Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Satisfaction and dissatisfaction in online auctions: an empirical analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the validity of a two‐factor theory for seller service quality in the online auction context.Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 2,000 buyer feedbacks about seller performance (1,000 positive and 1,000 negative) was collected from eBay. Content analysis of positive and negative feedback was conducted and the frequencies of mention of specific service quality attributes were compared.Findings – Analysis of total mentions and exclusive mentions of service quality attributes showed significantly different content for positive and negative feedback, supporting the validity of two‐factor theory in this context and adding to the understanding of customer expectations in this environment.Practical implications – The paper's findings can guide sellers' allocation of efforts in service design, so they can establish and maintain the reputation necessary to attract bidders and successfully compete in high‐risk online environments like eBay.Originality/.
Alteration of vancomycin pharmacokinetics during cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

The alteration of vancomycin pharmacokinetics during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery was studied. Eighteen patients were enrolled in the study. Vancomycin (1 g) was intravenously infused one to two hours before surgery. Blood samples were taken before, during, and after CPB. Serum drug concentrations were determined by an automated fluorescence polarization immunoassay and adjusted, with a bayesian analysis, to a bi-compartmental model implemented in a pharmacokinetic system program. Serum creatinine, hematocrit, and plasma proteins were also measured before, during, and after CPB. During CPB, serum creatinine, hematocrit, and plasma protein values all decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Serum vancomycin concentration also diminished abruptly with CPB (7.04 micrograms/mL; 95% confidence interval, 5.70-8.38 micrograms/mL) but increased moderately during the next 30 minutes, probably attributable to redistribution into plasma from tissue stores. Vancomycin's apparent volume of distribution showed an important increase during CPB (58.8%) (p < 0.0005), and its systemic clearance also increased significantly after CPB (19.7%) (p < 0.0005). The decrease in serum vancomycin concentration seems mediated by the hemodilution associated with the pump prime volume. Vancomycin's mean +/- S.D. nadir serum concentration before the next dose was 7.13 +/- 2.1 micrograms/mL. In patients undergoing cardiac surgery and treated prophylactically with a 1-g preoperative i.v. dose of vancomycin, the onset of CPB was associated with a drop in serum vancomycin concentration.
A virtual laboratory for computer organisation and logic design (COLDVL) and its utilisation for MOOCs

This paper presents the usabilities of a newly developed web based virtual laboratory package as a self-learning tool in association with online courses with the facility for evaluation of user assignments without the intervention of the instructor. This virtual lab contains a hierarchical module level logic design tool equipped with a logic simulator, a set of pre-designed experiments and also the facility to add new experiments to enhance learning. The tool contains a repertoire of components and design functionalities to aid learning through experiments. For complex experiments, such as CPU design, the tool provides an interface for specifying the controller abstractly as a control state chart. All the experiments can be conducted on a regular desktop or a laptop computer and can be saved with user identification at any point and resumed later. This virtual lab has been successfully deployed to support several of courses at IIT Kharagpur. Additionally, workshops to familiarize this system to teachers and students in several colleges have been conducted. Feedback from an academic institute conducting the lab with online courses indicating satisfactory usability has been gathered.
Effect of in vitro fertilization treatment and subsequent pregnancy on the protein C pathway

Thirty‐three women who were planned for an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle donated blood at four time points during treatment: at baseline, after downregulation, hyperstimulation and luteal support. Levels of progesterone, 17β‐oestradiol and indicators of the protein C pathway, i.e. activated protein C sensitivity ratios (APCsr), protein C, protein C inhibitor and protein S were measured. Compared with baseline, oestradiol decreased twofold at downregulation and increased 40‐fold at hyperstimulation. Progesterone was elevated 2·5‐fold at hyperstimulation and 40‐fold at luteal support. The APCsr increased slightly at downregulation, significantly increased during hyperstimulation and remained high during luteal support. The plasma levels of the anticoagulant proteins did not change or changed moderately during treatment. During downregulation, progesterone correlated negatively with APCsr (r = −0·398, P = 0·024). At hyperstimulation oestradiol correlated with the APCsr (r =0·615, P < 0·0005). Moreover, there was a significant correlation (r = 0·599, P < 0·0005) between the difference in baseline and hyperstimulation values of oestradiol (ΔE2 = 6·6 nmol/l) and the APCsr (ΔAPCsr = 0·30). Six women who participated in this study became pregnant. Compared with baseline, the APCsr was increased 1·9‐fold (ΔAPCsr = 1·48) and free protein S free level decreased 30% at 7 weeks of pregnancy. This study demonstrates that despite the considerable changes in endogenous oestradiol and progesterone during an IVF cycle, changes in plasma levels of anticoagulant proteins are moderate. The significant increase in the APCsr during hyperstimulation indicates that acquired APC resistance observed during sex steroid hormone changes in women is at least partially caused by high oestrogen levels. Our findings demonstrate that IVF treatment is accompanied by the development of a mild prothrombotic condition.
Increased expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and interleukin 22 in patients with allergic asthma.

OBJECTIVES We sought to determine whether the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and interleukin (IL)-22 may be involved in the pathogenesis of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in allergic asthmatic patients and whether their expression may be related to the severity of the disease. METHODS Blood samples were obtained from each subject with allergic asthma (n =18), controlled asthma (n = 17) and healthy controls (n = 12) respectively. The PBMCs were collected for AhR mRNA detection by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The plasma was collected for IL-22 protein detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS The expression of AhR mRNA in PBMCs and IL-22 protein in plasma of patients with allergic asthma were higher than those in controlled asthma cases and healthy controls. The plasma concentrations of IL-22 had negative correlation with the predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1%) and the percentage of FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) and it was positively correlated with the asthma severity score (ASS) of the asthmatics. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that both AhR and IL-22 might be involved in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma in human and the level of IL-22 might have some relationship with the severity of the disease.
Semi‐Arid Aquifer Responses to Forest Restoration Treatments and Climate Change

The purpose of this study was to develop an interpretive groundwater‐flow model to assess the impacts that planned forest restoration treatments and anticipated climate change will have on large regional, deep (>400 m), semi‐arid aquifers. Simulations were conducted to examine how tree basal area reductions impact groundwater recharge from historic conditions to 2099. Novel spatial analyses were conducted to determine areas and rates of potential increases in groundwater recharge. Changes in recharge were applied to the model by identifying zones of basal area reduction from planned forest restoration treatments and applying recharge‐change factors to these zones. Over a 10‐year period of forest restoration treatment, a 2.8% increase in recharge to one adjacent groundwater basin (the Verde Valley sub‐basin) was estimated, compared to conditions that existed from 2000 to 2005. However, this increase in recharge was assumed to quickly decline after treatment due to regrowth of vegetation and forest underbrush and their associated increased evapotranspiration. Furthermore, simulated increases in groundwater recharge were masked by decreases in water levels, stream baseflow, and groundwater storage resulting from surface water diversions and groundwater pumping. These results indicate that there is an imbalance between water supply and demand in this regional, semi‐arid aquifer. Current water management practices may not be sustainable into the far future and comprehensive action should be taken to minimize this water budget imbalance.
Wilms tumor

Wilms tumor is the most common primary malignant renal tumor of childhood, representing about six percent of all childhood cancers in the United States. Developments in surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy have led to a dramatic change in the prognosis for most patients, and Wilms tumor has become a paradigm for multimodal treatment of a pediatric malignant solid tumor. The authors review the progress made in the diagnosis and management of children with Wilms tumor.
Exploring infant deformational or positional plagiocephaly prevention and management by Maternal Child Health Nurses and Paediatric Physiotherapists

Objectives: To explore Maternal Child Health (MCH) nurses' and Paediatric Physiotherapists' (Physiotherapists) experience with infant deformational or positional plagiocephaly (plagiocephaly). Design: Cross-sectional online survey. Setting: Community health setting in Victoria, Australia. Subjects: MCH nurses and Paediatric Physiotherapists in Victoria were invited to participate. Main outcome measures: Survey results were collated and analysed descriptively. Results: Surveys were completed by 183/961(19%) MCH nurses and a sample of 16 Physiotherapists, from a cross section of metropolitan (62%), regional (18%) and rural/remote (24%) Victoria. All MCH nurses and Physiotherapists reported seeing infants with plagiocephaly in the previous 12 months. Responses indicated MCH nurses saw between 11-50 infants with plagiocephaly (n=110). These were first diagnosed by MCH nurses at one to three months. Infants first presented to Physiotherapists on average at four to six months. All MCH nurses and Physiotherapists implemented prevention strategies and both groups thought it was effective subject to parents' implementing the advice. Strategies for prevention and management of plagiocephaly included early prone play (tummy-time) and counter positioning. Physiotherapists also included gross motor exercises, stretches if torticollis was present and, if appropriate, referral for helmet therapy. Referrals of infants with plagiocephaly by MCH nurses were made to Physiotherapists, General Practitioners, Chiropractors and Osteopaths. Conclusions: All MCH nurses and Physiotherapist respondents see infants with plagiocephaly, MCH nurses earlier than Physiotherapists. The effectiveness of plagiocephaly prevention advice can be called into question because of the high numbers of infants presenting and subsequent referrals to different health professionals. Recommendations from respondents included a review of past initiatives including extensive education for Maternal Child Health Nurses, Pamphlets in their Home visiting pack and video for demonstration at first time mothers group and the provision of clearer early prevention advice in the Government Key Ages and Stages (KAS) Framework for MCH nurses.
Changes in Sleep Duration and Sleep Timing Associated with Retirement Transitions.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Investigate whether retirement transitions are associated with changes in sleep duration and sleep timing, and whether these associations are modified by age, sex, mental health, or circadian preference. METHODS The Retirement and Sleep Trajectories (REST) study is a longitudinal study consisting of four annual mailed surveys that collected information about employment, sleep, and health. Differences in reported sleep duration, bedtime and wake time between successive surveys were calculated to estimate change over 1, 2, and 3 y. Linear regression models were used to estimate changes in these sleep parameters associated with retirement 1, 2, and 3 y posttransition. RESULTS Retiring from full-time work was associated with bedtimes that were 30, 31, and 36 min later 1, 2, and 3 y postretirement; wake times that were 63, 69, and 78 min later; and sleep durations that were 15, 16, and 22 min longer 1, 2, and 3 y postretirement. These associations did not differ by sex or mental health status. Age and circadian preference modified the associations between retirement and change in sleep parameters; the increase in sleep duration was shorter and the wake time extension was lesser with advancing retirement age; those with evening preference had longer wake time extensions than those with morning preference. CONCLUSION Transitioning to retirement is associated with longer sleep duration, later bedtimes, and later wake times. These changes were detectable about 1 y postwork transition and were persistent up to 3 y later.
Associations of neighborhood characteristics with sleep timing and quality: the Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To investigate the associations of specific neighborhood features (disorder, safety, social cohesion, physical environment, and socioeconomic status) with sleep duration and quality. DESIGN Cross-sectional. One wave of a population-based study (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). SETTING Community-dwelling participants in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA. PARTICIPANTS There were 1,406 participants (636 males, 770 females). INTERVENTIONS NA. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Sleep was assessed using reported hours of sleep, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and insomnia symptoms. Neighborhood characteristics were assessed via questionnaires administered to neighbors of study participants and were aggregated to the neighborhood (census tract) level using empirical Bayes estimation. An adverse social environment (characterized by high disorder, and low safety and social cohesion) was associated with shorter sleep duration after adjustment for the physical environment, neighborhood and individual-level socioeconomic status (SES), and other short sleep risk factors (mean difference per standard deviation increase in summary social environment scale 0.24 h 95% confidence interval 0.08, 0.43). Adverse neighborhood social and physical environments, and neighborhood SES were associated with greater sleepiness, but associations with physical environments were no longer statistically significant after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics. Neighborhood SES was a weaker and less consistent predictor of specific measures of neighborhood social and physical environments. Neighborhood characteristics were not associated with insomnia. CONCLUSIONS Shortened sleep related to adverse social environments represents one potential pathway through which neighborhoods may influence health.
A Step Subsequent to Preinitiation Complex Assembly at the Ribosomal RNA Gene Promoter Is Rate Limiting for Human RNA Polymerase I-Dependent Transcription

ABSTRACT The assembly, disassembly, and functional properties of transcription preinitiation complexes (PICs) of human RNA polymerase I (Pol I) play a crucial role in the regulation of rRNA gene expression. To study the factors and processes involved, an immobilized-promoter template assay has been developed that allows the isolation from nuclear extracts of functional PICs, which support accurate initiation of transcription. Immunoblotting of template-bound factors showed that these complexes contained the factors required to support initiation of transcription, SL1, upstream binding factor (UBF), and Pol I. We have demonstrated that, throughout a single round of transcription, SL1 and UBF remain promoter bound. Moreover, the promoter-bound SL1 and UBF retain the ability to function in transcription initiation. SL1 has a central role in the stable association of the PIC with the promoter DNA. The polymerase component of the PIC is released from the promoter during transcription yet is efficiently recycled and able to reinitiate from “poised” promoters carrying SL1 and UBF, since the PICs captured on the immobilized templates sustained multiple rounds of transcription. Kinetic analyses of initiation of transcription by Pol I revealed that Pol I-dependent transcription is rate limited in a step subsequent to recruitment and assembly of Pol I PICs. The rate of RNA synthesis is primarily determined by the rates at which the polymerase initiates transcription and escapes the promoter, referred to as promoter clearance. This rate-limiting step in Pol I transcription is likely to be a major target in the regulation of rRNA gene expression.
Manual Therapy and Exercise Therapy in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial With 1-Year Follow-up

Study Design. A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial with 1-year follow-up. Objectives. To compare the effect of manual therapy to exercise therapy in sick-listed patients with chronic low back pain (>8 wks). Summary and Background Data. The effect of exercise therapy and manual therapy on chronic low back pain with respect to pain, function, and sick leave have been investigated in a number of studies. The results are, however, conflicting. Methods. Patients with chronic low back pain or radicular pain sick-listed for more than 8 weeks and less than 6 months were included. A total of 49 patients were randomized to either manual therapy (n = 27) or to exercise therapy (n = 22). Sixteen treatments were given over the course of 2 months. Pain intensity, functional disability (Oswestry disability index), general health (Dartmouth COOP function charts), and return to work were recorded before, immediately after, at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the treatment period. Spinal range of motion (Schober test) was measured before and immediately after the treatment period only. Results. Although significant improvements were observed in both groups, the manual therapy group showed significantly larger improvements than the exercise therapy group on all outcome variables throughout the entire experimental period. Immediately after the 2-month treatment period, 67% in the manual therapy and 27% in the exercise therapy group had returned to work (P < 0.01), a relative difference that was maintained throughout the follow-up period. Conclusions. Improvements were found in both intervention groups, but manual therapy showed significantly greater improvement than exercise therapy in patients with chronic low back pain. The effects were reflected on all outcome measures, both on short and long-term follow-up.
Antihistamine activity of Bryophyllum calycinum.

1. The juice obtained by pressing the leaves of Bryophyllum calycinum (Crassulaceae) exhibited histamine-blocking activity. 2. The juice contains flavonoid compounds, carbohydrates and mineral salts. A flavonoid fraction (fraction B) obtained by partitioning the juice between n-butanol and water contained the substance responsible for the antihistamine activity. 3. When assayed on the isolated guinea pig ileum, 50 mg/ml juice and 0.15 mg/ml fraction B produced parallel and concentration-dependent rightward displacement of the concentration-response curve to histamine (EC50 (FL): 1.30 (0.26-5.28) x 10(-7) M, 15.80 (5.90-23.30) x 10(-7) M, 12.50 (7.62-14.90) x 10(-7) M, in the absence and presence of 50 mg/ml juice and 12 mg/ml fraction B, respectively) apparently in a competitive manner. The antagonism was specific for histamine, i.e., did not modify the response to acetylcholine, KCl and BaCl2 and was reversible upon washing. Vascular permeability responses of rats to intracutaneous 1.0, 5.0 or 10.0 micrograms histamine were decreased by about 20-25% in animals pretreated with 4 ml/kg of juice or with 12 mg/kg fraction B. The juice (4 ml/kg) protected guinea pigs from death by asphyxia induced by 5 mg histamine and the protection lasted at least 1 h. 4. However, since the juice was ineffective in protecting the gastric mucosa from histamine-induced ulceration, we conclude that the antihistamine effect of the juice and fraction B was produced by blockade of H1 and not H2 receptors.
Chelating effect of EDTA on nickel

The chelating effect of disodium ethylenediamine tetra‐acetate (EDTA) in nickel‐allergic patients was investigated. After pretreatment of the right half of the patient's back with 10% EDTA in a cream, and the left half of the back with the cream base only, various concentrations of nickel sulphate were patch tested on these areas. The blocking effect of the 10% EDTA cream appeared to be significant in comparison with that of the cream base only (p < 0.01).
Involvement of microparticles in diabetic vascular complications

Summary Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with increased coagulability and vascular complications. Circulating microparticles (MPs) are involved in thrombosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. However, the role of MPs in T2DM vascular complications is unclear. We characterised the cell origin and pro-coagulant profiles of MPs obtained from 41 healthy controls and 123 T2DM patients with coronary artery disease, retinopathy and foot ulcers. The effects of MPs on endothelial cell coagulability and tube formation were evaluated. Patients with severe diabetic foot ulcers expressed the highest levels of MPs originated from platelet and endothelial cells and negatively-charged phospholipidbearing MPs. MP coagulability, calculated from MP tissue factor (TF) and TF pathway inhibitor (TFPI) ratio, was low in healthy controls and in diabetic retinopathy patients (<0.7) but high in patients with coronary artery disease and foot ulcers (>1.8, p≥0.002). MPs of all T2DM patients induced a more than two-fold increase in endothelial cell TF (antigen and gene expression) but did not affect TFPI levels. Tube networks were longest and most stable in endothelial cells that were incubated with MPs of healthy controls, whereas no tube formation occurred in MPs of diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. MPs of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic foot ulcer patients induced branched tube networks that were unstable and collapsed over time. This study demonstrates that MP characteristics are related to the specific type of vascular complications and may serve as a bio-marker for the procoagulant state and vascular pathology in patients with T2DM.