Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding the performance of software-as-a-service based on service-dominant logic

How to improve performance of software-as-a-service remains a problem. Drawing from the service-dominant logic, the relational view, and the social exchange theory, we develop a model to delineate the relationships between performance, relationship-specific services, and internal services. The premise of this model is that the service provider's internal services play a key role in motivating the client to collaborate with the vendor. This helps the provider offer relationship-specific services, characterized as knowledge-based and process-based services and the provider's performance relies on these services. Results of empirical testing using responses from 102 firms support the proposed hypotheses. Our findings provide a number of useful implications for research and managers.
Dividend Policy and Corporate Monitoring: Evidence from the Regulated Electric Utility Industry

The payment of dividends imposes costs on the firm's shareholders in the form of higher taxes (relative to capital gains) and issuance costs arising from the dividend-induced need to acquire external equity, given the firm's investment and capital structure policies. Why, then, do firms pay dividends? In particular, why do the more capital intensive electric utilities have a dividend payout rate more than twice that of industrial firms? In simpler terms, why are utilities among the largest suppliers of dividends and simultaneously among the largest sellers of common stock? In this study, we provide some possible insights into the larger dividend puzzle through an empirical investigation of the seemingly extraordinary dividend payout policies of regulated electric utilities.
Replication of psychometric properties of the FSFI and validation of a modified version (FSFI-LL) assessing lifelong sexual function in an unselected sample of females.

INTRODUCTION The 19-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is an easy-to-administer self-report questionnaire, allowing multidimensional assessment of female sexual function and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) over the past 4 weeks. However, studies aiming to dissect the underlying pathoetiology-especially biophysiological factors-often require assessment of sexual function over a broader time frame. AIM The purpose of this study was to develop a modified version of the widely used FSFI which allows assessment of women's lifelong sexual function-the FSFI-LL-and to evaluate the psychometric properties and aptness of this new version. METHODS A total of 1,589 unselected female twins from the TwinsUK registry completed both original and new versions of the FSFI. After applying exclusion criteria, 1,489 women were eligible for this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Domain response differences between the original FSFI and the FSFI-LL were assessed using unpaired t-tests. RESULTS The modified FSFI-LL showed adequate internal consistency reliabilities for all six dimensions and the total score (Cronbach's α = 0.79 - 0.92). Principal component analysis resulted in a best fitting five-factor solution. CFA confirmed the underlying domain structure to be same as for the FSFI, supporting the factorial validity of the modified questionnaire. In addition, successful replication of the psychometric properties of the original FSFI was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS The results provide evidence of good reliability and validity of the FSFI-LL. This modified version therefore represents a suitable tool for screening lifelong sexual function in women and can be applied in trials investigating etiological factors contributing to more enduring patterns of FSD.
Board independence, executive compensation and restatement

In this article, we use post-Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) restating sample companies to examine the effect of leverage on the probability of restatements. We also explore whether the level of board independence for restating firms has an impact on the probability of restatements. We further analyse the subsequent change of the firms’ executive compensation after they experience these restating events. The results indicate that firms with large debt have a high probability of restating their financial reports, but the likelihood of restatement is reduced if the underlying bankruptcy risk is lower. Contrary to expectations, the results do not indicate that board independence is associated with the probability of restatement. Even restating firms did not appear willing to fortify board independence after restatements. Finally, it is found that having more directors on the board for a company may help to restrain its executive compensation after restatements.
Acinic Cell Carcinoma of Salivary Gland With Massive Deposits of Globular Amyloid

We present the case of a 23-year-old woman with a parotid gland tumor, the fine-needle aspiration biopsy smears of which showed epithelial cells with wide cytoplasm, isolated or arranged in micropapillary groups together with psammoma bodies. The surgical specimen contained a 5-cm tumor with the histologic features of an acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) with papillary areas. Notably, the cells of the tumor seemed to follow a sequence from large cells with rounded nuclei with open chromatin and prominent nucleoli to vacuolated cells with granular material, and finally to cells undergoing apoptosis. This finding was followed by the appearance of concentrically laminated, round to polygonal, Congo red—positive, birefringent bodies that in areas accumulated and formed extensive areas with massive deposits. The picture suggested that those amyloid bodies (psammoma bodies) resulted from the accumulation of residual masses of apoptotic cells. Huge globular amyloid deposits, the suggested name for this material irrespective of the type of amyloid, have not been previously reported in ACC of salivary gland.
The human cytomegalovirus‐encoded chemokine receptor US28 induces caspase‐dependent apoptosis

Viral subversion of apoptosis regulation plays an important role in the outcome of host/virus interactions. Although human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes several immediate early (IE) antiapoptotic proteins (IE1, IE2, vMIA and vICA), no proapoptotic HCMV protein has yet been identified. Here we show that US28, a functional IE HCMV‐encoded chemokine receptor, which may be involved in both viral dissemination and immune evasion, constitutively induces apoptosis in several cell types. In contrast, none of nine human cellular chemokine receptors, belonging to three different subfamilies, induced any significant level of apoptosis. US28‐induced cell death involves caspase 10 and caspase 8 activation, but does not depend on the engagement of cell‐surface death receptors of the tumour necrosis factor receptor/CD95 family. US28 cell‐death induction is prevented by coexpression of C‐FLIP, a protein that inhibits Fas‐associated death domain protein (FADD)‐mediated activation of caspase 10 and caspase 8, and by coexpression of the HCMV antiapoptotic protein IE1. The use of US28 mutants indicated that the DRY sequence of its third transmenbrane domain, required for constitutive G‐protein signalling, and the US28 intracellular terminal domain required for constitutive US28 endocytosis, are each partially required for cell‐death induction. Thus, in HCMV‐infected cells, US28 may function either as a chemokine receptor, a phospholipase C activator, or a proapoptotic factor, depending on expression levels of HCMV and/or cellular antiapoptotic proteins.
Bioengineering of Calvaria with Adult Stem Cells

Background: Defects of the adult skull do not heal spontaneously, producing challenging problems for the craniofacial surgeon. Reconstruction of such defects requires either the placement of alloplastic material or the harvest of autogenous bone. A technique is described for the reconstruction of critical-sized, full-thickness calvarial defects in the adult rat model using specific adult stem cells, namely, multipotent adult stem cells. Methods: The cells were harvested from adult skeletal muscle and cultured in an undifferentiated state within a matrix of polyglycolic acid mesh. An 8-mm critical-sized defect was created in the calvaria of adult rats and either left empty, filled with polyglycolic acid mesh alone, or filled with multipotent adult stem cells seeded into the polyglycolic acid mesh. After 12 weeks, the calvariae were harvested, stained, and blind graded by light microscopy on the presence or absence of reconstituted bone. Results: A total of 22 animals were available for study: seven from the empty defect group, eight from the polymer group, and seven from the polymer plus stem cell group. The mean scores for the three groups were 1.9, 2.3, and 5.3, respectively. Statistical analysis showed statistical significance among the groups as a whole (p < 0.01) and between the polymer plus stem cell group and the empty defect and polymer-alone group. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that regeneration of calvarial bone is possible using stem cells harvested from adult skeletal muscle and seeded into a polyglycolic matrix. The technique may ultimately be used in clinical practice to reconstruct calvarial defects.
Location decisions of new ‘Knowledge Intensive Service Activity’ firms: the rural–urban divide

This paper analyses the variables that influence the decision to locate knowledge-intensive service activity firms (KISA firms, hereafter) in a rural or an urban area in Spain. The results indicate that the location decision of entrepreneurs choosing to start their KISA firms in a rural area is mainly driven by personal and location-related motivations, whereas the local economic framework is the main motivation of those entrepreneurs who have chosen an urban location for their KISA firms. This allows for important policy-making recommendations, but it also offers significant contributions for entrepreneurship and regional development researchers.
Switched-Band Vivaldi Antenna

A novel Vivaldi antenna with added switched band functionality to operate in a wideband or narrowband mode is presented. The antenna reconfiguration is realized by inserting four pairs of switchable ring slots into the ground plane of the structure. A wide bandwidth mode from 1.0-3.2 GHz and three narrowband modes can be selected. A fully functional prototype with PIN diodes switches has been developed. Measured results shows good performance of the proposed designs. The antenna could be a suitable solution for a multimode application requiring wideband and frequency reconfigurable antennas, such as in military applications and cognitive radio.
Causality in the Saving-Growth Nexus: Empirical Evidence from Five Developed Countries.

Utilizing test procedures based on the notion of control causality and test procedure for superexogeneity, we examine the causal relationship between saving rate and economic growth using the annual time-series data for five developed countries. Our results provide empirical evidence that for four out of five countries economic growth control causes saving, but the reverse is not true. Policy implication of our finding is that since economic growth drives saving rates, rather the other way around, priorities should be given to policies to foster economic growth via raising investment growth and improve efficiency of such investment.
Can Districts Keep Good Teachers in the Schools that Need Them Most?

This study investigates how school demographics and their interactions with policies affect the mobility behaviors of public school teachers with various human capital characteristics. Using data from North Carolina from 1995 to 2006, it finds that teachers' career stage and human capital investments dominate their decisions to leave public school teaching and school demographic characteristics play a dominant role in intra-system sorting. Schools serving at-risk children struggle to attract and retain teachers with desirable observable characteristics. We find evidence to suggest that across-the-board school-based pay-for-performance policies have small but significant associations with mobility decisions and appear to exacerbate inequities in the distribution of teacher qualifications.
Local housing markets, structure and buyer behaviour: The east belfast case

This article provides a discussion of the characteristics of local housing markets with specific emphasis placed upon determining a sound operational basis for the definition of submarkets. Analysis is presented for the eastern sector of the city of Belfast highlighting the need for consistency within data if meaningful evaluation is to be achieved. The results indicate that physical house type is the best criterion for defining submarkets rather than market price, household type or social class category. Price bands lack the degree of homogeneity required whilst household type and social class category do not provide sufficient discrimination across a range of property, locational and environmental characteristics. Concerning the dynamics of market areas, a behavioural survey of purchases reveals most house moves to be short distance and prompted by factors which are non‐location specific though variability is apparent between different purchaser groups.
The effect of high level physical activity (8.5 METs or greater) and estrogen replacement therapy upon bone mass in postmenopausal females, aged 50-68 years.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of physical activity (PA) and estrogen therapy (ET) upon bone mass at the 1/3 and 4 mm distal radial sites in 50 postmenopausal females. The Ss (means age = 57.4 +/- 5.4 yrs) completed: 1) activity and gynecological surveys, 2) Balke treadmill tests (85% of age determined HR), and 3) single photon absorptiometry measurements of the radius. The activity surveys and treadmill tests were used to categorize Ss into high (8.5 METs or greater, n = 27) and low (6.0 METs or less, n = 23) physical activity groups (HPA/LPA), and the gynecological surveys were used to distinguish Ss who were on estrogen therapy (n = 17) and those who had never been on estrogen therapy (n = 33). Data revealed the HPA group had significantly higher BMC (g/cm) and BMC/BW (g/cm2) at the 1/3 distal radial site than the LPA group (.834 g/cm to .721 g/cm, p less than .01; and .698 g/cm2 to .653 g/cm2, p less than .06, respectively) but were not significantly different at the 4 mm distal site. The ET group had a significantly higher bone mass than the never on ET group for BMC/BW at the 4 mm site (.907 g/cm to .809 g/cm p less than .027). It was concluded that high level physical activity (8.5 METs or greater) or estrogen therapy was helpful in reducing the risk of bone loss in postmenopausal women.
Drivers and Outcomes of the New Public Management in Three Public Sector Agencies

This paper examines three public sector agencies in the Queensland Government which have undergone a series of changes in line with the prescriptions of the new public management. Interviews and public documentation from each of the agencies reveals that the major driver of change in all three organisations is the dominant ideological perspective, derived from public choice theory and aspects of the management literature, which favours the introduction of market principles and competition into public sector agencies. While the outcomes of change remain uncertain, early indications are that efficiency gains have only been achieved through the utilisation of new technologies or the shifting of responsibilities to the community sector, rather than as a direct consequence of new models of public management. Concerns also exist about the impact on quality of service delivery, especially when reforms are introduced in the context of inadequate funding of public services. The change process has also created human resource management problems associated with cultural and professional opposition to public management reform. So while public management reforms have placed pressure on organisations to make efficiency gains through innovations in service delivery and the utilisation of technology, they have also created some problems in terms of quality of service delivery and employee opposition to reform.
Distribution of androgen and estrogen receptor mRNA in the brain and reproductive tissues of the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius

Incubation temperature during embryonic development determines gonadal sex in the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius. In addition, both incubation temperature and gonadal sex influence behavioral responses to androgen and estrogen treatments in adulthood. Although these findings suggest that temperature and sex steroids act upon a common neural substrate to influence behavior, it is unclear where temperature and hormone effects are integrated. To begin to address this question, we identified areas of the leopard gecko brain that express androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA. We gonadectomized adult female and male geckos from an incubation temperature that produces a female‐biased sex ratio and another temperature that produces a male‐biased sex ratio. Females and males from both temperatures were then treated with equivalent levels of various sex steroids. Region‐specific patterns of AR mRNA expression and ER mRNA expression were observed upon hybridization of radiolabeled (35S) cRNA probes to thin sections of reproductive tissues (male hemipenes and female oviduct) and brain. Labeling for AR mRNA was very intense in the epithelium, but not within the body, of the male hemipenes. In contrast, expression of ER mRNA was prominent in most of the oviduct but not in the luminal epithelium. Within the brain, labeling for AR mRNA was conspicuous in the anterior olfactory nucleus, the lateral septum, the medial preoptic area, the periventricular preoptic area, the external nucleus of the amygdala, the anterior hypothalamus, the ventromedial hypothalamus, the premammillary nucleus, and the caudal portion of the periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Expression of ER mRNA was sparse in the septum and was prominent in the ventromedial hypothalamus, the caudal portion of the periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and a group of cells near the torus semicircularis. Many of these brain regions have been implicated in the regulation of hormone‐dependent, sex‐typical reproductive and agonistic behaviors in other vertebrates. Consequently, these nuclei are likely to control such behaviors in the leopard gecko and also are candidate neural substrates for mediating temperature effects on behavior. J. Comp. Neurol. 437:385–397, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exports, Foreign Capital Inflow, and South Korean Growth

In economic theory, there are many reasons why exports may serve as an "engine of growth" to the rest of the economy. Economies of scale, backward and forward linkages, and increases in competitiveness of domestic production are some of the reasons given. In Korea's case during the post-World War II period, the three predominant developments in the external sector which have attracted most attention are: (a) the spectacular growth of exports, (b) the persistent increase of capital goods imports over time, and (c) the substantial and increasing amount of foreign capital inflow.
Explicating ethical corporate identity in the financial sector

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and measure employees' perception of actual and desired corporate ethical values as a component of corporate identity within a major UK financial institution, against a comparison with their employees' own individual ethical values.Design/methodology/approach – The multi‐method case study uses a mix of secondary data analysis, key interviews and 245 employee questionnaires. The financial institution is selected as it is identified as being in the process of instigating what may be termed a “monolithic” corporate branding strategy while using a “top down” communication approach across its various operations in the UK.Findings – The paper shows that employees' perceive managements' ideal identity to be significantly different to the operational reality that “is” the company, especially in relation to ethical values. These gaps also vary between major divisions within the organisation, as well as between differing staffing levels, adding empirical support.
Relationship Between Food Insecurity, Social Support, and Vegetable Intake Among Resettled African Refugees in Queensland, Australia

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the interaction of food insecurity, social support, and vegetable intake among resettled Burundian, Congolese, and Rwandan African refugees in Australia. A total of 71 household food preparers were recruited through purposive sampling. Eighteen percent of the participants experienced food insecurity. Participants with low education and no social support were 5 and 4 times more likely to be food insecure, respectively. There were no significant differences in vegetable intake. Results indicate that food insecurity is more prevalent among postresettlement African refugees compared to the general Australian population and is associated with social support and education. Strategies to enhance education and social support networks for resettled African refugees may work toward alleviating food insecurity among this group.
Statistical modelling of a new global potential vegetation distribution

The potential natural vegetation (PNV) distribution is required for several studies in environmental sciences. Most of the available databases are quite subjective or depend on vegetation models. We have built a new high-resolution world-wide PNV map using a objective statistical methodology based on multinomial logistic models. Our method appears as a fast and robust alternative in vegetation modelling, independent of any vegetation model. In comparison with other databases, our method provides a realistic PNV distribution in agreement with respect to BIOME 6000 data. Among several advantages, the use of probabilities allows us to estimate the uncertainty, bringing some confidence in the modelled PNV, or to highlight the regions needing some data to improve the PNV modelling. Despite our PNV map being highly dependent on the distribution of data points, it is easily updatable as soon as additional data are available and provides very useful additional information for further applications.