Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reply to letter to the editor Reply to comments on “ Identi fi cation of lead sources in residential environments

We would like to start by thanking Brian Gulson for taking time to highlight his concerns and bringing our findings to the attention of Environmental Pollution readers. In constructing our response to Brian Gulson’s commentary, we had difficulty in deciphering which of Gulson’s (2014) “submitted for publication” references were being referred to. Gulson referred an article submitted for publication in three ways, making it difficult to ascertain which one to respond to: 1) (Gulson et al., submitted for publication), 2) (Gulson et al., 2006, submitted for publication), and 3) (Gulson et al., 2013). Therefore, we have had to use our best guess as to which publication(s) that we were intended to respond to. In the following text, Professor Gulson’s comments have been placed in italics and in a bold font. The terminology “Pb poisoning” is alarmist especially for parents of young children and has been discontinued by, for example, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in their current recommendations at low blood Pb (PbB) levels and by respected experts in the Pb field (e.g. Canfield et al., 2003). While we prefer to use the term “lead poisoning” in our paper, we acknowledge that there is no international consensus on its precise definition. However, we defend its use because it brings to more immediate attention to the well-known risks associated with lead exposure, particularly in children at very low levels (i.e. <10 mg/dL) (see for example United States National Toxicology Program, 2012). The dangers of exposure to environmental lead (Pb) have been down-played consistently in the Australian context (Gulson et al., 2008; Taylor and Schniering, 2010; Taylor et al., 2011, 2012b, 2013; Taylor, 2012; Mackay et al., 2013), which has not been overly helpful in addressing legacy Pb issues in urban cities or locations associated with metal mining and smelting activities. Similar challenges have been identified in the United States context where lead paint exposures have been particularly problematic (Bellinger and Bellinger, 2006; Markowitz and Rosner, 2013). The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (2009) does not refer to Pb poisoning directly but refers to acute effects at levels of 70e100 mg/dL and longer-term effects from much lower levels of exposure i.e. at 10 mg/dL or lower. Bellinger and Bellinger (2006) summarize the spectrum of Pb exposure effects and identify that developmental toxicity including decreased IQ, hearing, growth, impaired peripheral nerve function and transplacental transfer is evident at exposures below 10 mg/dL of PbB (see also United States National Toxicology Program, 2012). The recent WHO Childhood Lead Poisoning report (2010, p. 12) makes the
Assessment of Cognitive Recovery Following Sports Related Head Trauma in Boxers

ObjectiveTo prospectively examine recovery of cognitive function within one month following subconcussive sports related head trauma. DesignA prospective study of New York State licensed professional boxers who underwent testing of cognitive functioning before and after (within days, one week, and one month) a professional bout. SettingMale professional athletes recruited from the New York State Athletic Commission and local boxing gyms. ParticipantsTwenty-six licensed professional boxers were enrolled in the protocol. Data is presented on the 18 participants who completed testing on at least three of the four time points. InterventionsSerial neuropsychological assessment before and after the athletes engaged in competition. Main Outcome MeasuresNeuropsychological measures of cognitive functioning, including new learning and memory, information processing speed, and mental flexibility. ResultsA series of repeated measures MANOVAS revealed significant within subject differences across testing on complex information processing and verbal fluency. Post hoc analyses indicated significant differences between time 1 (baseline) and time 4 (one month post), with scores one month following the bout indicating significantly improved performance. Memory scores did not change significantly across testing; however, prior boxing exposure measured by total number of professional bouts was associated with poorer memory performance. ConclusionsCognitive testing one month following participation in a professional boxing bout yielded scores suggestive of recovery to a level above the baseline. We conclude that baseline assessment taken during periods of intense training are likely confounded by other pre-bout conditions (i.e., sparring, rapid weight loss, pre-bout anxiety) and do not represent true baseline abilities. Instability of performance associated with mild head injury may complicate the interpretation of post-injury assessments. Practice effects may also confound the interpretation of serial assessments, leading to underestimation of the effects of sports related head trauma. Poorer cognitive performance was evident during the presumed recovery period in boxers with greater exposure to the sport (>12 professional bouts). This finding is consistent with reports of a cumulative effect of repetitive head trauma and the subsequent development of chronic traumatic brain injury. These data have implications for assessing recovery of function following head injury in players of other contact sports as well as determination of return-to-play following an injury.
Major Hepatic Resection: Indications and Results in a National Hospital System From 1988 to 1992

Objective: To determine the indications for and outcomes of hepatic resection in a US hospital system. Design: A retrospective study of 444 consecutive hepatic resections (ie, 286 wedge or segmental resections and 158 lobectomies) using computerized medical records. Setting: All US Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals. Patients: US veterans (99% men). Intervention: Major hepatic resection. Main Outcome Measure: Survival, as determined by the absence of a death record. Results: One hundred fifty-eight lobectomies or larger resections were recorded (36% of the total); the 30-day operative mortality was 12% for lobectomies and 5% for wedge resections. However, the diagnosis had a greater influence on the operative mortality: 11 (4%) of 275 patients with colorectal metastases, 15 (21%) of 71 patients with hepatomas, 2 (9%) of 23 patients without cancer (but 0 [0%] of 7 patients with hemangiomas), 3 (12%) of 25 patients with cholangiocarcinomas, and 4 (8%) of 50 patients with metastases from other primary cancers. Approximately one third (ie, 92) of the patients who underwent a resection of their colorectal metastases underwent a concurrent colectomy, while the rest of the patients underwent these surgical procedures metachronously. The operative mortality was equal (ie, 4%) for the resection of synchronous vs metachronous colorectal metastases. The mean survival time after the resection of metachronous vs synchronous colorectal metastases was 34 months vs 30 months, respectively, and the projected 5-year survival after either procedure was 26%. The projected 5-year survival was 20% for patients with hepatoma and 8% for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. With uncommon pathologic types, the mean survival time after metastatic resection was longest for those with renal primary tumors (3 patients, 55 months). Conclusions: Hepatic resection is a safe and effective therapy for colorectal metastases (5-year survival, 26%) and hemangioma; hepatoma resection is dangerous (operative mortality, 21%) but effective (5-year survival, 20%). Arch Surg. 1997;132:115-119
Quantitative assessment of facilitators and barriers to using external coaches in school-based extracurricular sports activities

School-based extracurricular sports activities contribute to positive youths’ development. However, they are difficult to manage without the use of external coaches. The number of external coaches available and in use is currently insufficient, indicating that further recruitment is essential. The present study examined facilitators and barriers to the use of external coaches in school-based extracurricular sports activities, and whether any differences exist in the importance of these factors between teachers who do and do not use external coaches. A cross-sectional self-administrated questionnaire was provided to 1,880 teachers and the percentage agreement with each facilitator and barrier as applicable to their decision to use an external coach was determined. Data were received from 253 teachers. For 39/50 facilitators and 17/45 barriers, more than 50% of teachers considered the items to be applicable. There were 17 facilitators that had a significantly high rate of response in teachers who currently use an external coach. Teachers who do not use external coaches were significantly more likely to report barriers to be applicable than their counterparts that do use external coaches for 27/45 of the items. Revising recruitment strategies to reflect these important influencing factors would be an effective way to promote further recruitment of external coaches. Key words: Extracurricular activities, human resource management, mixed methods approach, physical education, volunteer.
Online service failure, consumer attributions and expectations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the differences in consumers' attributions of blame for service failures and its affect on their expectations for recovery in both online and offline settings.Design/methodology/approach – A sample of non‐student adults participated in a 2 (service type) by 2 (shopping medium) experimental design testing the affects of on‐ and offline shopping on consumers' attributions of blame for a service failure. Specifically, regression is employed to test the effects of on/offline medium on blame and expected service failure recovery in both the airline and banking industries.Findings – Empirical support is found for the hypotheses that online subjects blame themselves more for service failures, and, in turn, expect less of a recovery than offline consumers. The on/offline medium is shown to have a mediated effect on expected service failure recovery through blame in the airline data. In the bank data, on/offline medium has a significant affect on blame, and blame h.
Enzymatic Properties of S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase from the Archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii *

S-Adenosylmethionine synthetase (ATP:l-methionine S-adenosyltransferase, MAT) catalyzes a unique enzymatic reaction that leads to formation of the primary biological alkylating agent. MAT from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii (MjMAT) is a prototype of the newly discovered archaeal class of MAT proteins that are nearly unrecognizable in sequence when compared with the class that encompasses both the eucaryal and bacterial enzymes. In this study the functional properties of purified recombinant MjMAT have been evaluated. The products of the reaction are AdoMet, PPi, and Pi; >90% of the Pioriginates from the γ-phosphoryl group of ATP. The circular dichroism spectrum of the dimeric MjMAT indicates that the secondary structure is more helical than the Escherichia coli counterpart (EcMAT), suggesting a different protein topology. The steady state kinetic mechanism is sequential, with random addition of ATP and methionine; AdoMet is the first product released, followed by release of PPi and Pi. The substrate specificity differs remarkably from the previously characterized MATs; the nucleotide binding site has a very broad tolerance of alterations in the adenosine moiety. MjMAT has activity at 70 °C comparable with that of EcMAT at 37 °C, consistent with the higher temperature habitat of M. jannaschii. The activation energy for AdoMet formation is larger than that for the E. coli MAT-catalyzed reaction, in accord with the notion that enzymes from thermophilic organisms are often more rigid than their mesophilic counterparts. The broad substrate tolerance of this enzyme proffers routes to preparation of novel AdoMet analogs.
The Identity Salience Model of Relationship Marketing Success: The Case of Nonprofit Marketing

Researchers suggest that developing long-term relationships with key stakeholders is an important strategy in today's intensely competitive business environment. Many organizations have embraced this concept, which is referred to as relationship marketing. Much of the research on relationship marketing success has examined relationships that (1) are primarily economic in nature, (2) involve business-to-business marketing, and (3) involve for-profit firms. However, the authors argue that relationship marketing is a viable strategy in such contexts as those involving high levels of social exchange, business-to-consumer marketing, and nonprofit marketing. In these contexts, relationship marketing success may require different relationship characteristics from those identified in previous research. The authors develop “the identity salience model of relationship marketing success,” which they posit is useful for explaining relationship marketing success in exchange relationships that (1) involve individuals and (2) are based primarily on social exchange. The authors further develop and test the model in the context of nonprofit higher education marketing. The results provide support for the model.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY MATERNAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTIONS AND THEIR RELATION TO CONGENITAL INFECTION

ABSTRACT. 4382 new mothers were examined retrospectively with the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG activity to cytomegalovirus (CMV) during pregnancy. Some of them were also studied with the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test for CMV‐IgM antibodies. All the infants had been studied for CMV excretion within the first week of life. Nineteen of them had been shown to be congenitally infected with CMV. 1218 (28 %) women lacked CMV‐IgG activity at their first antenatal visit (usually in months III‐IV). Fourteen of them seroconverted before parturition (primary infection). Thirteen of the seroconverters were shown to develop CMV‐IgM activity. In 6 (43 %) cases the primary infection was transmitted to the offspring. The remaining 13 congenitally infected infants were born to mothers with a positive IgG‐test at their first antenatal control. Only one of these mothers had a clearly positive IgM‐test. She was shown to lack CMV‐antibodies before conception (primary infection during the first trimester). Preconceptional sera were obtained from further 4 of the 13 seropositive mothers of congenitally infected infants; all 4 had CMV antibodies before pregnancy (secondary infection during pregnancy). The combined studies of the mothers and infants revealed that 21–63 % of the congenital infections could have been caused by secondary maternal infections. Prospectively performed, the study would only have disclosed one of the three fetal CMV infections that resulted in neurological sequelae.
Sensemaking of real estate management using real options and scenario planning

Healthcare across the world is facing many uncertainties. In Dutch healthcare, a recent policy change forces health organisations to deal more efficiently with real estate which makes flexibility more necessary. In order to support real estate managers in decision making in flexibility, we developed a method combining scenario planning and real options. This method is aimed to enhance sensemaking on both the consequences of future uncertainties on the organisation which influences real estate management, and on the types of flexibility needed to enable adapting to these changes. In this way, better real estate strategies can be developed. Through testing the method in one pilot case, this study shows sensemaking had taken place. Based on these results, propositions are developed focusing on the relation between real options, backcasting scenario planning and sensemaking.
Expanded HIV Screening in the United States: Effect on Clinical Outcomes, HIV Transmission, and Costs

What is the problem and what is known about it so far? Screening for HIV infection should identify HIV-infected persons who do not know that they are infected. Early detection is important because persons who know they have HIV can avoid doing things that put others at risk for becoming infected. Moreover, their doctors can monitor them for declining immune function and start antiviral treatment before trouble with infections occurs. Experts have long debated about who should receive HIV screening. Until recently, the most influential recommendation was to screen people who were at especially high risk for getting HIV infection. Why did the researchers do this particular study? To determine who should receive HIV screening. The researchers suspected that screening everyone would be valuable even when only a few people had unsuspected HIV infection. Who was studied? Simulated patient populations with low to moderate frequency of HIV infection. The patient samples included those seen in a typical primary care practice. How was the study done? The authors developed a mathematical model that simulated the events that occur in an HIV-infected person, including medical expenses, detection, treatment, transmitting the disease to other people, and death. The model calculated the additional costs because of screening and the additional length of life because of earlier detection. It also calculated the shortening of life as a result of becoming infected with HIV. With this information, the model can calculate the cost per extra year of life gained (cost-effectiveness) after screening. The researchers can then decide whether HIV screening provides good value by comparing its cost-effectiveness with the cost-effectiveness of other tests and treatments that doctors use routinely in daily practice. What did the researchers find? Screening for HIV is cost-effective even when the frequency of HIV infection is very low. In fact, screening is cost-effective for all adults, not just for those who are at extra high risk for HIV. What were the limitations of the study? A mathematical model is an imperfect substitute for real life and is only as good as the information used in it. Information was limited about some important things, such as the effect of HIV screening on the risk for transmitting HIV to a sexual partner. What are the implications of the study? The study supports the new recommendations to screen routinely for HIV infection in all adults in all health care settings. In fact, the people who developed the new recommendations used this study to help them decide what to recommend.
Assessment of Batch to Batch Variation in Polyclonal Antithymocyte Globulin Preparations

Background. Antithymocyte globulins (ATGs) are used to prevent and treat allograft rejection and graft versus host disease. They are purified IgG fractions derived from rabbits immunized with the Jurkat T-cell line (ATG-Fresenius) or thymus cells (Thymoglobulin). Differences not only in the amounts of leukocyte reactive antibodies but also in the antigens targeted by ATGs could potentially affect the clinical efficacy of different batches of these polyclonal antibody preparations. Methods. Four batches of ATG-Fresenius and Thymoglobulin were compared regarding their capacity to interact with human leukocytes from healthy donors and kidney transplant recipients. Using flow cytometric assays, we analyzed the reactivity of these ATG preparations with Jurkat cells and with primary leukocytes. In addition, ATGs derived from different batches were probed with a panel of cell lines expressing high levels of ATG antigens. Their ability to mediate complement-mediated lysis of human monocytes and lymphocytes was also compared. Results. Binding studies to leukocyte antigens and functional analysis pointed to a high conformity among different batches in both ATG preparations. Conclusions. From our in vitro data, it can be expected that ATGs derived from different batches will not differ in their clinical efficacy. Furthermore, the methods described in this study allow for a reliable analysis of ATG batches.
Analysis of the Stock Market Network for Portfolio Recommendation

The stock market is constantly changing and sometimes a slump or a sudden rising in stocks happens without any special reason. So the stock market is recognized as a complex system and it is hard to predict the change on stock prices. In this paper we consider the stock market to a network consisting of stocks. We analyzed the dynamics of the Korean stock market network and evaluated the changing of the correlation between shares consisting of the time series data of 137 companies belong to KOSPI200. Our analysis shows that the stock prices tend to plummet when the correlation between stocks is very high. We propose a method for recommending the stock portfolio based on the analysis of the stock market network. To show the effectiveness of the recommended portfolio, we conducted the simulated stock investment and compared the recommended portfolio with the efficient portfolio proposed Markowitz. According to the experiment results, the rate of return of the portfolio is about 10.6% which is about 3.7% and 5.6% higher than the average rate of return of the efficient portfolio and KOSPI200 respectively. ■k eyword :∣Stock Portfolio∣Stock Market∣Stock Market Network∣Network Analysis∣Portfolio Recommendation∣
Tourism product life cycles in the central Eastern Alps: a case study of Heiligenblut on the Grossglockner.

There are different opinions about the validity and applicability of the theory of product cycles to the service sector and, in particular, tourism. Here, it is argued that the product cycle can be applied to resort areas and tourism development. An Austrian resort example, Heiligenbluton the Grossglockner, is chosen for this purpose. The example of the community of Heiligenblut is particularly interesting because of the convergence of many factors. Endogenous and exogenous factors have led to a boom in tourism at various stages. At each stage the inhabitants or the local administration reacted as positively to the changes as possible. However, the results have not been satisfying. Set-backs and stagnation in tourism occurred repeatedly in the past. As Heiligenblut has attained the stage of maturity in tourism development, further problems have to be anticip´ted. It is maintained here that the formulation of a new tourism policy is necessary. The policies needed for a new boom include solutions to the tra.