Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiscale Experiments in Coastal Ecology: Improving Realism and Advancing Theory

Abstract The Multiscale Experimental Ecosystem Research Center has conducted a series of mesocosm experiments to quantify the effects of scale—in terms of time, depth, radius, exchange rate, and ecological complexity—on biogeochemical processes and trophic dynamics in a variety of coastal habitats. The results indicate that scale effects can be categorized as (a) fundamental effects, which are evident in both natural and experimental ecosystems, and (b) artifacts of enclosure, which are solely attributable to the artificial environment in mesocosms. We conclude that multiscale experiments increase researchers' understanding of scale in nature and improve their ability to design scale-sensitive experiments, the results of which can be systematically compared with each other and extrapolated to nature.
Murine Model of Autoimmune Hearing Loss Induced by Myelin Protein P0

Myelin protein P0 has been identified as an autoantigen in inner ear diseases. In order to study autoimmune hearing loss, we performed brain stem auditory-evoked potential (BAEP) studies on P0-sensitized mice. Two P0-sensitized mice showed hunched posture, poor coat, loss of body weight, and abnormal walking with a waddling gait. About 25% of the P0-sensitized mice developed hearing loss. In the BAEP study, peak latencies of waves I, III, and V and the interpeak latency I-III were prolonged in the P0-sensitized hearing loss group of mice. Hearing thresholds were elevated in this group of mice in comparison with the control mice. Inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the cochlear nerve region, and a reduced number of spiral ganglion cells was also detected. These results suggest that P0-sensitized mice are a useful model for studying autoimmune inflammation of the peripheral portion of the auditory system.
Boys with undescended testes: endocrine, volumetric and morphometric studies on testicular function before and after orchidopexy at nine months or three years of age.

CONTEXT A randomized controlled study was conducted comparing the outcome of surgery for congenital cryptorchidism at 9 months or 3 yr of age. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate whether surgery at 9 months is more beneficial than at 3 yr and to identify early endocrine markers of importance for testicular development. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 213 biopsies were taken at orchidopexy, and the number of germ and Sertoli cells per 100 seminiferous cord cross-sections and the surface area of seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue were analyzed. Inhibin B, FSH, LH, and testosterone were determined. Testicular volume was assessed by ultrasonography and by a ruler. RESULTS The number of germ and Sertoli cells and testicular volume at 9 months were significantly larger than at 3 yr. The intraabdominal testes showed the largest germ cell depletion at 3 yr. At both ages, testicular volume correlated to the number of germ and Sertoli cells. None of the hormones measured during the first 6 months of life (LH, FSH, testosterone, and inhibin B) could predict the number of germ or Sertoli cells at either 9 or 36 months of age, nor could hormone levels predict whether spontaneous descent would occur or not. CONCLUSION Morphometric and volumetric data show that orchidopexy at 9 months is more beneficial for testicular development than an operation at 3 yr of age. Testicular volume was furthermore shown to reflect germ cell numbers in early childhood, whereas endocrine parameters could not predict cellular structure of the testis or its spontaneous descent.
Irrelevance of Bank Capital Regulation: Return to the Generic Behavior of Capital

There is a deep-rooted mistrust that left to them; banks will default on depositors' payment and lending commitment, which will create panic leading to runs that may damage the socio-economic fabric of a society. Hence, banks are kept under strict regulation; the latest plank in the regulatory architecture is the capital adequacy requirement. The most important rule of market economy is that capital moves to an industry and finds its own level in terms of the risk-return structure of that industry. Historical decline of capital-assets ratio of US banks, till various forms of capital regulation came into place, should be explained within the framework of risk-return behaviour of equity capital. As against contemporary belief, the fall is found to be due to rise in riskiness of banking, increase in bank assets propelled by increasing rate of return and consequent rise in ROE. Any interference with the market laws by regulatory arbitrariness would prevent the capital from exploiting fully its risk-return capacity. This will lower down the productivity of capital with adverse consequences for the economy, not to speak of depositors' protection. Risk management in banks is typically a strategic issue while movement and level of equity capital are embedded in economic laws. A bank regulator, as an economic strategist, is required to see that these laws are not impinged upon. The regulator should, therefore, abandon the capital regulation; instead it should focus on value maintenance. For this, the regulator needs only to specify and ensure that at any time the gross rate payable on deposit liability is less than either the net rate of return receivable on risk-assets or the rate available from risk-free-assets.
A Prospective Randomized Study of Unilateral Versus Bilateral Instrumented Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

Study Design. Prospective randomized study on 82 patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, having undergone posterolateral fusion with bilateral or unilateral instrumentation. Objective. To determine the effectiveness of unilateral pedicle instrumentation in clinical outcome and rate of union in comparison with the classic bilateral system. Summary of Background Data. Instrumentation has proved to have advantages and disadvantages related to its rigidity. The use of less rigid systems applied to posterior lumbar fusions proved promising according to the results achieved in both experimental and clinical field. Methods. Eighty-two patients were randomized into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 42) had had bilateral instrumentation, and Group 2 (n = 40) had only had unilateral instrumentation. One case from Group 1, L3–S1 dropped out; only fusions of 1 or 2 levels remained in the study. Length of time spent on operating, blood loss, blood transfusion, hospital stay, complications, clinical results measured by SF-36v2, and radiologic assessment of union and of loss of height of adjacent discs were analyzed and compared by means of &khgr;2 test, t test, and Fisher exact test. Results. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in relation to demographics, blood loss, need of transfusion, hospital stay, complications, clinical results, rate of union, and effect on adjacent discs. The operating time needed for Group 2 was significantly shorter in than the time needed for Group 1 (P < 0.001). In Group 1, 3 of 186 screws violated the pedicle cortex requiring reoperation because root irritation versus no complication on a total of 90 screws in Group 2. Conclusion. Unilateral instrumentation used for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is as effective as bilateral instrumentation when performed in addition to 1- or 2-level posterolateral fusion. The cost of this method is lower, saves time, and reduces possible risk inserting screws in only one side.
The effect of rehabilitation education program on family caregivers of stroke patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a rehabilitation education Program for family caregivers of stroke patients and to analyze the effects of their depression and burden. Subjects were recruited in R hospital, located in Gyeonggi-do and the period of the study was from April of 2013 to May of 2013. The subject pool was composed of 32 caregivers. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental or nonintervention control conditions with equal number. Control group was taken conventional physical therapy and experimental group was taken conventional physical therapy with rehabilitation education program. Data was analyzed by Chi-square tests, t-tests and paired t-tests using PASW 18.0. This study shows the following results. First, the results showed that the total score of depression decreased significantly after the rehabilitation education program. Second, the results showed that the total score of burden after rehabilitation education Program decreased significantly. The finding indicates that rehabilitation education program for family with CVA patients was effective for reducing depression and burden. In this study, rehabilitation education program showed more effective and significant impact on reducing depression and burden of family caregivers with stroke patients. Especially, the conventional physical therapy with rehabilitation education program is considered as a more effective method than the therapy without rehabilitation education program.
Motivation and concern factors for internet shopping: A Malaysian perspective

Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) growth is increasing at a rapid rate and is replacing traditional commerce. The benefits of shopping online cannot be underestimated. The E-Commerce offers Internet users a wider range of benefits, such as finding the products which cannot be available locally and reducing Internet users' time for searching the related products. Furthermore, the Internet users receive more attractive sales promotional offers from Internet sellers and also through individual e-mail accounts. Despite these motivational factors, there are various transactional and non-transactional issues involved such as, Internet users being uncomfortable while giving their credit card numbers on the Internet, Internet merchants' misuse of users' personal information, lack of help from sales representatives whilst purchasing onl ine and offer of products are in different currencies. These and other factors appear to affect emerging trends of Electronic Commerce in Malaysia. This study therefore, focuses on the concern factors, which affect the online buyers in Malaysia. A total of 579 randomly selected respondents in this research study, who were selected from the three different states in Malaysia namely Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. The above states were chosen because they are generally known to have a high number of Internet users
Novel antireflux covered metal stent for recurrent occlusion of biliary metal stents: A pilot study

Feasibility of antireflux metal stent (ARMS), designed to prevent duodenobiliary reflux, was reported in patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction. In this prospective pilot study, we aimed to evaluate a newly designed ARMS as a reintervention for self‐expandable metallic stent (SEMS) occlusion believed to be caused by duodenobiliary reflux.
Intrathecal Sufentanil along with Bupivacaine Prolongs Postoperative Analgesia as Compared to Fentanyl with Bupivacaine: A Randomized Trial

Objectives: We designed a prospective, randomized, single blind study to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy and common adverse effects of fentanyl and sufentanil along with hyperbaric bupivacaine by intrathecal route. Methodology: Sixty patients undergoing lower abdominal, gynecological, plastic surgery and orthopedic surgery were randomly divided in two groups. Group I (n=30) received 2.5 ml bupivacaine heavy (0.5%) and 0.5 ml (25 micrograms) fentanyl where as group II (n=30) received 2.5 ml bupivacaine heavy (0.5%) and 0.2 ml (6 micrograms) sufentanil with 0.3 ml normal saline intrathecally. Intraoperative and postoperative vitals, onset of spinal anesthesia and duration of sensory and motor blockade and occurrence of any side effects were assessed at specific time intervals. Analgesic efficacy in terms of duration of analgesia postoperatively was assessed by using the Pain Intensity Score (PIS) for 24 hours. Results: Mean duration of pain free period in group I was 145+/-84.08 minutes (mean+/-SD) as compared to 266.5+/-114.5 minutes (mean+/-SD) in group II which was highly significant. Cardiovascular and respiratory stability was maintained with no significant incidence of side effects in either group. Conclusion: We conclude that intrathecal fentanyl(25 microgram) and sufentanil (6 microgram) with bupivacaine heavy prolong postoperative analgesia without respiratory depression or other serious adverse effects . This prolonged analgesia is more marked with sufentanil than fentanyl.
Manual language acquisition and its influence on other areas of functioning in four autistic and autistic-like children.

SUMMARY Although preliminary evidence on the use of manual communication training with non-verbal autistic children has been reported, no systematic evaluation of its effectiveness is available. The present study constitutes an intensive assessment of communication acquisition in four such children exposed to simultaneous (speech and sign) communication training over a nine-month period. Of interest was also the generalization of possible gains to other areas of functioning. All subjects demonstrated considerable gains in sign communication both receptively and productively. Although social, self-care and related abilities were not the main focus of intervention, all children demonstrated measurable gains in those areas as well.
A critical review of forms of corporate community involvement: from philanthropy to partnerships

The paper offers a critical review of the forms of corporate community involvement (CCI) including: corporate philanthropy, benefaction, patronage, sponsorship and cause related marketing (CRM) and partnership. It discusses the differences/similarities and compares the limitations of the transactional forms of interaction with the latest form of partnership. The paper suggests that the form of partnership represents a shift towards a non-linear business model of CCI, that is moving away from an outcome towards a process orientation. Three factors are identified conditioning the successful implementation and sustainability of partnerships which are linked with the previous limitations of transactional approaches of interaction. Finally, the paper puts forward three propositions in order for partnerships to: (1) contribute to the increase of institutional trust among organisations and across sectors; (2) assist in balancing the dynamics across the sectors and (3) appreciate the process of interaction as a source of benefits. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring channel internalization among Spanish exporters

The internalizing of export operations inside the firm is examined with data from 2,264 Spanish exporters. An interpretive framework for understanding the channel integration decision is designed and tested. Results confirm that a higher proportion of firms decide to externalize their export marketing activities in the marketplace versus keeping them inside the firm. Additionally, some hypotheses related to the selection of the optimal level of channel integration in the international arena are also empirically tested. The results also suggest some potentially fruitful areas for future research.
Supply chain flexibility in an uncertain environment: exploratory findings from five case studies

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to illustrate and examine the different flexibility strategies adopted by supply chain participants as a result of different environmental uncertainties.Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory multi‐case study, involving five Chinese companies in the textile and apparel industry, was conducted.Findings – The analysis, based on the supply chain literature, reveals that the unpredictable dynamics of the supply chain can arise from a variety of internal and external sources, including suppliers, operating systems, customers, and competitors. In response to the various environmental uncertainties and risks in the supply chain, four types of flexibility strategy are identified in our case analysis: laggard, conservative, agile, and aggressive. The results also suggest that the adoption of flexibility strategies should match a firm's business environment and that better supply chain responsiveness can be achieved in two ways: by reducing uncertainties and by improvi.
Exploring commercial friendships from employees' perspectives

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate which types of service employees provide their customers with social support and to understand why they do so.Design/methodology/approach – The article employs a network‐based inventory method to evaluate a customer's commercial‐based social support network and grounded theory to develop a framework illustrating the interdependence between service providers and their customers regarding the exchange of intrinsic support and extrinsic financial incentives and gifts.Findings – Indirect service employees who do not directly receive tips from customers emerge as key providers of social support. Also, commercial friendships are not marketplace niceties. Service providers and customers engage in a mutually beneficial exchange of social support, gifts, and tips under the guise of commercial friendships.Research limitations/implications – The article is based upon service provider and customer relationships in an American diner. Researchers may want to apply t.
The global shortage of registered nurses: An overview of issues and actions

All rights, including translation into other languages, reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in print, by photostatic means or in any other manner, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or sold without the express written permission of the International Council of Nurses. Short excerpts (under 300 words) may be reproduced without authorisation, on condition that the source is indicated.
Variations in cataract extraction rates in Medicare prepaid and fee-for-service settings.

OBJECTIVE To compare rates of cataract extraction in 2 prepaid health settings and in traditional fee-for-service (FFS) settings. DESIGN A cross-sectional analysis using 1993 health maintenance organization (HMO) Medicare claims and encounter files, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) 5% Medicare Part B provider/supplier file, and the HCFA October 1992 100% Medicare population file. SETTING Southern California Medicare FFS settings and the staff-model and independent practice association (IPA) plans of a large California HMO. PATIENTS 1993 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. The study included 43387 staff-model HMO enrollees, 19050 IPA enrollees, and 47 150 FFS beneficiaries (a 5% sample of all Southern California FFS beneficiaries). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Age and risk-factor adjusted rates of cataract extraction per 1000 beneficiary-years. RESULTS After controlling for age, sex, and diabetes mellitus status, FFS beneficiaries were twice as likely to undergo cataract extraction as were prepaid beneficiaries (P<.01). Female FFS beneficiaries were nearly twice as likely to undergo the procedure as were male FFS beneficiaries (P<.001); there were no extraction rate differences by sex in the prepaid settings. CONCLUSION Because of the potential implications for vision care in the elderly, the significantly different rates of cataract extraction in FFS and prepaid settings warrant further clinical investigation to determine whether there is overuse in FFS vs underuse in prepaid settings. Such investigations must assess the appropriateness of cataract surgery by evaluating its use relative to clinical need.
Self-powered ultra-low power DC-DC converter for RF energy harvesting

In this paper, an autonomous low voltage and ultra-low power DC-DC converter is presented. This novel topology is inspired from the classical Armstrong oscillator structure. In addition to be self-powered and autonomous, this converter is suitable for high-impedance sources. Theoretical and simulation-based optimizations are used in order to design the converter. A fabricated prototype is tested. It harvests RF energy from a low power rectenna (rectifying antenna). High output voltage and good performances are achieved in the range of 4μW to 1mW of input power.
Application of Set Pair Analysis in the Comprehensive Water-saving Irrigation Development Level Evaluation

Connotation of water-saving irrigation was elaborated,and the factors of water-efficient irrigation developing were analyzed. Three items of sub-indices of engineering,agriculture and management water-saving were adopted. Firstly,main ingredients with thirtythree indices of the sub-indices were extracted to reduce the number of evaluation indices and establish index system of regional watersaving irrigation developing level evaluation model. Secondly,combination weights were formed from both of objective weight determined by entropy weight method and subjective weight determined by analytic hierarchy process method. Finally,the set pair analysis was selected for analysis. The evaluations showed that two regions are of general,seven regions are of relatively poor,twelve regions are of poor,and the rations of them in all regions are 9%,33% and 58%,respectively. The results indicated that water-efficient irrigation developing level of every region is still lower,and the overall of Sichuan province is evaluated with level of poor. Therefore,the model has a strong practicality to evaluate the water-saving irrigation development in different regions.
Servicescape and loyalty intentions: an empirical investigation

Purpose – This paper seeks better to conceptualise, operationalise and subsequently to test a multi‐dimensional and more social view of servicescape and the direct and moderated linkages with loyalty intentions.Design/methodology/approach – A survey research method was used to study servicescapes in the context of UK restaurants.Findings – In furtherance of conceptualisation efforts, a model is developed to evaluate the linear influences of nine servicescape variables on customers' loyalty intentions. Additionally, the model appraises the impact of personal and environmental factors which moderate the servicescape‐loyalty intentions relationship. Analysis of survey responses finds a number of significant associations with loyalty intentions.Practical implications – The results of the study indicate that practitioners should reflect carefully on a range of servicescape variables and judiciously manage such factors to improve the extent to which consumers are likely to foster positive intentions to be loyal.
Managing Risks in Construction Projects: Life Cycle and Stakeholder Perspectives

Abstract As an integral part of risk management process, effective risk transfer should be based on a collective understanding of risks in terms of their impacts, responsible project stakeholders as well as likely stages of occurrence in a project life cycle. Until now, most research has focused on examining risks from the perspective of their impacts on individual project objectives. This paper aims to, from project stakeholder and life cycle perspectives, provide an alternative way to scrutinize the risks associated with construction projects. In light of the AS/NZS4360 Australian/New Zealand Standard of Risk Management and ISO31000 Risk Management (Draft), a methodological framework is developed to provide step-by-step details in identifying and analysing the key risks and allocating them to the responsible stakeholders at particular project phases using two-dimensional graphical presentations. An empirical case study is undertaken to demonstrate the application of this risk management framework. The main contribution of the paper includes the proposition, development and test of a conceptual methodological framework as an alternative way to analyse and manage key risks involved in construction project procurement. In addition, with the aid of the proposed framework, 20 key risks are identified and strategies are formulated to manage the risks from the joint perspectives of project stakeholders and life cycle.