Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Profitability determinants in the hotel industry ; case of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Croatia

Posljednjih godina rastu ulaganja u hotelsku industriju, kao i prihodi koje ostvaruju hotelska poduzeca. No, pitanje uspjesnosti njihovog poslovanja zahtijeva razlicite aspekte sagledavanja. Prisutni trendovi globalizacije i okrupnjavanja hotelskih poduzeca potpomognuti standardizacijom internog izvjestavanja otvaraju potrebu kontinuiranog pracenja i ocjenjivanja odrednica uspjesnosti. U ovom je radu fokus na profitabilnosti i u sirem smislu uspjesnosti poslovanja hotelskih poduzeca u kontekstu opcih odrednica poslovanja hotelskih poduzeca i pripadajuce djelatnosti. Rezultati regresijskog modela na odabranom uzorku pokazali su određena odstupanja u odrednicama profitabilnosti od nekih drugih recentnih istraživanja, kao i odstupanja na promatranim razinama – Hrvatske i Primorsko-goranske županije. Ovo je korisna indicija u svjetlu nepovoljnog trenda u profitabilnosti hotelskih poduzeca PGŽ-a u odnosu na nacionalnu razinu.
The effects of finite sampling in spin‐echo or field‐echo magnetic resonance imaging

The artifacts associated with finite sampling in magnetic resonance imaging are shown to be significant when the ratio of half the sampling time, Ts/2, to transverse relaxation time, T2 is on the order of unity or greater. For both symmetric and asymmetric sampling, these artifacts include enhanced high spatial frequency image intensity (bright edges), induced systematic noise, loss of resolution, and changes in phase. Simple filtering of the raw data does not remove the problem in tissues with positiondependent T2 values. An exact deconvolution method is described to remove these problems associated with finite position‐dependent T2 values. © 1987 Academic Press, Inc.
Analysis of impaired LTP in schizophrenia using an extended mathematical model of a tripartite synapse

One of the biological models presented in recent years to express the neuropathology of schizophrenia is based on an inactivated pathologic astrocyte in the tripartite synapse. In this study we developed a mathematical model of a tripartite synapse capable of expressing the pathologic behavior of the synapse under the aforementioned condition. Our results indicate that under pathologic conditions, there are increased nitric oxide (NO) feedback and decreased D-serine in the tripartite synapse that eventually lead to NMDAR hypofunction and subsequently abolishing of long term potentiation (LTP). Increased NO and lack of astrocytic glutamate in the synaptic cleft, which are happened after some intracellular processes, lead to increased release of glutamate from presynaptic neuron. Increased glutamate and at the same time lack of sufficient D-serine lead to fluctuations in NMDAR current with reduced amplitude and also reduced number of spikes and lower frequency in the postsynaptic potential. In other words, impaired synaptic neurotransmission, together with excessive NO-dependent phosphorylation of NMDA receptors, cause dysregulation of the NMDARs. Our results indicate that there is a mutual interaction between irregularities that lead to hypofunction of NMDARs. NMDAR activity is significantly degraded and there is not any stable and persistent LTP in the pathologic tripartite synapse. Based on our results, impairment of LTP is because of increase in the phosphorylation of CaMKII and unusual and severe oscillations with high amplitude and high frequency in the phosphorylated CaMKII concentration. Perhaps the reported deficiencies in the learning and memory and even other cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are caused by the impaired LTP and the other mentioned impairments in the tripartite synapse especially D-serine shortage, the inactivated astrocyte and abnormalities occurred in the glutamatergic neurotransmission that are likely responsible for hypofunction of NMDA receptors. We suggest that manipulation of D-serine concentration or its binding site on the NMDA receptor and also increasing the activities of astrocytic receptors particularly mGluRs may be effective targets for therapeutic approaches.
Evidence for a primary abnormality of thecal cell steroidogenesis in the polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy of unknown aetiology. The aims of this study were to identify whether ovarian thecal cell steroidogenesis is abnormally regulated in PCOS by measuring steroid responses to a single dose of hCG before, and during, suppression of endogenous LH levels by a GnRH analogue (GnRHa).
A Somatostatin Analogue is Protective Against Retrograde Bile Salt‐Induced Pancreatitis in the Rat

Despite the proposal that somatostatin or its stable analogue, octreotide (SMS-201,995), may exert an ameliorating effect on acute pancreatitis, data concerning its beneficial effect in this situation are conflicting. This study examines the effects of octreotide on acute pancreatitis, resulting from the retrograde injection of a bile salt (taurocholate) plus saturating trypsin into the common bile-pancreatic duct of the rat. Octreotide given before the induction of pancreatitis significantly reduced the levels of serum amylase and lipase, ascites amylase concentration, degree of leukocyte infiltration, and focal areas of pancreatic tissue necrosis. In contrast, administration of octreotide as soon as 5 min following induction had no demonstrable ameliorating effects on the pancreatitis. These results indicate that octreotide may have application to prophylaxis of acute pancreatitis in cases where bile salts may play a role in pathogenesis, but may not be beneficial in established acute pancreatitis.
Individual Utilities Are Inconsistent with Rationing Choices

Objective. To test whether cost-effectiveness analysis and present methods of elic iting health condition "utilities" capture the public's values for health care rationing. Design. Two surveys of economics students. The first survey measured their utilities for three states of health, using either analog scale, standard gamble, or time tradeoff. The second survey measured their preferences, in paired rationing choices of the health states from the first survey and also compared with treatment of acutely fatal appendicitis. The rationing choices each subject faced were individualized according to his or her utility responses, so that the subject should have been indifferent between the two conditions in each rationing choice. Results. The analog-scale elicitation method produced significantly lower utilities than the time-tradeoff and standard-gam ble methods for two of the three conditions (p < 0.001 ). Compared with the rationing choices, all three utility-elicitation methods placed less value on the importance of saving lives and treating more severely ill people compared with less severely ill ones (p < 0.0001 ). The subjects' rationing choices indicated that they placed values on treating severely ill people that were tenfold to one-hundred-thousand-fold greater than would have been predicted by their utility responses. However, the subjects' rationing choices showed internal inconsistency, as, for example, treatments that were indicated to be ten times more beneficial in one scenario were valued as one hundred times more beneficial in other scenarios. Conclusions. The subjects soundly rejected the rationing choices derived from their utility responses. This suggests that people's an swers to utility elicitations cannot be easily translated into social policy. However, per son-tradeoff elicitations, like those given in our rationing survey, cannot be substituted for established methods of utility elicitation until they can be performed in ways that yield acceptable internal consistency. Key words: cost-effectiveness; utility assess ment ; rationing; medical ethics; health policy; standard gamble; time tradeoff; Oregon. (Med Decis Making 1996;16:108-116)
High incidence of biliary stricture after associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a two‐stage procedure most frequently applied in the setting of an extended right‐sided hemi‐hepatectomy. Initial reports of high mortality have sparked debate regarding the safety and efficacy of the procedure. We describe a higher incidence of early post‐operative bile duct strictures after ALPPS, a complication rarely seen after conventional liver resection.
Why do people delay accessing health care for knee osteoarthritis? Exploring beliefs of health professionals and lay people.

PURPOSE In knee osteoarthritis (OA), opportunity for non-surgical intervention is reduced by time lost between symptom onset and diagnosis. The study's purpose was to understand, from the perspective of various stakeholders, the reasons for delay and useful strategies to enhance early awareness of knee OA. METHOD In this qualitative study, focus groups of health professionals (n=6) and community-dwelling individuals (n=7) discussed questions relating to knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about OA; experiences with people with OA; health care seeking behaviour; and access to services, and suggested strategies to enhance public awareness. Qualitative analyses identified dominant themes. RESULTS Reasons for delay from the laypersons' perspective included lack of knowledge about risk factors and prevention and a belief that knee pain is expected with age. Reasons related to the health care system included long wait times and frustration getting appointments. Health professionals were unclear on which discipline should discuss prevention and risk factors. Suggested strategies included advocating a healthy lifestyle, developing prevention programs, and using celebrities to inform the public. CONCLUSIONS Participants identified multiple reasons for delays and strategies to counter them. Knowledge about gaps in the OA care process can facilitate physiotherapists' participation in developing strategies for early intervention.
In vivo corneal confocal microscopy comparison of intralase femtosecond laser and mechanical microkeratome for laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE To assess and compare corneal modifications induced by IntraLase PulsionFS femtosecond laser and mechanical microkeratome Hansatome for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using the new-generation Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT II)/Rostock Cornea Module confocal microscope. METHODS In this case-control study, 24 eyes of 12 patients were examined with the HRT II in the follow-up of IntraLase femtosecond laser for LASIK myopic surgery. Twenty eyes of 10 patients were also examined after microkeratome Hansatome-LASIK surgery. In both groups, the patients underwent the first follow-up examination on day 7 and the last 12 months after surgery. Morphologic modifications of corneal architecture were evaluated, and comparisons were made between the two flap-formation techniques. RESULTS Evaluation of both groups on day 7 showed keratocyte transformation, most likely related to cellular activation beneath the interface. The flap margin after the IntraLase technique appeared microscopically as a clear-cut edge that included the epithelial plug. At month 2, secondary fibrosis, adjacent to the still well-defined IntraLase flap edge, was observed. This reaction diminished with time, leaving a fibrotic scar adjacent to a wound constriction originating from the surrounding stroma. The flap margin of the mechanical microkeratome had the appearance of a less clearly identified fibrotic scar with no epithelial plug. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals morphologic similarities between the interfaces obtained by femtosecond laser and mechanical microkeratome, probably because the same excimer laser performed the photoablation. However, the IntraLase flap margin showed greater fibrotic scarring than that induced by the mechanical microkeratome.
1,450 nm long-pulsed diode laser for nonablative skin rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND There has been growing patient demand for laser technology to treat rhytids and to refine skin texture without the associated lifestyle hindrance common to ablative cutaneous procedures. Nonablative laser systems have been developed to meet this need and, in many instances, have replaced ablative lasers as the preferred treatment modality. OBJECTIVE To review long-pulsed diode laser technology in the treatment of a variety of cutaneous disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS All publications involving 1,450 nm long-pulsed diode laser technology were reviewed and discussed. RESULTS The latest generation of nonablative lasers, in the midinfrared electromagnetic spectrum, selectively targets and heats dermal tissue to stimulate collagen remodeling while sparing the epidermis. CONCLUSIONS Demonstrating efficacy in the treatment of a wide range of cutaneous disorders, including facial rhytids, acne vulgaris, and atrophic scars, the 1,450 nm diode laser is a useful addition to the nonablative laser armamentarium.
Dynein arms are strain‐dependent direction‐switching force generators

Dynein is a minus‐end‐directed motor that can generate (forward) force to move along the microtubule toward its minus end. In addition, axonemal dyneins were reported to oscillate in the generation of forward force, and cytoplasmic dynein is observed to generate bidirectional forces in response to defined chemical states. Both dyneins can also respond to mechanically applied force. To test whether axonemal dynein can switch direction of force generation, we measured force using an optical trap and UV‐photolysis of caged ATP. We observed that isolated dynein could repeatedly generate force in both directions along the microtubule. Bidirectional force was also observed for dynein arms that are still attached on the doublet microtubules. Axonemal dynein generated force to move backward (∼4 pN) as well as forward (5‐6 pN) along microtubules. Furthermore, backward force could be stimulated by plus‐end directed external force applied to axonemal dynein before ATP application. The results show that axonemal dynein is unique exhibiting multiple modes of force generation including backward and forward force, oscillatory force and slow, repetitive bidirectional force. The results also demonstrate that mechanical strain is important for switching the directionality of force generation in axonemal dyneins. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Formation of Cosmic Dust Bunnies

Planetary formation is an efficient process now thought to take place on a relatively short astronomical time scale. Recent observations have shown that the dust surrounding a protostar emits more efficiently at longer wavelengths as the protoplanetary disk evolves, suggesting that the dust particles are coagulating into fluffy aggregates, "much as dust bunnies form under a bed. " One poorly understood problem in this coagulation process is the manner in which the micrometer-sized charged grains form the fractal aggregate structures now thought to be the precursors of protoplanetary disk evolution. This paper examines the characteristics of such fractal aggregates formed by the collision of spherical monomers and aggregates where the charge is distributed over the aggregate structure. The aggregates are free to rotate due to the collisions and dipole-dipole electrostatic interactions. Comparisons are made for different precursor size distributions and like-charged, oppositely charged, and neutral grains
Breastfeeding Initiation in a Rural Sample: Predictive Factors and the Role of Smoking

The study objective was to identify demographic, medical, and health behavior factors that predict breastfeeding initiation in a rural population with low breastfeeding rates. Participants were 2323 women who experienced consecutive deliveries at 2 hospitals, with data obtained through detailed chart review. Only half the women initiated breastfeeding, which was significantly associated with higher levels of education, private insurance, nonsmoking and non-drug-using status, and primiparity, after controlling for confounders. Follow-up analyses revealed that smoking status was the strongest predictor of failure to breastfeed, with nonsmokers nearly twice as likely to breastfeed as smokers and with those who had smoked a pack per day or more the least likely to breastfeed. Findings reveal many factors placing women at risk for not breastfeeding and suggest that intervention efforts should encourage a combination of smoking cessation and breastfeeding while emphasizing that breastfeeding is not contraindicated even if the mother continues to smoke.
Development of a Task-Exposure Matrix (TEM) for Pesticide Use (TEMPEST).

INTRODUCTION Pesticides have been associated with increased risks for a range of conditions including Parkinson's disease, but identifying the agents responsible has proven challenging. Improved pesticide exposure estimates would increase the power of epidemiological studies to detect such an association if one exists. METHODS Categories of pesticide use were identified from the tasks reported in a previous community-based case-control study in Scotland. Typical pesticides used in each task in each decade were identified from published scientific and grey literature and from expert interviews, with the number of potential agents collapsed into 10 groups of pesticides. A pesticide usage database was then created, using the task list and the typical pesticide groups employed in those tasks across seven decades spanning the period 1945-2005. Information about the method of application and concentration of pesticides used in these tasks was then incorporated into the database. RESULTS A list was generated of 81 tasks involving pesticide exposure in Scotland covering seven decades producing a total of 846 task per pesticide per decade combinations. A Task-Exposure Matrix for PESTicides (TEMPEST) was produced by two occupational hygienists who quantified the likely probability and intensity of inhalation and dermal exposures for each pesticide group for a given use during each decade. CONCLUSIONS TEMPEST provides a basis for assessing exposures to specific pesticide groups in Scotland covering the period 1945-2005. The methods used to develop TEMPEST could be used in a retrospective assessment of occupational exposure to pesticides for Scottish epidemiological studies or adapted for use in other countries.
From the ESD robustness of products to the system ESD robustness

In this contribution a methodology is presented which allows the estimation of a system level ESD robustness from the ESD characterization on device level. The basic idea behind this methodology is that predominantly three different failure mechanisms exist. CDM-type stress (pulse duration ~1 ns) causes break down of dielectrics, e.g., gate oxides. The relevant parameter is the peak current of the discharge. Stress similar to HBM (time domain 50-200 ns) results usually in thermal damages due to the dissipated energy in the device. EOS damage (stress duration > 1 mus) are caused by thermal power forced into the device which itself is in thermal equilibrium. Examples are given where the ESD threshold voltage of system level tests on devices could be derived from the device characterization with an accuracy of 20-30 %.
Four New Species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Emoia spp. Skinks (Sauria: Scincidae), from Papua New Guinea and the Insular Pacific

Abstract Between September and November 1991, 54 adult skinks from 15 species were collected by hand or blowpipe from several localities on Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Ovalau Island, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea (PNG), and their feces were examined for coccidians. Species included 5 seaside skinks (Emoia atrocostata), 1 Pacific blue-tailed skink (Emoia caeroleocauda), 2 Fiji slender treeskinks (Emoia concolor), 15 white-bellied copper-striped skinks (Emoia cyanura), 1 Bulolo River forest skink (Emoia guttata), 6 dark-bellied copper-striped skinks (Emoia impar), 5 Papua five-striped skinks (Emoia jakati), 2 Papua slender treeskinks (Emoia kordoana), 3 Papua robust treeskinks (Emoia longicauda), 1 brown-backed forest skink (Emoia loveridgei), 3 Papua black-sided skinks (Emoia pallidiceps), 2 Papua white-spotted skinks (Emoia physicae), 2 Papua yellow-head skinks (Emoia popei), 1 Papua brown forest skink (Emoia submetallica), and 5 Fiji barred treeskinks (Emoia trossula) Species of Eimeria (Ei.) were detected from these Emoia (Em.) spp. and are described here as new. Oocysts of Eimeria iovai n. sp. from Em. pallidiceps from PNG were ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall (L × W) 26.5 × 18.1 μm, with a length/width ratio (L/W) of 1.1. Both micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a fragmented polar granule was present. This eimerian also was found in Em. atrocostata from PNG. Oocysts of Eimeria kirkpatricki n. sp. from Em. atrocostata from PNG were ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall, 18.6 × 13.5 μm, L/W 1.4. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a fragmented polar granule was present. This eimerian was also shared by Em. cyanura from the Cook Islands and Fiji, Em. impar from the Cook Islands, Em. loveridgei from PNG, Em. pallidiceps from PNG, Em. popei from PNG, and Em. submetallica from PNG. Oocysts of Eimeria stevejayuptoni n. sp. from Em. longicauda were subspheroidal to ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall, 18.7 × 16.6 μm, L/W 1.1. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a fragmented polar granule was present. Oocysts of Eimeria emoia n. sp. from Em. longicauda from PNG were cylindroidal with a bilayered wall, 29.2 × 15.7 μm, L/W 1.9. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a polar granule was present. These are the first eimerians reported from Emoia spp. and they add to our growing knowledge of the coccidian fauna of scincid lizards of the South Pacific.
Comparison of Cd, Cu, and Zn toxic effects on four marine phytoplankton by pulse‐amplitude‐modulated fluorometry

The toxic effects of Cd, Cu, and Zn on four different marine phytoplankton, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Prorocentrum minimum, Synechococcus sp. , and Thalassiosira weissflogii, were examined by comparing the cell‐specific growth rate, pulse‐amplitude‐modulated (PAM) parameters (maximum photosystem II quantum yield ϕM and operational quantum yield ϕ'M), chlorophyll a content, and cellular metal concentration, over a 96‐h period. The calculated no‐observed‐effect concentration (NOEC) based on both cell‐specific growth rate and two PAM parameters (ϕM and ϕ'M) were mostly identical. Thus, these PAM parameters and cell‐specific growth rate were comparable in their sensitivities as the biomarkers for trace metal toxicity to marine phytoplankton. The cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. was the most sensitive species among the four algal species tested because of its higher cell surface to volume ratio. The toxicity of the three tested metals followed the order of Cd > Cu > Zn based on the cellular metal concentration of the four algae at the NOEC. The cellular metal bioaccumulation followed the same Freundlich isotherm for each metal regardless of the algal species, indicating that the metal accumulation was a nonmetabolic process under high ambient metal concentrations and that the cell surface metal binding was comparable among the different species. For all the algae examined in our study, the bioaccumulation potentials of Cu and Zn were similar to each other, while the Cd bioaccumulation was much lower under environmentally realistic metal concentration.