Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Building Relationships between Fans and Teams in the National Basketball Association through Facebook: The Influence of Engagement on Relationship Quality and Consumer Behavior

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between National Basketball Association fans’ engagement with their favorite teams’ Facebook pages, fans’ relationship quality with their favorite team, and their purchase and referral intentions using relationship marketing as a framework. Additionally, the types of content fans preferred teams post on Facebook were examined. Two convenience samples, one collected by posting a link to Facebook and the other by purchasing a Qualtrics panel, were collected. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and frequency tables. Results indicated in both samples that individuals who engaged more on Facebook also had greater relationship quality. Additionally, in the Qualtrics panel, a higher level of engagement with teams’ Facebook page had a statistically significant, positive impact on purchase intentions. In both samples, the indirect effects of Facebook engagement on purchase and referral intentions as mediated by relationship quality were statistically significant and positive, suggesting more engaged individuals on Facebook had higher relationship quality and were more likely to intend to purchase tickets and merchandise in the future and refer others to do the same. Overall, respondents indicated they preferred content related to players, including injury and movement, as well as score-related posts, suggesting they might prefer using Facebook as another way to receive information instead of choosing to actively engage with their favorite team. However, because results from modeling suggest engaging individuals on Facebook has positive impacts on future behavioral intentions, sport marketers should consider engaging individuals on Facebook while still fulfilling their need for information about players and game results.
Progress and challenges in the development of a cell‐based therapy for hemophilia A

Hemophilia A results from an insufficiency of factor VIII (FVIII). Although replacement therapy with plasma‐derived or recombinant FVIII is a life‐saving therapy for hemophilia A patients, such therapy is a life‐long treatment rather than a cure for the disease. In this review, we discuss the possibilities, progress, and challenges that remain in the development of a cell‐based cure for hemophilia A. The success of cell therapy depends on the type and availability of donor cells, the age of the host and method of transplantation, and the levels of engraftment and production of FVIII by the graft. Early therapy, possibly even prenatal transplantation, may yield the highest levels of engraftment by avoiding immunological rejection of the graft. Potential cell sources of FVIII include a specialized subset of endothelial cells known as liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) present in the adult and fetal liver, or patient‐specific endothelial cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells that have undergone gene editing to produce FVIII. Achieving sufficient engraftment of transplanted LSECs is one of the obstacles to successful cell therapy for hemophilia A. We discuss recent results from transplants performed in animals that show production of functional and clinically relevant levels of FVIII obtained from donor LSECs. Hence, the possibility of treating hemophilia A can be envisioned through persistent production of FVIII from transplanted donor cells derived from a number of potential cell sources or through creation of donor endothelial cells from patient‐specific induced pluripotent stem cells.
Identification of Common Subpopulations of Non-Sorbitol-Fermenting, β-Glucuronidase-Negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 from Bovine Production Environments and Human Clinical Samples

ABSTRACT Non-sorbitol-fermenting, β-glucuronidase-negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains are regarded as a clone complex, and populations from different geographical locations are believed to share a recent common ancestor. Despite their relatedness, high-resolution genotyping methods can detect significant genome variation among different populations. Phylogenetic analysis of high-resolution genotyping data from these strains has shown that subpopulations from geographically unlinked continents can be divided into two primary phylogenetic lineages, termed lineage I and lineage II, and limited studies of the distribution of these lineages suggest there could be differences in their propensity to cause disease in humans or to be transmitted to humans. Because the genotyping methods necessary to discriminate the two lineages are tedious and subjective, these methods are not particularly suited for studying the large sets of strains that are required to systematically evaluate the ecology and transmission characteristics of these lineages. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a lineage-specific polymorphism assay (LSPA) that can readily distinguish between the lineage I and lineage II subpopulations. In the studies reported here, we describe the development of a six-marker test (LSPA-6) and its validation in a side-by-side comparison with octamer-based genome scanning. Analysis of over 1,400 O157:H7 strains with the LSPA-6 demonstrated that five genotypes comprise over 91% of the strains, suggesting that these subpopulations may be widespread.
Exploring optimal myoelectric feature indices for forearm control strategy using robust principal component analysis

Forearm movements realize various functions needed in daily life. For reproduction of the motion sequences, active myoelectric devices have been developed. Usually, feature indices are extracted from observed signals in control strategy; however, the optimal combination of indices is still unclear. This paper introduces sparsity-inducing penalty term in principal component analysis (PCA) to explore optimal myoelectric feature indices. An electromyographic database including seven forearm movements from 30 subjects was used for performance comparison. Linear classifier with sparse features showed best performance (7.86±3.82% error rate) that was significantly better than linear classifier with all features because of recovering low rank matrix in original data. Furthermore, the sparse features had a large contribution of underlying data structure with less number of principal components than PCA. Root-mean-square, time-domain features, autoregressive coefficients, and Histogram purported to be important in projected feature space; therefore, the feature indices are important to myoelectric strategies.
Predicting intentions to return to the Web site: Extending the dual mediation hypothesis

MacKenzie, Lutz, and Belch (1986) test four advertising attitude models and find that the Dual Mediation Hypothesis is the best. This research proposes an extended model within an online context, using intentions to return (Ir) to a Web site versus purchase intentions, with a direct path between attitudes toward the Web site (Asite) and Ir. This path is hypothesized as Web sites contain informative or entertaining content that attracts subsequent visits, and Ir depends on other non-brand-related factors such as security, ease of use, transactional capabilities, etc. Data from visitors to three actual Web sites––digital cameras, watches, and a charity––demonstrate significant relationships between Asite and Ir. In support of this perspective, when Asite was decomposed into its claim and non-claim components, the non-claim component had a significant effect on Ir for all three sites. Implications for online researchers and advertisers are discussed.
Identification of intraarticular and periarticular uric acid crystals with dual-energy CT: initial evaluation.

PURPOSE To estimate the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver agreement of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) in detection of uric acid crystals in joints or periarticular structures in patients with arthralgia and patients suspected of having gout, with joint aspiration results as reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS With institutional review board approval, patient consent, and HIPAA compliance, 94 patients (age range, 29-89 years) underwent dual-source, dual-energy (80 and 140 kVp) CT of a painful joint. A material decomposition algorithm was used to identify uric acid. Two blinded musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated the dual-energy CT images and classified the examination findings as positive or negative for the presence of uric acid crystals. Reference standard was the result of joint aspiration. RESULTS Forty-three of 94 patients (46%) underwent attempted joint aspiration within 1 month of dual-energy CT. Aspiration was successful in 31 of 43 patients (72%). In 12 of 31 patients (39%), uric acid crystals were identified at joint aspiration; in 19 patients, they were not. Readers 1 and 2 had no false-negative findings for uric acid at dual-energy CT. Sensitivity was 100% (12 of 12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 74%, 100%) for both readers. Specificity was 89% (17 of 19; 95% CI: 67%, 99% ) for reader 1 and 79% (15 of 19; 95% CI: 54%, 94%) for reader 2, with near-perfect agreement between the readers (κ = 0.87; range, 0.70-1.00) in the 31 patients who underwent aspiration. CONCLUSION Initial retrospective assessment suggests that dual-energy CT is a sensitive, noninvasive, and reproducible method for identifying uric acid deposits in joints and periarticular soft tissues in patients suspected of having gout.
Return-to-Job During and after Maternity Leave

This paper studies the return-to-job of female employees after first birth based on exceptional longitudinal data from personnel records of a large German company. Given a very long maternity leave coverage, we investigate to what extent data available to management allow to predict the return-to-job during and after maternity leave. Our data show a large heterogeneity in transition patterns, which poses a challenge for management. Maternity leave durations often last for three years or longer. More than 50 percent of those in maternity leave do not return to their job afterwards, either because they leave the company or because they have a second child. At the same time, about 31 percent of female employees return to part-time work during maternity leave, which is often a stepping stone but no guarantee for a return-to-job afterwards. There is mixed evidence as to whether female employees in better job matches are more likely to return to their job in the company. Specifically, we find that the relative wage position, higher tenure, a combination of vocational training and university education, and an above average frequency of previous promotions show a positive association with the return-to-job and a higher employment stability afterwards. At the same time, female employees have their first child, when their careers have been particularly successful in comparison. Among these, a sizeable share does not continue to advance their career and many do not even return to their job.
Study the dielectric and optic properties of Ti2XC (X=In, Sn, Al, Cd and Pb) by density function theory

The dielectric function and optic properties of Ti2XC (X=In, Sn, Al, Cd and Pb) were studied by means of pseudo-potential plane-waves method using the density function theory (DFT). Calculations were performed within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) method to the exchange-correlation approximation energy. The experimental lattice constants and the internal parameters were used in the calculation. The dielectric function and optic properties were calculated by energy band theory.
IST Vivago/spl reg/ - an intelligent social and remote wellness monitoring system for the elderly

Increasing life expectancy accompanied with decreasing dependency ratio in developed countries calls for new solutions to support independent living of the elderly. IST Vivago/spl reg/ is a novel intelligent social alarm system also providing continuous remote monitoring of the user's activity level. The system is based on wireless sensing technology, telecommunications, and intelligent signal processing. In this paper we describe the system and provide application examples of the system.
Vowel identification based on amplitude modulation.

This study investigated the extent to which flat-spectrum harmonic complexes could be identified as one of six vowels when three pairs of successive harmonics, located at the first, second, and third formant frequency values, were amplitude modulated. In experiment 1, the amplitude modulation (AM) rate was at or close to 10 Hz. In condition 1, all components were added in cosine phase, and the 10-Hz AM was in phase for all "formants. " Performance improved monotonically with increasing modulation index, m. In condition 2, m was fixed at 0.5 and the level of each background harmonic was varied randomly (roved) from stimulus to stimulus. Even a rove range of only +/- 2 dB reduced scores considerably. Condition 3 was like condition 1, but with components added in random phase. Performance was very poor for all modulation indices. This suggests that subjects were unable to use momentary differences in level between formant and background harmonics, and supports the idea that, for cosine-phase stimuli, they were using information from the low-amplitude portions ("valleys") of the cochlea-filtered waveforms. In further conditions, the components were added in cosine phase and the AM had a different phase and/or different rate (10, 16, and 24 Hz) on the different formants. Scores were very similar to those obtained when the AM was identical for all formants. In experiment 2, the AM rate was at or close to 2 Hz. When all formants were modulated in phase at 2 Hz, very good performance was found for components added in cosine phase, and performance was essentially unaffected by making the AM different in rate and/or phase across formants. When the components were added in random phase, performance was well above chance when the formants were modulated in-phase at 2-Hz, but worsened markedly when the modulation differed in rate and/or phase across formants. Randomizing the level of each background harmonic caused performance to deteriorate and to become similar for cosine-phase and random-phase stimuli. Performance deteriorated further when the AM differed in phase across formants. The results suggest that, for a 2-Hz modulation rate, and when information from the valleys is not available, performance depends on momentary increases in level of the formant harmonics relative to the background.
High‐pressure experiments and the phase diagram of lower mantle and core materials

The interpretation of seismic data and computer modeling requires increased accuracy in relevant material properties in order to improve our knowledge of the structure and dynamics of the Earth's deep interior. To obtain such properties, a complementary method to classic shock compression experiments and theoretical calculations is the use of laser‐heated diamond cells, which are now producing accurate data on phase diagrams, equations of state, and melting. Data on one of the most important measurements, the melting temperatures of iron at very high pressure, are now converging. Two other issues linking core properties to those of iron are investigated in the diamond cell: One is the melting point depression of iron in the presence of light elements, and the other is the structure of iron at the conditions of the inner core. First measurements on eutectic systems indicate a significant decrease in the melting point depression with increasing pressure, which is in contrast to previous predictions. X‐ray diffraction measurements at simultaneously high pressure and high temperature have improved significantly with the installation of high‐pressure “beam lines” at synchrotron facilities, and structural measurements on iron are in progress. Considerable efforts have been made to develop new techniques to heat minerals at the conditions of the deep mantle in the diamond cell and to measure their phase relations reliably. Even measurements of the melting behavior of realistic rock compositions at high pressure, previously considered to be impossible in the diamond cell, have been reported. The extrapolated solidus of the lower mantle intersects the geotherm at the core‐mantle boundary, which may explain the seismically observed ultra low velocity zone. The diamond cell has great potential for future development and broad application, as new measurements on high‐pressure geochemistry at deep mantle and core conditions have opened a new field of research. There are, however, strict experimental requirements for obtaining reliable data, which are summarized in the present paper. Results from recent measurements of melting temperatures and phase diagrams of lower mantle and core materials at very high pressure are reviewed.
NTera 2 Cells: A human cell line which displays characteristics expected of a human committed neuronal progenitor cell

We have identified a human cell line with a phenotype resembling committed CNS neuronal precursor cells. NTera 2/cl.D1 (NT2/D1) cells expressed nestin and vimentin, intermediate filament (IF) proteins expressed in neuroepithelial precursor cells, as well as MAP1b, a microtubule‐associated protein (MAP) expressed in human neuroepithelium. NT2/D1 cells also expressed the cell adhesion molecules NCAM and N‐cadherin which are thought to be important in cellcell interactions within the neuroepithelium. These NT2/D1 cells also expressed small amounts of NF‐L, α‐internexin, NF‐M, and MAP2c, indicating that they are committed to a neuronal fate. Previous studies have shown that, following RA treatment, a proportion of NT2/D1 cells terminally differentiate into neurons and that this occurs via an asymmetric stem cell mode of differentiation. In light of the identification of the neuroepithelial phenotype of NT2/D1 cells we decided to examine more closely the relationship of in vitro neurogenesis in NT2/D1 cells, during RA treatment to that of neurons in vivo. Three days after RA treatment, islands of NT2/D1 cells showed increased expression of neurofilament proteins and increased phosphorylation of NF‐M. By 10–14 days, these cells began to resemble neurons morphologically, i.e., with rounded cell bodies and processes. These neuronal cells were clustered into clumps which rested on top of a layer of progenitor cells. In this upper layer, the neurons began to express MAP2b and tau and extinguished their expression of mestin. Recently, we developed a method for obtaining pure cultures of neurons from RA treated NT2/D1 cells. The phenotype of these postmitotic neurons is clearly dissociated from that of the untreated NT2/D1 cells. Given the data obtained in this study and the characterization of the neurons derived from NT2/D1 cells, we propose that NT2/D1 cells are a committed human neuronal precursor cell line which retains some stem cell characteristics and is capable only of terminal differentiation into neurons. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atypical Forms of Employment in the Public Sector – Are There Any?

The paper deals with various forms of atypical employment in the public sector that are widely neglected in existing research; its specific focus is on their development, scope, distribution and structural features. In the first part we break down the purely statistical category and differentiate between the disparate forms (part-time, marginal employment or minijobs, midijobs, fixed-term, agency work). In the second part we address the question if these forms are not only atypical, but also have to be classified as precarious. We distinguish various risks operative in the short, medium and long term (income, stability of employment and employability, pensions). Finally, we differentiate between employment in the private as well as the public sector and draw parallels and indicate specific differences in their development and situation. Our basic finding is that atypical forms of employment are also widespread in the public sector but are all in all less precarious than in the private sector. The distribution of individual forms shows major differences between both sectors whereas the over-all percentages are similar.
Sustainability and local food procurement: a case study of Finnish public catering

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to present how sustainability as a concept supports the use of locally‐sourced food in public catering, and the issues that arise from that policy objective and their implications for suppliers and purchasers.Design/methodology/approach – First, the paper explains the characteristics of local food chains and the concept of sustainability based on a literature review. It then outlines the stages of the food procurement process in public food catering in Finland, focussing on the delivery of potatoes from a local producer to a public caterer providing school meals. The case study identifies the dimensions of sustainability.Findings – First, the criteria defining sustainability remain unclear. Second, to overcome the cost disadvantages brought about by its small‐scale production and high delivery costs, locally‐sourced food should add some extra value. Short food supply chains have advantages over long ones, however, they are not sustainable per se.Research limitations/impli.
Forecasting the Counter-Cyclical Payment Rate for U.S. Corn An Application of the Futures Price Forecasting Model

The 2002 Farm Act provides for counter-cyclical payments when prices are below specified levels. Producers and policy analysts within USDA have a need to forecast counter-cyclical payments to plan for these program benefits/outlays. The countercyclical payment (CCP) is the product of payment rate, payment acres, and CCP payment yield. Since both payment acres and payment yields are predetermined, a model is presented that forecasts the counter-cyclical payment rate for U.S. corn. A payment rate is calculated from a forecast of the season-average corn price received and predetermined policy parameters: target price, national average loan rate, and direct payment rate. The season-average price received is forecast by a model that relies on monthly futures prices, monthly farm prices received, basis values (farm price received less futures), and marketing weights. 1