Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Business-to-Business Marketing Perceptions: Customer Knowledge Management and Customer Engagement

Business-to-Business Marketing Perceptions: Customer Knowledge Management and Customer Engagement by Lorraine Marzilli Lomas MBA, Walden University, 2008 BA, University of Rhode Island, 1982 BSBA, University of Rhode Island, 1982 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2016
Induction of Oogenesis in Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) by Infusion of the Hemocoel with Amino Acids

Abstract As done previously with adult females of Culex pipiens pallens Coquillett, a mixture of 17 amino acids was infused into the hemocoel of females of seven anautogenous and one autogenous mosquito species belonging to three genera. In Culex. p. quinquefasciatus Say, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Giles, Cx. kyotoensis Yamaguti & LaCasse, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), Armigeres subalbatus (Coquillett), and Cx. p. molestus Forskal, which previously had laid autogenously matured first batch of eggs, ovarian development was stimulated and frequently continued to maturity. In most mosquitoes, the number of mature follicles nearly doubled when the period of infusion was extended from 24 to 48 h. Therefore, the two previously indicated roles of amino acids, one to initiate ovarian development and the other to regulate the number of maturing oocytes, were confirmed in these species. In Cx. halifaxii Theobald and Ae. japonicus (Theobald), however, the frequency of activation and maturation of ovaries was low compared with the other species, indicating that those species may require some factors other than an increase in amino acids for normal ovarian development after a blood meal.
Restructuring Strategies and Post-Bankruptcy Performance

The study concerns itself with restructuring strategies and restructuring actions of large public U.S. firms from 1993 through 2005 and their impact on post-bankruptcy performance following a reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The empirical analysis relates to the research areas financial economics, strategic management and corporate banktruptcy and builds on the research topics of financial distress, corporate restructuring and post-bankruptcy performance. Using a multivariate logistic regression model, the study analyzes the influence of the employed restructuring actions on the firms' post-bankruptcy performance. The restructuring actions are classified into four comprehensive restructuring categories (operational, financial, managerial, portfolio), which fall either into the bankruptcy phase or the post-bankruptcy phase. As a result, differences between successful and unsuccessful firms can be deducted that should prove useful for resolving future corporate bankruptcy cases in the U.S.
Smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy: an epidemiological study in Tasmania

Smoking and alcohol ingestion were analysed in 5100 women confined in Tasmania in 1981. This represented 70% of the total number of confinements. The incidence of smoking throughout pregnancy was 33.6%, and 2.7% of the women studied smoked at some time during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption in pregnancy was recorded for 55.9% of patients. However, 99% were only occasional drinkers. There was a statistically higher incidence in smoking habits in the age group 20 years and under, the unmarriedand the lower socio‐economic classes, whereas the reverse was true for alcohol consumption. The analysis provides a basis for the groups toward which programmes should be directed.
Customer Satisfaction with Quality of Products of Food Business

This article is a part of a specific research output called Quality Influence on the Performance and Competitiveness of the Company. One of the research phases is elaborated in this article; its subject is measuring customer satisfaction with the quality of food products companies in the Czech Republic. This article aim is to determine the level of customer satisfaction with the quality of food production enterprises. The partial aim of the article is to identify factors that have the greatest influence on the customer satisfaction. The research confirms close relations between customers’ quality perception, their satisfaction and the level of fulfilment of their demands.
Advertising effectiveness from a consumer perspective

Communication effectiveness research is moving away from investigations of advertising’s forms, content and the degree and type of consumer involvement, to a greater focus on the process of reception and the social and cultural roles that advertising plays in society and in individual lives. This shift in emphasis has been influenced by communication and media studies, which have prioritised the psychological, social and cultural contexts within which consumers relate to commercial information and the roles that advertising media play in their lives. The focus on the ‘receiver’ as the key actor in the advertising communication process has also coincided with increasing interest in consumer culture theory, brand communities and the new service dominant logic of marketing. This paper provides a useful perspective from which to view contemporary developments in advertising effectiveness research, and has important implications for future studies.
Romosozumab Treatment in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND Romosozumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds sclerostin, increases bone formation and decreases bone resorption. METHODS We enrolled 7180 postmenopausal women who had a T score of -2.5 to -3.5 at the total hip or femoral neck. Patients were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous injections of romosozumab (at a dose of 210 mg) or placebo monthly for 12 months; thereafter, patients in each group received denosumab for 12 months, at a dose of 60 mg, administered subcutaneously every 6 months. The coprimary end points were the cumulative incidences of new vertebral fractures at 12 months and 24 months. Secondary end points included clinical (a composite of nonvertebral and symptomatic vertebral) and nonvertebral fractures. RESULTS At 12 months, new vertebral fractures had occurred in 16 of 3321 patients (0.5%) in the romosozumab group, as compared with 59 of 3322 (1.8%) in the placebo group (representing a 73% lower risk with romosozumab; P<0.001). Clinical fractures had occurred in 58 of 3589 patients (1.6%) in the romosozumab group, as compared with 90 of 3591 (2.5%) in the placebo group (a 36% lower risk with romosozumab; P=0.008). Nonvertebral fractures had occurred in 56 of 3589 patients (1.6%) in the romosozumab group and in 75 of 3591 (2.1%) in the placebo group (P=0.10). At 24 months, the rates of vertebral fractures were significantly lower in the romosozumab group than in the placebo group after each group made the transition to denosumab (0.6% [21 of 3325 patients] in the romosozumab group vs. 2.5% [84 of 3327] in the placebo group, a 75% lower risk with romosozumab; P<0.001). Adverse events, including instances of hyperostosis, cardiovascular events, osteoarthritis, and cancer, appeared to be balanced between the groups. One atypical femoral fracture and two cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw were observed in the romosozumab group. CONCLUSIONS In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, romosozumab was associated with a lower risk of vertebral fracture than placebo at 12 months and, after the transition to denosumab, at 24 months. The lower risk of clinical fracture that was seen with romosozumab was evident at 1 year. (Funded by Amgen and UCB Pharma; FRAME ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01575834 .).
The three hosts of the Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda) life cycle in Lavernose-Lacasse gravel pit, France

The life cycle of Ligula intestinalis, a pseudophyllidean cestode, was studied in a South-Western French gravel pit. Copepods, fish and piscivorous birds, constitute the hosts necessary for complete parasite development. In order to determine the actual species likely to be responsible for the very high level of parasitism observed, a two-year study was carried out. Our results show that the copepod Eudiaptomus gracilis, the roach (Rutilus rutilus) and the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) were the most favourable hosts for continuation of the parasite life cycle. The study shows how alterations exerted by infective larval stages of L. intestinalis affect the population dynamics of roach.
Dietary patterns and fatty liver disease

Purpose of review The association of dietary intake and fatty liver disease (FLD) is of importance for disease prevention. Dietary pattern analysis enables the investigation of overall diet and permits to take interactions and cumulative effects of dietary components into account. This review summarizes recent findings on the association of dietary patterns and FLD. Recent findings A systematic review of articles published from March 2013 to August 2014 identified four relevant observational (n = 116–995) and one interventional study (n = 12). The Healthy Eating Index and Dietary Diversity Scores were not related to nonalcoholic FLD. A Mediterranean diet intervention resulted in a significant decrease in liver fat content over 6 weeks. Exploratory approaches revealed a ‘Western pattern’ and a pattern having alcohol, meat (poultry) and tea in common with a hypothesis-driven pattern, which were both associated with FLD. Summary Most studies were limited by a cross-sectional design and small-to-moderate sample sizes. Observational studies applying exploratory approaches and a Mediterranean diet intervention demonstrated most promising results relating dietary patterns to FLD. Prospective studies with measurement of liver fat on a continuous scale at multiple time points in large samples are important requisites to improve our understanding of FLD cause.
ABT-737 Synergizes with Chemotherapy to Kill Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells via a Noxa-Mediated Pathway

Overexpression of Bcl-XL, an antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family member, occurs in a majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and correlates with chemotherapy resistance in this disease. Overexpression of Bcl-2 is also observed in HNSCC, albeit less frequently. We have previously shown that peptides derived from the BH3 domains of proapoptotic proteins can be used to target Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 in HNSCC cells, promoting apoptosis. In this report, we examined the impact of ABT-737 (for structure, see Nature435:677-681, 2005 ), a potent small-molecule inhibitor of Bcl-XL and Bcl-2, on HNSCC cells. As a single agent, ABT-737 was largely ineffective at promoting HNSCC cell death. By contrast, ABT-737 strongly synergized with the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and etoposide to promote HNSCC cell death and loss of clonogenic survival. Synergism between ABT-737 and chemotherapy was associated with synergistic activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Treatment with ABT-737 plus chemotherapy resulted in dramatic up-regulation of proapoptotic Noxa protein, and small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated inhibition of Noxa up-regulation partially attenuated cell death by the synergistic combination. Treatment with cisplatin or etoposide, alone or in combination with ABT-737, resulted in substantial down-regulation of Mcl-1L, a known inhibitor of ABT-737 action. Further down-regulation of Mcl-1L using siRNA failed to enhance killing by the cisplatin/ABT-737 synergistic combination, indicating that chemotherapy treatment of HNSCC cells is sufficient to remove this impediment to ABT-737. Together, our results demonstrate potent synergy between ABT-737 and chemotherapy drugs in the killing of HNSCC cells and reveal an important role for Noxa in mediating synergism by these agents.
Analysis of MyoD, myogenin, and muscle‐specific gene mRNAs in regenerating Xenopus skeletal muscle

We have analyzed in adult Xenopus laevis, using in situ hybridization, the spatial and temporal expression patterns of MyoD, myogenin, and α‐skeletal actin and fast myosin heavy chain mRNAs during muscle regeneration following cardiotoxin injury. MyoD transcripts could be detected in the satellite cells as early as the first stage of regeneration and were expressed persistently throughout the regeneration process. Myogenin mRNAs were transiently expressed in forming myotubes. α‐Skeletal actin and fast myosin heavy chain mRNAs were detected precociously, before the young myotube stage. This work has shown, for the first time, the presence of myogenin transcripts during Xenopus myogenesis. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Title IX and Campus Recreation: Guidelines to Increase Gender Equity in Club and Intramural Sport Programs

Title IX legislation seeks to prevent sex discrimination in club and intramural recreational activities; yet guidance to encourage compliance with the law is limited. Hence the purpose of this investigation was to critically assess the applicability of Title IX athletic guidance and advance gender equity guidelines specific to intramural and club sports. Campus recreation directors from six NIRSA regions were sent an online survey with recommended gender equity guidelines. Eighty-two directors appraised the guidelines in relation to their effectiveness in evaluating gender equity in intramural and club sport programs. This investigation found the majority of the guidance for intercollegiate athletic programs to be relevant to club and intramural sport programs, but differences were found concerning provisions and participation opportunities. Similarities and differences are discussed and twenty guidelines are advanced to provide institutions with ways to provide men and women with nondiscriminatory participation opportunities.
Therapeutic potential of cationic steroid antibacterials

Antibiotics were one of the great health successes of the 20th century. Antibiotics, both naturally derived and synthetic, have resulted in huge decreases in both morbidity and mortality from bacterial infections. As a consequence, the ‘antibiotic age’ has changed public expectations about the results of infectious disease. However, this has led to high levels of inappropriate prescribing, where antibiotics may be administered to fulfil patient expectations rather than for clinical benefit. Along with unwise uses in agriculture and elsewhere, this has contributed to recent rises in numbers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As a result, many commentators have described this as the end of the antibiotic age and the term ‘superbug’ has entered the common vocabulary for multi-drug-resistant bacteria such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this context, an attractive approach for the development of antibacterial agents is the use of a new class of cationic steroidal compounds mimicking polymyxin activities. The permeabilization properties of these agents of the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria are reported in this review, as well as a discussion of literature results.
On the Alignment of Stakeholder Orientation between the Board and Managers

Adams and Ferreira (2007) suggest that well-aligned stakeholder orientation between the board and managers may be optimal because managers are then more likely to provide information to the board, thereby allowing the board to provide better advice to managers. We test this and related implications using a panel dataset that contains the stakeholder orientation of the board and managers based on indices that capture the degree of stakeholder orientation. We find that the focal firm’s stakeholder orientation index (SO Index) is strongly associated with the SO Index of other firms on whose board the outside directors of the focal firm have a board seat (Board SO Index). In addition, the higher the Board SO Index relative to the focal firm’s SO Index, the larger is the subsequent change in SO Index observed for the focal firm. This evidence suggests that outside directors influence the focal firm’s stakeholder orientation. In the director selection process, prospective directors are more likely to be appointed if their stakeholder orientation is aligned with that of the focal firm. Additionally, prospective directors expected to increase the alignment of stakeholder orientation between the board and managers are more likely to be chosen, and are accompanied with a higher stock price reaction upon director appointment announcement. Finally, we find that a larger divergence in stakeholder orientation between the board and managers negatively affects firm value, and that this effect is concentrated in environments where the board’s advisory role is likely to be more critical. Overall, our results are consistent with the predictions in Adams and Ferreira (2007).
Effects of inclusion on the academic achievement and adaptive behaviour of children with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND While an extensive body of research has examined the outcomes of inclusion for pupils with special needs, in particular learning disabilities, its effects on the development of children with intellectual disabilities (ID) have been less explored. As inclusive practices tend to be more common for this group of children, it is important to acquire more knowledge on this issue. METHODS A comparative study with an experimental group of 34 children with ID fully included in general education classrooms with support, and a control group of 34 comparable children in special schools has been conducted. The progress accomplished by these two groups in their academic achievement and adaptive behaviour has been compared over two school years. RESULTS Included children made slightly more progress in literacy skills than children attending special schools. No differences were found between the progress of the two groups in mathematics and adaptive behaviour. CONCLUSIONS Inclusive education is an appropriate educational option for primary pupils with ID who require extensive support in school.
Is Bilingualism Associated With a Lower Risk of Dementia in Community-living Older Adults? Cross-sectional and Prospective Analyses

Objective:The aim of this study was to determine whether bilingualism is associated with dementia in cross-sectional or prospective analyses of older adults. Methods:In 1991, 1616 community-living older adults were assessed and were followed 5 years later. Measures included age, sex, education, subjective memory loss (SML), and the modified Mini-mental State Examination (3MS). Dementia was determined by clinical examination in those who scored below the cut point on the 3MS. Language status was categorized based upon self-report into 3 groups: English as a first language (monolingual English, bilingual English) and English as a Second Language (ESL). Results:The ESL category had lower education, lower 3MS scores, more SML, and were more likely to be diagnosed with cognitive impairment, no dementia at both time 1 and time 2 compared with those speaking English as a first language. There was no association between being bilingual (ESL and bilingual English vs. monolingual) and having dementia at time 1 in bivariate or multivariate analyses. In those who were cognitively intact at time 1, there was no association between being bilingual and having dementia at time 2 in bivariate or multivariate analyses. Conclusions:We did not find any association between speaking >1 language and dementia.
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS

The designation of chlorpromazine, and subsequently haloperidol, thioridazine, loxapine, thiothixene, molindone, pimozide, and related compounds as antipsychotic drugs (1) reflects their predominant action in humans, namely the suppression of auditory hallucinations and delusions, in some, but not all, individuals with diagnoses of schizophrenia as well as other psychoses. These drugs are also called neuroleptics because they caused catalepsy in rodents and extrapyramidal side effects (EPSs) in humans (2). Their ability to diminish psychotic symptoms was convincingly shown to be initiated by blockade of dopamine (DA) D2 receptors in mesolimbic nuclei, especially the nucleus accumbens, stria terminalis, and the extended amygdala (2–5). Blockade of D2 receptors in terminal regions, e.g., the striatum, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex, by these agents initially causes compensatory increases in the activity of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmentum, respectively, followed by a gradual decrease in the activity of DA neurons, and, ultimately, complete inactivation of DA neuron firing in both regions (6). This so-called depolarization block was suggested to be the reason for the slow onset of antipsychotic action, which is observed in some, but not all, psychotic patients. The development of depolarization block following subchronic haloperidol treatment has been challenged by Melis et al. (7) on the basis of microdialysis studies of DA release in the nigrostriatal system, but those findings have been suggested by Moore et al. (8) to be an artifact. These first-generation antipsychotic drugs are often referred to as typical antipsychotic drugs because they typically produce EPSs, e.g., acute dystonic reactions, subacute par-
Healthcare utilization and costs among chronic bronchitis patients treated with maintenance medications from a US managed care population

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to examine the real-world healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and direct costs among chronic bronchitis (CB) patients treated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) maintenance medications. Methods: This retrospective analysis utilized administrative claims data from 14 US commercial managed care plans. Eligible patients were ≥40 years old, had ≥2 years of continuous enrollment, ≥1 CB (ICD-9-CM code 491.xx) hospitalization or emergency department (ED) visit or ≥2 office visits between 1/1/2004 and 5/31/2011, and had ≥2 pharmacy fills for COPD medications during follow-up (first fill served as the index date). All-cause and COPD-related HCRU and costs were assessed during follow-up. Multivariate models were utilized to identify predictors of total costs. Results: Treated CB patients (n = 17,382; 50.6% female; mean age 66.7 (SD = 11.4) years) had a mean of 7.6 (SD = 6.3) COPD maintenance medication fills during follow-up. Overall, 32.6% of patients had ≥1 COPD-related inpatient hospitalizations, 12.9% had ≥1 ED visit, and 81.8% had ≥1 office visit. Mean all-cause and COPD-related total costs were $25,747 (SD = $51,105) and $12,609 (SD = $36,801), respectively, during follow-up. Among the sub-group with ≥1 exacerbation during baseline year, 42.3% had ≥1 COPD-related inpatient hospitalization, 18.5% had ≥1 ED visit, and 88.2% had ≥1 office visit. Mean follow-up all-cause and COPD-related total costs were $29,861 (SD = $49,799) and $16,784 (SD = $34,170), respectively. The number of baseline exacerbations was a significant predictor of all-cause and COPD-related total costs during follow-up. Limitations: This study lacked standard measures of CB severity; however, severity proxies were utilized. Conclusion: HCRU and costs among CB patients were substantial during follow-up, despite treatment with COPD maintenance medications. Additional interventions aiming to prevent or reduce HCRU and costs among CB patients warrant exploration.