Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differentiation of ruminal bacterial species by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using egg yolk antibodies from immunized chicken hens

Cross-reactivity among four species of ruminal bacteria was examined by using egg yolk antibodies from immunized Leghorn laying hens and an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay. The effects of the four species on the hens were compared on various days postimmunization. Hens injected with the same bacterial species had similar apparent antibody levels over the entire postimmunization period, but only Bacteroides ruminicola B1(4) and Selenomonas ruminantium D antigens elicited early increases in apparent antibody levels during weeks 2 and 3. Antibody cross-reactivity was greatly reduced by week 2, except for antibodies against Streptococcus bovis JB1.
New bioengineering insights into human neural precursor cell expansion in culture

Understanding initial cell growth, interactions associated with the process of expansion of human neural precursor cells (hNPCs), and cellular events pre‐ and postdifferentiation are important for developing bioprocessing protocols to reproducibly generate multipotent cells that can be used in basic research or the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we report the in vitro responses of telencephalon hNPCs grown in a serum‐free growth medium using time‐lapse live imaging as well as cell‐surface marker, aggregate size, and immunocytochemical analyses. Time‐lapse analysis of hNPC initial expansion indicated that cell‐surface attachment in stationary culture and the frequency of cell–cell interaction in suspension conditions are important for subsequent aggregate formation and hNPC growth. In the absence of cell‐surface attachment in low‐attachment stationary culture, large aggregates of cells were formed and expansion was adversely affected. The majority of the telencephalon hNPCs expressed CD29, CD90, and CD44 (cell surface markers involved in cell‐ECM and cell–cell interactions to regulate biological functions such as proliferation), suggesting that cell‐surface attachment and cell–cell interactions play a significant role in the subsequent formation of cell aggregates and the expansion of hNPCs. Before differentiation, about 90% of the cells stained positive for nestin and expressed two neural precursor cells surface markers (CD133 and CD24). Upon withdrawal of growth cytokines, hNPCs first underwent cell division and then differentiated preferentially towards a neuronal rather than a glial phenotype. This study provides key information regarding human NPC behavior under different culture conditions and favorable culture conditions that are important in establishing reproducible hNPC expansion protocols. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2011.
Strategic brand management : creating and sustaining brand equity long term/ Jean-Noël Kapferer

Part 1 Understanding brands: what's in a brand? brand identity sources of identity. Part 2 Brand management: creating a brand managing the time factor - identity and change brand extension brand-product relationships the brand portfolio going international. Part 3 The brand in perspective: brand, products, enterprise and institution financial evaluation of brands.
Dimensions of International Joint Venture Activity in Ghana and Nigeria

This study investigates four key dimensions o f international joint venture (JV) activity in Ghana and Nigeria: strategic motives, host country location factors, finance and performance. These dimensions are explored in a multi-method empirical study. Drawing on official annual aggregate and project level data, the trends and patterns of FDI in Ghana and Nigeria are examined across several characteristics, trends over time, ownership type of FDI, origin of foreign investor, geographical location of projects and distribution by sector. The result shows that the more preferred mode of entry for FDI is through the equity joint venture. Primary data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire survey from a cross section sample of 57 JVs in Ghana and Nigeria, with partners from Western Europe, North America and Asia/Pacific. First, the relative importance of a set of strategic motives and host country location factors influencing foreign investors’ decisions to form JVs in Ghana and Nigeria are identified. The main strategic motives of the foreign partners are to overcome government-mandated barriers, risk and cost sharing and to facilitate international expansion. The study finds government policy towards foreign investors, political stability and market size as the main location factors. Exploratory factor analysis is employed to identify the underlying dimensions of strategic motives and host country location factors for the JVs. Hypotheses are then tested (using t-test or Anova) by considering strategic motives and host country factors in terms of the characteristics of the sample. Second, the manner in which JVs are financed, the relative importance of barriers to JV investment finance and the determinants of the financial structure of JVs in Ghana and Nigeria are examined. Hypotheses are tested using contingency table analysis and t-test on the relative effects of the barriers and the factors influencing the capital structure of JVs. Finally, measures and determinants of performance are examined. A multiple regression analysis is conducted to identify the main predictors of successful performance for JVs in Ghana and Nigeria. The study identifies capital adequacy, partners’ capabilities and congruity of motives and goals of the partners as important determinants of performance. A paired sample t-test was also conducted to compare the performance of JVs with host government partners and those with private sector partners, the results indicate that JVs with private sector partners are perceived to perform better.
Glaucoma progression in eyes with a history of refractive corneal surgery.

PURPOSE To evaluate the glaucoma progression in patients with a history of refractive corneal surgery (RCS). METHODS A total of 313 eyes of 313 glaucoma patients (RCS group, 34 eyes; non-RCS group, 279 eyes) with a mean follow-up period of 2.7 years were included. Glaucoma progression was determined either by experts' stereoscopic optic disc/retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) photographs or by serial visual field (VF) data. Uni- and multivariate Cox's proportional hazards models were used to determine associations between potential risk factors including a history of RCS and glaucoma progression. RESULTS Among 313 eyes, 87 (27.8%) eyes showed progression either by optic disc/RNFL photographs or VF assessment during the follow-up period. Ten (29.4%) of eyes in the RCS group and 77 (27.6%) of eyes in the non-RCS group showed glaucoma progression; however, prevalence of progression did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.482). Among all participants, baseline age and VF pattern standard deviation (PSD; hazard ratios of 1.013 and 1.119; P = 0.026 and P < 0.001, respectively) were significant risk factors for progression. In both the RCS and the non-RCS group, only VF PSD was a significant risk factor for progression according to multivariate Cox proportional hazards (1.193, 1.099, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Baseline VF PSD and age substantially affected glaucoma progression in all study participants, although their RCS history was not a significant risk factor for glaucoma progression.
Foreign Bank Presence in Developing Countries 1995-2006: Data and Trends

This paper describes an extensive data collection effort on foreign bank entry and documents important trends and patterns in foreign banks' presence. The data collected cover the period 1995-2006 and include the full bilateral matrix of individual bank source and host countries, and the mode of entry. We document that there has been a sharp increase in foreign bank presence in most regions over this period, with especially low and lower middle income countries observing much new entry. We also show that banks from developing countries are becoming more prominent investors, especially in small developing countries and countries where income levels are low. Even though many of these banks are small in comparison to their high-income counterparts, they are very significant in many of the markets they do business in. The paper concludes, however, that the exact determinants of this changing pattern in foreign bank entry and its implications for domestic banking system performance - in terms of efficiency, competitiveness, access to finance and stability - remain to be investigated.
Motor vehicle trauma: analysis of injury profiles by road-user category

Background: Vehicle accidents in Greece are among the leading causes of death and the primary one in young people. The mechanism of injury influences the patterns of injury in victims of vehicle accidents. Objective: Identification and analysis of injury profiles of motor-vehicle trauma patients in a Greek level I trauma centre, by road-user category. Patients and methods: The trauma registry data of Herakleion University Hospital of adult trauma patients admitted to the hospital after a vehicle accident between 1997 and 2000 were retrospectively examined. Patients were grouped based on the mechanism of injury into three road-user categories: car occupants, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Results: Of 730 consecutive patients, 444 were motorcyclists (60.8%), 209 were car occupants (28.7%), and 77 were pedestrians (10.5%). Young men constituted the majority of injured motorcyclists whereas older patients (p = 0.0001) and women (p = 0.0001) represented a substantial proportion of the injured pedestrians. With regard to the spectrum of injuries in the groups, craniocerebral injuries were significantly more frequent in motorcyclists and pedestrians (p = 0.0001); abdominal (p = 0.009) and spinal cord trauma (p = 0.007) in car occupants; and pelvic injuries (p = 0.0001) in pedestrians. Although the car occupants had the highest Injury Severity Score (ISS) (p = 0.04), the pedestrians had the poorest outcome with substantially higher mortality (p = 0.007) than the other two groups. Conclusions: The results reveal a clear association between different road-user categories and age and sex incidence patterns, as well as outcomes and injury profiles. Recognition of these features would be useful in designing effective prevention strategies and in comprehensive prehospital and inhospital treatment of motor-vehicle trauma patients.
A systematic analysis of the market potential of foreign infant powdered milk brands in China

After the scandal of Chinese infant milk powder products, consumers have gradually lost confidence in the domestic brands, which provides a good opportunity for foreign milk powder brands to open up markets in China. The ultimate purpose of this research was to ensure and analyze the potential of the foreign branded milk powder in the Chinese market. The main objective could be achieved by analyzing the Chinese market environment and the Chinese consumer behavior. Since the author was not able to be in China to collect the data in person, therefore, in order to ensure the quality and the quantity of the research data to make it qualified for analysis, the sample was taken by following the sampling method of snowball sampling by using the author’s social network. In this marketing research, two main data collection methods, such as desk research and questionnaire, were applied. The research result indicated that the development of the Chinese milk powder industry has been rapid. However, at the same time, relative to the whole milk powder market, the development of Chinese milk powder industry is still behind the general level of world milk powder industry. Meanwhile, the development of these markets would bring new market opportunities for infant formula manufacturers, especially to foreign brands. If online marketing channels mature, it would be a huge blow to the market share of domestic brands.
Does Firm Diversification Represent a Value Added for Stockholders?

This study empirically tests the effect of diversification on firm performance, controlling for factors influencing returns other than diversification. This study also investigates if the diversification effect has the same impact on firm performance at different points in time. The sample used consists of all firms with available data from Compustat Industry Segment Database and Research Files for the period between 1979 and 2006. Carhart (1997) four-factor model results suggest that diversification is related to firm performance. Diversified firms show a general trend of underperforming non-diversified firms. Results also suggest that the diversification effect may change through time. The evidence presented may help managers and stockholders in considering the effects of diversification on firm value when making decisions.
Grumpier Old Men: Age and Sex Differences in the Evaluation of New Services

Little research attention has centered on how age and sex affect consumers' evaluations of new products and services. In this study an individual's age and sex are associated with his or her evaluation of new services, that is, newly released motion pictures. Using data acquired from publicly available and proprietary sources, nearly 2,100 motion pictures released in the United States from 1982 through 2000 were analyzed. The results show that older consumers are more critical of new services and rate them lower after consuming them relative to younger ones. The results also show that women evaluate new services significantly more favorably than men. Interestingly, these results appear robust because women did not rate products that are normally developed and targeted to men (e.g., action/adventure and science-fiction movies) lower than men evaluated them; no evidence to support the notion of a “chick flick” was found. Implications for conducting marketing research when developing new products and services are offered.
The Significance of Donor‐Specific HLA Antibodies in Rejection and Ductopenia Development in ABO Compatible Liver Transplantation

The role of humoral alloreactivity in ABO‐compatible liver transplantation remains unclear. To understand the significance of donor‐specific HLA alloantibodies (DSA) in liver rejection, we applied the currently used strategy for detection of antibody‐mediated rejection of other solid allografts. For this purpose we reviewed the data on 43 recipients of ABO identical/compatible donor livers who had indication liver biopsy stained for complement element C4d and contemporaneous circulating DSA determination. Seventeen (40%) patients had significant circulating DSA in association with diffuse portal C4d deposition (DSA+/diffuse C4d+). These DSA+/diffuse C4d+ subjects had higher frequency of acute cellular rejection (ACR) 15/17 versus 13/26 (88% vs. 50%), p = 0.02, and steroid resistant rejection 7/17 versus 5/26 (41% vs. 19%), p = 0.03. Based on detection of the combination DSA+/diffuse C4d+, 53.6% of cases of ACR had evidence of concurrent humoral alloreactivity. Six of the 10 patients with ductopenic rejection had circulating DSA and diffuse portal C4d, three of whom (2 early and 1 late posttransplantation) developed unrelenting cholestasis, necessitating specific antibody‐depleting therapy to salvage the allografts. Thus, in ABO‐compatible liver transplantation humoral alloreactivity mediated by antibodies against donor HLA molecules appears to be frequently intertwined with cellular mechanisms of rejection, and to play a role in ductopenia development.
A Phytotherapic Approach to Reduce Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Patients with Male Infertility

Introduction Infertility affects 50 to 80 million (between 8 and 12% of couples). Male factor is a cause of infertility in almost half of the cases, mainly due to oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. DNA fragmentation is now considered an important factor in the aetiology of male infertility. We studied the effects on semen analysis and on DNA fragmentation of in vivo admnistration of Myo-Inositol and Tribulus Terrestris plus Alga Ecklonia plus Biovis (Tradafertil; Tradapharma Sagl, Swizerland) in men with previously diagnosed male infertility. Materials and Methods Sixty patients were enrolled in the present study and were randomized into two subgroups: the group A who received Myo-inositol 1000 mg, Tribulus Terrestris 300 mg, Alga Ecklonia Bicyclis 200 mg and Biovis one tablet a day for 90 days, and the group B (placebo group) who received one placebo tablet a day for 90 days. The primary efficacy outcome was the improvement of semen characteristics after 3 months’ therapy and the secondary outcome was the reduction of the DNA fragmentation after treatment. Results The groups were homogenous for age, hormonal levels, sperm concentration and all parameters of sperm analysis. Sperm concentration and progressive motility improved after treatment with Tradafertil (3.82 Mil/ml vs. 1.71 Mil/ml; p<0.05; 4.86% vs. 1.00%; p<0.05) as well as the DNA fragmentation (-1.64% vs -0.39%, p<0.001). No side effects were revealed. Conclusions In conclusion, we can affirm that Tradafertil is safe and tolerable. It is a new phytotherapic approach to Oligoasthenoteratospermia (OAT) syndrome that could lead to good results without interacting with hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis.
Are Chinese State-owned Bank Loans Growth-promoting? A Sectoral Analysis

Given the unique development of China’s financial sector, the country provides an interesting basis for study of the relationship between bank-based finance and growth. In its sectoral analysis of the relationship between state-owned bank lending and GDP growth, the paper provides evidence of a positive and statistically significant relationship between state-owned bank credit and GDP between 1978 and 2005 in those sectors that receive large quantities of credit funds from state-owned banks. Also based on evidence from those sectors with large accumulations of credit funds from state-owned banks, the study supports a finance-led growth hypothesis based on the results of Granger causality testing. Finally, the study establishes evidence for a stronger link between state-owned bank credit and GDP following the 1995 Commercial Bank Law, indicating that China’s bank reform effort was effective in improving the efficiency of its financial sector.
Targeted screening for peripheral arterial disease in general practice: a pilot study in a high risk group.

BACKGROUND Screening of high-risk groups for peripheral arterial disease has been advocated because the condition underdiagnosed and secondary prevention can reduce cardiovascular event rates. AIM To establish the feasibility of screening for peripheral arterial disease in people aged 60 years or over with hypertension, and to estimate the potential to improve secondary preventive treatment. DESIGN OF STUDY Pilot study and cross-sectional survey. SETTING Large general practice in north-east Scotland. METHOD People aged 60 years or over with hypertension but no cardiovascular disease or diabetes were identified from computer records and invited to a screening clinic. Data were collected on ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI), preventive treatment, and risk factors. RESULTS Of 705 potentially eligible patients, 443 (63%) agreed to participate. Sixty-four were excluded and 364 of 379 patients (96%) attended screening. Thirty patients had peripheral arterial disease (ABPI of 0.9 or less), of whom 24 (7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4 to 10%) were previously undiagnosed. Fifteen (50%) patients took antiplatelets, 13 (45%) had cholesterol <5 mmol/l, and 16 (53%) had blood pressure below 140/85 mmHg. Twenty-two (73%) patients were non-smokers, 14 (47%) had low-fat diets, two (7%) were physically active, and three (10%) ate recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible to screen for peripheral arterial disease in primary care, but its prevalence is lower than anticipated. There is room for improvement in secondary preventive treatment and lifestyle, so a structured programme could still have important benefits for survival.
Experimentación en la Búsqueda de Imágenes a partir de Características Visuales y Textuales: Fusión Tardía y Expansión de la Consulta

Este trabajo se ha financiado con los proyectos competitivos: MA2VICMR (S2009/TIC-1542, financiado por la Comunidad de Madrid), BUSCAMEDIA (CEN-20091026, financiado por el Ministerio de Industria), HOLOPEDIA (TIN 2010-21128-C02), financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion) y TEC2009-12980, financiado por el Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad.
Modeling Heterogeneity in the Satisfaction, Loyalty Intention, and Shareholder Value Linkage: A Cross-Industry Analysis at the Customer and Firm Levels

This study examines the relationship between customer satisfaction, loyalty intention, and shareholder value at the firm and individual customer levels. The authors also explore industry differences by using a multilevel and random-effects approach in which individual customer scores are nested within firm-level data and the estimated interrelationships are treated as random coefficients that are explained by industry characteristics. They compile a unique and detailed data set, which covers 10 years of information on 137 firms and includes a matched sample of 189,069 customers from multiple sources, such as the American Customer Satisfaction Index, the Center for Research in Security Prices, and Compustat, to yield three important insights. First, aggregate firm-level effects may overestimate the impact that satisfaction has at the individual customer level. Second, a consideration of loyalty intention or repurchase intention as the mediator can improve our understanding of the satisfaction–shareholder value relationship and the fact that this relationship can vary across firms. Finally, the influence of satisfaction and loyalty intentions on shareholder value varies by industry. The authors discuss implications of findings for researchers, managers, and investors.
When do we know which way is up ? The time course of orientation perceptionJennifer

There is evidence that global visual context affects orientation perception in later stages of processing than local context. We measured the relative time courses of two orientation illusions: The Tilt Illusion (TI) involves dense gratings in close proximity; the Rod and Frame Illusion (RFI) involves a solitary bar surrounded by a distant frame. We also varied whether the context was flashed briefly (Experiment 1) or remained visible (Experiment 2). Results showed that the TI (but not the RFI) occurs when the context is briefly flashed in advance of the test, that both illusions are strongest when the context and inducer appear simultaneously, and that the RFI frame must be visible for at least 800 ms to induce an illusion with asynchronous displays. Experiment 3 confirmed these patterns held for measures of illusion magnitude and discriminability. Results are consistent with an earlier effect of local spatial context and a later effect of global spatial context on orientation perception. 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd. E 31 T 59 60 61