Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consumer demand for online food retailing: is it really a supply side issue?

In this paper we analyze consumer demand for and acceptance of online food retailing using longitudinal data collected in three studies (1998, 1999, and 2001). Information reported is from online food shoppers in ten US markets. Comparisons of results from each of the three studies is presented and change patterns identified. We conclude by recommending that researchers shift their attention toward addressing some of the more troublesome supply side issues of the online food retailing equation.
A Task-Oriented Approach for Retrieving an Object from a Pile

We present a framework for object retrieval tasks in extremely cluttered environments. The core of the framework, the Next Best Option (NBO) planner, plans for the (task oriented) next best object to be removed from a pile in order to facilitate the quick retrieval of the target object. The plan of removal of objects from the pile is intended to a) reveal more graspable area of the target, b) find out if an object is underneath another adjacent object. The latter is captured by constructing a tree based on the RGB and depth segmentation of the current scene. While for the former, first either ICP or a modified version of TPS-RPM, a non-rigid registration algorithm, is used to estimate the occluded portion of the target object. The estimated shape is then used to compute the graspable area that will be revealed by the removal of each object. We provide experimental results using real sensor data that show our planner takes fewer actions to finish the task as compared to a baseline planner.
Impact of Personal Orientation on Luxury-Brand Purchase Value: An International Investigation

In earlier days, luxury brands were the preserve of the privileged few, but now they have become more affordable to many more middle-market consumers. Take Britain, for instance: spending on luxuries has increased by 50% in the last decade, compared to a rise of 7% on basics (Keane & McMillan 2004). Due to this trend, luxury brands that feature premium price, prestigious name and global market play an increasingly important role in profit generation for not a few international corporations, like the Lexus automobile for Toyota, Moet & Chandon champagne for LVMH and the Montblanc fountain pen for Richemont.
Bank Customers′ Perceptions, Innovations and New Technology

New technology has, in the last few years, swept the traditional banking industry in an unprecedented way. “Electronic dreams” of the bankers, once considered impossible, have one by one been realised, and electronic banking has become a major realm of product innovations. New, “cheap” technology has surmounted many technical difficulties concomitant with new products such as ATMS, EFTPoS, home banking and the Smart card, which have changed both customers′ perceptions and marketing practices in the banking industry. The perceptual effects and the impact of new technology and product innovations on bank customers are examined and the strategic implications of these developments are discussed.
Scattering matrix approach to SHAPM delay line with long interdigital transducers on BT-cut quartz

Transfer function of a shear horizontal acoustic plate mode (SHAPM) delay line with long interdigital transducers (IDTs) was derived using the scattering matrix method. Analytical expressions for the admittance, scattering coefficients, and reflection coefficient of the periodic electrodes of the IDT, derived previously for SAWs, were used for numerical calculations. By matching the measured and calculated amplitude responses, the velocity, electromechanical coupling coefficient, and reflection coefficient of an aluminum electrode on BT-cut quartz were determined. It was shown that for a sufficiently thick aluminum layer, a reasonable insertion loss could be achieved in spite of a very small electromechanical coupling coefficient.
Regorafenib for cancer

Introduction: Regorafenib (BAY 73-4506) is a novel, orally active, diphenylurea multikinase inhibitor of VEGFR1-3, c-KIT, TIE-2, PDGFR-β, FGFR-1, RET, RAF-1, BRAF and p38 MAP kinase. Areas covered: This review covers the preclinical development of regorafenib as well as the pivotal Phase I studies. The safety profile of regorafenib is discussed in context with other oral multikinase inhibitors bearing a similar target profile. Current clinical developments, especially in colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), are addressed. Open questions on clinically useful biomarkers predicting response with regard to a personalized therapy strategy are also being discussed. Expert opinion: Regorafenib (BAY 73-4506) is a novel, orally active multikinase inhibitor that is well tolerated in preclinical mouse models as well as clinically according to Phase I – III trials performed. The toxicity profile is comparable with other oral multikinase inhibitors with similar molecular targets. Regorafenib has promising antineoplastic activity in various tumor types. Two large, randomized Phase III pivotal registration studies in patients with GIST and CRC, respectively, already completed enrolment, with final results being awaited. Further extensive clinical development as a single agent or in combination with standard chemotherapeutic agents in various malignant tumors is ongoing. Moreover, regorafenib has recently been granted Orphan Drug Status for GIST tumors and ‘fast track’ status for both GIST and CRC by the FDA.
Study on inhibitory activity of chitosan-based materials against biofilm producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains

Six antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, isolated from chronic diabetic foot infections, were chosen for studying the influence of different chitosan-based materials: chitosan solution and chitosan submicroparticles in both planktonic and 24 h-old biofilm-forming models. Chitosan solution occurred to be more effective in the reduction of bacterial populations than chitosan submicroparticles for both planktonic and biofilm-related Pseudomonas cells. It seems that the antimicrobial activity of the tested chitosan preparations depends on the individual bacterial strain susceptibility probably related to differences in the phenotypes and natural antioxidant abilities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.
Bioactive Steroidal Sulfates from the Ambulakrums of the Pacific Starfish Lysastrosoma anthosticta

Lysaketotriol (1) and lysaketodiol (2), along with two previously known polyhydroxylated steroidal sulfates (3, 4), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of ambulakrums separated from the arms of the starfish Lysastrosoma anthosticta (Sea of Japan). The chemical structures have been elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY-45, HSQC and HMBC) and mass spectrometry. Compound 1 produced moderate stimulation of lysosomal activity in mouse splenocytes and compounds 1-2 showed immunomodulatory activity.
Radiofrequency Delivery Through a Cooled Catheter Tip Allows the Creation of Larger Endomyocardial Lesions in the Ovine Heart

RF Lesions From Cooled Electrode. Introduction: The delivery of radiofrequency (RF) energy through conventional catheter electrodes is often associated with coagulation necrosis at the tissue‐electrode interface, with resultant impedance rise and limited lesion size. This study was performed to examine the effects of catheter tip cooling during RF delivery, to test the hypothesis that such cooling would decrease the likelihood of impedance rise and allow the creation of larger endomyocardial lesions.
Consumer Influence on Internet-Based Corporate Communication of Environmental Activities: The UK Food Sector

Purpose – Aims to demonstrate whether consumers influence provision of environmental communications by the UK food sector, challenging the view that such reporting is principally targeted at institutional stakeholders and shareholders.Design/methodology/approach – Web site research was undertaken on a sample of 43 manufacturers and 16 retailers on provision of environmental information of a policy (intent) or reporting (action‐based) nature, analysed using chi‐square techniques assessing the significance of turnover, public listing, brand‐name companies, consumer‐goods companies and media allegations on the provision of environmental information.Findings – Turnover, public listing, brand‐names, consumer‐focus and media allegations all affected provision of environmental information by UK food companies, suggesting that greater consumer‐focus leads to the perception that provision of such information into the public/consumer domain is important.Research limitations/implications – The sample size selected w.
Patient experiences of depression and anxiety with chronic disease: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis.

BACKGROUND Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in patients with chronic disease, but remain undertreated despite significant negative consequences on patient health. A number of clinical groups have developed recommendations for depression screening practices in the chronic disease population. OBJECTIVES The objective of this analysis was to review empirical qualitative research on the experiences of patients with chronic disease (e.g., COPD, diabetes, heart disease, stroke) and comorbid depression or anxiety, and to highlight the implications of the screening and management of anxiety and/or depression on chronic disease outcomes. REVIEW METHODS We performed literature searches for studies published from January 2002 to May 2012. We applied a qualitative mega-filter to nine condition-specific search filters. Titles and abstracts were reviewed by two reviewers and, for the studies that met the eligibility criteria, full-text articles were obtained. Qualitative meta-synthesis was used to integrate findings across relevant published primary research studies. Qualitative meta-synthesis produced a synthesis of evidence that both retained the original meaning of the authors and offered a new, integrative interpretation of the phenomenon through a process of comparing and contrasting findings across studies. RESULTS The findings of 20 primary qualitative studies were synthesized. Patients tended to experience their chronic conditions and anxiety or depression as either independent or inter-related (i.e., the chronic disease lead to depression/anxiety, the depression/anxiety lead to the chronic disease, or the two conditions exacerbated each other). Potential barriers to screening for depression or anxiety were also identified. LIMITATIONS A wider array of issues might have been captured if the analysis had focused on broader psychological responses to the chronic disease experience. However, given the objective to highlight implications for screening for anxiety or depression, the more narrow focus seemed most relevant. CONCLUSIONS Chronic disease and anxiety or depression can be independent or inter-related. Patients may be reluctant to acknowledge depression or anxiety as a separate condition, or may not recognize that the conditions are separate because of overlapping physical symptoms. More qualitative research is needed to specifically address screening for depression or anxiety. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Depression is a common complication of chronic disease. It may worsen the disease, and it may also affect the self-management of the disease. Screening for depression earlier, and then treating it, may reduce distress and improve symptoms of the chronic disease, leading to better quality of life.
The Impact Of Dividend Announcement On Share Price Behaviour In Ghana

The Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) provides that security prices reflect all available information. However, despite dividend announcements made in 2005, three companies selected for study performed badly on Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). The problem of the study was therefore to establish whether the GSE did not recognize company-specific information in pricing shares. The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether there was an instantaneous reaction of the companies’ share prices to dividend announcement in order to provide the basis for confirming or dispelling the EMH conclusions as far as the Ghana Stock Exchange was concerned. The event study methodology was used to achieve the research objective. Additionally, the Wilcoxon Matched-Pair signed-Ranked Test was employed in testing the null hypothesis. The major finding was that the GSE was not semi-strong efficient resulting in the conclusion that the GSE must address itself to three forms of efficiency – operational efficiency, allocation efficiency and pricing efficiency.
Weight-control behaviors and subsequent weight change among adolescents and young adult females.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the effectiveness of behavioral strategies to prevent long-term weight gain among adolescents and young adults. OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the relation of dietary and physical activity weight-control strategies, alone and together, with subsequent weight change. DESIGN This was a prospective study of 4456 female adolescents and young adults aged 14-22 y in the ongoing Growing Up Today Study. Weight-control behaviors, including dietary approaches and physical activity, were self-reported in 2001 and were used to predict weight change from 2001 to 2005. RESULTS In 2001-2002, 23.7% of female adolescents and young adults were trying to maintain their weight and another 54.4% were trying to lose weight. Approximately 25% used each of the following weight-control strategies: not eating snacks, following low-calorie or low-fat diets, and limiting portion sizes. In addition, 47.7% reported exercising at least occasionally for weight control. During 4 y of follow-up, participants gained an average of 3.3 kg. None of the dietary approaches to weight control predicted less weight change; however, females who exercised > or =5 d/wk gained significantly less weight than did their peers (-0.9 kg; 95% CI: -1.4, -0.4). The most successful strategy for weight-gain prevention among the females was to limit portion sizes (-1.9 kg; 95% CI: -2.6, -1.1) combined with frequent exercise. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that physical activity is a necessary strategy for long-term weight control among adolescents and young adult females. Combining dietary weight-control approaches with physical activity is the most effective method for reducing weight gain.
Paradoxical Effect of Echinocandins across Candida Species In Vitro: Evidence for Echinocandin-Specific and Candida Species-Related Differences

ABSTRACT Paradoxical growth of some Candida isolates occurs at concentrations above the MIC for echinocandins. In 60 Candida bloodstream isolates from cancer patients (20 C. albicans isolates and 10 isolates each of C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, and C. glabrata), paradoxical growth was more frequent with caspofungin than micafungin or anidulafungin, was unrelated to MIC, and was strikingly absent in C. glabrata isolates.
Can good news be bad? The role of brand communication strategy and brand commitment in the announcement of product improvements

Although product improvements are usually good news, this research reveals that brands can be affected negatively depending on the level of brand commitment and on the type of communication strategy chosen by the brand. More specifically, this research examines how high-commitment consumers react to product improvements, and how these consumers respond to a communication strategy in which a brand admits that the new product version improves upon a previous inferior product (herein referred to as ‘honesty strategy’). Results of an online study reveal that product improvement is perceived more negatively by high- (compared to low-) commitment consumers, and that these consumers react more negatively and attribute manipulative intent when the brand uses an honesty strategy. This research shows that brands need to be cautious in communicating product improvements to consumers, particularly to its most committed ones. An admission that a product improvement significantly enhances the quality of a previous (inferior) product may backfire with committed consumers.
Loss of Function of a Proline-Containing Protein Confers Durable Disease Resistance in Rice

Blast-Resistant Rice The durability of disease resistance for an agricultural crop reflects the extent to which the defense stands up to evolutionary dodges on the part of the pathogen. Pi21, which is a quantitative trait locus (QTL) of rice, contributes to a particularly durable resistance to a fungal rice blast disease: Rice plants carrying the resistant allele have been in cultivation for more than a century, and yet the pathogen has been unable to find a way through the defense. Fukuoka et al. (p. 998; see the news story by Normile) have now cloned the responsible Pi21 QTL allele and were able to separate Pi21 resistance from tightly linked reductions in grain quality, paving the way for more widespread use of this allele in rice breeding. Quantitative trait loci may offer a particularly durable strategy for disease resistance. Blast disease is a devastating fungal disease of rice, one of the world’s staple foods. Race-specific resistance to blast disease has usually not been durable. Here, we report the cloning of a previously unknown type of gene that confers non–race-specific resistance and its successful use in breeding. Pi21 encodes a proline-rich protein that includes a putative heavy metal–binding domain and putative protein-protein interaction motifs. Wild-type Pi21 appears to slow the plant’s defense responses, which may support optimization of defense mechanisms. Deletions in its proline-rich motif inhibit this slowing. Pi21 is separable from a closely linked gene conferring poor flavor. The resistant pi21 allele, which is found in some strains of japonica rice, could improve blast resistance of rice worldwide.
Cutaneous neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma: an immunophenotypic, clinicopathologic, and flow cytometric study.

Twenty-one cases of cutaneous neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma (CNEC) were examined by the ABC-immunoperoxidase method with a panel of antibodies to 5 intermediate filaments, 6 neuroendocrine-associated antigens, 6 peptide hormones, as well as melanoma-associated cytoplasmic antigen (HMB-45) and leukocyte common antigen. All tumors showed strong cytokeratin staining in characteristic dense, inclusion-like, cytoplasmic globules and in a reticular peripheral cytoplasmic pattern. Cytoplasmic coexpression of inclusions of neurofilament antigen was observed in 9/21 cases. Staining for one or more neuroendocrine markers in formalin-fixed tissue (bombesin, 7/20; chromogranin, 11/21; synaptophysin, 6/21) was weak and focal but present in 17/21 cases. In 3 cases, sections of unfixed, snap-frozen tumor were compared with formalin-fixed tissue, and these showed strong, diffuse staining for multiple neuroendocrine antigens. Immunostaining for peptide hormones was not observed, with the exception of weak, focal staining for insulin (1 case), calcitonin (1 case) and somatostatin (2 cases). In 13 cases DNA indices and S-phase fractions (SPF) were determined by flow cytometry on nuclear suspensions from paraffin blocks. DNA histograms in 12 of 13 cases had normal range DNA content (diploid) and elevated S-phase fractions (mean 15%, range 8 to 22%). Mean SPF was not significantly different in the group of patients who developed recurrent and/or metastatic disease (15.6%, N = 10) compared with patients without recurrence (15.8%, N = 10). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Argon Exposure Induces Postconditioning in Myocardial Ischemia–Reperfusion

Background and Purpose: Cardioprotection against ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) damages remains a major concern during prehospital management of acute myocardial infarction. Noble gases have shown beneficial effects in preconditioning studies. Because emergency proceedings in the context of myocardial infarction require postconditioning strategies, we evaluated the effects of argon in such protocols on mammalian cardiac tissue. Experimental Approaches: In rat, cardiac I/R was induced in vivo by transient coronary artery ligature and cardiac functions were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Hypoxia–reoxygenation (H/R)-induced arrhythmias were evaluated in vitro using intracellular microelectrodes on both rat-isolated ventricle and a model of border zone in guinea pig ventricle. Hypoxia–reoxygenation loss of contractile force was assessed in human atrial appendages. In those models, postconditioning was induced by 5 minutes application of argon at the time of reperfusion. Key Results: In the in vivo model, I/R produced left ventricular ejection fraction decrease (24%) and wall motion score increase (36%) which was prevented when argon was applied in postconditioning. In vitro, argon postconditioning abolished H/R-induced arrhythmias such as early after depolarizations, conduction blocks, and reentries. Recovery of contractile force in human atrial appendages after H/R was enhanced in the argon group, increasing from 51% ± 2% in the nonconditioned group to 83% ± 7% in the argon-treated group (P < .001). This effect of argon was abolished in the presence of wortmannin and PD98059 which inhibit prosurvival phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and MEK/extracellular receptor kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), respectively, or in the presence of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opener atractyloside, suggesting the involvement of the reperfusion injury salvage kinase pathway. Conclusion and Implications: Argon has strong cardioprotective properties when applied in conditions of postconditioning and thus appears as a potential therapeutic tool in I/R situations.
An employee engagement instrument and framework building on existing research

Employee engagement is important as it contributes to an organisation’s competitive advantage and improved performance. Despite heightened attention different conceptualisations, measures and explanations of ‘engagement’ exist. Research findings in connection with ‘engagement’ are not unanimous, leaving room for further investigation. Areas of concern include the conceptualisation of the concept and validity of widely used instruments measuring engagement, while cultural differences may influence understanding of items and subsequently impact validity of the measurement instrument. Thus, this study developed an employee engagement instrument and framework, building on existing literature, in particular, Macey and Schneider, measuring engagement concurrently at the organisational and individual levels. This research focusses on the first phase of the development of a new instrument, namely construct validity. Measuring employee engagement at both the individual and organisational levels simultaneously can assist organisations in leveraging their competitive advantage, and improve organisational performance. The researchers conducted an in-depth literature review, thus this research is qualitative, descriptive and conceptual in nature. The proposed engagement framework consists of seven dimensions, each comprising a number of items representing the individual and organisational levels. This framework provides conceptual clarification on employee engagement at the individual, team and organisational levels and, together with the instrument, a basis to leverage competitive advantage. The value of this original research stems from integrating employee engagement at the individual and organisational levels. Furthermore, a clearly defined, theoretical employee engagement measurement framework and instrument for the South African context were developed. Subsequent studies will be undertaken to validate this framework. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n20p485