Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cause-related sport marketing: an organizing framework and knowledge development opportunities

ABSTRACT Research questions: How should cause-related sport marketing (CRSM) campaigns be conceptualized? How can they be made more effective? How can their performance be measured? In what ways are they different from general cause-related marketing (CRM) campaigns? Research methods: This paper provides a conceptual contribution through the introduction of an organizing framework to explore CRSM. Results and findings: This paper develops an organizing framework of CRSM, identifying and addressing gaps in the sport literature. Utilizing this framework, the paper introduces several propositions centered on the mediating effects of campaign-related consumer perceptions (i.e. perceived fit, perceived motivation, and hedonic and utilitarian values) that serve to highlight the unique nature of sport as a cause marketing context. Specifically, we propose that the higher levels of identification with sport brands and higher levels of participative involvement in sport as well as the hedonic (versus utilitarian) nature of sport and success and failure in sport competition will moderate the impact of several campaign variables such as that of congruency among CRSM partners on perceived fit. Implications: This paper proposes a research agenda for a more comprehensive exploration of CRSM as well as managerial implications on factors that should be considered when planning CRSM campaigns.
Alternative Theories of Appraisal Bias

This paper reviews the literature on appraisal bias and summarizes three hypotheses for systematic bias: behavior contention, options-value, and different-base-of-valuation. A case study based in Hong Kong is presented that portrays empirical evidence of appraisal bias in land premiums. Land premium appraisals are analyzed because they can help keep the depreciation factor constant and provide good pairs of transaction price and estimate. These appraisals are collected from published estimates, which eliminate the client-agent heuristic. Among the 343 appraisals of land premiums for 109 auctions of land in Hong Kong from 1991 to 1999, evidence of an 8% systematic appraisal downward bias is found in appraisers' estimates against the final bid prices. Although it can be explained plausibly by appraiser-behavior contention, there is also empirical evidence supporting the other two hypotheses.
An Above-Elbow Prosthesis Employing Programmed Linkages

The use of EMG signals from residual muscles to control an above-elbow prosthesis has been tried, but presents many problems, not the least being that the prosthesis is under open-loop control. A more satisfactory control technique is extended physiological proprioception where the inherent proprioceptive feedback present within an intact joint is used to provide closed-loop control. We have developed a prototype of a self-contained above-elbow prosthesis which has electric-powered wrist and elbow joints controlled by an Intel 8751 microcomputer. Our technique is to control the positioning of this above-elbow prosthesis using the motion of the intact shoulder. Grasp, which does not involve positioning in space, is separately controlled using EMG signals from biceps and triceps muscles. The relationship between output (wrist and elbow positions) and input (shoulder position) can be set according to a program or linkage stored in the microcomputer memory. A choice from a range of linkages can enable the user to perform different tasks in different situations. We have verified experimentally that after an amputee has learned to associate the position of the wrist and elbow joints of the prosthesis with his shoulder position, the prosthesis will become a very useful aid. Also, because of the repeatability of operation and the inherent closed-loop nature of the prosthesis, the amputee will be motivated to wear it every day.
The association of dietary quality with colorectal cancer among normal weight, overweight and obese men and women: a prospective longitudinal study in the USA

Objective Lower body mass index (BMI) and higher dietary quality reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). A full understanding of how these associations vary by sex and weight is lacking. Methods We used data from the National Institutes of Health - American Association of Retired Persons (NIH)-AARP) Diet and Health Study for 398 458 persons who were 50–71 years old in 1995–1996 and followed through 2006. Exposures were dietary quality as reflected by the Mediterranean Diet, the Healthy Eating Index-2010 and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score, stratified by BMI category. The outcome was CRC diagnosis from cancer registry data. Cox regression models were adjusted for disease risk factors. Results Over a mean duration of 123 months of follow-up, there were 6515 new diagnoses of CRC (1953 among the normal weight, 2924 among the overweight and 1638 among the obese; 4483 among men and 2032 among women). For normal weight and overweight men, we found a strong dose–response pattern for the association of increasing quintile of dietary quality with decreasing risk of CRC; this pattern was observed for obese men as well, but less consistently across the three measures of dietary quality. The findings were of smaller magnitude and less consistent for women but still suggesting associations of similar direction. Conclusion We observed that increased dietary quality was associated with lower risk of incident CRC up to 10 years later for men regardless of baseline weight category.
Efficient calculation of the Green's function in rectangular waveguides

An efficient calculation method is proposed for the potential Green's function in rectangular waveguides. The proposed method applies an efficient calculation method for the Green's function on periodic structures to the image series representation of the waveguide Green's function. As a result, exponential convergence has been achieved with increasing summation index. Several techniques are presented to minimize the number of terms to achieve a prescribed accuracy.
Size of Markets Versus Transport Costs in Industrial Location Surveys and Theory

THE distinction between the 'size of market' factor on the one hand and the 'transport cost' factor on the other is a very fine one, and only recently has the former been taken into account in location theory.2 At the beginning, it was given consideration only in the theory of spatial competition, and then as part of the broad subject of monopolistic competition. In turn, location theory proper followed the purely cost approach originated by von Thuinen3 and given rigorous formulation by Weber.4 Significantly, however, there is reference to what is called market orientation in all the leading treatises on the subject, both old5 and new,, a reference which traditionally made the one part of the other. Empirical studies by planning and research groups did, it is true, request respondents to evaluate the market and transport cost factor as if they were fully separable. But the terms were never defined and the individual respondents ascribed their own meanings to them. Illustrative of the resulting confusion was the tradition of designating that location which took place 'near to the consumer' as a location which deferred to the market factor, and this was accepted regardless of whether the motivation was a sales advantage due to proximity, the desire to control a special market, or a saving of transport costs. Indeed, the last usage became so common in traditional descriptions that the most prevalent explanation for market-oriented location was that it resulted in transport savings and this usually was said to take place when the raw materials gained weight as a result of fabrication.
SAUR36, a SMALL AUXIN UP RNA Gene, Is Involved in the Promotion of Leaf Senescence in Arabidopsis1[C][W][OA]

Summary: Auxin induces the expression of SAUR36 that positively regulates leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. Small Auxin Up RNA genes (SAURs) are early auxin-responsive genes, but whether any of them are involved in leaf senescence is not known. Auxin, on the other hand, has been shown to have a role in leaf senescence. Some of the external application experiments indicated that auxin can inhibit leaf senescence, whereas other experiments indicated that auxin can promote leaf senescence. Here, we report the identification and characterization of an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf senescence-associated gene named SAG201, which is highly up-regulated during leaf senescence and can be induced by 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, a synthetic auxin. It encodes a functionally uncharacterized SAUR that has been annotated as SAUR36. Leaf senescence in transfer DNA insertion saur36 knockout lines was delayed as revealed by analyses of chlorophyll content, Fv/Fm ratio (a parameter for photosystem II activity), ion leakage, and the expression of leaf senescence marker genes. In contrast, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing SAUR36 (without its 3′ untranslated region [UTR]) displayed an early leaf senescence phenotype. However, plants overexpressing SAUR36 with its 3′ UTR were normal and did not exhibit the early-senescence phenotype. These data suggest that SAUR36 is a positive regulator of leaf senescence and may mediate auxin-induced leaf senescence and that the 3′ UTR containing a highly conserved downstream destabilizes the SAUR36 transcripts in young leaves.
Coupled surface-acoustic-wave resonators

Coupled Surface-Acoustic-Wave (saw) grating resonators are investigated analytically with a transmission-matrix technique, and the measured frequency responses at ∼145 MHz of devices on YZ-LiNbO3 with Ti-diffused gratings are compared with the theoretical results. Coupled-mode theory is applied to derive the two-by-two transmission matrix relating the acoustic wave amplitudes at the input and output of a surface wave grating. Using the transmission matrices, the external transmission through a saw resonator is found by matrix multiplication. Some fundamental aspects of resonator passband synthesis are introduced by considering the transmission through several acoustically cascaded resonators. Resonator filters where the transducers couple directly to the resonant cavities are treated by developing a description of the transducer that is compatible with the transmission matrix of the grating. The analysis technique is then applied to the familiar two-port resonator-filter. Next, coupled resonator-pairs with a transducer in each cavity are considered in detail for: (i) collinear acoustic coupling, (ii) multistrip coupling, and (iii) transducer coupling. Experimental results are presented for each configuration considered and good agreement with the analytical description is found in each case.
High-grade dysplasia of the cystic duct margin in the absence of malignancy after cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND A total of 750,000 cholecystectomies are performed annually in the USA. No data exist on patients with microscopic high-grade dysplasia at the cystic duct margin and the associated incidence of cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS Pathology reports for 1992-2010 were reviewed for patients with high-grade dysplasia of the cystic duct margin in the absence of invasive gallbladder cancer. Clinical data were obtained from chart review. RESULTS Five patients with high-grade dysplasia at the cystic duct margin without evidence of malignancy were identified. Radiologic imaging was abnormal in two patients. The cystic duct stump was abnormally dilated in both patients and one patient had an enlarged portacaval lymph node. All five patients underwent exploration and resection of either the cystic duct stump or the bile duct. Specimens in four of the patients showed no evidence of malignancy or dysplasia. One patient was found to have a node-positive adenocarcinoma of the cystic duct. CONCLUSIONS High-grade dysplasia at the cystic duct margin without evidence of invasive gallbladder cancer is rare. Patients with this finding should undergo cross-sectional imaging and a diagnosis of an underlying cholangiocarcinoma should be considered, especially if imaging reveals any abnormalities.
Bacteriophage F336 Recognizes the Capsular Phosphoramidate Modification of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC11168

ABSTRACT Bacteriophages infecting the food-borne human pathogen Campylobacter jejuni could potentially be exploited to reduce bacterial counts in poultry prior to slaughter. This bacterium colonizes the intestinal tract of poultry in high numbers, and contaminated poultry meat is regarded as the major source of human campylobacteriosis. In this study, we used phage F336 belonging to the Myoviridae family to select a C. jejuni NCTC11168 phage-resistant strain, called 11168R, with the aim of investigating the mechanisms of phage resistance. We found that phage F336 has reduced adsorption to 11168R, thus indicating that the receptor is altered. While proteinase K-treated C. jejuni cells did not affect adsorption, periodate treatment resulted in reduced adsorption, suggesting that the phage binds to a carbohydrate moiety. Using high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we found that 11168R lacks an O-methyl phosphoramidate (MeOPN) moiety attached to the GalfNAc on the capsular polysaccharide (CPS), which was further confirmed by mass spectroscopy. Sequence analysis of 11168R showed that the potentially hypervariable gene cj1421, which encodes the GalfNAc MeOPN transferase, contains a tract of 10 Gs, resulting in a nonfunctional gene product. However, when 11168R reverted back to phage sensitive, cj1421 contained 9 Gs, and the GalfNAc MeOPN was regained in this strain. In summary, we have identified the phase-variable MeOPN moiety, a common component of the diverse capsular polysaccharides of C. jejuni, as a novel receptor of phages infecting this bacterium.
Hybrid Backscatter Communication for Wireless-Powered Heterogeneous Networks

In this paper, we propose hybrid backscatter communication for wireless-powered communication networks (WPCNs) to increase transmission range and provide uniform rate distribution in the heterogeneous network (HetNet) environment. In such HetNet, where the TV tower or high-power base station (macrocell) coexists with densely deployed small-power access points (e.g., small-cells or WiFi), users can operate in either bistatic scatter or ambient backscatter, or a hybrid of them, given that the harvested energy from the dedicated or ambient RF signals may not be sufficient enough to support the existing harvest-then-transmit protocol for WPCN, which is extended to the wireless-powered heterogeneous network (WPHetNet). Considering the hybrid and dual mode operation, we formulate a throughput maximization problem depending on the user location, namely Macro-zone or WiFi-zone. After performing the optimal time allocation for the above operation, we show that the proposed hybrid backscatter communication can increase the transmission range of WPHetNet, while achieving uniform rate distribution.
Inflammation and Clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis in Enteric and Nonenteric Mucosae

ABSTRACT Immunization(s) fostering the induction of genital mucosa-targeted immune effectors is the goal of vaccines against sexually transmitted diseases. However, it is uncertain whether vaccine administration should be based on the current assumptions about the common mucosal immune system. We investigated the relationship between mucosal sites of infection, infection-induced inflammation, and immune-mediated bacterial clearance in mice using the epitheliotropic pathogenChlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydial infection of the conjunctival, pulmonary, or genital mucosae stimulated significant changes in tissue architecture with dramatic up-regulation of the vascular addressin, VCAM, a vigorous mixed-cell inflammatory response with an influx of α4β1+ T cells, and clearance of bacteria within 30 days. Conversely, intestinal mucosa infection was physiologically inapparent, with no change in expression of the local MAdCAM addressin, no VCAM induction, no histologically detectable inflammation, and no tissue pathology. Microbial clearance was complete within 60 days in the small intestine but bacterial titers remained at high levels for at least 8 months in the large intestine. These findings are compatible with the notion that VCAM plays a functional role in recruiting cells to inflammatory foci, and its absence from the intestinal mucosa contributes to immunologic homeostasis at that site. Also, expression of type 1 T cell-mediated immunity to intracellular Chlamydia may exhibit tissue-specific variation, with the rate and possibly the mechanism(s) of clearance differing between enteric and nonenteric mucosae. The implications of these data for the common mucosal immune system and the delivery of vaccines against mucosal pathogens are discussed.
Acute Pancreatitis: Threat of Fungal Infection

Acute pancreatitis in most cases presents as a mild, self-limiting, acute inflammation of the pancreatic gland which is defined by minimal organ dysfunction and an uneventful recovery. Severe acute pancreatitis is characterized by organ failure and/or local complications [1]. The development of necrosis of more than 30% of the gland is considered morphological evidence of severe disease. Necrotic tissue itself bears a risk of infection, which consecutively may lead to sepsis and multiorgan failure. Indeed, the most common cause of death in severe acute pancreatitis is organ failure due to pancreatic infection [2–4]. It has become clear that the disease in its most severe form progresses in two phases. During the first 7– 14 days a mediator-related morbidity known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) predominates [5–7]. Early initiation of intensive care treatment is of
Influence of Muscle–Tendon Unit Structure on Rate of Force Development During the Squat, Countermovement, and Drop Jumps

Earp, JE, Kraemer, WJ, Cormie, P, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, Joseph, M, and Newton, RU. Influence of muscle-tendon unit structure on rate of force development during the squat, countermovement, and drop jumps. J Strength Cond Res 25(2): 340-347, 2011-Previous research has highlighted the importance of muscle and tendon structure to stretch shortening cycle performance. However, the relationships between muscle and tendon structure to performance are highly dependent on the speed and intensity of the movement. The purpose of this study was to determine if muscle and tendon structure is associated with the rate of force development (RFD) throughout static squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jump (DJ; 30-cm height). Twenty-five strength- and power-trained men participated in the study. Using ultrasonography, vastus lateralis (VL) and gastrocnemius (GAS) pennation (PEN) and fascicle length (FL), and Achilles tendon (AT) thickness and length were measured. Subjects then performed SJ, CMJ, and DJ, during which RFD was calculated over time 5 distinct time intervals. During CMJs, early RFD could be predicted between 0 and 10 milliseconds by both GAS-FL (r2 = 0.213, β = 0.461) and AT-length (r2 = 0.191, β = −0.438). Between 10 and 30 milliseconds GAS-FL was a significant predictor of CMJ-RFD (r2 = 0.218, β = 0.476). During DJ, initial RFD (0-10 milliseconds) could be significantly predicted by GAS-FL (r2 = 0.185, β = −0.434), VL-PEN (r2 = 0.189, β = 0.435), and GAS-PEN (r2 = 0.188, β = 0.434). These findings suggest that longer ATs may have increased elasticity, which can decrease initial RFD during CMJ; thus, their use in talent identification is not recommended. The GAS fascicle length had an intensity-dependent relationship with RFD, serving to positively predict RFD during early CMJs and an inverse predictor during early DJs. During DDJs, subjects with greater PEN were better able to redirected initial impact forces. Although both strength and plyometric training have been shown to increase FL, only heavy strength training has been shown to increase PEN. Thus, when a high eccentric load or multiple jumps are required, heavy strength training might be used to elicit muscular adaptations that are suited to fast force production during jumping.
Sliding mode control of a grid-emulator converter applied to a phil

This paper presents steps of modeling and design of a SMC controller for a grid-emulator converter which is connected to a photovoltaic system. Both are parts of a power hardware-in-the-loop. The performance of the designed control system is tested under steady state and transient conditions for variations in the output current injected by photovoltaic system. Simulation results are presented to evaluate and validate the design of the proposed controllers.
The SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex Regulates Myocardin-Induced Smooth Muscle–Specific Gene Expression

Objective—Regulatory complexes comprising myocardin and serum response factor (SRF) are critical for the transcriptional regulation of many smooth muscle–specific genes. However, little is known about the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the activity of these complexes. In the current study, we investigated the role of SWI/SNF ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes in regulating the myogenic activity of myocardin. Methods and Results—We found that both Brg1 and Brm are required for maintaining expression of several smooth muscle–specific genes in primary cultures of aortic smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, the ability of myocardin to induce expression of smooth muscle–specific genes is abrogated in cells expressing dominant negative Brg1. In SW13 cells, which lack endogenous Brg1 and Brm1, myocardin is unable to induce expression of smooth muscle–specific genes. Whereas, reconstitution of wild-type, or bromodomain mutant forms Brg1 or Brm1, into SW13 cells restored their responsiveness to myocardin. SWI/SNF complexes were found to be required for myocardin to increase SRF binding to the promoters of smooth muscle–specific genes. Brg1 and Brm directly bind to the N terminus of myocardin, in vitro, through their ATPase domains and Brg1 forms a complex with SRF and myocardin in vivo in smooth muscle cells. Conclusion—These data demonstrate that the ability of myocardin to induce smooth muscle–specific gene expression is dependent on its interaction with SWI/SNF ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes.
Noninvasive Estimation of Respiratory Mechanics in Spontaneously Breathing Ventilated Patients: A Constrained Optimization Approach

This paper presents a method for breath-by-breath noninvasive estimation of respiratory resistance and elastance in mechanically ventilated patients. For passive patients, well-established approaches exist. However, when patients are breathing spontaneously, taking into account the diaphragmatic effort in the estimation process is still an open challenge. Mechanical ventilators require maneuvers to obtain reliable estimates for respiratory mechanics parameters. Such maneuvers interfere with the desired ventilation pattern to be delivered to the patient. Alternatively, invasive procedures are needed. The method presented in this paper is a noninvasive way requiring only measurements of airway pressure and flow that are routinely available for ventilated patients. It is based on a first-order single-compartment model of the respiratory system, from which a cost function is constructed as the sum of squared errors between model-based airway pressure predictions and actual measurements. Physiological considerations are translated into mathematical constraints that restrict the space of feasible solutions and make the resulting optimization problem strictly convex. Existing quadratic programming techniques are used to efficiently find the minimizing solution, which yields an estimate of the respiratory system resistance and elastance. The method is illustrated via numerical examples and experimental data from animal tests. Results show that taking into account the patient effort consistently improves the estimation of respiratory mechanics. The method is suitable for real-time patient monitoring, providing clinicians with noninvasive measurements that could be used for diagnosis and therapy optimization.