Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Emotional Reactions for Negative Services: The Impact of Efficacy Beliefs and Stage in Process

This article examines consumers' emotional reactions for a specific negative service—a mammography screening test—and measures how such reactions are influenced by the consumer's stage in the screening process and her beliefs in the efficacy of the test. Stage in process moderates the relationship between test efficacy beliefs and stress, such that those obtaining screening tests feel more stress as their belief in the efficacy of mammography increases while those obtaining follow-up diagnostic tests feel less stress as their belief in the efficacy of mammography increases. Process measures indicate that fear of a positive mammogram result is uniquely associated with stress for those receiving a screening mammogram, while uncertainty regarding diagnosis is uniquely associated with stress for those receiving a diagnostic mammogram. Implications for better managing the testing experience and for understanding negative services more generally are discussed.
A stochastic model for patterning of the cytoplasm by the saltatory movement.

In various cases of importance for animal physiology and development, a specific distribution of cellular components is achieved through the active transport of these components along cytoskeletal fibres by molecular motors. The pattern-generating transport is stochastic; it is commonly referred to as the saltatory movement which means frequent, random change of direction of movement of individual transported particles. Inference of the distribution of the cellular components and kinetics of transitions between different patterns from parameters of the saltatory movement is the goal of the proposed theory. The theory is presented by developing a sample model for the redistribution of lipid droplets at early stages of Drosophila development, a process well studied at the quantitative level. The saltatory movement is modelled at the fundamental level as a stochastic velocity jump process. A diffusion (in the mathematical sense) model is derived from the fundamental velocity jump description as its simple and accurate approximation. This approximation reduces the number of parameters, simplifies the methods of their measurement and clarifies the relationship between the kinetics and the resulting pattern.
Use of Insertion Sequence Element IS1126 in a Genotyping and Transmission Study of Porphyromonas gingivalis

ABSTRACT Porphyromonas gingivalis is strongly associated with periodontal diseases and is regarded as one of the risk factors for periodontitis. Insertion sequence element IS1126-based PCR was used to investigate the genetic heterogeneity of P. gingivalis from periodontitis patients and to examine the frequency of the parent-child and spouse-spouse transmission. Two sets of IS1126-specific primers were used for the PCR. The inward primer set (PI1 and PI2), which amplifies the IS1126 fragment of approximately 690 bp, was used to identify P. gingivalis. The outward primer set (PI1RC and PI2RC), which is reverse complementary to PI1 and PI2, respectively, and amplifies the gene fragments between the adjacent IS1126 elements was used to characterize the genotypes of the P. gingivalis strains. PCR of P. gingivalis with PI1RC and PI2RC resulted in the production of two to seven amplicons, which showed a unique electrophoretic pattern in each strain (4 laboratory strains and 37 clinical isolates cultured from 12 patients with aggressive periodontitis). The usefulness of the method for transmission study was confirmed by detecting identical genotypes between the isolates and the plaque samples from which the isolates were cultured and between the plaque samples from different tooth sites in the same patient. Thirty probands with periodontal diseases and their thirty immediate family members were included in the transmission study. In 11 of 14 parent-child pairs (78.6%), P. gingivalis revealed an identical or similar band pattern, whereas 5 of 16 spouse pairs (31.25%) had this similarity. These results show that IS1126-based PCR for genotyping P. gingivalis has a highly discriminating potential with reproducible data and is a simple and reliable method for a transmission study.
Coronary artery calcification in patients with CRF not undergoing dialysis.

BACKGROUND Coronary artery calcification (CAC) correlates with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis and, consequently, with an increased risk for cardiovascular events. CAC is more frequent in uremic patients than in the general population. Nearly all data about CAC relate to patients on dialysis therapy. This study evaluates the prevalence and extent of CAC in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) not yet on dialysis therapy. METHODS Consecutive outpatients with CRF not on dialysis therapy were enrolled and compared with controls (ie, healthy volunteers and patients with essential hypertension with normal renal function). Patients and controls were asymptomatic and had no previous history of myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery, or angioplasty. Patients with diabetes were excluded. Clinical characteristics, biochemical test results (included homocysteinemia and C-reactive protein level), and serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were evaluated in patients and controls. CACs were searched for and scored by means of spiral computed tomography (CT). To assess the CAC progression rate, spiral CT was repeated in some patients. RESULTS Eighty-five patients and 55 controls were studied. Patients were aged 52 +/- 13 years and had a CRF duration of 6.3 +/- 5.6 years, glomerular filtration rate of 33.0 +/- 16.0 mL/min (0.55 +/- 0.27 mL/s), serum calcium level of 9.5 +/- 0.5 mg/dL (2.37 +/- 0.12 mmol/L), serum phosphorus level of 4.1 +/- 0.9 mg/dL (1.32 +/- 0.29 mmol/L), and serum iPTH level of 143 +/- 121 pg/mL (ng/L). CAC was found in 40% of patients and 13% of controls; calcification scores were 422 +/- 634 in patients and 43.9 +/- 33 in controls. Only age ( P < 0.001) was a predictor of CAC. In patients with a repeated score performed (after a mean of 7.9 months), calcification scores increased (from 383 +/- 627 to 682 +/- 890) in 8 of 10 patients. CONCLUSION CAC is already present in the early phase of CRF; the prevalence is greater in patients with CRF than in controls, but less than that reported in dialysis patients. Serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, iPTH, and inflammation markers do not predict the appearance or progression of CAC.
Influence of pulmonary rehabilitation on the sleep patterns of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease *

Results: Mean age was 63.3 ± 5.3 years, mean FEV1 was 54.8 ± 25.4% of predicted, mean FEV1/FVC was 49.9 ± 12.0% of predicted, mean resting PaO2 was 69.7 ± 7.3 mmHg, and mean resting SaO2 was 93.7 ± 2.1%. Polysomnography revealed sleep patterns to be fragmented, with frequent waking and reduced slow-wave sleep, as well as oxygen desaturation. The most significant drops in oxygen saturation occurred during rapid eye movement sleep. No significant differences were observed between preand post-PR values for the other variables studied (p > 0.05).
The prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas.

OBJECTIVE The prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFPMAs) is not well known, and hyperprolactinemia caused by a NFPMA is currently associated with diagnostic uncertainty. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in NFPMAs. METHODS A meta-analysis of all existing articles in PubMed was conducted. The search string was designed as "(non-functioning pituitary tumor OR non-functioning pituitary tumor OR non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas OR non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas OR non-functioning pituitary adenomas OR non-functioning pituitary adenomas) and hyperprolactinemia". References of the articles found were also reviewed. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Data were analyzed with STATA 11.0 software (StataCorp LP, USA). The fixed effects model was used to evaluate these studies. RESULTS The search identified 57 published studies, seven of which were accepted for the final meta-analysis. The authors found an overall estimated 40.2% prevalence of (95% CI, 36.6%-43.7%) hyperprolactinemia in NFPMAs. CONCLUSIONS Given the high frequency of hyperprolactinemia in NFPMAs, a diagnosis of NFPMA or prolactinoma should be made more carefully.
Marketing Within the Public Sector

ABSTRACT Much has been written on the applicability of the marketing concept in the public sector. Allied to a ‘market-orientation’ is the notion of internal marketing (IM). Some research has been conducted on IM, but this has generally been confined to firms in the private sector. IM focuses on acquiring and retaining customer-oriented employees. As part of a wider study, which investigates various aspects of public sector management, this paper sets out to explore the different applications of internal marketing in the public sector. Suitable measures are identified and results from an Australian study are reported. Three different types of public sector organizations are identified, based on their current level of IM orientation. The three clusters are then described and profiled. Management implications are considered and directions for future research offered.
Segmenting the non‐adopter category in the diffusion of internet banking

Purpose – For a new technology‐based product or service at an early stage of diffusion, it is likely that only a small subset of consumers have adopted it. When non‐adopters still comprise the majority of the target populations, describing all non‐adopters as a homogeneous population may be inaccurate and inappropriate. It is important to be able to identify differences, not only between adopters and non‐adopters, but also among non‐adopters, the latter providing a means of identifying the consumer segments likely to be profitable in the future. The first objective of this paper is to demonstrate the appropriateness of further segmenting the non‐adopter category based on motivations (intentions) to adopt internet‐banking by those who are “persistent non‐adopters” and those who are likely “prospective adopters”. The second objective of this paper is to further the understanding of the adoption process of internet banking by examining a range of diffusion factors that affect consumers’ adoption behavior.Des.
A Multistage Model of Customers' Assessments of Service Quality and Value

This article develops a model of how customers with prior experiences and expectations assess service performance levels, overall service quality, and service value. The model is applied to residential customers' assessments of local telephone service. The model is estimated with a two-stage least squares procedure through survey data. Results indicate that residential customers' assessments of quality and value are primarily a function of disconfirmation arising from discrepancies between anticipated and perceived performance levels. However, perceived performance levels also were found to have an important direct effect on quality and value assessments. Copyright 1991 by the University of Chicago.
Analysis of Subgrid Stabilization Method for Stokes-Darcy Problems

A number of techniques, used as remedy to the instability of the Galerkin finite element formulation for Stokes like problems, are found in the literature. In this work we consider a coupled Stokes-Darcy problem, where in one part of the domain the fluid motion is described by Stokes equations and for the other part the fluid is in a porous medium and described by Darcy law and the conservation of mass. Such systems can be discretized by heterogeneous mixed finite elements in the two parts. A better method, from a computational point of view, consists in using a unified approach on both subdomains. Here, the coupled Stokes-Darcy problem is analyzed using equal-order velocity and pressure approximation combined with subgrid stabilization. We prove that the obtained finite element solution is stable and converges to the classical solution with optimal rates for both velocity and pressure.
The Efficacy of Brand-Execution Tactics in TV Advertising, Brand Placements, and Internet Advertising

ABSTRACT This article examines brand-execution tactics in television, internet video advertising, and in brand placement within TV programs. Multiple studies provide evidence that showing the brand early and often—and having at least one verbal mention—enhances brand recall. By contrast, the evidence is mixed for verbal frequency, and there is not support for the brand simply being present for a long time. A review of current practice across a variety of media finds considerable scope for improvement in brand execution.
Commentary on T1-Weighted Hypersignal in the Deep Cerebellar Nuclei After Repeated Administrations of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents in Healthy Rats: Difference Between Linear and Macrocyclic Agents.

I n this landmark article by Robert et al, an animal model is presented for the T1 signal hyperintensity in the deep cerebellar nuclei, including specifically the dentate nucleus, after intravenous administration of the linear gadolinium-based contrast agent gadodiamide (Omniscan) in normal renal function. 1 This change was further demonstrated to correlate with higher gadolinium concentration in the brain, as de- termined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. No abnormality was noted after administration of a macrocyclic agent, gadoterate meglumine (Dotarem). The study provides a scientific basis for previous clinical observations, together with a platform for rigorous further investigation. In-depth study, using this model or similar models, of all of the approved gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) is warranted.Including the current research, there are 8 published articles to date examining this critical topic. The first two appeared in 2014, demonstrating in patients with normal renal function the progressive in- crease of T1 signal intensity of the dentate nucleus on unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images with increasing cumulative dose of gadodiamide. 2,3 Subsequent clinical studies by the same 2 groups appeared in 2015, together with an additional publication from Germany, confirming the finding to be as- sociated with prior gadodiamide administration, identifying that this also occurs with the linear GBCA gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist) and demonstrating the lack of any abnormality in patients who had receivedthe macrocyclic agent gadoterate meglumine. 4 – 6 Additional studies on tissuefrom deceased patients in 2015 identified gadolinium deposition in neuronal tissue (in patients with prior administration of gadodiamide or gadopentetate dimeglumine) and in the larger study in a dose-dependent relationship correlating with signal intensity changes on precontrast T1-weighted scans, without detectable levels in controls. 7,8 Of critical importance is
Analyzing the interaction patterns in a faceted search interface

Since the adoption of faceted search in a small number of academic libraries in 2006, faceted search interfaces have gained popularity in academic and public libraries. This article clarifies whether faceted search improves the interactions between searchers and library catalogs and sheds light on ways that facets are used during a library search. To study searchers' behaviors in natural situations, we collected from the servers a data set with more than 1.5 million useful search logs. Logs were parsed, statistically analyzed, and manually studied using visualization tools to gain a general understanding of how facets are used in the search process. A user experiment with 24 subjects was conducted to further understand contextual information, such as the searchers' motivations and perceptions. The results indicate that most searchers were able to understand the concept of facets naturally and easily. The faceted search was not able to shorten the search time but was able to improve the search accuracy. Facets were used more for open‐ended tasks and difficult tasks that require more effort to learn, investigate, and explore. Overall, the results weaved a detailed “story” about the ways that people use facets and the ways that facets help people use library catalogs.
Effects of meditation on frontal &agr;-asymmetry in previously suicidal individuals

This study investigated the effects of a meditation-based treatment for preventing relapse to depression, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), on prefrontal &agr;-asymmetry in resting electroencephalogram (EEG), a biological indicator of affective style. Twenty-two individuals with a previous history of suicidal depression were randomly assigned to either MBCT (N=10) or treatment-as-usual (TAU, N=12). Resting electroencephalogram was measured before and after an 8-week course of treatment. The TAU group showed a significant deterioration toward decreased relative left-frontal activation, indexing decreases in positive affective style, while there was no significant change in the MBCT group. The findings suggest that MBCT can help individuals at high risk for suicidal depression to retain a balanced pattern of baseline emotion-related brain activation.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in determining disease activity in perianal fistulizing Crohn disease: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to perform a semiquantitative analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for the evaluation of disease activity and therapeutic response in patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Sixteen consecutively registered patients with perianal Crohn disease underwent pelvic MRI. A dynamic contrast-enhanced sequence was performed at 3 T (temporal resolution, 4.2 seconds) during i.v. contrast injection. Maximum enhancement, initial slope of increase, volume transfer constant (K(trans)), and the extravascular space fractional volume (x028B;(e)) were calculated in a region of interest drawn around the fistula. Perianal disease activity index, C-reactive protein concentration, and an MRI-based activity score were calculated as reference standards. Six patients underwent a second MRI examination 6 weeks after starting treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNF-α). RESULTS Perianal disease activity index moderately correlated with maximum enhancement (r = 0.67, p = 0.005), initial slope of increase (r = 0.58, p = 0.018), and volume of enhancing pixels (r = 0.79, p < 0.001) but not with K(trans) or x028B;(e). Volume of enhancing pixels also correlated with C-reactive protein concentration and the MRI-based score (r = 0.52, p = 0.041; r = 0.79, p < 0.001). The K(trans) values had decreased significantly 6 weeks after the start of anti-TNF-α therapy. CONCLUSION Maximum enhancement and initial slope of increase correlate with disease activity in perianal Crohn disease. K(trans) may be an indicator of the effect of therapy on patients starting anti-TNF-α treatment.
Internationalization or International Marketing? Two Frameworks for Understanding International Students' Choice of Canadian Universities

ABSTRACT This paper discusses two important concepts—internationalization and the international marketing of higher education—and how they influence international students' choice of Canadian universities. The paper is based on two studies: one on 140 East Asian international graduate students who enrolled at two large Ontario universities in the academic year 2003–2004, and the other on 95 international undergraduate students who enrolled at an Ontario university in academic year 2005–2006. The research findings show that market segmentation determines the applicability of internationalization and/or marketing of higher education. Activities related to the internationalization of education play a critical role in influencing the research-oriented students' choice of a Canadian graduate school. Marketing activities have a direct impact on graduate students' choice in professional programs. “Twinning” or “incountry” programs—a blend of internationalization and international marketing approach—have a strong influence on undergraduate students' choice to come to Canada.
Characteristics‐based innovation adoption: scale and model validation

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to develop a measurement scale that encompasses a wide array of product characteristics. In addition, a comprehensive model is developed and tested illustrating the relationship among product characteristics and with adoption.Design/methodology/approach – Utilizing 628 respondents, a measurement scale is developed and a structural equation model is tested through a multi‐stage series of surveys. The scope of the research is consumer durable products.Findings – This paper is successful in developing a 43‐item scale that measures 15 unique innovation characteristics. This scale is then used to test a second order model illustrating the relationships innovation characteristics have with each other and ultimately innovation adoption.Research limitations/implications – The major limitation this research suffers from is its lack of variety in products under analysis. For the four consumer durable products studied, the research finds significant results. However, these findings.
The Competitive Advantages of Nations and the Cultivation of the Advantages in China after It's Entry into WTO

The theory of competitive advantages of nations advanced by Porter holds that a nation's competitive advantage is mainly determined by six factors. It has great guiding significance for the establishment of our nation's competitive advantage. After the entry into WTO,China enjoys an international economic development and competitive environment.It is necessary for the establishment of our competitive advantage and the foreign trade development strategy to change from the past comparative advantage to competitive advantage. Both the government and enterprises,the two different main bodies, play a respective and important role in the establishment of our nation's competitive advantage.
Bilateral cros. Two sided listening with one hearing aid.

IN RECENT months several articles 1-4 have been published on the use of a hearing aid for persons with good (normal or near normal) hearing in one ear and with poor or unaidable hearing in the opposite ear. Harford and Barry 1 refer to this principle of hearing-aid use as "contralateral routing of signals" (CROS). Extensive clinical application of CROS has provided the impetus for its modification to benefit persons with hearing impairment in both ears, but with one ear unaidable. The purpose of this article is to present a preliminary report on this modification with some evidence of its clinical value. Since this hearing aid is basically a CROS with two microphones, we differentiate it from the classic CROS by calling this the bilateral CROS, or BICROS. A candidate for a BICROS hearing aid is one who has a poor ear which is "unaidable" and a better ear which