Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the influence of electronic word-of-mouth on tourists' visit intention: A dual process approach

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) on outbound tourists’ intention to visit a destination through a dual-process perspective – the central route of argument quality (AQ) and the peripheral route of source credibility (SC). With the pervasion of Web 2.0 and information and communication technology, user-generated content (UGC) has become popular in the online environment, and it affects consumers’ decisions greatly. Design/methodology/approach – A structural model based on Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) is proposed in this study to explore the influence of eWOM on outbound tourists’ intention to visit a destination. Empirical data were collected among Chinese outbound tourists via an online survey. The data were analyzed using structural equation model with SPSS Amos 22.0. Findings – The research results indicate that tourist’s attitude toward a destination was positively influenced by AQ of eWOM, and i.
Role of ultraviolet‐B radiation on photochemical and microbial oxygen consumption in a humic‐rich shallow lake

In a humic‐rich, shallow lake (Lake Neusiedl), the seasonal dynamics of the humic and the nonhumic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were investigated and the photochemical oxygen consumption rates of these DOC fractions exposed to surface solar radiation levels were compared with that of the bulk DOC and bacterial respiration. Furthermore, bacterial utilization of the humic, nonhumic, and bulk DOC pre‐exposed to solar radiation was compared with utilization of the different fractions of DOC held in the dark prior to inoculating natural bacterial assemblages. The concentration of the unfractionated DOC pool ranged from ∼3 mmol C liter−1 during summer to 1.3 mmol C liter−1 in late spring. The mean contribution of humic DOC was 35.2% of bulk DOC. Under the full spectrum of solar radiation, photochemical oxygen consumption of the unfractionated DOC was 3.3 µmol O2 liter−1 h−1, 1.8 µmol O2 liter−1 h−1 of the humic DOC, and 1.7 µmol O2 liter−1 h−1 of the nonhumic DOC. In the absence of UVB, photochemical oxygen consumption was reduced by 35% in the unfractionated DOC, 38% in the humic, and 27.5% in the nonhumic DOC. Under the full spectrum of solar radiation, the photochemical oxygen consumption normalized to DOC was more than twice as high (2.83 µmol O2 mmol−1 C h−1) for humic than for nonhumic DOC. The bacterial oxygen consumption rate was ∼30% of the photochemical oxygen consumption of the unfractionated DOC. In batch culture experiments with natural bacterial assemblages as inocula, the bacterial yield was generally higher with substrate exposed to the full spectrum of solar radiation than with substrate held in the dark prior to inoculation. Exposure of 0.8‐µm filtered water to the full spectrum of surface solar radiation for 2–3 h resulted in a decline in activity (measured by thymidine incorporation) to 47% of the activity measured in the dark. If UVB was excluded, bacterial activity was 62% of that in the dark. Subsequent incubation at 5–20‐cm depth under in situ radiation for another 2–3 h resulted in bacterial activity similar to that detected in the dark incubations at the surface. Bacteria exposed to the full range of solar radiation at the surface and incubated subsequently in the dark exhibited significantly lower activity than bacteria exposed to in situ solar radiation in distinct depth layers. This result indicates that bacteria rapidly recover from previous UV stress in the absence of UVB. Based on our results, we estimate that the photooxidation‐mediated residence times in the top 5‐cm layer of the water column are 90 and 45.5 d for the nonhumic and humic fractions and 75 d for unfractionated DOC. For the entire water column, ∼10% of the remineralization activity (bacterial respiration + photochemical oxygen consumption) is due to photooxidation of the DOC, and the mean residence time of DOC is ∼80 d.
Three‐dimensional VP and VP/VS Velocity Models of the Los Angeles basin and central Transverse Ranges, California

We use P and S arrival times from 5225 earthquakes and 53 explosions, recorded by the Southern California Seismographic Network, to invert for the three-dimensional P- velocity (V_P) and the P and S-velocity ratio (V_P/ V_S) in the central Transverse Ranges and the Los Angeles basin. To model long-wavelength features of the velocity structure, we invert for the models by interpolating models determined successively from a sparse, medium, to a dense grid, with 40, 20, and 10 km spacing of horizontal grid nodes. Layers of grid nodes are placed at depths of 1, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 20 km. The data variance decreased about 80% in the gradational inversion. Ample data from the 1994 Northridge and other earthquake sequences, the rich background seismicity, and the dense station distribution along with controlled sources made the model well resolved, except along the edges, to the southwest in the offshore region, and at depths greater than 20 km. The V_P model images the shape of the Los Angeles and east Ventura basins down to depths of 8 and 12 km. Three low-velocity areas at 1 km depth in the Los Angeles basin that coincide with recent sediment depositional areas are also imaged. The north edge of the Peninsular Ranges, the Santa Monica, and the San Gabriel Mountains, form discontinuous high-velocity ridges extending to depths of 20 km. The high V_P/V_S ratios in the near surface are consistent with high pore fluid pressures in the basin sediments. At depth beneath the east Ventura basin the high V_P/V_S and high V_P suggest the presence of ophiolitic assemblages or mid-Miocene volcanics. In contrast, a body with normal V_P and low V_P/V_S that is identified in the upper crust beneath Santa Monica Bay may be a fragment of quartz-rich continental crust. The V_P model of both the Ventura and the Los Angeles basins shows features that suggest deformation of the hanging wall or basin closure. At seismogenic depths of 16 km the hypocenters of moderate-sized and large earthquakes are located within or adjacent to high-V_P-velocity bodies. In most cases these high-velocity bodies form the upper block, consistent with shortening of the lower crust as described in thick-skinned tectonic interpretations.
The oral microbiota in colorectal cancer is distinctive and predictive

Background and aims Microbiota alterations are linked with colorectal cancer (CRC) and notably higher abundance of putative oral bacteria on colonic tumours. However, it is not known if colonic mucosa-associated taxa are indeed orally derived, if such cases are a distinct subset of patients or if the oral microbiome is generally suitable for screening for CRC. Methods We profiled the microbiota in oral swabs, colonic mucosae and stool from individuals with CRC (99 subjects), colorectal polyps (32) or controls (103). Results Several oral taxa were differentially abundant in CRC compared with controls, for example, Streptococcus and Prevotellas pp. A classification model of oral swab microbiota distinguished individuals with CRC or polyps from controls (sensitivity: 53% (CRC)/67% (polyps); specificity: 96%). Combining the data from faecal microbiota and oral swab microbiota increased the sensitivity of this model to 76% (CRC)/88% (polyps). We detected similar bacterial networks in colonic microbiota and oral microbiota datasets comprising putative oral biofilm forming bacteria. While these taxa were more abundant in CRC, core networks between pathogenic, CRC-associated oral bacteria such as Peptostreptococcus, Parvimonas and Fusobacterium were also detected in healthy controls. High abundance of Lachnospiraceae was negatively associated with the colonisation of colonic tissue with oral-like bacterial networks suggesting a protective role for certain microbiota types against CRC, possibly by conferring colonisation resistance to CRC-associated oral taxa and possibly mediated through habitual diet. Conclusion The heterogeneity of CRC may relate to microbiota types that either predispose or provide resistance to the disease, and profiling the oral microbiome may offer an alternative screen for detecting CRC.
Securin degradation is mediated by fzy and fzr, and is required for complete chromatid separation but not for cytokinesis

We have studied the ubiquitination and degradation patterns of the human securin/PTTG protein. We show that, in contrast to budding yeast pds1, securin degradation is catalyzed by both fzy (fizzy/cdc20) and fzr (fizzy‐related/cdh1/hct1). Both fzy and fzr also induce the APC/C to ubiquitinate securin in vitro. Securin degradation is mediated by an RXXL destruction box and a KEN box, and is inhibited only when both sequences are mutated. Interestingly, the non‐degradable securin mutant is also partially ubiquitinated by fzy and fzr in vitro. Expressing the non‐degradable securin mutant in cells frequently resulted in incomplete chromatid separation and gave rise to daughter cells connected by a thin chromatin fiber, presumably of chromosomes that failed to split completely. Strikingly, the mutant securin did not prevent the majority of sister chromatids from separating completely, nor did it prevent mitotic cyclin degradation and cytokinesis. This phenotype, reminiscent of the fission yeast cut (cells untimely torn) phenotype, is reported here for the first time in mammals.
Association of miR-196a-2 and miR-499 variants with ulcerative colitis and their correlation with expression of respective miRNAs

Background and aim MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that play an important role in regulating the gene expression of their target genes. SNP miR-196a-2 rs11614913 and miR-499 rs3746444 are reported to have association with the risk and prognosis of multiple-types of inflammatory diseases including IBD. This study was conducted to show if any association of SNP miR-196a-2rs11614913 and miR-499 rs3746444 exists with ulcerative colitis (UC) patients of north Indian population and how these polymorphisms modulate the expression profile of the respective miRNAs. Methods A total of 638 participants including 197 UC patients and 441 controls were included in this study. Polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP and the miRNA expression was measured using qRT-PCR. Genotypes and allele frequencies were calculated using SPSS 16 software. Results MiR-196a-2 rs11614913 (C>T) and miR-499 rs3746444 (T>C) were found to be associated with UC. TT genotype of miR-196a-2 rs11614913 (p = 0.03) was negatively associated with UC whereas the heterozygous TC genotype of miR-499 rs3746444 (p = 0.003) was showing positive association with UC. Patients having a combination of both SNPs, developed disease at older age and they suffered from severe disease extent. Genotype that showed association with the disease also showed correlation with the changes in miRNA expression. Conclusion In this study we found miR-196a-2 rs11614913 and miR-499 rs3746444 were associated with UC in north Indian population. We found the genotype that showed association with UC also altered the expression of respective miRNA in the patient harboring the genotype. There was correlation between associated genotype and altered miRNA expression.
Constellation-switching precoding for blind detection of co-channel signals: application to 8-ary signaling

Blind detection of co-channel signals in wireless scenarios may be achieved with the help of data precoding techniques. In this letter we propose a new data precoding / blind detection approach that is based on a unique modification to the signal constellation of each of the co-channel signals. Detection is based on exploiting the embedded constellation property. The new approach can be seen as a generalization to some earlier precoding techniques that were based on phase modifications. Demonstration of the proposed method involves application to 8-ary amplitude-phase modulations, with performance shown to be reasonably close to an MMSE receiver. Performance results for a semi-blind receiver for 4-ary signaling are also given to demonstrate further possible applications of the new scheme.
Views and Practices on Inter-organizational Learning in Views and Practices on Inter-organizational Learning in Innovation Networks Innovation Networks

— In this paper, the aim is to study inter-organizational learning in innovation networks. We will particularly concentrate on different currently important or increasingly important approaches and views on organizational learning which are particularly relevant from the standpoint of networked innovation. The approaches can also be considered to be rather fundamental and general perspectives that lie behind many other learning perspectives. We aim to analyze the different learning approaches and evaluate their suitability in various situations and conditions of innovation networks in particular. We also suggest some practices in the case of each learning approach.
Local search for Boolean relations on the basis of unit propagation

We propose a method for local search of Boolean relations relating variables of a CNF (conjunctive normal form) formula. The method is to branch on small subsets of the set of CNF variables and to analyze the results of unit propagation. By taking into account variable value assignments, deduced during the unit propagation procedure, the method is able to justify any relation represented by a Boolean expression. The proposed technique is based on bitwise logical operations over ternary vectors. We implement a restricted version of the method, used for unit clause derivation and equivalent-literal identification, in a preprocessor engine for a SAT-solver. The experiments show that the proposed technique is useful for solving real-world instances in the formal verification domain.
Linking Stochasticity of Convection to Large-Scale Vertical Velocity to Improve Indian Summer Monsoon Simulation in the NCAR CAM5

The Plant–Craig (PC) stochastic convective parameterization scheme is modified by linking the stochastic generation of convective clouds to the change of large-scale vertical pressure velocity at 500 hPa with time so as to better account for the relationship between convection and the large-scale environment. Three experiments using the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5), are conducted: one with the default Zhang–McFarlane deterministic convective scheme, another with the original PC stochastic scheme, and a third with the modified PC stochastic scheme. Evaluation is focused on the simulation of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM), which is a long-standing challenge for all current global circulation models. Results show that the modified stochastic scheme better represents the annual cycle of the climatological mean rainfall over central India and the mean onset date of ISM compared to other simulations. Also, for the simulations of ISM intraseasonal variability for quasi-biweekly and 30–60-day modes, the modified stochastic parameterization produces more realistic propagation and magnitude, especially for the observed northeastward movement of the 30–60-day mode, for which the other two simulations show the propagation in the opposite direction. Causes are investigated through a moisture budget analysis. Compared to the other two simulations, the modified stochastic scheme with an appropriate representation of convection better represents the patterns and amplitudes of large-scale dynamical convergence and moisture advection and thus corrects the monsoon cycle associated with their covariation during the peaks and troughs of intraseasonal oscillation.
Global Convergence of Splitting Methods for Nonconvex Composite Optimization

We consider the problem of minimizing the sum of a smooth function $h$ with a bounded Hessian, and a nonsmooth function. We assume that the latter function is a composition of a proper closed function $P$ and a surjective linear map $\cal M$, with the proximal mappings of $\tau P$, $\tau > 0$, simple to compute. This problem is nonconvex in general and encompasses many important applications in engineering and machine learning. In this paper, we examined two types of splitting methods for solving this nonconvex optimization problem: alternating direction method of multipliers and proximal gradient algorithm. For the direct adaptation of the alternating direction method of multipliers, we show that, if the penalty parameter is chosen sufficiently large and the sequence generated has a cluster point, then it gives a stationary point of the nonconvex problem. We also establish convergence of the whole sequence under an additional assumption that the functions $h$ and $P$ are semi-algebraic. Furthermore, we give simple sufficient conditions to guarantee boundedness of the sequence generated. These conditions can be satisfied for a wide range of applications including the least squares problem with the $\ell_{1/2}$ regularization. Finally, when $\cal M$ is the identity so that the proximal gradient algorithm can be efficiently applied, we show that any cluster point is stationary under a slightly more flexible constant step-size rule than what is known in the literature for a nonconvex $h$.
ER Fouling of Heat Exchangers in the Dairy Industry

J. Visser Th. J. M. Jeurnink NIZO, 6710 BA Ede, Netherlands N A general overview is given of the main factors in the fouling of processing equipment used for heating dairy fluids. The data collected indicate that the primary step in fouling is the adsorption of a monolayer of proteins onto the wall of the heating equipment at room temperature. Real fouling (i.e., the formation of macroscopic layers of foulants), however, is caused by particle formation in the bulk of the liquid being processed. These particles include both whey protein aggregates and calcium phosphate particles. Their formation is heat induced, and the deposition takes place through diffusion toward the heating surface. Only very high flow rates are able to prevent their deposition and subsequent sticking. To better control the process of fouling, special attention is given to the parameters affecting the formation of both types of particles and how their formation can be retarded or prohibited, including the role of calcium sequestrants, pH, preheating, and flow rate herewith. © Elsevier Science Inc., 1997
Side Impact CrashesåFactors Affecting Incidence and Severity: Review of the Literature

Many traffic crashes are side impact collisions resulting in significant death and injury. A review was conducted of the evidence of driver, road, and vehicle characteristics affecting either the risk of occurrence or the severity of injury in such crashes for papers published from 1996 to early 2003. For drivers, evidence was found of increased crash risk or injury severity only for age and age-related medical conditions (e.g., dementia). Traffic roundabouts and other traffic control devices—stop signs, traffic lights, and so on—had mixed results; traffic controls were better than no controls, but their effectiveness varied with circumstance. Most vehicle characteristics have had little or no effect on crash occurrence. Antilock braking systems (ABS) in the striking vehicle had been anticipated to reduce the risk of crashes, but so far have demonstrated little effect. The primary emphasis in vehicle design has been on protective devices to reduce the severity of injury. Disparity in the size of the two vehicles, especially when the struck vehicle is smaller and lighter, is almost a consistent risk factor for occupant injury. The occupants of light trucks, however, when struck by passengers cars on the opposite side, were at higher risk of injury. Wearing seat belts had a consistently protective effect; airbags did not, but there were few studies, and no field studies, of lateral airbags found. Of all the characteristics examined, vehicle design, including occupant restraints, is the most easily modified in the short term, although road design, traffic control, and the monitoring of older drivers may also prove effective in reducing side impact crashes in the longer term.
Functional Analysis of Birch Pollen Allergen Bet v 1-Specific Regulatory T Cells1

Allergen-specific immunotherapy using peptides is an efficient treatment for allergic diseases. Recent studies suggest that the induction of CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells might be associated with the suppression of allergic responses in patients after allergen-specific immunotherapy. Our aim was to identify MHC class II promiscuous T cell epitopes for the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 capable of stimulating Treg cells with the purpose of inhibiting allergic responses. Ag-reactive CD4+ T cell clones were generated from patients with birch pollen allergy and healthy volunteers by in vitro vaccination of PBMC using Bet v 1 synthetic peptides. Several CD4+ T cell clones were induced by using 2 synthetic peptides (Bet v 1141–156 and Bet v 151–68). Peptide-reactive CD4+ T cells recognized recombinant Bet v 1 protein, indicating that these peptides are produced by the MHC class II Ag processing pathway. Peptide Bet v 1141–156 appears to be a highly MHC promiscuous epitope since T cell responses restricted by numerous MHC class II molecules (DR4, DR9, DR11, DR15, and DR53) were observed. Two of these clones functioned as typical Treg cells (expressed CD25, GITR, and Foxp3 and suppressed the proliferation and IL-2 secretion of other CD4+ T cells). Notably, the suppressive activity of these Treg cells required cell-cell contact and was not mediated through soluble IL-10 or TGF-β. The identified promiscuous MHC class II epitope capable of inducing suppressive Treg responses may have important implication for the development of peptide-based Ag-specific immunotherapy to birch pollen allergy.
The outcome of liver grafts procured from hepatitis C-positive donors.

BACKGROUND The growing prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the general population has resulted in an increased frequency of potential organ donors that carry the virus. The survival of grafts from HCV+ donors has not been studied in detail. METHODS Two study populations were examined retrospectively to assess the survival of liver grafts procured from HCV+ donors. First, we evaluated the survival of all 13 HCV+ and 103 HCV- grafts that were transplanted at our institution to HCV+ recipients from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1999. In parallel, we analyzed a subset of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) liver transplant database from the same 5-year time period that was comprised of 14,195 adult patients for whom donor and recipient HCV serologies were known. Kaplan-Meier graft survival for both patient populations was calculated based on donor and recipient HCV serologic status. A Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed on UNOS data to identify variables independently predicting graft survival. RESULTS For transplants performed at our institution, we found no statistically significant difference in the Kaplan-Meier graft survival of HCV+ and HCV- grafts transplanted to HCV+ recipients (P=0.68). The incidence of biopsy-proven, recurrent HCV posttransplant was similar in recipients receiving either HCV+ or HCV- grafts (4/13 vs. 18/103, chi-square P=0.211). Analysis of UNOS data revealed that the survival of HCV+ grafts in HCV+ recipients was equivalent to the survival of HCV- grafts in HCV+ recipients. Unexpectedly, the survival of grafts in HCV+ recipients in general was significantly inferior to that of grafts in HCV- recipients. Multivariate analysis of all patients found recipient but not donor HCV status to be independently predictive of graft survival. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of data from a single center and the national UNOS database suggests that transplantation of liver allografts from HCV+ donors to HCV+ recipients results in graft survival comparable to HCV- grafts transplanted to HCV+ recipients. In contrast, recipient HCV positivity is an independent predictor of graft failure compared with patients transplanted for other causes of liver disease.