Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Impacts of Service Guarantee Strategy in the Casual Restaurant Sector

(ABSTRACT) This study examined the impacts of service guarantees in terms of consumers' perceived risks, loyalty, and word-of-mouth intent in the casual dining restaurant segment. In addition, the study investigated what type of service guarantee consumers preferred. A total of seven research hypotheses were developed on the basis of relevant literature review. In an effort to test the research hypotheses, a scenario method was developed. A total of seven research scenarios were created based on the Virginia Tech web survey system, which allows subjects to complete the survey online. The subjects of the study were Virginia Tech Faculty. The scenarios were sent to faculty members via e-mail during the month of September. The results of the study are striking: 5 research hypotheses are supported, 1 research hypothesis is partially supported, and only 1 research hypothesis is rejected. The results of the study suggest that a well-executed service guarantee could reduce consumers' perceived risks, raise consumers' intent to complain, and increase positive word-of-mouth and loyalty. Furthermore, the results of the study indicate that a specific service guarantee is much more effective in reducing consumers' perceived risks, and increasing consumers' intent to claim initial service failures, in comparison to those of an unconditional service guarantee in the casual dining restaurant industry. On the other hand, a service guarantee which was executed poorly resulted in reducing consumers' loyalty and increasing consumers' negative word-of-iii mouth. In addition, the results of the study suggest that a service guarantee offered by independent restaurants could be a competitive advantage over a brand restaurant not offering a service guarantee. Overall, the results of the study suggest that a carefully designed, specific service guarantee could be a competitive advantage for independent restaurant operators in the competitive business environment. my family and my wife for their consistent encouragement and support. This dissertation is a study that extrapolates the impacts of the service guarantee in the casual restaurant sector by investigating critical factors which could impact the service guarantee model. The critical factors which restaurant operators need to consider in developing a service guarantee include consumers' perceived risk, word-of-mouth intent, and complaint behaviors. The study investigates how theses factors are interrelated with each other. More specifically, the study attempts to identify how the service guarantee impacts consumers in their pre-purchase evaluation as a risk-reliever. In addition, this study investigates whether an effective service guarantee reduces consumers' negative word-of-mouth intent, while it …
Quantitative changes of extravillous trophoblast cells in placentas of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Abstract In the present study, quantitative changes of extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs) in the placentas of SLE patients were investigated compared to healthy controls using stereological methods. Volumetric parameters and number of EVTs per unit volume of the placenta were estimated respectively, using Cavalieri’s principle and Physical Disector stereological methods. Placental volume in the SLE group was increased compared to the control group, but this increase was not statistically significant (p > .05). Placental weight in the patient group showed a significant decrease compared to controls (p < .05). Total volume of EVTs, diameter and volume of the nucleus and cytoplasm and the N/C ratio of EVTs in the SLE group showed a significant increase compared to the controls (p < .05). In SLE placentas the total number of EVTs per unit volume of the placenta was increased significantly compared to the control group (p < .05). Impact statement In the present study, there is a new insight to placenta structure that may be useful in understanding possible mechanisms of pregnancy complications and the achievement of new therapeutic strategies. In the present study, for the first time quantitative changes of extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs) in the placental bed of SLE patients were investigated compared to healthy controls using stereological methods. Results showed that volumetric parameters and number of EVTs were significantly altered in SLE placentas. These changes can be associated with disturbances in trophoblastic invasion in SLE pregnancies and may affect the development and survival of the embryo. Further investigation on the molecular biology of these cells in pregnancy complications will be needed to clarify this hypothesis.
Forced organization of flute-type turbulence by convective cell injection.

Etude des interactions non lineaires entre la turbulence de type flute et une cellule convective excitee dans un plasma fortement magnetise. Pendant l'interaction, le spectre du nombre de mode azimutal de la turbulence est deforme et l'evolution du large spectre indique une cascade inverse. Une structure organisee se cree dans la turbulence, resultant d'une modification dans la phase et l'amplitude des fluctuations. Le comportement macroscopique est bien explique par une equation de type Van der Pol
Basal tolerance to heat and cold exposure of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii

The spotted wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is a new pest in Europe and America which causes severe damages, mostly to stone fruit crops. Temperature and humidity are among the most important abiotic factors governing insect development and fitness. In many situations, temperature can become stressful thus compromising survival. The ability to cope with thermal stress depends on basal level of thermal tolerance. Basic knowledge on temperature-dependent mortality of D. suzukii is essential to facilitate management of this pest. The objective of the present study was to investigate D. suzukii basal cold and heat tolerance. Adults and pupae were subjected to six low temperatures (−5–7.5 °C) and seven high temperatures (30–37 °C) for various durations, and survival-time-temperature relationships were investigated. Data showed that males were globally more cold tolerant than females. At temperature above 5 °C, adult cold mortality became minor even after prolonged exposures (e.g., only 20% mortality after one month at 7.5 °C). Heat tolerance of males was lower than that of females at the highest tested temperatures (34, 35 and 37 °C). Pupae appeared much less cold tolerant than adults at all temperatures (e.g., Lt50 at 5° C: 4–5 d for adults vs. 21 h for pupae). Pupae were more heat tolerant than adults at the most extreme high temperatures (e.g., Lt50 at 37 °C: 30 min for adults vs. 4 h for pupae). The pupal thermal tolerance was further investigated under low vs. high humidity. Low relative humidity did not affect pupal cold survival, but it reduced survival under heat stress. Overall, this study shows that survival of D. suzukii under heat and cold conditions can vary with stress intensity, duration, humidity, sex and stage, and the methodological approach used here, which was based on thermal tolerance landscapes, provides a comprehensive description of D. suzukiithermal tolerance and limits.
Deletions in the SH2 domain of p60v-src prevent association with the detergent-insoluble cellular matrix

p60v-src has been shown to associate with a detergent-insoluble cellular matrix containing cytoskeletal proteins, but p60c-src does not bind to this matrix. We analyzed the association of mutant src proteins with the matrix and found that mutants which lack an amino-terminal portion (residues 149 to 169) of the SH2 domain cannot bind to the matrix. Neither the SH3 region nor other portions of the SH2 region were required for association. We also tested protein kinase-defective mutants and chimeras of p60v-src and p60c-src. We found a strong correlation between the kinase activity of p60src and its association with the detergent-insoluble matrix. Double infection of kinase-defective and kinase-active mutants did not result in matrix binding of the kinase-defective src proteins. We also found that Tyr-416, the major site of autophosphorylation in p60v-src, was not required for matrix association.
EEG changes in 4-week-old lambs in response to castration, tail docking and mulesing.

OBJECTIVE To interpret changes in EEG in relation to perceived pain of castration, mulesing and docking in lambs. DESIGN Analysis of covariance (randomised block design) to determine the effects of treatment on eight bandwidths of the EEG frequency spectrum. PROCEDURE Ninety-eight, 3- to 4-week-old lambs were subjected to one of seven treatments: castration, tail docking, mulesing, ear tagging, sham shearing, formalin injection (to induce lameness) and handling. EEG was recorded for 15 min before treatment, during treatment, and for 15 min after treatment. RESULTS Consistently lower mean power values across all bandwidths of the EEG were found at the time of mulesing and docking than at handling and shearing (P < 0.01). Formalin injection resulted in lower power values than handling and shearing (P < 0.01). Castration had lower power values than handling and shearing. Similarly, for 15 min after treatment, mulesing and formalin injection had significantly lower power values than handling, shearing, ear tagging and castration (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The consistent effects associated with mulesing, docking and castration compared to handling, shearing and ear tagging suggest that mulesing at both the time of treatment and during 15 min after treatment results in a response that is similar to that of induced lameness. Docking and castration result in a response at the time of treatment that is similar to induced lameness and mulesing, but during 15 min after treatment is similar to the non-noxious control treatments. However, the depressing effects on the mean power values are the reverse of that anticipated from a previously developed pain model, highlighting the need for further research to develop this technology to evaluate pain associated with husbandry procedures.
Characterization and Pathogenicity of Alternaria burnsii from Seeds of Cucurbita maxima (Cucurbitaceae) in Bangladesh

Abstract In the course of survey of endophytic fungi from Bangladesh pumpkin seeds in 2011~2012, two strains (CNU111042 and CNU111043) with similar colony characteristics were isolated and characterized by their morphology and by molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer, glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd), and Alternaria allergen a1 (Alt a1) sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of all three sequences and their combined dataset revealed that the fungus formed a subclade within the A. alternata clade, matching A. burnsii and showing differences with its other closely related Alternaria species, such as A. longipes, A. tomato, and A. tomaticola. Long ellipsoid, obclavate or ovoid beakless conidia, shorter and thinner conidial size (16~60 [90] × 6.5~14 [~16] μm) distinguish this fungus from other related species. These isolates showed more transverse septation (2~11) and less longitudinal septation (0~3) than did other related species. Moreover, the isolate did not produce any diffusible pigment on media. Therefore, our results reveal that the newly recorded fungus from a new host, Cucurbita maxima, is Alternaria burnsii Uppal, Patel & Kamat.
The instrumented timed up and go test: potential outcome measure for disease modifying therapies in Parkinson's disease

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test has been used to assess balance and mobility in Parkinson's Disease (PD). However, it is not known if this test is sensitive to subtle abnormalities present in early stages of the disease, when balance and gait problems are not clinically evident but may be detected with instrumented analysis of movement. We hypothesise that postural transitions and arm swing during gait will be the most sensitive characteristics of the TUG for early PD. In the present study, we instrumented the TUG test (iTUG) using portable inertial sensors, and extended the walking distance from 3 m (traditional TUG) to 7 m. Twelve subjects with early-to-moderate, untreated PD and 12 healthy individuals participated. Our findings show that although the stopwatch measure of TUG duration did not detect any abnormalities in early-to-mid-stage PD, the peak arm swing velocity on the more affected side, average turning velocity, cadence and peak trunk rotation velocity were significantly slower. These iTUG parameters were also correlated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Motor Scale. Thus, the iTUG test is sensitive to untreated PD and could potentially detect progression of PD and response to symptomatic and disease-modifying treatments.
The Spillover Effects of MD&A Disclosures for Real Investment: The Role of Product Market Competition

We explore the association between a company’s investments and the tone of its peers’ MDA we ask whether the direction and the strength of this association is affected by product market competition. We find that the direction of the association can differ according to whether investing companies and disclosing peers in a product market have positive or negative interdependencies. Moreover, we document that the strength of the association between a company’s investments and the tone of its peers’ MD&A disclosures varies with product market fundamentals: the association is stronger when entry costs are lower, the product market is larger and products are less substitutable. Finally, we show that our results regarding investments generally carry over to investment efficiency.
The Fit of Gold-alloy Full-crown Castings Made with Pre-wetted Casting Ring Liners

Measurements were made of the fit of full-crown gold-alloy castings produced with two types of pre-wetted ring liner (asbestos and cellulose) and a typical gypsum-bonded investment (Cristobalite Inlay, Sybron/Kerr Products, Romulus, MI; W/P = 0.40). Laboratory measurements were made of the effects of the liners on potential investment expansion, and properties of the lining materials considered relevant to casting accuracy were also measured. There was a wide variation in values for mean dimensional inaccuracy. One liner produced a series of castings all of whose inaccuracies lay within the range ± 0.1%, with a mean value of + 0.01%. With the other five liners, all or most castings were undersize. With three, all or most castings showed inaccuracies worse than -0.2%. The values for casting inaccuracy with the various liners showed a probable correlation with potential investment expansion (p < 0.05); however, no correlation was found between casting inaccuracy and any apparently relevant liner properties, alone or in combination. In casting techniques which use a pre-wetted ring liner, the choice of a specific lining material is an important factor which has a significant effect on casting inaccuracy. With at least three of the six liners tested, a higher investment expansion was needed for accurate full-crown castings to be ensured.
Evolution of the USF/CMS CODAR and WERA HF radar network

In an effort to improve our understanding on the workings of the coastal ocean for a variety of environmental applications and to improve upon forecasts of storm surge for residents along the West Coast of Florida, the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science (USF/CMS) established a real-time Coastal Ocean Monitoring Prediction System (COMPS) for the West Florida Shelf region. COMPS http://comps.marine. usf.edu program assets consist of arrays of offshore buoys and coastal tidal stations for surface meteorology and in-water measurement of temperature, salinity, and currents, and sea level; along with five High Frequency (HF) radar sites for offshore surface-current velocity field measurements. This paper will discuss the evolution of the USF/CMS HF Radar Network, consisting of three Direction Finding (DF) CODAR long-range SeaSonde HF radars and two Phased Array (PA) WERA systems with one site containing co-located CODAR and WERA systems; the first and only co-located and operational site in America.
LOCAL REGULATION OF ANION SECRETION BY PITUITARY ADENYLATE CYCLASE‐ACTIVATING POLYPEPTIDE IN HUMAN COLONIC T84 CELLS

Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a novel hypothalamic peptide, which has been shown to exert various functions in a number of tissues, including exocrine and endocrine tissues. The present study investigated the role of local PACAP in the control of anion secretion by the human colonic T84 cell. Both bioactive forms of PACAP‐27 and PACAP‐38 gave rise to a dose‐dependent increase in the short‐circuit current (ISC). However, there was a reversal in the order of potency observed at different concentration ranges for the two bioactive forms. PACAP‐27 was greater than PACAP‐38 when the peptide concentrations were below 10n m; PACAP‐38 was greater than PACAP‐27 in the range of 10–80n m. The effects of both PACAP forms were restricted to the apical aspect of the T84 cell. The ISCresponses to both PACAP‐27 and PACAP‐38 were suppressed respectively by the non‐selective Cl−channel blocker, diphenylamine‐dicarboxylic acid (DPC), by the Ca2+dependent Cl−channel blocker, diisothiocyanatostilbene‐disulfonic acid (DIDS) and by the Ca2+chelator, BAPTA‐AM, indicating the involvement of Ca2+. The expression of PACAP was demonstrated and localized specifically to the perinuclear cytoplasm of the T84 cell using immunocytochemistry, indicating its epithelial origin. Thus, the present data suggest that, in addition to the well‐known cAMP‐dependent pathway, PACAP may play a role in regulating colonic Cl−secretion via a Ca2+‐dependent pathway, perhaps through two distinct PACAP receptor subtypes. Moreover, the regulation of anion secretion by T84 cells may be mediated by locally formed PACAP in an autocrine or paracrine fashion.
Historical and Current Implications of Cataloguing Quality for Next-Generation Catalogues

Discussions of quality in library cataloguing are traced from early library science literature to current debates. Three studies that examine dimensions of quality cataloguing in academic libraries, public libraries, and school libraries and a review of vendor processes update the issues surrounding a definition of bibliographic record quality and quality assurance processes. The implications of perceptions of bibliographic record quality on next-generation catalogues are presented with emphasis on the shift in the cataloguer's judgment from rigid standards for transcription to meeting the requirement for more metadata that matches the user need of find-ability.
Environment-Strategy Relationship and its Performance Implications: An Empirical Study of Chinese Electronics Industry

This study examined the strategy-environment-performance paradigm in a centrally planned economy (People's Republic of China) in transition to a more market-driven economy. Based on a survey of top Chinese managers in the electronics industry, it was found that during this course of transformation, firms exhibited distinctive strategies despite a long tradition of central planning, and these strategies were significantly related to perceived environmental uncertainty. Specifically, managers' perceptions of increased environmental uncertainty were found to be negatively related to proactive strategies and positively related to defensive strategies. Defensive strategies were also linked to higher performance.
On the sustainability of currency boards: Evidence from Argentina and Hong Kong

This paper examines the sustainability of the currency board arrangements in Argentina and Hong Kong. We employ a Markov switching model with two regimes to infer the exchange rate pressure due to economic fundamentals and market expectations. The empirical results suggest that economic fundamentals and expectations are key determinants of a currency board’s sustainability. We also show that the government’s credibility played a more important role in Argentina than in Hong Kong. The trade surplus, real exchange rate and inflation rate were more important drivers of the sustainability of the Hong Kong currency board.
Upregulation of a small vault RNA (svtRNA2-1a) is an early event in Parkinson disease and induces neuronal dysfunction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and other small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, playing key roles in neuronal development, plasticity, and disease. Transcriptome deregulation caused by miRNA dysfunction has been associated to neurodegenerative diseases. Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease showing deregulation of the coding and small non-coding transcriptome. On profiling sncRNA in PD brain areas differently affected, we found that upregulation of a small vault RNA (svtRNA2-1a) is widespread in PD brains, occurring early in the course of the disease (at pre-motor stages). SvtRNA2-1a biogenesis was dependent on Dicer activity on its precursor (vtRNA2-1) but independent of Drosha endonuclease, unlike the canonical miRNAs. Although endogenous svtRNA2-1a was enriched in Ago-2 immunoprecipitates in differentiated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells, overexpression of svtRNA2-1a induced subtle transcriptomic changes, suggesting that gene expression regulation may involve other mechanisms than mRNA decay only. Function enrichment analysis of the genes deregulated by svtRNA2-1a overexpression or svtRNA2-1a predicted targets identified pathways related to nervous system development and cell type specification. The expression pattern of svtRNA2-1a during development and aging of the human brain and the detrimental consequences of a svtRNA2-1a mimic overexpression in neuronal cells further indicate that low svtRNA2-1a levels may be important for the maintenance of neurons. Our results suggest that early svtRNA2-1a upregulation in PD may contribute to perturbations of gene expression networks, underlying metabolic impairment and cell dysfunction. A better understanding of the pathways regulated by svtRNA2-a, and also the mechanisms regulating its expression should facilitate the identification of new targets for therapeutic approaches in PD.
Visualization and genetic manipulation of adult neurogenesis using transgenic mice

Many laboratories have focused efforts on the creation of transgenic mouse models to study adult neurogenesis. In the last decade several constitutive reporter, as well as inducible transgenic lines have been published that allowed for visualization, tracking and alteration of specific neurogenic cell populations in the adult brain. Given the popularity of this approach, multiple mouse lines are available, and this review summarizes the differences in the basic techniques that have been used to create these mice, highlighting the different constructs and reporter proteins used, as well as the strengths and limitations of each of these models. Representative examples from the literature demonstrate some of the diverse and seminal findings that have come to fruition through the laborious, yet highly rewarding work of creating transgenic mouse lines for adult neurogenesis research.
Solution of equation of self-coordinated beam dynamics in dielectric wakefield structures

An analytical solution of self-coordinated beam dynamics equation is developed. The high current relativistic electronic bunches are used for generation of wake fields in wakefield structures with dielectric filling. Propagation under influence of both own beam created by dipole modes of Cherenkov field and outer focusing and deflecting fields is investigated. The received solutions can be used for a fast assessment of flight range of a bunch in dielectric wakefield structure.