Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PLS-SEM: Indeed a Silver Bullet

Structural equation modeling (SEM) has become a quasi-standard in marketing and management research when it comes to analyzing the cause-effect relations between latent constructs. For most researchers, SEM is equivalent to carrying out covariance-based SEM (CB-SEM). While marketing researchers have a basic understanding of CB-SEM, most of them are only barely familiar with the other useful approach to SEM-partial least squares SEM (PLS-SEM). The current paper reviews PLS-SEM and its algorithm, and provides an overview of when it can be most appropriately applied, indicating its potential and limitations for future research. The authors conclude that PLS-SEM path modeling, if appropriately applied, is indeed a "silver bullet" for estimating causal models in many theoretical models and empirical data situations.
Executive compensation, managerial ownership and board characteristics in Chinese listed companies

Empirical research on executive compensation in China is very small compared to western countries, despite the fact that China is already the largest emerging economy. Moreover, most studies on executive compensation in China focus on the agency theory model and have produced mixed results. Little research on executive compensation has been done using alternative perspectives. This thesis explores management incentive issues by examining executive compensation in Chinese listed companies from three under-researched perspectives: the managerial power model, tournament model and simultaneous model. All three models have been adapted to the Chinese context. The managerial power model tests executive compensation from the managerial power perspective. A new power dimension - political power - is added to Grabke-Rundell and Gomez-Mejia's (2002) managerial power model in order to test the political influence on executive compensation in Chinese listed companies. The research findings support the hypothesis that political duality, which refers to Chairman/Party Secretary duality, is positively related to executive compensation in Chinese listed companies. The tournament model examines the organizational incentive structures. It studies the pay differences between organizational levels instead of studying the absolute level of pay, which provides an alternative incentive design other than the pay for performance mechanism. It is found that government ownership can weaken the tournament incentive in Chinese listed companies. Finally, the endogenous nature of executive compensation has been largely neglected by previous studies. This study contributes to the literature by examining executive compensation, managerial ownership, board characteristics and firm value in Chinese listed companies in a simultaneous model. The research findings show that executive compensation, managerial ownership and board characteristics are jointly determined in Chinese listed companies. Specifically, small boards help to control Highest Paid Director (HPD) compensation, to align the interests between HPD and the company and to increase firm value. Independent directors also help to align the interest between the HPD and the company and to increase firm value. Political duality (Chairman/Party Secretary duality) fails to control HPD compensation but it helps to control board size.
How Experience Changes the Importance of Website Criteria: The Moderating Influence of Online and Website-Specific Experience

Online shoppers may differ in what they desire from websites based on their experience with a specific website and with online shopping in general. This study investigates the moderating influence of online and website-specific shopping experience on the importance of website criteria. The results from survey data from customers of two bookstores reveal that both experience measures similarly moderate the importance of the website criteria of enjoyment and time/effort costs, but differentially affect the importance of service quality as a driver of online behavioral loyalty intentions. E-tailers can benefit from these insights by tailoring their websites to the heterogeneous preferences of consumers who possess varying levels of website and general online experience.
Islamic Banking Financing Analysis on Construction Sector in Indonesia

The construction sector is an important sector in supporting development projects in Indonesia. The development of the construction sector requires the role of the banking sector to provide access of capital through credit. This study aims to analyze the relationship among factors of banking performance, monetary instruments, macroeconomic condition and rate of return towards construction financing in Islamic banking industry. This study uses Vector Error Correction model with monthly data from 2006 until 2012 as its method of analysis. The study finds that the ratio of construction financing responds positively to the shock of Financing to Deposit Ratio (FDR), the interest rate of SBI (SBI), Industrial Production Index (IPI), inflation rate (INF), and equivalent rate of financing (ERP). While shocks of the Third Party Funds (DPK), lending rates (SBK), non performing financing (NPF), fee of SBIS (BSBIS), and the placement of funds in PUAS (PUAS) variables are responded negatively. Islamic bank should be able to be more focused on construction financing as it will contribute to the development of real sector and national income. In addition, Islamic bank should have more concern on assesment criteria to choose borrowers in order to reduce the amount of non performing financing.
Consumer evaluations of corporate brand redeployments

There has been little attention paid to the management of corporate brand names as part of the merger and acquisition process. As an initial step towards developing a better understanding of this brand redeployment decision the authors consider the reactions of one important stakeholder group—consumers—to alternative strategies. Specifically, the authors discuss the importance of the corporate branding decision in the M&A process and present a typology of alternative redeployment strategies as well as an exploratory study examining reactions to different postmerger branding strategies. The authors find evidence that the brand equity related to corporate brands is often decreased as a result of M&A activities and that individuals react differently to mergers employing different redeployment strategies. These results emphasize the need for firms to evaluate the corporate branding component of M&A activities as part of the process of managing corporate brands and should generate interest and research in this managerially relevant area.
Anemia in children under five years old in Eastern Cuba, 2005-2011.

INTRODUCTION Anemia is the main nutritional problem in Cuban preschool children, prompting several interventions to prevent and control it. An enhanced national strategy was established in 2008, and particular attention paid to the eastern provinces, the region with greatest challenges in social determinants of health. OBJECTIVE Determine anemia prevalence in children aged 6-59 months in Cuba's five eastern provinces in three separate years within a decade, as well as association of anemia with epidemiological and nutritional factors, to assess impact of Cuba's Comprehensive Plan for Prevention and Control of Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Cuba. METHODS Cross-sectional studies of children aged 6-59 months (completed) were conducted in 2005, 2008 and 2011. Hemoglobin levels were measured to diagnose anemia (hemoglobin <110 g/L) and data were collected on independent variables such as age, sex, area of residence (urban or rural), daycare center enrollment, birth weight, breastfeeding history, and maternal anemia during pregnancy. Frequency distributions were created and comparisons tested with the chi square, and odds ratios calculated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Anemia prevalence in the region fell from 31.8% in 2005 to 26% in 2011; most of cases were mild (hemoglobin: 100-109 g/L). Prevalence was higher in children aged 6-23 months than in those aged 24-59 months throughout. No significant differences were found in anemia prevalence between boys and girls. Prevalence was higher in rural than in urban areas in 2005 (p = 0.026) and 2011 (p = 0.012). Daycare enrollment emerged as a protective factor in all three years. Low birth weight was associated with anemia only in 2011 (OR 1.74, CI 1.04-2.92). Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for six months increased over the study period; lack of breastfeeding was found to be associated with anemia in 2005 (OR 1.57, CI 1.05-2.34). Maternal anemia at onset of and during pregnancy was a significant risk factor in 2005 (OR 1.98, CI 1.27-3.10) and 2011 (OR 1.43, CI 1.05-1.94). CONCLUSIONS Although anemia prevalence steadily decreased over the study period, it continues to be a public health problem in Cuba and anemia prevention and control measures should be maintained and strengthened: interventions for women of childbearing age, fostering exclusive breastfeeding of infants through their sixth month, and encouraging compliance with recommendations on complementary feeding per Cuba's nutritional guidelines for children aged <2 years. Further evaluation is needed to identify the causes of anemia in the population of preschool children.
Awareness of Food Labeling among Consumers in Groceries in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

Over the last few decades, the prevalent UAE food retail industry setup showed the changing food consumption patterns of the UAE population. Diet-related health problems are increasing in UAE as a result of obesity and other factors. Therefore, nutritional labeling becomes important to provide consumers with information that can be used to make informed and healthier food choices. 1200 consumers (54.3% were women) were interviewed while shopping at various grocery stores in AL-Ain city; UAE to assess their knowledge; attitudes and practices using a questionnaire. Consumer’s responses showed general awareness for reading the food label (89.5%); however; they read basic information like production and expiry dates. In summary; increased diet related diseases in UAE may be related to increased consumption of pre-packaged foods and inadequate awareness on use of food labeling information. This study has an educative health and nutrition implications to help consumers make an informed choice when buying pre-packaged foods.
Formalization, Communication Quality, and Opportunistic Behavior in R&D Alliances between Competitors†

For technology ventures (and also other firms), R&D alliances provide great learning opportunities and access to scarce resources. However, R&D alliances, in particular between competitors, also involve the concomitant threat of opportunistic behavior, which many firms attempt to manage by formalizing the partnership. Yet, prior research provided mixed findings suggesting that formalization alleviates opportunism, fails to do so, or, ironically, even promotes it. The questions of whether and, if so, when formalization can deter opportunism remains topical. This study differentiates two forms of opportunistic behavior, strategic manipulation and knowledge appropriation, and examines how they are affected by formalization per se and in combination with communication quality. Findings from 82 R&D alliances between competitors indicate that extensive formalization promotes opportunistic behavior. In contrast, communication quality mitigates the dysfunctional effect on strategic manipulation and also alleviates both forms of opportunism directly. Most effects vary with the type of opportunistic behavior. Our findings add to the literature by demonstrating a positive formalization–opportunism relationship in the context of R&D alliances and by suggesting that relational governance (communication quality) compensates for the dysfunctional effects of formal governance (formalization), rather than both having complementary relationships. The results also support the call for more research into nuances of opportunism: they show that differentiating forms of opportunism matters for understanding the efficacy of safeguards against opportunism. Managers are warned against over-formalizing alliances, which spurs opportunism. Instead, they should cultivate an atmosphere of open communication while they can still maintain some “healthy distrust. ” This attenuates the adverse effects of formalization, which is important since a certain level of formalization is often inevitable in R&D alliances.
Effectiveness of laceback ligatures on maxillary canine retraction.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of laceback ligatures on canine distalization during the leveling and aligning stage and to compare the effectiveness of laceback ligatures with that of superelastic NiTi closed coil springs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen subjects were included in this study. Fixed orthodontic treatment was planned with the extraction of first premolars to solve crowding in upper and/or lower arches. Stainless steel direct-bonding Roth brackets (0.022-inch) were used. For canine distalization superelastic NiTi closed coil springs generating 150 g of force were used on one side. Lacebacks made from 0.010-inch ligature wire were applied on the contralateral side. Dental and skeletal changes were evaluated from predistalization and postdistalization lateral cephalometric and submento vertical radiographs. A Wilcoxon test was applied to determine the differences between predistalization and postdistalization mean values and to determine the mean differences between the groups. RESULTS Upper incisor crowns moved posteriorly. Distal movement and tipping of the canines were significant for both groups. Likewise, mesial movement and tipping of the first molars were significant for both groups. Furthermore, distopalatinal rotation of the canines was significant in the coil group. Canine and molar movements were greater for the coil group than for the laceback group, and the differences were significant. These differences may be attributed to force characterization, as well as to arch wire size and material. CONCLUSION The laceback ligatures proved to be effective for canine distalization. Less canine and molar movement was found for the laceback group, but more controlled movements were obtained for the sagittal, vertical, and transverse planes.
Lower extremity biomechanics in athletes with ankle instability after a 6-week integrated training program.

CONTEXT Plyometric exercise has been recommended to prevent lower limb injury, but its feasibility in and effects on those with functional ankle instability (FAI) are unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of integrated plyometric and balance training in participants with FAI during a single-legged drop landing and single-legged standing position. DESIGN Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING University motion-analysis laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Thirty athletes with FAI were divided into 3 groups: plyometric group (8 men, 2 women, age = 23.20 ± 2.82 years; 10 unstable ankles), plyometric-balance (integrated)-training group (8 men, 2 women, age = 23.80 ± 4.13 years; 10 unstable ankles), and control group (7 men, 3 women, age = 23.50 ± 3.00 years; 10 unstable ankles). INTERVENTION(S) A 6-week plyometric-training program versus a 6-week integrated-training program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Postural sway during single-legged standing with eyes open and closed was measured before and after training. Kinematic data were recorded during medial and lateral single-legged drop landings after a 5-second single-legged stance. RESULTS Reduced postural sway in the medial-lateral direction and reduced sway area occurred in the plyometric- and integrated-training groups. Generally, the plyometric training and integrated training increased the maximum angles at the hip and knee in the sagittal plane, reduced the maximum angles at the hip and ankle in the frontal and transverse planes in the lateral drop landing, and reduced the time to stabilization for knee flexion in the medial drop landing. CONCLUSIONS After 6 weeks of plyometric training or integrated training, individuals with FAI used a softer landing strategy during drop landings and decreased their postural sway during the single-legged stance. Plyometric training improved static and dynamic postural control and should be incorporated into rehabilitation programs for those with FAI.
Exploring the effect of self-image congruence and brand preference on satisfaction: the role of expertise

Prior research has reported that self-image congruence can influence brand preference, brand satisfaction and purchase intentions. With the help of an empirical research, the paper argues that while self-image congruence may be related to satisfaction in general in the automobile market, it may not necessarily affect satisfaction judgements when customers have higher levels of expertise. The paper discusses implications for brand managers and argues to take into account customer characteristics such as customer expertise while developing positioning strategies.
Low-Loss Low-Cost All-Silicon CMOS NLTLs for Pulse Compression

This paper discusses the design of all-silicon pulse-compression nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs), using a standard 0.18-mum CMOS process. Two different types of varactors based on NMOS transistors are investigated. One type is used in a single-edge, the other in a double-edge pulse-sharpener NLTL. To reduce the loss caused by conductive silicon substrate, a slow-wave transmission line technique is used. A measured S21 loss of only 0.25 dB/mm at 40 GHz is achieved. Both NMOS varactor and slow-wave coplanar-waveguide (CPW) transmission-line components for use in NLTL designs were fabricated and on-chip measurements were made. Transient simulations based on the measurements show a leading edge rise time reduction of 75% for single-edge, and 60% for double-edge pulse sharpening.
Family-Friendly Policies in the Police: Implications for Work-Family Conflict

Although organizational decision-makers are turning toward “family-friendly” policies to reduce employee work-family strain, the usefulness of such policies, as well as perceptions of their availability, remains unclear. Thus, we examined both perceived availability of family-friendly programs as well as the actual usage of such programs for minimizing work-family conflict. Data from the Work and Family Services for Law Enforcement Personnel in the United States study (Delprino, O’Quinn, & Kennedy, 1995) were used from 866 married police officers. Results showed that work stress was positively related to work-family conflict. Furthermore, whereas no relationship between program usage and work-family conflict emerged, there was both a direct negative relationship between program availability and work-family conflict and family-friendly policy availability moderated the relationship between work stress and work-family conflict. The effects of job-related stressors can wreak havoc on employees, their families, and the organization and community for which they work. This is especially true for individuals who are in more stressful jobs – such as police officers. Specifically, officers may experience physical, emotional, and social problems exacerbated by stressors that result from their jobs (Swanson, Territo, & Taylor, 1998). These negative personal consequences can then influence the relationship that officers have with their families, how they perform work duties and how they interact with members of the community. However, whereas some stressors have received extensive attention in the criminal justice literature (e.g.,
The Mediating Influence of Job Satisfaction on the Relationship between HR Practices and Cyberdeviance

Despite the many advantages and benefits the Internet offers to the workplace, it also allows people to misuse it while at work. Misusing the Internet during work hours for non-work related purposes is referred to as cyberdeviance. As our theoretical understanding of cyberdeviance is still limited, the purpose of this paper is to explore the role of HR practices in influencing cyberdeviance. It also seeks to examine whether job satisfaction mediates the link between HR practices and cyberdeviance. A survey of 273 administrative employees in four universities in Jordan, who were randomly selected using a cluster technique, was conducted. Frequencies, descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regression, and hierarchical regression analyses were performed to analyze the data. Factor analyses revealed four dimensions of HR practices i.e. performance appraisal, compensation practice, career advancement, and employment security, while job satisfaction yielded two dimensions i.e. satisfaction with pay, and satisfaction with workload. Results showed that all four dimensions of HR practices were significantly able to explain 68.8% of the variance in cyberdeviance. Satisfaction with pay was found to partially mediate the link between performance appraisal and cyberdeviance. On the other hand, satisfaction with workload was a partial mediator between performance appraisal and cyberdeviance, and between career advancement and cyberdeviance. Recommendations for future research and practice, and limitations of the study are also highlighted.
Assessing children's speech intelligibility and oral structures, and functions via an Internet-based telehealth system

We examined the validity and reliability of an Internet-based telehealth system for screening speech intelligibility and oro-motor structure, and function in children with speech disorders. Twenty children aged 4-9 years were assessed by a clinician in the conventional, face-to-face (FTF) manner; simultaneously, they were assessed by a second clinician via the videoconferencing system using a 128-kbit/s Internet connection. Speech intelligibility in conversation was rated and an informal assessment of oro-motor structure and function was conducted. There was a high level of agreement between the online and FTF speech intelligibility ratings, with 70% exact agreement and 100% close agreement (within ± point on a 5-point scale). The weighted kappa statistic revealed very good agreement between raters (kappa = 0.86). Data for online and FTF ratings of oro-motor function revealed overall exact agreement of 73%, close agreement of 96%, moderate or good strength of agreement for six variables (kappa = 0.48–0.74), and poor to fair agreement for six variables (kappa = 0.12–0.36). Intra- and inter-rater reliability measures (ICCs) were similar between the online and FTF assessments. Low levels of agreement for some oro-motor variables highlighted the subjectivity of this assessment. However, the overall results support the validity and reliability of Internet-based screening of speech intelligibility and oro-motor function in children with speech disorders.
Dissecting Apicoplast Targeting in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Transit peptides mediate protein targeting into plastids and are only poorly understood. We extracted amino acid features from transit peptides that target proteins to the relict plastid (apicoplast) of malaria parasites. Based on these amino acid characteristics, we identified 466 putative apicoplast proteins in the Plasmodium falciparum genome. Altering the specific charge characteristics in a model transit peptide by site-directed mutagenesis severely disrupted organellar targeting in vivo. Similarly, putative Hsp70 (DnaK) binding sites present in the transit peptide proved to be important for correct targeting.