Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE IMPACT OF EMOTION ON THE FORMATION OF CUSTOMERS' REPEAT VISIT INTENTIONS IN THE LODGING INDUSTRY

The objectives of this research were to address the impacts of positive and negative emotions on customers’ satisfaction and customers’ repeat visit intentions, and to investigate the mediating effect of customer satisfaction on the relationship between emotion and customers’ repeat visit intentions. A theoretical model of the formation of repeat visit intentions was proposed through a comprehensive review of the literature. Richins’ Consumption Emotion Set (1997) was modified to make it suitable for application in the lodging industry. The modifications were based on the participants’ responses to each emotion descriptor in the pilot test. Surveys were completed by graduate students and faculty members, undergraduate students at a Midwestern university, and conference attendees. Of 259 surveys returned, 248 responses were used for data analysis. Data were analyzed using factor analysis and a series of regression analysis. Positive and negative consumption emotions were found to have a significant effect on customer satisfaction and repeat visit intentions. Results also provided evidence of a significant association between customer satisfaction and repeat visit intentions. Customer satisfaction was found to be a full mediator in the relationship between customers’ positive and negative consumption emotions and repeat visit intentions. The loss aversion of the prospect theory was empirically supported in the formation of customers’ repeat visit intentions since results indicate that negative emotion has a greater influence on customer satisfaction and customers’ repeat visit intentions. Results support the importance of considering the impact of customers’ emotions on post-purchasing behaviors when developing better marketing and service strategies to achieve higher occupancy rate and retain customers.
Perception of Naturalness of Food Packaging and Its Role in Consumer Product Evaluation

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to understand the concept of food “naturalness,” as it is perceived by the consumer via the packaging. The research is based on a qualitative study from which three types of experimental packaging were constructed (emotional, functional, and mixed) and a quantitative study carried out on 163 French consumers. The research identified two dimensions of food naturalness and related them to credibility, attractiveness, quality, and purchase intention, with differences according to the three types of packaging tested. The highlighting of their role in the perception of the naturalness of a food product should help managers to avoid overexposure of the concept.
Determinants of tuberculin reactivity among health care workers: Interpretation of positivity following BCG vaccination.

OBJECTIVE To determine the extent to which a history of Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination influences the likelihood of positive tuberculin skin test (TST) results. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey using a hospital-based tuberculosis surveillance program. SETTING Health Sciences Centre, a tertiary care hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. METHODS The 476 health care workers (HCWs) who had TST as part of the surveillance program between 1993 and 1997 constituted the study population. The two-step test was done in 91% of the participants who did not have a positive initial test, defined as 10 mm or greater of induration. Data were gathered through chart review supplemented by a short questionnaire administered to the HCWs. MAIN RESULTS One hundred and thirty-eight HCWs (29%) had a positive TST. In a stepwise, multiple logistic model controlling for age, sex, job title, work area, age of receiving BCG, time since BCG and duration of employment, only a history of BCG vaccination (odds ratio [OR] 22; 95% CI 12 to 41) and birth outside of Canada (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.4 to 5.8) were significantly associated with a positive TST. When the definition of a positive TST was modified by increments of 1 mm, from 10 mm up to 20 mm of induration in BCG recipients, BCG was associated with positive reactions with indurations up to 19 mm but not 20 mm or greater. The OR declined with each increment. Of the 84 HCWs who were documented to have at least 20 years between BCG vaccination and testing, 41 (49%) had positive reactions. CONCLUSIONS BCG vaccination can produce lasting tuberculin reactivity, and indurations of 19 mm or less may be due to the effects of the vaccine.
Who's in charge here? Co-CEOs, power gaps, and firm performance

At the pinnacles of organizations, comparative tests of unity of command and shared command are nearly impossible because only one individual sits atop most organizations. In organizations led by co-CEOs, however, such a test is possible because co-CEOs can truly share power. But do they? Our research pits the unity-of-command principle against the shared-command principle and finds overall support for the former, even within the co-CEO context. Our sample of 71 co-CEO pairs at publicly traded U.S. firms shows that increasing power gaps between co-CEOs are positively associated with firm performance. This positive association wanes and turns negative, however, as power gaps become very large. We conclude that whatever benefits the co-CEO structure might offer likely lie outside the shared command paradigm
The impact of technological and organizational changes on motivations to work hard: European evidence

Some recent studies underline a positive impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and of new work practices on firms’ productivity. But as is well known in the principal-agent literature, agents are predisposed to shirk, so, in order to obtain productivity gains firms need to provide workers with sufficient incentives and to encourage motivations. Our econometric results are obtained with data at the individual level collected in the Euro-zone countries of the 2005 wave of the EWCS (European Working Conditions Survey). Our main results indicate that offering the access to Internet to workers permits to create an enriching work environment that positively influences intrinsic motivations of workers. These intrinsic motivations, are crowded in when the firm provides positive incentives and crowded out when the firm resorts to monitoring or time pressure. In addition, in the whole population, the use of Internet is positively correlated with the team spirit that can generate shame if the level of effort is insufficient and should lead to a highest level of employees’ effort. Concerning reciprocity, the results underline a positive link of Internet use on the feeling of being well paid for the work done.
FIRST REPORTED CASE OF ELEPHANT ENDOTHELIOTROPIC HERPES VIRUS INFECTION IN LAOS

Abstract: The elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is now recognized as one of the main causes of death of young Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in North American zoos. Its impact in wild and domestic elephant populations in Asia is not clearly understood. This article describes the first case of EEHV infection in Lao People's Democratic Republic of a 2.5-yr-old domestic male Asian elephant. Clinical signs and pathological findings reported here are consistent with previous infections in Asian elephant calves. Phylogenetic analyses showed 100% homology with other EEHV-1A strains identified in Asia, Europe, and North America. Contamination of the molecular assays was ruled out, because the DNA polymerase sequence identified in this study differed from the positive control by two base pairs.
An Empirical Examination of Investment Banking Merger Fee Contracts

Investment banking firms have traditionally occupied an important position in U.S. capital markets. The financial services which they provide (underwriting, market making, advice on capital structure, dividend policy, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures) no doubt enhance the liquidity and informational efficiency of the primary and secondary markets. While other financial institutions can provide some of these same services, investment banking firms appear to have a significant comparative advantage due to their specialization and expertise in corporate financial matters and their ability to gather and process capital market information quickly and at low cost. ' Thus, one would expect the fundamental benefit of financial intermediation, i.e., the reduction in transactions costs, to extend to the market for corporate control. In spite of the benefits which investment bankers can bestow on merger markets, their involvement in the mergers market has come under increased criticism in recent years. This criticism has been aimed at the fees charged for providing merger services. The disenchantment expressed by corporate executives has grown in parallel with the size of investment banking merger fees at the leading Wall Street firms. In fact, it is reported that some major corporations are seeking to by-pass investment bankers as merger intermediaries altogether in favor of a do-it-yourself approach.2
Short stature and diabetic nephropathy

Recent studies have suggested that low birth weight is associated with a reduced number of nephrons and hypertension in later life,1 2 both well known risk factors for renal disease. An inverse correlation between microalbuminuria and height, the latter known to vary directly with birth weight,3 has been shown in non-diabetic men.4 We investigated the association between adult height and diabetic nephropathy in a cross sectional study of a cohort of insulin dependent diabetic patients attending the Steno Diabetes Center in 1984.5 We selected patients according to the following criteria: age >/=18 years, a duration of diabetes >/=5 years, and age at onset of diabetes </=40 years. In all, 951 patients (500 men; mean age 40 (SD 13) years; mean age at onset 18 (10) years) were enrolled (97% of those eligible). We examined urinary albumin excretion …
Refining a strategic marketing course: Is a ‘flip’ a good ‘fit’?

Abstract A ‘flipped’ approach to the delivery of higher education is becoming increasingly possible as older style teaching rooms are adapted to seamlessly integrate interactive technologies. This paper describes challenges in refining a capstone strategic marketing course as it transitions to a ‘flipped’ mode. The current course already has many ‘active’ learning elements that encourage student participation. However, in suggesting a move to a ‘flipped classroom’, the increased opportunity for meaningful peer interaction should further reinforce the main course objective – to equip students to cope in an uncertain world. Fine-tuning the course draws on notions of co-creation found in both the marketing and educational literatures. The conclusion of this paper is that the aims of a strategic marketing course, to provide resilient thinking marketing strategists, would sit well with a pedagogy that encourages students to participate in collaborating in their own learning in a dedicated shared learning ‘space’.
Significantly Better Prognosis for Patients with Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia than for Patients with Secondary Plasma Cell Leukemia

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare variant of multiple myeloma (MM). Patients may either present de novo (primary PCL), or PCL may occur during the course of MM (secondary PCL). We compared the laboratory and clinical findings of both primary and secondary PCL and MM to elucidate their natural history and the relationship among these entities. Ten cases of PCL (7 cases of primary PCL and 3 cases of secondary PCL) and 20 sex- and age-matched cases of MM were compared. The patients with primary PCL showed significantly lower platelet and neutrophil counts in peripheral blood and higher cellularity in bone marrow than patients with MM (p = 0.002, < 0.001 and 0.027, respectively). Immunophenotypic studies showed a different expression of HLA-DR and CD117 antigens among the 3 groups. There was a significant difference in survival between the 3 groups (median survival of primary PCL, secondary PCL and MM = 22.2, 1.3 and 36.4 months, respectively; p = 0.048). The patients with primary PCL showed better prognosis than those with secondary PCL. Primary PCL might be a differently developed disease from MM. In diagnosing PCL, it is important to differentiate primary PCL from secondary PCL for the prediction of prognosis.
Hepatotoxicity of Cadmium and Roles of Mitigating Agents

There are increasing reports on cadmium associated hepatotoxicity, due to these reports this study reviewed relevant literature on cadmium associated hepatotoxicity with emphasis on doses, route of administration, salt forms (cadmium compounds) and the roles of mitigating agents. Reports have shown that continuous exposure of the liver to cadmium has led to hepatotoxicity. Humans are generally exposed to cadmium by two main routes, inhalation and ingestion. In this study, evaluation of relevant literature showed that irrespective of route of administration and salt forms cadmium hepatotoxicity is dose and time dependent. Cadmium associated hepatotoxicity manifested through impaired functions of hepatic biomarkers (transaminases), enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants. Histopathological damage to liver architecture manifested as swelling of hepatocytes, focal necrosis, hepatocytes degeneration, dilatation of ribosomes, damage of membrane-bounded lysosomes, nuclear pyknosis and cytoplasm vacuolization. Deterioration of mitochondrial cristae, deposition of collagen fibrils, hypertrophy of kuffer cells, congestion in central veins and sinusoids, infiltration of mixed inflammatory cells and peripheral hemorrhage also occurred. Hepatotoxic effect of cadmium was mitigated by Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Manganese (11) Chloride, N-acetylcysteine and Selenium. Extracts of plant origin including Solanum tuberosum, Calycopteris floribunda and Hibiscus sabdariffa mitigated cadmium induced hepatotoxicity. Chemical substances of animal origin including honey and camel milk were reported to have ameliorated cadmium induced hepatotoxicity. One of the mechanisms of cadmium induced hepatotoxicity is reported to be associated with the up regulation of reactive oxygen species (oxidative stress) which caused oxidative damage to lipid contents of membranes and direct liver injury. Conclusion cadmium is dose and time dependently hepatotoxic irrespective of route of administration, salt form and is ameliorated by some antioxidants and extracts of plant and materials of animal origin which may require further evaluation for clinical application.
Emotional Feedback and the Viral Spread of Social Media Messages About Autism Spectrum Disorders.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether exchanges of emotional language between health advocacy organizations and social media users predict the spread of posts about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). METHODS I created a Facebook application that tracked views of ASD advocacy organizations' posts between July 19, 2011, and December 18, 2012. I evaluated the association between exchanges of emotional language and viral views of posts, controlling for additional characteristics of posts, the organizations that produced them, the social media users who viewed them, and the broader social environment. RESULTS Exchanges of emotional language between advocacy organizations and social media users are strongly associated with viral views of posts. CONCLUSIONS Social media outreach may be more successful if organizations invite emotional dialogue instead of simply conveying information about ASDs. Yet exchanges of angry language may contribute to the viral spread of misinformation, such as the rumor that vaccines cause ASDs.
Effect of Weight Loss on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide and has grown proportionately with the rise in obesity. The prevalence of NAFLD is now thought to be around 20% to 40% of the entire population in industrialized Western countries. Insulin resistance, a product of obesity, is central to the pathogenesis of NAFLD, and is improved with weight loss, making this modality the primary goal of therapy. A combination of dietary modifications and increased physical activity, although hard to maintain, is thought to have significant long-term benefits, although further study is required to determine the best and most effective approaches to lifestyle modification. Alternatively, for those individuals who are unable to lose weight despite aggressive efforts, bariatric surgery, which has been shown rather convincingly to improve underlying fatty liver disease, may offer a solution. This review discusses dietary modification, exercise, weight loss pharmacotherapy, and surgical intervention as potential options for patients with NAFLD.
Foramen Magnum Syndrome Secondary to Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystal Deposition in the Transverse Ligament of the Atlas

Study Design. This report illustrates two rare cases of foramen magnum syndrome caused by a retro-odontoid mass in which calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals were found. Objectives. To analyze the preoperative studies and the diagnostic criteria and to discuss the surgical treatment. The present cases will be compared with previous ones described in the literature. Summary of Background Data. Deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals occurs into the fibrous and hyaline cartilage of the joints and intervertebral discs of the spine. Half of the patients known to have a chondrocalcinosis had asymptomatic calcification in the odontoid region. Ten patients were published in the literature as having a spinal cord syndrome secondary to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition in the odontoid region. Methods. In both cases the preoperative studies were analyzed, and the retro-odontoid mass was resected and histologically examined. Both had an anterior transoral approach and have been followed for 1 year. Results. According to the preoperative radiographs the diagnosis was suspected and confirmed histologically. Transoral approach was done with no need in either case for a posterior stabilization. Conclusions. Compression of the spinal cord by calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition may occur. The preoperative diagnosis may be highly suspected after radiographic study and histologically confirmed. Transoral resection is the treatment of choice. Posterior stabilization should be considered only in cases of craniovertebral instability.
Youth Sport Participation and Associated Sex Differences on a Measure of Spatial Ability

Sex-related differences on measures of spatial ability favoring males are commonly found in psychological studies. This study investigated the possible association of differential participation in organized youth sport with scores on a measure of spatial ability among a sample of 167 college students. Such participation was not significantly related to spatial scores of men or women nor did it reduce sex differences.
Internationalization in the face of export barriers : a study of New Zealand's firms : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, New Zealand

X 1.0 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 BACKGROUND . 1 1.2 THE STUDY IN CONTEXT . 2 1.3 AIM AND SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION . 3 1.4 KEY DEFINITIONS, MODELS AND ApPROACHES . 4 1.5 STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS . 4 1.6 CONCLUDING SUMMARY OF CHAPTER ONE . 6 2.0 CHAPTER TWO NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT . 7 2.
Quality of life following emergency liver transplantation for acute liver failure.

INTRODUCTION Liver transplantation is an accepted and successful therapy for both acute and chronic liver diseases (CLDs), with good survival outcomes. Whilst the study of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) post transplantation for CLDs have been well documented, there is little data measuring HRQoL following liver transplantation for acute liver failure (ALF) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data were collected using between-method triangulation; however, only the quantitative element of the study is reported here. Measuring eight health domains, we distributed the short form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire by post to 96 acute and chronic transplant recipients. Differences between the groups were measured using both parametric and non-parametric t-tests. RESULTS Overall, the patients showed a satisfactory HRQoL; there were no differences between either acute or chronic transplant groups in seven of the eight domains of quality of life. Among the patients transplanted for ALF, there were no differences in HRQoL between patients transplanted for paracetamol hepatotoxicity compared with other indications, and no variations in HRQoL related to recipient gender, employment or length of survival post transplantation. When compared with the UK SF-36 normal values to the ALF transplant recipients, there was a significantly lower physical functioning and role emotional scores. CONCLUSION Regardless of aetiology, most of recipients transplanted for ALF have a HRQoL comparable with chronic transplant recipients.
Colistin-resistant Escherichia coli clinical isolate harbouring the mcr-1 gene in Ecuador

SUMMARY Colistin resistance mediated by the mcr-1 gene has been reported worldwide, but to date not from the Andean region, South America. We report the first clinical isolate of Escherichia coli harbouring the mcr-1 gene in Ecuador. The strain was isolated from peritoneal fluid from a 14-year-old male with acute appendicitis, and subjected to molecular analysis. The minimum inhibitory concentration of colistin for the strain was 8 mg/ml and it was susceptible to carbapenems but resistant to tigecycline. The strain harboured mcr-1 and bla CTX-M-55 genes and was of sequence type 609. The recognition of an apparently commensal strain of E. coli harbouring mcr-1 serves as an alert to the presence in the region of this recently described resistance mechanism to one of the last line of drugs available for the treatment of multi-resistant Gram-negative infections.
Different Signaling Roles of SHPTP2 in Insulin-induced GLUT1 Expression and GLUT4 Translocation (*)

Insulin activates hexose transport via at least two mechanisms: a p21ras -dependent pathway, leading to an increase in the amount of cell surface GLUT1; and a metabolic, p21ras -independent pathway, leading to translocation of the insulin-responsive transporter GLUT4 to the cell surface. Following insulin stimulation, SHPTP2, a non-transmembrane protein-tyrosine phosphatase, associates with insulin receptor substrate 1 via its Src homology 2 (SH2) domains. Microinjection of a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein encoding the N- and C-terminal SH2 domains of SHPTP2 (GST-NC-SH2) or anti-SHPTP2 antibodies into NIH-3T3 fibroblasts overexpressing the insulin receptor blocks insulin-induced DNA synthesis. Microinjection of either GST-NC-SH2 or anti-SHPTP2 antibodies into 3T3-L1 adipocytes inhibited the insulin-stimulated increase in expression of GLUT1. In contrast, translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface was unaffected by either GST-NC-SH2 or anti-SHPTP2 antibodies. These data confirm a role for SHPTP2 in insulin-stimulated mitogenesis and indicate that whereas SHPTP2 is necessary for insulin-stimulated expression of GLUT1, it is not required for activation of the metabolic pathway leading to GLUT4 translocation.