Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Relationship between Quality Orientation, New Services Development and Organizational Performance

Abstract In today's highly competitive environment in the financial services industry new service development has emerged as a central concept for competitive strategy. This is particularly true in services contexts such as financial services, characterized by continuous exchange activity. Therefore, most service marketers recognize today the importance of maintaining enduring development for new services to meet customers’ financial needs. Moreover, in this highly competitiveness market quality orientation concept has become a significant boardroom topic to offer superior service to the customers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between quality orientation, new service development and organizational performance. The proposed model was tested on managers of commercial Banks in Amman - Jordan. Structural equation modeling technique was employed using AMOS 7.0 to verify the reliability and validity of the multi-item scales and to test the hypothesized relationships. However, Finding indicates that Quality Orientation has a strong and positive effect on new service development and Organizational performance of commercial banks. It has also been found that there is a significant positive impact of new service development on banks performance. Results also indicate the mediating effect of new service development on quality orientation - banks performance relationship. The implications for financial institutions are that it is of increasing importance that new service development and Quality Orientation is used as a means of differentiation, to achieve higher profit, revenue growth , improved market share and market effectiveness. The findings contribute to understanding the relationships between quality orientation, new service development and organizational performance, provide critical implications for bank managers, and highlight directions for future research.
Frustration, specific sequence dependence, and nonlinearity in large-amplitude fluctuations of allosteric proteins

Proteins have often evolved sequences so as to acquire the ability for regulation via allosteric conformational change. Here we investigate how allosteric dynamics is designed through sequences with nonlinear interaction features. First, for 71 allosteric proteins of which two, open and closed, structures are available, a statistical survey of interactions using an all-atom model with effective solvation shows that those residue contact interactions specific to one of the two states are significantly weaker than are the contact interactions shared by the two states. This interaction feature indicates there is underlying sequence design to facilitate conformational change. Second, based on the energy landscape theory, we implement these interaction features into a new atomic-interaction-based coarse-grained model via a multiscale simulation protocol (AICG). The AICG model outperforms standard coarse-grained models for predictions of the native-state mean fluctuations and of the conformational change direction. Third, using the new model for adenylate kinase, we show that intrinsic fluctuations in one state contain rare and large-amplitude motions nearly reaching the other state. Such large-amplitude motions are realized partly by sequence specificity and partly by the nonlinear nature of contact interactions, leading to cracking. Both features enhance conformational transition rates.
A Comparison of the Director Networks of the Main Listed Companies in France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on director interlocks by illustrating and analysing the interlocking directorships among the Italian, French, German, UK and US listed Blue Chips. The comparison of the five countries considered shows that two national models stand out. On the one hand a model made of a high number of companies linked to each other through a small number of shared directors who serve on several company boards at the time (France, Germany, and Italy). On the other hand, in the UK much fewer companies are connected to each other essentially through directors who have no more than two board positions at the time. A case in between is represented by the US, where a high number of companies are connected to each other just like Germany, France, and Italy. However, just like the UK, such connections are made through directors who tend to have just two board positions at the time, a sign that, differently from Italy, Germany, and France, the UK and US networks might not be functional to systemic collusion.
Safety of hepatectomy accompanying combined resection of other organs.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The present study analyzed postoperative outcomes for patients who underwent hepatectomy accompanied by resection of other organs, to clarify operative safety. METHODOLOGY We examined perioperative parameters in 95 patients who underwent hepatectomy and other organ resections (colorectal resection, n=46; gastrectomy or duodenectomy, n=13; splenectomy, n=17; resection of diaphragm, n=9; pulmonary resection, n=4; others, n=6). RESULTS Prevalence of chronic liver dysfunction (100%) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (100%) was significantly higher in patients who underwent splenectomy than in other groups (17% and 21%, respectively; p<0.01). Extent of hepatectomy, operating time and blood loss did not differ significantly between groups. Frequency of blood transfusion use was highest in patients who underwent splenectomy (p<0.01). Postoperative complications tended to be more frequent among patients who underwent splenectomy, but this difference was not significant. Wound infection tended to be more frequent among patients who underwent colorectal resection, but not significantly (p=0.11). Hepatectomy-associated complications in patients who underwent splenectomy most often appeared in the form of uncontrolled ascites (p<0.01), with hospital deaths rarely observed and hospital stay not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS Good postoperative outcomes in multi-organ resections with hepatectomy were observed by careful perioperative management based on adequate indications for hepatectomy.
Lysophosphatidic acid- and Gbeta-dependent activation of Dictyostelium MAP kinase ERK2.

Exogenous lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has been shown to evoke a chemotactic response in aggregative cells of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. In this paper, we demonstrate that extracellular LPA is also able to induce activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase DdERK2 (extracellular signal regulated kinase 2) in these cells. This activation is independent of cyclic AMP receptors, yet fully dependent on the single Gbeta subunit, hinting to the presence of functional heptahelical LPA receptors in a primitive eukaryote. We did not observe LPA-dependent cyclic GMP accumulation, which suggests that the pathways for LPA-induced and "classical" chemotaxis of D. discoideum cells are substantially different.
EFFECTS OF FLUTAMIDE ON PUBERTY IN MALE RATS: AN EVALUATION OF THE PROTOCOL FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT AND THYROID FUNCTION

To establish a test protocol for the rodent 20-d thyroid/pubertal assay, flutamide, a nonsteroidal androgen antagonist, was administered to intact male Sprague-Dawley rats from postnatal d 33 for 20 d, and several reproductive endpoints were examined to assess the sensitivity of a number of parameters with respect to the detection of endocrine-related effects. Immature male rats were divided into 4 groups and given flutamide once daily by oral gavage at doses of 0, 1, 5, or 25 mg/kg/d. Prepuce separation was significantly delayed in flutamide-treated rats (5 and 25 mg/kg/d). One day after the last dose, the rats were sacrificed. Flutamide treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the weights of epididymides, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles plus coagulating glands and fluid, levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscles, Cowper's glands, and glans penis. The weight of adrenal glands decreased at 25 mg/kg/d, while testes and any other organ weights were unaffected. No microscopic changes were observed in the thyroid glands. Serum levels of testosterone were significantly increased in the flutamide-treated groups (5 and 25 mg/kg/d) and serum levels of estradiol were also increased (25 mg/kg/d). No differences were observed in the serum thyroxine levels. These results indicate that flutamide delays puberty in the male rat, and its mode of action appears to be via altered secretion of steroids, which subsequently affect the development of the reproductive tract. Thus, this assay might be used as an alternative for screening antiandrogenic activities of chemicals.
The effect of mandatory audit partner rotation on (perceived) earnings quality of Dutch publicly listed companies

This study examines the effect of audit partner rotation on earnings quality in a Dutch, mandatory setting. I also investigate whether this association is moderated by audit firm tenure and shed some light on the individual effect of audit firm tenure on (perceived) earnings quality. Earnings quality is assessed in two ways: actual and perceived. Actual earnings quality refers to the accounting correctness of the reported earnings in the financial statements (=financial reporting quality) and perceived quality refers to the way investors on the stock market assess the quality of earnings. The quality of reported earnings is proxied by Abnormal Working Capital Accruals, determined by using the model of DeFond and Park (2001). The perceived quality of earnings is measured by determining the Earnings Response Coefficient, or value relevance of earnings as perceived by investors on the stock market. Using a sample of Dutch publicly listed companies in the period 2006-2011, for which audit partner rotation was a legal requirement, I find that audit partner rotation does not have a significant effect on both the quality of reported earnings and the perceived quality of earnings. Furthermore, I find that audit firm tenure does not moderate this association. Lastly, my empirical results suggest that the individual effect of audit firm tenure does not influence earnings quality, both the quality of reported earnings and perceived earnings quality. This study extends prior literature on the effect of audit partner rotation and tenure, by investigating partner rotation in a mandatory, Continental European setting. Prior studies only investigated audit partner rotation in Taiwan and Australia, which have different institutional settings than the Netherlands. Second, I extend the literature regarding the effect of audit firm tenure on (perceived) earnings quality. Furthermore, I contribute to the literature by examining the interaction between partner rotation and audit firm tenure.
Different Roles, Different Strokes: Organizing Virtual Customer Environments to Promote Two Types of Customer Contributions

In recent years, many companies have established virtual customer environments (VCEs) that offer facilities ranging from online discussion forums to virtual product design centers to partner with their customers in product development and product support activities. In this study, we focus on one form of VCE, online customer forums, and propose that the relevance of four distinct theoretical perspectives---social capital theory, social exchange theory, involvement, and social identity theory---to explaining customer participation will be contingent on the nature of the customer contribution context, that is, whether the contributions are to the customer community (through product support) or to the company (through product ideation). We propose a model suggesting that customers' prosocial behavior and expectations of private rewards will shape contributions to the community, whereas their perceived innovation partnership with the company and expectations of private rewards will shape a contribution to the company. We also contend that these effects will be moderated by customers' identification with the community and with the company. Our empirical findings offer support for the model and indicate that online customer forums (and more broadly VCEs) should be tailored to fit the nature of customer contribution sought. Implications for research and practice in customer co-innovation, online peer-to-peer communities, and customer relationship management are discussed.
The Human Costs of Bank Speculation

Using a comprehensive employer-employee dataset from German social security records, we examine the impact of exogenous shocks to bank capital on firms’ employment and investment. German regional banks’ trading losses from U.S. mortgage-backed securities cause a deep economic contraction in the banks exclusive geographic domain. Loan growth and output growth decline by 20 and 1.5 percentage points, respectively, and the unemployment rate rises by 3.3 percentage points in affected states, compared to unaffected states. The effect is stronger for privately held, bank-dependent firms than for publicly listed firms. Private firms in affected states reduce net hiring by 24 percentage points and cut investment by one-half, relative to publicly listed firms. We extend this analysis by studying how firms’ access to credit affects individuals’ wages, occupational choices, and relocation. JEL Codes: E22, E24, G21, G31, G32, J23, J63
The strategic management of projects to enhance value for money for BAA plc

The airport business is undergoing a shift from that of a traditionally operational nature, to a more commercial, profit driven business orientation. Airport infrastructure is experiencing a face lift in order to meet the requirements for customer satisfaction resulting from this shift in culture. In this regard airport operators must seek improvements in the way in which their development projects are planned, designed and delivered. An inherent link between corporate, business and project value, highlighted within this thesis, has led to the requirement for project management systems that maximise value and therefore facilitate the corporate strategy of the organisation. This thesis develops a model to strategically manage projects to enhance value for money for BAA plc. It is concluded that the project management process is divided into two primary phases: the strategic and tactical, the former receiving minimum attention in UK construction project management. By combining the strategic management of a portfolio of projects with the tactical management of individual projects a link is forged between corporate and customer value and project value. The thesis concludes by presenting the Strategic Project Management framework for use by BAA project managers. The decision making framework facilitates the definition of project objectives and manages the project process to realise optimum value to the client / customer groups. By defining sub processes within the overall project process, the framework binds the interfaces such that information and communication flows freely and completely through the project.
Human Skin Detection Using RGB, HSV and YCbCr Color Models

Human Skin detection deals with the recognition of skin-colored pixels and regions in a given image. Skin color is often used in human skin detection because it is invariant to orientation and size and is fast to process. A new human skin detection algorithm is proposed in this paper. The three main parameters for recognizing a skin pixel are RGB (Red, Green, Blue), HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) and YCbCr (Luminance, Chrominance) color models. The objective of proposed algorithm is to improve the recognition of skin pixels in given images. The algorithm not only considers individual ranges of the three color parameters but also takes into ac- count combinational ranges which provide greater accuracy in recognizing the skin area in a given image.
Job Satisfaction in Banking: A Study of Private and Public Sector Banks

In this highly competitive world, success of any organization depends on its human resource. Banks are no exception to this. A satisfied, happy and hard working employee is the biggest asset of any organization, including banks. Workforce of any bank is responsible to a large extent for its productivity and profitability. Efficient human resource management and maintaining higher job satisfaction level in banks determine not only the performance of the bank but also affect the growth and performance of the entire economy. So, for the success of banking, it is very important to manage human resource effectively and to find whether its employees are satisfied or not. Only if they are satisfied, they will work with commitment and project a positive image of the organization. Once banking was confined to public sector only but it was opened to private sector in 1991 on the recommendations of the Narsimaham Committee. The present paper makes an effort to study the job satisfaction level among employees of selected private and public sector banks in Ludhiana. Bank jobs have always remained the first preference of the youth here. So, this study is also an effort to find out what they think of this job afterwards.
Antigen in tissues. IV. The effect of antibody on the retention and localization of antigen in rat lymph nodes.

A study has been made of the role of specific antibody in causing increased retention and specific localization of a weak antigen, human serum albumin (HSA), in the popliteal and aortic lymph nodes of rats. The antigen was labelled with 125I prior to mixing with antibody. HSA mixed with excess homologous antibody was trapped to the greatest extent in these nodes after footpad injection of the antigen. Injection of HSA with antibody caused increased uptake of HSA into the medulla but retention was poor as autoradiographs showed the area to be essentially free of antigen 4–5 days after injection. By contrast, antigen injected with antibody localized strongly in lymphoid follicles and persisted at this site. Both IgM and IgG antibody were found to cause follicular localization of HSA in rats. Heterologous, isologous and homologous antibody also caused follicular localization of the antigen. Purified homologous γ-globulin was found to localize in the follicles. A moderate increase in the net negative charge of the γ-globulin by acetylation did not appreciably affect the ability of the globulin to localize in the follicles. Detectable formation of antibody did not occur in the rats after injection of antigen—antibody complexes, owing possibly to the inhibitory effect of free antibody on the primary response.
PHYTOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF VETIVER GRASS [CHRYSOPOGON ZIZANIOIDES (L.)] FOR TETRACYCLINE

The presence of veterinary and human antibiotics in soil and surface water is an emerging environmental concern. The current study was aimed at evaluating the potential of using vetiver grass as a phytoremediation agent in removing Tetracycline (TC) from aqueous media. The study determined uptake, translocation, and transformation of TC in vetiver grass as function of initial antibiotic concentrations and exposure time. Vetiver plants were grown for 60 days in a greenhouse in TC contaminated hydroponic system. Preliminary results show that complete removal of tetracycline occurred within 40 days in all TC treatments. Initial concentrations of TC had significant effect (p < 0.0001) on the kinetics of removal. Tetracycline was detected in the root as well as shoot tissues, confirming uptake and root-to-shoot translocation. Liquid-chromatography-tandem-mass-spectrometry analysis of plant tissue samples suggest presence of metabolites of TC in both root and shoot tissues of vetiver grass. The current data is encouraging and is expected to aid in developing a cost-effective, in-situ phytoremediation technique to remove TC group of antibiotics from wastewater.
Polyarticular corticosteroid injection versus systemic administration in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE To study the effectiveness and side effects of polyarticular corticosteroid injection compared to systemic administration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to examine the differential response to injection among joints. METHODS Sixty-nine RA patients presenting with 6-12 swollen joints were enrolled to participate in a randomized trial consisting of polyarticular injection in 6-8 swollen joints of intraarticular (IA) triamcinolone hexacetonide (IA group) or intramuscular (IM) mini-pulse therapy with triamcinolone acetonide in equivalent doses (IM group). Blind examination at baseline (T0), Weeks 1 (T1), 4 (T4), 12 (T12), and 24 (T24) postintervention included American College of Rheumatology improvement criteria ACR20%, 50% and 70%, visual analog scale for articular pain, pain on movement, joint count, range of motion, morning stiffness, quality of life (Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36), use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and oral corticosteroid, blood pressure, adverse effects, calls to the physician, and hospital visits. RESULTS Significantly better results were observed for IA compared to IM patients as follows: ACR20% (61.7% vs 28.5% at T1; 73.5% vs 42.8% at T4), ACR50% (29.4% vs 5.7% at T1; 44.1% vs 20% at T4), ACR70% (11.7% vs 0% at T1), patient's evaluation of disease activity, lower tender joint count, lower blood pressure, lower number of adverse effects, calls to the physician, and hospital visits (p < 0.05). Less significant adrenocorticotropic hormone reduction was observed for IA group at T4 and T12 (p < 0.05). Elbows and metacarpophalangeal joints had the best response to corticosteroid injection. CONCLUSION In the short term, polyarticular IA injection was better than IM corticosteroid, as shown by ACR improvement criteria and number of adverse effects.
Assessing Financial Literacy in 12 Countries: An OECD Pilot Exercise

Our study contributes to the financial literacy literature by examining its association with retirement planning in an interesting and novel context, i.e. that of a country with a relatively old and rapidly ageing population, large regional disparities and a rapidly emerging financial market. Even though consumer borrowing is increasing very rapidly in Russia, we find that only 36.3% of respondents in our sample know about the working of interest compounding and only half can answer a simple question about inflation. In a country with pervasive public pension provision, we find that financial literacy is significantly and positively related to retirement planning using private pension funds and schemes. Residents in rural areas are much more reliant on the public provision and invest less in private schemes and savings. The results of our study have a clear policy implication; along with encouraging the availability of private retirement plans and financial products, efforts to improve financial literacy can be pivotal to the expansion in the use of such schemes.
Emergence of Online Shopping in India: Shopping Orientation Segments, International

Purpose – This study aims to explore Indian online shopping via the concept of shopping orientations.Design/methodology/approach – Surveys were collected from 536 consumer panel members. Online shopping segments were identified by using a two‐step process that clustered respondents in terms of the similarity of their scores across four shopping orientations.Findings – Three segments were identified: value singularity, quality at any price, and reputation/recreation. The quality at any price and reputation/recreation segments were the predominant online shoppers. Although their orientations toward shopping differed, their behaviour, web site attribute ratings, and demographics were very similar except for occupation (managerial versus clerical, respectively). The finding that the value singularity segment is not the pioneer online shopper in India contrasts with the early online shoppers in the USA, who were often motivated by price.Research limitations/implications – This is the first empirical study to u.