Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constructivist research in smart tourism

Smart tourism is a social phenomenon arising from the convergence of information technology with the tourism experience. New ways of doing business, new patterns of experience and new problems concerning tourism destination image management and marketing are emerging due to the ubiquitous presence and influence of the internet and mobile devices. New conceptual tools are also available to enable researchers to further understand the social implications as well as the practical implementation of these new virtual and augmented smart tourism ecosystems. To this effect this paper introduces the constructivist paradigm and associated research methodologies as another toolbox for interpreting how smart tourism works as a form of soft power. The implications revealed by constructivism are that through smart tourism ecosystems, destination commodification and commoditization, experience and image formation are increasingly self-per-petuating, autonomous and organic social constructions. Researchers in information technology can use con-structivist research to further explore these dynamic developments in smart tourism.
Does the host match the content? A taxonomical update on online consumption communities

Abstract This article proposes a taxonomy of online consumption communities in order to address this rather ambiguously conceptualised research field. Specifically, intercommunity differences are investigated with regard to how content focus (brand vs activity) and its congruency with the type of host (doubled vs mixed) affect consumers’ posting behaviour. Based on an online survey (n = 888), a series of regressions of various benefits on posting behaviour supports the usability of the proposed taxonomy. In particular, social benefits had the strongest effect on consumers’ posting behaviour across all communities, while the effects of functional, altruistic and sharing benefits varied in significance and direction of influence when accounting for the different community characteristics. These findings help marketing managers to design online communities and motivate consumers to contribute.
Information Asymmetries as Antecedents of Opportunism in Buyer-Supplier Relationships: Testing Principal-Agent Theory

ABSTRACT Purpose: A severe problem in supplier selection refers to moral hazard: suppliers not behaving in the expected way once contracted. Principal-agent theory could provide insights on how to reduce this problem. Because buyer–supplier relationships can be interpreted as principal-agent situations, the application of agency theory should facilitate improved supplier selection. Although theoretically compelling, empirical tests verifying this assumption are not prevalent. Regarding the advancement of theory, this paper tests whether both ex ante and ex post information asymmetries influence moral hazard. In particular, in the context of a globalizing economy with a subsequent increase in information asymmetries as a problem in supplier selection, this conceptual approach may be contributive. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use a set of 87 buyer–supplier relationships to conduct a test, applying a partial least squares model with latent variables. A particularity of the data set is that it contains information on ongoing as well as on discontinued relationships. Findings: The analysis indicated that both ex ante information asymmetries (operationalized by a reputation variable) and ex post asymmetries (operationalized by a monitoring variable) have shown to be significant and strong antecedents explaining the occurrence of moral hazard. Interestingly, and opposed to the common assumption, the length of a relationship and the amount of direct meetings have not revealed any explanatory significance. Buyer dependency hardly showed influence on supplier opportunism. Research limitations/implications: Data were collected from a multitude of buyer–supplier relationships from a single firm in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry. Generalizations to other industries still need to be tested. Socially desirable answering behavior cannot fully be excluded because relationship discontinuation is not a desirable situation. In terms of theory implications, this research adds to the notion that both hidden action and hidden intention can lead to moral hazard. Practical implications: An agency-based analysis can be operationalized with the help of an agency-based supplier classification portfolio. It might be of particular value to firms to discuss those suppliers that scored high in risk of opportunism but did not (yet) reveal any signs of moral hazard. Finally, the strong explanatory power of reputation alerts buyers to pay more attention to behavioral information on the (potential) supplier available in the market. Originality/value: Analyzing the occurrence of moral hazard and including terminated relationships adds to the emerging stream of literature on relationship discontinuation in B2B markets. Further, the strong empirical results may encourage researchers to elaborate on principal-agent theory-based assumptions, adding another layer of explanation to buyer–supplier relationships. Findings show that reputation is unduly neglected as supplier selection criterion in current theory and practice.
A study of immunoreactive calcitonin (CT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in lung cancer and other malignancies

Levels of immunoreactive ACTH and calcitonin (CT), as well as CEA, were determined serially in 144 patients with lung cancer and in 62 patients with metastatic carcinoma to the lungs. Patients with neoplasms not involving the lungs, with nonmalignant blood dyscrasias, and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were studied, as were normal control subjects.
Origin of evolutionary change in avian clutch size

Why different bird species lay different numbers of eggs is a question that has long been associated with factors external to the organism, that is, factors which operate on inherited variation in clutch size through the action of natural selection. Yet, while external factors are important, the extent of what is evolutionarily possible rests with the mechanisms developed by birds for clutch‐size control. Hitherto neglected, these mechanisms generate factors internal to the organism that are central to the origin of evolutionary change. They are related to the fact that a species‐specific range of clutch size arises from the differential survival of pre‐ovulatory follicles undergoing growth when the signal causing egg laying to end reaches the ovary. Herein, I examine three internal factors that, together with external factors, could impact the evolution of avian clutch size. Each factor acts by changing either the number of pre‐ovulatory follicles present in the ovary at the time of follicular disruption or the timing of this event. These changes to clutch size can be explained by the concept of heterochrony. In light of this, the role of phenotypic plasticity and genes determining clutch size is discussed. Finally, to account for the origin of evolutionary change in clutch size, I detail an hypothesis involving a process similar to Waddington's theory of genetic assimilation.
Exploring the implications of the internet for consumer marketing

Past commentaries on the potential impact of the Internet on consumer marketing have typically failed to acknowledge that consumer markets are heterogeneous and complex and that the Internet is but one possible distribution, transaction, and communication channel in a world dominated by conventional retailing channels. This failure has led to excessively broad predictions regarding the effect of the Internet on the structure and performance of product and service markets. The objective of this article is to provide a framework for understanding possible impacts of the Internet on marketing to consumers. This is done by analyzing channel intermediary functions that can be performed on the Internet, suggesting classification schemes that clarify the potential impact of the Internet across different products and services, positioning the Internet against conventional retailing channels, and identifying similarities and differences that exist between them. The article concludes with a series of questions designed to stimulate the development of theory and strategy in the context of Internet-based marketing.
LIM-homeodomain Transcription Factor Isl-1 Mediates the Effect of Leptin on Insulin Secretion in Mice*

Background: Leptin and Isl-1 have functions to regulate the insulin secretion, but the interaction between Leptin and Isl-1 remains unknown. Results: Isl-1 mediates the signaling pathway of leptin affecting insulin secretion. Conclusion: Isl-1 and STAT3 are the keynote proteins linking the leptin and insulin signaling networks. Significance: These findings are crucial for understanding the mechanisms of insulin secretion and metabolism. In addition to the well known regulating effects of leptin on energy balance and glucose homeostasis through the central nervous system, circulating leptin has a direct effect on pancreatic islet and insulin secretion through its receptor (OBRb). The LIM-homeodomain transcription factor Isl-1 is expressed in all classes of pancreatic endocrine cells and is involved in regulating both islet development and insulin secretion. Both OBRb and Isl-1 mutations result in obesity-related diabetes. However, the interactions and physiological significance of leptin and Isl-1 in pancreatic islets remain to be established. Here, we show that most of leptin target cells in pancreatic islets and NIT beta cells express Isl-1. Both in vivo and in vitro results demonstrate that leptin suppresses Isl-1 expression and insulin secretion in islet in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, e.g. high fat diet. This effect of leptin on insulin secretion is lost in leptin receptor-defective db/db and Isl-1-inducible knock-out mice. We conclude that the action of leptin on insulin secretion is at least partly mediated by Isl-1. Another new finding of this study is that Isl-1 acts as a direct downstream target of leptin signaling molecule STAT3 to influence the effect of leptin on insulin secretion, whereas inversely, insulin has feedback regulating effects on Isl-1 expression through JAK-STAT3 pathway. These findings are crucial for understanding the mechanisms regulating insulin secretion and metabolism in related diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
CRM Implementation

Conceptually, customer relationship management (CRM) has been widely embraced by businesses. In practice, however, examples of success contrast with anecdotes where the diffusion of CRM into organizations continues to be a slow process and/or where CRM implementation outcomes have fallen short of expectations. Successful implementation depends on a number of factors such as fit between of a firm’s CRM strategy and programs and its broader marketing strategy, and intraorganizational and interorganizational cooperation and coordination among entities involved in implementation. Building on the results of a survey of the CRM-implementation-related experiences of 101 U.S.-based firms, in this article the authors identify factors associated with successful CRM implementation and advance directions for future research.
Risk Assessment for Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-eat Meat and Poultry Products

Various control methods used in the meat and poultry processing environment to mitigate listeriosis were evaluated using a dynamic in-plant Monte Carlo model. These control methods included food contact surface testing, sanitation, post-processing lethality treatment, and product formulation with microbial growth inhibitors. The dynamic in-plant model served as an input into the risk assessment model developed by the FDA and FSIS in 2003 which predicts the number of deaths and illnesses resulting from the use of each control method. The use of growth inhibitors combined with a post-processing lethality step was estimated to save over 200 more lives than the FSIS proposed minimum sampling standard. An analysis of data collected by the National Alliance for Food Safety and Security (NAFSS) found that retail-sliced deli meats have a greater prevalence and concentration of L. monocytogenes than prepackaged deli meats. Cross contamination at the retail level is suspected due to clustering of sample positives by store and the influence of sampling time of day on the prevalence of L. monocytogenes. The comparative risk of Listeria monocytogenes in retail sliced versus prepackaged deli meats was evaluated using a modified version of the 2003 FDA-FSIS risk assessment model which considered slicing location and the use of growth inhibitors. The comparative risk ratio for the number of deaths from retail-sliced versus prepackaged deli meats was found to be 9.1 and retail-sliced product with a growth inhibitor was found to be at greater risk for listeriosis than prepackaged product without growth inhibitor.
Acute cerebellar ataxia of childhood. An unusual case of varicella.

CEREBELLAR ATAXIA of acute onset (acute cerebellitis) is a relatively common neurological disorder among children. ' A viral cause has been postulated even though the infectious agent has been identified or isolated in only a minority of cases. Several different viruses have been incriminated: varicella (chicken pox), ECHO type 9, coxsackie B, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps and rubella. ' Of these, varicella appears to be the one most commonly identified. Cerebellar symptoms have been noted in 25 to 30 percent of cases of varicella encephalitis.2'3 While the exanthematous manifestations of the disease usually precede the advent of neurological symptoms and signs,4'5 on very rare occasions the sequence of events is reversed.6 It is the purpose of this brief communication to describe a case of acute cerebellar ataxia in which the skin lesions of varicella' did not appear until ten days after the onset of ataxia, lethargy and vomiting.
Modeling the Global Public Health Determinants of HIV/AIDS-Related Deaths

The alarming global incidence of HIV/AIDS epidemic prompted this research undertaking to explore several health indicators that lead to and mediate reported HIV/AIDS mortality. A number of studies attempted to explore and give light to the epidemic incidence, however, the understanding of the causality issue at the policy level is still immature. To address this issue, this paper took into account a number of health indicators linked to HIV/AIDS prognosis and explore its direct and mediating effect to the global mortality prevalence. In particular, utilizing the panel data gathered from World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank data repository, this paper modeled the determinants of global HIV/AIDS mortality. Goodness-of-fit statistics revealed a satisfactory model fitting indices (χ2=12.711,>0.05, NFI=.966, CFI=.989, RMSEA=.064, SRMR =.044, and HOELTER=225 and 326 at 0.05 & 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, this paper developed a structural equations model to investigate quantitatively the interrelationships among identified exogenous variables and its effect on worldwide HIV/AIDS mortality. Three health indicators were identified to have indirect effect while two indicators have a direct effect on HIV/AIDS mortality. Further complicated dismantling and constructive designs are described based on the empirical findings of this paper. Mediation analysis for the final outcome is also outlined.
H2AX Phosphorylation Is Important for LANA-Mediated Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Episome Persistence

ABSTRACT The DNA damage response (DDR) of host cells is utilized by a number of viruses to establish and propagate their genomes in the infected cells. We examined the expression of the DDR genes during Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The genes were mostly downregulated, except H2AX, which was upregulated during infection. H2AX is important for gammaherpesvirus infectivity, and its phosphorylation at serine 139 is crucial for maintenance of latency during mouse gamma-herpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) infection. We now also observed phosphorylation of H2AX at serine 139 during KSHV infection. H2AX is a histone H2A isoform shown to interact with the latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) encoded by KSHV. Here, we show that LANA directly interacted with H2AX through domains at both its N and C termini. The phosphorylated form of H2AX (γH2AX) was shown to colocalize with LANA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed that a reduction in H2AX levels resulted in reduced binding of LANA with KSHV terminal repeats (TRs). Binding preferences of H2AX and γH2AX along the KSHV episome were examined by whole-episome ChIP analysis. We showed that γH2AX had a higher relative binding activity along the TR regions than that of the long unique region (LUR), which highlighted the importance of H2AX phosphorylation during KSHV infection. Furthermore, knockdown of H2AX resulted in decreased KSHV episome copy number. Notably, the C terminus of LANA contributed to phosphorylation of H2AX. However, phosphorylation was not dependent on the ability of LANA to drive KSHV-infected cells into S-phase. Thus, H2AX contributes to association of LANA with the TRs, and phosphorylation of H2AX is likely important for its increased density at the TRs.
ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT SERVICE ACCEPTANCE: THE E-GOV-SAM ASPECT OF THE E-REVENUE SYSTEM

Electronic services are important in government to citizen electronic commerce; however, little is known about electronic government service acceptance model (E-GOV-SAM model). This research aims to develop the determinants of E-GOV-SAM model in the context of e-revenue. The empirical survey results from personal income tax payers show that electronic government service quality has positive impact on building trust and intention to use egovernment service. Results indicate that risks adversely affect trust and intention to adopt egovernment service. Adoption influence has no impact on building trust but does have an impact on the intention to use.
Problem Sources in Establishing Strategic Supplier Alliances

Recent interest in alternative purchasing arrangements has centered on “supplier alliances,” an approach used to establish broader roles in the buyer-supplier relationship. Prior research about strategic supplier alliances has focused on the appropriate environments for developing these relationships and the potential benefits of such a strategy. This article addresses a different issue: implementation difficulties caused by supplier discontent. Information about this issue has been generated from a survey covering a wide array of firms. Responding buyers were requested to nominate exemplary suppliers for a follow-up survey. Responses from matched pairs of buyers and suppliers subsequently were compared for differences in their perceptions of their alliance. The degree to which their views differed was evaluated against several key hypotheses. This research interprets and suggests the management implications of the results.
Correlation between differential renal function estimation using CT-based functional renal parenchymal volume and 99mTc - DTPA renal scan

Introduction and Objective: Nuclear renal scan is currently the gold standard imaging study to determine differential renal function. We propose helical CT as single modality for both the anatomical and functional evaluation of kidney with impaired function. In the present study renal parenchymal volume is measured and percent total renal volume is used as a surrogate marker for differential renal function. The objective of this study is to correlate between differential renal function estimation using CT-based renal parenchymal volume measurement with differential renal function estimation using 99mTC - DTPA renal scan. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with unilateral obstructive uropathy were enrolled in this prospective comparative study. They were subjected to 99mTc - DTPA renal scan and 64 slice helical CT scan which estimates the renal volume depending on the reconstruction of arterial phase images followed by volume rendering and percent renal volume was calculated. Percent renal volume was correlated with percent renal function, as determined by nuclear renal scan using Pearson coefficient. Results and Observation: A strong correlation is observed between percent renal volume and percent renal function in obstructed units (r = 0.828, P < 0.001) as well as in nonobstructed units (r = 0.827, P < 0.001). Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between percent renal volume determined by CT scan and percent renal function determined by 99mTC - DTPA renal scan both in obstructed and in normal units. CT-based percent renal volume can be used as a single radiological tests for both functional and anatomical assessment of impaired renal units.
Finding Query Suggestions for PubMed

It is common for PubMed users to repeatedly modify their queries (search terms) before retrieving documents relevant to their information needs. To assist users in reformulating their queries, we report the implementation and usage analysis of a new component in PubMed called Related Queries, which automatically produces query suggestions in response to the original user's input. The proposed method is based on query log analysis and focuses on finding popular queries that contain the initial user search term with a goal of helping users describe their information needs in a more precise manner. This work has been integrated into PubMed since January 2009. Automatic assessment using clickthrough data show that each day, the new feature is used consistently between 6% and 10% of the time when it is shown, suggesting that it has quickly become a popular new feature in PubMed.
Corporate Misgovernance at the World Bank

We test for evidence of corporate misgovernance at the World Bank. Most major decisions at the World Bank are made by its Board of Executive Directors. However, in any given year the majority of the Bank's member countries do not get a chance to serve on this powerful body. In this paper, we empirically investigate whether board membership leads to higher funding from the World Bank's two main development financing institutions, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). We find that developing countries serving on the Board of Executive Directors can expect an approximate doubling of funding from the IBRD. In absolute terms, countries serving on the board are rewarded with an average $60 million "bonus" in IBRD loans. This is more likely driven by soft forces like boardroom culture rather than by the power of the vote itself. We find no significant effect in IDA funding.