Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are your consumers variety seekers? The moderating impact on the effectiveness of free gift promotions vs. price discounts

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of consumers’ variety-seeking tendency on their preference for monetary versus nonmonetary promotions (i.e. a price discount versus a free gift, respectively) and to identify possible reasons for this preference. A sample population of 150 students was surveyed. The research employed a 2 (discount/free gift) × 2 (high variety seeking/low variety seeking) between-subjects design. A two-way ANOVA was applied to analyse the effects of the promotion frame and variety seeking on perceived transaction value. The ANOVA revealed a general consumer preference for a free gift over a price discount. This outcome is moderated by the variety-seeking tendency of the consumer; that is, repetitive consumers prefer a price discount, but variety-seeking consumers favour a free gift. This study gives managers insights into the issue of what kind of price promotion is most effective under which circumstances, namely for which type of consumer segment. The practical implications of our findings recommend that if the targeted consumer segment is variety-seeking, a free gift may be optimal, yet if the target segment represents returning customers, a price discount yields better results. If no clear assignment of consumers to either segment is possible, a free gift is the preferred option.
Reducing Warm-up Decrement in the Performance of the Tennis Serve

In the present study an attempt was made to determine the relative effectiveness of various warm-up activities in eliminating postrest warm-up decrement (WUD) in the tennis serve. Seventy highly-skilled players hit 20 serves, rested for either 5 or 15 min, and then attempted 4 final serves. During the last 2 min of the rest period, players continued to rest, ran in place, engaged in mental imagery, performed practice swings, or repeatedly hit the ball against the ground and caught it. In addition to estimates of serving accuracy, measures of somatic and cognitive arousal were obtained at the beginning and end of the rest interval. Multiple regression procedures revealed that reductions in WUD were significantly related to the restoration of prerest arousal levels. Between-group comparisons indicated that practice swings were the most effective warm-up activity for restoring somatic and cognitive arousal to prerest levels and for eliminating WUD. Theoretical discussion centered on possible applications of .
Exploring Alcohol Policy Approaches to Prevent Sexual Violence Perpetration

Sexual violence continues to be a significant public health problem worldwide with serious consequences for individuals and communities. The implementation of prevention strategies that address risk and protective factors for sexual violence at the community level are important components of a comprehensive approach, but few such strategies have been identified or evaluated. The current review explores one potential opportunity for preventing sexual violence perpetration at the community level: alcohol policy. Alcohol policy has the potential to impact sexual violence perpetration through the direct effects of excessive alcohol consumption on behavior or through the impact of alcohol and alcohol outlets on social organization within communities. Policies affecting alcohol pricing, sale time, outlet density, drinking environment, marketing, and college environment are reviewed to identify existing evidence of impact on rates of sexual violence or related outcomes, including risk factors and related health behaviors. Several policy areas with initial evidence of an association with sexual violence outcomes were identified, including policies affecting alcohol pricing, alcohol outlet density, barroom management, sexist content in alcohol marketing, and policies banning alcohol on campus and in substance-free dorms. We identify other policy areas with evidence of an impact on related outcomes and risk factors that may also hold potential as a preventative approach for sexual violence perpetration. Evidence from the current review suggests that alcohol policy may represent one promising avenue for the prevention of sexual violence perpetration at the community level, but additional research is needed to directly examine effects on sexual violence outcomes.
ective number of a population that varies cyclically in size

We consider a dioecious population having numbers of males and females that vary over time in cycles of length k. It is shown that if k is small in comparison with the numbers of males and females in any generation of the cycle, the eective population number (or size), Ne, is approximately equal to the harmonic mean of the eective population sizes during any given cycle. This result holds whether the locus under consideration is autosomal or sex-linked and whether inbreeding eective population numbers or variance eective population numbers are involved in the calculation of Ne. If, however, only two successive generations in the cycle are considered and the population changes in size between these generations, the inbreeding eective population number, NeI, diers from the variance eective population number, NeV. The mutation eective population number turns out to be the same as the number derived using calculations involving probabilities of identity by descent. It is also shown that, at least in one special case, the eigenvalue eective population number is the same as NeV. Ó 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Development and Validation of RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Determination of Granisetron and Dexamethasone

A new simple, selective, rapid, precise and accurate reverse phase HPLC method has been developed for simultaneous estimation of granisetron and dexamethasone. The method was developed using CPS Hypersil CN column (250×4.6 mm I.D.) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:buffer (100 mM Triethylamine adjusted to pH 3.0 with o-phosphoric acid) in ratio of 25:75 at a flow rate of 2 ml/min. Detection was carried out at 242 nm. The developed method was evaluated for various system suitability parameters and validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, LOD, LOQ as per ICH guidelines. It was also evaluated for bench top stability and freeze/thaw stability. The proposed method can be used for the estimation of these drugs in their combined dosage forms.
A Comparison of 3% Hypertonic Saline and Mannitol for Brain Relaxation During Elective Supratentorial Brain Tumor Surgery

BACKGROUND: In this study, we compared the effects of 3% hypertonic saline (HTS) and 20% mannitol on brain relaxation during supratentorial brain tumor surgery, intensive care unit (ICU) stays, and hospital days. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, and double-blind study included patients who were selected for elective craniotomy for supratentorial brain tumors. Patients received either 160 mL of 3% HTS (HTS group, n = 122) or 150 mL of 20% mannitol infusion (M group, n = 116) for 5 minutes at the start of scalp incision. The Pco2 in arterial blood was maintained within 35 to 40 mm Hg, arterial blood pressure was controlled within baseline values ±20%, and positive fluid balance was maintained intraoperatively at a rate of 2 mL/kg/h. Outcome measures included fluid input, urine output, arterial blood gases, serum sodium concentration, ICU stays, and hospital days. Surgeons assessed the condition of the brain as “tight,” “adequate,” or “soft” immediately after opening the dura. RESULTS: Brain relaxation conditions in the HTS group (soft/adequate/tight, n = 58/43/21) were better than those observed in the M group (soft/adequate/tight, n = 39/42/35; P = 0.02). The levels of serum sodium were higher in the HTS group compared with the M group over time (P < 0.001). The average urine output in the M group (707 mL) was higher than it was in the HTS group (596 mL) (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in fluid input, ICU stays, and hospital days between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that HTS provided better brain relaxation than did mannitol during elective supratentorial brain tumor surgery, whereas it did not affect ICU stays or hospital days.
Genus- and species-specific identification of mycoplasmas by 16S rRNA amplification

Systematic computer alignment of mycoplasmal 16S rRNA sequences allowed the identification of variable regions with both genus- and species-specific sequences. Species-specific sequences of Mycoplasma collis were elucidated by asymmetric amplification and dideoxynucleotide sequencing of variable regions, using primers complementary to conserved regions of 16S rRNA. Primers selected for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. hominis, M. fermentans, Ureaplasma urealyticum, M. pulmonis, M. arthritidis, M. neurolyticum, M. muris, and M. collis proved to be species specific in the polymerase chain reaction. The genus-specific primers reacted with all mycoplasmal species investigated as well as with members of the genera Ureaplasma, Spiroplasma, and Acholeplasma. No cross-reaction was observed with members of the closely related genera Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Clostridium or with any other microorganism tested. On the basis of the high copy number of rRNA, a highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction assay was developed in which the nucleic acid content equivalent to a single organism could be detected.
The Effect of Boards on the Performance of Microfinance Institutions : Evidence from Tanzania and Kenya

1 1.0 INTRODUCTION . 3 2.0 MICROFINANCE IN TANZANIA AND KENYA . 11 3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 4 3.1 Agency and Resource Dependence Theories . 4 3.2 Empirical Studies on Board Composition and Performance . 4 3.3 Summary and Research Gaps . 6 4.0 PILOT STUDY ON THE COMPOSITION AND ROLE OF BOARDS . 7 4.1 Study Issues and Approach . 7 4.2 Profile of MFIs and Board Members . 7 4.3 Challenges and Issues in MFI Boards . 8 4.4 Board Member Recruitment and Motives . 9 4.5 Board Member Contribution to the Agenda of MFIs . 9 4.6 Board Policy and Terms of Reference . 10 4.7 Conclusions . 11 5.0 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE MAIN STUDY . 12 5.1 Internal versus External Members . 12 5.2 Local versus International Members . 12 5.3 Education Level of Board Members . 13 5.4 Gender Balance . 13 6.0 METHODS . 15 6.1 Sample and Data . 15 6.2 Variables and Definitions . 15 7.0 FINDINGS . 17 7.1 Descriptive Results . 17 7.2 How Does Performance Differ according to the Characteristics of Board Members? 17 Table of
Relationship between Amount of Daily Movement Measured by a Triaxial Accelerometer and Motor Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the amount of daily movement measured with a triaxial accelerometer (MIMAMORI-Gait) and motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The subjects were 50 consecutive patients with untreated PD free of dementia. The amount of overall movement over 24 h was measured with the portable MIMAMORI-Gait device and its association with the modified Hoehn and Yahr stage and UPDRS part II and III scores was analyzed. In patients with PD, the amount of overall movement measured with MIMAMORI-Gait was significantly associated with the UPDRS part II score (β = −0.506, p < 0.001) and part III score (β = −0.347, p = 0.010), but not with the modified Hoehn and Yahr stage. The amount of overall movement measured with MIMAMORI-Gait can potentially be used for evaluation of motor symptoms and ADL in PD patients.
Superior TID Hardness in TiN/HfO $_{2}$/TiN ReRAMs After Proton Radiation

Resistive switching properties of valence change memory (VCM) resistive-random-access-memory (ReRAM) devices (TiN/HfO2 /TiN) are investigated after exposure to proton radiation with total ionizing doses (TID) of 1.5, 3, and 5 Grad(Si) and compared to similar measurements from electrochemical metallization memory (ECM) ReRAM devices (Pt/HfO2:Cu/Cu). The TiN/HfO2/TiN ReRAMs show significantly superior TID radiation-hardness compared to Pt/HfO2:Cu/Cu ReRAMs: 1) All devices remained functional after radiation; 2) switching parameters including average Vset, Vreset, Ron, Roff showed minimal or no degradation; and 3) TID radiation enhanced the uniformity of resistive switching among all VCM devices. The superior radiation responses of the VCM ReRAM devices relative to ECM ReRAMs result from the distinct conduction filament (CF) formation mechanisms. For the VCM ReRAM system, the radiation-induced vacancy density does not serve to inhibit the trap-assisted tunneling associated with the Hf-rich CF formation kinetics. On the contrary, vacancy-promoted charge trapping promotes VCM CF stability. In strong contrast, proton-induced vacancies for the ECM ReRAMs inhibit the formation of the metallic filament through internal field reduction due to charge trapping. The comparison of TID effects suggests that HfO2-based VCM ReRAMs can be made radiation immune to a TID up to 5 Grad(Si) and may be highly suitable for rad-hard electronics applications.
Economic Valuation of Farm Animal Welfare - Exploring Consumer Preferences and Willingness-to-Pay for the Welfare of Broilers in Germany

Estimating the value consumers place on farm animal welfare (FAW) provides information on the extent to which consumers are ready to support policy changes aim at improving the welfare of farm animals and developing animal-friendly production systems that can also compete on markets. The current study aimed at exploring consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for a certified FAW product, namely broiler meat, using the contingent valuation method. In addition, the study used the choice experiment method to investigate how consumers value different FAW attributes and alternative broiler production systems, including outdoor and extensive indoor systems. The data was obtained from a survey of 300 German broiler consumers using face-to-face interviews. The results of the contingent valuation showed that 82% of the respondents were ready to buy certified FAW products. A majority of these (95%) were willing to pay an extra sum of about 1.5 for 1 kg of FAW-certified broiler fillets, which represents a price increase of about 27% in comparison with the actual price of conventional broiler fillets. The choice experiment findings revealed that consumers were more likely to pay significantly higher prices for alternatively produced broilers relative to the conventional product. In conclusion, both the contingent valuation and the choice experiment results confirm that there is a potential for raising the welfare standards of broilers in Germany. This suggests that policy changes towards high welfare levels are strongly supported by consumers and calls policy makers and the chicken industry to diversify broiler production methods and shift to more welfare-friendly methods.
Real-time resource management and energy trading for green cloud-RAN

This thesis considers cloud radio access network (C-RAN), where the remote radio heads (RRHs) are equipped with renewable energy resources and can trade energy with the grid. Due to uneven distribution of mobile radio traffic and inherent intermittent nature of renewable energy resources, the RRHs may need real-time energy provisioning to meet the users demands. Given the amount of available energy resources at RRHs, the main contributions of the thesis begin with introducing realtime resource management strategies to the RRHs with a shortage of power budget to select an optimal number of user terminals based on their available energy budget. On the other hand, sparse beamforming strategies introduced in the second part of the thesis account for all RRHs with or without a shortage of power and take consideration of realistic constraints on fronthaul capacity restrictions. The proposed strategies strike an optimum balance among the total power consumption in the fronthaul through adjusting the degree of partial cooperation among RRHs, RRHs total transmit power and the maximum or total spot-market energy cost. A smart energy management strategy based on the combinatorial multi-armed bandit (CMAB) theory for C-RAN, which is powered by a hybrid of grid and renewable energy sources is studied in the last part of the thesis. A combinatorial upper confidence bound (CUCB) algorithm to maximize the overall rewards, earned as a result of minimizing the cost of energy trading at individual RRHs of the C-RAN has been introduced. Adapting to the dynamic wireless channel conditions, the proposed CUCB algorithm associates a set of optimal energy packages, to be purchased from the day-ahead markets, to a set of RRHs to minimize the total cost of energy purchase from the main power grid by dynamically forming super arms. A super arm is
Building Customer Loyalty Through Service Quality, Customer Engagement and Commitment: The Case of Mobile Network Providers in Thailand

In the advent of dramatic changes in today’s marketplace, businesses face number of difficult challenges that make customer loyalty more important than ever. This paper explores the associations of variables; namely, service quality, customer engagement, commitment and customer loyalty of service providers of mobile network in Thailand. The results obtained from this research will offer necessary feedback for researchers and practitioners to understand the factors underpinning customer loyalty. The study used a sample of 120 usable questionnaires collected from users of different mobile network providers. Exploratory factor analysis and correlation analysis was performed on service quality, commitment, customer engagement and customer loyalty behavior variables to test research hypotheses. Data analysis shows that service quality, promotional offers, commitment, customer engagement has positive association on customer loyalty. The results indicate that service quality has relatively stronger relationship with affective commitment and weak relationship with online engagement. The study identifies the significant association of competitive promotional package has with customer engagement as well as affective and calculative commitment. This research can be considered as the basis for a more extensive research. Studies covering other geographical are warranted to accurately predict customer loyalty and the associative factors.
Inter-cluster relations in a coopetition context: the case of Inno'vin

While interclustering corresponds to a specific case of inter-organizational relations, its coopetitive and asymmetric potential has rarely been investigated. Here, we examine the challenges in developing a productive coopetitive inter-cluster relationship in a context of asymmetry, and the trust-generating mechanisms needed to overcome these challenges. The case of the French cluster, Inno'vin, gives us some interesting insights into the issue. With five data collection phases conducted over an eight-year period, we compared the relations between Inno'vin and two other clusters located in the same or a nearby geographical area and positioned in similar fields. Our paper highlights the importance of competition in the context of interclustering and identifies the main challenges of inter-cluster coopetition, while emphasizing the role of asymmetry. Moreover, we extend the existing literature on trust-generating mechanisms in the specific context of asymmetric interclustering.
CSR Reporting Practices of Hungarian Banks

The disclosure of information on the exercise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the tool most frequently used by companies to promote understanding of the social and environmental performance of an organisation and to improve relationships with stakeholders. For most of the world’s largest companies, reporting on non-financial information appears to be a continuing trend, so it is essential to present the new corporate reporting trends of the 21st century. The disclosure of socially responsible information will be analysed, with a focus on the application of the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines related to CSR. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the best-known framework for voluntary reporting of environmental and social performance by business worldwide. The main objective of the paper is to explore the corporate voluntary disclosure practices of the listed and non-listed banks in Hungary. The extent of voluntary disclosure has significantly improved for decades worldwide, but the situation is not that obvious regarding the Hungarian financial sector. This paper aims to describe the status of disclosure practices of corporate sustainability in the annual reports, sustainability reports or CSR reports of the banking industry in Hungary. Also, increased corporate visibility and financial risk increase stakeholder demand for transparency on the social impact of financial institutions and their CSR practices. Finally, the analysis and subsequent comparison of available CSR reports of banks will be presented.
Corporate Entrepreneurship in Pharma R&D Organizational Transformations

This multiple-case study examined factors that could contribute to a richer understanding of top managers’ perceptions on maintaining high-performance teams in Pharma R&D. In addition, this multiple-case study investigated top managers’ perceptions of building opportunity-based entrepreneurial culture in organizations during strategic change, considered as a critical factor for organizations during change, the results of which can be used to guide management in preventing destructive actions of business non-loyalty. Following, this multiple-case study examined the management of change within the corporate entrepreneurship literature as a means of helping organizations improve practical intelligence of defining growth goals and new enterprise growth management processes and procedures, including those relevant to change, the way they function, and formal and informal rules protecting adequacy of governance arrangements as well as the organizational culture. Participant responses to the interview question regarding capability to maintain high-performing teams resulted in themes regarding role of leadership in risk management approach, leadership development challenges, trust and commitment in inter-firm relationships, as being the top managers’ perceptions and the attitudes in outsourcing R&D industry sector since the enactment of the strategic change.
Modeling and Evaluation of Bandpass Σ ∆ Modulator Non-Idealities Using Simplorer VHDL-AMS

This paper describes an implementation of a bandpass sigma-delta modulator behavioral model with SI MPLORER VHDL-AMS. The model includes most of the non-idealites which affect the performance of the component, such as sampling jitter, kT/C noise and operational amplifier parameters. A comparison with another model, implemented with MATLABSIMULINK by Brigati et al., is made to highlight and validate the proposed model. The spectrum plot and the Power Spectral Density of the output signal is also presented to e valuate the characteristics of the modulator. Simulation result s obtained using a second-order band-pass sigma-delta modulato r demonstrate the validity of the model by the mean o f estimating signal-to-noise and distortion ratios. Keywords— Sigma Delta Analog-Digital Converter; Band-pass Modulator; Simplorer VHDL-AMS; Power Spectral Density; Non-idealities Effects.