Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bite Force Estimation and the Fiber Architecture of Felid Masticatory Muscles

Increasingly, analyses of craniodental dietary adaptations take into account mechanical properties of foods. However, masticatory muscle fiber architecture has been described for relatively few lineages, even though an understanding of the scaling of this anatomy can yield important information about adaptations for stretch and strength in the masticatory system. Data on the mandibular adductors of 28 specimens from nine species of felids representing nearly the entire body size range of the family allow us to evaluate the influence of body size and diet on the masticatory apparatus within this lineage. Masticatory muscle masses scale isometrically, tending toward positive allometry, with body mass and jaw length. This allometry becomes significant when the independent variable is a geometric mean of cranial variables. For all three body size proxies, the physiological cross‐sectional area and predicted bite forces scale with significant positive allometry. Average fiber lengths (FL) tend toward negative allometry though with wide confidence intervals resulting from substantial scatter. We believe that these FL residuals are affected by dietary signals within the sample; though the mechanical properties of felid diets are relatively similar across species, the most durophagous species in our sample (the jaguar) appears to have relatively higher force production capabilities. The more notable dietary trend in our sample is the relationship between FL and relative prey size: felid species that predominantly consume relatively small prey have short masticatory muscle fibers, and species that regularly consume relatively large prey have relatively long fibers. This suggests an adaptive signal related to gape. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Product Returns in a Digital Era: The Role of Multidimensional Cognitive Dissonance, Regret, and Buying Context in the Post-purchase Appraisal Process

The retailing industry is battling a behemoth – the escalating problem of product returns. The problem is of a graver import for e-tailers. However, the underlying cognitive and affective appraisal process that leads to product returns in case of online purchase still remains unclear. The liberal product returns environment in the context of online purchase has led consumers to proactively consider the option of decision reversal. Nevertheless, the impact of the initial buying context on the post-purchase appraisal process has been neglected in previous studies. To bridge the gaps found after evaluating the current gamut of research work conducted on this topic, a mixed-method approach was employed in the present study. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews (N = 42), the first qualitative study identified three online purchase situations (unplanned, purchase-for-trial and opportunism buying) that frequently provoke product returns. Additionally, the qualitative uncovered the salient post-purchase appraisal factors. To empirically test the underlying appraisal process and the differences caused by the buying situations, a quantitative study was conducted, using scenario-based experiment (N = 620). Findings suggest that contrary to recent studies (e.g., Lee, 2015; Powers & Jack, 2013), cognitive dissonance is not the immediate cause of product returns. It is the affective factor, regret, which leads to decision reversal. Additionally, in opposition to the claim of previous literature that high coping potential reduces stress, this study suggests that the ability to reverse the decision actually increases regret and, in turn, leads to product returns. Results also indicate that buying context (e.g., different buying situations) causes difference in serial mediation pathways from both primary and secondary appraisal to product returns likelihood. E-tailers should utilise consumers’ behavioural profile in order to classify different consumer groups and tailor the means to manage product returns accordingly.
Effect of serotonin, thromboxane A2, and specific receptor antagonists on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

BACKGROUND Restenosis is a major complication that limits the long-term efficacy of coronary angioplasty. Migration and proliferation of activated medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is considered an important mechanism in this process. Because at sites of vascular injury, aggregating platelets release both serotonin (5-HT) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), we examined whether 5-HT and TXA2 can induce SMC proliferation and whether there is synergistic interaction between these two mediators. METHODS AND RESULTS The mitogenic effects of 5-HT and TXA2 either alone or in combination was examined in serum-free medium on canine aortic SMCs by [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and by cell counting. 5-HT induced SMC proliferation at a concentration of 100 nmol/L, whereas the effect of TXA2 (U46619, a stable TXA2 mimetic) on inducing proliferation of SMCs was observed at a concentration of 100 nmol/L. When these two mediators were added together, there was a synergistic interaction on inducing SMC proliferation even at subthreshold concentrations. The mitogenic effect of 5-HT and its synergistic interaction with TXA2 on SMC proliferation was abolished by a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, LY281067, without affecting the contribution of TXA2. Similarly, the TXA2 synthase inhibitor/receptor antagonist ridogrel abolished the mitogenic effect of TXA2 and the interaction between 5-HT and TXA2 without affecting the response to 5-HT. When LY281067 and ridogrel were used together, they abolished the mitogenic effects of 5-HT and TXA2. CONCLUSIONS At sites of vascular injury, platelet-induced SMC proliferation may also be modulated by nonpeptide growth mediators. A combination of a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist and TXA2 synthase inhibitor/receptor may be useful for attenuation of restenosis after angioplasty.
A Supply Chain Strategy Management Model for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

This paper proposes a model that will assist companies, particularly the small and medium-sized enterprises, assess their performance by prioritizing performance measures and selecting an adequate operations strategy under various market scenarios. The outlined model utilizes and integrates the SCOR model performance attributes and AHP approach to construct, link, and assess a four level hierarchal structure. The model also helps SMEs put more emphasis on supply chain operations and management. The use and benefits of the proposed model are illustrated on a case of a family owned, medium-sized manufacturing company.
The Impact of a Cardioprotective Protocol on the Incidence of Cardiac Complications After Aortic Abdominal Surgery

We analyzed a local database including 468 consecutive patients who underwent elective aortic abdominal surgery over an 8-yr period in a single institution. A new cardioprotective perioperative protocol was introduced in January 1997, and we questioned whether perioperative cardiac outcome could be favorably influenced by the application of a stepwise cardiovascular evaluation based on the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines and by the use of antiadrenergic drugs. Clonidine was administered during surgery, and &bgr;-blockers were titrated after surgery to achieve heart rates less than 80 bpm. We compared data of two consecutive 4-yr periods (1993–1996 [control period] versus 1997–2000 [intervention period]). Implementation of American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines was associated with increased preoperative myocardial scanning (44.3% vs 20.6%;P < 0.05) and coronary revascularization (7.7% vs 0.8%;P < 0.05). During the intervention period, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of cardiac complications (from 11.3% to 4.5%) and an increase in event-free survival at 1 yr after surgery (from 91.3% to 98.2%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the combined administration of clonidine and &bgr;-blockers was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular events (odds ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1–0.8), whereas major bleeding, renal insufficiency, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were predictive of cardiac complications. In conclusion, cardiac testing was helpful to identify a small subset of high-risk patients who might benefit from coronary revascularization. Sequential and selective antiadrenergic treatments were associated with improved postoperative cardiac outcome.
Office-Based Preventive Dental Program and Statewide Trends in Dental Caries

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of a North Carolina Medicaid preventive dentistry program in primary care medical offices (Into the Mouths of Babes Program [IMBP]) on decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) of kindergarten students statewide and in schools with a large proportion of students from low-income families. METHODS: An ecologic study using panel data of 920 505 kindergarten students with 11 694 school-year observations examined the effect of the IMBP on dmft scores from 1998 to 2009. Ordinary least squares regression with fixed effects determined the association between IMBP visits per child 0 to 4 years of age per county and mean dmft scores per kindergarten student per school, controlling for school-level poverty and ethnicity, county-level Medicaid enrollment, and supply of dentists and physicians. RESULTS: Mean dmft per kindergarten student per school increased from 1.53 in 1998 to 1.84 in 2004, then decreased to 1.59 in 2009. The mean number of IMBP visits per child 0 to 4 years of age per county increased from 0.01 in 2000 to 0.22 in 2009. A 1-unit increase in IMBP visits per county was associated with a 0.248 (95% confidence interval, −0.40 to −0.10) decrease in dmft per kindergarten student per school. For schools with more students at high risk for dental disease, a 1-unit increase in IMBP visits was associated with a 0.320 (95% confidence interval, −0.55 to −0.09) decrease in dmft. CONCLUSIONS: IMBP reduced dental caries among targeted vulnerable children, which helped reduce oral health disparities among preschool-aged children in North Carolina.
Sex, Social Class, and Estimating IQ: Middle-Class Male Subjects Rate Themselves Most Intelligent

153 sociology students specified parental occupation and job status before estimating their own and their parents' overall IQ. Male subjects, as predicted, gave a higher mean self-estimated score to themselves than did female subjects (113 vs 106). Fathers were awarded higher IQ scores than mothers (114 vs 107). Male subjects who had mothers in a higher social class gave themselves the highest mean score.
Experimental Tests of Rational Inattention

We use laboratory experiments to test models of rational inattention, in which people acquire information to maximize utility net of information costs. We show that subjects adjust their attention in response to changes in incentives, in line with the rational inattention model. However, our results are qualitatively inconsistent with information costs that are linear in Shannon entropy, as is often assumed in applied work. Our data are best fit by a generalization of the Shannon model, which allows for a more flexible response to incentives and for some states of the world to be harder to distinguish than others.
Syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 Coinfection: Influence on CD4 T-Cell Count, HIV-1 Viral Load, and Treatment Response

Objectives: To assess the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and syphilis coinfection on HIV-ribonucleic acid (RNA) viral load, CD4 cell count, and the response in rapid plasmin reagin (RPR) to treatment of the syphilis infection. Study Design: Cases of syphilis diagnosed during 1 year in HIV-infected patients in Copenhagen were included. HIV-RNA, CD4 cell counts, and RPR-serology were measured before, during, and after syphilis. Results: Forty-one patients were included. CD4 cell count decreased significantly during infection in patients with primary and secondary stages of syphilis (mean 106 cells/mm3, P = 0.03). Treatment of syphilis was associated with an increase in the CD4 cell count and a decrease in HIV-RNA in the overall group (mean 66 cells/mm3 and −0.261 RNA log10 copies/ml, P = 0.02 and 0.04). The serological response rates for 15 patients treated with penicillin and 25 treated with doxycycline were the same. Conclusion: Syphilis was associated with a decrease in CD4 cell counts and an increase in HIV-RNA levels that both improved after treatment of syphilis.
Aberrant expression of kallikrein‐related peptidase 7 is correlated with human melanoma aggressiveness by stimulating cell migration and invasion

Members of the tissue kallikrein‐related peptidase (KLK) family not only regulate several important physiological functions, but aberrant expression has also been associated with various malignancies. Clinically, KLKs have been suggested as promising biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in many types of cancer. As of yet, expression of KLKs and their role in skin cancers are, however, poorly addressed. Malignant melanoma is an aggressive disease associated with poor prognosis. Hence, diagnostic biomarkers to monitor melanoma progression are needed. Herein, we demonstrate that although mRNA of several KLKs are aberrantly expressed in melanoma cell lines, only the KLK7 protein is highly secreted in vitro. In line with these findings, ectopic expression of KLK7 in human melanomas and its absence in benign nevi were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in vivo. Interestingly, overexpression of KLK7 induced a significant reduction in melanoma cell proliferation and colony formation. Moreover, KLK7 overexpression triggered an increase in cell motility and invasion associated with decreased expression of E‐cadherin and an upregulation of MCAM/CD146. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that aberrant KLK7 expression leads to a switch from proliferative to invasive phenotype, suggesting a potential role of KLK7 in melanoma progression. Thus, we hypothesize that KLK7 may represent a potential biomarker for melanoma progression.
Cloud Computing Adoption: A Cross-Continent Overview of Challenges

Cloud computing continues to dominate information and communication technology (ICT) strategies globally through the provision of remote access to computing resources via the internet. With its inherent pay-per usage model, flexibility, scalability and other features, cloud computing is also set to transform economic activities around the world. This paper analyses and compares the challenges facing the adoption of cloud computing from a geo-regional context; Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. An institutional theory perspective is used as framework for analysis. Findings from Norway in Europe and Nigeria in sub-Saharan Africa show that there are several challenges to cloud computing adoption in both places that are similar but impact on adoption decisions in different ways. For instance, the key adoption issues used as bases for comparison in Norway viz. security, privacy and trust, cost, SLAs, government policies and regulations, and loss of control over data can all inhibit or pose as hindrances to cloud computing adoption. On the other hand, in Nigeria, these issues are not seen as inhibiting cloud computing adoption. Furthermore, the findings also show the profound effect of normative and coercive pressures in Norway that can impact negatively on adoption decisions and the absence of such pressures in Nigeria which seem to have a positive influence on adoption at present.
Complete Genome Sequence of “Candidatus Puniceispirillum marinum” IMCC1322, a Representative of the SAR116 Clade in the Alphaproteobacteria

ABSTRACT The complete genome sequence of “Candidatus Puniceispirillum marinum” IMCC1322, the first cultured representative of the SAR116 clade in the Alphaproteobacteria, is reported here. The genome contains genes for proteorhodopsin, aerobic-type carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, dimethylsulfoniopropionate demethylase, and C1 compound metabolism. The genome information proposes the SAR116 group to be metabolic generalists in ocean nutrient cycling.
The Dynamics of Change in Outdoor Recreation Environments- Some Equity Issues

Changes in patterns of participation in outdoor recreation environments may have significant impact on visitor satisfaction and may affect the kinds of recreation opportunities available. The dynamics of change, however, are among the least understood phenomena in park and recreation planning and administration. Principles of recreation behavior are used to characterize two of the most important change processes: displacement and social succession. Five types of persons are identified who are likely to be systematically discriminated against in situations of uncontrolled change. An important implication is the need for park and recreation administrators and planners to be more aware of the consequences of change, and how their actions may abet or hinder such processes.
Two-thumb vs. two-finger chest compression in an infant model of prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE Previous experiments in the authors' swine lab have shown that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using two-thumb chest compression with a thoracic squeeze (TT) produces higher blood and perfusion pressures when compared with the American Heart Association (AHA)-recommended two-finger (TF) technique. Previous studies were of short duration (1-2 minutes). The hypothesis was that TT would be superior to TF during prolonged CPR in an infant model. METHODS This was a prospective, randomized crossover experiment in a laboratory setting. Twenty-one AHA-certified rescuers performed basic CPR for two 10-minute periods, one with TT and the other with TF. Trials were separated by 2-14 days, and the order was randomly assigned. The experimental circuit consisted of a modified manikin with a fixed-volume arterial system attached to a neonatal monitor via an arterial pressure transducer. The arterial circuit was composed of a 50-mL bag of normal saline solution (air removed) attached to the manikin chest plate and connected to the transducer with a 20-gauge intravenous catheter and tubing. Rescuers were blinded to the arterial pressure tracing. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in mm Hg, and pulse pressures (PPs) were calculated. Data were analyzed with two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Sphericity assumed modeling, with Greenhouse-Geisser and Huynh-Feldt adjustments, was applied. RESULTS Marginal means for TT SBP (68.9), DBP (17.6), MAP (35.3), and PP (51.4) were higher than for TF SBP (44.8), DBP (12.5), MAP (23.3), and PP (32.2). All four pressures were significantly different between the two techniques (p< or =0.001). CONCLUSION In this infant CPR model, TT chest compression produced higher MAP, SBP, DBP, and PP when compared with TF chest compression during a clinically relevant duration of prolonged CPR.
Detection of Staphylococcal Exotoxins in Antrochoanal Polyps and Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Objective Staphylococcal exotoxins have been reported in the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent reports have hypothesized that staphylococcal exotoxins might be related to inflammatory mucosal changes seen in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRS-NPs). Staphylococcal exotoxins have the capacity to act as superantigens (SAgs), bypassing normal antigen processing and directly stimulating a massive inflammatory response. The objective of this study was to analyze polyp tissue samples from patients with antrochoanal polyps (ACPs) and CRS-NPs for the presence of staphylococcal exotoxins. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary medical center. Subjects and Methods Tissue samples were obtained from 29 patients and 16 controls. Thirteen of 29 patients had ACPs, and 16 had CRS-NPs. Specimens were analyzed for the presence of 5 staphylococcal exotoxins (SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, and toxic shock syndrome toxin–1) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results At least 1 toxin was detected in 7 of 13 patients with ACPs and in 13 of 16 patients with CRS-NPs, whereas it was detected in only 4 controls. There were no statistically significant differences between ACP and control groups (P = .063). Our results showed a statistically significant association between toxin detection and patients with CRS-NPs (P = .003). Conclusion Inflammatory triggers in ACP remain a subject of debate, and this study does not support the hypothesis that staphylococcal exotoxins may play a role in ACP ethiopathogenesis. Our research is consistent with the possibility of SAgs as etiological agents in the development of bilateral nasal polyposis.
Integrating Environment, Safety and Health Management Systems in Support of Lean Outcomes

approved: ______________________________________________________________________________ Anthony T. Veltri Life cycle exposures to hazards from existing and newly developed products and production processes, demands from external stakeholders for compliance with regulations, requirements from internal stakeholders for connecting management systems to lean company initiatives and market pressures have motivated U.S. based semiconductor companies to adopt an integratedlean approach to environment, safety and health management systems. This research was exploratory by nature and used qualitative methods, specifically a Delphi study to develop an integrated-lean management system framework and case studies to examine the management, structural, and financial strategies used by semiconductor manufacturing firms that support lean enterprise management. A review of the literature on management systems shows how the research was grounded in previous research and how this research goes beyond previous research in important ways. Delphi study results were obtained from judgments from a panel of experts who participated in reviewing existing management system elements and implementation practices similar in nature into an integrated-lean framework. Case study findings were obtained from an analysis of triangulated evidence extrapolated from in-depth interviews with operations and environment, safety and health managers and management system representatives, a review of internal documents and tours of the facilities. The results offer (a) insight into what an integrated-lean management system framework looks like, (b) the motivations by semiconductor companies for pursuing integration and, (c) the management, structural and financial strategies deployed by the sample of semiconductor companies that support lean outcomes valued by stakeholders. ©Copyright by Travis Kruse January 5, 2018 All Rights Reserved Integrating Environment, Safety and Health Management Systems in Support of Lean Outcomes