Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Right-hemispheric dominance for visual remapping in humans

We review evidence showing a right-hemispheric dominance for visuo-spatial processing and representation in humans. Accordingly, visual disorganization symptoms (intuitively related to remapping impairments) are observed in both neglect and constructional apraxia. More specifically, we review findings from the intervening saccade paradigm in humans—and present additional original data—which suggest a specific role of the asymmetrical network at the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) in the right hemisphere in visual remapping: following damage to the right dorsal posterior parietal cortex (PPC) as well as part of the corpus callosum connecting the PPC to the frontal lobes, patient OK in a double-step saccadic task exhibited an impairment when the second saccade had to be directed rightward. This singular and lateralized deficit cannot result solely from the patient's cortical lesion and, therefore, we propose that it is due to his callosal lesion that may specifically interrupt the interhemispheric transfer of information necessary to execute accurate rightward saccades towards a remapped target location. This suggests a specialized right-hemispheric network for visuo-spatial remapping that subsequently transfers target location information to downstream planning regions, which are symmetrically organized.
In-flight physical surroundings: quality, satisfaction, and traveller loyalty in the emerging low-cost flight market

The purpose of our research was to investigate the relationships among overall service quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioural intentions by considering the moderating impact of in-flight ambient conditions (air quality, temperature, odour, and noise) in the low-cost airline industry. A survey was conducted on international flights. Results of the structural equation modelling from a sample of 402 passengers indicated that quality and satisfaction are significant drivers of intentions; and satisfaction acted as a significant mediators. Additionally, supporting the moderating impact of ambience, findings from the tests for metric invariance revealed that the effect of satisfaction on intentions was stronger for the high air quality, temperature, odour, and noise groups than for the low groups; and the strength of the relationship between quality and intentions was greater in the high noise group than in the low noise group. Our results will help practitioners/researchers develop effective strategies/theories for passenger satisfaction and retention.
Towards an explanation of regional specialization and industry agglomeration

Abstract The main argument advanced in this paper is that proximity matters. Product innovations, new forms of organization or new skills are arrived at in interactive processes within industrial systems. Such systems are embedded in a broader cultural and institutional context. Everything else being equal, interactive collaboration will be less costly and more smooth, the shorter the distance between the participants. The benefits of proximity can be translated into a force of spatial agglomeration in relation to firms engaged in interactive learning. Thus, agglomerations of related economic activity are not just reminiscents of previously cost efficient spatial configurations, but are currently being recreated as a result of an increasing demand for rapid knowledge transfer between firms. In this finding, we argue, lies the foundation for explaining the observed durability in otherwise incomprehensible patterns of specialization and competitiveness between countries and regions.
Explaining Popular Trust in the Department of Homeland Security

Research reveals that levels of reported trust in government are at a relatively low level— among the lowest in the period studied. At the same time, reported approval for specific administrative agencies varies widely, with some agencies receiving little support and others a great deal. This raises an important question: what factors drive trust in specific agencies? This article investigates the question in relation to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We find that reported assessments of DHS are driven by political attitudes, policy salience, religiosity, and demographic characteristics, even when controlling for trust in government in general.
From IS to organisation: analysing the uses of a collaborative IS in a high-tech SME

Researchers and practitioners generally observe a disparity in organisations between the actual uses of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and what was expected of them prior to implementation (Bowers, 1995). In order to investigate this phenomenon, Orlikowski (2000) developed a coherent and structured conceptual framework that can be used to analyse why actors develop such different uses for a given technology. While our paper uses her theoretical propositions as a framework for analysing uses, it seeks to extend her approach by means of a theoretical framework that can be used to understand the spirit of the technology and interactions between individuals and artefacts. Following an outline of these various concepts, a case study of the uses of a collaborative IS in a high-tech SME will serve as a basis for an initial test of this analytical framework and for discussing the contributions it makes.
Long-term Accelerated Multistress Aging of Composite Outdoor Polymeric Insulators

Polymeric outdoor insulators are being increasingly used for electrical power transmission and distribution in the recent years. One of the current topics of interest for the power transmission community is the aging of such outdoor polymeric insulators. A few research groups are carrying out aging studies at room temperature with wet period as an integral part of multistress aging cycle as specified by IEC standards. However, aging effect due to dry conditions alone at elevated temperatures and electric stress in the presence of radiation environment has probably not been explored. It is interesting to study and understand the insulator performance under dry conditions where wet periods are either rare or absent and to estimate the extent of aging caused by multiple stresses. This paper deals with the long-term accelerated multistress aging on full-scale 11 kV distribution class composite silicone rubber insulators. In order to assess the long-term synergistic effect of electric stress, temperature and UV radiation on insulators, they are subjected to accelerated aging in a specially designed multistress-aging chamber for 3800 hours. All the stresses are applied at an accelerated level. Using a data acquisition system developed for the work, leakage current has been monitored in LabVIEW environment. Chemical changes due to degradations have been studied using Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope and Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Periodically different parameters like low molecular weight (LMW) molecular content, hydrophobicity, leakage current and surface morphology were monitored.
Identification of a common immune signature in murine and human systemic Salmonellosis

Despite the importance of Salmonella infections in human and animal health, the target antigens of Salmonella-specific immunity remain poorly defined. We have previously shown evidence for antibody-mediating protection against invasive Salmonellosis in mice and African children. To generate an overview of antibody targeting in systemic Salmonellosis, a Salmonella proteomic array containing over 2,700 proteins was constructed and probed with immune sera from Salmonella-infected mice and humans. Analysis of multiple inbred mouse strains identified 117 antigens recognized by systemic antibody responses in murine Salmonellosis. Importantly, many of these antigens were independently identified as target antigens using sera from Malawian children with Salmonella bacteremia, validating the study of the murine model. Furthermore, vaccination with SseB, the most prominent antigenic target in Malawian children, provided mice with significant protection against Salmonella infection. Together, these data uncover an overlapping immune signature of disseminated Salmonellosis in mice and humans and provide a foundation for the generation of a protective subunit vaccine.
Graphs as Models of Scale-Free Networks

In bioinformatics research field, researchers from biology, and physics, mathematics, computer science and other disciplines explore the mystery of genetic language by the combination of experimental researches and theoretical analysis, and try reveals the essence of biological genetic information. Bollobás and Riordan pointed out that the definition of scale-free in the context of network graph models has never been made precise. We use spanning trees and other graphs to illustrate some results and phenomenon and try expressing mathematically key notions from researching scale-free networks, and explore constructions and operations of complex networks.
Clinico-Pathological Characteristics of Triple Negative and Non Triple Negative High Grade Breast Carcinomas with and Without Basal Marker (CK5/6 and EGFR) Expression at a Rural Tertiary Hospital in India

Aims of the study were to evaluate the expression Cytokeratin 5/6(CK5/6) and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) among triple negative breast cancers and high grade infiltrating duct carcinomas. Further to probe if triple negative phenotype can be a surrogate marker for basal phenotype and to correlate the expression of basal markers with disease free survivals among triple negative phenotype and high grade infiltrating duct carcinomas. Methods Expression of CK5/6 and EGFR were studied by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 31 triple negative and 19 non-triple negative high grade breast carcinomas. Results 21 of the 31 triple negative phenotype (67.7%) breast carcinomas and 7 out of 19 non-triple negative (36.8%) breast carcinomas showed expression of basal markers (CK5/6 and/or over-expression of EGFR). There were statistically significant associations of all the basal-like tumors with negative hormonal status. The basal markers positive phenotype subjects had a shorter disease free interval as compared to basal markers negative phenotype subjects. Conclusion Basal-like breast carcinomas constitute a unique clinical and pathological entity, characterized by high tumor grade and a propensity for lack of ER, PR and HER2 expression. Basal phenotypes have a more aggressive course than non-basal phenotype. “Triple negative” status cannot be used as a surrogate for “basal marker expression”.
Follicular T helper cells and humoral reactivity in kidney transplant patients

Memory B cells play a pivotal role in alloreactivity in kidney transplantation. Follicular T helper (Tfh) cells play an important role in the differentiation of B cells into immunoglobulin‐producing plasmablasts [through interleukin (IL)‐21]. It is unclear to what extent this T cell subset regulates humoral alloreactivity in kidney transplant patients, therefore we investigated the absolute numbers and function of peripheral Tfh cells (CD4POSCXCR5POS T cells) in patients before and after transplantation. In addition, we studied their relationship with the presence of donor‐specific anti‐human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (DSA), and the presence of Tfh cells in rejection biopsies. After transplantation peripheral Tfh cell numbers remained stable, while their IL‐21‐producing capacity decreased under immunosuppression. When isolated after transplantation, peripheral Tfh cells still had the capacity to induce B cell differentiation and immunoglobulin production, which could be inhibited by an IL‐21‐receptor‐antagonist. After transplantation the quantity of Tfh cells was the highest in patients with pre‐existent DSA. In kidney biopsies taken during rejection, Tfh cells co‐localized with B cells and immunoglobulins in follicular‐like structures. Our data on Tfh cells in kidney transplantation demonstrate that Tfh cells may mediate humoral alloreactivity, which is also seen in the immunosuppressed milieu.
On the Optimal Hedge of a Nontraded Cash Position

In this paper, we focus on the optimal demand for futures contracts by an investor with a logarithmic utility function who attempts to hedge a nontraded cash position. When the analysis is conducted in the "cash-commodity-price" space, we show that the value function associated with the Bernoulli investor program is not additively separable, thus suggesting that this investor hedges against shifts in the opportunity set as represented by the commodity price. By establishing the equivalence between the cash formulation of the problem and the wealth formulation, we are able to analyze the problem in the "wealth-commodity-price" space. In this space, we show the additive separability of the value function when the futures settlement price process is perfectly locally correlated with the commodity price process. The demand for futures in this instance is composed of (a) a mean-variance term and (b) a minimum-variance component that is a classic feature of models with nontraded assets. Since the first-best (nonmyopic) optimum is attained, however, the deviation from a mean-variance demand should not be interpreted as the expression of a nonmyopic behavior but rather as an attempt to restore a first-best optimum. On the other hand, when the correlation between the futures price and the underlying commodity price is imperfect, in general, the value function does not separate additively, the first-best solution cannot be attained, and the optimal futures trading strategy involves a hedging term against shifts in the opportunity set. IN THE CLASSIC DYNAMIC portfolio problem, the investor selects a trading strategy in risky and riskless assets so as to maximize his or her expected lifetime utility. In this environment, where all assets can be freely traded, the logarithmic investor behaves myopically to the extent that he or she ignores shifts in the opportunity set when making current choices (Samuelson [271; Mossin [24]; Hakansson [16]; Merton [22]). In particular, in models with continuous trading, it turns out that the value function corresponding to the investor's program is additively separable in wealth and state variables. The implication is that his or her behavior will be myopic, i.e., that his or her demand functions for assets will be of the pure meanvariance efficiency type and in particular will not include any dynamic hedging components that are characteristic of financial markets with shifting opportunities. In this paper, we investigate the structure of the Bernoulli investor's demand functions in the situation where one asset cannot be freely traded in the market.
Efficiency of hospitals in Germany: a DEA-bootstrap approach

Various attempts to assess the performance of German hospitals have generated a wide range of estimates regarding their efficiency. These attempts were based on different, often rather small data sets consisting of heterogeneous hospitals; the techniques applied range from simple benchmarking approaches to studies which employ Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Some studies report ‘dramatic differences in efficiency’ and propose savings potentials of 50%; others find an average efficiency in excess of 95% and characterize almost 75% of their observations as fully efficient. This study presents results for two datasets representative of two segments of the German hospital system. These segments comprise all hospitals that have one internal medicine and one surgery department; the hospitals are located in the old federal states of Germany. None of the hospitals provides tertiary care. DEA can be applied because all hospitals offer a comparable quality and range of services. The results were estimated with a DEA-bootstrapping procedure and suggest an average bias–corrected efficiency of around 80%.
Recognition versus disclosure in the oil and gas industry

I investigate whether recognition and disclosure have equivalent pricing consequences in the oil and gas industry. I concentrate on the oil and gas industry because Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Regulation SX [1978, sec. 210, para. 4-10] provides a unique opportunity for testing the stock price consequences of recognition versus disclosure. The SEC regulation requires the firm-specific effect of a macroeconomic event such as a major change in oil prices to be formally recognized in the financial statements for oil and gas firms adopting the full cost method but only disclosed in footnotes for firms following the successful efforts method. My results indicate that the effect of footnote disclosure on price differs from the effect of recognition. Whether users of financial statements distinguish between recognition and disclosure is often an important question in the debate over accounting standards. However, this question was never explicitly empirically tested (for a literature review, see Bernard and Schipper [1994]). The experimental literature (Harper, Mister, and Strawser [1987; 1991]) suggests that whether an item is recognized or disclosed influences financial statements users' perceptions. However, the experimental studies do
Prospective Observational Study of Candidemia in São Paulo, Brazil: Incidence Rate, Epidemiology, and Predictors of Mortality

Background. Studies conducted in tertiary care hospitals of different European countries and the United States have shown incidence rates of candidemia ranging from 0.17 to 0.76 and 0.28 to 0.96 per 1,000 admissions, respectively. So far, only 1 study has evaluated the incidence rates of candidemia in tertiary care hospitals in Latin American countries. Objective. To evaluate the epidemiology of candidemia in 4 tertiary care hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil. Design. Multicenter, laboratory-based surveillance of candidemia. Results. A total of 7,038 episodes of bloodstream infection were identified, and Candida species accounted for 282 cases (4%). The incidence rate of candidemia was 1.66 candidemic episodes per 1,000 hospital admissions. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated Candida species in all hospitals, but Candida species other than C. albicans accounted for 62% of isolates, including predominantly Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis. Azole resistance was restricted to only 2% of all Candida isolates (1 isolate of Candida glabrata and 4 isolates of Candida rugosa). Candidemia was mostly documented in surgical patients with long durations of hospital stay. The crude mortality rate was 61%, and advanced age and high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score were both conditions independently associated with risk of death. Conclusions. We observed in our series a higher incidence rate of candidemia than that reported in European countries and the United States. Advanced age and a high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score were factors associated with a higher probability of death in candidemic patients. Fluconazole-resistant Candida strains are still a rare finding in our case-based study of candidemia.
Protection against Intestinal Amebiasis by a Recombinant Vaccine Is Transferable by T Cells and Mediated by Gamma Interferon

ABSTRACT We have previously shown that vaccination with purified Entamoeba histolytica Gal/GalNAc lectin or recombinant subunits can protect mice from intestinal amebiasis upon intracecal challenge. In this study, we demonstrated with adoptive-transfer experiments that this lectin vaccine protection is mediated by T cells but not serum. The cell-mediated immune (CMI) response was characterized by significant gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin 12 (IL-12), IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17 production. To move toward a human vaccine, we switched to a recombinant protein and tested a range of adjuvants and routes appropriate for humans. We found that subcutaneous delivery of LecA with IDRI's adjuvant system EM014 elicited a potent Th1-type CMI profile and provided significant protection, as measured by culture negativity (79% efficacy); intranasal immunization with cholera toxin provided 56% efficacy; and alum induced a Th2-type response that protected 62 to 68% of mice. Several antibody and CMI cytokine responses were examined for correlates of protection, and prechallenge IFN-γ+ or IFN-γ-, IL-2-, and tumor necrosis factor alpha-triple-positive CD4 cells in blood were statistically associated with protection. To test the role of IFN-γ in LecA-mediated protection, we neutralized IFN-γ in LecA-immunized mice and found that it abrogated the protection conferred by vaccination. These data demonstrate that CMI is sufficient for vaccine protection from intestinal amebiasis and reveal an important role for IFN-γ, even in the setting of alum.
Performance effects of top management team gender diversity during the merger and acquisition process

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to uncover the performance effects of top management team (TMT) gender diversity in the merger and acquisition (M&A) process. To do so, an integration of the upper echelons perspective and the M&A process literature is offered to consider the “double-edge sword” of gender diversity on both pre- and post-integration performance. Additionally, the boundary effects of acquirer experience on the TMT gender diversity-performance relationship is examined. Design/methodology/approach – The hypotheses are tested in a sample of 310 acquisitions by Fortune 1,000 companies. Multiple regression analysis is utilized to test the effects on the two different performance variables. Findings – The findings reveal that TMT gender diversity is beneficial to pre-integration performance, but hinders post-integration performance. Additionally, the findings provide evidence that acquirer experience can overcome the negative effects of gender diversity in post-integration performance. Origi.
Does the Composition and Practice of Boards of Directors Bear Any Relationship to the Performance of Their Companies?

Board composition data and evaluations about how listed-company boards actually performed in 1997 were related to the performance of their companies over the ensuing three years. Statistical analyses were conducted on the relationships between Board Composition, Practice and Potential in 1997 and subsequent Company Performance, based on measures of Cash Flow Return on Total Assets (CFROTA) and Sales Turnover. Hypotheses were formulated in relation to three theories of the board and to various principles of the Combined Code and recommendations of the Higgs Review. Most were not supported and the results generally provide scant support for the main theories of the board. Board practice on the tasks was generally "not" linked to company performance, whereas board potential "was" significantly related on six of the 16 tasks of the board. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2004.
Will we pay in the same way?

The purpose of this study is to analyse the evolution of payment behaviours by emphasizing the role of the regulation and the financial opening. We test whether the convergence process of payment technologies and regulations is propagated from upstream to downstream through the channel of standardized products, leading to the convergence of the demand for payment services. A test of conditional beta-convergence, relating to the use of five payment instruments, is performed on a panel of European countries. In general, results show evidence for convergence for all means of payment.