Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review on Diagnostic Techniques of Bovine Tuberculosis in Ethiopia

Bovine tuberculosis is a major infectious disease of cattle, other domesticated animals and certain wildlife populations. It is one of the zoonotic diseases and can be diagnosed with different techniques. The currently used techniques are acid fast staining which is a cost-effective tool for diagnosing tuberculosis case and to monitor the progress of treatment and it has also drawbacks such as the low sensitivity in the immune-suppressed individuals; Immunological diagnostic techniques like tuberculin skin tests: Single Intradermal Test, Comparative Intradermal Test, Short Thermal Test and Stormont Test; Blood based diagnostic techniques like gamma interferon assays, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays and Lymphocyte Proliferation Assay, Culture of Mycobacterium and Molecular diagnostic techniques which involves Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a method that allows direct identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex. Spoligotyping, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, Variable Number Tandem Repeats typing are the techniques used for concurrent detection and typing of mycobacterium species at strain level. Its clinical usefulness over the other techniques is determined by its rapidity, both in identifying causative bacteria and in providing molecular epidemiologic information on strains. However, it holds drawbacks of being expensive, and requiring well-equipped laboratory and skilled laboratory personnel, which are not always available in endemic areas. Thus, both conventional and molecular tools should be effectively used to diagnosis Tuberculosis. (Tadesse Birhanu , Ebisa Mezgebu , Eyasu Ejeta and Ayele Gizachew. Review on Diagnostic Techniques of Bovine Tuberculosis in Ethiopia. Rep Opinion 2015;7(1):7-14). (ISSN: 1553-9873). http://www.sciencepub. net/report . 2
Conducting a knowledge audit at a South African retail bank

Purpose: The purpose of the article was to present the methodology followed and findings of a knowledge audit at a South African retail bank. Design/methodology/approach: The article addresses the following research question: ‘What methodology should be followed when conducting a knowledge audit for a retail bank? ’ The audit followed a mixed method research methodology. A questionnaire was emailed to a sample of employees to determine their knowledge requirements and 30 senior managers were interviewed in order to obtain a strategic perspective on the knowledge management requirements of the bank. Findings: The commitment to knowledge management was generally positive, but it varies across business units. The bank has not defined which knowledge areas are critical in order to improve its current or future performance. Specific knowledge gaps were identified and a knowledge map was compiled to indicate knowledge flow in the bank. Implications: The article gives a detailed description of the methodology when conducting the knowledge audit. The knowledge audit attempted to address the most critical knowledge requirements of a South African retail bank. The audit helped to make the knowledge in the bank visible and helped the bank to understand the value and contribution of knowledge to the organisational performance.
Locally applied cilostazol suppresses neointimal hyperplasia and medial thickening in a vein graft model.

BACKGROUND Pathological changes in vein grafts begin immediately after arterial circulation is applied to the grafts. Chemical mediator stimulation and mechanical strain induce neointimal hyperplasia and medial thickening of the vein grafts, resulting in their failure. We investigated the inhibitory effect of locally applied cilostazol, an inhibitor of cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase III, on neointimal hyperplasia and medial thickening of the grafts. METHODS AND RESULTS We established a distal anastomotic stricture model of femoral vein-abdominal aorta interposition grafting in rats. In this model, neointimal hyperplasia was observed not only at the distal anastomotic sites, but also in the graft body at postoperative day 14 and was markedly progressed at day 28. A strong expression of tenascin-C was found in the media and neointima of the graft body. In the grafts around which cilostazol was administered locally using Pluronic gel, neointimal hyperplasia was significantly suppressed compared with control grafts treated with the gel alone, with the mean neointimal cross-sectional area reduced by 87.1% for the graft body and by 78.9% for the distal anastomotic sites and mean medial cross-sectional area of the graft body reduced by 54.2% at day 28 versus the control. Cilostazol treatment decreased cell proliferation and the number of tenascin-C-producing cells seen by in situ hybridization, but the expression of tenascin-C protein was not suppressed. CONCLUSION We concluded that a single perivascular application of cilostazol inhibits neointimal hyperplasia and medial thickening of vein grafts in a rat model.
Aerosol growth in Titan’s ionosphere

Photochemically produced aerosols are common among the atmospheres of our solar system and beyond. Observations and models have shown that photochemical aerosols have direct consequences on atmospheric properties as well as important astrobiological ramifications, but the mechanisms involved in their formation remain unclear. Here we show that the formation of aerosols in Titan’s upper atmosphere is directly related to ion processes, and we provide a complete interpretation of observed mass spectra by the Cassini instruments from small to large masses. Because all planetary atmospheres possess ionospheres, we anticipate that the mechanisms identified here will be efficient in other environments as well, modulated by the chemical complexity of each atmosphere.
Effect of B shares' opening to domestic investors on information asymmetry——Using bid-ask spread decomposition method

The information asymmetry among investors has negative influences on the market efficiency.This paper studies the impact of opening B-share markets to domestic investors on the information asymmetry.We decompose the bid-ask spread into liquidity and information asymmetry components,and then compare their differences in the pre-event and post-event periods.Our results show that the opening event enhances the market liquidity,but doesn't mitigate the information asymmetry among the investors.
E-Commerce Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction, Belief and Loyalty: A Proposal

E-commerce system websites have helped to grow the business into the international field. In the long term in view, it is very important for a business to manage satisfaction, belief, and customer loyalty in the adoption of E-commerce services for business development. In the hotel industry in Malaysia, there is lack of studies on the quality of E-commerce services and has prompted this study to be done. Examine the perception of foreign tourists to the service factors of E-commerce website that influence satisfaction, belief and loyalty are the main objective of this study. Adopting from the previous studies, a conceptual framework of the relationship between E-commerce service quality with satisfaction, belief, and customer loyalty in the hotel industry in Malaysia is established to adapt with this study. The tourism sector is the seventh major provider to the Malaysian economy, with a Gross National Income (GNI) of RM47.2 billion in the year 2013, and is the second leading foreign exchange recipient after manufacture goods. One of the tourism sectors is the hotel industries that have international dimensions and the use of the highest sites. Tourism and hotel industry in particular is a key-driver for economic growth because the industry has proven that it is a catalyst for development. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n2p260
Beneficial haemodynamic effects of insulin in chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVE To characterise the central and regional haemodynamic effects of insulin in patients with chronic heart failure. DESIGN Single blind, placebo controlled study. SETTING University teaching hospital. PATIENTS Ten patients with stable chronic heart failure. INTERVENTIONS Hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp and non-invasive haemodynamic measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Change in resting heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and regional splanchnic and skeletal muscle blood flow. RESULTS Insulin infusion led to a dose dependent increase in skeletal muscle blood flow of 0.36 (0.13) and 0.73 (0.14) ml/dl/min during low and high dose insulin infusions (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005 v placebo, respectively). Low and high dose insulin infusions led to a fall in heart rate of 4.6 (1.4) and 5.1 (1.3) beats/min (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005 v placebo, respectively) and a modest increase in cardiac output. There was no significant change in superior mesenteric artery blood flow. CONCLUSION In patients with chronic heart failure insulin is a selective skeletal muscle vasodilator that leads to increased muscle perfusion primarily through redistribution of regional blood flow rather than by increased cardiac output. These results provide a rational haemodynamic explanation for the apparent beneficial effects of insulin infusion in the setting of heart failure.
Proportion of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Mycobacterium tuberculosis Co-Infected Patients in Korea

Much controversy surrounds the issue of whether HIV infection is a risk factor for developing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of and risk factors for MDR-TB in HIV-infected patients at the National Medical Center of Korea. We reviewed the medical records of HIV/TB co-infected patients from January 2005 to May 2011; the drug susceptibility profiles were available for 55 patients. Of these, 32.7% had MDR-TB, which was approximately 3.6 times higher than the prevalence among the general population. Additionally, there were more additional AIDS-defining clinical illnesses in the MDR-TB group than in the non-MDR-TB group (27.8% vs 5.4%, P = 0.032). These results suggest that HIV infection and HIV-related immunosuppresion may contribute to the development of MDR-TB.
University Student Loyalty Model: Structural Equation Modelling Of Student Loyalty in Autonomous, State, Transformed, and Private Universities in Bangkok

University student’s loyalty is a key factor that contributes to the long-term growth and survivability of the university through financial stability, increased enrolment, and better reputation. The objective of this research is to develop a comprehensive university student loyalty model that incorporates important constructs in a service quality dimension and a relationship quality dimension as well as image and reputation perception. The model is tested using the structural equation modelling approach. The multiple group analysis is conducted to compare the models across different types of university in Bangkok namely, autonomous, state, transformed (Rajabhat and Rajamangala), and private universities. This research collected data from more than 2,400 undergraduate students in the Bangkok Metropolitan area. The University Student Loyalty Model provides university administrators with an objective and practical guideline to formulate an appropriate strategy for their universities.
Conservatism, Covenants, and Recovery Rates

We hypothesize and provide evidence that accounting conservatism and complementary accounting-based debt covenants increase expected recovery rates by preserving the firm’s fungible economic assets at levels sufficient to support recovery by debtholders. We employ Das & Hanouna’s (2009) approach to jointly estimate implied default and recovery rates from CDS spreads, implied stock return volatilities, and stock prices. Controlling for known determinants of realized recovery rates documented in the prior literature, we predict and find that implied recovery rates increase with the combination of conservatism and covenants, and that these results are stronger when conservatism is conditional rather than unconditional, for capital rather than performance covenants, for bonds rather than loans, for riskier firms, and when periodic accounting performance measures have less explanatory power for credit risk.
Continuous Laparoscopic Closure of the Linea Alba with Barbed Sutures Combined with Laparoscopic Mesh Implantation (IPOM Plus Repair) As a New Technique for Treatment of Abdominal Hernias

Despite extensive experience and significant reduction of complications in recent years, laparoscopic treatment of complex abdominal hernias is a challenge even for the experienced endoscopic surgeon. Patients with severe incisional hernias or symptomatic rectus diastasis benefit from the closure of the linea alba as a morphological and physiological reconstruction of the abdominal wall followed by mesh implantation. Occasionally, an additional component separation is necessary. In open surgery, this is associated with very large wound areas, postoperative seromas, poor wound healing and, in the worst case, mesh infections. To avoid these complications, we operate these complex reconstructions completely endoscopically. Our concept is based on a laparoscopic closure of the linea alba through an ongoing, barbed non-resorbable 1–0 suture (polybutester) and final reinforcement by an intraperitoneal-onlay mesh (IPOM-Plus). For the treatment of complex abdominal hernias with a width of more than 10 cm, we performed an endoscopic anterior bilateral component separation. This allows the surgeon to combine the advantages of the open abdominal wall reconstruction with those of laparoscopic hernia repair. Between May 2015 and June 2017, we treated 42 patients with abdominal hernias by laparoscopic continuous hernia defect closure and complementary mesh implantation, whereby a complex reconstruction with additional endoscopic anterior component separation was performed in five patients. In this article, we will present this innovative technique of endoscopic/laparoscopic hernia repair in complex abdominal hernias.
Customer perceptions of e‐service quality in online shopping

– This paper develops a research model to examine the relationship among e‐service quality dimensions and overall service quality, customer satisfaction and purchase intentions. , – Data from a survey of 297 online consumers were used to test the research model. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model, and the structural equation modelling technique was used to test the research model. , – The analytical results showed that the dimensions of web site design, reliability, responsiveness, and trust affect overall service quality and customer satisfaction. Moreover, the latter in turn are significantly related to customer purchase intentions. However, the personalization dimension is not significantly related to overall service quality and customer satisfaction. , – Future research can use different methodologies, such as longitudinal studies, focus groups and interviews, to examine the relationship between service quality and customer purchase behaviour in online shopping contexts. , – This study suggests that to enhance customer purchase intentions, online stores should develop marketing strategies to better address the trustworthiness, reliability, and responsiveness of web‐based services. Online stores can devote valuable corporate resources to the important e‐service quality attributes identified by this study. , – This study developed the instrument dimensions of e‐service quality by modifying the SERVQUAL model to consider online shopping context. Moreover, the results of this study provide a valuable reference for managers of online stores, as well as for researchers interested in internet marketing.
The tolerance efficiency of Panicum maximum and Helianthus annuus in TNT-contaminated soil and nZVI-contaminated soil

This study was designed to compare the initial method for phytoremediation involving germination and transplantation. The study was also to determine the tolerance efficiency of Panicum maximum (Purple guinea grass) and Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) in TNT-contaminated soil and nZVI-contaminated soil. It was found that the transplantation of Panicum maximum and Helianthus annuus was more suitable than germination as the initiate method of nano-phytoremediation potting test. The study also showed that Panicum maximum was more tolerance than Helianthus annuus in TNT and nZVI-contaminated soil. Therefore, Panicum maximum in the transplantation method should be selected as a hyperaccumulated plant for nano-phytoremediation potting tests. Maximum tolerance dosage of Panicum maximum to TNT-concentration soil was 320 mg/kg and nZVI-contaminated soil was 1000 mg/kg in the transplantation method.
Investigating the Issue of Nurse Job Satisfaction: Role of Esprit De Corps, Task Significance, Self-Efficacy and Resilience: A Case Study

Employee job satisfaction is critical for every type and nature of organization. When it comes to health sector, it becomes more important to have satisfied workforce in order to provide quality patient care. Notable reports and studies have outlined the grieving issue of lack of job satisfaction amongst nurses. Based on the need and importance of the issue, the current study investigated how job characteristics, team climate and psychological resources can be of value in enhancing nurse job satisfaction. Nurses from public sector hospitals in the Hyderabad Sindh state of Pakistan were targeted. A total of 130 valid responses were taken for final results and analysis through using SmartPLS 2.0. The findings outlined that Esprit de Corps and Task significance does not correlate with nurse job satisfaction. Importantly, psychological resources including self-efficacy and resilience resulted in statistically significant relationship with nurse job satisfaction. The paper mentions findings in detail along with implications and recommendation for future research.
Socio-Demographic Assessment of Surrounding Community to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and a Dumpsite: The Case of Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines

This study assessed the socio-demographic profile of surrounding community to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and a dumpsite in Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines. A total of twenty-two (22) households were interviewed using survey questionnaire instrument assessing household profile, opportunities, water resource and utilization, health status and services, waste management practices, and perception to disposal sites management. Result showed that most of the households were scavengers, microfinance businessmen, and material recovery facility (MRF) contract workers earning below the per capita poverty threshold. Prevalence of diarrhea, gastrointestinal, and respiratory diseases were likely common and medical services availed were largely dependent on barangay clinic and government hospitals. The use of groundwater for bathing, washing, cleaning, and cooking other than drinking exists. Domestic waste disposal of the surveyed households were complex involving collection, dumping elsewhere, recycling, and burning. Considering the current condition of the studied area it is recommended to establish an analysis on the impact of the MRF and the dumpsite to the groundwater resources and comprehensive health evaluation among households.
Uncertainty in the Demand for Service: The Case of Call Centers and Emergency Departments

A standard assumption in the modeling of open service systems postulates that the customers’ arrival process is Poisson with a known parameter. More specifically, the prevalent approach is to assume known arrival rates for each basic time interval (say, half-hour). In practice, however, arrival data violates this assumption by exhibiting more variability than the one expected from the Poisson hypothesis. We explain this “over-dispersion” by “natural” uncertainty of the arrival rate, which gives rise to a Poisson mixture model for the arrival process. Then we incorporate this mixture model into the M |M |n + G queue and analyze it asymptotically, in steady state. Our approach is motivated by the seminal paper of Halfin and Whitt, assuming that both the mean arrival rate λ and the number of servers converge jointly to infinity. It turns out that system performance strongly depends on the order of over-dispersion. Specifically, we analyze three regimes of arrival-rate uncertainty: order λ, √ λ and λ, 0.5 < c < 1. The latter case is especially practical, since it seems to fit the call center reality. For the first two regimes, we derive asymptotically optimal staffing levels, in the sense of being the least that adhere to a pre-specified waiting probability. Key operational performance measures are asymptotically calculated as well. In the practical regime, 0.5 < c < 1, we consider staffing levels that are characterized by λ safety-staffing: n = R +βR + o( √ R), where R = λ ·E[S] is the offered load and β is a quality-of-service parameter. When β > 0, this staffing level reflects the need for protection against variability that exceeds that in the square-root staffing of the conventional QED (Halfin-Whitt) regime. If β < 0, on the other hand, less protection is needed. An extensive numerical study, based on data from an Israeli call center, validates the practical model (arrival-rate uncertainty of order λ, 0.5 < c < 1, specifically c ≈ 0.8) and relates it to an alternative well-known Poisson mixture model with an underlying Gamma prior. In an additional numerical study, based on data from an emergency department of a hospital, we get that c is around 0.5. Finally, our Poisson mixture model is incorporated into the Mt|M |n + G queue, giving rise to the model with a random time-varying arrival rate. The above-derived staffing regimes then give rise to time-varying staffing rules which stabilize the delay probability in fact, this time-stable performance matches that of a specific stationary queue, at all times, remarkably well.
Evaluation of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA Quantification in Dried Blood Spots: Retrospective Study of CMV Congenital Infection

ABSTRACT We compared two protocols for extracting DNA from dried blood spots for cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA detection and quantification by real-time PCR. Both extraction methods were reliable for the retrospective diagnosis of CMV congenital infection. Quantification of CMV DNA was valuable after normalization of viral loads with albumin gene PCR amplification results.