning laxative use, bowel habits and family history of colorectal cancer was obtained from the medical records. The statistical analysis was done using the Mantel-Haenszel-test for linear association. RESULTS The presence of colorectal cancer was not associated with melanosis coli or laxative use. However, colorectal adenomas were found significantly more frequently in patients with melanosis coli than in those without melanosis (p = 0.0002). But adenomas associated with melanosis coli were significantly smaller than those not associated with melanosis (p < 0.0001), and were located predominantly in the proximal colon (p = 0.0002). In the patients with melanosis coli the relative risk was significantly higher for tubular (1.80; 95% CI: 1.26-2.56) and tubulovillous adenomas (2.03; 95% CI: 1.09-3.76), but not for villous adenomas. No significant differences were found in the grade of dysplasia of adenomas in patients with, and those without, melanosis coli. CONCLUSION There appears to be no association between colorectal cancer and melanosis coli or laxative use. Colorectal adenomas are more frequently found in patients with melanosis coli. Colorectal adenomas do not contain the melanin-like pigmentation. The association of adenomas with melanosis coli can be explained by the ease of detection of even tiny polyps as white spots within a dark-colored colonic mucosa.