Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Service Loyalty

Focusing on sporting events as an important segment within the tourism and travel industry, this study establishes that the service quality–delight–loyalty system complements a service quality–satisfaction–loyalty one. The findings highlight that prior consumption experience with a service coincides with lowered service evaluations while it amplifies the impact of customer delight on customer loyalty. In turn, this study provides practical insights into service quality dimensions for managing customer loyalty.
SPOROGENESIS UNDER ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION IN LAMINARIA DIGITATA (PHAEOPHYCEAE) REVEALS PROTECTION OF PHOTOSENSITIVE MEIOSPORES WITHIN SORAL TISSUE: PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL EVIDENCE 1

To study the effect of different radiation conditions on sporogenesis of Laminaria digitata (Huds.) J. V. Lamour. , excised disks were induced to form sporangia under PAR (P), PAR + ultraviolet‐A (UVA) (PA), and PAR + UVA + ultraviolet‐B (UVB) (PAB) conditions in the laboratory. Vitality of meiospores, released from sori induced under different radiation conditions in the laboratory and from sori of wild sporophytes acclimated to in situ solar radiation in the presence and absence of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), was measured in terms of their germination capacity. Sorus induction in disks of laboratory‐grown sporophytes was not hampered under light supplemented with UVR, and sorus area was not significantly different among P, PA, and PAB. Vitality and germination rate of meiospores released from sori induced under different radiation treatments was comparable. Likewise, screening of UVR of the natural solar radiation did not promote higher germination rates of meiospores released from wild sporophytes. Germination rates were, however, higher in meiospores released from laboratory‐induced sori compared to sori of wild sporophytes. Higher DNA damage (formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, CPDs) was observed in laboratory‐grown nonsorus compared to sorus tissue, while CPDs were nondetectable in both sorus and nonsorus tissue of wild sporophytes. To explain the apparent protection of developing meiospores and the unexpected UV resistance of soral tissue, concurrent anatomical investigations of sporogenic tissue were performed. We observed the previously unreported existence of two types of sterile paraphysis cells. One type of paraphysis cells, the most frequent type, contained several red‐fluorescing plastids. The other type, less frequently occurring, was completely filled with substances emitting blue fluorescence under violet excitation, presumably brown algal phenolic compounds (phlorotannins). Cells of this type were irregularly scattered within the sorus and did not contain red‐fluorescing plastids. Meiospore‐containing sporangia were positioned embedded between both types of paraphysis cells. In vegetative tissue, blue autofluorescence was observed only in injured parts of the blade. Results of our study suggest that the sorus structure with phlorotannins localized in the specialized paraphysis cells may be able to screen harmful UVR and protect UV‐sensitive meiospores inside the sporangia.
Sister chromatid exchange induction in mouse B- and T-lymphocytes exposed to cyclophosphamide in vitro and in vivo.

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is known to exert greater toxic effects of B- than on T-lymphocytes in vivo. Both in vitro and in vivo CPA treatments were used to assess the possible cytogenetic basis for these observations. First, male C57BL/6 mouse lymphocytes were stimulated to divide in vitro with either phytohemagglutinin (T-cell mitogen) or lipopolysaccharide (B-cell mitogen), and were then treated with CPA (0.05 to 1.0 mM) and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (2 microM) at 24 hr. Cultures were harvested at 60 hr following a 4-hr treatment with demecolcine (1.35 microM). CPA caused concentration-related increases in sister chromatid exchange (SCE) up to 3 times control frequencies; the resulting SCE induction curves for B- and T-cells were sigmoidal and equivalent. Second, mice were given a single i.p. injection of CPA (0.5, 1.0, or 5.0 mg/kg). Blood was removed 24 hr later and cultured without additional CPA, as described above. Dose-related increases in SCE frequencies were seen for both T- and B-lymphocytes. CPA induced consistently 2.5 to 3.7 more SCEs in B-cells than in T-cells. Thus, B- and T-lymphocytes exhibited an equal sensitivity to CPA in vitro, but B-cells were more susceptible to the genotoxic effects in vivo.
An evolutionary and interpretive perspective to knowledge management

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to provide a review of knowledge management (KM) literature by adapting and extending McElroy’s KM generations model. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws from a range of KM research published in the academic and trade literature. An interpretive stance is adopted to provide a holistic understanding and interpretation of organizational KM research and related knowledge management systems (KMS) and models. Findings – To be effective organizations need not only to negotiate their migration from a knowledge sharing (first generation) to a knowledge creation (second generation) culture, but also to create sustained organizational and societal values. The latter form the third generation KM and represent key challenges faced by modern organizations. A true value creation culture is nurtured through a blended approach that factors a number of perspectives to KM, including human networks, social capital, intellectual capital, technology assets, and change processes. Research limitations/implications – The interpretive approach adopted throughout the review is limited to, and focused on, understanding the implementation and organizational implications of KM initiatives and technology. Originality/value – While value creation focuses on the organizational and societal impact of knowledge management, the paper describes how human networks, social capital, intellectual capital, technology assets, and change processes emerge as essential conditions to enable knowledge value creation.
Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: A randomized, placebo‐controlled, blinded study

Tea tree oil has been shown to have activity against dermatophytes in vitro. We have conducted a randomized, controlled, double‐blinded study to determine the efficacy and safety of 25% and 50% tea tree oil in the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis. One hundred and fifty‐eight patients with tinea pedis clinically and microscopy suggestive of a dermatophyte infection were randomized to receive either placebo, 25% or 50% tea tree oil solution. Patients applied the solution twice daily to affected areas for 4 weeks and were reviewed after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. There was a marked clinical response seen in 68% of the 50% tea tree oil group and 72% of the 25% tea tree oil group, compared to 39% in the placebo group. Mycological cure was assessed by culture of skin scrapings taken at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. The mycological cure rate was 64% in the 50% tea tree oil group, compared to 31% in the placebo group. Four (3.8%) patients applying tea tree oil developed moderate to severe dermatitis that improved quickly on stopping the study medication.
Proteome-guided search for influenza A B-cell epitopes.

The influenza A linear peptide epitopes recognized by murine antibodies, and currently cataloged at http://www.immuneepitope. org, were examined for the identity score to the host mouse proteome. It was found that almost all of the linear viral determinants are (or contain) regions formed by pentapeptide fragments with no or only very low similarity to the murine proteins. The present study adds to previous reports in suggesting a main role of amino acid sequence similarity in the modulation and definition of the B-cell epitope repertoire, inspiring innovative vaccine approaches able to avoid cross-reactive autoimmune collateral phenomena, and addressing future research in the study of immunity against the influenza A virus and infectious diseases in general.
Fate in Model Ecosystems of Microbial Species of Potential Use in Genetic Engineering

The changes in populations of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Rhizobium meliloti, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were measured after their introduction into samples of sewage, lake water, and soil. Enumeration of small populations was possible because the strains used were resistant to antibiotics in concentrations and combinations such that few species native to these ecosystems were able to grow on agar containing the inhibitors. Fewer than 2 cells per ml of sewage or lake water and 25 cells per g of soil could be detected. A. tumefaciens and R. meliloti persisted in significant numbers with little decline, but S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, S. typhimurium, S. cerevisiae, and vegetative cells of B. subtilis failed to survive in samples of sewage and lake water. In sterile sewage, however, K. pneumoniae, B. subtilis, S. typhimurium, A. tumefaciens, and R. meliloti grew; S. cerevisiae populations were maintained at the levels used for inoculation; and S. aureus died rapidly. In sterile lake water, the population of S. aureus and K. pneumoniae and the number of vegetative cells of B. subtilis declined rapidly, R. meliloti grew, and the other species maintained significant numbers with little or a slow decline. The populations of S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. tumefaciens, B. subtilis, and S. typhimurium declined in soil, but the first four species grew in sterile soil. It is suggested that some species persist in environments in which they are not indigenous because they tolerate abiotic stresses, do not lose viability readily when starved, and coexist with antagonists. The species that fails to survive need only be affected by one of these factors.
Imaging Microglial Activation with TSPO PET: Lighting Up Neurologic Diseases?

Neuroinflammation is implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide range of neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases. For over 20 years, 11C-PK11195 PET, which aims to image expression of the translocator protein (TSPO) on activated microglia in the brain, has been used in preclinical and clinical research to investigate neuroinflammation in vivo in patients with brain diseases. However, 11C-PK11195 suffers from two major limitations: its low brain permeability and high nonspecific and plasma binding results in a low signal-to-noise ratio, and the use of 11C restricts its use to PET research centers and hospitals with an on-site cyclotron. In recent years, there has been a great deal of work into the development of new TSPO-specific PET radiotracers. This work has focused on fluorinated radiotracers, which would enable wider use and improved signal-to-noise ratios. These radiotracers have been utilized in preclinical and clinical studies of several neurologic diseases with varying degrees of success. Unfortunately, the application of these second-generation TSPO radiotracers has revealed additional problems, including a polymorphism that affects TSPO binding. In this review, the developments in TSPO imaging are discussed, and current limitations and suggestions for future directions are explored.
The Mouthwash War - Chlorhexidine vs. Herbal Mouth Rinses: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION Mouthwashes are often prescribed in dentistry for prevention and treatment of several oral conditions. In the recent times the use of naturally occurring products what is otherwise known as grandmothers remedy are used on a large scale. This has now called for a newer age of mouth washes but is the new age mouth washes at par with the gold standard or even better than them this study investigates. AIM The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of two broad categories of mouth washes namely chlorhexidine and herbal mouth washes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eleven randomized control studies were pooled in for the meta-analysis. The search was done from the Pub Med Central listed studies with the use keywords with Boolean operators (chlorhexidine, herbal, mouth wash, randomized control trials). The fixed effects model was used for analysis. RESULTS This meta-analysis brings to light, the fact that a wide range of newer herbal products are now available. As with a plethora of herbal mouthwashes available it is the need of the hour to validate their potential use and recommendation. This study found that only two studies favor the use of herbal products and four studies favor the use of chlorhexidine, of the 11 studies that were analyzed. CONCLUSION More studies are required under well controlled circumstances to prove that herbal products can equate or replace the 'gold standard' chlorhexidine. Herbal products are heterogeneous in nature, their use should be advised only with more scientific proof.
A retinoscopic survey of 333 horses and ponies in the UK.

INTRODUCTION Ophthalmic examination in the horse is generally limited to crude assessment of vision and screening for ocular lesions. The refractive state of equine eyes and the potential impact on vision and performance requires further investigation. OBJECTIVE To assess the refractive state of a large, mixed-breed sample of horses and ponies in the United Kingdom (UK). PROCEDURE The refractive state of both eyes of 333 horses and ponies was determined by streak retinoscopy, and the effect of age, height, gender, breed and management regime on the refractive state assessed. RESULTS Emmetropia was found in 557 of 666 (83.63%) of eyes; 228/333 (68.5%) of the horses/ponies were emmetropic in both eyes. Refractive errors of greater than 1.50 D (in either direction) were found in 2.7% of the eyes tested. Ametropic eyes included hyperopia (54%) and myopia (46%). Anisometropia was found in 30.3% of horses and ponies. Breed of horse/pony was the only factor that affected refractive state (in the left eye only, P < 0.05) with Thoroughbred crosses having a tendency toward myopia and Warmbloods/Shires toward hyperopia. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The retinoscopic survey found emmetropia to be the predominant refractive state of the equine eye with no evidence of an overall trend toward myopia or hyperopia. However, individual and breed-related differences were found. Such factors should be considered in the selection of horses for sport and leisure, and when evaluating their performance potential. More comprehensive visual testing would be valuable in identifying underlying causes of behavioral problems.
Role of RAD52 Epistasis Group Genes in Homologous Recombination and Double-Strand Break Repair

SUMMARY The process of homologous recombination is a major DNA repair pathway that operates on DNA double-strand breaks, and possibly other kinds of DNA lesions, to promote error-free repair. Central to the process of homologous recombination are the RAD52 group genes (RAD50, RAD51, RAD52, RAD54, RDH54/TID1, RAD55, RAD57, RAD59, MRE11, and XRS2), most of which were identified by their requirement for the repair of ionizing-radiation-induced DNA damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Rad52 group proteins are highly conserved among eukaryotes, and Rad51, Mre11, and Rad50 are also conserved in prokaryotes and archaea. Recent studies showing defects in homologous recombination and double-strand break repair in several human cancer-prone syndromes have emphasized the importance of this repair pathway in maintaining genome integrity. Although sensitivity to ionizing radiation is a universal feature of rad52 group mutants, the mutants show considerable heterogeneity in different assays for recombinational repair of double-strand breaks and spontaneous mitotic recombination. Herein, I provide an overview of recent biochemical and structural analyses of the Rad52 group proteins and discuss how this information can be incorporated into genetic studies of recombination.
Feasibility of an interdisciplinary program for obesity management in Canada.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of a medically supervised, publicly funded interdisciplinary program for obesity management in a Canadian setting. DESIGN Retrospective chart audit using electronic medical records. SETTING Wharton Medical Clinic in Hamilton and Burlington, Ont. PARTICIPANTS A total of 2739 consenting patients attending the interdisciplinary obesity-management program at Wharton Medical Clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Three- and 6-month weight changes and factors affecting weight loss. RESULTS The 1085 patients attending the clinic for at least 3 months (mean [SD] of 8.1 [6.1] visits and 5.4 [4.7] months) lost a mean (SD) of 4.2 (7.1) kg or 3.5% (6.8%) of their initial body weight, with 32% and 9% of these patients attaining weight reductions of 5% or greater and 10% or greater, respectively. The 289 patients attending the clinic for 6 months or more (mean [SD] of 13.2 [9.7] visits and 10.5 [6.9] months) lost a mean (SD) of 5.4 (10.6) kg or 4.3% (9.2%) of their initial body weight, with 47% and 17% attaining reductions of 5% or greater and 10% or greater, respectively. Visit frequency was positively associated with weight loss independent of age, sex, body mass index, and treatment duration. CONCLUSION Preliminary data support the short-term effectiveness and clinical utility of this publicly funded program. Using this interdisciplinary model, approximately half of patients were able to attain clinically significant weight loss.
HIV-Specific CD8+ T Cell–Mediated Viral Suppression Correlates With the Expression of CD57

Background:Virus-specific CD8+ T-cell responses are believed to play an important role in the control of HIV-1 infection; however, what constitutes an effective HIV-1 CD8+ T-cell response remains a topic of debate. The ex vivo viral suppressive capacity was measured of CD8+ T cells from 44 HIV-1–positive individuals. The phenotypic and cytokine profiles, and also the specificity of the CD8+ T cells, were correlated with the suppression of HIV-1 replication. We also aimed to determine whether antiretroviral therapy (ART) had any positive effect on the HIV-1 suppressive CD8+ T cells. Method:Ex vivo suppression assay was used to evaluate the ability of CD8+ T cells to suppress HIV-1 replication in autologous CD4+ T cells. The CD107a, interferon-&ggr;, interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor–&agr; (TNF-&agr;), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1&bgr; (MIP-1&bgr;) responses to HIV-1 were evaluated by intracellular staining. The phenotypic profile of CD8+ T cells was determined by whole blood staining. Results:The expression of CD57 on effector CD8+ T cells correlated with the suppression of HIV-1 replication and to the duration of ART. CD107a and tumor necrosis factor–&agr; expression levels were significantly higher in individuals with ex vivo suppressive activity compared with individuals without suppressive activity. Conclusions:Standard in vitro assays measuring one or several cytokines do not correlate with the functional viral suppressive capacity of CD8+ T cells from HIV-1–positive individuals. The best correlation of viral suppression was found to be CD57 expression. CD57 expression correlated with the duration of ART, suggesting that ART restores the cytotoxic capacity of CD8+ T lymphocytes.
Network analysis of the Viking Age in Ireland as portrayed in Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh

Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh (‘The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill’) is a medieval Irish text, telling how an army under the leadership of Brian Boru challenged Viking invaders and their allies in Ireland, culminating with the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Brian’s victory is widely remembered for breaking Viking power in Ireland, although much modern scholarship disputes traditional perceptions. Instead of an international conflict between Irish and Viking, interpretations based on revisionist scholarship consider it a domestic feud or civil war. Counter-revisionists challenge this view and a long-standing and lively debate continues. Here, we introduce quantitative measures to the discussions. We present statistical analyses of network data embedded in the text to position its sets of interactions on a spectrum from the domestic to the international. This delivers a picture that lies between antipodal traditional and revisionist extremes; hostilities recorded in the text are mostly between Irish and Viking—but internal conflict forms a significant proportion of the negative interactions too.
Microbiological assessment of bile during cholecystectomy: is all bile infected?

AIMS To determine the prevalence of bactibilia in patients undergoing cholecystectomy and to relate the presence or absence of organisms to the preoperative and postoperative course. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients undergoing cholecystectomy under the care of a single consultant surgeon during a continuous 5-year period were identified from a prospectively maintained departmental database. Symptoms, clinical signs, findings of investigations, details of treatment and postoperative care were noted. Risk factors for bactibilia (acute cholecystitis, common duct stones, emergency surgery, intraoperative findings and age > 70 years) were documented. Patients were divided according to the presence (B + ) or absence (B-) of bacteria on culture of their bile. RESULTS In all, 128/180 (70%) of cholecystectomies had full data available for analysis. Bacteria were identified in the bile of 20 (15.6%) patients (B+ group). The B+ group was significantly older at 63.78+/-9.7 versus 61.62+/-13.9 (p<0.05) and contained significantly fewer females than the B- group (p<0.05). All 20 patients (100%) in the B+ group had > or = 1 risk factor, while these factors were present in only 29/108 (30.3%) of patients in the B- group (p<0.05). The overall incidence of infective complications was 20% in the B+ group compared with 0.9% in the B- group (p<0.05) and the bile-related infections were higher in the B+ group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that while patients with complicated gallstone disease frequently exhibit bactibilia, patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis have aseptic bile. The findings would suggest that prophylactic antibiotics should be limited to patients with risk factors for bactibilia.
Multiple Self‐Controlled Case Series for Large‐Scale Longitudinal Observational Databases

Characterization of relationships between time‐varying drug exposures and adverse events (AEs) related to health outcomes represents the primary objective in postmarketing drug safety surveillance. Such surveillance increasingly utilizes large‐scale longitudinal observational databases (LODs), containing time‐stamped patient‐level medical information including periods of drug exposure and dates of diagnoses for millions of patients. Statistical methods for LODs must confront computational challenges related to the scale of the data, and must also address confounding and other biases that can undermine efforts to estimate effect sizes. Methods that compare on‐drug with off‐drug periods within patient offer specific advantages over between patient analysis on both counts. To accomplish these aims, we extend the self‐controlled case series (SCCS) for LODs. SCCS implicitly controls for fixed multiplicative baseline covariates since each individual acts as their own control. In addition, only exposed cases are required for the analysis, which is computationally advantageous. The standard SCCS approach is usually used to assess single drugs and therefore estimates marginal associations between individual drugs and particular AEs. Such analyses ignore confounding drugs and interactions and have the potential to give misleading results. In order to avoid these difficulties, we propose a regularized multiple SCCS approach that incorporates potentially thousands or more of time‐varying confounders such as other drugs. The approach successfully handles the high dimensionality and can provide a sparse solution via an L1 regularizer. We present details of the model and the associated optimization procedure, as well as results of empirical investigations.