Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate Leaders Set up for a Fall : The Insidious Effects of Flattery and Opinion Conformity toward

This study considers the potentially negative consequences for corporate leaders of being subjected to high levels of ingratiation in the form of flattery and opinion conformity from other managers and board members. Chief executive officers (CEOs) who have acquired positions of relatively high social status in the corporate elite tend to be attractive targets of flattery and opinion conformity from colleagues, which can have potentially negative consequences for CEOs and their firms. Our theory suggests how high levels of flattery and opinion conformity can increase CEOs’ overconfidence in their strategic judgment and leadership capability, which results in biased strategic decision making. Specifically, we contend that heightened overconfidence from receiving high levels of such ingratiatory behavior reduces the likelihood that CEOs will initiate needed strategic change in response to poor firm performance. We tested and confirmed our hypotheses with a dataset that includes original survey data from a large sample of U.S. CEOs, other top managers, and board members in the period 2001–2007. Further analyses suggest that strategic persistence that results from high levels of flattery and opinion conformity directed at the CEO can result in the persistence of low firm performance and may ultimately increase the likelihood of the CEO’s dismissal. Implications for theory and research on social influence, sources of overconfidence in decision making, and the dynamics of executive careers are discussed.
Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Human Cysticercosis in 60 Villages in Three Provinces of Burkina Faso

Background Taenia solium, a zoonotic infection transmitted between humans and pigs, is considered an emerging infection in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet individual and community-level factors associated with the human infection with the larval stages (cysticercosis) are not well understood. This study aims to estimate the magnitude of association of individual-level and village-level factors with current human cysticercosis in 60 villages located in three Provinces of Burkina Faso. Methodology/Principal Findings Baseline cross-sectional data collected between February 2011 and January 2012 from a large community randomized-control trial were used. A total of 3609 individuals provided serum samples to assess current infection with cysticercosis. The association between individual and village-level factors and the prevalence of current infection with cysticercosis was estimated using Bayesian hierarchical logistic models. Diffuse priors were used for all regression coefficients. The prevalence of current cysticercosis varied across provinces and villages ranging from 0% to 11.5%. The results obtained suggest that increased age, being male and consuming pork as well as a larger proportion of roaming pigs and percentage of sand in the soil measured at the village level were associated with higher prevalences of infection. Furthermore, consuming pork at another village market had the highest increased prevalence odds of current infection. Having access to a latrine, living in a household with higher wealth quintiles and a higher soil pH measured at the village level decreased the prevalence odds of cysticercosis. Conclusions/Significance This is the first large-scale study to examine the association between variables measured at the individual-, household-, and village-level and the prevalence odds of cysticercosis in humans. Factors linked to people, pigs, and the environment were of importance, which further supports the need for a One Health approach to control cysticercosis infection.
In Vivo Conditions Enable IFNAR-Independent Type I Interferon Production by Peritoneal CD11b+ Cells upon Thogoto Virus Infection

ABSTRACT Type I interferons (IFNs) crucially contribute to host survival upon viral infections. Robust expression of type I IFNs (IFN-α/β) and induction of an antiviral state critically depend on amplification of the IFN signal via the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR). A small amount of type I IFN produced early upon virus infection binds the IFNAR and activates a self-enhancing positive feedback loop, resulting in induction of large, protective amounts of IFN-α. Unexpectedly, we found robust, systemic IFN-α expression upon infection of IFNAR knockout mice with the orthomyxovirus Thogoto virus (THOV). The IFNAR-independent IFN-α production required in vivo conditions and was not achieved during in vitro infection. Using replication-incompetent THOV-derived virus-like particles, we demonstrate that IFNAR-independent type I IFN induction depends on viral polymerase activity but is largely independent of viral replication. To discover the cell type responsible for this effect, we used type I IFN reporter mice and identified CD11b+ F4/80+ myeloid cells within the peritoneal cavity of infected animals as the main source of IFNAR-independent type I IFN, corresponding to the particular tropism of THOV for this cell type. IMPORTANCE Type I IFNs are crucial for the survival of a host upon most viral infections, and, moreover, they shape subsequent adaptive immune responses. Production of protective amounts of type I IFN critically depends on the positive feedback amplification via the IFNAR. Unexpectedly, we observed robust IFNAR-independent type I IFN expression upon THOV infection and unraveled molecular mechanisms and determined the tissue and cell type involved. Our data indicate that the host can effectively use alternative pathways to induce type I IFN responses if the classical feedback amplification is not available. Understanding how type I IFN can be produced in large amounts independently of IFNAR-dependent enhancement will identify mechanisms which might contribute to novel therapeutic strategies to fight viral pathogens.
Regional implementation of the stroke systems of care model: recommendations of the northeast cerebrovascular consortium.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium was established to examine regional disparities and recommend strategies to improve stroke care based on the Stroke Systems of Care Model. METHODS An annual summit was first held in 2006, bringing together public health officials, researchers, physicians, nurses, health professionals, state legislators, and advocacy organizations. Best practices and evidence-based interventions within each of the Stroke Systems of Care Model components were presented. Six writing groups were tasked with cataloging each state's current activities and identifying goals for the region. RESULTS There were significant variations in the delivery of stroke care, particularly in urban versus rural areas, as evidenced by the availability of designated stroke centers and neurologists, and stroke-related death rates. Recommendations to address variations in care delivery included the use of a common stroke data collection system, unified community education criteria, improvements to emergency medical services dispatch and training, adoption of prehospital care measures, creation of a web-based central repository of acute stroke protocols and order sets, a regional atlas of stroke resources and capabilities, a stroke patient "report card" to promote adherence to secondary prevention strategies, and explicit standards for rehabilitation services. CONCLUSIONS Significant disparities in the delivery of stroke care across the 8 state-region have been identified. Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium demonstrates that multistate regional collaboration is a viable process for developing specific regional recommendations to address those disparities. Northeast Cerebrovascular Consortium is assessing the usefulness of the Stroke Systems of Care Model as a framework for implementing a regional approach to stroke across the continuum of care.
Near-optimal matrix recovery from random linear measurements

Significance Various problems of science and engineering can be reduced to recovery of an unknown matrix from a small number of random linear measurements. We present two matrix recovery algorithms based on approximate message passing, a framework originally developed for sparse vector recovery problems. Our algorithms typically converge exponentially fast. Matrix recovery algorithms can be compared in terms of the number of measurements required for successful recovery. One of our algorithms requires the same number of measurements as the popular (but much slower) nuclear norm minimization algorithm, while the other, based on optimal singular-value shrinkage, requires a number of measurements close to the information-theoretic lower bound, making it near optimal. In matrix recovery from random linear measurements, one is interested in recovering an unknown M-by-N matrix X0 from n<MN measurements yi=Tr(Ai⊤X0), where each Ai is an M-by-N measurement matrix with i.i. d. random entries, i=1,…,n. We present a matrix recovery algorithm, based on approximate message passing, which iteratively applies an optimal singular-value shrinker—a nonconvex nonlinearity tailored specifically for matrix estimation. Our algorithm typically converges exponentially fast, offering a significant speedup over previously suggested matrix recovery algorithms, such as iterative solvers for nuclear norm minimization (NNM). It is well known that there is a recovery tradeoff between the information content of the object X0 to be recovered (specifically, its matrix rank r) and the number of linear measurements n from which recovery is to be attempted. The precise tradeoff between r and n, beyond which recovery by a given algorithm becomes possible, traces the so-called phase transition curve of that algorithm in the (r,n) plane. The phase transition curve of our algorithm is noticeably better than that of NNM. Interestingly, it is close to the information-theoretic lower bound for the minimal number of measurements needed for matrix recovery, making it not only state of the art in terms of convergence rate, but also near optimal in terms of the matrices it successfully recovers.
P-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 mediate rolling and arrest, respectively, of CD4+ T lymphocytes on tumor necrosis factor alpha-activated vascular endothelium under flow

This report examines the adhesive interactions of human CD4+ T lymphocytes with tumor necrosis factor alpha-activated human endothelial cell monolayers in an in vitro model that mimics microcirculatory flow conditions. Resting CD4+ T cell interactions with activated endothelium consisted of initial attachment followed by rolling, stable arrest, and then spreading and transendothelial migration. P-selectin, but not E-, or L-selectin, mediated most of this initial contact and rolling, whereas beta 1-integrins (alpha 4 beta 1), interacting with endothelial-expressed vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, participated in rolling and mediated stable arrest. In contrast, beta 2-integrins were primarily involved in spreading and transmigration. These findings highlight an important role for P- selectin and suggest discrete functions for beta 1- and beta 2- integrins during lymphocyte recruitment to sites of immune-mediated inflammation.
Improving Statistical Alignement And Translation Using Highly Multilingual Corpora. (Amélioration de l'alignement et de la traduction statistique par utilisation de corpus parallèles multilingues)

This thesis presents the compilation of a highly multilingual parallel corpora (JRC-Acquis) and its usage to improve statistical alignment and translation by triangulation, which is the process of translating from a source to a target language via an intermediate third language (pivot). We explore heuristics to improve alignment and translation using multilingual, parallel, sentence-aligned corpora in several pivot languages. Our study offers two main methods utilizing a pivot language to create a translation model, with a procedure for combining translation systems for multiple pivot languages. We present experiments showing that multilingual, parallel text in twenty-two languages can be used in this framework to improve statistical translation.
Dynamics of Competition between Subnetworks of Spiking Neuronal Networks in the Balanced State

We explore and analyze the nonlinear switching dynamics of neuronal networks with non-homogeneous connectivity. The general significance of such transient dynamics for brain function is unclear; however, for instance decision-making processes in perception and cognition have been implicated with it. The network under study here is comprised of three subnetworks of either excitatory or inhibitory leaky integrate-and-fire neurons, of which two are of the same type. The synaptic weights are arranged to establish and maintain a balance between excitation and inhibition in case of a constant external drive. Each subnetwork is randomly connected, where all neurons belonging to a particular population have the same in-degree and the same out-degree. Neurons in different subnetworks are also randomly connected with the same probability; however, depending on the type of the pre-synaptic neuron, the synaptic weight is scaled by a factor. We observed that for a certain range of the “within” versus “between” connection weights (bifurcation parameter), the network activation spontaneously switches between the two sub-networks of the same type. This kind of dynamics has been termed “winnerless competition”, which also has a random component here. In our model, this phenomenon is well described by a set of coupled stochastic differential equations of Lotka-Volterra type that imply a competition between the subnetworks. The associated mean-field model shows the same dynamical behavior as observed in simulations of large networks comprising thousands of spiking neurons. The deterministic phase portrait is characterized by two attractors and a saddle node, its stochastic component is essentially given by the multiplicative inherent noise of the system. We find that the dwell time distribution of the active states is exponential, indicating that the noise drives the system randomly from one attractor to the other. A similar model for a larger number of populations might suggest a general approach to study the dynamics of interacting populations of spiking networks.
Shock–turbulence interaction in core-collapse supernovae

Nuclear shell burning in the final stages of the lives of massive stars is accompanied by strong turbulent convection. The resulting fluctuations aid supernova explosion by amplifying the non-radial flow in the post-shock region. In this work, we investigate the physical mechanism behind this amplification using a linear perturbation theory. We model the shock wave as a one-dimensional planar discontinuity and consider its interaction with vorticity and entropy perturbations in the upstream flow. We find that, as the perturbations cross the shock, their total turbulent kinetic energy is amplified by a factor of ∼2, while the average linear size of turbulent eddies decreases by about the same factor. These values are not sensitive to the parameters of the upstream turbulence and the nuclear dissociation efficiency at the shock. Finally, we discuss the implication of our results for the supernova explosion mechanism. We show that the upstream perturbations can decrease the critical neutrino luminosity for producing explosion by several per cent.
A longitudinal application of three health behaviour models in the context of skin protection behaviour in individuals with occupational skin disease

Occupational skin disease (OSD) is common, associated with poor prognosis and poses a significant burden to the individual and society. We applied the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the prototype-willingness model (PWM) and the health action process approach (HAPA) to the prediction and explanation of occupationally relevant skin protection behaviour in individuals with OSD. We used a longitudinal design. In this study, 150 individuals participating in a 3-week inpatient tertiary prevention programme completed measures assessing the constructs of the TPB, PWM and HAPA at admission (T 0), discharge (T 1) and once the individual had returned to work and worked for 4 consecutive weeks (T 2) (n = 117). Intention was measured at T 0 and skin protection behaviour at T 2. Path analysis was used to assess the longitudinal associations of the models’ constructs with intention and skin protection behaviour. TPB as well as PWM variables accounted for 30% of variance in behaviour, HAPA variables for 33%. While not all predictions were confirmed by the data, all three models are able to inform us about the formation of skin protection intention and behaviour in individuals with OSD. The findings are discussed in light of future interventions and research.
Selective Precomputation of Alternate Routes Using Link-State Information for IP Fast Restoration

The availability of IP networks has increased its importance due to the evolving use of real-time and mission-critical applications on IP networks. Methods for preparing alternate routing tables that can be used for fast restoration from link failures have been investigated. In such methods, each node has to compute a number of alternate routing tables in advance since they have to prepare for each potential failure. The resulting huge number of alternate routing tables has prevented these methods from being deployed. In this paper, we propose a method for reducing the number of alternate routing tables for link failure. It analyzes three types of shortest path trees on the basis of link-state information. We show that the number of alternate routing tables can be reduced to 1/100, on average, from that with the conventional method, and that they are small enough to be stored in the memory of IP routers. key words: IP fast restoration, link-state routing
Product Quality Choice and Inventory Risk with Strategic Consumers

Firms developing new products must often make a trade-o¤ between production costs and product quality: higher quality products are more valued by consumers, but also more costly to manufacture. We analyze this trade-o¤ in the context of demand uncertainty and strategic consumer behavior. Before the release of a product to a heterogeneous market of unknown size, a rm must choose product quality, inventory, and price. Consumers, on the other hand, choose whether to buy the product early (at a high price) or strategically delay their purchase in hopes of a price reduction caused by supply-demand mismatch and the rms e¤orts to segment the market. We nd that such forward-looking (or strategic) consumer behavior leads the rm to invest in a higher quality product, but with less inventory, than would be optimal with non-strategic consumers. Prices may be higher or lower with strategic consumers than with non-strategic consumers. Interestingly, these results contrast with models that separate the product design decision (quality) from the operational decision (inventory under demand uncertainty), which typically nd that strategic consumer behavior leads to lower quality and prices. Lastly, in a decentralized supply chain in which a manufacturer determines quality and a retailer determines price and inventory, we show that the equilibrium response to strategic consumer behavior can be precisely the opposite of a centralized supply chain: that is, the decentralized system may invest in lower quality and more inventory when consumers are strategic than when they are non-strategic, illustrating a new source of ine¢ ciency that arises due to the interaction of consumer behavior and an uncoordinated supply chain. We conclude that the interplay between uncertain demand, product quality choice, and strategic consumer behavior can have a signi cant impact on rm decisions, implying that the joint consideration of product design and tactical operational decisions is crucial, particularly when selling to a strategic consumer population.
Randomised controlled trial of amoxycillin clavulanate in children with chronic wet cough

Background Despite guideline recommendations, there are no published randomised controlled trial data on the efficacy of antibiotics for chronic wet cough in children. The majority of children with chronic wet cough have protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB), a recognised condition in multiple national guidelines. The authors conducted a parallel 1:1 placebo randomised controlled trial to test the hypothesis that a 2-week course of amoxycillin clavulanate is efficacious in the treatment of children with chronic wet cough. Methods 50 children (median age 1.9 years, IQR 0.9–5.1) with chronic (>3 weeks) wet cough were randomised to 2 weeks of twice daily oral amoxycillin clavulanate (22.5 mg/kg/dose) or placebo. The primary outcome was ‘cough resolution’ defined as a >75% reduction in the validated verbal category descriptive cough score within 14 days of treatment compared with baseline scores, or cessation of cough for >3 days. In selected children, flexible bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were undertaken at baseline. Results Cough resolution rates (48%) were significantly higher in children who received amoxycillin clavulanate compared with those who received placebo (16%), p=0.016. The observed difference between proportions was 0.32 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.56). Post treatment, median verbal category descriptive score in the amoxycillin clavulanate group of 0.5 (IQR 0.0–2.0) was significantly lower than in the placebo group, 2.25 (IQR 1.15–2.9) (p=0.02). Pre-treatment BAL data were consistent with PBB in the majority of children, with no significant difference between groups. Conclusion A 2-week course of amoxycillin clavulanate will achieve cough resolution in a significant number of children with chronic wet cough. BAL data support the diagnosis of PBB in the majority of these children. Clinical trial number ACTRN 12605000533695.
Some Calcareous Nannofossils from the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Bazhenov Formation of the West Siberian Marine Basin, Russia

Six species of four calcareous nannofossil genera (Ellipsagelosphaera Noel,1965, Watznaueria Reinhardt, 1964, Cyclagelosphaera Noel, 1965 and Tetralithus Gardet, 1955) from the black shale Bazhenov Formation of the West Siberian marine basin are described in layers, transitional from the Upper Jurassic (the Volgian-Tithonian Stage) to the Lower Cretaceous (the Berriasian Stage). Stratigraphically, the presence of the species of all genera in the Bazhenov Formation corresponds to the world data. Three new species (Ellipsagelosphaera bazhenovi Zanin sp.n. , Watznaueria sp. and Tetralithus isopelxiros Zanin sp.n. have been determined.
Non-Exclusive Competition Under Adverse Selection

A seller of a divisible good faces several identical buyers. The quality of the good may be low or high, and is the seller's private information. The seller has strictly convex preferences that satisfy a single-crossing property. Buyers compete by posting menus of nonexclusive contracts, so that the seller can simultaneously and privately trade with several buyers. We provide a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a pure-strategy equilibrium. Aggregate equilibrium trades are unique. Any traded contract must yield zero profit. If a quality is actually traded, then it is efficiently traded. Depending on parameters, both qualities may be traded, or only one of them, or the market may break down to a no-trade equilibrium.