Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating viral marketing: isolating the key criteria

Purpose – There has been little evidence of any work undertaken to measure the effectiveness of viral marketing campaigns. This paper aims to report on research undertaken to determine the key criteria that viral marketing practitioners believe should be used to measure the success of viral marketing campaigns.Design/methodology/approach – Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with some of the premier web masters, those leading the development of much of the UK's viral marketing activities.Findings – Two forms of viral marketing were identified, “random” and “placed virals”. The paper presents a viral marketing evaluation framework that identifies three key objectives and their particular evaluation criteria. Financial objectives and the need to measure the return on investment were identified as previously undocumented key issues.Research limitations/implications – The small size of the sample prevents generalization but the findings suggest that further research is necessary to confirm these findin.
HUPT-mine: an efficient algorithm for high utility pattern mining

In recent years, the problem of high utility pattern mining becomes one of the most important research areas in data mining. High utility pattern mining extracts patterns which have utility value higher than or equal to user specified minimum utility. The problem is challenging, because of the non-applicability of anti-monotone property of frequent pattern mining. The existing high utility pattern mining algorithm adopts level wise candidate generation and many recently proposed approaches also generate large number of candidate itemsets. In this paper, a novel high utility pattern tree (HUPT) is proposed by applying two pruning strategies to reduce number of candidate itemsets by scanning database twice. For each conditional pattern base, a local tree is constructed with required information to generate candidate itemsets, by employing pattern growth approach. The experimental results on different datasets show that it reduces the number of candidate itemsets and also outperforms two-phase algorithm for dense datasets with long transactions.
The impact of consumer animosity on attitudes towards foreign goods: a study of Jewish and Arab Israelis

Purpose – This paper aims to highlight the importance of examining sub‐cultural attitudes when assessing the animosity of individuals from one nation toward the products of other nations.Design/methodology/approach – The context chosen, Arab and Jewish Israelis' attitudes toward the UK and Italy, provides a strong setting to test the influence of animosity on product judgments and willingness to purchase products from these nations. Attitudes toward British and Italian products were collected in shopping malls and community centers in middle class neighborhoods in Northern Israel. A total of 112 Arab Israeli and 111 Jewish Israeli consumers were sampled.Findings – Both animosity and consumer ethnocentrism led to a decreased willingness to purchase a nation's products. Arab Israelis felt more animosity toward the UK than Jewish Israelis, which negatively impacted their product judgments of British products.Originality/value – Previous research on the impact of animosity on foreign products has generally lo.
Our common future.

Its targets were multilateralism and interdependence of nations in the search for a sustainable development path. The report sought to recapture the spirit of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment the Stockholm Conference which had introduced environmental concerns to the formal political development sphere. Our Common Future placed environmental issues firmly on the political agenda; it aimed to discuss the environment and development as one single issue.
In vitro mechanical evaluation of equine laryngeal tie-forward constructs prepared with different suture materials and placement patterns.

OBJECTIVE To compare the mechanical properties of laryngeal tie-forward (LTF) constructs prepared with different suture materials and suture placement patterns during single load to failure testing. SAMPLE Larynges harvested from 50 horse cadavers and 5 intact horse cadavers. PROCEDURES In vitro LTF constructs were created by a standard technique with polyester sutures, a standard technique with polyethylene sutures, a modified technique with metallic implants and polyester sutures, a modified technique with metallic implants and polyethylene sutures, or a modified tie-off technique with polyester sutures (10 of each type of construct). Mechanical properties including maximal load (N) at failure and failure mode were compared among constructs. Also, maximal loads at failure of the in vitro LTF constructs were compared with the loads exerted on the sutures tightened to achieve rostral laryngeal advancement in intact cadavers. RESULTS Constructs prepared by a standard technique with polyethylene sutures had a significantly higher pull out strength than those prepared by a modified technique with metallic implants and either polyester or polyethylene sutures. For constructs prepared by a standard technique with polyethylene sutures or similarly placed polyester sutures, maximal load at failure did not differ but the failure mode did differ significantly. The load to failure for all in vitro constructs was higher than the maximal load measured during a range of motion test in intact horse cadavers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that LTF procedures can be performed in live horses with any of the suture materials and techniques tested.
A Polymorphism in CYP 17 and Endometrial Cancer Risk 1

Among women, theA2 allele of CYP17has been associated with elevated levels of endogenous steroid hormones; however, it does not seem to be a strong independent risk factor for breast cancer. We assessed the association between theA2 allele of CYP17 and invasive endometrial cancer risk in a case-control study nested within the Nurses’ Health Study cohort (cases:n 5 184; controls: n 5 554). We also evaluated whether endometrial cancer risk associated withCYP17genotype was modified by established endometrial cancer risk factors. In addition, we further examined the relationship betweenCYP17genotype and endogenous plasma steroid hormone levels among postmenopausal controls not using hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women with theA2 allele of CYP17 were at decreased risk of endometrial cancer ( A1/A1genotype (reference); A1/A2 genotype: odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–1.27; A2/A2 genotype: odds ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.23–0.80; P trend, 0.02). We also observed the inverse association between the A2 allele and endometrial cancer risk to be stronger among women with a first-degree family history of endometrial and/or colorectal cancer (P for interaction, 0.05). Among 165 controls, we did not observe women with the A2 allele to have significantly elevated levels of any steroid hormone fraction. When these women were combined and analyzed with those women on whom we had previously examined the relationship between CYP17 genotype and circulating hormone levels (totaln 5 469), only modest associations were observed for the A2/A2 genotype and steroid hormone fractions estrone ( versus A1/A1genotype: 110.9%; P 5 0.05) and estradiol (18.5%; P 5 0.17). These data suggest that the A2 allele of CYP17decreases endometrial cancer risk, but has only weak effects on endogenous estrogen levels among postmenopausal women.
Should the Functions of Monetary Policy and Banking Supervision be Separated

The paper investigates whether monetary policy and banking supervision should be separated. The main argument for separation is that the combination of functions might lead to a conflict of interest. An argument against is that separation is inconsistent with the central bank's concern for the systemic stability of the financial system. In a cross-country survey of 104 bank failures, we observe a trend towards using taxpayers' money for bank rescues which strengthens the case for hiving off the supervisory function to a government agency. It would, however, be difficult to have a complete division, since the central bank generally remains the only source of immediate funding. Copyright 1995 by Royal Economic Society.
Rethinking the information dimension of marketing

This article discusses the information dimension of marketing from a technical, theoretical and behavioral perspective. It also comments the relationship between marketing and the library and information science (LIS). It is an exploratory and descriptive study and its qualitative approaches are carried out through classic documentary analysis. From the technical perspective, it addresses the presence of information in all marketing management processes, from market research to the final preparation of the marketing plan. From the theoretical perspective, it addresses the frameworks for marketing information processing, the influence of the information value theory and the application of techniques from dissimilar areas of study to analyze the information. From the behavioral perspective, it shows empirical evidence of human information behavior of marketing managers and other actors, based on cognitive and social viewpoints. Regarding disciplinary relations, marketing and LIS share theories related to information behavior, information management, and systems analysis and design. The marketing approaches is more noticeable on LIS studies than LIS approaches on marketing studies, considering the analysed literature. Information, as a link between both disciplines, makes way to delve into new research, academic and practical scenarios.
Four-Year Experience with Simultaneous Culture and Shiga Toxin Testing for Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Stool Samples

ABSTRACT We report our experience with universal Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) screening using culture and Shiga toxin antigen testing over 4 years. Twelve cases were detected—8 detected by both culture and Shiga toxin immunochromatographic assay (IA), 3 by culture, and 1 by IA only. The addition of Shiga toxin testing is of questionable benefit over culture alone for detection of STEC in areas of low prevalence.
Studying organizational commitment with the OCQ in the Korean retail context: Its dimensionality and relationships with satisfaction and work outcomes

Abstract A two-stage approach was adopted to study organizational commitment among Korean retail employees. First, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the dimensionality and psychometric properties of organizational commitment as measured by the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ). Two dimensions—affective and continuance—were identified. On that basis, this study empirically tested a model on the relationships among two facets of commitment, three facets of job satisfaction (pay, co-worker, and supervisor), and two work outcomes (effort and propensity-to-leave). The model testing results showed that in the Korean retail setting: (1) satisfaction with pay and satisfaction with supervisor significantly increase both affective commitment and continuance commitment; (2) satisfaction with co-workers positively influences affective commitment but has no significant effect on continuance commitment; and (3) affective commitment increases job effort but decreases the employees' propensity to leave the firm, while continuance commitment reduces propensity to leave but does not increase job effort.
Human CD4+CD25low Adaptive T Regulatory Cells Suppress Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity during Transplant Tolerance1

Adaptive T regulatory (TR) cells mediate the suppression of donor-specific, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in tolerant organ transplant recipients. We hypothesized that cells belonging to the CD4+CD25+ T cell subset but distinct from natural TR cells may fulfill this role. To test this hypothesis, PBMC and biopsy samples from two tolerant kidney transplant recipients (K1 and K2) were analyzed. When transferred with recipient APC into a SCID mouse footpad, CD4+ T cells were hyporesponsive in DTH to donor type HLA-B Ags and derivative allopeptides. However, anti-human TGF–β1 Ab revealed a response to immunodominant allopeptides in both patients, suggesting that CD4+ T effector (TE) cells coexisted with suppressive, TGF–β1-producing CD4+ TR cells. During in vitro culture, allopeptide stimulation induced both IFN-γ-producing and surface TGF–β1+ T cells. The relative strength of the latter response in patient K1 was inversely correlated with the level of systemic anti-donor DTH, which varied over a 6-year interval. Allopeptide-induced surface TGF–β1 expression was found primarily in Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)–negative CD4+CD25low T cells, which could adoptively transfer suppression of donor-specific DTH. Biopsy samples contained numerous surface TGF-β1+ mononuclear cells that costained for CD4 and, less frequently CD25, but were negative for FoxP3. The CD4+TGF-β1+ T cells were localized primarily to the tubulointerstitium, whereas TGF-β1−FoxP3+CD25+ cells were found mainly in lymphoid aggregates. Thus, adaptive TR cells suppressing TE cell responses to donor allopeptides in two tolerant patients appear to be functionally and phenotypically distinct from CD4+CD25highFoxP3+ T cells.
The Helicobacter pylori Blood Group Antigen-Binding Adhesin Facilitates Bacterial Colonization and Augments a Nonspecific Immune Response1

Presence of the Helicobacter pylori adherence factor blood group Ag-binding adhesin (BabA; binding to Lewisb (Leb)) is associated with ulcer disease, adenocarcinoma, and precancerous lesions. The importance of BabA for bacterial colonization and the inflammatory response is unknown. A total of 141 antral biopsies from H. pylori-infected patients were assessed in regard to the degree of granulocytic (G0°–G3°) and lymphocytic (L1°–L3°) infiltration. DNA genotypes of babA2 (the transcriptionally active gene of BabA), cagA, and vacAs1/2 were determined by PCR. Colonization density and Leb status on gastric epithelial cells were determined by immunohistochemistry. Real-time quantitative (TaqMan) RT-PCR determined mRNA expression of IL-8, TNF -α, and the Th1 markers IFN-γ and the IL-12R β2 chain. A total of 91% of infected patients were Leb positive. The vacAs1+/cagA+ strains harboring babA2 showed significantly higher levels of granulocytic infiltration, bacterial colonization, and IL-8 mRNA than vacAs1+/cagA+ strains lacking babA2. IL-8 mRNA and protein production by KATO III cells in vitro increased dose dependently with addition of different numbers of type 1 strains (G27 and 2808 strains, 0.1–20 bacteria/cell). The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-12R β2 was higher in H. pylori-positive patients than in controls, but it did not differ significantly between patients infected with different strain types. These data suggest that BabA facilitates colonization of H. pylori and thereby increases IL-8 response, resulting in enhanced mucosal inflammation. Infection with strains harboring BabA thereby augment a nonspecific immune response, whereas the Th1 response toward H. pylori appears to be independent of BabA, cytotoxin-associated gene A, or vacuolating cytotoxin.
Fishing in the stream of diabetes: from measuring insulin to the control of fetal organogenesis.

The measurement of insulin Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is estimated to affect 100 million people worldwide. It has been observed to increase in prevalence when a population increases its plane of nutrition and decreases its energy expenditure. A striking example of this occurred when Ethiopian Jews were moved to Israel [l]. The Pacific population of the island of Nauru was described as suffering from an epidemic of diabetes when they became affluent after the Second World War following the expansion of phosphate mining [2]. Thus we can only anticipate that the numbers suffering from this type of diabetes will remorselessly increase in the future unless we discover the factors that cause it and take appropriate steps to prevent it. It is chastening to have to admit that it is still a matter of debate as to whether insulin deficiency, insulin resistance or a combination of the two is at the heart of the disease. A major problem in disentangling this issue is the close interlocking of the regulation of glucose and insulin metabolism: insulin deficiency leads to insulin resistance and conversely hyperglycaemia is detrimental to insulin secretion. Large prospective population studies should be capable of elucidating the time course of events, but it is only in recent years that it has become possible to measure insulin concentrations in human blood in sufficient numbers of individuals and with adequate specificity to have a real prospect of progress. Even now we have to admit that we can only study insulin production and secretion at such a dis-
EXPLICATING THE ROLE OF DEPENDENCE AND TRUST IN KNOWLEDGE SHARING IN IS PROJECTS

Information Systems development is typically a knowledge-intensive activity requiring collaboration between business experts and IS professionals. However, their knowledge domains, skill sets, and experience differ because business experts generally do not have knowledge of IS technology such as programming skills and system design and IS experts do not have business knowledge or know the business issues of their clients well. This study proposes that trust and dependence can influence knowledge sharing between clients and IS consultants in IS development projects. This proposal was tested in a field study, and 270 dyadic responses from 135 projects were received from those participating in the study; structural equation modeling was employed to perform the analysis. The results indicate that dependence and trust have positive effects on knowledge sharing between clients and IS consultants.
An Efficient Approach to Object Recognition for Mobile Robots

In robotics, the object recognition approaches developed so far have proved very valuable, but their high memory and processing requirements make them suitable only for robots with high processing capability or for offline processing. When it comes to small size robots, these approaches are not effective and light- weight vision processing is adopted which causes a big drop in recognition performance. In this research, a computationally expensive, but efficient appearance-based object recognition approach is considered and tested on a small robotic platform which has limited memory and processing resources. Rather than processing the high resolution images, all the times, to perform recognition, a novel idea of switching between high and low resolutions, based on the “distance to object” is adopted. It is also shown that much of the computation time can be saved by identifying the irrelevant information in the images and avoid processing them with computationally expensive approaches. This helps to bridge the gap between the computationally expensive approaches and embedded platform with limited processing resources.
Modeling the Effects of Demand Correlation in Location Problems that account for Inventory Pooling

We investigate large-scale facility location models that consider the risk pooling effects of centralizing safety stocks when customer demands are correlated across customer locations. This problem has not been well studied, perhaps because the calculation of safety stock levels with correlated demands requires significant computational effort. The experimental evaluation of any proposed procedure is also difficult, since industrial data is generally unavailable and it is difficult to create a statistically valid correlation matrix of customer demands required to generate random test instances of realistic size. We show that even very low levels of correlation have significant impact on solution cost and structure. This is of practical significance since distribution networks increasingly rely on contracts of relatively short duration, implying low or no fixed facility costs, such that the cost of holding safety stock can represent a large portion of the controllable distribution network costs. We present a method for generating a statistically valid correlation matrix when the correlations between customer demands are inversely proportional to the distance between customer locations. Using a metaheuristic solution procedure, we study a set of test instances that incorporate both safety stock holding costs and outbound transportation costs, illustrating the importance of explicitly considering demand correlation in location models.
Effects of genetic line and supplemental dietary fat on lactation performance of Duroc and Landrace sows.

A total of 124 Duroc and 99 Landrace primiparous and multiparous sows were assigned, within breed and contemporary group, to control (N) or 10% added fat (F) diets on d 105 of gestation based on parity and genetic line (control or selected for improved sow productivity), to determine the effects of genetic line and fat addition to the lactation diet on sow and litter performance. Weekly feed intake was not affected (P greater than .10) by genetic line for Duroc and Landrace sows but feed intake was reduced (P = .08) during wk 1 to 4 for Duroc sows and during wk 1 and 4 for Landrace sows (P less than .05) when they were fed diet F compared with diet N. Select (S)-line Duroc and Landrace sows lost more weight during lactation (P less than .01) than did control (C)-line sows. Select-line Landrace sows lost more backfat during lactation (P less than .05) than did C-line sows. Landrace sows lost less weight during lactation (P less than .05) when fed diet F than when fed diet N. The total number of pigs born, born alive, and alive at 21 d and at weaning were higher (P less than .01) for S-line Duroc sows, and litter size at 21 d and at weaning was higher (P less than .01) for S-line Landrace sows than for C-line litters within each breed. Pig survival from birth to weaning was increased (P = .07) for Duroc sows fed diet F but not for Landrace sows. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Has the introduction of bookbuilding increased the efficiency of international IPOs

By 1999, close to 80% of non-U.S. IPOs were marketed using bookbuilding methods. We study whether the recent introduction of this technology by U.S. banks and their inclusion in non-U.S. IPO syndicates has promoted efficiency in primary equity markets. We analyze both direct and indirect costs (associated with underpricing) using a unique dataset containing information on 2,051 initial public offerings in 61 non-U.S. markets during the period 1992-1999. The direct costs of bookbuilding are typically twice as large as direct costs for fixed-price offers. However, bookbuilding leads to substantially less underpricing. This benefit is more pronounced when the target market includes U.S. investors, when U.S. listing is sought and when U.S. banks are part of the syndicate.