Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Omnichannel Retailing as a Balancing Act between In-Store and Home Fulfillment

Problem Definition: Omnichannel retailers can fulfill online orders by allowing consumers to have their orders delivered from the retailers’ stores to the consumers’ homes (home fulfillment) or collect the orders at the stores (in-store fulfillment). Because the latter option does not involve costly last-mile deliveries to consumers’ homes, retailers have sought to make it more attractive by waiving the associated in-store fulfillment fees indiscriminately to consumers. We analyze the economic value of this strategy and compare it with that of a strategy we develop based on the use of targeted incentives to induce individual consumers to switch to in-store fulfillment after initially choosing home fulfillment for their orders. Academic/Practical Relevance: We contribute an analysis of the economic value of price incentives involving home and in-store fulfillment options in omnichannel retailing. In so doing, we isolate determinants of consumer preferences between these options and show how retailers can use such preferences to develop pricing strategies to improve the economic value of their fulfillment services. Methodology: We use field data to evaluate the pricing strategies based on econometric models as well as machine-learning and routing algorithms. Results: While the removal of in-store fulfillment fees increases revenues from additional demand, these gains are much lower than the losses caused by (1) the revenue lost from the fees no longer collected and (2) the additional operating costs at the stores necessary to fulfill a higher volume of orders. Conversely, the costs from using targeted incentives are lower (almost 3 times) than the savings in last-mile delivery costs. Managerial Implications: To promote in-store fulfillment as an alternative to home fulfillment, retailers must go beyond incentive strategies that reward consumers indiscriminately, regardless of the value they attach to these fulfillment services. We show how retailers can develop dynamic pricing solutions to generate value in these services.
Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia in First Complete Remission: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

Background: For those patients who are not candidates for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) or who do not have an HLA-matched donor, it is unclear whether consolidation therapy with autologous SCT results in a survival benefit compared with further intensive post-remission non-myeloablative chemotherapy or no further therapy. Methods: A meta-analysis evaluating autologous SCT versus further chemotherapy or no treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1) was completed. The search used the following combined search terms in Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Results: Overall, 13 studies of 12 randomized controlled trials were identified. Four studies were in pediatric patients and 9 were in adults. For adults, AML in CR1 compared with non-SCT, lower relapse and higher transplantation-related mortality were associated with autologous SCT, a significant disease-free survival benefit of autologous SCT was documented, and there was no difference in overall survival when studies were pooled. For pediatric AML in CR1, there were no differences in relapse, transplantation-related mortality, disease-free survival and overall survival. Significantly less survival from relapse impairment was found for autologous SCT. Conclusion: Our results support the conclusion that autologous SCT should not be considered as the first-line post-remission therapy for AML patients in CR1.
EGF‐responsive rat neural stem cells: Molecular follow‐up of neuron and astrocyte differentiation in vitro

Neural stem cells (NSCs) could be very useful for the “cell therapy” treatment of neurological disorders. For this reason basic studies aiming to well characterize the biology of NSCs are of great interest. We carried out a molecular and immunocytochemical analysis of EGF‐responsive NSCs obtained from rat pups. After the initial growth of NSCs as floating neurospheres in EGF‐containing medium, cells were plated on poly‐L‐ornithine‐coated dishes either in the presence or absence of EGF. We followed cell differentiation and apoptosis for 21 days in vitro and analyzed the expression levels of some genes having a major role in these processes, such as pRB, pRB2/p130, p27, and p53. We observed that EGF impairs neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, in the absence of mitogens, apoptosis, which appeared to proceed through the “p53 network,” was significantly lower than in the presence of EGF. The cyclin kinase inhibitor p27, while important for cell cycle exit, seemed dispensable for cell survival and differentiation. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pre-exposure to high glucose augments lipopolysaccharide-stimulated matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression by human U937 histiocytes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES It has been well established that patients with diabetes have increased prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Given that bacterial infection is the primary cause of periodontal disease, we postulated that hyperglycemia may interplay with bacterial virulence factors such as lipopolysaccharide to up-regulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), leading to increased periodontal tissue destruction. METHODS AND RESULTS We showed that prolonged pre-exposure of U937 histiocytes to high glucose markedly increased lipopolysaccharide-stimulated MMP-1 secretion and mRNA expression. Our results also showed that the effect of high glucose on lipopolysaccharide-induced MMP-1 expression is cell type-specific because no similar response was observed in human gingival fibroblasts. In addition to MMP-1, high glucose also augments lipopolysaccharide-stimulated MMP-7, -8, and -9 mRNA expression. In the investigation of the signaling pathways involved in the enhancement of lipopolysaccharide-induced MMP-1 expression by high glucose, we found that both high glucose and lipopolysaccharide regulate MMP-1 expression through the nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. CONCLUSIONS The present study has shown that pre-exposure to high glucose and subsequent lipopolysaccharide treatment synergistically stimulates MMP-1 expression by mononuclear phagocytes through the NFkappaB and MAPK signaling pathways. This study has thus delineated a pathogenic mechanism that may be involved in the exacerbated periodontal disease in diabetic patients.
ANALGESIC EFFICACY OF VALDECOXIB IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POST-ARTHROSCOPIC MENISECTOMY PAIN: A PLACEBO CONTROLLED AND ACTIVE COMPARATORS CLINICAL TRIAL.

Objective: this randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled and active comparators study aimed at evaluating the analgesic activity and tolerability of valdecoxib, a new cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 specific inhibitor, as compared with either etoricoxib or codeine/paracetamol combination. Methods: A total of 81 patients with moderate to severe pain following arthroscopic menisectomy of the knee were randomly allocated to receive single oral doses of valdecoxib 40 mg (n=21), etoricoxib 120 mg (n=19), codeine/paracetamol 60/300 mg (n=21) or placebo (n=20). Efficacy was assessed by onset of analgesia, pain intensity difference (PID), pain relief (PR), time weighted sum of total pain relief (TOTPAR), sum of pain intensity difference (SPID), duration of analgesia (by time to rescue medication), percentage of patients requiring rescue analgesia and patients' global evaluation. Patients were assessed for 24 hours and reported PID and PR scores at 14 pre-determined time points. Results: All active treatments were significantly superior to placebo for all efficacy measures (P<0.001 for all). Patients treated with valdecoxib or codeine/paracetamol experienced faster onset and longer duration of analgesia compared with those treated with etoricoxib (P<0.01). Patients receiving valdecoxib experienced significantly higher PI, PR, TOTPAR and SPID scores and greater satisfaction with their study medication compared with etoricoxib (P<0.01). Lower percentage of patients in valdecoxib group required rescue analgesia compared with etoricoxib group (P<0.01). Onset of analgesia with codeine/paracetamol group was comparable to that with valdecoxib group. Valdecoxib and codeine/paracetamol treatments provided a similar magnitude of analgesia up to 6 hours post-dose. Analgesia provided by valdecoxib was significantly superior to that of codeine/paracetamol from 8-24 hours post-dose (P<0.01). Codeine/paracetamol treatment resulted in more frequent overall adverse events (AEs) and drug related AEs compared with valdecoxib and etoricoxib treatments. Conclusion: Analgesia provided by 40 mg valdecoxib to patients with post-arthroscopic menisectomy pain is : rapid and sustained over 24 hours period, superior to that achieved by etoricoxib 120 mg, and comparable but longer lasting than that with codeine/paracetamol 60/300 mg. Valdecoxib and etoricoxib have a tolerability profile superior to that of codeine/paracetamol combination.
Molecular Analysis of a Bacterial Chitinolytic Community in an Upland Pasture

ABSTRACT The effects of agricultural-improvement treatments on the chitinolytic activity and diversity of a microbial community were investigated within an upland pasture. The treatments of interest were lime and treated sewage sludge, both commonly applied to pasture land to improve fertility. Burial of chitin-containing litter bags at the field site resulted in enrichment of bacteria according to 16S rRNA fingerprinting. Chitinolytic-activity measurements showed that the highest activity occurred in those bags recovered from sludge-amended plots, which correlated well with increased counts of actinobacteria in samples from these chitin bags. Our findings suggest that sewage sludge increases the fertility of the soil in terms of chitinase activity. Ten clone libraries were constructed from family 18 subgroup A chitinases, PCR amplified from litter bags buried in soil in July 2000 or in September 2000, in a separate study. Analysis of these libraries by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing showed that they were dominated by actinobacterium-like chitinase sequences. This suggests that actinobacteria have an important chitinolytic function in this soil ecosystem. Our findings showed that sludge application increased chitinolytic activity but decreased the diversity of chitinases present.
Smooth Muscle-Dependent Changes in Aortic Wall Dynamics during Intra-Aortic Counterpulsation in an Animal Model of Acute Heart Failure

Purpose Intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) may modify arterial biomechanics; however, its effects on arterial wall properties during acute cardio-depression have not yet been fully explored. This dynamical study was designed to characterize the effects of IABP on aortic wall mechanics in an in vivo animal model of acute heart failure. Methods Aortic pressure, diameter and blood flow were measured in six anesthetized sheep with acute cardio-depression by halothane (4%), before and during IABP (1:2). Aortic characteristic impedance and aortic wall stiffness indexes were calculated. Results Acute experimental cardio-depression resulted in a reduction in mean aortic pressure (p<0.05) and an increase in the characteristic impedance (p<0.005), incremental elastic modulus (p<0.05), stiffness index (p<0.05) and Peterson elastic modulus (p<0.05). IABP caused an increase in the cardiac output (p<0.005) and a reduction in the systemic vascular resistances (p<0.05). In addition, the aortic impedance, incremental elastic modulus, stiffness index and Peterson modulus were significantly reduced during IABP (p<0.05). Conclusions Our findings show that IABP caused changes in aortic wall impedance and intrinsic wall properties, improving the arterial functional capability and the left ventricular afterload by a reduction in both. Systemic vascular resistances and aortic stiffness were also improved by means of smooth muscle-dependent mechanisms.
Preattentive Processing of Lexical Tone Perception by the Human Brain as Indexed by the Mismatch Negativity Paradigm

Abstract: Mismatch negativity (MMN) was used to investigate the processing of the discrimination between native and non‐native CV syllables in tonal languages. MMN elicited by the native word was greater than that elicited by the non‐native word. Hearing a native‐language deviant significantly altered the elicited MMN in both amplitude and scalp voltage field distribution, reflecting the presence of a long‐term memory trace for spoken words in tonal languages.
Regulation of Virulence by a Two-Component System in Group B Streptococcus

ABSTRACT Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is frequently carried in the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract as a commensal organism, yet it has the potential to cause life-threatening infection in newborn infants, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illness. Regulation of virulence factor expression may affect whether GBS behaves as an asymptomatic colonizer or an invasive pathogen, but little is known about how such factors are controlled in GBS. We now report the characterization of a GBS locus that encodes a two-component regulatory system similar to CsrRS (or CovRS) in Streptococcus pyogenes. Inactivation of csrR, encoding the putative response regulator, in two unrelated wild-type strains of GBS resulted in a marked increase in production of beta-hemolysin/cytolysin and a striking decrease in production of CAMP factor, an unrelated cytolytic toxin. Quantitative RNA hybridization experiments revealed that these two phenotypes were associated with a marked increase and decrease in expression of the corresponding genes, cylE and cfb, respectively. The CsrR mutant strains also displayed increased expression of scpB encoding C5a peptidase. Similar, but less marked, changes in gene expression were observed in CsrS (putative sensor component) mutants, evidence that CsrR and CsrS constitute a functional two-component system. Experimental infection studies in mice demonstrated reduced virulence of both CsrR and CsrS mutant strains relative to the wild type. Together, these results indicate that CsrRS regulates expression of multiple GBS virulence determinants and is likely to play an important role in GBS pathogenesis.
Variability in circadian activity patterns within the Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae).

Circadian activity was compared among four strains of Culex pipiens molestus Forskal from Iran, Egypt, two localities (Ebira and Yanagawa) in Nagasaki, Japan, and one strain of Cx. p. pallens Coquillett from Japan. Under a 16:8 (L:D) h photoperiod, all the strains showed peaks of activity at lights on and off, with additional activity during both light and dark periods; Egyptian females and both sexes of Cx. p. pallens were inactive during the photophase. Under 0:24 (L:D) h, the length of the free-running activity period was significantly shorter in the "Iran" (21 h) than in the other three Cx. p. molestus strains (range, 21-23 h) and Cx. p. pallens (approximately 24 h). Under 24:0 (L:D) h, the activity rhythm was obscured. The length of the period was shorter in 24:0 (L:D) h than in 0:24 (L:D) h, violating Aschoff's circadian rule. Furthermore, the circadian peak did not always occur every day under 24:0 (L:D) h but rather exhibited "day-skipping. "
Clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to molecular anomalies of the HNF1A gene.

CONTEXT The diagnosis of maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3 (MODY3), associated with HNF1A molecular abnormalities, is often missed. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to describe the phenotypes of a large series of MODY3 patients and to reassess parameters that may improve its diagnosis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS This retrospective multicenter study included 487 unrelated patients referred because of suspicion of MODY3. Genetic analysis identified 196 MODY3 and 283 non-MODY3 cases. Criteria associated with MODY3 were assessed by multivariate analysis. The capacity of the model to predict MODY3 diagnosis was assessed by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve and was further validated in an independent sample of 851 patients (165 MODY3 and 686 non-MODY3). RESULTS In the MODY3 patients, diabetes was revealed by clinical symptoms in 25% of the cases and was diagnosed by screening in the others. Age at diagnosis of diabetes was more than 25 yr in 40% of the MODY3 patients. There was considerable variability and overlap of all assessed parameters in MODY3 and non-MODY3 patients. The best predictive model was based on criteria available at diagnosis of diabetes, including age, body mass index, number of affected generations, presence of diabetes symptoms, and geographical origin. The area under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristic analysis was 0.81. When sensitivity was set to 90%, specificity was 49%. CONCLUSIONS Differential diagnosis between MODY3 and early-onset type 2 diabetes remains difficult. Whether the proposed model will improve the pick-up rate of MODY3 diagnosis needs to be confirmed in independent populations.
Anatomy of the Tonsillar Bed: Topographical Relationship Between the Palatine Tonsil and the Lingual Branch of the Glossopharyngeal Nerve

Taste disturbance may result from injury to the lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (LBGN) during tonsillectomy. Because an understanding of the anatomy of this nerve is required in order to avoid injuring it, a gross, histologic anatomic study was undertaken of the topographical relationship between the LBGN and the muscle layer of the palatine tonsillar bed. Evaluation of 107 sides of 83 Japanese adult cadavers (aged 27-88 years) confirmed that the muscular composition and lamination of the tonsillar bed do not change with age or pathological conditions such as inflammation. In about a quarter (23.4%) of cases, the LBGN traveled inferior to the styloglossus muscle and lateral to the superior constrictor pharyngeal muscle over its whole course to the base of the tongue, so that the palatine tonsil was clearly separated from the LBGN. In 55.1% of cases, however, the muscle lining of the tonsillar bed was discontinuous and thin muscle bundles, derived from the stylopharyngeus, palatopharyngeus or superior constrictor pharyngeal muscle, partially covered the tonsillar capsule externally. Moreover, in 21.5% of cases the LBGN was firmly adherent to the tonsillar capsule, due to the complete absence of muscles lining the tonsillar bed. In these cases, and also probably in a similar percentage of patients undergoing tonsillectomy, taste disturbance may occur on removal of the hypertrophic tonsillar capsule. Therefore, minimal disturbance of the tonsillar bed is recommended in all cases of tonsillectomy.
The prevalence of dementia: A quantitative integration of the literature

ABSTRACT— Data from studies of dementia prevalence between 1945 to 1985 were analyzed statistically. Prevalence rates were found to vary as a function of methodological differences between studies. However, despite these differences, the relationship between prevalence and age was found to be consistent across studies, with rates doubling every 5.1 years. Across studies, Alzheimer's disease (AD) was found to be more common in women, with a tendency for multi‐infarct dementia (MID) to be more common in men. There were also national differences in the relative prevalence of AD and MID, with MID being more commmon in Japanese and Russian studies, no difference in Finnish and American studies, and an excess of AD in other Western European countries.
Platelet-Associated Anti-Glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa Autoantibodies in Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Mainly Recognize Cation-Dependent Conformations: Comparison with the Epitopes of Serum Autoantibodies

Summary Platelet-associated and serum anti-glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa autoantibodies were investigated in 57 patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). In modified antigen capture ELISA (MACE) using GPIIb-IIIa-specific-, GPIIb-specific-, and GPIIIa-speci-fic-monoclonal antibody (mAb) for antigen capture, platelet-associated anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies were detected in 14 out of 37 patients (38%), and these antibodies could be detected with all 3 mAbs used for antigen capture. In the MACE using EDTA-treated platelets at 37° C, the reactivity of platelet-associated anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies in 9 out of 10 patients was markedly reduced in both cases of GPIIb-specific- and GPIIIa-specific-mAb used. Immunoprecipitation experiments further confirmed that the EDTA-treatment abrogated the antigenicity of GPIIb-IIIa for platelet-associated antibodies in 2 patients. Serum anti-GPIIb-IIIa autoantibodies were detected in 23 out of 57 patients (40%). However, only 7 out of 23 serum anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies could be detected with all 3 mAbs. The MACE using EDTA-treated platelets further showed that the features of serum anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies were different from those of platelet-associated antibodies even in the same patient. Our data demonstrate that the platelet-associated anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies mainly recognize the cation-dependent antigenic determinants on GPIIb-IIIa and that serum anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies may contain some components which differ in specificity from platelet-associated antibodies.
What Drives M-Shoppers to Continue Using Mobile Devices to Buy?

The aim of this work is to offer a better understanding of consumer continued intentions to use mobile devices to shop. An integrated model is developed to identify the drivers that lead m-shoppers to repurchase. Specifically, navigation, safety and ubiquity are posited as stimuli guiding consumers’ affective (satisfaction) and cognitive (trust and convenience) reactions that will, in turn, increase repurchase intention. Results show the impact of ubiquity on m-convenience and safety m-experience on both affective and cognitive reactions. Finally, repurchase intention is explained directly by m-satisfaction and m-convenience and indirectly by m-trust. This article contributes to the fields of mobile marketing literature and practitioner management.
Relationship between the Serum Level of Leptin and Life-Style Habits in Japanese Men

Aims/Methods: To investigate whether smoking affects the serum level of leptin, 708 male workers aged 25–65 years old were cross-sectionally surveyed. Results: Multiple regression analysis indicated that among the various parameters examined, the level of leptin was positively associated with the body mass index and the levels of insulin, total cholesterol and uric acid, and was inversely associated with physical activity and the level of creatinine. The partial correlation coefficient of leptin was highest against the body mass index (r = 0.40), followed by insulin (0.29) and physical activity (–0.14), after adjustment for other leptin-related variables. However, no association was observed between the level of leptin and smoking (0.05), alcohol consumption (0.09) or age (0.09). Conclusions: The findings suggest that among life-style habits, physical activity, but not smoking or alcohol consumption, significantly affects the serum level of leptin in Japanese men.