Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Levoglucosan a Suitable Quantitative Tracer for Wood Burning? Comparison with Receptor Modeling on Trace Elements in Lycksele, Sweden

Abstract Particle emissions from residential wood combustion in small communities in Northern Sweden can sometimes increase the ambient particle concentrations to levels comparable to densely trafficked streets in the center of large cities. The reason for this is the combination of increased need for domestic heating during periods of low temperatures, leading to higher emission rates, and stable meteorological conditions. In this work, the authors compare two different approaches to quantify the wood combustion contribution to fine particles in Northern Sweden: a multivariate source-receptor analysis on inorganic compounds followed by multiple linear regression (MLR) of fine particle concentrations and levoglucosan used as a tracer. From the receptor model, it can be seen that residential wood combustion corresponds with 70% of modeled particle mass. Smaller contributions are also seen from local nonexhaust traffic particles, road dust, and brake wear (each contributing 14%). Of the mass, 1.5% is explained by long-distance transported particles, and 2% derives from a regional source deriving from either oil combustion or smelter activities. In samples collected in ambient air, a significant linear correlation was found between wood burning particles and levoglucosan. The levoglucosan fraction in the ambient fine particulate matter attributed to wood burning according to the multivariate analysis ranged from <2% to 50%. This is much higher than the fraction found in the emission from the boilers expected to be responsible for most emissions at this site (between 3% and 6%). A laboratory emission study of wood and pellet boilers gave 0.3%wt to 22%wt levoglucosan to particle mass, indicating that the levoglucosan fraction may be highly dependent on combustion conditions, making it uncertain to use it as a quantitative tracer under real-world burning conditions. Thus, quantitative estimates of wood burning contributions will be very uncertain using solely levoglucosan as a tracer.
Pacemaker lead complications: when is extraction appropriate and what can we learn from published data?

Indications for extraction of chronically implanted pacemaker leads have been classified as mandatory, necessary, or discretionary.1 2In published reports as well as in clinical practice, most indications cited are non-vital. These indications are often based on clinical judgement, even in published policy statements.3 We therefore reviewed published work on this subject, starting from the Pubmed database, in an attempt to provide an evidence base for the benefits of lead extraction. We begin with a brief overview of the results and complications of current extraction techniques. Recently, comprehensive endovascular techniques have been developed for pacemaker lead extraction.2 4 5 In the superior vena cava approach, a locking stylet is introduced into the lead and locked close to the distal electrode in order to apply traction directly to the tip.6 If gentle traction is not successful, telescoping sheaths can be advanced over the lead to disrupt fibrous binding of the lead to veins or myocardium. When necessary, the tip of the lead is freed by countertraction, the sheath being positioned against the myocardium to prevent inversion during traction on the lead. Recently, a laser sheath has been introduced which uses photoablation to disrupt the fibrous bindings instead of mechanical force.7-10 In the transfemoral approach, the pacing lead is grabbed with a deflecting guide wire or retriever through a long sheath inserted from the femoral vein.7 11 The proximal end of the lead is pulled down from the subclavian vein. Then the outer sheath is advanced over the lead to disrupt the scar tissue, as with the superior approach. When the myocardium is reached countertraction is applied. Table 1 summarises the results of the different extraction techniques. With the use of only locking stylets, Alt et al achieved total removal of 81% of 150 leads, partial …
Exploring Luxury Value Perceptions in China

Taking the case of China, this paper examines the relationship between different luxury value dimensions, and explores how these affect consumers' purchase intentions. China is now the second largest luxury market in the world. Most previous studies of luxury consumption have tested only the direct influences of luxury value perceptions on purchasing behaviour. For this paper, sample data were gathered through surveys administered to 409 Chinese nationals living in China. The model is empirically tested using structural equation modelling. The current research incorporates both personal- and social-oriented perceived values, and draws a holistic picture of consumers' decision-making processes in luxury consumption. The results suggest that perceived social value and perceived emotional value both directly influence luxury purchase intention. Perceived unique value exerts an indirect impact on luxury purchase intention Perceived quality value has both a direct and indirect effect on luxury purchase intention. We also account for cultural differences rather than simply replicating previous studies in China. We consider local culture in order to understand what consumers actually value from luxury products, and we discuss the implications of indigenisation for future international marketing research.
The Role of Tumor Size in the Radiosurgical Management of Patients with Ambiguous Brain Metastases

OBJECTIVETo identify a size cutoff below which it is safe to observe obscure brain lesions suspected of being metastases so that treatment of nonmetastases can be avoided. METHODSMedical records from patients who underwent linear accelerator-based radiosurgery from August 1991 to October 2001 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were defined as brain metastasis tumor volume less than 5 cm3 (diameter, ∼2.1 cm) treated with a dose of 20 Gy or more. One hundred thirty-five patients had 153 evaluable brain metastases with follow-up imaging that met inclusion criteria. Median age was 54 years (range, 18–79 yr). Lesion primaries were non-small-cell lung (n = 39), melanoma (n = 44), renal (n = 37), breast (n = 18), colon (n = 3), sarcoma (n = 5), other (n = 5), and unknown primary (n = 2). Median tumor volume was 0.67 cm3 (range, 0.06–4.58 cm3). The minimum peripheral dose was 20 Gy (n = 132) or 21 to 24 Gy (n = 21). At the time of analysis, the median follow-up for all patients was 10 months (range, 0.2–99 mo). RESULTSThe 1- and 2-year actuarial local control rates for all of the lesions were 69 and 46%, respectively. For lesions of 1 cm (0.5 cm3) or less, the corresponding local control rates were 86 and 78%, respectively, which was significantly higher than the corresponding rates of 56 and 24%, respectively, for lesions larger than 1 cm (0.5 cm3) (P = 0.0016). CONCLUSIONA convincing brain metastasis measuring less than 1 cm should be pursued aggressively. If the suspected brain metastasis is ambiguous, observation is proposed up to a diameter of 1 cm. This is the first study in the literature to identify a 1-cm cutoff for radiosurgical control of small brain metastases, and validation by additional studies is required.
MYELOID NEOPLASIA The TAK 1-NFk B axis as therapeutic target for AML

Due to a high incidence of relapse, the survival rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients is still ,30%, despite intensive treatment with chemotherapy. It is assumed that a small population of quiescent leukemic stem cells (LSCs) with self-renewal properties persists within the bone marrow microenvironment. These LSCs are responsible for relapse of the disease posttreatment, suggesting that current therapies change the more rapidly dividing leukemic blasts, whereas the LSCs generally survive. Leukemogenesis of stem cells is a process in which various cellular programs can be affected, including those that regulate apoptosis and differentiation. Modification of programmed cell death may be important not only for leukemic transformation, but also could contribute to tumor maintenance and chemoresistance. Dysregulation of a number of cell survival pathways, such as BCL2, p53, and nuclear factor kB (NF-kB), have been associated with aberrations in apoptotic responses of AML cells. In contrast to normal bone marrow (NBM) CD34 cells, constitutive activation of NF-kB has been observed in AML CD34 cells. In accordance with this activation, NF-kB-associated pathways are related to tumor formation and maintenance. Pharmacologic inhibition of NF-kB by proteasome inhibitors has been reported to induce cell death in the AML CD34CD38 subfraction, both in vitro and in vivo. Transforming growth factor-b activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/ MAP3K7 is a kinase upstream of NF-kB, which can be activated by a variety of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)a, transforming growth factor-b, and IL-1. Subsequently, phosphorylation of TAK1 leads to downstream activation of several pathways, including the NF-kB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38 pathways. Throughout embryonic development, TAK1 is required for angiogenesis and regulates the survival of endothelial cells and normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). A strong reduction of HSCs in TAK mice has been observed that can partially be rescued by the knockout of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, suggesting that apoptosis upon TAK1 inhibition is largely mediated by TNFa signaling. In various cancer models, including colorectal cancer, skin tumors and mantle cell lymphoma, TAK1 has been shown to be essential for the survival of cancer cells, where it might affect tumor metastasis in a WNT-dependent manner. Furthermore, reduction of TAK1 activity specifically induced cell death within all these different tumors, both in vitro and in vivo. Studies in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and clear cell renal cell carcinoma have also demonstrated that high TAK1 expression is associated with unfavorable prognosis.
Tunable MEMS fiber scanner for confocal microscopy

We present an endoscopic probe with a forward-looking piezoelectric fiber scanner for confocal optical imaging. The probe, with an outer diameter of 2.5 mm and a length of 13 mm, features a tunable lens to allow confocal depth scanning up to 100 μm without any movable optics or stages. Imaging below 2 μm lateral, and 20 μm axial resolution was successfully demonstrated.
Orlistat treatment in obese prepubertal children: a pilot study

Aim: This study investigated orlistat treatment in obese prepubertal children with regard to tolerance, safety and psychological well‐being. Methods: 11 healthy, severely obese prepubertal children (age 8.3–12.3 y, body mass index standard deviation score 5.3–9.2) were recruited for a 12wk open treatment. Before, during and after treatment, the participants were investigated by psychological evaluation, blood chemistry, and parameters reflecting obesity and fat mass. Results: The participants were able to comply with the treatment, as indicated by pill counts and self reports, and expressed a desire to continue the treatment after the study period. Gastrointestinal side effects were mild and tolerable. No negative effects on psychological or physical well‐being were detected, and the psychological evaluation demonstrated increased avoidance of fattening food, body shape preoccupation and oral control (p= 0.011). The median weight loss was 4.0 kg (range –12.7 to +2.5 kg, p= 0.016) and was highly correlated to decreased fat mass (regression coefficient 0.953, p < 0.01).
The influence of colour on visual search times in cluttered environments

Fifty subjects participated in a series of visual search tasks where the aim was to explore the influence of colour on visual search times for targets situated in a series of cluttered distractor fields. The results supported previous findings regarding the effect of colour and showed that, even in cluttered environments, certain hues helped in the reduction of search times. The findings also indicated that there were interaction effects between the colour and positioning of the targets in the distractor fields.
Time‐of‐day services marketing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to synthesize, organize, and discuss multidisciplinary research influential to a service firm's use of a cyclical time‐based marketing approach that may be aptly termed time‐of‐day services marketing, to introduce a general process and framework to assist in the evaluation of its strategic use, and to present areas in need of future research.Design/methodology/approach – Objectives are achieved via conceptual analysis and a synthesis and organization of the relevant multidisciplinary literature.Findings – The paper finds that the principal benefits to service firms of adopting a time‐of‐day services approach in varying degrees are that it is able to assist the firm in offering multiple, unique value‐propositions, providing superior contextual value to the customer, enhancing customer perceptions of value in relation to their needs, and supporting the firm's pursuit of a sustainable competitive advantage in its services.Practical implications – Time‐of‐day services ma.
A CMOS LNA Partially Degenerated Topology Proposal Using Active Inductors

This paper presents the design of a CMOS low-noise amplifier (LNA) with partial inductive degeneration using active inductors in 0. 35μm technology. Both, the inductor of the partial degeneration and the load inductor, are actives. The inductors configurations are cascode with feedback resistance and Wu folded compact. The LNA has a gain of 13.2dB and a noise figure of 4.7dB at 1.8GHz. The layout has an active area of 0.17mm2. The results are satisfactory, validating the compact design and demonstrating the technical feasibility of this proposed topology.
Buyer-seller interaction patterns during ongoing service exchange

textabstractThis dissertation focuses on the ongoing interactions that take place between buyers and sellers of business services after the contract has been signed. This ongoing interaction is important since services are produced and consumed simultaneously; therefore, both buyer and seller have to make an effort to ensure that the ongoing service exchange is successful. The Interaction Model originally developed by the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing Group for studying buyer-supplier interactions in marketing and purchasing of industrial goods, is adopted and adapted to business services. As such, a classification is brought forward that differentiates between various business services and the required customer-supplier interface and interaction patterns on the basis of how the service is used in the buying company’s business process. The classification distinguishes four types of services: component, semi-manufactured, instrumental and consumption services. The usability and validity of this classification is investigated in two subsequent series of theory-building case studies at various buying companies. As such, distinctive effective patterns of interaction were developed for the different types of services. Subsequently, theory testing research is conducted to investigate whether these effective patterns represent necessary conditions for successful ongoing service exchange. Furthermore, the usefulness of the classification for providers of business services is explored, and a link between ongoing interaction and initial purchasing is established.
Micro vascular Endothelium—A Major Target for Alcohol Injury of the Human Gastric Mucosa: Histochemical and Ultrastructural Study

In healthy volunteers, we studied the effect in intragastric administration of 100 ml 40% alcohol or isotonic saline on the ultrastructure of gastric oxyntic mucosa with emphasis on gastric mucosal microvasculature. We found that a single dose of 40% alcohol produces exfoliation of the surface epithelium, damage to the mucosal micro-vessels, extravasation of red blood cells and plasma from disrupted microvessels, and extensive edema of superficial lamina propria. The ultrastructural changes were seen as early as 5 min after alcohol administration and occurred in the mucosal areas where glandular cells did not show necrotic changes. Alcohol-induced injury was localized predominantly to interfoveolar mucosal areas and only occasionally extended to the neck areas. This study demonstrates that the mucosal microvasculature is a primary target for alcohol-induced injury of the human gastric mucosa.
A Monté Carlo Comparison of Estimators for the Multinomial Logit Model

Marketing researchers use the multinomial logit (MNL) model to analyze discrete choice, and estimate parameters either by maximum likelihood (ML) or minimum logit chi square (MLCS). Some controversy persists, however, over which is better. Review articles in marketing recommend ML over MLCS, but the statistics literature suggests that MLCS should be preferred. No studies have directly compared the performance of ML and MLCS in a marketing context. The authors assess the relative performance of ML, MLCS, and three other candidate estimators for MNL marketing applications involving repeated-measures datasets collected by means of multiple-subset designs. In contrast to most previous findings in the statistics literature, the results strongly support the use of ML. ML is found to outperform the other estimators on a variety of point estimation, predictive accuracy, and statistical inference criteria and ML test statistics are found to have asymptotic behavior for datasets involving relatively few replications.
THE VALUE-BASED MANAGEMENT APPROACH: FROM THE SHAREHOLDER VALUE TO THE STAKEHOLDER VALUE

The ongoing discussion about the adequate management form and the purpose of organizations in the contemporary postmodern society have once again gained in importance and interest after the financial crises of 2008. Different management concepts have been developed throughout the time, which propose objectives for organizations and thus managerial goals, activities and decision making. Considering the value based management approach and the stakeholder theory, we propose a shift in the value based management: from shareholder value to stakeholder value.
The Impact on Employment and Hours of Allowing Sunday Alcohol Sales in Georgia

This paper uses the differential timing across counties of the removal of restrictions on Sunday alcohol sales in the state of Georgia to determine whether the change had an impact on employment and hours in the beer, wine, and liquor retail sales industry. A triple-difference analysis finds significant increases in average weekly hours in the treated industry in counties removing sales restrictions versus those that did not relative to other industries during the period of time the law took effect. Since there is no significant employment increase, it appears that employers adjusted to remaining open one additional day per week by increasing hours of existing employees rather than hiring additional workers.
Comparative study on antitumor activity of three pteridophytes ethanol extracts.

The extracts from twigs of three Pteridophytes (locally available) viz. Selaginella ciliaris (Retz.), Marsilea minuta (L.) and Thelypteris prolifera (Retz.) were investigated for antitumor properties. Among the species, highest percentage of tumor inhibition was found in M. minuta (82.32%) followed by S. ciliaris (80%) and T. prolifera (75.68%) at 1000ppm, and significant tumor inhibition was observed at 10, 100 and 1000 ppm of plant extracts on potato disc induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens indicating their presence of tumor inhibitor metabolites. These metabolites may serve an important role in developing antitumor drugs for human beings, as there is a similarity between human and plant tumor formation mechanism.
Oligomeric Recombinant H5 HA1 Vaccine Produced in Bacteria Protects Ferrets from Homologous and Heterologous Wild-Type H5N1 Influenza Challenge and Controls Viral Loads Better than Subunit H5N1 Vaccine by Eliciting High-Affinity Antibodies

ABSTRACT Recombinant hemagglutinin from influenza viruses with pandemic potential can be produced rapidly in various cell substrates. In this study, we compared the functionality and immunogenicity of bacterially produced oligomeric or monomeric HA1 proteins from H5N1 (A/Vietnam/1203/04) with those of the egg-based licensed subunit H5N1 (SU-H5N1) vaccine in ferrets challenged with homologous or heterologous H5N1 highly pathogenic influenza strains. Ferrets were vaccinated twice with the oligomeric or monomeric rHA1 or with SU-H5N1 (Sanofi Pasteur) emulsified with Titermax adjuvant and were challenged with wild-type homologous (A/Vietnam/1203/04; clade 1) or heterologous (A/Whooperswan/Mongolia/244/2005; clade 2.2) virus. Only the oligomeric rHA1 (not the monomeric rHA1) immunogen and the SU-H5N1 vaccine provided protection against the lethality and morbidity of homologous and heterologous highly pathogenic H5N1. Oligomeric rHA1 generated more cross-neutralizing antibodies and higher levels of serum antibody binding to HA1, with stronger avidity and a better IgG/IgM ratio, than monomeric HA1 and SU-H5N1 vaccines, as determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Importantly, viral loads after heterologous H5N1 challenge were more efficiently controlled in ferrets vaccinated with the oligomeric rHA1 immunogen than in SU-H5N1-vaccinated ferrets. The reduction of viral loads in the nasal washes correlated strongly with higher-avidity antibodies to oligomeric rHA1 derived from H5N1 clade 1 and clade 2.2 viruses, as measured by SPR. This is the first study to show the role of antibody avidity for the HA1 globular head domain in reduction of viral loads in the upper respiratory tract, which could significantly reduce viral transmission.
Understanding Technology Adoption in the Household Context: a Comparison of seven Theoretical Models

We first reviewed seven theoretical models that have been used to explain technology adoption and use, primarily in the workplace. Then, we examined the boundary conditions of prior models of technology adoption when applied to the household context using empirical data from 1,247 U.S. households. Those households that had adopted household technologies were surveyed regarding their use behavior. Non-adopters were surveyed regarding their purchase intentions. This allowed us to identify the most influential factors impacting a household's decision to purchase and use technologies. Our results showed that the model of adoption of technology in the household (MATH) provided the richest explanation of technology adoption and use in the household.