Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategic decision models: Integrating different perspectives

Different perspectives of strategic decision-making and outcomes have been advanced in the literature. Among those are the rational normative, external control, and strategic choice models. The current research examined hypothesized effects of factors associated with these three perspectives on strategic acquisition decisions. Strong support was found for the rational/analytical normative choice perspective with objective criteria explaining the greatest amount of total explained variance in evaluation of target firms. However, industry and executive characteristics also produced main effects on target firm evaluations. Furthermore, the strategic decision models were found to vary by industry and executive characteristics of age, educational degree type, amount and type of work experience, and level (CEO and below). The results suggest that strategic decision models are quite complex with significant implications for future research and for strategic decision-making.
Strong independent association between obesity and essential hypertension

Obesity and hypertension (HTN) are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Association between obesity and HTN has not been studied in a large populations following adjustment for comorbidities. The goal of this study was to evaluate any association between obesity and HTN after adjusting for baseline characteristics. We used ICD‐9 codes for obesity and HTN from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) databases. Two randomly selected years, 1992 and 2002, were chosen from the databases as two independent samples. We used uni‐ and multivariable analysis to study any correlation between obesity and HTN. The 1992 database contained a total of 6,195,744 patients. HTN was present in 37.2 % of patients with obesity versus 12% of the control group (OR: 4.36, CI 4.30–4.42, P < 0.001). The 2002 database contained a total of 7,153,982 patients. HTN was present in 50.7% of patients with obesity versus 25.6% of the control group (OR: 2.98, CI 2.96–3.00, P < 0.001). Using multivariable analysis adjusting for gender, hyperlipidaemia, age, smoking, type 2 diabetes and chronic renal failure, obesity remained correlated with HTN in both years (1992: OR 2.69, CI 2.67–2.72, P < 0.001; 2002: OR 2.98, CI 2.96–3.00, P < 0.001). The presence of obesity was found to be strongly and independently associated with HTN. The cause of this correlation is not known warranting further investigation.
Evaluación de un proceso de capacitación para extensionistas rurales implementado en Paraguay

An innovative methodology in the Paraguayan context was implemented to train rural extensionists in the Department of CaazapAi. It aimed at the empowerment and the transformation of rural extension practices, looking for a more horizontal and participatory model of interaction. In order to reach these objectives, eight monthly training modules were implemented, in which reflexive processes about the problems faced by rural extensionists in their practice and spaces aimed at the construction of proposals to overcome them were implemented. In this article, the implementation, as well as the impact of the training process in the rural extensionistsâ€™ beliefs, are described and evaluated at a qualitative and a quantitative level. Evidence shows that the implemented methodology significantly transformed the way in which practitioners perceive their role in the context of extension work. Now, they conceive themselves as facilitators that have to work jointly with farmers, instead of those who have to bring them all the solutions.
Role of Lactoferrin in the Carcinogenesis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Lactoferrin is a ubiquitous, secretory, iron binding glycoprotein found in exocrine secretions such as saliva, pancreatic secretions and bile of mammals, including humans. It is considered a member of the transferrin family due to a close resemblance in molecular structure and size. Lactoferrin is produced in neutrophils and stored in specific granules. Its secretion from polymorphonuclear cells into circulation is dependent on the activation of guanylate cyclase, cGMP and protein kinase C. Lactoferrin gene expression is modulated by the steroidthyroid receptor superfamily, indicating that it is a hormone responsive gene. Lactoferrin is reported to have a variety of biological functions, including DNA synthesis, immune responses, iron transport, antimicrobial action, RNase activity, transcriptional activating functions, and receptor-mediated lipid uptake, any of which could play a role in tumor promotion [1-12]. Being a hormone responsive gene, lactoferrin may contribute to various hormone dependent cancers such as breast cancer and cancers of the female reproductive tract. In this context, it is important to note that an earlier report has shown an inverse relationship with the level of estrogen receptor and lactoferrin [13,14]. It was also found that lactoferrin and steroid hormone receptor expression are down regulated in adenocarcinomas of the endocervix, which may be associated with the loss of differentiation during neoplastic transformation [14]. Lactoferrin expression, similar to endocervix, is highly expressed in women’s normal resting and lactating breasts, but seems to be progressively downregulated in many breast cancers.
Using ethnography in strategic consumer research

This paper describes how ethnographic and quasi‐ethnographic research methods can be used in order to address the problems of the “limitations of asking” and that “people don’t always do what they say”, and to develop a “thick description” of the lived experience of consumers. A range of approaches are discussed and examples of their use in consumer research are given. Two case studies of ethnographic methods being used in strategic commercial research projects are described in detail. The implications for utilising ethnography in order to obtain managerially actionable insights are discussed.
Incorporation of dietary n-3 fatty acids into ovarian compartments in dairy cows and the effects on hormonal and behavioral patterns around estrus.

The objective of this study was to examine the incorporation of dietary n-3 fatty acids (FAs) into ovarian compartments and the effects on hormonal and behavioral patterns around estrus. Multiparous 256-day pregnant cows were fed either a standard diet both prepartum and postpartum (PP) (control; n=22) or supplemented with extruded flaxseed (E-FLAX) providing C18:3n-3 at 172.2 and 402.5 g/day per cow prepartum and PP respectively (n=22). The estrous cycle was synchronized, and at day 7 of the cycle, the cows were injected with prostaglandin F(2)(α) (PGF(2)(α)) and then subjected to 5 days of intensive examination. Compared with those in the control, in the E-FLAX group, the interval from PGF(2)(α) injection to behavioral estrus peak tended to be longer (3.6 h; P<0.1), that to estradiol (E(2)) peak was 6.5 h longer (P<0.03), and that to LH peak tended to be longer (5.3 h; P<0.07). The durations of behavioral estrus and E(2) surge were longer, and the area under the E(2) curve was greater in the E-FLAX cows. Afterward, 7-8 days following behavioral estrus, follicular fluids (FFs) from >7 mm follicles were aspirated. The proportions of n-3 FA increased in plasma, FF, and granulosa cells in the E-FLAX group. The concentrations of PGE(2) in the E(2)-active follicles tended to be lower in the E-FLAX cows (P<0.06). In conclusion, several modifications in hormonal and behavioral estrus patterns were demonstrated in cows fed n-3 FA, which might be attributed to alterations in membrane FA composition and partly mediated by lower PGE(2) synthesis.
Banking Stability for Financial Stability

This chapter while emphasizing the importance of the concept of financial stability in wake of recent global financial crisis in particular and other (banking and financial) crises in general attempts to highlight the significance of the soundness of banking sector in emerging economies where banking sector constitutes a lion's share in the financial system. This study investigates banking stability by structuring a recursive micro panel Vector Auto Regressive (VAR) model and corroborates the significance of the interrelatedness of the bank-specific variables such as; Liquidity, Asset Quality, Capital Adequacy and Profitability. This chapter while underscoring the prominence of financial stability in wake of recent global financial crisis in particular and other (banking and financial) crises in general argues that the soundness of banking sector in banking dominated financial system of emerging economies is of great significance in ensuring financial stability. Further, the chapter offers an in-depth review of literature on financial stability in backdrop of the ongoing definition debate for financial stability. A significant contribution of this study is in establishing that liquidity in the banking dominated financial system is reciprocally related with asset quality, capital adequacy, and profitability of constituent banks by employing a robust panel data drawn from 56 leading banks for a period of 12 years. Another contribution of this study is that, employing the most appropriate key determinants of banking sector soundness, the chapter models a simple and basic axiomatic form of banking stability index (BSI) in the context of an emerging economy banking sector.
The role of intrarenal angiotensin II in the development of hypertension in Ren-2 transgenic rats

Objective We investigated the responses of mean arterial pressure and renal blood flow to intravenous and intrarenal angiotensin II, plasma and kidney angiotensin II concentrations and renal angiotensin receptor subtype 1 protein expression, and renal functional responses to intravenous and intrarenal angiotensin receptor 1 blockade with candesartan. Methods In male anaesthetized transgenic rats and Hannover Sprague–Dawley rats aged 36–38 days mean arterial pressure and renal blood flow were determined after intravenous and intrarenal boluses of angiotensin II. Mean arterial pressure, renal blood flow and sodium excretion after intravenous or intrarenal candesartan were studied. Plasma and kidney angiotensin II concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Renal angiotensin receptor subtype 1 protein levels were analysed by immunoblotting. Results The responses of mean arterial pressure and renal blood flow to angiotensin II were significantly greater in transgenic than in Hannover Sprague–Dawley rats. The administration of candesartan resulted in comparable decreases in mean arterial pressure and increases in renal blood flow and sodium excretion in both groups of rats. Renal angiotensin receptor subtype 1 protein levels were no different between Hannover Sprague–Dawley and transgenic rats. Conclusions Plasma and kidney angiotensin II levels were lower in anaesthetized transgenic rats but, in contrast, were higher in decapitated transgenic rats when compared with Hannover Sprague–Dawley rats, suggesting that the kidney function of prehypertensive transgenic rats is under inappropriately high angiotensin II-dependent influence.
Does “true” personal or service loyalty last? A longitudinal study

Purpose – The paper aims to use Dick and Basu's two‐dimensional matrix that identifies four types of customer loyalty: true, spurious, latent and non‐loyal. It seeks to investigate if these four distinct clusters of loyalty existed both in terms of loyalty to the individual service worker (personal loyalty) and loyalty to the firm (service loyalty). The paper also aims to examine the stability of the loyalty clusters.Design/methodology/approach – Using self‐completion mail questionnaires, females over 18 who frequently used the service were surveyed at two time periods, 18 months apart. Of the original 341 respondents at time 1, only 137 (40 per cent) of these successfully completed the questionnaire at time 2.Findings – Even though the service context is such that the customer has the freedom of choice in selecting the service, the four loyalty clusters were found for both personal loyalty and service loyalty. Those customers who were originally classified as “true” loyals were the most stable group. Per.
DNA testing of sexual assault evidence: The laboratory perspective

Abstract The availability of DNA testing has dramatically changed the way that crimes are investigated. DNA results can link offenders to their crimes, exonerate wrongfully accused individuals, identify mass fatality victims and more. In the case of sexual assault, DNA evidence alone cannot prove that a sexual assault has occurred. DNA analysis can only reveal whether a person's DNA is, or is not, present. In this paper, the authors provide readers with an overview of the advantages and limitations of DNA analysis, the importance of proper evidence collection, the technologies available, and the amount of sample needed for testing. Through proper evidence collection and quality laboratory services, the full value of DNA will be realized.
The characteristics of human papillomavirus DNA in head and neck cancers and papillomas

Aim: To determine the prevalence, type, physical state, and viral load of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in cases of head and neck cancer and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Methods: The prevalence and type of HPV DNA was determined in 27 fresh frozen tissue specimens from patients with head and neck cancers and 16 specimens from 10 patients with RRP by MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+ nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent restriction enzyme cleavage. The physical state of HPV DNA was analysed by E1, E2, and E1E2 specific PCRs and Southern blot hybridisation (SBH). Results: HPV DNA was detected in 13 of 27 cancers and 10 of 10 papillomas. Both low risk HPV-6 and HPV-11 and high risk HPV-16 were present in cancers in low copy numbers, whereas papillomas exclusively harboured low risk HPV-6 and HPV-11. E1E2 PCRs failed to determine the physical state of HPV in cancers except one case where HPV-6 DNA was integrated. In contrast to cancers, all papillomas showed the episomal state of HPV DNA and a relatively higher viral load. Conclusions: Based on the prevalence, type, physical state, and copy number of HPV DNA, cancers and papillomas tend to show a different HPV DNA profile. The 100% positivity rate of low risk HPV types confirms the role of HPV-6 and HPV-11 in the aetiology of RRP.
Full title: Identifying Human Encounters that Shape the Transmission of Streptococcus

1. Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and 9 Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, United Kingdom 10 2. Department of Research, Epicentre, 8 Rue Saint-Sabin, 75011 Paris, France 11 3. Epicentre Mbarara Research Centre, PO Box 1956, Mbarara, Uganda 12 4. Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara University, PO Box 1410, 13 Mbarara, Uganda 14 5. Department of Field Epidemiology, Epicentre, 8 Rue Saint-Sabin, 75011 Paris, France 15
Renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms, blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and diabetes in Hong Kong Chinese: a significant association of tne ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE In Chinese populations, hypertension is common and is a major risk factor for cerebrovascular and coronary heart disease, particularly when associated with diabetes. The clustering of these disorders and dyslipidemia and obesity is termed the metabolic syndrome and is increasing in prevalence in the populations of modernizing Asian nations. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) helps maintain blood pressure and salt homeostasis and may play a role in the pathogenesis of aspects of the metabolic syndrome. We investigated three RAS gene polymorphisms--the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D), angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) A1166C polymorphisms--for a possible role in modulating these disorders in 853 Chinese subjects with varying components of the metabolic syndrome. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The three gene polymorphisms of this cross-sectional study were detected using polymerase chain reaction-based protocols. The genotype frequencies were compared between the controls (n = 119) and both overlapping and nonoverlapping groups of patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia using chi2 test. Differences in levels of the biochemical parameters between the genotypes were determined using analysis of variance. RESULTS No significant relationship was identified between these polymorphisms and blood pressure in this population. Although the AT1RA1166C polymorphism was not associated with any aspect of the metabolic syndrome examined, there was limited evidence to suggest that the AGT M235T polymorphism may be associated with cholesterol levels. The ACE I allele was significantly more frequent in each group comprising subjects with type 2 diabetes/glucose intolerance (GIT), and the I allele was associated with higher fasting plasma glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that these polymorphisms are unlikely to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The ACE I/D polymorphism was associated with the metabolic syndrome, having a higher frequency of I allele-containing genotypes in those groups, but this appeared to result predominantly from the relationship with type 2 diabetes/GIT in this population of Chinese subjects.
The Alignment of Contract Terms for Knowledge-Creating and Knowledge-Appropriating Relationship Portfolios

Interfirm collaborative relationships for developing new products involve the two fundamental tasks of creating new knowledge and appropriating the newly created or current stocks of knowledge. This study examines the alignment of two contract terms—form of resource integration (how partners integrate their resources) and form of equity sharing (whether partners are engaged in equity investment)—for knowledge-creating and knowledge-appropriating relationship portfolios. By analyzing interfirm relationship agreements initiated in the pharmaceutical industry between 1990 and 2006, the author shows that knowledge-creating and knowledge-appropriating relationship portfolios benefit from different alignments of contract terms to address their unique concerns. The author also shows that the appropriate alignments of contract terms are more critical for small firms than for large firms. The results provide specific insights into the management of knowledge-creating and knowledge-appropriating relationship portfolios for developing a greater number of radical and incremental new products.
The Influence of Social Alliances with Sports Teams on Intentions to Purchase Corporate Sponsors' Products

Abstract Sponsorship has become an increasingly popular form of marketing communications, yet little is known about what might influence consumers' intentions to purchase a sponsor's products. The focus here is on how the social alliances existing between fans and a preferred sports team influence purchase intentions. Data from a convenience sample of 678 adults attending a college football game suggest that favorable purchase intentions are more likely to occur (1) as identification with the team increases and (2) when such intentions are perceived as a group norm. Moreover, an ordinal interaction indicates that team identification has a greater effect on intentions at lower levels of group norms than at higher levels. Implications for practice are discussed.
Customer interruption cost assessment: an Indian commercial survey

The present paper summarizes the impact of power interruptions on the commercial sector of Punjab, a fast developing state of India. Punjab State Electricity Board, a state public sector undertaking is the only organization in Punjab responsible for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity Commercial consumers of Punjab, on whom the present study is based, have a connected load of 902,633 kW, and a total of 533,717 connections, which is a major part of the total load. It is the fastest growing in terms of the load demanded and new connections. PSEB distinguishes its customers into four groups; industrial, residential, agricultural and commercial. All the organizations in the state having an electric connection termed as commercial by the utility were a part of the study. The primary purpose of the study is to establish monetary losses associated with various levels of unreliability. The most direct and usable form of customer perceived interruption costs is the customer damage function. CCDF can be converted to an interrupted energy assessment rate (IEAR) in order to incorporate the customer costs in planning further studies. These cost profiles can be used in the utility's planning and decision-making.
Structural Equation Modeling in Marketing: Some Practical Reminders

The authors review issues related to the application of structural equation modeling (SEM) in marketing. The discussion begins by considering issues related to the process of applying SEM in empirical research, including model specification, identification, estimation, evaluation, and respecification, and reporting of results. In addition to these process issues, a number of other issues, such as formulation of multiple theoretical models, model error versus sampling error, and relating study objectives to the capabilities of SEM, are considered, and suggestions offered regarding ways that SEM applications might be improved.
Family business : a secondary brand in corporate brand management

Why do firms allude to family involvement in their marketing efforts? How can such references influence marketing outcomes? In view of these questions, the current paper argues that the business format “family business” holds a brand of its own; a brand that can offer distinctiveness to brands on corporate as well as product level. Revisiting theory on secondary brand associations and image transfer, the paper interprets the function of references to family in corporate communications and clarifies their relationship to corporate branding. Potential difficulties involved in the referral to family business are identified. Propositions for further research are proposed. 2
Robustness of Conjoint Analysis: Some Monté Carlo Results

In many industrial applications of conjoint analysis the use of nonmetric algorithms to analyze respondent ranks of products described by more than eight or 10 attributes is time consuming and very expensive for large samples of consumers. The authors compare the results using nonmetric analysis, full factorial designs, and rank data with quicker and less expensive methods of metric analysis, orthogonal arrays and stimulus ratings. In addition, two types of models and levels of error are investigated. The results indicate that metric analysis using ratings data and orthogonal arrays is very robust.