Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Analysis of Chinese Consumers' Increased vs. Decreased Online Purchases

Previous research on online consumer purchases has focused on increased purchases and neglected decreased purchases. However, factors impacting these purchases are different. Drawing on the two-factor theory, in this paper, the authors compare factors affecting increase and decrease in Chinese consumers’ online purchases. The authors conducted separate group analyses with PLS. The results show that consumers’ perception of service quality significantly affects increases in their online purchasing behavior, whereas their perception of website quality significantly affects decreases in online purchasing. These results show that e-tailers must not only focus on factors that promote online shopping but also those that deter consumers from making online purchases.
A brief interphase interval interposed within biphasic pulses enhances the contraction force of the quadriceps femoris muscle

There is still unsettled controversy regarding the optimal neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) parameters that will induce the strongest contractions with minimal discomfort. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the introduction of an interphase interval (IPI) interposed within the two phases of biphasic pulses will affect sensory and motor thresholds, the force of the electrically induced contractions (EIC), and the degree of discomfort associated with these contractions. Within subjects, repeated measures design was employed with 29 healthy young volunteers. Sensory and motor thresholds and the force of the EIC were determined with biphasic pulses. Five different settings were tested in random order with IPIs ranging between 0 and 250 μ sec. Introducing IPIs during stimulation with biphasic pulses enhanced force production, with the increase related to the duration of the IPI. The sensory and motor thresholds, as well as the degree of discomfort associated with the induced contractions, were not affected by the IPIs. Biphasic pulses that incorporate IPIs may increase the effectiveness of NMES in terms of force production.
Design and Implementation of a SHA-1 Hash Module on FPGAs

This technical report presents an efficient implementation of the commonly used hash algorithm SHA-1. The SHA-1 algorithm is widely used in various public-key cryptography algorithms, and therefore efficient hardware implementation of SHA-1 is of great importance. A thorough presentation of the implementation techniques is presented. The design was implemented on a Xilinx Virtex-II XC2V2000-6 FPGA device, and it required 1275 slices, operated at a clock frequency of 117.6 MHz achiev ing a throughput of 734 Mbps, respectively. The design is compared to a published design of MD5 hash algorithm and their performance and logic requirements are compared. The SHA-1 design is also compared to other open-literature FPGA-based SHA-1 implementations, and it is concluded that it is among the fastest and smallest SHA-1 FPGA implementations. c © Kimmo Järvinen, 2004, kimmo.jarvinen hut.fi
Intracellular [Na+] and Na+ pump rate in rat and rabbit ventricular myocytes

Intracellular [Na+] ([Na+]i) is centrally involved in regulation of cardiac Ca2+ and contractility via Na+‐Ca2+ exchange (NCX) and Na+‐H+ exchange (NHX). Previous work has indicated that [Na+]i is higher in rat than rabbit ventricular myocytes. This has major functional consequences, but the reason for the higher [Na+]i in rat is unknown. Here, resting [Na+]i was measured using the fluorescent indicator SBFI, with both traditional calibration and a novel null‐point method (which circumvents many limitations of prior methods). In rabbit, resting [Na+]i was 4.5 ± 0.4 mm (traditional calibration) and 4.4 mm (null‐point). Resting [Na+]i in rat was significantly higher using both the traditional calibration (11.1 ± 0.7 mm) and the null‐point approach (11.2 mm). The rate of Na+ transport by the Na+ pump was measured as a function of [Na+]i in intact cells. Rat cells exhibited a higher Vmax than rabbit (7.7 ± 1.1 vs. 4.0 ± 0.5 mm min−1) and a higher Km (10.2 ± 1.2 vs. 7.5 ± 1.1 mm). This results in little difference in pump activity for a given [Na+]i below 10 mm, but at measured resting [Na+]i levels the pump‐mediated Na+ efflux is much higher in rat. Thus, Na+ pump rate cannot explain the higher [Na+]i in rat. Resting Na+ influx rate was two to four times higher in rat, and this accounts for the higher resting [Na+]i. Using tetrodotoxin, HOE‐642 and Ni2+ to block Na+ channels, NHX and NCX, respectively, we found that all three pathways may contribute to the higher resting Na+ influx in rat (albeit differentially). We conclude that resting [Na+]i is higher in rat than in rabbit, that this is caused by higher resting Na+ influx in rat and that a higher Na+,K+‐ATPase pumping rate in rat is a consequence of the higher [Na+]i.
Avalanches, hydrodynamics, and discharge events in models of sandpiles.

Motivated by recent studies of Bak, Tang, and Wiesenfeld [Phys. Rev. Lett. 59, 381 (1987); Phys. Rev. A 38, 364 (1988)], we study self-organized criticality in models of ``running'' sandpiles. Our analysis reveals rich temporal structures in the flow of sand: at very short time scales, the flow is dominated by single avalanches. These avalanches overlap at intermediate time scales; their interactions lead to 1/f noise in the flow. We show that scaling in this region is a consequence of conservation laws and is exhibited in many examples of driven-diffusion equations for transport. At very long time scales, the sandpiles exhibit system-wide discharge events. These events also obey scaling and are found to be anticorrelated. We derive the ${\mathit{f}}^{1/2}$ mean-field power spectrum for these events and show that a threshold instability of the model, coupled with some stochasticity, is the underlying origin of the long-time anticorrelation.
Why parents help their children lie to Facebook about age: Unintended consequences of the 'Children's Online Privacy Protection Act'

Facebook, like many communication services and social media sites, uses its Terms of Service (ToS) to forbid children under the age of 13 from creating an account. Such prohibitions are not uncommon in response to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which seeks to empower parents by requiring commercial Web site operators to obtain parental consent before collecting data from children under 13. Given economic costs, social concerns, and technical issues, most general–purpose sites opt to restrict underage access through their ToS. Yet in spite of such restrictions, research suggests that millions of underage users circumvent this rule and sign up for accounts on Facebook. Given strong evidence of parental concern about children’s online activity, this raises questions of whether or not parents understand ToS restrictions for children, how they view children’s practices of circumventing age restrictions, and how they feel about children’s access being regulated. In this paper, we provide survey data that show that many parents know that their underage children are on Facebook in violation of the site’s restrictions and that they are often complicit in helping their children join the site. Our data suggest that, by creating a context in which companies choose to restrict access to children, COPPA inadvertently undermines parents’ ability to make choices and protect their children’s data. Our data have significant implications for policy–makers, particularly in light of ongoing discussions surrounding COPPA and other age–based privacy laws.
Early recognition of atypical Francisella tularensis strains lacking a cysteine requirement

Seven cultures referred to in our laboratories as unidentified gram-negative bacilli or Haemophilus species were identified as atypical strains of Francisella tularensis lacking a requirement for cysteine or enriched medium for growth. The use of cellular fatty acid composition analysis facilitated early recognition of this pathogen and prompt implementation of appropriate biosafety measures.
Cord blood full blood count parameters in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction Full blood count (FBC), one of the most frequently requested for laboratory investigations, is a simple, fast and cheap test and is a reliable indicator of health. Due to its usefulness in the assessment of health status of individuals, its parameters in cord blood, a major source of haemopoietic stem cell transplantation and an ideal source for laboratory investigations for newborns were determined to provide a useful guide to local neonatologists and stem cell transplant physicians. Methods Three millilitres of umbilical cord blood was collected from 130 normal birth weight newborns (69 males and 61 females) whose cord were clamped immediately after delivery, at a teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria and full blood count parameters were determined using Sysmex autoanalyzer, model KX-21N. Consented mothers of the newborns were selected based on, age between 18 and 45 years; uneventful pregnancy and delivery and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration ≥ 10 g/dL. Results There were no statistical gender differences in the mean values of Hb concentrations (M = 13.27 ±1.60 g/dL; F = 13.32±1.61g/dL; p = 0.93), total white cell count (M = 3.16±5.43 × 109/L; F = 13.07±4.98 × 109/L; p= 0.92), platelet count (M= 223.64± 64.21 × 109/L; F = 226.69±80.83 × 109/L; p = 0.81) and other parameters. Conclusion Mean values of full blood count parameters obtained in this study are comparable to reports from other studies in developing countries and could be a useful guide for neonatologists and stem cell transplant physicians in our geographical location.
MicroRNAs and lymphomagenesis: a functional review

The relatively recent discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) has exposed an extra layer of gene expression regulation that affects many physiological and pathological processes of biology. Dysregulation of miRNAs is a ubiquitous feature of cancer in general, including lymphomas. The identity of these aberrantly‐expressed miRNAs has been thoroughly investigated in all but a few types of lymphomas, however their functional role in lymphomagenesis much less so. This review focuses on those miRNAs that have an experimentally confirmed functional role in the pathogenesis of the most frequent forms of lymphoma. In particular, the MIR15A/16‐1 cluster, MIR21, MIR155, MIR17HG (MIR17‐92 cluster), MIR34A and MIR125B, which have in vivo animal model evidence for their involvement in lymphomagenesis, are highlighted.
Antiatherogenic function of HDL particle subpopulations: focus on antioxidative activities

Oxidative stress, an emerging risk factor for premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, mediates the formation of proinflammatory, pro-atherogenic oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in the arterial intima. Circulating HDL particles, and particularly small, dense, protein-rich HDL3, may provide potent protection of LDL in vivo from oxidative damage by free radicals in the arterial intima, resulting in the inhibition of the generation of proinflammatory oxidized lipids, primarily lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) but also short-chain oxidized phospholipids (oxPL). HDL-mediated inactivation of LOOH involves initial transfer of phospholipid hydroperoxides (PLOOH) from LDL to HDL3, which is governed by the rigidity of the surface monolayer of HDL, and subsequent reduction of PLOOH by redox-active Met residues of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) with the formation of phospholipid hydroxides (PLOH) and methionine sulphoxides. HDL-associated enzymes may in turn contribute to the hydrolytic inactivation of short-chain oxPL. Mounting evidence suggests that the integrated antioxidative activity of HDL appear to be defective in atherogenic dyslipidaemias involving low HDL-cholesterol levels; anomalies in the proteome and lipidome of HDL particles in dyslipidaemic patients may underlie such functional deficiency. Pharmacological normalization of HDL metabolism concomitantly with correction of circulating levels, composition and biological activities of HDL particles, with enrichment in apoA-I and reduction in HDL surface rigidity, may constitute an efficacious therapeutic approach to attenuate atherosclerosis in dyslipidaemic patients at high cardiovascular risk.
Canine hyperadrenocorticism: effects of trilostane on parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphate concentrations.

OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of treating canine hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) on parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and phosphate concentrations in dogs. METHODS Serum calcium, phosphate and PTH concentrations were analysed in 22 dogs with HAC before treatment with trilostane and at a median of 210 days after commencing treatment. Pretreatment data were compared with data from an age- and weight-matched group of hospitalised patients, and post-treatment data were compared with pretreatment data. RESULTS PTH and phosphate concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with HAC compared with control dogs. PTH concentrations reduced significantly with treatment, such that there was no longer a difference between the HAC and control groups. Phosphate concentrations also reduced significantly with treatment but there was still a significant difference between those in dogs with HAC and control dogs. Despite no significant difference between calcium concentrations in the pretreatment HAC and control groups, calcium concentrations increased significantly with treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE These results show that adrenal secondary hyperparathyroidism resolves with treatment and suggest that increased calcium and phosphate levels have a role in its pathogenesis.
Unguided bronchoalveolar lavage techniques and residual effects in dogs.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the use of unguided bronchoalveolar lavage techniques in dogs without fibreoptic bronchoscopy, using an adapted single vascular catheter and a double-lumen catheter made from two single vascular catheters. ANIMALS Sixty-nine dogs were examined with the single-catheter technique and 110 dogs with the double-catheter technique. DESIGN A prospective study. PROCEDURE Sixty-nine and 220 samples, collected with the single catheter and the double catheter respectively, were examined cytologically. Lungs of 69 dogs were examined grossly and histologically. Radiographic examination was performed on 11 dogs. RESULTS The double-catheter technique produced samples with significantly higher cellularity (P < 0.01) and fewer red blood cells (P < 0.01) than the single-catheter technique. Repeat samples collected with a double catheter were not significantly different (P > 0.01) in any value. A reference range for nucleated cell counts of 62 to 1210 x 10(6)/L was calculated from 57 clinically and histologically normal dogs. The major residual effects of the technique were localised pulmonary oedema, and alveolar distension with collapse and congestion of distant parenchyma. Thoracic radiographs revealed increased lung opacity for at least up to 7 h after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS The cellularity of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained was adequate and sufficient fluid was retrieved when the single catheter was located in a proper position. However, the double catheter obtained better samples more quickly and easily, with less damage to the respiratory tract.
Myosin light chain genes in the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Myosin light chains associate with the motor protein myosin and are believed to play a role in the regulation of its actin-based ATPase activity. Myosin light chain cDNA clones from the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) were isolated and sequenced. One sequence corresponded to an alternative transcript, the skeletal muscle essential light chain (MYL1 isoform 1) and a second to the smooth muscle isoform of myosin light chain (MYL6). The DNA and predicted amino acid sequences of both light chain genes were compared to that of the chicken. Based on the cDNA sequence, oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify genomic DNA from six of the seven introns of the MYL1 gene. Approximately 5 kb of DNA was sequenced (introns and 3′ UTR) and evaluated for the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs were verified by sequencing common intron regions from multiple individuals and three polymorphisms were used to genotype pedigreed families. MYL1 is assigned to a turkey linkage group that corresponds to a region of chicken chromosome 7 (GGA7). The results of this study provide genomic reagents for comparative studies of avian muscle components and muscle biology.
Clinical comparison of hook plate fixation versus extension block pinning for bony mallet finger: a retrospective comparison study

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether traumatic mallet fractures had better outcomes when treated by hook plate fixation (13 patients) or extension block pinning (19 patients). We assessed outcomes using Crawford’s criteria; distal interphalangeal joint range of motion; the DASH score; and a visual analogue scale score for pain. We measured radiological parameters. No significant differences were observed in functional and clinical outcomes and in complications. Whereas the operative time was longer in the hook plate group, intraoperative fluoroscopy use, time to bone union and time to return to work were greater in the extension block group. Although the hook plate method is more technically demanding, it provides good stable reduction, earlier mobilization and an earlier return to work. The extension block pinning technique is easier and as effective but it requires greater peri-operative fluoroscopy. Level of evidence: Level III
12th Yahya Cohen Memorial Lecture: The cellular and molecular basis of radiation-induced sensori-neural hearing loss.

INTRODUCTION Sensori-neural hearing loss (SNHL) is a frequent complication of conventional radiotherapy for head and neck tumours, especially nasopharyngeal carcinoma. To manage radiation-induced ototoxicity appropriately, an understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of this complication is necessary. MATERIALS AND METHODS A medline search of relevant literature was done, focusing on the radiation-induced cellular and molecular processes that lead to hair cell death in the cochlea. RESULTS Radiation-induced SNHL occurs in the cochlea, with the retro-cochlear pathways remaining functionally intact. By simulating radiotherapy regimes used clinically, radiation-induced cochlear cell degeneration in the absence of damage to the supporting structures and blood vessels has been demonstrated in animals. This could be due to apoptotic cochlear cell death, which has been shown to be associated with p53 upregulation and intra-cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Oxidative stress may initiate the upstream processes that lead to apoptosis and other cell death mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS A model of radiation-induced SNHL based on a dose and ROS-dependent cochlear cell apoptosis, is proposed. This model supports the feasibility of cochlear implantation, should one be clinically indicated. It can explain clinical observations such as radiation-induced SNHL being dose-dependent and affects the high frequencies more than the lower frequencies. It also opens up the possibility of preventive strategies targeted at different stages of the apoptotic process. Antioxidants look promising as effective agents to prevent radiation-induced ototoxicity; they target upstream processes leading to different cell death mechanisms that may co-exist in the population of damaged cells.
Effect of Acetabular Modularity on Polyethylene Wear and Osteolysis in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background: Debris from polyethylene wear causes osteolysis. In this study, we examined the effect of acetabular liner modularity on polyethylene wear and osteolysis. Methods: We compared forty-one hips (thirty-nine patients) treated with a nonmodular, porous-coated acetabular component with a matched group of forty-one hips (forty patients) treated with a modular acetabular component. The groups were matched by patient gender and age, type of polyethylene material, method of polyethylene sterilization, femoral head size and manufacturer, and stem manufacturer. The mean follow-up period was 5.3 years (range, 3.8 to 6.8 years) for the nonmodular group and 5.5 years (range, 3.8 to 8.0 years) for the modular group. Using serial radiographs and a computer-assisted method, we measured two-dimensional head penetration into the polyethylene liner. Temporal head-penetration data and linear regression analysis were used to calculate the true wear rates. Results: The nonmodular acetabular components demonstrated a lower, but not a significantly lower, mean true wear rate than did the modular components (0.11 compared with 0.16 mm/yr, p = 0.22), and they were associated with a significantly lower rate of osteolysis (2% compared with 22%, p = 0.01). In addition, the true wear rates of the nonmodular components were less variable than those of the modular components. The 95% confidence interval for the wear rates of the nonmodular components (0.08 to 0.13 mm/yr) was nearly half that of the modular group (0.11 to 0.20 mm/yr). Conclusions: The lower and more consistent true wear rates of the nonmodular components could be attributed to the fact that these cups were designed to have greater liner-shell conformity, greater liner thickness, and less liner-shell micromotion than modular components. These design factors could have favorably altered the stress distribution throughout the liner and could have thereby decreased wear. Although nonmodular components may present a partial solution to the problems of wear and osteolysis, they pose a disadvantage when a failed liner in a bone-ingrown acetabular component needs to be revised.
Cataract visual impairment and quality of life in a Kenyan population

Aims: To evaluate the World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness and Deafness 20-item Visual Functioning Questionnaire (WHO/PBD VF20), a vision-related quality of life scale, and to describe the relationship between cataract visual impairment and vision- and generic health-related quality of life, in people ⩾50 years of age in Nakuru district, Kenya. Methods: The WHO/PBD VF20 was pilot tested and modified. 196 patients with visual impairment from cataract and 128 population-based controls without visual impairment from cataract were identified through a district-wide survey. Additional cases were identified through case finding. Vision- and health-related quality of life were assessed using the WHO/PBD VF20 scale and EuroQol generic health index (European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D)), respectively. WHO/PBD VF20 was evaluated using standard psychometric tests, including factor analysis to determine item grouping for summary scores. Results: The modified WHO/PBD VF20 demonstrated good psychometric properties. Two subscales (general functioning and psychosocial) and one overall eyesight-rating item were appropriate for these data. Increased severity of visual impairment in cases was associated with worsening general functioning, psychosocial and overall eyesight scores (p for trend <0.001). Cases were more likely to report problems with EQ-5D descriptive dimensions than controls (p<0.001), and, among cases, increased severity of visual impairment was associated with worsening self-rated health score. Conclusion: The modified WHO/PBD VF20 is a valid and reliable scale to assess vision-related quality of life associated with cataract visual impairment in this Kenyan population. The association between health-related quality of life and visual impairment reflects the wider implications of cataract for health and well-being, beyond visual acuity alone.