Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of tolerance on the basis of quantification of egg white-specific IgE antibodies in children with egg allergy.

BACKGROUND It is thought that the natural evolution of food allergy has a good tolerance prognosis. However, there are few follow-up studies that determine the exact probability of tolerance to a given food or that analyze prognostic factors that can help us to understand the evolution of a child who begins life with a food allergy. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the likelihood that children younger than 2 years of age with allergy to egg would eventually have tolerance to it and to analyze several prognostic predictors using egg white-specific IgE level as the main variable. METHODS We performed a prospective study of 58 children younger than 2 years of age with egg allergy, who were studied periodically until tolerance developed or until the end of the study. During the follow-up period, open challenge tests were carried out according to previously established criteria to verify tolerance to egg. Factors such as egg white-specific IgE level, serum total IgE level, symptoms after egg ingestion, size of skin prick test reactions to egg white, atopic dermatitis, and sex were analyzed as prognostic markers. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to calculate cumulative tolerance probability. Predictor influence and relative prognostic importance were estimated with the Cox proportional regression model. RESULTS The median time from the appearance of the first symptoms to tolerance was 35 months. Cumulative tolerance probability was 16% at 12 months of follow-up, 28% at 24 months, 52% at 36 months, 57% at 48 months, and 66% at 60 months. The relative weight of prognostic factors, expressed as the hazard ratio, was 50.95 for symptoms and 3.74 for the size of skin prick test reactions, with both being independent effects. The hazard ratio was 1.173 for every 0.1-unit decrease in the concentration log (decimal logarithm) of specific IgE level, with this effect being associated with tolerance only in children with cutaneous symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Half of the children younger than 2 years of age with egg allergy will tolerate the food at 35 months of follow-up, and the proportion could be 66% after 5 years. At that age, the main predictors were the symptoms experienced after egg ingestion, followed by the size of skin prick test reactions. In addition, the specific IgE antibody level is an important prognostic marker in children who only had cutaneous symptoms.
Influence of Information on the Acceptance and Purchase Intention of an Irradiated Food: A Study With Brazilian Consumers

This study investigated the effect of information on the acceptability and purchase intention of an irradiated watercress salad and its non-irradiated counterpart among Brazilian consumers (N = 236). Both the irradiated and the non-irradiated products were fairly accepted (ratings about 6.0–7.0 in the hedonic scale). Significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) of gender, education, and age were also observed: acceptance and purchase intention was lower among male participants who received both information and an identified irradiated product, and higher among female participants who received only information about the process. Adults (30–39 years old) were more critical, and the higher the educational level, the lower the acceptability and purchase intention ratings. Brazil is one of the major irradiators in the world, but there is still a lack of consumer studies focusing the acceptability of irradiated foods. So the findings presented herein would favor Brazilian producers and regulators to develop effective communication strategies and to promote the irradiation technology.
Capitalization of capital gains taxes: (In)attention and turn-of-the-year returns

We argue that the tax capitalization effect is a function of the attention of market participants. Market reactions can therefore be driven not only by the announcement dates of tax events but also by factors influencing the dissemination of tax information, such as deadlines and media reports. Analyzing the introduction date of the earlier-announced German capital gains tax reform of 2009 by triple-difference estimation, we find evidence of a delayed market reaction long after the announcement date. Within the last two (five) trading days before the deadline, we observe a sharp increase in abnormal trading volumes of 151.7% (104.0%). The aggregate abnormal return of the German capital market in the last five trading days in 2008 was 10.6%. Furthermore, we find a significant and positive correlation between trading volumes and measures for awareness of the upcoming tax reform (Google searches and media reports).
A Longitudinal Study of Adjustment to Technological Change: From Mass To Computer-Automated Batch Production

Four independent sets of factors were identified from the literature as potentially influencing worker adjustment to technological change: actual job changes experienced on workers' jobs, perceived changes to the jobs, personal factors and management support. Four indices of adjustment were measured: stress/psychological problems, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and perceived quality of life. A longitudinal study of 31 unskilled workers transferring from traditional mass assembly to computer-automated batch (CAB) production assessed the relationship of the factors to adjustment. The most important set of factors determining adjustment was the actual changes to individual jobs. Implications for studies that examine perceived job changes as well as for the implementation of CAB technology are discussed.
ICT Utilisation within Experienced South African Small and Medium Enterprises

The aim of the study was to examine the levels and purposes of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) utilisation within a sample of ICT aware South African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It is globally acknowledged that SMEs are significant in their contributions to economic growth, job creation, innovation of new products, income generation, poverty alleviation, technological progress and competitive advantage. However, SMEs are characterised by limited ICT utilisation. More studies are required to understand the purposes and levels of ICT utilisation within the South African SMEs, as well as the effect of firm size and age on ICT utilisation. To address this issue, an online based survey was conducted, and evidence gathered showed the following. (1) ICT aware South African SMEs are high users of technology. (2) Levels of ICT utilisation by ICT aware South African SMEs is sector specific. (3) ICT aware South African SMEs used ICT for cost saving, to collaborate with new and existing business partners, to handle collaboration within the firm and communication with the firm's stakeholders, to establish relationships with other organisations, and to enable strategic planning. (4) A firm's size has significant impacts on the levels of ICT utilization. (5) A firm's age impacts on the level of ICT utilisation of ICT aware South African SMEs; the more mature firms had more advanced information technology capability. The paper offers insights into the levels and purposes of ICT utilisation with implications for practitioners and academics.
Impact of Marketing Strategy, Customer Perceived Value, Customer Satisfaction, Trust, and Commitment on Customer Loyalty

Impact of Marketing Strategy, Customer Perceived Value, Customer Satisfaction, Trust, and Commitment on Customer Loyalty This research explored the relationships between the marketing mix, customer perwived value, relationship quality (customer satisfaction, trust, and commitment), and customer loyalty for Taiwanese retail stores. The study employed systematic random sampling to select 593 subjects from the Hanshin department store and the 7-Eleven convenience store, as well as the Wellcome supermarket, the Carrefour hypermarket, and the Costco warehouse club. The final number of usable questionnaires was 500. A four-part questionnaire was employed in this study and included customer shopping characteristic variables, the marketing mix scale, the customer perceived value scale, the relationship quality and customer loyalty scale. Data collected from the questionnaire was analyzed with PASW Statistics 18 to test the hypotheses. Descriptive statistics, internal consistency reliability, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson's correlation, multiple regression and ANOVA statistical operations were performed. The results tested the four hypotheses (3 sub-hypotheses per hypothesis) and determined the answers for the research question. The findings indicated that trust, commitment, price deal and perceived quality significantly and positively influenced customer loyalty, word-of-mouth communication, price insensitivity, and purchase intention. Findings also indicated that distribution intensity had a positive relationship, while advertising spending had a negative relationship with customer word-of-mouth communications. Customer satisfaction was a significant factor only for purchase intention. Taiwanese retail store shoppers are highly trustful and committed to the store. Retailers should deliver more value to shoppers through promotion activities (price deals and advertising campaigns) to build a long-term and mutually profitability relationship with shoppers. The limitations and future research recommendations are also included in this study.
Does Institutional Investor Behavior Influence the Market Reaction to Going Concern Audit Reports?

We investigate the incremental market reaction to first-time going concern audit reports (GCARs) relative to similarly distressed non-GCAR firms. We utilize a matched-sample research design to show that first-time GCARs are associated with incremental negative abnormal returns and increases in market-adjusted share turnover at the annual report filing date. Moreover, our results indicate that greater net selling by institutional investors (i.e., institutional flight) during the fiscal year increases the magnitude of these associations. We also find that first-time GCARs signal an increased likelihood of bankruptcy and weaker operating performance in the subsequent year, and that institutional flight prior to the GCAR moderates the severity of these signals. Taken together, our findings provide new evidence that first-time GCARs are incrementally informative beyond other financial statement information, and that the informativeness of the auditor’s GCAR decision is moderated by the observed trading decisions of institutional investors.
Increased arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients

Objective: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, and confers a high risk of stroke and heart failure. Hypertension and ageing are two important risk factors of incident atrial fibrillation and are both associated with increased arterial stiffness. The possible relationship between arterial stiffness and atrial fibrillation is insufficiently documented and is probably complex. We tested these relations in a cohort of hypertensive patients. Methods: The population belongs to a registry which includes patients referred before administration of antihypertensive treatment and fulfilling the following criteria: office blood pressure (BP) above 140/90 mmHg, essential hypertension, no history of cardiovascular events, type 1 diabetes or atrial fibrillation, 24-h ambulatory measurement of BP coupled with the measurement of timing of Korotkoff sounds to assess arterial stiffness [indexed theoretical value of QKD interval for a SBP of 100 mmHg, at heart rate (HR) of 60 b.p.m. , indexed for height and QRS duration (QKDh)]. An echocardiographic examination was carried out at baseline in the majority of patients. Atrial fibrillation-free survival was analysed with a Cox model including sex, diabetes, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia, QKDh, average 24-h pulse pressure and mean BP, mean 24-h HR, BMI and left atrial diameter (LAD), when available. Results: We included 853 patients and recorded 67 new onsets of atrial fibrillation (mean follow-up = 102 ± 62 months). Analysis found three variables significantly and independently linked to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation: age, QKDh and 24-h average HR. When LAD was introduced (n = 480, 35 incident atrial fibrillation), three variables were linked to incident atrial fibrillation: age, QKDh and LAD. Conclusion: Arterial stiffness is a strong predictor of future atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients, independently of age, 24-h pulse pressure and LAD.
The Influence of Incidental Affect on Consumers’ Food Intake

Although incidental affect has been shown to influence both attitude and purchase behavior, it has not been extended to actual consumption. This research investigates whether specific affective states influence food consumption and whether this influence is moderated by factors such as information and the nature of the product (hedonic versus less hedonic). The authors show that an integrative mood management and mood evaluation framework accounts for this relationship more effectively than a self-regulation explanation. A preliminary test and two lab studies show that people eat larger amounts of hedonic foods (buttered popcorn and M&M's) when they are in a sad state than when they are in a happy state and that this effect is attenuated when nutritional information is present. In contrast, they tend to eat larger amounts of a less hedonic product (raisins) when they are in a happy state than when they are in a sad state. The authors discuss implications for responsible marketers, health professionals, and health conscious consumers in the context of campaigns and individual efforts.
Boosting customer orientation through coaching: a Canadian study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent bank manager's coaching, a managerial relationship behavior based on mutual trust, openness and quality of exchanges, affects front-line employee's performance through the mediating effect of salesperson's customer orientation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper conducted a non-experimental, cross-sectional study; a Canadian bank agreed to participate in the study and 122 financial advisors with sales responsibilities answered a web-based survey; data were analyzed using structural equation modelling. Findings – The paper found support for the hypotheses that managerial coaching behavior can help bank employees develop their customer orientation and increase their performance, as well as reduce opportunistic behavior (sales orientation). The paper found that the direct link between coaching and performance, plus the mediating effect of sales orientation and customer orientation (SOCO) can potentially explain a significant variation .
Long-term retention of teaching skills after attending the Teaching Improvement Project: a longitudinal, self-evaluation study

In order to test retention of teaching skills acquired on a two-day Teaching Improvement Project course 94 participants from 12 courses were pre-tested using a self-evaluation questionnaire and then re-tested with the same questionnaire, between one and two years after course attendance. With a 77% post-course response rate significant differences were measured in participants' self-evaluation of their teaching skills, particularly in the use of learning objectives, structuring learning, questioning techniques and self-confidence. A control, 'demonstrating practical procedures', which was not part of the course, showed no significant difference. Many free comments indicated that teachers had used their new teaching skills with students, that they were more confident as teachers and that they felt their students had benefited from their teacher training. A smaller number of comments suggested some teachers had become more reflective.
The export of e‐services in the age of technology transformation: challenges and implications for international service providers

Advancements in information and communication technologies have created unprecedented opportunities to services providers in both developing and developed countries. The service sector represents one of the fastest growing areas of exports in the global trade. The Internet and e‐commerce make it possible to sell a variety of services, ranging from airline tickets to financial services, from anywhere in the world, around the clock. International delivery of services through electronic means is creating value in the supply chain by the reduction of many of the barriers to entry. This paper focuses on the determinants influencing the diffusion and export of e‐services across borders. The paper also presents strategic challenges, followed by implications for service providers.
An integrated model of price, satisfaction and loyalty: an empirical analysis in the service sector

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of customer satisfaction both directly and indirectly (through loyalty) on price acceptance. In addition, price fairness is considered as an antecedent of customer satisfaction and loyalty.Design/methodology/approach – Based on a theoretical discussion regarding the relationship among price fairness, customer satisfaction, loyalty, and price acceptance, empirical research was conducted to test the proposed relationships. Multiple‐item indicators from previous studies were employed to measure the constructs.Findings – The results from the study provide empirical support, suggesting that perceived price fairness influences customer satisfaction and loyalty. The analysis also suggests that customer satisfaction and loyalty are two important antecedents of price acceptance.Research limitations/implications – The study ponders the relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty and price acceptance, while other factors that have an influe.
Directional UWB planar antenna for operation in the 5-20 GHz band

A novel directional ultra-wideband (UWB) planar antenna is presented in this paper. The obtained antenna bandwidth is in order of 10:1. The directional behaviour is taken by slating a planar monopole antenna with respect to the ground plane. The UWB and directional characteristics of this antenna are obtained by optimizing simultaneously four parameters: bevelling and slating angles, the size of the matching impedance hole and the ratio between the height and width of the radiating element. The construction simplicity of the antenna is one of its main features
Evaluating the Adoption of Enterprise Application Integration in Health-Care Organizations

The integration of heterogeneous information systems has always been problematic in health-care organizations, as it is associated with the delivery of key services and has high operational costs. Therefore, health-care organizations are looking for new means to increase their functional capabilities and reduce integration cost. In addressing this need, enterprise application integration (EAI) technology has emerged to facilitate systems integration, enhance the quality of services, and reduce integration costs. Despite the application of EAI in other sectors, its adoption in health care is slow. In seeking to build on the limited normative research surrounding EAI, the authors of this paper focus on the evaluation of factors that influence EAI adoption in the health-care sector. In doing so, using fuzzy cognitive mapping as a technique to identify causal interrelationships among the EAI adoption factors. This approach will enhance the quality of the evaluation process and emphasizes the importance of each factor and its interrelationship with other factors. The outcomes shown in this paper will support health-care organizations' decision makers in exploring the implications surrounding EAI adoption.
U.S. Consumer Crash Test Results and Injury Risk in Police-Reported Crashes

Consumer crash test programs provide comparative information on the crashworthiness of new vehicles which, in turn, should predict the performance of the same vehicles in real-world crashes. However, the detail and quality of available information from tests and real-world crashes differ widely, so identifying meaningful relationships between crash test results and real-world crashworthiness can be difficult. Despite these data limitations, studies in the late 1980s and mid-1990s reported positive correlations between dummy injury measures from the U.S. New Car Assessment Program (USNCAP) and real-world fatality rates. More recent analyses of results from Australian crash tests and real-world crashes also have found positive correlations. This article considers relationships between recent U.S. frontal crash test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and USNCAP, and real-world crash injury risk estimates computed from police-reported crash data from three U.S. states. The frontal crash test results include dummy injury measures by body region from both IIHS offset tests and USNCAP full-width barrier tests plus measures of structural performance from the IIHS offset tests. Individually, results from the full-width and offset tests were not significantly correlated with the real-world injury risk estimates. Stronger relationships were found when a combination of overall ratings from the full-frontal and offset tests was used. However, the current results find only weak correlations between both full-front and offset frontal crash test performance and the real-world injury risk estimates. These weak relationships likely reflect the lack of detail and fundamental difference in injury information in police crash reports compared to that used in deriving crashworthiness ratings from the crash tests.
Effects of talipexole on contraversive rotation and functional impairment in MPTP-induced chronic hemiparkinsonian monkeys.

The effects of talipexole on functional motor improvement in comparison with contraversive circling were studied in five chronic (5-7 years post MPTP-lesioned) hemiparkinsonian Macaca nemestrina monkeys. Talipexole induced contraversive rotations in a dose of 32 microg/kg for about 1 hr after i.m. injection. Larger doses (56 and 100 microg/kg, i.m.) produced less effect due to sedation. Three different rating scales were used to assess functional improvement, including a clinical parkinsonism rating scale, volitional responses to fruit presentations, and number of significant hand movements. The optimal dose of talipexole was 32 microg/kg, i.m. Functional improvement by talipexole, including clinical parkinsonian rating scales and significant hand movements, as well as contraversive circling in hemiparkinsonian monkeys, confirm that this chronic animal model is useful in preclinical testing of drugs for the treatment of human parkinsonism.
A Penny for Your Thoughts: Referral Reward Programs and Referral Likelihood

Because referral reward programs reward existing customers and build the customer base, firms use them to encourage customers to make recommendations to others. The authors report on four experiments in which they find that rewards increase referral likelihood. More specifically, they find that rewards are particularly effective in increasing referral to weak ties and for weaker brands. It is also important who receives the reward. Overall, for weak ties and weaker brands, giving a reward to the provider of the recommendation is important. For strong ties and stronger brands, providing at least some of the reward to the receiver of the referral seems to be more effective. The authors discuss the implications of the results for the design of reward programs.