Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceived Experience, Perceived Value and Customer Satisfaction as Antecedents to Loyalty among Hotel Guests

ABSTRACT Despite the hospitality industry reeling under the impact of COVID-19, few studies provide practitioner-oriented perspectives capturing dimensions of guest loyalty within emerging markets. The researchers examine the influence of perception of value and experience on guest loyalty within the context of the Indian hotel industry. A random questionnaire survey of 170 occupants across three renowned hotels during the first week of COVID-19 induced lockdown in India and subsequent analysis using structural equation modeling conﬁrm that both guest loyalty and satisfaction continue to be positively inﬂuenced by perception of value and the service experience. Both guest satisfaction and loyalty are strongest among guests who perceive high service value. Guest loyalty is also indirectly influenced by value perception and service experience through the mediation of customer satisfaction. The relationship between perceived experience and guest satisfaction is found to be stronger when perceived service value is higher. The hospitality industry, a vector of pandemic occurrence, can use this opportunity to reset business models. While micro-segmentation is called for in positioning offerings to target groups, efforts to reduce customer sacrifice by simplification of pricing and transaction procedures should be implemented across the spectrum in adjusting to the new normal.
Trunk Fat Volume Can Be a Predictor of Short-Term Surgical Outcomes After Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background Obesity can affect postoperative outcomes of gastrectomy. Visceral fat area is superior to body mass index in predicting postoperative complications. However, visceral fat area measurement is time-consuming and is not optimum for clinical use. Meanwhile, trunk fat volume (TFV) can be easily measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis. Hence, this current study aimed to determine the association of trunk fat volume in predicting the occurrence of complications after gastrectomy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer between November 2016 and November 2019. The trunk fat volume-to-the ideal amount (%TFV) ratio was obtained using InBody 770 before surgery. The patients were classified into the obese and nonobese groups according to %TFV (TFV-H group, ≥ 150 %; TFV-L group, < 150 %) and body mass index (BMI-H group, ≥ 25 kg/m2; BMI-L group, < 25 kg/m2). We compared the short-term postoperative outcomes (e.g., operative time, blood loss volume, number of resected lymph nodes, and duration of hospital stay) between the obese and nonobese patients. Risk factors for complications were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results In total, 232 patients were included in this study. The TFV-H and BMI-H groups had a significantly longer operative time than the TFV-L (p = 0.022) and BMI-L groups (p = 0.006). Moreover, the TFV-H group had a significantly higher complication rate (p = 0.004) and a lower number of resected lymph nodes (p < 0.001) than the TFV-L group. In univariate analysis, %TFV ≥ 150, total or proximal gastrectomy, and open gastrectomy were found to be potentially associated with higher complication rates with p values < 0.1. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis revealed that %TFV ≥ 150 (OR: 2.73; 95%CI: 1.37–5.46; p = 0.005) and total or proximal gastrectomy (OR: 3.57; 95%CI: 1.79–7.12; p < 0.001) were independently correlated with postoperative morbidity. Conclusions %TFV independently affected postoperative complications. Hence, it may be a useful parameter for the evaluation of obesity and a predictor of short-term surgical outcomes after gastrectomy.
The role of pulmonary function testing in predicting risk of pneumothorax by CT-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy of the lung

Background To determine risk factors for pneumothorax associated with computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB) of the lung. Whether the lung function characteristics are related to pneumothorax is unclear. This study was designed to provide a risk assessment of pneumothorax based on pulmonary function analysis, which can predict the risk especially for patients with severe pulmonary dysfunction. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 343 patients who received CT-guided pulmonary PCNBs and underwent preoperative pulmonary function testing. Demographical, lesion-related, procedure-related features and histopathological diagnosis, as well as results of pulmonary function test were analyzed for risk factors of pneumothorax Results Variables associated with higher rate of pneumothorax were location of lesion, presence of emphysema and dwell time. Furthermore, there was significant difference of pulmonary function parameters between groups with or without pneumothorax as expressed by FEV1/FVC ratio, FEV1/FVC ratio (%, pred), FEF50% (% pred), FEF75% (% pred), and FEF25 − 75% (% pred). Obstructive pulmonary function abnormalities were associated with a higher incidence of pneumothorax. However, no correlation was found between the pneumothorax rate and the severity of pulmonary function abnormalities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed lower location of lesion sampled and presence of emphysema were independent predictors of pneumothorax. Conclusions Patients with obstructive pulmonary dysfunction have a higher risk of pneumothorax. FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF50%, FEF75% and FEF25 − 75% has the potential to identify the high-risk population of pneumothorax.
Impacts of mining activities on soil properties: case studies from Morocco mine sites

In Morocco, as in many countries around the world, mining industry contributes significantly to the national economic development. The importance of this sector is reflected in its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), its important share in national exports and its beneficial effects on regional and rural development through the creation of new jobs. Both globally and in Africa, the country was able to occupy a prominent place for a number of mineral substances. Morocco is thus the world’s leading exporter of phosphate, ranked as the world’s second-largest producer of barite and one of the main producers of silver in Africa (De Boer et al., 2018; Oshokoya and Tetteh, 2018). This is explained by the existence of a favorable and diversified geological context which has made it possible to develop mining activity in many regions of the national territory. If the socio-economic benefits of mining have been favorable to the country’s development, the same does not apply for its impact on the environment. Indeed, it is well known that mining and metallurgical processes in all their phases, i.e. extraction, processing, transport, and smelting, alters the natural landscape and cause serious environmental impacts (Ainoo et al., 2009; Matschullat and Gutzmer, 2012). In addition, the large * Impacts of mining activities on soil properties: case studies from Morocco mine sites
Effect of Fe on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fe/FeAl2O4 Cermet Prepared by Hot Press Sintering

The Fe/FeAl2O4 cermet was prepared with Fe-Fe2O3-Al2O3 powder by a hot press sintering method at 1400 °C. The raw materials for the powder particles were respectively 2 µm (Fe), 0.5 µm (Fe2O3), and 0.5 µm (Al2O3) in diameter, the sintering pressure was 30 MPa, and the holding time was 120 min. The effects of different Fe mass ratios on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe/FeAl2O4 cermet were studied. The results showed that a new ceramic phase FeAl2O4 could be formed by an in situ reaction during the hot press sintering. When the Fe mass ratio was increased, the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Fe/FeAl2O4 cermet showed a change law that initially became better and then became worse. The best microstructure and mechanical properties were obtained in the S2 sample, where the mass ratio of Fe-Fe2O3-Al2O3 was 6:1:2. In this Fe mass ratio, the relative density was about 94%, and the Vickers hardness and bending strength were 1.21 GPa and 210.0 MPa, respectively. The reaction mechanism of Fe in the preparation process was the in situ synthesis reaction of FeAl2O4 and the diffusion reaction of Fe to FeAl2O4 grains. The increase of the Fe mass ratio improved the wettability of Fe and FeAl2O4, which increased the diffusion rate of Fe to FeAl2O4 grains, which increased the influence on the structure of FeAl2O4.
Value creation in public procurement of innovation: a case of engaging start-ups by a local government

ABSTRACT We examine a recent theory by Austin and Seitanidi which proposes a framework for analysing value creation in inter-organisational collaborations. Le Pennec and Raufflet offer an empirical examination of Austin and Seitanidi’s model and provide a critical path in the form of a pyramid among diverse types of value created during collaborative processes. Associational value is the base of the pyramid, followed by transferred resource, interactional, and synergistic value. We examine a case of public procurement of innovation in which a local government worked with start-ups to address civic issues. We identify what types of value are created in public-purpose collaborations between a local government and start-ups, and how those values interact with each other. The study extends Le Pennec and Raufflet’s pyramid by providing evidence of a dynamic path in the creation of diverse types of value in a collaborative process of public procurement of innovation where start-ups are engaged.
Successful Treatment of Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Three Patients With Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Fuzhou, China

Background Up to now, there is no specific treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) yet except for general supportive care. Hence, it will be critical to find a new strategy for COVID-19. The study is to explore whether convalescent plasma transfusion may be beneficial in the treatment of severe patients with COVID-19.Methods This is a retrospective analysis of three severe patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and admitted in Fuzhou pulmonary hospital of Fujian province from February 18th, to May 15th,who met the following criteria: (1) within 3 weeks of symptom onset；laboratory confirmed cases or who had viremia conformed by clinical experts；（2）Severe patients with rapidly progress or the early stage of critically ill patients or who required plasma therapy were comprehensively evaluated by clinical experts. The data of clinical manifestations and the progresses of disease monitored by blood-gas analysis, biochemical tests, routine examine, radiological exam were abstracted and then analysis the changes before and after convalescent plasma transfusion. Results All three patients (one male and two females; age range, 57-65years) were treated with convalescent plasma during the study. Two patients had underlying chronic diseases, including diabetes and hypertension. The most common symptoms were fever (three cases, 3/3) and cough (two cases, 2/3). All patients were treated with a combination of two antiviral drugs (lopinaviritonavir or arbidol combined with IFN-ɑ), whereas none of the patients were given glucocorticoids. Following plasma transfusion, the symptoms of the whole group improved to some degree, mainly manifested as reducing in coughing and body temperature normalized. Several parameters tended to improve as compared to pre-transfusion, including increased lymphocyte counts (0.97 × 109/L vs. 1.08 × 109/L) and decreased IL-6 (41.34 pg/ml vs. 13.83 pg/ml). The density of bilateral infiltration on CT imaging showed varying degrees of absorption within 7days. Throat swab nucleic acid test of most patients became negative for the novel coronavirus within 3 days after the transfusion. No adverse effects and severe complications were observed. Conclusions In this preliminary uncontrolled case series of 3severe patients with COVID-19, convalescent plasma could be as a promising therapy for COVID-19 without corticosteroids and no serious adverse reactions associated with the transfusion of convalescent plasma were observed, which would improve the clinical outcomes following by improvement in their clinical status. Using the convalescent plasma at the early stage(less than 10 days) of disease could be more effective. Anticoagulation is necessary for severe patients with COVID-19 given the state of hypercoagulability. However, given the small sample size and limited study design, naturally these results should be taken with a grain of salt until replicated by other further investigation in larger well-controlled trials.
Glocal production of knowledge: exploring Vietnamese scholars’ perception of ‘good’ research

ABSTRACT Given the importance of local scholars’ understanding of research in their integration into global academia, this study explored the way scholars conceptualised and perceived the meaning of research and their identities as researchers. This article reports data from a qualitative case study using semi-structured interviews to explore the positioning and discursive identity of eight Vietnamese social science scholars. Findings revealed that researchers trained in Vietnam and the Soviet Union understood research as knowledge production, positioning themselves as creators of knowledge and critical thinkers. In contrast, researchers who studied in Western countries considered research a rigorous process, positioning themselves as producers and disseminators of research assessed against given standards in international peer-reviewed journals. This study suggests that in local contexts with a complicated history and unique culture like Vietnam, social science researchers should be encouraged to employ their various local methods to tap into the existing sources of local knowledge.
Pollen Flow of Winter Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) Investigated with Transgenic Line Expressing β-Glucuronidase Gene

A transgenic winter triticale line expressing the uidA gene, encoding β-glucuronidase, was used to assess the pollen flow in field experiments over two consecutive vegetation seasons in central Poland. The experimental design included two variants of mixed transgenic and non-transgenic lines. Pollen grains were collected using passive traps located at 0, 10, 30, 60 and 85 m from the transgenic line. GM pollen grains were detected histochemically by staining with x-Gluc. A positive effect of temperature increase, as well as the strength and direction of the wind on the number and spread of pollen grains was observed. Regardless of the experiment year and variant, only few pollen grains were observed at a distance of 85 m. In the first year of the study the amount of pollen grains at 85 m was 300-fold lower than at the source and 140-fold lower in the second year. The number of transgenic pollen grains was two times lower when the field with the transgenic triticale was surrounded by a non-transgenic line, compared to an empty field. On the basis of the obtained results, we suggest 100 m as the distance for triticale pollen migration, although longer flight incidents are possible in extreme atmospheric conditions.
Optimization of antioxidant extraction and characterization of oil obtained by pressing cold from Vitis labrusca seeds

The grape industry generates a large number of residues as peel, seeds and pulp, which also contain antioxidants (Santos et al., 2011). This has aroused the interest of the industry itself in recycling, in order to reduce costs, environmental impacts, and add value to the product (Spigno & De Faveri, 2007). Seeds of vinification were the residues that started the exploitation of the phenolic compounds of this class, followed by bagasse (Melo, 2010). By this way, considering the diversity of polyphenols sources from plant matrices and their physicochemical structures, as well as its properties (such as antioxidant activity), it is hard to find a universal extraction method that can be applied in all samples (Alara et al., 2018). Aspects such as time, temperature, particle size and type of extraction are crucial because they alter the yield of the extracted antioxidant compounds (Alcântara et al., 2019). In addition, the extractor solvent polarity also affects the antioxidants extracted (Bosso et al., 2016). In this regard, the extraction optimization for each sample plays a key role because it also enhances the global economic process (Mukherjee et al., 2014). In this manner, the development of grape seeds extraction method can add commercial and industrial values for grape culture. By this way, this study seeks to optimize the extraction process by statistical simplex-centroid mixing scheme, assessing the obtained extracts, as well as, the oil extracted from seeds by cold pressing in terms of antioxidant activity, resveratrol content and fatty acids.
Potential of Fungi Isolated from Diesel Contaminated Soil to Degrade Diesel

Diesel is a complex mixture and a common pollutant, consisting mainly of aliphatic hydrocarbons ranging from C9 to C23 and a number of aromatic compounds. The main purpose of this study was to isolate fungi from diesel contaminated soil for biodegradation of diesel contaminated soil. Two fungal species (Aspergillus flavus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were isolated from a diesel contaminated site using cultural and biochemical characterisation. The isolates were screened for their ability to utilize diesel as carbon source. The biodegradation rate of the fungi isolated was measured by determining the optical density using spectrophotometry. The fungal isolates were further tested for utilisation of hydrocarbons using mineral salt medium (MSM) supplemented with diesel in varying concentrations (1%, 2%, 5% and 10%). The optimum pH for biodegradation (4, 6 and 8) was determined. Both isolates degraded best at 5% diesel concentration with optical densities of 1.751 and 1.546 for A. flavus and S. cerevisiae, respectively. The optimum pH for A. flavus was pH 8 (optical density 1.390), while the optimum pH for S. cerevisiae was pH 6 (optical density 1.234). The results of this study showed that the isolates were able to degrade 5% diesel concentration at optimum pH of 8, and can be developed to remediate diesel contaminated environment. Keywords: Diesel; biodegradation; Aspergillus flavus; Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Automated Gold Grain Counting. Part 1: Why Counts Matter!

The quantitative and qualitative assessment of gold grains from samples of glacial till is a well-established method for exploring gold deposits hidden under glaciated cover. This method, which is widely used in the industry and has resulted in numerous successes in locating gold deposits in glaciated terrain, is still based on artisanal gravity separation techniques and visual identification. However, being artisanal, it is limited by inconsistent recoveries and difficulties associated with visually identifying the predominantly small gold grains. These limitations hinder its capacity to decipher subtle or complex signals. To improve detection limits through the recovery of small gold grains, a new approach has recently been introduced into the industry, which is commercially referred to as the “ARTGold” procedure. This procedure involves the use of an optimized miniature sluice box coupled with an automated scanning electron microscopy routine. The capabilities of this improved method were highlighted in this study by comparing till surveys conducted around the Borden gold deposit (Ontario, Canada) using the conventional and improved methods at both local and regional scales. Relative to that with the conventional approach, the improved method increased the recovery of gold grains from samples (regional and down-ice mineralization) by almost one order of magnitude. (regional and down-ice mineralization), dominantly in regard of the small size fractions. Increasing the counts in low-abundance regional samples allows for a better discrimination between background signals and significant dispersions. The described method offers an alternative for improving the characterization of gold dispersal in glaciated terrain and related gold deposit footprints.
Pore-Size Distribution Evolution of Intact, Compacted, and Saturated Loess from China during Consolidation and Shearing

To examine the pore-size distribution (PSD) evolution of intact, compacted, and saturated loess during deformation associated with consolidation or shearing, nominally identical specimens were consolidated to different confining stresses or sheared to sequential axial strains under the same confining stress, and the PSD of each deformed specimen was characterized using the Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) technique. The results show that the PSD evolution during consolidation is similar to that during shearing, suggesting that the PSD evolution depends mainly on whether the soil volume contracts or expands. The volumetric contraction results mainly from compression of interaggregate pores, and the intra-aggregate PSD or intra-aggregate pores are not affected. In compacted and saturated loess, interaggregate pores are compressed from the larger to the smaller, while in intact loess, the PSD evolution depends on whether the soil yields. This difference arises from different cementations that dominate particle associating in three soils. In intact loess, carbonate cementations that can be damaged by remolding and loading contribute greatly to particle associating. As a result, the stability of a pore is controlled not only by its size but also by carbonate cementations at surrounding particle contacts. Clay cementations that play the dominant role in particle aggregating in compacted loess are resistant to loading; thus, aggregates could not be destroyed by loading and the mechanical responses of compacted loess are in fact interactions among aggregates. Both carbonate and clay cementations can fail under the combined effect of loading and inundation, leading to disintegration of aggregates and turning of the loess structure from the double-structured to the uniform type.
Sustainability among Norwegian maritime firms: Green strategy and innovation as mediators of long‐term orientation and emission reduction

This study investigates the relationships between emission reduction, long-term orientation, green strategy, and green innovation among maritime vessel-owning firms of various sizes in the Norwegian maritime sector. A change from the utilization of fossil fuels and move toward more sustainable sources of energy demand substantial financial investments and behavioral changes but are fundamental to preventing further climate change. This study examines the greening of the Norwegian fleet through a structural equation model based upon 246 survey responses. Although our model does not show a significant direct relationship between long-term orientation and emission reductions, we do find that long-term orientation is indirectly related to emission reductions because of its relationships with green strategy and green innovation. Moreover, as mediators, green innovation and green strategy share direct associations with firms' reductions of greenhouse gases and environmentally harmful emissions. Implications for practitioners and policy makers are proposed.