Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implementing Product Diversification Strategies for Small and Medium Retail Businesses' Sustainability

Implementing Product Diversification Strategies for Small and Medium Retail Businesses’ Sustainability by Justin D. Vogl MA, Ashford University, 2013 BA, Ashford University, 2011 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2018 Abstract Small businesses make up about 90% of all business entities and employ about 60% of the total workforce, yet 50% of small businesses fail within their first 5 years. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how SBOs use the appropriate product diversification strategies to remain sustainable. The sample population were 3 small retail business owners in a large-sized county in the Washington,Small businesses make up about 90% of all business entities and employ about 60% of the total workforce, yet 50% of small businesses fail within their first 5 years. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how SBOs use the appropriate product diversification strategies to remain sustainable. The sample population were 3 small retail business owners in a large-sized county in the Washington, D. C. metropolitan area who employed fewer than 19 people and have successfully used product diversification strategies to remain sustainable beyond 5 years. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and company document reviews. Data analysis entailed using an alphabetic coding process to identify the frequency and importance of themes. Grounded in the conceptual framework of the model of market orientation, this study revealed 4 themes that could help small business owners use the appropriate product diversification strategies to remain sustainable: customer-centric decision-making, market-trend orientation, resource orientation, and complementary products and services. The implications for positive social change include the potential to give small business owners a decision-making framework to achieve sustainability and growth, which would contribute to healthy economic conditions through consumerism, higher employment rates, and a reduction in poverty. The findings of this study could benefit local, small businesses and communities. Implementing Product Diversification Strategies for Small and Medium Retail Businesses’ Sustainability by Justin D. Vogl MA, Ashford University, 2013 BA, Ashford University, 2011 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2018
Primary lymphoma of the liver: clinical features and outcome of 9 patients.

PURPOSE Primary liver lymphoma (PLL) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown etiology. The prognosis in affected patients is poor, consisting of brief remissions, rapidly developing resistance to chemotherapy, early recurrence, and short survival. Most studies related to PLL are based on case reports. The aim of this retrospective study was to review our experience with PLL. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1985 to 2000, 9 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PLL were treated at our hospital. All patients underwent a thorough work-up and were staged accordingly. RESULTS The disease occured in middle and higher-aged patients (median age 63 years). Primary presenting complaints were abdominal pain, mainly in the right upper quadrant, and hepatomegaly. Liver function tests and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were elevated. Liver imaging (computed tomography-CT) and isotopic methods (gallium scan) demonstrated liver involvement either as solitary or multiple space-occupying lesions. Pathologic examination demonstrated diffuse, large cell (DLCL), B-type lymphoma in 7/9 (78%) patients. Doxorubicin-based chemotherapy was the mainstay of treatment. Good partial or complete remission rates were achieved in 7 patients, albeit for a brief period of time. CONCLUSION Most patients with PLL succumb to their illness, despite its being relatively chemotherapy-sensitive. The introduction of intensive chemotherapy, plus/minus radiotherapy, and/or surgery has been considered in some studies.
The DSM-IV-Based Generalized Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale: Preliminary Validation Using Data From a Trial of Agomelatine Versus Placebo

Currently available symptom severity measures for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are not optimal. This study investigates the reliability and validity of a new measure for GAD. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale (DGSS), comprising 8 DSM-IV GAD symptoms assessed in terms of frequency and intensity, was used in a trial of agomelatine versus placebo for the treatment of GAD. Internal reliability, concurrent validity, responsiveness to change, most robust items, and factor structure were computed. The DGSS demonstrated good internal reliability, correlated significantly with the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Clinical Global Impression severity scale, and demonstrated a clear change in response to agomelatine. The most robust DGSS items were derived, and an exploratory factor analysis yielded a 2-factor structure of the DGSS. The DGSS is potentially a useful scale for the assessment of GAD in clinical trials of this disorder.
The Effect of Internet Marketing Capabilities on the Export Performance of SMEs

In developing countries, small and medium sized enterprises play an important role in economic development by increasing production, employment and exports, but due to limited financial resources, they always have to pursue strategies and competitive advantages for survival and to maintain expand their market share. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of SMEs Internet marketing capabilities on their export performance. Research method is based survey and the research technique is based on standard questionnaire. The statistical population of the study consisted of managers of 210 small and medium export companies in one of the industrial cities of Tehran province. Using Cochran formula, 130 questionnaires were delivered among managers.Using Structural equations Modeling and LISREL software, a conceptual model of the impact of internet marketing capabilities on export performance was investigated by accessing business-related information and IT infrastructure and customer-orientation on export performance. The results of the research indicate that Internet marketing has a directly positive and significant effect and through the variables of access to information and infrastructure of the company's technology and customer-orientation on the performance of the export of small and medium sized enterprises and also, customer orientation in these companies is more important than other two variables.
Quantitative Whole Body Scintigraphy – A Simplified Approach

Summary In this paper we present investigations on a simplified method of quantitative whole body scintigraphy by using a dual head LFOV-gamma camera and a calibration algorithm without the need of additional attenuation or scatter correction. Validation of this approach to the anthropomorphic phantom as well as in patient studies showed a high accuracy concerning quantification of whole body activity (102.8% and 97.72%, resp.), by contrast organ activities were recovered with an error range up to 12%. The described method can be easily performed using commercially available software packages and is recommendable especially for quantitative whole body scintigraphy in a clinical setting. Zusammenfassung In dieser Studie wird eine vereinfachte Methode zur quantitativen Szintigraphie mittels einer LFOV- Doppelkopf-Ganzkörperkamera vorgestellt. Das Verfahren verwendet einen patientenindividuellen Kalibrierungsfaktor und verzichtet auf zusätzliche externe Schwächungs- bzw. Scatter-korrekturen. Experimentelle Quantifizierungsuntersuchungen zeigten sowohl am Modell des anthropomorphen Phantoms wie auch in Anwendung am Patienten eine hohe Wiederfindungsrate der Ganzkörperaktivität (im Mittel 102,8% bzw. 97,72%). Bei der Berechnung von Organaktivitäten wurde ein Quantifizierungsfehler von bis zu 12% beobachtet. Die beschriebene Methode kann ohne großen Aufwand mit kommerziell erhältlicher Standardsoftware implementiert werden und eignet sich besonders für die quantitative Ganzkörperszintigraphie bei klinischen Fragestellungen.
Characterization, Treatment, and Outcome of Intracranial Neoplasms in the First 120 Days of Life

Little is known about brain tumors in early infancy. Investigators reviewed the records of 27 patients (12 boys and 15 girls) diagnosed within 120 days of birth. The median age was 66 days (range, 0-110 days) at diagnosis. All patients underwent surgery; 18 received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 3 received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The median follow-up was 2.1 years (range, 0.2-21.6 years). At last encounter, 15 patients were alive, and 11 had no evidence of disease. Ten patients died of progressive disease, and 2 died of treatment-related complications. All survivors experienced late effects, including endocrine, neurologic, and cognitive deficits. Of the 13 patients who completed neurocognitive assessments, 7 had an IQ score less than 70. Children in whom brain tumors arise during early infancy can be cured with conventional therapy; however, contemporary approaches can adversely affect long-term function, and families need to be aware of these effects when making therapeutic decisions.
Earnings Quality and Information Asymmetry: Evidence from Trading Costs

The adverse consequences of poor earnings quality have been the subject of significant debate among academics, practitioners and regulators. However, the empirical evidence on pricing implications of earnings quality is sparse and controversial. We examine one potential consequence of poor earnings quality - its impact on information asymmetry. We document that poor earnings quality increases the adverse selection risk as manifested in trading costs and lowers liquidity in financial markets. Both innate and discretionary components of earnings quality contribute significantly to information asymmetry. Further, poor earnings quality exacerbates information asymmetry around earnings announcements, especially for firms where earnings represent the principal source of information for market participants, suggesting that poor quality earnings offers a greater information advantage to informed traders. An important implication is that earnings quality can affect cost of capital via its impact on trading cost. Additionally, from a policy perspective, we show that earnings quality can lead to significant variation in information asymmetry even for firms within a uniform reporting regime.
Assessment of antimicrobial properties of Terminalia chebula (fruit) againstcariogenic organisms

The present study was designated to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of various solvent extracts from fruits of Terminalia chebula. The preliminary antimicrobial activities of the extracts against cariogenic organisms were tested by using disc diffusion assay. The methanolic extract showed higher antimicrobial activity against all the cariogenic organisms tested. Based on this finding, the methanolic fruit extract of T. chebula was assessed for antimicrobial activities by disc diffusion, broth dilution and biofilm inhibition methods. The highest activity was at 400μg/ml of methanolic extract with a mean diameter of inhibition zone being 29.5mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ≤0.17mg/ml against S. mutans MTCC 497. The anti-adherence activities of methanolic fruit extract towards the cariogenic organisms were different between the organisms. The maximum percentage of inhibition (88%) was observed for S. mutans MTCC 497 and minimum percentage of (17.2%) inhibition was noticed for S. cerevisiae MTCC 170. The results indicated that the methanolic fruit extract of T. chebula posses antimicrobial properties and so it can be used as a potential source of anti- microbial agents.
Low Back Pain and Smoking in a Community Sample in Japan

Low Back Pain and Smoking in a Community Sample in Japan: Tetsuya Otani, et al. Department of Public Health, Gunma University School of Medicine—A cross‐sectional study with a self‐administered questionnaire was conducted in order to examine the association between low back pain and smoking. The subjects analyzed were 6,891 adults aged 40‐69 yr, who lived in a downtown district in Isesaki City, Gunma, Japan. There was a positive association between cigarette smoking and low back pain in men. The age‐adjusted odds ratios of low back pain were 1.32 (95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.10,1.57) for 1‐20 cigarettes smoked per day and 1.40 (95% Cl 1.11,1.76) for 21 or more. The association had similar strength after adjustment for alcohol consumption, physical exercise, body mass index, non‐ musculoskeletal disease, education, occupation, and whether living with parents, living with a child or children, or living alone. The multivariate odds ratios for low back pain were 1.29 (95% Cl 1.03, 1.62) for 1‐ 20 cigarettes smoked per day and 1.36 (95% Cl 1.03, 1.80) for 21 or more. In conclusion, smoking was significantly related to low back pain, even if adjusted for other potential risk factors.
Mortality and Oviposition of Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Exposed to Different Insecticide Baits for Varying Periods in the Presence and Absence of Food

ABSTRACT Spinosad bait is used to control western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), by killing flies before they oviposit. However, effects of different insecticide baits on management of reproductively mature flies are largely unknown. Objectives here were to determine mortality and oviposition of reproductively mature R. indifferens exposed to different insecticide baits for varying periods in the presence and absence of dried yeast extract and sucrose food. Spinosad bait (spinosad in a mix of protein, sugar, and other ingredients) was compared with acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid in sucrose or Nu-Lure + sucrose bait. When flies were exposed to treatments and then offered cherries, Prunus avium (L.) L. , for oviposition or when they were exposed to treatments and cherries simultaneously, both thiamethoxam bait and imidacloprid bait resulted in higher mortality and lower oviposition than spinosad bait and acetamiprid bait. Exposures to thiamethoxam bait and imidacloprid bait for six and 24 h were similarly effective, but 6-h exposures to spinosad bait and acetamiprid bait were less effective than 24-h exposures. There was little difference between sucrose and Nu-Lure + sucrose baits. When food was present, thiamethoxam bait and imidacloprid bait caused greater mortality and lower oviposition than spinosad bait and acetamiprid bait, but when food was absent, patterns were less consistent. Because of its ability to kill flies sooner after it is exposed to flies when food is present or absent, thiamethoxam or imidacloprid in sucrose or Nu-Lure bait may reduce infestations in cherries more than spinosad bait when mature R. indifferens are present in orchards.
Association between functionality assessment scales and the severity of dysphagia post-stroke.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the results of functionality scales and dysphagia severity determined from videofluoroscopy swallowing study (VSS) in post-stroke patients. Methods A retrospective study of 109 VSS analysis of post-stroke patients. From the exams was collected information on the diagnosis of dysphagia severity and evaluated regarding the swallowing functionality in an independent way by two evaluators. Results A high number of discrete dysphagia was observed. In one third of dysphagic patients it was noticed the presence of tracheal aspiration. There was a significant association between the scores of Functional Oral Intake Scale and Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale in post-stroke patients which means when the swallowing is highly compromised, the level of intake by mouth will be smaller according to the evaluators' analysis (p < 0.001). Conclusion There is an association between the scales and it can be used as evaluative benchmarks and in the management of clinical Speech Pathology intervention.
COMPETING RISKS ANALYSIS OF UNDER-FIVE CHILD MORTALITY IN BANGLADESH

This study implements an analysis of under five mortality to the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2011 data from a competing risks perspective. Kaplan - Meier overall survival curves along with log-rank test p-values are employed to determine the prospective covariates for the Cox proportional hazard (PH) model. Later the typical Cox PH model is used to model the causespecific hazard for the two competing causes, namely disease and non-disease on the selected covariates. It is revealed that mother’s primary and secondary education, birth order of the index child in case of disease model; mother’s higher education, wealth index of the index child in case of non-disease model and mothers aged greater than 30 years at the time of giving birth, home as a place of child delivery in both model played significant role in decreasing under five child mortality. Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 27(1): 27-38, June-2014
Is there a correlation between endoscopy and imaging findings in Crohn’s disease

Background and Aims: Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Endoscopy and radiology play an important role in the diagnosis and management of this specific disease. The ability of each of these two tests to detect the gastrointestinal involvement (ulceration, stenosis, fistula, polyp, mucosal thickening) varies according to the type of Crohn’s lesions. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the correlation between these two diagnostic methods in the detection of those specific lesions in 70 patients diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease (CD) during the period of 3 years. Methods: In this retrospective study, including 70 patients with Crohn’s disease, Four major characteristic lesions (ulceration, stenosis, fistula and polyps) were studied by endoscopy and radiological exams to evaluate the relationship between endoscopy and imaging findings in the detection of these lesions. The analysis of our results was made by statistical analysis system: EpiInfo and SPSS. Results: The concordance of each of these diagnostic modalities is average for stenosis and fistulas and low diagnostic significance for ulcers and polyps. However, the imaging features of mucosal thickening are sensitive but not specific.
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV): Kinetics of Infection in Lymphatic Organs and Lung

Summary Pigs were infected by the oronasal route with European isolates of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV; I10 and Cobbelsdorf). The kinetics of infection in lymphatic organs and the lung were analysed by immunofluorescence detection of virus antigen, re‐isolation of the virus and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for PRRSV‐specific RNA. The kinetics of PRRSV infection proceeded in three phases, irrespective of the varying infestation of lymphatic organs within the first days post‐infection (p.i.). First, an early acute infection of lymphatic organs developed within the first week and was characterized by a high number of antigen‐positive macrophages. Second, a delayed acute infection of the lung was observed, which was most pronounced during the second and third week p.i. when a high number of infected alveolar macrophages was observed. The acute infection of lymphatic organs had resolved at this time. Infected cells in the lung were predominantly located in pneumonic lesions. Third, a persistent infection was demonstrated by RT‐PCR and immunohistology when the experiments were terminated at day 49 p.i. The virus persisted in lymphatic organs, especially in the tonsils, and in the lung. At this stage, indications for a re‐occurrence of acute infection were observed in restricted areas of the lung.
Determining The Effect of Service Quality Towards Patients' Satisfaction in Private Hospitals in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia

Intense competition in health care industry has resulted in increasing pressure among private hospitals to provide high quality services. In Sabah, the number of private hospitals is on the rise particularly when the state government has announced its strategic plan to become a medical tourism hub by offering medical treatments to the neighbouring countries. So far, there is not much studies can been found to measure the service quality in private hospitals in Sabah. Hence, the aim of this study is to determine the relationship between service quality and patients’ satisfaction among outpatients in the private hospitals in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was carried out between March and April 2018 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia. The study sample was composed of 150 outpatients randomly selected from 5 private hospitals in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Data collected from this study were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 and Smart PLS-SEM 3.0. The findings show assurance and tangibility are positively correlated to patients’ satisfaction. Of the two important dimensions, tangibility demonstrated greater effect towards patients’ satisfaction. This study contributes to the service quality literature by testing the effect of the SERVQUAL dimensions to the patients’ satisfaction in the context of private hospitals. In addition, this paper is significant to practitioners specifically hospital managers in improving their serve delivery.
Automatically Identifying Humorous and Persuasive Language Produced during a Creative Problem-Solving Task

Despite being an important component of problem-solving ability, relatively little is known about the linguistic features of creativity and the related constructs of elaboration, humor, and persuasion. In order to better understand the linguistic features of these constructs, two analyses were performed to examine relationships between linguistic features and human judgments of humor, persuasion, creativity, and elaboration. First, linguistic indices derived from automatic text analysis tools were used to predict human categorizations of utterances for humor and persuasion in a corpus of natural dialogue produced during a creative problem-solving and divergent thinking task. Four linguistic indices related to the use of function words, word age-of-acquisition, and spoken word frequency distinguished humor and persuasion with approximately 50% accuracy. These linguistic features, along with incidence scores for humorous and persuasive categories based on human ratings per dialogue were then used to predict human ratings of creativity and elaboration from the same corpus. Less variation in use of function words significantly predicted both creativity and elaboration scores, and lower spoken word frequency and higher incidences of humorous utterances significantly predicted creativity scores. These results demonstrate the potential for linguistic features to explain creativity and elaboration and highlight connections between humor, persuasion, and creativity.