Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Impacts of Service Quality Dimensions on Patient/Customer Satisfaction: A Study of Private Hospitals in Nepal

The main purpose of this research is to examine the impacts of service quality dimensions on patient satisfaction as a study of private hospitals in Nepal. This research has also evaluated the perceptions of the patients about service quality offered by private hospitals and level of their satisfaction. The research was conducted through influence of positivism philosophy and deductive approach. The two hypotheses were generated with the help of existing knowledge and literature related to service quality and customer/patient satisfaction. The formulated hypotheses were tested through primary data collection from the customers/patients of private hospitals in Nepal. The questionnaires survey was used to collect data in this study. Different five factors of SERVQUAL dimension and four factors of patient satisfaction: price, image, perceived quality and convenience were used to analyse service quality and patient satisfaction respectively. Samples of 490 patients from different 10 private hospitals which all are based on Kathmandu were considered in the study. The results indicated that each dimension of service quality is positively correlated with patient satisfaction, and overall service quality and patient satisfaction has correlation coefficient of 0.719 which is significant at the 0.01 level. This implies that service quality and patient satisfaction are positively correlated with each other. The results demonstrated that service quality has strong positive impacts on patient satisfaction as regression analysis demonstrates that service quality has significant impacts on patient satisfaction as β = 0.719 and P = 0.000 which is less than 0.05. Similarly, the results also indicated that private hospitals in Nepal are providing high level of service quality in the view of patients/customers; and there is high level of patient satisfaction at the private hospitals in Nepal. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 4, Issue-3: 165-176
Preventive effect of galectin-9 on double-stranded RNA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in an exacerbation model of mite antigen-induced asthma in mice

ABSTRACT Background. Viral respiratory infection is the most common cause of acute asthma exacerbation in patients with stable asthma. The replication of most respiratory viruses requires the generation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), resulting in the activation of host immune responses. Synthetic dsRNA, polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid (PolyIC), mimics the effects of viruses in various cell types. To evaluate new therapies for mite antigen-induced chronic asthma, we developed an acute exacerbation model of mouse chronic asthma using mite antigen and PolyIC. We also examined the preventive effects of recombinant galectin-9 (Gal-9) on acute asthma exacerbation in this model. Methods. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was examined to evaluate the exacerbation of chronic asthma. To analyze airway inflammation, the numbers of inflammatory cells and concentrations of cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were estimated by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results. AHR was accelerated by intranasal administration of PolyIC in addition to mite antigen. Levels of cytokines that contribute to AHR, including interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and RANTES (CCR5), and of Gal-9 in the BALF were elevated in this acute asthma exacerbation mouse model. Intranasal administration of recombinant Gal-9 reduced the PolyIC-induced AHR and levels of these cytokines in the BALF. Further, Gal-9 suppressed the production of cytokines induced by PolyIC in the alveolar macrophages. Conclusions. Our findings demonstrated that exogenous Gal-9 suppressed dsRNA-induced AHR in an acute exacerbation model of chronic asthma in mice, and suggest that recombinant Gal-9 could be therapeutically effective for preventing acute asthma exacerbation.
The role of perceived justice in service recovery on banking customers’satisfaction and behavioral intentions: a case of South Africa

Service failure may not always be avoidable in business. The way in which it is managed may however have important implications of business success. This study investigates the role of perceived justice in service recovery on banking customers’ level of satisfaction and on their behavioral intentions. Data are collected using a structured questionnaire from 281 retail banking customers in Gauteng, South Africa. The findings show that procedural, interactional and distributive justice positively influence satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Satisfaction was also found to have strong influence on behavioral intentions. The findings point to the need for banks to have in place fair policies and systems for handling service failure. Banks also need to ensure that they treat their customers well during service recovery and that they strive for outcomes that are fair to customers.
Privacy Preserving Data Publishing: A Classification Perspective

The concept of privacy is expressed as release of information in a controlled way. Privacy could also be defined as privacy decides what type of personal information should be released and which group or person can access and use it. Privacy Preserving Data Publishing (PPDP) is a way to allow one to share anonymous data to ensure protection against identity disclosure of an individual. Data anonymization is a technique for PPDP, which makes sure the published data, is practically useful for processing (mining) while preserving individuals sensitive information. Most works reported in literature on privacy preserving data publishing for classification task handle numerical data. However, most real life data contains both numerical and non-numerical data. Another shortcoming is that use of distributed model called Secure Multiparty Computation (SMC). For this research, a centralized model is used for independent data publication by a single data owner. The key challenge for PPDP is to ensure privacy as well as to keep the data usable for research. Differential privacy is a technique that ensures the highest level of privacy for a record owner while providing actual information of the data set. The aim of this research is to develop a framework that satisfies differential privacy standards and to ensure maximum data usability for a classification tasks such as patient data classification in terms of blood pressure.
Unboosted fosamprenavir is associated with low drug exposure in HIV-infected patients with mild-moderate liver impairment resulting from HCV-related cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare amprenavir pharmacokinetics in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-co-infected cirrhotic patients receiving non-boosted fosamprenavir 700 mg twice daily with HCV/HIV-co-infected non-cirrhotic subjects and HIV-mono-infected subjects receiving fosamprenavir/ritonavir 700/100 mg twice daily. Liver stiffness at baseline and alanine aminotransferase levels at baseline and during follow-up were measured in order to find a correlation between drug levels and liver fibrosis or hepatotoxicity. METHODS Amprenavir plasma concentration was determined by HPLC. Liver stiffness was measured by transient elastometry. Liver function tests were determined every 1-3 months during follow-up. RESULTS Nineteen HIV-infected patients were included. Eight had chronic HCV hepatitis (group NC), five had HCV-related liver cirrhosis (group C) and six were HIV-mono-infected (group M). In group C patients, amprenavir C(trough), AUC(0-12) and half-life were 86%/83%, 64%/55% and 58%/59% lower when compared with controls and co-infected subjects without cirrhosis, respectively; conversely, drug clearance in cirrhotics was 181%/124% higher. In 3/5 cirrhotic patients (60%) and in 2/14 non-cirrhotic patients (14%), C(trough) was below the minimum target concentration of 400 ng/mL; nonetheless, in all these patients, HIV viral load was undetectable. No correlation was found between amprenavir pharmacokinetics and liver stiffness or hepatotoxicity at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of these data, it seems reasonable to boost fosamprenavir with ritonavir even in cirrhotic patients; amprenavir pharmacokinetics could not be predicted by liver stiffness and seem not to predict hepatotoxicity at follow-up.
CD56-Negative Aggressive NK Cell Leukemia Relapsing as Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies: Case Report and Literature Review

Background Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) is extremely rare and habitually manifests as a systemic disease with multiorgan failure that rapidly evolves to death. The neoplastic natural killer (NK) cells usually harbor the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with a latent viral infection pattern type II; they often have a cytoplasmic CD3ε+ and surface CD3−, CD2+, and CD56+ immunophenotype, and they show complex genetic abnormalities affecting multiple tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. We present a rare case of CD56-negative ANKL and review the clinical and laboratorial criteria for the diagnosis, as well as the available therapies. Case Presentation A European 36-year-old male presented with acute onset fever, pallor, weakness, and jaundice. He had hepatosplenomegaly, severe pancytopenia, hepatic cytolysis, and very high serum lactic dehydrogenase levels. The bone marrow studies resulted in the diagnosis of an EBV-positive, CD56-negative ANKL. The patient failed to respond to gemcitabine and cisplatin-based polychemotherapy, dying three months later with leukemic meningitis and multiple cranial nerves palsies. Conclusions The diagnosis of ANKL is difficult and requires both clinical suspicion and an extensive laboratorial approach. Absence of CD56 expression on the neoplastic NK cells may impose difficulties in the diagnosis, which requires morphological, immunophenotypic, histopathological, immunohistochemical, cytogenetic, and molecular studies.
Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Conjunctiva

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva (MECa) is a rare neoplasm. It resembles squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa), clinically and histologically. Nevertheless, it is characterized by a high degree of local aggressiveness. We reviewed all cases of MECa reported in the English literature for epidemiological data, characteristics of the tumor, treatment, and outcome. We found that MECa, reported predominantly in aging males (median age 71 years), arises in the limbal and perilimbal areas. Simple excision is followed by rapid recurrence, and most tumors will require enucleation or exenteration for local control. Histological stains directed to the production of mucin are essential for the diagnosis. The recommended treatment is wide local excision. Enucleation or exenteration is recommended for tumors invading the globe or orbit.
A Model of Citizensâ€™ Participation in Elections Using E-Voting System in Nigeria

e-Voting system is an important public technology with potentials to provide windows of solution to the irregularities associated with traditional paper voting system. Besides being a potential mechanism to enhance credible elections, understanding behavioral intention of voters to participate in elections using the system continue to pose challenge of adoption. We developed a parsimonious yet comprehensive model that integrates diffusion of innovation constructs, trust in the technology, trust in the government officials and computer self-efficacy. The model predicates an important insight for e-voting system policy and practice. Data from 212 sample were collected using survey technique and were analyzed using PLS-SEM approach. Irrespective of adoption variance along digital divides variables, the study revealed that technological attributes and trust in the technology are significant predictors of intention to participate in election using e-voting system. Implications of the research to theory and practice were discussed.
A Flexible Framework for the Examination of Production, Measurement, and Contracts in the Face of Moral Hazard

I develop a framework to examine the effect of measurement on productive activity in the face of moral hazard. I allow an agent intricate control over the stochastic value of a firm’s assets, and he is compensated based on a report produced by an accounting system that admits a large class of biasand timing-oriented accounting measurement rules. When measurement error is unavoidable but is treated to address the moral hazard problem, (i) the fundamental earnings distribution develops asymmetric tails and discontinuities at predictable thresholds, (ii) measurement rules develop all-or-nothing recognition properties and are rarely unconditionally biased, and (iii) the contract develops caps, floors, and hurdle bonuses at predictable thresholds. In contrast, when measurement error can be reduced by delaying measurement until uncertainty has been resolved, historical cost accounting is unambiguously optimal in curtailing moral hazard. However, I show that an accounting regulator with alternative objectives can influence economic activity by mandating timely measurement. Specifically, I show that timely loss recognition induces firms that are more (less) averse to downside risk to contract for riskier (less risky) actions. Finally, I show that first best actions are implementable in my setting via a two-wage penalty contract only if the measurement rule is extremely noisy and unconditionally conservative. Furthermore, the agent charges a negligible risk premium if he is sufficiently optimistic about the odds of avoiding a penalty-triggering earnings report. In other words, unconditionally conservative measurement can disable moral hazard when the agent is optimistic.
THE TRANS-PENNINE CORRIDOR MODEL

This paper describes the development and application of the modelling methods used in the recent study of Strategic Environmental Assessment in the Trans-Pennine Corridor (SEATPC). This study - one of the most recent in a long series of Trans-Pennine studies - was simultaneously a pilot study into the feasibility of carrying out Strategic Environmental Assessment, and a study of current issues for clients. The client group which commissioned the study included the European Commission, DETR, Highways Agency and the associations representing local governments in both the North-West and Yorkshire and Humberside regions, and private organizations including Railtrack (the railway infrastructure owner), Northern Spirit (the major trans-Pennine passenger train operator) and Manchester Airport. The study was carried out by MVA, David Simmonds Consultancy (DSC) and Environmental Resources Management (ERM). This paper concentrates on the modelling aspects of the study. An overall description of the study and its findings was published as Coombe et al (2000). The model used was a land-use/transport interaction model implemented using MVA's START transport model package and DSC's DELTA land-use/economic package. The overall model application is known as the Trans-Pennine Corridor Model (TPCM). It should at this point be emphasised that the work described was a "Corridor" study and model only in so far as the focus of policy interest was on the linkages across the Pennines. The modelling sought to represent all of the travel to, from or within the Study Area and a large majority of the travel modelled was within the separate conurbations on each side of the Pennine chain. For the covering abstract see ITRD E115303.
Salmonella typhimurium histidinol dehydrogenase: complete reaction stereochemistry and active site mapping.

The stereochemistry of the L-histidinol dehydrogenase reaction was determined to be R at NAD for both steps, confirming previous results with a fungal extract [Davies, D. , Teixeira, A. , & Kenworthy, P. (1972) Biochem. J. 127, 335-343]. NMR analysis of monodeuteriohistidinols produced by histidinol/NADH exchange reactions arising via reversal of the alcohol oxidation reaction indicated a single stereochemistry at histidinol for that step. Comparison of vicinal coupling values of the exchange products with those of L-alaninol and a series of (S)-2-amino-1-alcohols allowed identification of the absolute stereochemistry of monodeuteriohistidinols and showed that histidinol dehydrogenase removes first the pro-S then the pro-R hydrogens of substrate histidinol. The enzyme stereochemistry was confirmed by isotope effects for monodeuteriohistidinols as substrates for the pro-R-specific dehydrogenation catalyzed by liver alcohol dehydrogenase. Active site mapping was undertaken to investigate substrate-protein interactions elsewhere in the histidinol binding site. Critical binding regions are the side-chain amino group and the imidazole ring, whose methylation at the 1- or 2-position caused severe decreases in binding affinity. Use of alternative substrates further clarified active site interactions with the substrate. Compounds in which the alpha-amino group was replaced by chloro, bromo, or hydrogen substituents were not substrates of the overall reaction at 1/10,000 the normal rate. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Three essays in corporate governance and corporate finance : international evidence

iii Table of contents . iv List of tables Chapter 2 . ix List of tables Chapter 3 . x List of tables Chapter 4 . xi List of figures Chapter 1-2 . xii List of figures Chapter 3 . xii List of figures Chapter 4 . xiii Chapter
Remodeling of the cytoskeletal lattice in denervated skeletal muscle

The effect of denervation‐induced atrophy on the cytoskeletal lattice in rat fast‐ and slow‐twitch skeletal muscle has been investigated. Immunochemical analyses and immunofluorescence microscopy experiments employing monospecific antibodies to dystrophin, desmin, and α‐tubulin were carried out on intact and denervated muscles. The relative cellular content of dystrophin and desmin were reduced in the soleus muscle (slow‐twitch), while significant increases were shown in the gastrocnemius muscle (fast‐twitch). In both muscles, α‐tubulin levels increased up to 12‐fold as a function of time compared to control values. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed a distinct rearrangement of the microtubule network toward a predominantly longitudinal alignment, which was accompanied by an increase in the density of the fluorescence. It is concluded that the relative increase of the three structural proteins in the fast‐twitch gastrocnemius muscle may be related to the apparent resistance of this muscle type to denervation‐induced atrophy. The increased α‐tubulin content in denervated slow‐ and fast‐twitch muscles could be indicative of an adaptive mechanism designed to maintain the integrity of the muscle fiber in view of eventual regenerative activities. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Optimization of the Strategy for Recombinant Baculovirus Infection of Suspended Insect Cells

1.1 Significance of baculovirus-insect cell culture system The application of baculoviruses for insect pest management is traced back to the 19th century. One of the first reported attempts to use such a virus on an operational scale is the introduction of a multinucleocapsid nucleopolyhedroviruses (MNPV) into the populations of the nun moth, Lymantria monacha in Germany in 1892. Natural agents were used for controlling the insects in ancient China. For expample, pharoah’s ants in barns were used to combat destructive insects. Chemical insecticides have been widely used in agriculture due to their strong toxicity to insects. Massive and long term use of chemical insecticides should be avioded because they not only are harmful to human health, but also contaminate water and soil. Viral pesticides are continuously studied and developed and the advantages of using baculoviruses in pest management programs are generally recognized. The important attribute of baculoviruses for pest control is their host-specificity. In most cases, only a few insect species from the same family or the same genus are susceptible to a given virus (Ignoffo, 1968). No member of the baculovirus family has ever been isolated from a host other than an arthropod. In addition, viral insecticides do not create resistance problems in either target or non-target species and they do not show cross-resistance with chemical compounds. A further advantage of using viruses is that they do not create residue problems. They neither accumulate in food chains, nor interact with other pesticide residues. In short, they do not create the problems associated with the use of many chemical insecticides (Primentel et al., 1980). Insect viruses are ideally suited for integration with most other plant protection measures used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. In spite of the obvious advantages of viral insecticides over chemical pesticides, the former are scantly used. It has been estimated that baculoviruses are capable of replacing 80% of the chemical insecticides currently used in agricultural applications. Nevertheless, Helicoverpa armigera single nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaSNPV) has been adopted for mass production as a viral pesticide and has been widely used to control the insect pests in China (Zhang et al., 1995) and in other countries (Jones, 1994) as well. Since 1993 the first HaSNPV pesticide was registered in China. It is estimated that in the last ten years, the annual output
Small finger protein of avian and murine retroviruses has nucleic acid annealing activity and positions the replication primer tRNA onto genomic RNA.

Retrovirus virions carry a diploid genome associated with a large number of small viral finger protein molecules which are required for encapsidation. Our present results show that finger protein p12 of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and p10 of murine leukaemia virus (MuLV) positions replication primer tRNA on the replication initiation site (PBS) at the 5′ end of the RNA genome. An RSV mutant with a Val‐Pro insertion in the finger motif of p12 is able to partially encapsidate genomic RNA but is not infectious because mutated p12 is incapable of positioning the replication primer, tRNATrp. Since all known replication competent retroviruses, and the plant virus CaMV, code for finger proteins analogous to RSV p12 or MuLV p10, the initial stage of reverse transcription in avian, mammalian and human retroviruses and in CaMV is probably controlled in an analogous way.
Single Digit Attrition Rates in Information Technology Industry in Kerala—Strength or Weakness?—A Narrative Enquiry

Attrition in IT industry in cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Pune were reported to be high while the attrition in Kerala maintained a single digit. This article makes a critical analysis on this interesting phenomenon. Narrative informal and semi structured interview approach is adopted for this research. The study leads to the inference that the reason for the low attrition rate is the lack of opportunities for employment in Kera/a and not the employment friendly Human Resource (HR) policies. The tactics played by the employers to lower the attrition have already affected the credibility of companies in Kera/a in the job market. Some pragmatic suggestions are proposed to make the state a favourite of IT Employee's choice which becomes imperative to keep Kera/a as an employer's choice
Frequent MSI mononucleotide markers for diagnosis of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Failure in the DNA mismatch repair system is commonly accompanied by microsatellite instability and leads to colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to find the most frequent of five mononucleotide markers in order to devise the simplest diagnostic strategy for identification of patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) who were defined by defects in mismatch repair system. MATERIALS AND METHODS 78 patients with colorectal cancer were recruited for this investigation. Five mononucleotide markers, NR-27, NR-21, NR-24, BAT-25 and BAT-26, were used as a pentaplex panel to determine MSI status. RESULTS Two out of five mononucleotide markers, NR-21 (25.6%) and BAT-25 (23.1%) showed more instability than the others. CONCLUSION In defining individuals with colorectal cancer, BAT25 and NR-21 may provide diagnostic assistance.