Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Structural Model of Satisfaction and Brand Attitude in Hotels

This thesis is about the customer experience in hotels. The thesis evaluates the customer experience in relation to the antecedents of behavioural loyalty. Behavioural loyalty is evaluated in relation to customer satisfaction, brand trust and brand attitude. Customer satisfaction is also evaluated in relation to the antecedents of hotel performance, service quality and perceived value. The broad research underpinning this research is: How do consumers perceive and relate to luxury and first class hotel brands? The hotel industry is a large and highly diverse industry that includes a wide range of property styles, uses and qualities (Chon & Sparrowe, 2000; Go & Pine, 1995; Olsen, 1996; Powers & Barrows, 1999). The industry covers the spectrum of small, medium and large enterprises (Brotherton, 2003; Jones, 2002) and makes a significant contribution to national and international economies. The research incorporated data collection in three stages. The first stage was a qualitative study of consumers who self selected as first class or luxury consumers. The data from the focus groups were used to develop items for inclusion in a survey instrument. The focus groups data, together with information gathered from a literature review, were used to develop scales across a number of hotel performance dimensions. In addition scales were included in the survey instrument on customer satisfaction, perceived value, brand trust, brand attitude and behavioural loyalty. The second stage of the research was a pilot study with the survey instrument being distributed to a convenience sample. The data collected at this stage were used to purify and refine the survey instrument. The final stage was data collected from consumers in a number of Australian hotels. The resultant data set comprised 693 completed and useable responses. The data were examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to confirm the hotel performance and other dimensions. The resultant dimensions showed good psychometric properties. A number of hypotheses were proposed in the thesis and examined using structural equation modelling. Although two hypotheses were rejected the resultant structural model showed strong relationships between the dimensions included. The research identified that service quality is a strong contributor to behavioural loyalty. The stronger pathway from service quality to behavioural loyalty was through customer satisfaction ( = 0.63) although the pathway through brand attitude ( = 0.22) was also significant. Both customer satisfaction and service quality had a significant effect on brand trust and service quality also influenced brand attitude. A number of recommendations for further research were made. These included the replication of this study in different geographic and industry contexts.
Using a high-gain observer for a hybrid output feedback: Finite-time and asymptotic cases for SISO affine systems

This article suggests a design method of hybrid output feedbacks for affine systems under observability and stabilizability assumptions. Our aim is to use the separation principle on systems controlled by hybrid feedback laws. We investigate two constructive methods for the high-gain observer: the first one is based on a finite-time convergence of the observation error, the second one is based on an asymptotic convergence of the observation error. We illustrate one of our main results on a well-known example: integrators chain.
Investigation On Barriers For Native Cassava Starch Export In Ayeyarwaddy Region, Myanmar

The purpose of this research is to identify and prioritize the barriers for exporting native cassava starch in Ayeyarwaddy Region, Myanmar which twelve barriers were identified from preliminary interview with managers, previous research and reports. The barriers were categorized into three categories which are production barriers, processing barriers and marketing barriers and used the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method for prioritizing the barriers. The data were collected by using structured questionnaires from experts in cassava starch factory in Ayeyarwaddy Region, Myanmar. The results showed that processing and marketing barriers are the two most important barriers categories. The overall ranking barriers reveal that lack of modern processing equipment/ technique followed by lack of market diversification and the finding can be a guideline for both government and private sector for enhancing the future export.
Understory dominance and the new climax: Impacts of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) invasion on native plant diversity and recruitment in a riparian woodland

Abstract Riparian forests exhibit levels of ecological disturbance that leave them especially prone to biological invasions. Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is particularly suited to these habitats and is an aggressive invader along watercourses throughout its now-global range as an exotic invader. Using one of the few Silver Maple Floodplain Forest communities that has not been invaded by F. japonica in the West Branch Susquehanna River valley (Pennsylvania, USA) as a baseline, this study examines whether and how this primarily intact riparian forest community differs from nearby invaded communities in terms of 1) native species richness, 2) native species density, and 3) riparian forest tree recruitment. Defining a baseline (intact) community composition will inform restoration plans for local riparian forests where knotweed might be eradicated or reduced. Invaded and non-invaded sites differed statistically across species richness, species density, and tree recruitment. Our results suggest that F. japonica has reduced the diversity and abundance of native understory riparian plant species. The species also appears to have suppressed long-term tree recruitment, setting up a trajectory whereby the eventual decline of trees currently in the canopy could shift this community from a tree-dominated riparian forest to a knotweed-dominated herbaceous shrubland.
Nucleation of vortices inside open and blind microholes.

The critical field of a thin superconducting film with a blind circular hole is found theoretically. It is shown that the value of the critical field is sensitive to the bottom thickness, but the orbital momentum, i.e., the number of vortices which nucleate inside the hole, is not sensitive. A simple boundary condition for a steplike thin film is derived and used for comparative numerical analysis of the superconductivity nucleation in a microdisk and near the hole. By increasing the thickness of the bottom of a blind hole one can transform the hole into a disk of the same radius which rests on top of the film. We show that such transformation leads to a jump in the number of vortices which nucleate at the critical magnetic field inside the perimeter of the hole (the disk). We report also the results of the Bitter decoration experiments of a thin superconducting film with a lattice of open or blind holes. It is found (in accordance with the calculation) that the bottom thickness has only a weak influence on the number of vortices captured by a hole during the cooling of the sample at a constant perpendicular magnetic field. All the experimental results are explained under the assumption that the vortices nucleated inside a hole rest inside during the cooling process and no additional vortices enter the hole. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
A Novel Miniaturized Frequency Selective Surface With Stable Resonance

In this letter, a novel bandpass frequency selective surface (FSS) with miniaturized periodic element is presented. The proposed FSS is printed on one face of a single-layer substrate with a relative permittivity of 2.65. The novel FSS has promising miniaturization characteristics with the unit-cell dimension 0. 058λ×0. 058λ, where λ represents the free-space wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency. The FSS exhibits excellent stability under different polarizations and incident angles. Both the simulation and measurement results validate the stable performance of this FSS.
Did the STEAM Movement Result in Education and Workforce Change in 2014? Is a Policy Window Opened now?

My original article for CultureWork (2014) sought to offer a public policy perspective on STEAMi why and how it occurred and its significance for the U.S. workforce. Using John Kingdon’s framework (1995) referring to a “policy window” (where policy issues move onto the government agenda and towards decision and action), the article explored whether a policy window for STEAM had opened with the effort to add the arts (and design) to science, engineering, and math education (STEM).
The role of junctional adhesion molecule‐C (JAM‐C) in oxidized LDL‐mediated leukocyte recruitment

The junctional adhesion molecule‐C (JAM‐C) was recently shown to be a counter receptor for the leukocyte β2‐integrin Mac‐1 (CD11b/CD18), thereby mediating interactions between vascular cells, particularly in inflammatory cell recruitment. Here, we investigated the role of JAM‐C in oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐mediated leukocyte recruitment. As compared with normal arteries, immunostaining of atherosclerotic vessels revealed a high expression of JAM‐C in association with neointimal smooth muscle cells and the endothelium. Moreover, JAM‐C was strongly up‐regulated in the spontaneous early lesions in ApoE −/− mice. In vitro, cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells (HASMC) were found to express JAM‐C, and oxLDL, as well as enzymatically modified LDL (eLDL) significantly up‐regulated JAM‐C on both HASMC and endothelial cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Although under quiescent conditions, JAM‐C predominantly localized to interendothelial cell‐cell contacts in close proximity to zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1), oxLDL treatment induced a disorganization of JAM‐C localization that was no more restricted to the interendothelial junctions. JAM‐C thereby mediated both leukocyte adhesion and leukocyte transendothelial migration upon oxLDL treatment of endothelial cells, whereas JAM‐C on quiescent endothelial cells only mediates leukocyte transmigration. Thus, upon oxLDL stimulation endothelial JAM‐C functions as both an adhesion, as well as a transmigration receptor for leukocytes. Taken together, JAM‐C is up‐regulated by oxLDL and may thereby contribute to increased inflammatory cell recruitment during atherosclerosis. JAM‐C may therefore provide a novel molecular target for antagonizing interactions between vascular cells in atherosclerosis.
Effects of Emotional Labor, Depression and Self - Efficacy on Health Promotion Behavior of Taxi Driving Workers

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting health promotion behavior according to emotional labor, depression, and self efficacy of taxi drivers. Study participants were 102 Taxi drivers in urban areas, and the data were collected through self-reported structured questionnaire. According to the results, among the variables related to Health promotion behaviors, Meaningful positive correlations were found among Health promotion behaviors and Emotional Labor, Depression, Self-efficacy, but Emotional Labor and Depression, Self-efficacy and Health promotion behaviors showed positive correlations. Emotional Labor and Self-efficacy, Emotional Labor and Health promotion behaviors, Depression and Self-efficacy, Depression and Health promotion behaviors showed negative correlations. In addition, the factors such as spouse, Emotional Labor, Self-efficacy explained Health promotion behaviors 57%. Based on the findings from the study, in order for taxi drivers to improve health promotion behaviors education program should be made with strategies increasing Self-efficacy and decreasing Emotional labor.
An assessment of the safety and efficacy of a fractional CO2 laser system for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy

Objectives:The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Methods:Women presenting with GSM and meeting study criteria were enrolled. Examinations at baseline and follow-up (3 mo after final treatment) evaluated dilator tolerance and vaginal pH. Visual analog scales were used to assess pain, vaginal burning, vaginal itching, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and dysuria; Vaginal Health Index scores were completed before each treatment and at follow-up; Female Sexual Function Index and Short Form 12 questionnaires were also completed. Participant satisfaction was measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very dissatisfied, 5 = very satisfied). Women received three laser treatments, 6 weeks apart. Results:Thirty women participated (mean age 58.6 ± 8.8 y). None withdrew or were discontinued due to an adverse event; three were lost to follow-up. Average improvement in visual analog scale scoring was 1.7 ± 3.2 for pain, 1.4 ± 2.9 for burning, 1.4 ± 1.9 for itching, 6.1 ± 2.7 for dryness, 5.1 ± 3.0 for dyspareunia, and 1.0 ± 2.4 for dysuria; improvement in average Vaginal Health Index and Female Sexual Function Index scores were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Twenty-five of 30 participants (83%) showed increase in comfortable dilator size at 3-month follow up. Before the second and third treatments, 86.6% (26 of 30) of women reported they were better or much better than at the previous treatment; 26 of 27 women (96%) were reportedly satisfied or extremely satisfied at follow-up. Conclusions:In this sample, the data suggest that the fractional CO2 laser is effective and safe for treatment of the symptoms associated with GSM.
PROTECTIVE ROLE OF LYCOPENE ON BISPHENOL A INDUCED CHANGES IN SPERM CHARACTERISTICS, TESTICULAR DAMAGE AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RATS

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic environmental toxicant, a synthetic monomer widely used to polymerize polycarbonate plastics and resins. BPA has been implicated to have hazardous effect on reproductive health in human and experimental rats. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and potential high-value compound for the prevention of many diseases. The present study has been designed to investigate the protective role of lycopene on BPA induced body and organ weight, sperm count, sperm motility, antioxidant enzymes levels, oxidative stress levels and histopathological studies in rats. The results revealed that administration of BPA significantly induce the testicular damage which was evident from the body and organ weight, sperm count, sperm motility, antioxidants enzymes level were significantly decreased and increased level of oxidative stress in rat testes. Interestingly, administration of lycopene with BPA intoxicated rats were found the body and organ weight, sperm count, sperm motility, antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased and decreased levels of oxidative stress parameters. Histopathological examination revealed that lycopene reduced testicular damages induced by BPA. This inevitably confirms that lycopene has a prominent role in preventing the testicular damage during treatment. In conclusion, BPA induced antioxidant and oxidative stress alteration lead to male infertility because of antioxidant potential of lycopene, ameliorates the changes which are induced by BPA.
The relationship between disease activity and expert physician's decision to start major treatment in active systemic lupus erythematosus: a decision aid for development of entry criteria for clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between patients' systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) activity and physicians' decision to treat with steroids or alternative medication. METHODS Baseline information and clinical status was extracted from case histories of 30 patients with lupus and represented in clinical vignettes. These vignettes were then mailed to 60 physicians (rheumatologists and immunologists with experience in the treatment of lupus), asking them in each case whether they would initiate treatment or not. The relationship between the 38 complete responses and the SLE Activity Measure (SLAM-R) and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) lupus activity scores was analyzed using a general additive model. RESULTS SLE disease activity measured by SLAM-R or SLEDAI is a significant predictor (p < 0.0001) of physicians' decision to initiate treatment for patients with lupus. Variation between physicians was observed but was mostly due to a few outliers. Some other variations remained unexplained by patients' SLE disease activity, damage, or by specific organ involvement. CONCLUSION We present reference tables and curves for research that may be used as a basis to derive standardized quantitative criteria for entry in clinical trials. More research is needed on how these tools can be used by clinicians to guide them in their decision to treat or not.
Malaysian local functional food attributes and customer satisfaction / Fadzilah Mohd Shariff, Dg. Khairunisa Ahmad Sapawi and Hassnah Wee

The purpose of this article is to identify the local functional food attributes and literature on their relationship with customer satisfaction. Quality functional food attributes can provide a powerful competitive advantage towards consumer behavior. The literature indicated that the impact of local functional food taste, appearance and functionality are influenced with customer satisfaction. The study proposes six propositions, focusing on the local functional food attributes which correspond with customer satisfaction. It is believed that this article will provide clear insights into how local functional food attributes affect satisfaction. The assessment is vital as customer satisfaction is the key ingredient in capturing customer loyalty and the retention of purchase.
The interaction of neurotrophins with the p75NTR common neurotrophin receptor: A comprehensive molecular modeling study

Neurotrophins are a family of proteins with pleiotropic effects mediated by two distinct receptor types, namely the Trk family, and the common neurotrophin receptor p75NTR. Binding of four mammalian neurotrophins, nerve growth factor (NGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3), and neurotrophin‐4/5 (NT‐4/5), to p75NTR is studied by molecular modeling based on X‐ray structures of the neurotrophins and the extracellular domain of p55TNFR, a homologue of p75NTR. The model of neurotrophin/receptor interactions suggests that the receptor binding domains of neurotrophins (loops I and IV) are geometrically and electrostatically complementary to a putative binding site of p75NTR, formed by the second and part of the third cysteine‐rich domains. Geometric match of neurotrophin/receptor binding domains in the complexes, as characterized by shape complementarity statistic Sc, is comparable to known protein/protein complexes. All charged residues within the loops I and IV of the neurotrophins, previously determined as being critical for p75NTR binding, directly participate in receptor binding in the framework of the model. Principal residues of the binding site of p75NTR include Asp47, Lys56, Asp75, Asp76, Asp88, and Glu89. The additional involvement of Arg80 and Glu53 is specific for NGF and BDNF, respectively, and Glu73 participates in binding with NT‐3 and NT‐4/5. Neurotrophins are likely to induce similar, but not identical, conformational changes within the p75NTR binding site.
Ovarian cancer (advanced).

INTRODUCTION Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK. The 5-year relative survival rate in the UK at diagnosis for women aged 15-39 years is nearly 70%. In comparison, it is only 12% for women diagnosed aged over 80 years. METHODS AND OUTCOMES We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of surgical treatments for ovarian cancer that is advanced at first presentation? What are the effects of platinum-based chemotherapy for ovarian cancer that is advanced at first presentation? What are the effects of taxane-based chemotherapy for ovarian cancer that is advanced at first presentation? What are the effects of intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer that is advanced at first presentation? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to September 2007 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). RESULTS We found 31 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions. CONCLUSIONS In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: adding taxanes to platinum-based chemotherapy, carboplatin plus a taxane, cisplatin plus a taxane, combination or single-agent platinum-based chemotherapy, docetaxel, intravenous and intraperitoneal chemotherapy, interval debulking, paclitaxel, primary surgery, and second-look surgery.
Knowledge and perception of pelung keepers’s toward chicken contests in West Java, Indonesia

Asmara IY, Garnida D, Sulisytati M, Tejaningsih S, Partasasmita R. 2018. ­­­­Knowledge and perception of pelung keepers’s toward chicken contests in West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 2232-2237. Pelung chicken is an indigenous chicken breed which has social and cultural functions in particular communities in Indonesia. Contests are conducted regularly as a media to show the singing ability of Pelung chickens and the activities are considered important to maintain the existence of the chickens. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and perceptions of chicken keepers toward chicken contests for Pelung chickens. A survey using open and structured questionnaire was conducted to collect data involving 133 Pelung keepers. The study was carried out in four districts in West Java Province, Indonesia including Cianjur, Sukabumi, Bandung, and Garut Districts. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The result showed that almost respondents knew about contests and they defined contests as a media to find good breeds as well as a media to find and/or improve networks. Main sources of information contests were the organization, family, and social media. Respondents had positive perception toward contests, and they actively participated in the different level of contests. The findings are important as social input for the management of animal genetic resources (AnGR) in Indonesia
NMR assignment in regioisomeric hydroquinones

A set of regioisomeric pairs of tricyclic hydroquinones, analogues of antitumor 9,10‐dihydroxy‐4,4‐dimethyl‐5,8‐dihydroanthracen‐1(4H)‐one (1) and other derivatives, were synthesized and their regiochemistry and NMR spectra assigned by using 1H‐detected one‐bond (CH) HMQC and long‐range CH HMBC, in good agreement with theoretical O3LYP/Alhrichs‐pVTZ calculations. The 5‐hydroxymethyl derivatives (11, 15, 19) showed a 3JH, H coupling constant of methylene protons evidencing the presence of a seven‐membered intramolecular hydrogen bonded ring, not observed for the 8‐hydroxymethyl isomers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.