Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weight loss in Parkinson's disease

We prospectively examined the changes of body weight among 468 individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) before and after the diagnosis. The average weight of PD patients was stable until shortly before the diagnosis (p for trend = 0.2) and then declined (p for trend < 0.0001). Interestingly, PD patients tended to increase their energy intakes as their weights decreased (p for trend < 0.002). In conclusion, weight loss in PD patients appears to be a continuous process that starts several years before the diagnosis and is not caused by reduced energy intake. Ann Neurol 2003;53:676–679
Dynamic compressibility of air in porous structures at audible frequencies

Measurements of dynamic compressibility of air-filled porous sound-absorbing materials are compared with predictions involving two parameters, the static thermal permeability k0′ and the thermal characteristic dimension Λ′. Emphasis on the notion of dynamic and static thermal permeability—the latter being a geometrical parameter equal to the inverse trapping constant of the solid frame—is apparently new. The static thermal permeability plays, in the description of the thermal exchanges between frame and saturating fluid, a role similar to the viscous permeability in the description of the viscous forces. Using both parameters, a simple model is constructed for the dynamic thermal permeability k′(ω), which is completely analogous to the Johnson et al. [J. Fluid Mech. 176, 379 (1987)] model of dynamic viscous permeability k(ω). The resultant modeling of dynamic compressibility provides predictions which are closer to the experimental results than the previously used simpler model where the compressibility i.
Epithelial‐to‐Mesenchymal Transition Induced by TGF‐β1 Is Mediated by AP1‐Dependent EpCAM Expression in MCF‐7 Cells

The epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process involving the breakdown of cell–cell junctions and loss of epithelial polarity, is closely related to cancer metastasis and invasion. The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a type I transmembrane protein expressed in the majority of normal epithelial tissues and overexpressed in the majority of human epithelial cancers including breast cancer. EpCAM plays an important role in cancer progression. We showed that EpCAM participated in TGF‐β1‐induced EMT. TGF‐β1 treatment of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells was shown to induce EpCAM expression, which promoted the EMT and cell migration. EpCAM overexpression further enhanced TGF‐β1‐induced EMT and EpCAM knockdown inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced EMT. We further demonstrated that TGF‐β1 treatment induced the phosphorylation of JNK that was in turn responsible for the increased expression of Jun and Fos. This result suggests an important role of the JNK to AP‐1 signaling to EpCAM downstream of TGF‐β1 for the induction of EMT in the breast cancer cells. Collectively, our study highlights a novel function for EpCAM in TGF‐β1‐induced EMT process and suggests that targeting of EpCAM may be an attractive strategy to treat breast cancer. This study implicates the potential value of EpCAM as a molecular marker for breast cancer. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 775–782, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal Hedging in Financially Constrained Firms When Asset Markets Are Illiquid

Financially constrained firms can use hedging to lower the risk of financial distress. However, spending scarce resources on hedging exacerbates the underinvestment problem of these firms. We develop a model in which this cost of hedging is traded off against a reduction in the risk of being forced to liquidate assets in inefficient markets, which implies having to sell at a discount relative to fair asset value (“the asset illiquidity discount”). We show that the optimal hedge ratio increases with the correlation between the asset illiquidity discount and the hedgeable risk factor. This novel feature has important implications for the relation between the hedgeable risk factor and the cost of liquidity shortfalls. We illustrate our theoretical model using the case of Saga Petroleum, a Norwegian oil exploration firm.
Public Reproductive Health Facilities: A Client-Satisfaction Survey.

INTRODUCTION Understanding clients' perspectives on quality improvement programs is essential to achieve the goals of health services. Determining client satisfaction could help decision makers to implement programs fit to their needs as perceived by service providers and clients. This study aimed to assess the level of satisfaction among women attending health centers regarding the services received in governmental health facilities in Shiraz, southern Iran. METHOD This cross-sectional study was performed in 24 urban health centers. Using systematic random sampling method, 8 clinics were assigned to each group. Then questionnaires were distributed among 240 married women in 15-49 year-old age group who had referred to selected clinics for receiving some services. For data analysis, SPSS version 15 software and Chi-square statistical procedure were used to evaluate clients' satisfaction. RESULTS Data showed that 101 out of 240 respondents were completely satisfied with the personnel as well as the health center. Furthermore, satisfaction was found to be the highest among clients of those centers ranked as middle class socioeconomic status, while no significant difference was found between centers based on their socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION The results of the present study would enable policy-makers to effectively improve the quality of health care, keeping a balance between providers' and patients' perspectives on the quality of health care.
Why Do Financial Analysts Strive to Be Irrelevant? Career Concerns and Endogenous Coverage Termination

In this paper we investigate the negative relationship between analysts’ coverage and stocks idiosyncratic volatility. While prior research argues that analysts cause the low level of idiosyncratic risk because they lack access to firm-specific information we hypothesize that the causal relation goes in the opposite direction. Specifically we argue that due to reputational concerns analysts avoid covering stocks with high levels of specific risk. Using three novel quasi-natural experiments we show that analysts’ coverage drops after an exogenous increase in idiosyncratic volatility. We also show that coverage increases after an exogenous decrease of specific risk and that an exogenous decrease in the number of analysts covering a firm lead to a decrease firm-specific information. Looking at individual analysts’ characteristics we show that the probability of dropping coverage after an increase in idiosyncratic risk is higher for younger analysts, analysts with lower reputation and lower risk aversion.
Anthropometric - Hormonal Correlation: An Overview

Nearly all biological or physiological functions are in some way related to one or other aspects of morphology. The morphometric variables of human body can be measured by the fundamental techniques of anthropometry. To be more specific, biological anthropology is substantially enriched due to the contribution relating to application of anthropometry made by a number of scientific workers in the areas such as, anthropometry and growth, anthropometry and nutrition, anthropometry and ergonomics and anthropometry and sports. It is since the second half of this century that the importance of hormonal factors for growth processes and development of body shape has been reported. Body shape is determined by the nature of body fat distribution which, in turn, is significantly correlated with women's sex hormone profile, risk for disease, and reproductive capability. There is extensive evidence that sex hormones affect specific regional adiposity and regulate utilization and accumulation of fat. In the recent past, application of anthropometry revealed significant correlations between body measurements and sex hormone levels in male as well as in female subjects. It was found that gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) have significantly negative correlation with breadth measurements such as, biacromial breadth, chest breadth, waist breadth, pelvic breadth, bicondylar breadth and circumference measurements (as, upper arm circumference, hand circumference and thigh circumference). Studies show that estrogen levels have significantly positive correlation with breadth and circumference measures of trunk, thigh circumference and with body weight but, negatively with circumference of the extremities. Another hormone, progesterone was found to be correlated negatively with both breadth dimensions (biacromial breadth, chest breadth, pelvic breadth and bicondylar breadth) and with upper circumferences (upper arm circumference, hand circumference and chest girth). In postmenopausal women, sex- hormone concentrations in general were only found in connection with the appearance of individual symptoms; the climacteric syndrome. A study pointed out that there is a correlation between sex hormone concentrations and anthropometric breadth and circumference measurements in fertile and postmenopausal women. There are researches which reflect the role of hormones in various life processes (like, infertility and cancer) but, a few have investigated the relationship between anthropometric traits and hormonal changes. Moreover, research relating to the relationship between hormonal measures and anthropometric dimensions on Indian populations is almost unexplored.
Technology vs. Consumer Behavior: The Battle for the Financial Services Customer

The widespread availability of sophisticated technology coupled with the recent wave of mergers and acquisitions in financial services has heightened competition throughout the industry. Battles for the consumer's financial services dollar are taking place constantly, usually based on single-step direct marketing programs. But consumer resistance appears to be growing, especially resistance to new, high-tech alternatives to existing products consumers already use and understand. This paper examines some examples of the current situation, then uses a discussion of diffusion of innovations theory to help explain why the current situation has occurred. Thereafter, it uses Curriculum Theory, developed by a group of innovative direct marketers about 15 years ago, to offer potentially more effective direct marketing methods. Finally, it examines a new product, the smart (or stored value) card, and suggests ways to use what is known about diffusion to build effective curriculum programs.
The Contribution of Personalization to Customers’ Loyalty Across the Bank Industry in Sweden

Since customer loyalty is one of the main important elements which enhance companies’ profit, it is very important to investigate factors which create customer loyalty. Nowadays, companies try to increase their loyal customers by taking advantage of some relationship marketing tactics. One of the most important tactics is personalization. Marketers and managers should try to fulfill each customer’s needs based on individual’s desires. This can increase their customers’ commitment and satisfaction. Therefore, these customers are more likely to remain with the company and become loyal. This study intends to evaluate the impact of personalization on customers’ commitment and satisfaction and then determine the impact of customers’ satisfaction and commitment oncustomers’ loyalty among bank customers in Sweden. In this regards, a model is provided and empirically tested. Meanwhile, in order to conduct this study, primary data has been collected by a properly designed questionnaire which was distributed among bank customers in 3 different banks in Sweden and the secondary data has been collected through online data base such as Ebsco and Science Direct. Afterwards, SPSS (17.0) tool has been used in order to evaluate the relationship between variables of the model. Accordingly, correlation analysis and regression results determined the relationship between the variables. Based on the results, there are positive significant relationships between personalization as independent variable and customers’ satisfaction and commitment as dependent variables. So, high level of personalization increases the customers’ satisfaction and commitment. Meanwhile, the results show that there are also positive significant relationships between customers’ satisfaction, commitment and customers’ loyalty. Consequently, as customers’ satisfaction and commitment enhances, the level of customers’ loyalty also increases. Finally, personalization increases the customer’s loyalty among bank customers in Sweden.
Prognostic Significance of p53 and Ki67 Proteins Expression in Greek Gastric Cancer Patients

Abstract Aim: The variability of prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) within a pathological stage necessitates the identification of subgroups of patients with a more aggressive disease. The role of p53 and Ki67 expression in gastric carcinoma is far from being fully established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of p53 and Ki67 in gastric cancer and correlate the findings with several clinicopathological features and prognosis. Materials and methods: Tissue samples from 93 patients treated by gastric resection for gastric carcinoma between 1996 and 2001 were used. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumors were studied by immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal antibodies to p53 and Ki67. The results were correlated with clinicopathological features and survival. Results: Stronger expression of p53 was related with tumor size greater than 5 cm and advanced stage. Stronger expression of Ki67 correlated with higher ratio of the number of metastatic lymph nodes to the total number of dissected lymph nodes (metastatic lymph node [MLN] ratio) and advanced stage. Moreover, p53 and Ki67 overexpression, tumor size greater than 5 cm, MLN ratio, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, stage III and IV and infiltrative macroscopic appearance were adverse prognostic factors. The levels of p53 and Ki67, the MLN ratio, the tumor size (above 5 cm) and the stage of the disease were identified as independent prognostic factors of survival. Conclusions: In gastric cancer, the expression of p53 and Ki67 provides significant information about prognosis. The routine evaluation of p53 and Ki67 levels could be a useful tool in identification of patient with more aggressive disease and contribute to a better therapeutic approach.
The Performance and Diversification Benefits of European Public Real Estate Securities

This work analyzes the performance and diversification characteristics of European public real estate markets. There are three overall findings and one key observation. First, real estate has added significantly to overall portfolio outcomes in terms of increasing return and decreasing risk. Second, as found by others, real estate is a low beta investment and performs well during periods of market change - it was especially useful during the general market adjustment in 2000. Third, European real estate has performed very strongly since the 2000 stock market decline. Finally, our assessment of why there is not more real estate in institutional portfolios requires an answer beyond examining just risk and return measures. This report will show that public real estate markets have provided strong performance for investors and warrant consideration for inclusion in institutional portfolios. Given these desirable characteristic it is likely that other features of the sector may have impacted on desired asset allocation (e.g liquidity, small market capitalisations, etc). Hence, the question of why institutions do not hold more real estate, is not about the attributes of return and risk per se, but about its legal form of ownership and the lack of market depth in terms of trading.
On identifying and estimating the cycle time of product development process

A timely introduction of a new product has become invaluable to the firm since the competitors are capable of introducing new or similar products once the driving technology becomes available. In order to generate a high profit from a new product, managers in other departments, such as marketing and production, have to plan ahead of time so that a seamless series of operations can be executed from product development to mass production. Needless to say, a competitive edge is given to the firm with better knowledge on product development process. Such knowledge, nonetheless, is not easy to acquire since a typical product development process is a complex network of many relationships among activities, which we call patterns. In addition to its complex topology, the product development process is often uncertain, iterative, and evolving over time; therefore, even studying individual islands of relationships (patterns) is challenging. Although there were some existing models that shed lights on some of these patterns, very little has been done to systematically analyze the product development process as a whole. In this paper, we develop analytical models that capture essential properties, including uncertainty, iteration and evolution, and estimate the cycle time of each pattern. With our proposed models, the cycle time of a set of patterns (or the whole product development process) can be effectively estimated. As demonstrated in a case study, our model provides valuable insights on how product development process progresses over time, while the corresponding time estimate can help managers to set appropriate manufacturing and marketing strategies.
Call back the jury: Reinvestigating the effects of fit and parent brand quality in determining brand extension success

Abstract Prior research indicates that extension fit and parent brand quality are the key determinants of extension evaluations in non-competitive contexts. However, the very nature of the retail environment means that extensions are introduced into competitive contexts. Therefore, this research reinvestigates the influence and relative importance of key drivers of brand extension success within competitive scenarios. It also tests whether perceptions of purchase risk associated with extensions underlie these effects. In two studies, we examine the effects of extension fit with parent brand, parent brand quality, and extensions’ relative brand familiarity on extension preferences and perceived risk. When there is competition, extension fit and parent brand quality are less crucial than an extension's relative brand familiarity in determining extension evaluations, especially with respect to consumer choice. Moreover, perceptions of extension risk mediate the effects of these factors.
Evaluation of two Vaisala RS92 radiosonde solar radiative dry bias correction algorithms

Abstract. Solar heating of the relative humidity (RH) probe on Vaisala RS92 radiosondes results in a large dry bias in the upper troposphere. Two different algorithms (Miloshevich et al., 2009, MILO hereafter; and Wang et al., 2013, WANG hereafter) have been designed to account for this solar radiative dry bias (SRDB). These corrections are markedly different with MILO adding up to 40 % more moisture to the original radiosonde profile than WANG; however, the impact of the two algorithms varies with height. The accuracy of these two algorithms is evaluated using three different approaches: a comparison of precipitable water vapor (PWV), downwelling radiative closure with a surface-based microwave radiometer at a high-altitude site (5.3 km m.s.l.), and upwelling radiative closure with the space-based Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS). The PWV computed from the uncorrected and corrected RH data is compared against PWV retrieved from ground-based microwave radiometers at tropical, midlatitude, and arctic sites. Although MILO generally adds more moisture to the original radiosonde profile in the upper troposphere compared to WANG, both corrections yield similar changes to the PWV, and the corrected data agree well with the ground-based retrievals. The two closure activities – done for clear-sky scenes – use the radiative transfer models MonoRTM and LBLRTM to compute radiance from the radiosonde profiles to compare against spectral observations. Both WANG- and MILO-corrected RHs are statistically better than original RH in all cases except for the driest 30 % of cases in the downwelling experiment, where both algorithms add too much water vapor to the original profile. In the upwelling experiment, the RH correction applied by the WANG vs. MILO algorithm is statistically different above 10 km for the driest 30 % of cases and above 8 km for the moistest 30 % of cases, suggesting that the MILO correction performs better than the WANG in clear-sky scenes. The cause of this statistical significance is likely explained by the fact the WANG correction also accounts for cloud cover – a condition not accounted for in the radiance closure experiments.
The role of satisfaction and trust in mobile CRM activities

This study analysed customers' intention to continue to use mobile services as a way of mobile CRM activities. The analysed model explains that customers' intention is determined by trust. Trust is explained by satisfaction of mobile CRM activities, which is evaluated by contents differentiation, contact frequency, and contents repetition. Satisfaction is a significant predictor of intention without considering trust. However, when considering satisfaction and trust together, only trust explains customers' intention, but satisfaction does not directly explain customers' intention. This indicates that the effect of satisfaction on customers' intention is fully mediated by of trust. Thus, this study identified that customers' intention of continual usage can be achieved through trust. The result gives guidelines for mobile service providers to make customers have satisfaction and subsequently trust. Also, academically, it clarifies the relationship of trust and satisfaction in the context of mobile CRM activities.
Moderating role of team identification on the relationship between service quality and repurchase intentions among spectators of professional sports

Purpose – This study seeks to examine the moderating role of team identification regarding the relationship between service quality and repurchase intentions among spectators of professional sports.Design/methodology/approach – Quantitative data are collected from a questionnaire survey of 257 spectators attending a professional soccer game in Greece. Multiple regression analyses are used to assess the relationships among the constructs of service quality, repurchase intentions, and team identification.Findings – Team identification is shown to moderate the relationship between service quality and repurchase intentions among spectators at this professional sports event. Both overall service quality and two specific service‐quality dimensions (“responsiveness” and “reliability”) are found to be positively associated with repurchase intentions only among respondents with low and medium team identification. No relationship is found between service quality and repurchase intentions among those with high team .