Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Paradox in Consumer Shopping Behavior towards Digital Technologies in Brick Stores: An Experimental Approach

The main focus of this research is to analyze how digital in brick stores can affect the shopping experience. The study conveys new insights to the retailers to devise their digital strategy in the brick stores instead of blindly following a paradigm shift. As the previous studies of this research field has limitations in measuring the exact impact of digital due to variance of other factors, it was decided to use scenario based experiments. It was concluded that customers prefer to be served by service personnel than digital devices and only in the cases where the waiting time is more, customers prefer digital services. The more the utilitarian and hedonic values are given by a retailer, the more that shopping experience would be perceived as the best. Rather than following a digital paradigm, it is time for the retailers to take a pause and think how to differentiate themselves considering the customers’ expectations to create a better shopping experience. To this end, a conceptual framework for shopping experience is created to summarize the results of this research study which can facilitate the retailers to create a wholesome shopping experience.
Key Opinion Leaders and the Corruption of Medical Knowledge: What the Sunshine Act Will and Won't Cast Light on

In 2010, in connection with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the United States Congress passed the Physician Payment Sunshine Act. This legislation requires pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, and other manufacturers of medical supplies to collect information on their payments to physicians, beginning on August 1, 2013, and to annually report this information to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), beginning on March 31, 2014. All payments of over $10 are to be reported and aggregate payments of more than $100 to a single physician in a single year must also be reported.
Determination of safe margin in the surgical pathologic specimens of non-small cell carcinoma of the lung.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Local recurrences of the tumor at the surgical margin are serious problems in pulmonary resections for lung cancer. The aim of this study is to determine the involved margins and safe distances of the resection sites from tumor for prevention of local recurrences. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this prospective study, 66 patients operated for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) from Jan 2006 to Sep 2008 were evaluated. After performing pulmonary resections, multiple biopsies were taken up from 5 mm (A), 10 mm (B), 15 mm (C), and 20 mm (D) distance from tumor. The specimens were studied histopathologically. RESULTS From a total of66 patients with NSCLC admitted to our referral hospital, 25 (38%) had adenocarcinoma, 18 (27.3%) squamous cell carcinoma, 5 (7.5%) large cell carcinoma, 4 (6%) bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma, 4 (6%) adenoid cystic carcinoma, 3 (4.6%) malignant carcinoid tumor and 7 (10.6%) had metastasis. The most common symptoms were dyspnea and cough. Histopathologically tumor positive margins were found in 84.8% (A), 10.6% (B), 4.5% (C), and 0% (D). There was a significant statistically difference between tumor involvement at distances 5 mm (A) versus 10-20 mm (B-D) (P <0.001). CONCLUSION A 20 mm distance from the gross tumor is considered as a safe surgical margin in any type of malignant pulmonary resections for prevention of local surgical recurrences if there was no pathologic examination before surgery.
Control of cell proliferation pathways by microRNAs

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate a large variety of cellular processes including differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation. Several miRNAs display defective expression patterns in human tumors with the consequent alteration of target oncogene or tumor suppressor genes. Many of these miRNAs modulate the major proliferation pathways through direct interaction with critical regulators such as RAS, PI3K/PTEN or ABL, as well as members of the retinoblastoma pathway, Cyclin-CDK complexes or cell cycle inhibitors of the INK4 or Cip/Kip families. A complex interplay between miRNAs and MYC or E2F family members also exists to modulate cell cycle-dependent transcription during normal or tumoral proliferation. The ability of miRNAs to modulate these proliferation pathways may have relevant implications not only in physiological or developmental processes but also in tumor progression or cancer therapy.
Phonology in new varieties of English: Hong Kong English diphthongs

Studies of vowels in Hong Kong English (HKE) have revealed that it has diphthongs which are not dissimilar from British English (BrE). However, impressionistically, diphthongs in HKE can and do sound different. This paper looks at two perceptual phenomena: monophthongisation of GOAT; and coda consonant loss in words containing closing diphthongs followed by a geminate alveolar plosive. We indicate that patterns of production exist which could cause problems of intelligibility for listeners who are less familiar with the variety.
Identifying potential need for cancer palliation in Nova Scotia.

OBJECTIVE To assess the degree to which Nova Scotia cancer patients who may need palliative care are being referred to the comprehensive Halifax-based Palliative Care Program (PCP). METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective, population-based study using administrative health data for all adults in Nova Scotia who died of cancer from 1988 to 1994. Proportions and odds ratios (ORs) were used to determine where there were differences in age, sex, place of residence, cancer cause of death, year of death and use of palliative radiotherapy between those who were referred to the PCP at the Halifax Infirmary and those who were not, and between those who were referred late (within 14 days of death) and those who were referred earlier. RESULTS Of the 14,494 adults who died of cancer during the study period, 2057 (14.2%) were registered in the PCP. Within Halifax County, 1582 (36.4%) of the 4340 patients with terminal cancer were seen in the PCP. Predictors of PCP registration were residence in Halifax County (OR 19.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 15.4-23.9), younger age compared with those 85 years of age or older (for those 20-54 years of age, OR 4.9, 95% CI 3.2-7.6; 55-64 years, OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.2-5.1; 65-74 years, OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.1-4.5; 75-84 years, OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.1), and having received palliative radiation (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.2). PCP referral was associated directly with head and neck cancer (OR 5.4, 95% CI 3.0-9.7) and inversely with hematopoietic (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.4-0.9), lymph node (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.4) and lung (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9) cancer. Predictors of late referral (being referred to the PCP within 14 days of death) were age 65-84 years (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8) and 85 years and over (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0), no palliative radiation (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-3.1) and cancer cause of death. People dying within 6 months of diagnosis were somewhat less likely to have been referred to the PCP (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-0.9), but those who were referred were more likely to have been referred late (OR 2.6, 95% CI 2.0-3.5). INTERPRETATION Referral to the PCP and earlier rather than late referral were more likely for younger people with terminal cancer, those who received palliative radiation and those living closer to the PCP. Referral rates also varied by cancer cause of death and the time between diagnosis and death.
Co‐channel interference in two‐tier heterogeneous networks: analytical model and ergodic capacity

The modelling of co‐channel interference in heterogeneous networks (HetNets) is increasingly highlighted for the spectrum underlay mechanism where the macro base stations (MBSs) and low‐power nodes (LPNs) share the same radio resources. To clarify the characteristics of co‐channel interference, an analytical interference model is developed in this paper for the two‐tier hierarchical HetNets in Long‐Term‐Evolution‐Advanced systems, which consists of MBSs with deterministic locations and LPNs locating with a random Poisson field. The distribution of aggregate interference is analysed, and the parameters impacting the proposed interference model are evaluated. In the proposed aggregate interference model, the success probability is derived on the basis of the moment generation function. Further, the ergodic capacity is developed in high signal‐to‐noise ratio region, and its closed‐form expressions are derived for both MBSs and LPNs. Simulation results are presented to validate the analytical results of proposed interference model. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Video access control via multi-level data hiding

The paper proposes novel data hiding algorithms and system design for high quality digital video. Instead of targeting on a single degree of robustness, which results in overestimation and/or underestimation of the noise conditions, we apply multi-level embedding to digital video to achieve more than one level of robustness-capacity tradeoff. In addition, an adaptive technique is proposed to determine how many bits are embedded in each part of the video. Besides user data, control information such as synchronization and the number of hidden user bits are embedded as well. The algorithm can be used for applications such as access control.
Poultry feed availability and nutrition in developing countries Advances in poultry nutrition

Feed represents the greatest single expenditure associated with poultry production. nutritional research in poultry has therefore centred on issues related to identifying barriers to effective digestion and utilization of nutrients, and on approaches for improving feed utilization. Poultry nutritionists have increasingly combined their expertise with that of specialists in other biological sciences, including immunology, microbiology, histology and molecular biology. although broilers and layers are highly efficient in converting feed to food products, they still excrete significant amounts of unutilized nutrients. For example, in their manure, broilers lose almost 30 percent of ingested dry matter, 25 percent of gross energy, 50 percent of nitrogen, and 55 percent of phosphorus intake. there is therefore considerable room for improving the efficiency of feed conversion to animal products. Much of the inefficiency results from the presence of undesirable components and the indigestibility of nutrients in the feed. recent advances in poultry nutrition have focussed on three main aspects: i) developing an understanding of nutrient metabolism and nutrient requirements; ii) determining the supply and availability of nutrients in feed ingredients; and iii) formulating least-cost diets that bring nutrient requirements and nutrient supply together effectively. the overall aim is precision feeding to lower costs and maximize economic efficiency. in the past, there was a tendency to overformulate diets when there was doubt about the availability of critical nutrients (especially amino acids and phosphorus) or when nutrient requirements were uncertain. this practice is no longer acceptable, not only because it is wasteful, but also because excess nutrients excreted in the manure are ultimately a source of pollution. Fine-tuning diets so that they more closely match the requirements of the birds, helps to optimize the efficiency of nutrient utilization. the major developments towards achieving the goal of precision feeding are discussed in the following sections.
Unusual Genetic Organization of a Functional Type I Protein Secretion System in Neisseria meningitidis

ABSTRACT Proteins secreted by Neisseria meningitidis are thought to play important roles in the pathogenesis of meningococcal disease. These proteins include the iron-repressible repeat-in-toxin (RTX) exoprotein FrpC. Related proteins in other pathogens are secreted via a type I secretion system (TOSS), but such a system has not been demonstrated in N. meningitidis. An in silico search of the group B meningococcal genome suggested the presence of a uniquely organized TOSS. Genes encoding homologs of the Escherichia coli HlyB (ATP-binding), HlyD (membrane fusion), and TolC (outer membrane channel) proteins were identified. In contrast to the cistronic organization of the secretion genes in most other rtx operons, the hlyD and tolC genes were adjacent but unlinked to hlyB; neither locus was part of an operon containing genes encoding putative TOSS substrates. Both loci were flanked by genes normally associated with mobile genetic elements. The three genes were shown to be expressed independently. Mutation at either locus resulted in an inability to secrete FrpC and a related protein, here called FrpC2. Successful complementation of these mutations at an ectopic site confirmed the observed phenotypes were caused by loss of function of the putative TOSS genes. We show that genes scattered in the meningococcal genome encode a functional TOSS required for secretion of the meningococcal RTX proteins.
Immunosuppression by leukemia viruses. I. Effect of Friend disease virus on cellular and humoral hemolysin responses of mice to a primary immunization with sheep erythrocytes.

Summary Infection of adult BALB/c mice with Friend disease virus resulted in marked suppression of the ability of the animals to respond to a potential immunizing inoculum of sheep erythrocytes as detected both on the cellular and humoral antibody level. Whereas normal noninfected animals had a vigorous immune response to erythrocytes, with the appearance of relatively large numbers of antibody plaque-forming cells in their spleens, infected mice generally had a markedly depressed response. The timing of virus infection in relation to immunization was an important factor since the greatest immunosuppression occurred in mice infected 3, 8 or 21 days before immunization. Less suppression occurred in mice infected the same day as immunization. The peak response was depressed in all mice, regardless of the day of antigen injection, when the number of PFC was calculated per million leukocytes rather than per whole spleen. Appearance of 7 S IgG PFC late in the immune response was markedly inhibited in all infected mice, even those receiving FDV after immunization. The “background” counts of 19 S PFC preexisting in spleens of both nonstimulated control and FDV-infected mice were similar. Serum hemagglutinin and hemolysin titers were only slightly, if at all, suppressed in mice infected the same day as immunization or 2 days later. The peak serum titer was markedly suppressed in animals infected 3 or 8 days prior to immunization. The amount of 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) resistant 7 S antibody in serum specimens of infected mice was less than in control mice. Immunosuppression appeared to be related to leukocytosis and splenomegaly. However, immunosuppression was usually detectable prior to overt splenomegaly in mice infected simultaneously or after immunization. Although the mechanisms involved in FDV induced immunosuppression are unknown, the effects of leukemogenic viruses such as FDV on antibody-forming cells per se , on progenator or stem cells, and/or antigen-processing cells, such as macrophages, were discussed in relation to both immunogenesis and virus tumorigenesis.
Globomycin, a new peptide antibiotic with spheroplast-forming activity. II. Isolation and physico-chemical and biological characterization.

The peptide antibiotic globomycin was extracted from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces halstedii No. 13912, purified on silica-gel columns and crystallized from acetonitrile to give colorless needles. It is a neutral substance with m.p. of 115 degrees C and a molecular formula of C32H57N5O9. On amino-acid analysis, it gave serine, threonine, glycine and an unidentified amino acid. It is soluble in methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform but sparingly soluble in water. The antimicrobial spectrum of globomycin revealed its specific activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Formation of spheroplasts was observed when Escherichia coli was grown in the presence of globomycin, indicating inhibition of the bacterial cell wall synthesis as its mode of action.
Occlusion detection in moving cameras

In this work, we propose a novel method for detection of moving or static objects which are not part of the background in an image sequence captured by a moving camera. The method is composed of two stages, namely, construction of a background model and detection of occluding objects. The constructed background model makes it possible to detect both static and moving occluding objects. Experiments on the real scenes show that the proposed method works effectively and produces visually correct results.
A Secure Credit-Based Incentive Mechanism for Message Forwarding in Noncooperative DTNs

Delay-tolerant networks (DTNs) are an emergent communication paradigm characterized by intermittent connectivity. The nodes in DTNs can take advantage of their contact opportunities to forward messages. However, in noncooperative DTNs, the nodes may be selfish and reluctant to cooperate with each other in message forwarding. In such DTNs, stimulating cooperation among the nodes will be indispensable. Recently, many incentive mechanisms have been proposed to motivate nodes to cooperate in message forwarding. However, most of them cannot guarantee systematic security. To resolve the drawback of the previous incentive mechanisms, we first propose a credit-based rewarding scheme called the earliest path singular rewarding (EPSR) scheme to motivate the nodes to truthfully forward the messages during every contact opportunity. Then, we propose another credit-based rewarding scheme called the earliest path cumulative rewarding (EPCR) scheme by further considering that a node may get more contact information on others. We prove that both the EPSR and EPCR schemes are incentive compatible, and the payment for each delivered message is upper bounded. Furthermore, the proposed schemes can prevent selfish nodes having malicious behaviors. We have conducted real-trace-based simulations to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed EPSR and EPCR schemes.
Development of a reconstructed cornea from collagen-chondroitin sulfate foams and human cell cultures.

PURPOSE To develop an artificial cornea, the ability to coculture the different cell types present in the cornea is essential. Here the goal was to develop a full-thickness artificial cornea using an optimized collagen-chondroitin sulfate foam, with a thickness close to that of human cornea, by coculturing human corneal epithelial and stromal cells and transfected human endothelial cells. METHODS Corneal extracellular matrix was simulated by a porous collagen/glycosaminoglycan-based scaffold seeded with stromal keratocytes and then, successively, epithelial and endothelial cells. Scaffolds were characterized for bulk porosity and pore size distribution. The performance of the three-dimensional construct was studied by histology, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The scaffold had 85% porosity and an average pore size of 62.1 microm. Keratocytes populated the scaffold and produced a newly synthesized extracellular matrix as characterized by immunohistochemistry. Even though the keratocytes lost their CD34 phenotype marker, the absence of smooth muscle actin fibers showed that these cells had not differentiated into myofibroblasts. The epithelial cells formed a stratified epithelium and began basement membrane deposition. An endothelial cell monolayer beneath the foam was also apparent. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that collagen-chondroitin sulfate scaffolds are good substrates for artificial cornea construction with good resilience, long-term culture capability, and handling properties.
Energy management optimization in consideration of battery deterioration for commuter plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

In view of battery deterioration and cost of fuel and electricity, this paper mainly focuses on how to distribute power between the engine and electric equipment for commuter plug-in hybrid electric vehicles(PHEVs) in order to improve the total economy in driving process. A battery lifetime model deriving from models of battery cycle degradation and calendar degradation is first given so that this lifetime model can be applied to energy management optimization directly. Then the Pareto energy optimization problem considering battery wear model is converted into a single-objective optimal control problem. Later a stochastic dynamic programming(SDP) approach is utilized to solve this optimal control problem. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy would effectively benefit vehicle economy by reducing total cost significantly.
Inhibition of neointimal formation and hyperplasia in vein grafts by external stent/sheath

Synthetic and to a lesser extent vein graft failure is still a major problem in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease, with neointimal hyperplasia being the main cause for graft occlusion in the medium and long term. This review aims to establish the current status of external stents or sheaths in the prevention of intimal hyperplasia in small diameter (< 6 mm) vein grafts.
Evaluating a digital divide index in a regional context

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to show that the provision of an increasing range of remote, electronic access channels by private and public sector bodies is predicated on a critical mass of citizenry utilising such access channels. However, a major concern is that the increasing use of ICT for private and public sector transactions is seen as potentially creating a “digital divide” between those with access to technology and those who do not. This paper adapts an index of the digital divide documented in previous work and utilises this instrument to analyse the depth and breadth of this phenomenon in a UK region – Wales. Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the construction of a “digital divide index” (DDIX) for Wales based upon the previous established work of Husing and Selhofer. The DDIX is applied to data collected as part of a major European-wide project – UNDERSTAND. Findings – The DDIX situates four citizen segments in terms of internet access and usage – gender, age, education and income. There are no significant digital divides evident within the Welsh region in terms of gender and income. However, there are significant digital divides in terms of age and education. Research limitations/implications – The DDIX as formulated considers a limited range of possible dimensions, both in terms of citizen groups and internet access and usage. Other possible dimensions for consideration are discussed in the paper. Practical implications – Our application of a DDIX has been useful in highlighting the multi-faceted nature of this phenomenon within a regional context. Further research is required both to refine such an important information society metric and to apply it in further domains of analysis. Originality/value – The paper will be of interest both to academic researchers and policy-makers interested in understanding and measuring the digital divide.