Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and cervical artery dissection in 20 patients

Objectives: To describe clinical-radiologic characteristics in a prospective series of patients having both confirmed reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) and cervical artery dissection (CeAD). Methods: From January 2004 to December 2011, from our prospective cohorts of RCVS and CeAD, we studied patients with both conditions. Results: Of 173 RCVS cases and 285 CeAD cases, 20 patients (18 women, 2 men; mean age 41 years) had both RCVS and CeAD. Main associated conditions were migraine (12/20) and postpartum (5/18). Clinical features included severe headache in all patients, neck pain in 15, focal neurologic deficit in 9, and seizures in 4. Pain was the only symptom in 10 patients. All patients had multifocal cerebral vasoconstriction. There were brain lesions in 12 patients, cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage in 11, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in 4, intracerebral hemorrhage in 3, and infarcts in 4. CeAD involved one artery in 13 patients and multiple arteries in 7. CeAD mostly affected vertebral arteries (25 of 30 CeAD). Only one vertebral CeAD was associated with a related symptomatic infarct. At 3 months, 18 patients had fully recovered, all patients showed reversal of cerebral vasoconstriction, and 21 dissected arteries had normalized, whereas 9 arteries showed residual stenosis (7) and/or aneurysm (3). Conclusion: The association of RCVS and CeAD was found in 12% of our patients with RCVS and 7% of our patients with CeAD. Underlying mechanisms are unknown. In practice, our results point to the need for a systematic study of both cervical and intracranial arteries in the 2 conditions.
B2B brand equity: investigating the effects of human capital and relational trust

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of human capital and relational trust on business-to-business (B2B) brand equity.Design/methodology/approachData collection was conducted among the clients of one of the Big Four auditing firms in Sweden. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized effects.FindingsThe results demonstrate positive effects of human capital and relational trust on the core dimensions of brand equity. In the context of the professional services, human capital was found to have a stronger direct impact than relational trust on brand associations, perceived quality and brand loyalty.Practical implicationsThe study provides practical recommendations for marketing managers on how to consider the nature of B2B brand equity and its determinants in developing successful branding strategies. The findings indicate that although relational trust has a positive impact on brand equity, it draws on the clients’ positive perceptions of the service providers’ human capital. Thus, investments that generate positive perceptions of a service provider’s human capital will strengthen its competitive position. Leading to the creation of relational trust and having a strong impact on the dimensions of brand equity, human capital is a strategic asset that needs careful management.Originality/valueThe study advances extant knowledge on B2B brand equity by examining contextual conditions and factors that are critical for building strong brands in industrial markets. The study demonstrates that clients’ perceptions about the knowledge, skills and abilities of service providers are more important than relational trust for enhancing B2B brand equity.
Towards understanding customer loyalty: An empirical study on emotional attachment

Customer loyalty is considered to be one of the most important objectives of a firm today. However, despite all the efforts of companies, ‘loyal’ customers still seem to want to switch to competition. Researchers believe that this is due to the way we measure and classify loyalty. Three different methods have emerged, behavioral loyalty, attitudinal loyalty, and emotional attachment. Research points out that emotional attachment is the best, producing the greatest results for firms. Unfortunately, not much is known about what distinguishes emotionally attached customers from those with positive attitudes. This research seeks to clarify this distinction. The research was conducted through four case studies, through in-depth interview with 40 loyal customers in two cultural settings (individualist vs. collectivist). The research has found that there are a number of key factors that are important in identifying these two types of customers. Many of the factors are concurrent with past research; however, past research was not able to identify the intensity of these factors. Moreover, the research has also discovered factors that lead some customers to become emotionally attached, whereas others remain in ‘lower’ categories. The findings of this research are crucial to both managers as well as researchers. Managers can use this data to improve their understanding of the types of loyal customers within their organization, and thereby develop appropriate marketing strategies. For researchers, it builds a foundation for further research into this area to enhance our understanding of this phenomenon.
Temperament and response to the Trier Social Stress Test

Objective: The personality characteristics behavioural inhibition and neuroticism have been associated with mood and anxiety disorders and, in some studies, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. We recently reported that low levels of Novelty Seeking were associated with elevated plasma cortisol responses to the dexamethasone/corticotropin‐releasing hormone (Dex/CRH) test in healthy adults with no psychiatric disorder. The present study tested the association between temperament and HPA axis function in the same group of subjects using a standardized psychosocial neuroendocrine stress test.
A Targeted Multilocus Genotyping Assay for Lineage, Serogroup, and Epidemic Clone Typing of Listeria monocytogenes

ABSTRACT A 30-probe assay was developed for simultaneous classification of Listeria monocytogenes isolates by lineage (I to IV), major serogroup (4b, 1/2b, 1/2a, and 1/2c), and epidemic clone (EC) type (ECI, ECIa, ECII, and ECIII). The assay was designed to facilitate rapid strain characterization and the integration of subtype data into risk-based inspection programs.
The Human Retrosplenial Cortex and Thalamus Code Head Direction in a Global Reference Frame

Spatial navigation is a multisensory process involving integration of visual and body-based cues. In rodents, head direction (HD) cells, which are most abundant in the thalamus, integrate these cues to code facing direction. Human fMRI studies examining HD coding in virtual environments (VE) have reported effects in retrosplenial complex and (pre-)subiculum, but not the thalamus. Furthermore, HD coding appeared insensitive to global landmarks. These tasks, however, provided only visual cues for orientation, and attending to global landmarks did not benefit task performance. In the present study, participants explored a VE comprising four separate locales, surrounded by four global landmarks. To provide body-based cues, participants wore a head-mounted display so that physical rotations changed facing direction in the VE. During subsequent MRI scanning, subjects saw stationary views of the environment and judged whether their orientation was the same as in the preceding trial. Parameter estimates extracted from retrosplenial cortex and the thalamus revealed significantly reduced BOLD responses when HD was repeated. Moreover, consistent with rodent findings, the signal did not continue to adapt over repetitions of the same HD. These results were supported by a whole-brain analysis showing additional repetition suppression in the precuneus. Together, our findings suggest that: (1) consistent with the rodent literature, the human thalamus may integrate visual and body-based, orientation cues; (2) global reference frame cues can be used to integrate HD across separate individual locales; and (3) immersive training procedures providing full body-based cues may help to elucidate the neural mechanisms supporting spatial navigation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In rodents, head direction (HD) cells signal facing direction in the environment via increased firing when the animal assumes a certain orientation. Distinct brain regions, the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) and thalamus, code for visual and vestibular cues of orientation, respectively. Putative HD signals have been observed in human RSC but not the thalamus, potentially because body-based cues were not provided. Here, participants encoded HD in a novel virtual environment while wearing a head-mounted display to provide body-based cues for orientation. In subsequent fMRI scanning, we found evidence of an HD signal in RSC, thalamus, and precuneus. These findings harmonize rodent and human data, and suggest that immersive training procedures provide a viable way to examine the neural basis of navigation.
Pathogenesis of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Virion Host Shutoff (vhs) Mutants

ABSTRACT During lytic infection, the virion host shutoff (vhs) protein mediates the rapid degradation of mRNA and the shutoff of host protein synthesis. In vivo, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) mutants lacking vhs activity are profoundly attenuated. Homologs of vhs exist in all of the neurotropic herpesviruses, and the goal of this study was to determine the virulence of HSV-2 mutants lacking vhs. Two HSV-2 recombinants were used in this study: 333-vhsB, which has a lacZ cassette inserted into the N terminus of vhs, and 333d41, which has a 939-bp deletion in vhs. As expected, both 333-vhsB and 333d41 failed to induce the cellular RNA degradation characteristic of HSV. Corneal, vaginal, and intracerebral routes of infection were used to study pathogenesis. Both viruses grew to significantly lower titers in the corneas, trigeminal ganglia, vaginas, dorsal root ganglia, spinal cords, and brains of mice than wild-type and rescue viruses, with a correspondingly reduced induction of disease. Both viruses, however, reactivated efficiently from explanted trigeminal ganglia, showing that vhs is dispensable for reactivation. The lethality of 333d41 following peripheral infection of mice, however, was significantly higher than that of 333-vhsB, suggesting that some of the attenuation of 333-vhsB may be due to the presence of a lacZ cassette in the vhs locus. Taken together, these data show that vhs represents an important determinant of HSV-2 pathogenesis and have implications for the design of HSV-2 recombinants and vaccines.
Topographic controls on soil nitrogen availability in a lowland tropical forest

Geomorphic position often correlates with nutrient cycling across landscapes. In tropical forests, topography is known to influence phosphorus (P) availability, but its effect on nitrogen (N) cycling has received less exploration, especially in lowland forests where widespread N richness is frequently assumed. Here, we report significant effects of topographic slope and landscape position on multiple aspects of the N cycle across a highly dissected lowland tropical forest on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. A suite of N cycle metrics measured along a topographic sequence revealed a distinct gradient in N availability. Values of soil δ15N, inorganic N pools, net nitrification rates, and nitrification potentials were all substantially lower on a flanking steep hillslope (~28°) compared to a relatively flat ridge top (~6°), indicating lower N availability and a less open N cycle in steep parts of the landscape. Slope soils also hosted smaller total carbon and nitrogen stocks and notably less weathered soil min.
The Role of Wild Cards Analysis in Foresight Studies: The Case of Russia

The wild cards conception as an element of foresight studies has been widely discussed by numerous scholars who have interest and qualification in strategic management field or STI policies from the end of the previous century. Some researchers focus their attention on the general key features of this phenomenon and its overall impact as well as origin, while others study possible applications of wild cards analysis in corporate and government sectors. The purpose of this research is to systematize knowledge about wild cards, determine their role in foresight practices and suggest an instrument for their detection and implementation into foresight research. For this reason, on the basis of a number of national and international foresight projects, we developed existing methodological approaches of wild cards identification, analysis and visual presentation. The results of the study were applied to Russian S&T Foresight 2030.
Urological Presentation in Zika Virus Infection: A Forgotten Issue

Zika virus infection is an important problem at present. The clinical presentation of Zika virus infection is usually mild or asymptomatic but it can also induce the neurological complication and teratogenic problem. In urology, the problem due to Zika virus infection is little mentioned [1]. Focusing on the reported cases of Zika virus infection, the urological problem is not significant. Nevertheless, some cases might have the urological presentation. The problem is usually relating to the problem of thrombocytopenia due to the infection and the patients might have hematuria as a clinical presentation [2]. Indeed, the urine examination in the patients infected with Zika virus is usually normal. However, the Zika virus exists in urine and the examination by advanced laboratory can help diagnose the infection [3]. The positive urine sample can be observed in case with negative serum sample [4]. According to the report by Zea-Vera and Parra, “urinary tract virus excretion at 7th day after disease onset” was observed [4]. The exact pathology of urinary tract due to Zika virus infection is still unknown. However, there is a recent animal model study on this topic. It was seen that the virus could exist in testis and might imply some clinical importance [5-7]. Chan et al. concluded that “inflammation of various tissues, especially orchitis, may be potential complications of Zika virus infection with significant implications on disease transmission and male fertility [5]. ” Ma et al. found that the alteration of cytokine in animal model could be the pathogenesis of male genitourinary problem [6]. Ma, et al. concluded that “Our study demonstrates a correlation between ZIKV and testis infection/damage and suggests that Zika virus infection, under certain circumstances, can eventually lead to male infertility [6]. ” Nevertheless, these observations might not directly imply that there will be the problem in human. A long term follow-up of human cases for the problem is required [7].
The mechanism of solute transport by the gall‐bladder

In the preceding paper (Diamond, 1962a) it was shown that an absorption of isotonic NaCl, similar to that observed in many other epithelia, is the biological driving force by which the gall-bladder concentrates bile. The present paper will be concerned with the active and passivemechanisms by which solutes cross the gall-bladder in vitro; the mechanism of water transport will be deferred to the following paper. When an epithelial membrane which transports salt and water separates two identical solutions, it has invariably been found that an electrical potential difference (p.d.) is set up across the membrane under at least some experimental conditions. For example, the inside of frog skin becomes positive by up to 130 mV, and this p.d. is due exclusively to active transport of Na+ inwards. The p.d. carries Clinwards passively, hence active transport of Na is sufficient to account for the transport of NaCl effected by frog skin (Ussing & Zerahn, 1951). In numerous other tissues the side of the preparation towards which NaCl is transported becomes positive by 20-130 mV, owing to active Na transport (e.g. large intestine, foetal stomach, urinary bladder, placenta, rumen, and kidney proximal tubule). In a few cases where the p.d. has the opposite sign, active transport of Cl has been demonstrated (e.g. stomach, bethanecholstimulated intestine, and adrenaline-stimulated frog skin). Thus, the sign of the p.d. between identical solutions provides a simple test as to the mechanism of salt transport. In the gall-bladder it has turned out unexpectedly that active salt transport is not associated with any measureable electrical p.d. and that this organ provides the first instance of an apparently neutral NaCl pump. In addition, symmetrical permeability characteristics make the gallbladder a favourable system for testing the ability of the constant-field equation to predict tracer fluxes.
Epidemiologic evidence for multiple sclerosis as an infection

The worldwide distribution of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be described within three zones of frequency: high, medium, and low. The disease has a predilection for white races and for women. Migration studies show that changing residence changes MS risk. Studies of persons moving from high- to low-risk areas indicate that in the high-risk areas, MS is acquired by about age 15. Moves from low- to high-risk areas suggest that susceptibility is limited to persons between about ages 11 and 45. MS on the Faroe Islands has occurred as four successive epidemics beginning in 1943. The disease appears to have been introduced by British troops who occupied the islands for 5 years from 1940, and it has remained geographically localized within the Faroes for half a century. What was introduced must have been an infection, called the primary MS affection (PMSA), that was spread to and from successive cohorts of Faroese. In this concept, PMSA is a single widespread systemic infectious disease (perhaps asymptomatic) that only seldom leads to clinical neurologic MS. PMSA is also characterized by a need for prolonged exposure, limited age of susceptibility, and prolonged incubation. I believe that clinical MS is the rare late outcome of a specific, but unknown, infectious disease of adolescence and young adulthood and that this infection could well be caused by a thus-far-unidentified (retro)virus.
Phase Noise in Time Domain ADC Testing

The results of ADC dynamic testing are strongly dependent on test signal purity. From this reason, the spectral purity of the most common ADC test signal, sine wave, is often improved mostly by analog filters. Such analog signal processing can essentially suppress harmonic and spurious components but not phase noise. The effects of phase noise are therefore discussed in this paper and a possible way of low-frequency phase noise suppression in the time domain is proposed and an example shown.
Factors affecting the adoption of sustainable process technologies: The manufacturing industries in the German context

To reach the SDG goals 12 and 13, formulated by the United Nations in 2012, especially companies of the manufacturing industries are requested to increase the sustainability of their production processes. Previous studies have assessed the factors that lead towards the adoption of sustainable process technologies with which this is achieved, from different perspectives. In a triangulation process consisting of a literature review comparison and a mixed-methods analysis, including an interview-based qualitative and a survey-based quantitative analysis, the influence of six of these factors is evaluated. The results show that state regulation is an important factor that pushes companies to adopt these technologies. Furthermore, Financial and Technological capabilities work as necessary conditions that have to be met before an adoption can take place. Additionally, the size of a firm functions as a pre-condition that in the end also yields positive influences in that matter. Contrary, Financial costs, meaning a disadvantageous cost-benefit ratio, shows a negative influence and furthermore an interaction with the regulation factor. This means that where the adoption of sustainable process technologies is economically not reasonable, regulation pressures become more important. Besides the findings, theoretical implications and practical recommendations are provided.
Decoupling CEO Wealth and Firm Performance: The Case of Acquiring CEOS

We explore how compensation policies following mergers affect a CEO's incentives to pursue a merger. We find that even in mergers where bidding shareholders are worse off, bidding CEOs are better off three quarters of the time. Following a merger, a CEO's pay and overall wealth become insensitive to negative stock performance, but a CEO's wealth rises in step with positive stock performance. Corporate governance matters; bidding firms with stronger boards retain the sensitivity of their CEOs' compensation to poor performance following the merger. In comparison, we find that CEOs are not rewarded for undertaking major capital expenditures. Copyright 2007 by The American Finance Association.
The effects of social norms on motivation crowding: experimental evidence from the Tibetan Plateau

Literature on motivation crowding of financial incentives points to a potential role of social norms, but this literature has not attempted to quantify that role. We present an interdisciplinary model from economics and communication science that measures the effects of financial incentives on social norms and their joint effects on behavior, including after incentives have ended. In a framed field experiment with Tibetan herders in Qinghai, China, we find that a temporary payment for participation in a patrol against illegal wildlife trapping reinforces a perceived injunctive norm that this conservation behavior meets with social approval. This norm remains heightened even after the payment has ended, continuing to positively influence the decision to participate in anti-trapping patrols in the experiment. This finding suggests that, under certain circumstances, a carefully framed incentive for conservation behavior can support injunctive norms in favor of conservation behavior.
Long term compliance with California’s Smoke-Free Workplace Law among bars and restaurants in Los Angeles County

Objective: To assess long term compliance with the California Smoke-Free Workplace Law in Los Angeles County freestanding bars and bar/restaurants. Design: Population based annual site inspection survey of a random sample of Los Angeles County freestanding bars and bar/restaurants was conducted from 1998 to 2002. Main outcome measures: The primary outcomes of interest were patron and employee smoking. The secondary outcomes of interest were the presence of ashtrays and designated outdoor smoking areas. Results: Significant increases in patron non-smoking compliance were found for freestanding bars (45.7% to 75.8%, p < 0.0001) and bar/restaurants (92.2% to 98.5%, p < 0.0001) between 1998 and 2002. Increases in employee non-smoking compliance were found for freestanding bars (86.2% to 94.7%, p < 0.0003) and bar/restaurants (96.5% to 99.2%, p < 0.005). Conclusions: This study provides clear evidence that the California Smoke-Free Workplace Law has been effective at reducing patron and employee smoking in Los Angeles County bars and restaurants. Recommendations include educational campaigns targeted to freestanding bar owners and staff to counter perceptions of lost revenue, more rigorous enforcement, and more severe penalties for repeat violators such as alcohol licence revocation. Policymakers can enact smoke-free restaurant and bar policies to protect employees and patrons from secondhand smoke, confident that these laws can be successfully implemented.