Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceived benefits for customer service of ITIL IT control use

IT service management is becoming more and more important in the current business environment. Especially the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a widely adopted and accepted IT service management framework (Wagner 2006). Organizations that adopt one of the IT service management frameworks expect to achieve a large range of benefits through the use of the frameworks. The major benefits that are expected to be realised include reduced costs, IT services that are tailored to the business needs, a higher quality of IT services, and improved customer satisfaction (OGC 2007a). Despite the growing importance and acceptance of IT service management and ITIL, there is not much literature that is concerned with the benefits that can be realised when one of the relevant IT service management frameworks is in place. Only a few studies were published in conference proceedings (e.g. Hochstein et al. 2005, Potgieter et al. 2005, Cater-Steel et al. 2006). Even though these studies were able to confirm some of the claims made by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), the publisher of the ITIL series, there are still a lot of claims that are not evaluated to date. This thesis is taking a Monte-Carlo method based simulation approach to identify some of the benefits of the ITIL for customer service. To achieve this, an initial research model was developed that represents the four most likely benefits for customer service of the use of ITIL and their relationship with customer service and the generation of business value. Subsequently the different path ways for the relationships were explored and models for each of the possible paths were designed. These models include a mediated model, an unmediated model and a partially mediated model. After defining the estimates and constraints for the simulation, the simulation was executed using a MS Excel spreadsheet. The simulation results presented a large amount of data for each of the models and their relationships. The models produced normal distributions and showed stability for changed input and throughput parameters. The analysis of the findings showed that the changes in estimates for each of the models and the associated results of the simulation followed a linear pattern. The linearity of the models combined with
NET Institute*

As in most industries, in health care, information is a competitive asset, and we expect that health care providers may have incentive to protect their information from competitors. This study aims to understand how this incentive to protect information may be a barrier to the development of a health information network. Health information networks are designed to facilitate electronic information sharing across health care providers. The electronic exchange of health information is widely considered a promising tool to improve quality, costs, and efficiency of health care. Federal and state governments have invested over $30 billion dollars to support the development of health information networks and electronic health information sharing. However, uptake has been slow suggesting that barriers to adoption exist. We first develop a model of firms’ decisions to enter a health information network given this potential loss of competitive advantage. Guided by implications of the model, we conduct a two part empirical analysis to test for evidence that providers may be reluctant to join a health information network out of competitive concern. First, we conduct a national hospital-level analysis. Second, we construct a novel data set to conduct a physician-level analysis focused on New York state. In both analyses, we find supporting evidence that competitive pressure may be a barrier to entry by health care firms. We discuss implications for policy and network design given our findings.
Understanding Information Technology Usage: A Test of Competing Models

The Technology Acceptance Model and two variations of the Theory of Planned Behavior were compared to assess which model best helps to understand usage of information technology. The models were compared using student data collected from 786 potential users of a computer resource center. Behavior data was based on monitoring 3,780 visits to the resource center over a 12-week period. Weighted least squares estimation revealed that all three models performed well in terms of fit and were roughly equivalent in terms of their ability to explain behavior. Decomposing the belief structures in the Theory of Planned Behavior provided a moderate increase in the explanation of behavioral intention. Overall, the results indicate that the decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior provides a fuller understanding of behavioral intention by focusing on the factors that are likely to influence systems use through the application of both design and implementation strategies.
Single Versus Multiple Main Bank Relationships: Evidence from Japan

In this study, we investigate whether multiple main bank relationships reduce the so-called "hold-up costs" of bank financing (Rajan (1992)) by examining the panel data of Japanese companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, first and second sections during the period from 1991 to 1998. Our empirical results show that main bank borrowing is negatively related to the profitability of the firm, which suggests the significant presence of holdup costs. However, multiple main bank relationships reduce the holdup costs and lead to higher profitability. This mitigating effect of multiple main bank relationships is larger for firms with higher value of growth opportunities than firms with lower value of growth opportunities.
Urogenital Lactobacilli Probiotics, Reliability, and Regulatory Issues

Of the hundreds of Lactobacillus so-called probiotic products, only a handful contain identifiable strains that have any published data supporting their usefulness in humans. Of these, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, Lactobacillus fermen- tum RC-14, and Lactobacillus fermentum B-54 possess anti- pathogen properties and colonize the intestine and vagina, conferring health benefits to women. These strains have been found to adhere to vaginal cells, hemagglutinate red blood cells and produce biosurfactants. Taking these or other strains to the marketplace, whether as dairy products or not, requires reliable production and delivery vehicles, and regulatory ap- proval. For this important field to move forward to meet the approval of health care professionals, a better scientific basis for specific strain use in high quality products aimed at well- defined sites is needed. Furthermore, information targeted at, or viewed by, consumers should state the attributes of actual strains in a given product, and reference the peer-reviewed
Prognostic value of HMGB1 in early breast cancer patients under neoadjuvant chemotherapy

The response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients is usually assessed by pCR and RCB score. However, the prognostic value of these parameters is still in discussion. We showed recently that an epirubicin/docetaxel therapy is associated with an increase in the cell death marker high‐mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) in the circulation. Here, we investigate whether this increase correlates with the long‐term outcome. Thirty‐six early breast cancer patients under neoadjuvant epirubicin/docetaxel combination chemotherapy were included in this study. To determine the immediate effect of this treatment on HMGB1, we collected blood samples before and 24–96 h after the initial dose. This time course was then compared to the 5‐year follow‐up of the patients. HMGB1 levels varied before chemotherapy between 4.1 and 11.3 ng/mL and reacted differently in response to therapy. Some patients showed an increase while others did not show any changes. Therefore, we subdivided the patient collective into two groups: patients with an at least 1.1 ng/mL increase in HMGB1 and patients with smaller changes. The disease‐free survival was longer in the HMGB1 increase group (56.2 months vs. 46.6 months), but this difference did not reach significance. The overall survival (OS) was significantly better in patients with an increase in HMGB1 (log rank P = 0.021). These data suggest that an immediate increase in HMGB1 levels correlates with improved outcome in early breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and may be a valuable complementary biomarker for early estimation of prognosis.
A Cytoplasmically Inherited Barley Mutant Is Defective in Photosystem I Assembly Due to a Temperature-Sensitive Defect in ycf3 Splicing1[W]

A cytoplasmically inherited chlorophyll-deficient mutant of barley (Hordeum vulgare) termed cytoplasmic line 3 (CL3), displaying a viridis (homogeneously light-green colored) phenotype, has been previously shown to be affected by elevated temperatures. In this article, biochemical, biophysical, and molecular approaches were used to study the CL3 mutant under different temperature and light conditions. The results lead to the conclusion that an impaired assembly of photosystem I (PSI) under higher temperatures and certain light conditions is the primary cause of the CL3 phenotype. Compromised splicing of ycf3 transcripts, particularly at elevated temperature, resulting from a mutation in a noncoding region (intron 1) in the mutant ycf3 gene results in a defective synthesis of Ycf3, which is a chaperone involved in PSI assembly. The defective PSI assembly causes severe photoinhibition and degradation of PSII.
Electrophysiological evidence for heptameric stoichiometry of ion channels formed by Staphylococcus aureus alpha‐toxin in planar lipid bilayers

Staphylococcal alpha‐toxin forms homo‐oligomeric channels in lipid bilayers and cell membranes. Here, we report that electrophysiological monitoring of single‐channel function using a derivatized cysteine substitution mutant allows accurate determination of the subunit stoichiometry of the oligomer in situ. The electrophysiological phenotype of channels formed in planar lipid bilayers with the cysteine replacement mutant I7C is equal to that of the wild type. When pores were formed with I7C, alterations of several channel properties were observed upon modification with SH reagents. Decreases in conductance then occurred that were seen only as negative voltage was applied. At the level of single channels, these were manifest as stepwise changes in conductance, each step most probably reflecting modification of a single SH group within the oligomer. Because seven steps were observed, the functional channel formed by alpha‐toxin in planar lipid membranes is a heptamer.
The role of information technology in e-learning systems success

This study empirically tested the DeLone and McLean model of information systems success model (the DM model) in a university e-learning context using structural equation modeling. The results indicated that system quality, information quality, all affected the two mediating constructs, system use and user satisfaction, which in turn, influences the e-learning systems success. The nature of e-learning systems is fundamentally different from the environment in which the DeLone and McLean model is developed and tested, either voluntary or quasi-voluntary environments. However, e-learning systems are to be used in a mandatory environment. For that reason, the DeLone and McLean model has a limited explanatory power for explaining the role of e-learning systems on the outcomes of e-learning. Consequently, we conclude that the primary focus of the e-learning system empirical research should shift from the system factor toward human and design factors. E-learning systems empirical research is focusing on the critical success factors of e-learning outcomes that are comparable to or superior than traditional face-to-face learning system.
Removing energy subsidies in developing and transition economies

ABARE project 1752 Subsidies on the production and consumption of energy are used widely by governments to achieve a range of policy objectives. Many of these are noneconomic objectives and include the maintenance of regional employment levels and the provision of adequate supplies of energy to the poor. However, because subsidies distort price signals and fail to reflect the true economic costs of supply, they lead to inefficient levels of production or consumption of the subsidised good. Fossil fuel consumption subsidies, for example, can result in overuse, inefficient use and wastage of energy. And because energy is an important source of pollution, including of greenhouse gases, they can also contribute to environmental damage.
Malignancies of the Anal Margin and Perianal Skin

Malignancies of the anal margin and perianal skin are relatively uncommon lesions, comprising 3 to 4% of all anorectal malignancies. Commonly included in this group of cancers are Bowen's disease (intraepithelial squamous cell cancer), perianal Paget's disease (intraepithelial adenocarcinoma), invasive squamous cell cancer, basal cell cancer, and malignant melanoma. Buschke-Lowenstein tumor, or giant condyloma acuminatum, is not always included because this lesion is technically benign, although it displays aggressive local invasive behavior that makes it difficult to manage. Complaints are usually nonspecific, such as itching or burning, bleeding, pain, drainage, or a mass. Proper diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion on the part of the surgeon. Innocent local irritations will resolve in a short time with appropriate therapy; those that persist must be biopsied for tissue diagnosis. Wide local excision is the mainstay of treatment for early stage tumors as it preserves continence and obtains adequate local control. Adjunct therapies have been utilized in more advanced or recurrent lesions, including radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and imiquimod. All have met with a fair amount of success in controlling local disease; however, the number of patients treated in each instance is small, making it difficult to design an evidence-based treatment strategy. Invasion and metastasis are relatively rare in this group of neoplasms; perianal Paget's disease has the highest risk of associated underlying neoplasm. The most important consideration in developing a treatment strategy is which strategy would achieve the best clinical result with the least morbidity to the patient.
SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICE AMONG CONSUMERS IN SANA’A CITY

Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-medication practice and its associated risk factors in Sana’a City. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on consumers attending community pharmacies in Sana’a City. A self-administered questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions was developed and used for this study. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regressions were used in this study. Results: A total of 400 consumers were involved in this study. The prevalence of self-medication in the past six months was found to be 90.7 % (94.1% of females and 88.3% of males). In Multivariate analysis, chewing khat, smoking, availability of medical services near the residence and the perception about death due to self-medication were significant predictors of self-medication practice. Those who chewed khat were less likely to use self-medication compared to those who did not chew khat (OR= 0.296, CI 95% 0.100-0.882, p= 0.029). Similar results showed that smokers were less likely to use self-medication compared to non-smokers (OR= 0.429, CI 95% 0.206-0.895, p= 0.024). It was also found that those who have medical services near their residence were more likely to use self-medication compared to those who do not have medical services near their residence (OR= 3.022, CI 95% 1.384-6.596, p= 0.006). Moreover, those who did not believe that self-medication leads to death were more likely to use self-medication compared to those who believed that self-medication may leads to death (OR=2.645, CI 95% 1.232-5.681, p= 0.013). Conclusion: Self-medication practice was high among consumers in Sana’a City. Chewing khat, smoking, availability of medical services near the residence and the respondent perception about the possibility of death due to self-medication was significantly associated with self-medication.
Investigating the viability of unit trust business in Zimbabwe

This paper uses a case study methodology to investigate the viability of unit trust business in Zimbabwe during the period from 2000 to 2005. The research revealed that unit trust companies at least managed to break even during the period under study except in 2004. However, factors which worked against unit trust business viability in Zimbabwe during the period under study include among others the restrictive regulatory framework, harsh operating economic environment, trustee inefficiency, low volume of funds under management, poor asset and liability management strategy, high levels of withdrawals and low confidence levels in unit trust companies. It can be concluded that unit trust business has good potential in Zimbabwe. The fact that unit trust funds’ returns have been consistently outperforming both inflation and stock market growth shows a great potential for unit trust business in Zimbabwe. The author therefore recommends that policies, which are geared towards boosting unit trusts’ funds under management, should be intensified, in order to promote long-term viability of unit trust business in Zimbabwe.
Scenarios and Policy Aggregation in Optimization Under Uncertainty

A common approach in coping with multiperiod optimization problems under uncertainty where statistical information is not really enough to support a stochastic programming model, has been to set up and analyze a number of scenarios. The aim then is to identify trends and essential features on which a robust decision policy can be based. This paper develops for the first time a rigorous algorithmic procedure for determining such a policy in response to any weighting of the scenarios. The scenarios are bundled at various levels to reflect the availability of information, and iterative adjustments are made to the decision policy to adapt to this structure and remove the dependence on hindsight.
Adverse side effects of 5α-reductase inhibitors therapy: persistent diminished libido and erectile dysfunction and depression in a subset of patients.

INTRODUCTION 5α-reductase inhibitors (5α-RIs), finasteride and dutasteride, have been approved for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms, due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, with marked clinical efficacy. Finasteride is also approved for treatment of hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Although the adverse side effects of these agents are thought to be minimal, the magnitude of adverse effects on sexual function, gynecomastia, depression, and quality of life remains ill-defined. AIM The goal of this review is to discuss 5α-RIs therapy, the potential persistent side effects, and the possible mechanisms responsible for these undesirable effects. METHODS We examined data reported in various clinical studies from the available literature concerning the side effects of finasteride and dutasteride. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Data reported in the literature were reviewed and discussed. Results. Prolonged adverse effects on sexual function such as erectile dysfunction and diminished libido are reported by a subset of men, raising the possibility of a causal relationship. CONCLUSIONS We suggest discussion with patients on the potential sexual side effects of 5α-RIs before commencing therapy. Alternative therapies may be considered in the discussion, especially when treating androgenetic alopecia.
Examining Consumer Behavior and Travel Choices

This study represents a first attempt to answer a few of the questions that have arisen concerning multimodal transportation investments and the impacts of mode shifts on the business community. This research aims to merge the long history of scholarly work that examines the impacts of the built environment on non-work travel with the relatively new interest in consumer spending by mode of travel. This empirical study of travel choices and consumer spending across 89 businesses in the Portland metropolitan area shows there are important differences between the amounts customers spend on average at various businesses by their mode of travel. However, these differences become less pronounced when we control for demographics of the customer and other attributes of the trip. This study of consumer spending and travel choices has some compelling findings that suggest some key spending and frequency differences by mode of travel that will likely invigorate the discussion of the economic impacts of these modes. Key findings are: 1) Bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders are competitive consumers. When demographics and socioeconomics are controlled for, mode choice does not have a statistically significant impact on consumer spending at convenience stores, drinking establishments and restaurants. When trip frequency is accounted for, the average monthly expenditures by customer modes of travel reveal that bicyclists, transit users and pedestrians are competitive consumers and, for all businesses except supermarkets, spend more on average than those who drive. 2) The built environment matters: the authors support previous literature and find that residential and employment density, the proximity to rail transit, and the amount of automobile and bicycle parking are all important in explaining the use of non-automobile modes. In particular, provision of bike parking and bike corrals are significant predictors of bike mode share at the establishment level. Other findings lend more insight into the relationship between consumer behavior and travel choices. For the non-work destinations studied, the automobile remains the dominant mode of travel. Patrons are largely arriving by private vehicle to most of the destinations in this study, particularly to grocery stores where larger quantities of goods tend to be purchased. But, high non-automobile mode shares and short travel distances exist in areas of concentrated urban activity. In sum, this study provides some empirical evidence to answer the questions of business owners about how mode shifts might impact their market shares and revenues. More work is needed to better understand the implications of future changes and to provide a robust assessment of the returns on these investments and their economic impacts.
Cytogenetic evaluation of traffic policemen occupationally exposed to vehicular exhaust.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Automobile exhaust consists of many toxic components and is considered to be a major health concern in urban areas. Traffic policemen are occupationally exposed to vehicular exhaust during the traffic control. Hence, the present study was aimed to evaluate genotoxic effects of vehicular exhaust in traffic policemen in Hyderabad, south India. METHODS Analysis of chromosomal aberrations was carried out in 136 traffic policemen, including 78 non smokers and 58 smokers who were exposed to vehicular exhaust for a period of 1-28 yr. For comparison, 115 healthy males including 69 non smokers and 46 smokers of the same age group and socio-economic status (who were not exposed to any chemical or radiation at their workplace) were studied. RESULTS A significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in the mean frequency of chromosomal aberrations in non smoker and smoker traffic policemen (6.48 and 8.96 respectively) when compared to their respective control groups (3.35 and 4.30). According to the age a significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations was observed both in control and exposed groups (P<0.05). As the duration of exposure increased in traffic policemen, there was a corresponding increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION Cytogenetic damage was more pronounced in smokers when compared to non smokers. Age and duration of exposure also appear to play a vital role in causing cytogenetic damage. Thus the present study suggests that the induction of cytogenetic damage might be due to the cumulative effect of smoking, age and duration of exposure to vehicular exhaust.