Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How do SMEs bond to their retailers through value creation?

Given that low-cost imports have reached a global scale, domestic retailers tend increasingly to favor imported goods at the cost of local suppliers. Because this may seriously hurt the competitive position of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), this study seeks to find out how SMEs can create customer value to their retailers and differentiate themselves as competitive suppliers. The results indicate that store sales people make clear differences even between their existing suppliers. The value-creation activities and behaviors, which help store sales people to keep their promises and enhance their personal sales prospects, turn out to be the most differentiating factor in relation to nearest competitors. As to any supplier-specific customer satisfaction, customer relationship factors seem to explain the biggest differences between suppliers. Customer loyalty in turn implies a shift towards product/delivery/price factors, indicating that in the long run the perceived value of store sales people is subject to suppliers’ product strategy and price competitiveness.
Paradoxes of China's Economic Boom

China's stunning economic performance for the past three decades was not only unexpected but contradicts much received wisdom in the study of development. Four paradoxes posed by China's record are critically examined: (a) China's traditional culture and institutions as obstacles to development; (b) the necessity of big bang comprehensive reforms to transform a centrally planned economy into a market economy; (c) the perils of state-directed economic development (especially when the state is composed of lifelong communist bureaucrats); and (d) the necessity of getting the institutions right in order to foster development, particularly by establishing secure private property rights. Reasons why China was able to defy expectations and the received wisdom and develop so successfully are discussed. The Chinese case indicates that countries cannot succeed at development by a standard cookbook approach but must tailor their development policies and institutions to their distinctive history, potentials, and limi.
Hoarding in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a report of 20 cases.

BACKGROUND We describe the demographic characteristics, hoarding phenomenology, comorbid disorders, family histories, and treatment response of 20 adult obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients exhibiting hoarding behavior. METHOD We utilized the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, and a semistructured interview to gather data. RESULTS We studied 9 women and 11 men. Their hoarding began from age 5 years to age 46 years (mean +/- SD age at onset = 20 +/- 11 years); hoarding was evident before the onset of other OCD symptoms in 9 patients. The most commonly hoarded items were newspapers and magazines, junk mail, old clothes, notes or lists, and old receipts. Hoarded material occupied from one room plus most or all closets to more than one room plus all closets, the garage, and yard. Seven patients rented additional storage space for hoarded items. Eighty-four percent of patients reported a family history of hoarding, and 80% grew up in a household where someone else hoarded. The most frequent primary motives for hoarding were fears of discarding something useful and discarding something that would be needed in the future. Lifetime prevalence of major depression and of impulse-control disorders, especially compulsive shopping, were high; only 3 patients met DSM-IV criteria for obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. Response of hoarding to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors was less robust than is expected for obsessive-compulsive disorder. CONCLUSION Whether hoarding behaviors mark a subset of obsessive-compulsive disorder patients with a different pathophysiology or functional anatomy deserves investigation.
Product Innovation by Incumbent Firms in Developing Economies : The Roles of Research and Development Expenditures, Trade Policy, and the Investment Climate

A model of firm innovation illustrates the effects of the threat of imitation and product varieties on a representative firm ' s decision to invest in research and development to produce new product varieties. The model motivates two empirical questions: (1) Is research and developm ent partially correlated with firms ' propensity to introduce new products or product innovation in developing countries? (2) Do trade policies and the national investment climate affect firms ' propensity for product innovation? The econometric evidence suggests that the answers are yes and yes, but the investment climate affects product innovation in a manner that is consistent with the presence of market failures and state capture. National trade-policy distortions appear to reduce the probability of product innovation, and the density of exporting firms at the national level also seems to positively affect the propensity to introduce new products by individual firms. The paper discusses some policy implications.
Dimensions of Social Media Addiction among University Students in Kuwait

This study aimed to examine social media addiction in a sample of university students. Based on the Internet addiction scale developed by Young (1996) the researcher used cross-sectional survey methodology in which a questionnaire was distributed to 1327 undergraduate students with their consent. Factor analysis of the self-report data showed that social media addiction has three independent dimensions. These dimensions were positively related to the users experience with social media; time spent using social media and satisfaction with them. In addition, social media addiction was a negative predictor of academic performance as measured by a student's GPA. Future studies should consider the cultural values of users and examine the context of social media usage.
Comparison of antibacterial and toxic effects of various root canal irrigants.

AIM To compare the antibacterial properties and toxicity of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate plus 0.2% cetrimide (Cetrexidin); Vebas, San Giuliano, Milan, Italy). METHODOLOGY The antibacterial effects of the irrigants in vitro were examined after 5 min and 48 h in freshly extracted human teeth with single roots, whose canals were infected by Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. In a separate in vivo study, bacterial culture samples were collected before treatment from the infected root canals of deciduous teeth containing necrotic pulp tissue. Irrigants were used to clean the canals which were then left empty for 48 h. Aerobic/facultative anaerobic and anaerobic bacterial growth were compared before and 48 h after irrigation. Finally, the toxic effects of the irrigants were assessed by injecting them into the subcutaneous tissues of rats. The inflammatory reactions that occurred 2 h, 48 h and 2 weeks after the injections were evaluated. RESULTS In the laboratory study, the 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and Cetrexidin were significantly more effective on E. faecalis than the 5.25% NaOCl at 5 min (P < 0.05). Similarly, in the in vivo study, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate and Cetrexidin were significantly more effective on anaerobic bacteria than the 5.25% NaOCl at 48 h (P < 0.05). At the end of 2 weeks, the toxicity of the NaOCl solution was greater than that of the other irrigants (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Cetrexidin and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate were more effective, and had more residual antibacterial effects and lower toxicity than 5.25% NaOCl solution.
Intrathecal infusion systems for long-term management of chronic non-cancer pain: an update of assessment of evidence.

BACKGROUND Intrathecal infusion systems are often used for patients with intractable pain when all else fails, including surgery. There is, however, some concern as to the effectiveness and safety of this treatment. STUDY DESIGN A systematic review of intrathecal infusion systems for long-term management of chronic non-cancer pain. OBJECTIVE To evaluate and update the effect of intrathecal infusion systems in managing chronic non-cancer pain. METHODS The available literature on intrathecal infusion systems in managing chronic pain was reviewed. The quality assessment and clinical relevance criteria utilized were the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group criteria as utilized for interventional techniques for randomized trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale criteria for observational studies. The level of evidence was classified as good, fair, and limited or poor based on the quality of evidence developed by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF). Data sources included relevant literature identified through searches of PubMed and EMBASE from 1966 to December 2012, and manual searches of the bibliographies of known primary and review articles. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was pain relief with short-term relief < 12 months and long-term relief ≥ 12 months. Secondary outcome measures were improvement in functional status, psychological status, return to work, and reduction in opioid intake. RESULTS There were 28 studies identified for this systematic review. Of these, 21 were excluded from further review. A total of 7 non-randomized studies met inclusion criteria for methodological quality assessment. No randomized trials met the inclusion requirements.The evidence is limited based on observational studies. LIMITATIONS The limitations of this systematic review include the paucity of literature. CONCLUSION The evidence is limited for intrathecal infusion systems.
A Tale of Two Social Contexts

ABSTRACT This two-part study examines the effects of race-specific testimonials on both Black and White consumers and on Black majority and Black minority consumers. Study I demonstrates that Black Internet surfers respond more favorably to testimonial ads that utilize Black character testimonials than they do to testimonials that use White characters. White Internet surfers responded no differently to testimonials based on the race of the product presenter. Study I also indicates that Black and White Web surfers seem to have a slight preference for moderately vivid testimonials versus highly vivid testimonials. Study II indicates that Blacks who represented a numeric minority in their immediate social environment showed more favorability toward ads that use Black characters than Blacks who resided in a social environment wherein they comprised a numeric majority.
Good cop-bad cop: Trust, control, and the lure of integration

Based on a longitudinal case study of four interorganizational product development collaborations, this paper identifies a lure to cross-functional integration that has hereto been neglected. In particular, findings suggest that when the buyer firm separates the Research and Development (R&D) Department from the Procurement Department, the two departments play a good cop�bad cop strategy toward the supplier. Thereby, they are able to foster a high level of goodwill trust between R&D personnel of the collaborating firms, while procurement personnel maintain a high level of formal control. Using an intricate sample design with polar cases, the study shows that cross-functional integration of the two departments hampers interorganizational goodwill trust at the benefit of formal control. The findings offer a way forward for managers seeking to reap the benefits of collaboration, while limiting their exposure to the associated risks.
Ascl1 Is Required for the Development of Specific Neuronal Subtypes in the Enteric Nervous System

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is organized into neural circuits within the gastrointestinal wall where it controls the peristaltic movements, secretion, and blood flow. Although proper gut function relies on the complex neuronal composition of the ENS, little is known about the transcriptional networks that regulate the diversification into different classes of enteric neurons and glia during development. Here we redefine the role of Ascl1 (Mash1), one of the few regulatory transcription factors described during ENS development. We show that enteric glia and all enteric neuronal subtypes appear to be derived from Ascl1-expressing progenitor cells. In the gut of Ascl1−/− mutant mice, neurogenesis is delayed and reduced, and posterior gliogenesis impaired. The ratio of neurons expressing Calbindin, TH, and VIP is selectively decreased while, for instance, 5-HT+ neurons, which previously were believed to be Ascl1-dependent, are formed in normal numbers. Essentially the same differentiation defects are observed in Ascl1KINgn2 transgenic mutants, where the proneural activity of Ngn2 replaces Ascl1, demonstrating that Ascl1 is required for the acquisition of specific enteric neuronal subtype features independent of its role in neurogenesis. In this study, we provide novel insights into the expression and function of Ascl1 in the differentiation process of specific neuronal subtypes during ENS development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of different neuronal subtypes during development of the enteric nervous system are poorly understood despite its pivotal function in gut motility and involvement in gastrointestinal pathology. This report identifies novel roles for the transcription factor Ascl1 in enteric gliogenesis and neurogenesis. Moreover, independent of its proneurogenic activity, Ascl1 is required for the normal expression of specific enteric neuronal subtype characteristics. Distinct enteric neuronal subtypes are formed in a temporally defined order, and we observe that the early-born 5-HT+ neurons are generated in Ascl1−/− mutants, despite the delayed neurogenesis. Enteric nervous system progenitor cells may therefore possess strong intrinsic control over their specification at the initial waves of neurogenesis.
An Exploration of the Advertising Ambitions and Strategies of the 2001 British General Election

This paper reports on one element of our wider study investigating the 2001 British General Election national advertising, and the attitudes and perceptions of the young British electorate to the campaigns. The discussion presented here explores the strategies and ambitions of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats' 2001 national advertising campaigns. Our analysis is based on indepth interviews with key members of the three parties advertising agencies; content analysis of the national posters, press and party election broadcasts; and secondary source information e.g. coverage in the marketing and advertising press, newspaper, radio and TV reporting. A number of issues emerge including the key role of the advertising in agenda setting and agenda control, evidence of media misrepresentation of the central advertising themes, the poor use of the Internet, and the rather limited ambitions for the advertising itself.
Validation of the poke-flow technique combined with simulations of fluid flow for determining viscosities in samples with small volumes and high viscosities

Abstract. Viscosity in particles consisting of secondary organic material (SOM) has recently become an area of research focus, since information on viscosity is needed to predict the environmental impacts of SOM particles. Recently Renbaum-Wolff et al. (2013a) developed a poke-flow technique that was combined with simulations of fluid flow to constrain the viscosities of SOM samples of 1–5 mg mass, roughly the maximum that may be collected from environmental chambers or flow tubes on a reasonable timescale. The current manuscript expands on the initial validation experiments carried out by Renbaum-Wolff et al. First, the poke-flow technique combined with simulations of fluid flow was used to determine the viscosity of sucrose–water particles over a relatively wide range of relative humidities (RHs). The lower and upper limits of viscosity at 59% RH were 1.0 × 101 and 1.6 × 104 Pa s, whilst at 37% RH the corresponding values were 7.2 × 104 and 4.7 × 106 Pa s, respectively. The results are in good agreement with recent measurements by Quintas et al. (2006) and Power et al. (2013). Second, the approach was used to determine the viscosity of two polybutene standards. The simulated lower and upper limits of viscosity for standard #1 was 2.0 × 102 and 1.2 × 104 Pa s, whilst for standard #2 the corresponding values were 3.1 × 102 and 2.4 × 104 Pa s. These values are in good agreement with values reported by the manufacturer. The results for both the sucrose–water particles and the polybutene standards show that the poke-flow technique combined with simulations of fluid flow is capable of providing both lower and upper limits of viscosity that are consistent with literature or measured values when the viscosity of the particles are in the range of ≈ 5 × 102 to ≈ 3 × 106 Pa s.
Mixed Method Adoption Research

The aim of this research project was to assess the level of service provision in domestic adoption and crisis pregnancy counselling services in Ireland. Domestic adoption was defined as the placing of Irish born children with strangers, through an adoption agency. The research was designed to address a series of questions about the current situation regarding domestic adoption in Ireland. Key
Atmosphere in fashion stores: do you need to change?

Purpose – The aims of this paper are to establish: a typical women's apparel store environment as a realistic base for measuring the effects of changes; effective environmental stimuli levels; and the effect of repeated exposure on affect.Design/methodology/approach – A schema of typical stimuli is developed through literature, observing 212 stores, and surveying 39 women's fashion retail GMs. An experiment (n=489) establishes the set of stimuli and effective levels for creating affect for a women's fashion store. Shoppers (n=62) were repeatedly exposed to combinations of the two sets (industry standard and “ideal”) to examine whether decay in affect occurs, and whether changes can mitigate this.Findings – Interactions between sensory stimuli have a significant effect on fashion shoppers’ affect for a store. Fashion retailers are less differentiated in their use of sensory stimuli than they could be to achieve the responses they expect. Stagnation from repeated exposure can diminish affect for the store w.
Quantitation of sinusoid‐like vessels in hepatocellular carcinoma: Its clinical and prognostic significance

Angiogenesis is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical hypervascular tumor. However, the relationship between tumor vascularity and the outcome of patients with HCC has not been evaluated. To clarify whether tumor angiogenesis is related to the prognosis of patients, immunohistochemical staining, using anti‐von Willebrand factor (vWF) and anti‐CD34, was applied in resected specimens from 43 cases of HCC. In nonmalignant tissue, staining was confined to vessels in the portal tract and to a few periportal sinusoids with both of the endothelial markers applied. In tumor tissue, however, sinusoid‐like vessels reacted intensively with anti‐CD34 but not with anti‐vWF. The intratumor microvessel density (MVD) highlighted by anti‐CD34 was 297 ± 88 (per 0.74 mm2), which was significantly higher than that highlighted by anti‐vWF (4 ± 7). When only the MVD highlighted by anti‐CD34 was analyzed, tumor diameter larger than 2 cm, poor differentiation (Edmondson's II to IV), and portal invasion were significantly related to the subgroup with MVD > or = 290. Overall survival curves of patients with MVD < 290 were better, and these patients were more likely to remain tumor free. Cox hazards model revealed intratumor MVD and Edmondson's grade to be independent prognostic factors for the overall survival of patients. These results demonstrated for the first time that tumor angiogenesis assessed by anti‐CD34 was correlated with the outcome of patients with HCC, suggesting a potential role for anti‐CD34 in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and Islamic Banks Profitability: Evidence from MENA Countries

This paper investigate the determinant of profitability of Islamic banks from the MENA region and how Global Financial Crisis (GFC) impacts on their performance. The study covers 117 banks for periods of 2003 to 2011. To examine the determinant of Islamic banking profitability (ROA), we apply a balanced and dynamic panel data regression model. We conclude that the profitability of Islamic banks in the MENA countries is determined positively by asset size, equity to total asset, liquidity risk and negatively by capital adequacy ratio, innovation and global financial crisis. Positive and significant of asset size underlines the viability of economies of scale and scope. Foremost, Dummy for crisis is negative and significant indicating Islamic banks are not immune to the crisis. Innovation should be performed with caution, especially on Off-balance sheet activities.
Cosmology in the Laboratory: Defect Dynamics in Liquid Crystals

Liquid crystals are remarkably useful for laboratory exploration of the dynamics of cosmologically relevant defects. They are convenient to work with, they allow the direct study of the "scaling solution" for a network of strings, and they provide a model for the evolution of monopoles and texture. Experiments described here support the simple "one-scale" model for cosmic string evolution, as well as some qualitative predictions of string statistical mechanics. The structure of monopoles and their apparent cylindrical but not spherical symmetry is discussed. A particular kind of defect known as texture is described and is shown to have a dynamical instability—it can decay into a monopole-antimonopole pair. This decay process has been observed occurring in the liquid crystal, and studied with numerical simulations.
Phace

We present a novel physics-based approach to facial animation. Contrary to commonly used generative methods, our solution computes facial expressions by minimizing a set of non-linear potential energies that model the physical interaction of passive flesh, active muscles, and rigid bone structures. By integrating collision and contact handling into the simulation, our algorithm avoids inconsistent poses commonly observed in generative methods such as blendshape rigs. A novel muscle activation model leads to a robust optimization that faithfully reproduces complex facial articulations. We show how person-specific simulation models can be built from a few expression scans with a minimal data acquisition process and an almost entirely automated processing pipeline. Our method supports temporal dynamics due to inertia or external forces, incorporates skin sliding to avoid unnatural stretching, and offers full control of the simulation parameters, which enables a variety of advanced animation effects. For example, slimming or fattening the face is achieved by simply scaling the volume of the soft tissue elements. We show a series of application demos, including artistic editing of the animation model, simulation of corrective facial surgery, or dynamic interaction with external forces and objects.
Value Creation following Merger and Acquisition Announcements: The Role of Strategic Emphasis Alignment

The purpose of this article is to investigate how strategic emphases of merging firms (marketing or research and development) create value in a merger context. The authors suggest that strategic emphasis alignment—the extent to which the resource configurations of acquirer and target firms are similar to or distinct from one another—is a key construct that facilitates value creation. Using data on abnormal stock returns, the authors also suggest that when merging firms have low strategic emphasis alignment, value is enhanced when the merger motive is diversification. In contrast, when merging firms have high strategic emphasis alignment, value is enhanced when the merger motive is consolidation.