Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of the Service Attribute Matrix To Measure Consumer Satisfaction

Albrecht and Bradford's service attribute matrix was used to determine at tributes leading to customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction in a college university foodservice. Customer satisfaction/dissatisfaction was measured from a self-admin istered questionnaire. Two hundred and twelve questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 66.7%. In general, the most important attributes to the customers in the university cafeteria were quality of food, convenient location, cleanliness, and reasonable price. Attributes for each meal were sorted into the matrix according to their level of importance and the satisfaction score. Competitive strengths were found for all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) in quality of food, cleanliness, convenient location, and nutritious food categories, whereas a competitive vulner ability in the category of the price charged was found for two of the meals (lunch and dinner). The Albrecht and Bradford model appears to be useful in analyzing customer satisfaction/dissatisfaction.
Steroid hormones, the menopause, sexuality and well-being of women

Synopsis One hundred and forty-one women, aged 40–60 years, recruited from the community were assessed with an initial interview, plus four interviews at intervals of 1 week and blood samples. The objective was to investigate the determinants of sexuality and well-being in this sample. Measures included interview ratings of sexual function, Frenken Sexual Experience Scales and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List. Determinants evaluated, using multiple regression analysis, included age, menopausal status, BMI, smoking, ovarian steroids and adrenal androgens. None of the hormonal parameters significantly predicted measures of sexuality; the most important predictors were other aspects of the sexual relationship, sexual attitudes and measures of well-being. The best predictor of both well-being and depression was tiredness. The only hormone positively related to well-being was dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Regional network governance and sustainable tourism

Effective governance has been identified as one of the most important factors in sustainable tourism implementation. As governance structures are increasingly becoming network-based, attention needs to be diverted to the effectiveness of partnerships in achieving sustainability in tourism. Evaluating the effectiveness of regional tourism governance in Cyprus by considering regional tourism organisations’ (RTOs) public–private network involved exploratory research whereby semi-structured interviews with key tourism stakeholders were performed. Findings reveal that network governance-related challenges interact with region-specific characteristics, inhibiting the effectiveness of regional tourism governance in implementing sustainable tourism. Specifically, RTOs represent a weak form of governance and their effectiveness in implementing sustainable tourism is limited by the continuing dependence on foreign tour operators, a system of mutual favours which complexifies the nature of tourism planning and a growing emphasis on economic interests further fuelled by recent austerity measures imposed in Cyprus. The paper concludes that network governance cannot be considered separately from the socio-cultural, economic and environmental factors of the context in which it is studied and proposes that further research reflects the horizontal relations across regional, national and global networks.
Inpatient rehabilitation outcomes in patients with stroke at Thailand ’ s largest tertiary referral center : A 5-year retrospective study

The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate rehabilitation outcomes according to type of rehabilitation program (intensive or non-intensive) in stroke patients admitted for rehabilitation at Siriraj Hospital during 2010-2014. Demographic data, Barthel Index (BI) at admission (BIad), Barthel Index at discharge (BIdc), and length of stay (LOS) of all stroke admitted during the study period were recorded from chart review. Patients were categorized into the intensive or non-intensive rehabilitation groups. Efficacy (∆BI) was calculated as BIdc-BIad, and effectiveness was calculated as ∆BI / (BImax-BIad) * 100. Our subjects were 484 stroke patients with 569 rehabilitation admissions. Mean age was 64.5±13.0 years, and 53% were male. Most (88%) patients were admitted for intensive rehabilitation. Mean efficacy score was 3.7±3.5, and mean LOS was 30.6±18.4 days. Median percentage of effectiveness was 27.0 (800, 100). Mean efficacy score was 4.1±3.5 and 0.9±1.9; median percentage of effectiveness was 33.3 (800, 100) and 0 (-26.7, 31.3); and, mean LOS was 30.3±16.9 days and 32.6±27.2 days for the intensive and non-intensive groups, respectively. Mean LOS showed a decreasing trend from 2010 to 2014 (34.2 to 27.5 days). Efficacy and effectiveness showed an increasing trend, except for 2014. Our conclusions are that patients admitted for intensive rehabilitation had higher efficacy score, higher percentage of effectiveness, and shorter LOS than patients in the non-intensive group. During the 2010-2014 study period, mean LOS showed a decreasing trend, and efficacy and effectiveness showed an increasing trend.
The Interrelation Among Faithful Representation (Reliability), Corruption and IFRS Adoption: An Empirical Investigation

Purpose – The degree of corruption, among other things, indicates the non -implementation of laws, weak enforcement of legal sanctions and the existence of non-transparent economic transactions. Therefore, the expected change in reliability (faithful-representation) resulting from the adoption of IAS/IFRS, does not depend solely on the adoption of IAS/IFRS but is also influenced by the degree of corruption in each country. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the above statement is true. Design/methodology/approach – The data were taken from DataStream database and the sample period consists of listed companies of fifteen European countries that adopted IAS/IFRS mandatorily. The time horizon is 10 years, from 2000 until 2009. The period between 2000 and 2004 is defined as the period before the adoption, while the period between 2005 and 2009 is defined as the period after the adoption. The reliability/faithful representation of financial statements - as defined by the Conceptual Framework - is detected through regression analysis. Findings – The findings advocate that the adoption of IFRS/IAS seems to be not enough. It appears that the level of reliability of financial statements in every country does not depend solely on the adoption of IAS/IFRS but is also influenced by the degree of corruption in each country. Research limitations/implications – The models that are used for the measurement of reliability have as an independent variable the short-term accruals. Given that, the models fail to take into consideration accounting treatments that concern non-current assets/liabilities. Originality/value – The findings that are identified for counties with a high degree of corruption indicate a statistically significant reduction in reliability after the adoption of IAS/IFRS. These findings constitute a useful tool for the IASB and the European Commission as well as for the users of financial statements.
Differential Association of Phosphodiesterase 4D Isoforms with β2-Adrenoceptor in Cardiac Myocytes*

cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) activation represents a key signaling mechanism upon β-adrenergic stimulation under stress. Both β1- and β2-adrenoreceptor (ARs) subtypes induce cAMP accumulation, yet play distinct roles in cardiac contraction and myocyte apoptosis. Differences in controlling cAMP/PKA activities through the assembly of complexes between the receptors and cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases contribute to the distinct biological outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that β2ARs form signaling complexes with a set of PDE4D isoforms expressed in cardiac myocytes. PDE4D9 and PDE4D8 bind to the β2AR at resting conditions; however, agonist stimulation induces dissociation of PDE4D9 from the receptor but recruitment of PDE4D8 to the receptor. Agonist stimulation also induces recruitment of PDE4D5 to the β2AR. Moreover, the receptor-associated PDE4D isoforms play distinct roles in controlling cAMP activities and regulating the PKA phosphorylation of the receptor and myocyte contraction rate responses. Knockdown of PDE4D9 with short hairpin RNA enhances the β2AR-induced cAMP signaling, whereas knockdown of PDE4D8 only slightly prolongs the receptor-induced cAMP signaling in myocytes. Inhibition of PDE4D9 and PDE4D5 enhances the base-line levels of contraction rates, whereas inhibition of PDE4D9 and PDE4D8 enhances the maximal contraction rate increases upon activation of β2AR. Our data underscore the complex regulation of intracellular cAMP by β2AR-associated phosphodiesterase enzymes to enforce the specificity of the receptor signaling for physiological responses.
Individual Differences in Performance under Acute Stress

To be able to predict which persons are capable to perform under acute stress is important for the selection and training of professionals in the military, police, and fire-fighting domain. The present study examines how individual differences in coping (style, efficacy, and behavior) explain differences in performance and anxiety under acute stress. Cadets (n = 124) of the Netherlands Defence Academy were examined during a realistic stressful exercise. Person characteristics obtained from questionnaires well before the exercise were related to performance and behavior indices obtained during the exercise. Coping style predicted anxiety and performance, which was mediated by behavior during the exercise.
Malay, Chinese, and internet banking

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the impact of cultural traits on the intention to use internet banking. Drawing from the technology acceptance model and trust literature, the paper examines the influence of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and trust on the intention to use internet banking among Malay and Chinese ethnic groups.Design/methodology/approach – The questionnaire was distributed to final year business students and Master of Business Administration students at four public universities in Malaysia. A separate multiple regression was employed to analyze the data for each ethnic group.Findings – For both ethnic groups, the results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust, all have significant effect on the intention to use internet banking. Further examination of the regression coefficients revealed the cultural traits that may explain the extent to which they influence factors that affect the intention to use.Research limitations/implication.
Productivity as a Performance Measure

Both the improvement of productivity and the effectiveness of performance measures have been topics of extreme interest to managers and researchers in recent years. Looks at the potential advantages and disadvantages of using the traditional productivity measure, output/input, as a measure of performance at the firm, work‐unit, individual, product, or product‐line level. Considers the ability of productivity measures to adjust for price changes and to detect factor substitutions. The distortion of productivity measures by fixed expenses and the inability of productivity measures to consider quality changes are among the disadvantage cited. Also, criticisms that have been levelled at traditional cost accounting measures are found to apply to productivity measures. Proposes three criteria that can aid in determining when productivity measures are appropriate as performance measures. Makes recommendations for ways of using productivity measures effectively also.
Reducing M&A risk through improved due diligence

Making an MA devise an innovative plan for product launches; realign the sales force; rationalize the supply chain network and IT applications and create a shared services organization. Identify the high priority, complex initiatives, determine the associated risks and craft risk mitigation plans. Orchestrate the unveiling – smart acquirers know that analysts react more favorably to an announcement of an acquisition if it is followed up with a cogent discussion about the acquirer’s high priority integration initiatives, key risk factors and risk mitigation plans (including timing of each).
Delegation, Ownership Concentration and R&D Spending: Evidence from Italy

We use data from the Italian manufacturing industry to document a positive correlation between delegation and R&D. This result is robust to controlling for the determinants of R&D such as human capital, capital intensity and sectoral or regional effects. We further investigate the determinants of delegation and find that ownership concentration is significantly related to delegation. Among large firms with a dispersed ownership structure, larger ownership concentration implies less delegation, whereas the opposite emerges with more concentrated ownership. Differences between the Northern and Southern regions in terms of firms' propensity to delegate decisions and engage in R&D also emerge.
Trade Facilitation: A Conceptual Review

With falling tariff levels, it is probably not surprising that the non-tariff area and trade facilitation, in particular, are receiving growing attention. Apart from the World Trade Organization (WTO), trade facilitation is a subject of substance within a wide range of international organizations including several United Nations (UN)-type bodies, the World Customs Organization (WCO) as well as those concerned with economic development, supply chain security, and sector-specific issues such as international transport and logistics. The resulting body of international trade facilitation instruments and initiatives, which include conventions as well as detailed technical recommendations, is extensive. This article provides a general review of key elements and topics that are associated with trade facilitation and sets them against underlying challenges and obstacles in practice as well as for research. While much of the current effort in trade facilitation begins with a top-down premise – whereby governments seek to implement international conventions and recommendations nationally – the author argues that trade facilitation is inherently an operations-focused topic and deserves to be approached from a bottom-up approach, too. Such approach not only provides a strong case for an interdisciplinary research agenda, it also brings into question whether current institutions concerned with trade facilitation have the necessary capabilities to apply themselves to the more operational aspects associated with international trade.
Effect of temperature and voltage application time on space charge decay of HDPE

Polyethylene is a material that is widely used as insulation for power cables. In this paper, the effect of temperature and voltage application time on space charge decay in HDPE is described. Negative charge was found to be retained by the samples when a field of 50kV/mm was applied at temperatures of 25 and 40 degC, with an amount that increased with increasing voltage application time. The same field applied for 4800s at 60degC gave both negative and positive space charge, but only positive charge at 90 degC The decay time of the negative charge increased as the amount of negative space charge retained after voltage removal increased. This indicates that much of the trapped negative charge could not be de-trapped easily. In contrast positive space charge was observed following the application of 180 kV/mm and 300kV/mm. The speed of positive charge decay in these cases was much faster than that of the negative charge accumulated under 50kV/mm. It was also observed that the decay time of positive charge decreased with increases in the cathode field measured just before short-circuiting at 25 and 40degC, but not at 60 and 90degC.
Histological study of the development of the embryo and early larva of Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces: Cichlidae)

The developmental stages of Oreochromis niloticus are similar to those described in other mouth‐breeding tilapias except that, as in zebrafish, no cavity was found in the blastula. Variation in the rate of development of the embryo and larva of O. niloticus was found within a clutch of eggs as well as between clutches. Hatching glands are described for the first time in tilapias. They are widely distributed within the ectoderm covering the head, body, tail, and surface of the yolk sac near its attachment to the embryo. Timing of larval development is similar to that in other mouthbrooding tilapias, but is slower than that found in substrate‐spawning tilapias. A pneumatic duct connects the swimbladder to the digestive tract and swimbladder inflation and initiation of feeding occurs at about the same time. The digestive tract of the larva 8 and 9 days after fertilization is similar to that found in the adult, except that there are no digestive glands. An endocrine pancreatic islet was first seen 76 h after fertilization. A prominent thymus gland is present at 100 h. Hematopoietic tissue develops in the vicinity of the pronephros during early larval development. A spleen develops later, 7 days after fertilization. J. Morphol. 247:172–195, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Dynamics of Inflation and GDP Growth: A Mixed Frequency Model Approach

Frequency mismatch has been a problem in econometrics for quite some time. Many monthly economic and financial indicators are normally aggregated to match quarterly macroeconomic series such as GDP when analysed in a statistical model. However, temporal aggregation, although widely accepted, is prone to information loss. To address this issue, mixed frequency modelling was employed by using state space models with time-varying parameters. Quarter-on-quarter growth rate of GDP estimates were first treated as a monthly series with missing observation. Using Kalman filter algorithm, state space models were estimated with eleven monthly economic indicators as exogenous variables. A one-step-ahead predicted value for GDP growth rates was generated and as more indicators were included in the equation, the predicted values came closer to the actual data. Further evaluation revealed that among the group competing models, using Consumer Price Index (CPI), growth rates of PSEi, exchange rate, real money supply, WPI and merchandise exports are the more important determinants of GDP growth and generated the most desirable forecasts (lower forecast errors).
Exploring paths between web adoption and firm performance: The mediating effect of customer satisfaction, corporate image, market expansion and internal efficiency

This paper examines the effect of the different levels of web adoption on firm performance. We propose and test a model integrating one direct path and four indirect paths between levels of web adoption and firm performance. These four indirect paths take into account customer satisfaction, corporate image, market expansion and internal efficiency as intermediate factors. Data were collected from 159 European and American firms operating in the fashion industry. Results suggest that a higher level of web adoption promotes better overall firm performance when the relation is mediated by the aforementioned intermediate factors.
Equity Fund Performance Persistence with Investment Style: Evidence from Korea

Using a comprehensive database on equity funds in Korea, we investigate the performance and performance persistence with investment style employing the Fama and French three-factor model and the Carhart four-factor model. The paper finds that most investment styles in Korea noticeably outperform the passive benchmarks. In addition, positive performance persistence is observed among funds investing in large-cap stocks and stocks of high past performance. Finally, outperformance and positive performance persistence of equity funds are still present in various ranking and postranking horizons. These empirical findings are in sharp contrast with results from earlier studies on markets in developed countries, such as the United States.
Abnormal Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Indicate Compressive Cervical Myelopathy in Mucopolysaccharidoses

Compressive myelopathy at the cranio-cervical junction is a complication of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS). To detect cervical myelopathy we recorded median and posterior tibial nerve SEPs in 15 patients aged 2.4-33.4 years (median 8.8 years) with MPS I-S (n = 3), MPS IVA (n = 8) and MPS VI (n = 4). In addition to the cortical waveforms we recorded the subcortical median nerve SEPs N13b and P13 generated near the cranio-cervical junction and the lemniscal P30 after posterior tibial nerve stimulation. MRI studies in 13 subjects revealed spinal cord compression at the cranio-cervical junction in 10 patients; 5 patients had an increased signal intensity on the T2-weighted initial MRI indicating high cervical myelomalacia and 4 patients had clinical signs of cervical myelopathy. We did not find a relationship between the SEPs and spinal cord compression. Abnormal SEPs were found in the patients with MRI evidence of myelomalacia (sensitivity 1.0, specificity 1.0) and correspondingly in the patients with clinical signs (sensitivity 1.0, specificity 0.91). The SEPs consequently deteriorated in 2 subjects of 7.3 and 10.3 years of age. Abnormal SEPs indicated subclinical cervical myelopathy in 3 subjects. Cervical cord compression may be present before occurrence of clinical or electrophysiological evidence of myelopathy. However, we feel that the SEP analysis is useful to detect functional impairment of the cervical cord in patients with MPS.
Effects of Public Infrastructure on Cost Structure and Productivity in the Private Sector

This paper examines the effects of public infrastructure on the cost structure and productivity in the private sector in Australia. Translog cost functions incorporating public capital infrastructure are estimated for the aggregate private sector as well as for seven broad industry groups using annual time series data for 1968/69-1995/96. The effects of public infrastructure on productivity are measured in terms of both cost-saving and output-augmenting measures. The empirical results suggest that public infrastructure has a positive and significant impact on productivity in private sector industries. Public capital serves as a substitute for both private capital and labour. The rates of return to public capital are significant and vary over the sample period. Copyright 2003. The Economic Society of Australia.
Mapping Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Supply Chains: an Exploratory Perspective

Corporate responsibility (CR) in general, and sustainable supply chain management in particular, have been a growing concern for companies and researchers over the past decade. However, in scholarly work, sustainability has often been dealt with in a generic fashion or from an anecdotal point of view. Further, research works examining CR on the one hand and sustainable supply chains on the other have been conducted separately. We undertake the multiple factor analysis of a CR rating database (Innovest) which reports longitudinal scores for both the social and environmental performance of 1198 companies in different countries and distinct industries, to demonstrate a strong relationship between CR and a sustainable supply chain. Our findings from exploratory analysis also illustrate the role of country of origin and industry in shaping CR behaviour, highlighting isomorphic as well as allomorphic trends for CR trough time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.