Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of TNF-&agr; −308G>A and TNF-&bgr; +252A>G genes polymorphisms with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a North Indian study

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is manifested by platelet autoantibodies that are not only responsible for platelet destruction by phagocytosis but also inhibit their production. Bleeding is the most common clinical manifestation of thrombocytopenia. ITP is a multifactorial disease in which both environmental and genetic factors have been implicated. It has been reported that several gene polymorphisms influence host susceptibility to ITP. This study was aimed to investigate the association of polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-&agr;) 308 G>A and TNF-&bgr; +252 A>G genes with primary ITP in Indian patients. Genotyping for the TNF-&agr; −308 G>A and TNF-&bgr; +252 A>G was performed in 80 ITP patients and 100 controls by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. We found no significant difference in distribution of TNF-&agr; heterozygous variant genotype (GA) among patients and controls. Homozygous variant genotype (AA) was absent both in patients and controls. No statistical difference was observed in the distribution of heterozygous variant (AG) and homozygous variant (GG) genotypes of TNF-&bgr;, between patients and controls. Heterozygous (AG) genotype of TNF-&bgr; −308G>A was associated with persistent ITP. The study showed that heterozygous variant (AG) genotype of TNF-&bgr; was associated with persistent ITP, when compared with controls. We could not find any association of TNF-&agr; with susceptibility in developing ITP. Furthermore, no association was observed with respect to different categories of ITP. In addition, additive model showed two-fold increased susceptibility to ITP. We conclude that single nucleotide polymorphism in TNF-&bgr; +252 A>G gene may have impact on susceptibility to ITP.
Corporate social responsibility for the knowledge intensive services sector

The following research examines current approaches to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the knowledge intensive services sector of industry. The primary aim of this research is the development of a conceptual framework that informs the development and continuous review of the CSR process for businesses that operate in these sectors. It is anticipated that the framework can also play a role in facilitating compliance with section 172 of the Companies Act in the United Kingdom. To enhance the prospect of achieving the primary research aim the following supplementary objectives were also identified: 1) To critically evaluate current approaches to CSR in the knowledge intensive services sector. 2) To determine the appetite and expectation for stakeholder focused governance in the knowledge intensive services sector. 3) To evaluate responses to constraining and enabling characteristics of CSR in the knowledge intensive services sector. 4) To explore the potential role and implications of a CSR guidance framework for the knowledge intensive services sector. This research utilises a multiple case study approach with a focus on three case study subjects, each of whom are market leaders in their respective (knowledge intensive services) sectors of industry and each of whom have demonstrated significant investment and success in their approaches to CSR to date. Qualitative methodology was employed to collect the primary data whilst quantitative methods were employed for the collection of supplementary data for the purposes of triangulation. Using grounded theory methodology, the qualitative data was analysed and the findings conceptualised and coded. This resulted in four key categories being identified and linked to a core category and forms the basis of the ultimate framework. Grounded theory analysis also accounts for the compilation of the supplementary propositions which accompany the framework. This research evidences an acceptance of the need for a more stakeholder focused approach to corporate governance in the knowledge intensive services sector and the resultant framework provides a pathway through which this can be achieved.
The appeal of integration: managing communications in modern organisations

Subjects the assumptions and prescriptions of the “integration” literature to critical scrutiny. Teases out the distinctive basis of its appeal compared with earlier communication management literature. Finds that, although perhaps not entirely new, issues of “integration” have because of social, market and technological developments become more salient and significant than before. Also illuminates the dark side of this project by drawing attention to uncritical acceptance of “integration” as a panacea for communication management in the twenty‐first century.
The Effect of Supplier Relationships on Disclosures of Forward-Looking Information

This study investigates whether the need for supplier relationship-specific investments influences the disclosure of forward-looking information. Prior literature on relationship-specific investments argues that suppliers are reluctant to invest in relationship-specific assets, since the value to the supplier depends in part on the prospects of the customer. Since the customer is likely better informed about its own prospects, credible disclosures of forward-looking information are relevant to the supplier's investment decision. I examine whether managers use financial disclosures to convey this information to suppliers. Using firm-level data of customer-supplier relationships, I find that supplier relationship-specific investments are positively related to a customer's disclosure of forward-looking information in segments and management forecasts. More importantly, I show that the loss of a relationship-specific supplier, which creates a need for a new supplier, strongly increases the likelihood of initiating forward-looking disclosures in the following period. I find that proprietary costs reduce the association between supplier investments and disclosure, although this result is sensitive to the measure of proprietary costs used. Overall, the findings suggest that disclosures are important beyond capital markets and play a role in supply chain contexts.
Working Set and Page Fault Frequency Paging Algorithms: A Performance Comparison

Performance of a paged virtual memory computer system operating under working set (WS) and page fault frequency (PFF) paging algorithms is analyzed analytically. Performance sensitivity to program reference behavior and paging algorithm parameter is studied for the two paging algorithms. The results indicate that when performance with the two algorithms is compared, the WS algorithm is generally less sensitive to changes in program behavior. Results are also provided relating to performance sensitivity to algorithm parameter selection.
Sustainable Retailing in the Fashion Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

Although sustainability in the fashion industry has gained prominence from both business practices and academic research, retailing, a vital part of the supply chain, has not yet been fairly explored in academia. The interest in this area has increased lately, mainly due to the growing complexity within this dynamic context. Therefore, it is meaningful to conduct a systematic review of the relevant published literature in this field. This study aims to identify the main perspectives of research on sustainable retailing in the fashion industry. The content analysis results indicate that the most prominent areas in the field are sustainable retailing in disposable fashion, fast fashion, slow fashion, green branding and eco-labeling; retailing of secondhand fashion; reverse logistics in fashion retailing; and emerging retailing opportunities in e-commerce. The results from this review also indicate that there is a lack of research on sustainable retailing in the fashion industry in the developing market.
Gender and Environmental Sustainability: A Longitudinal Analysis

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between gender and environmental sustainability. Based on a sample of 296 firms, drawn from the population of US publicly traded firms over a five-year period, we empirically test whether firms that have (1) more gender diverse boards of directors and (2) more policies and practices that enable or reinforce gender diversity throughout the organization, adopted more environmentally responsible policies and practices. We find that both ‘demographic’ and ‘structural’ gender diversity are significant predictors of a firm's environmental sustainability initiatives. Our findings show gender diversity is a sustainability issue as well. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Value, power, and health care services in the UK: A business-to-business services network perspective

Abstract The interactions between value and power in networks of buyer–seller relationships in a quasi-market have been explored during this research, thus beginning to provide empirical evidence in an area that has not previously received detailed attention. Three in-depth case studies were undertaken in the UK National Health Service. In these case studies, the complex sets of relationships between the purchasers and providers of community health care (this includes health visiting, district nursing, and therapies such as chiropody and physiotherapy) were investigated. The findings reveal a number of adaptations that have resulted from the complex set of power and value interactions within the network. The findings confirm that value and power need to be considered from both a dyadic and network perspective and illustrate that business-to-business marketing principles can make a valid contribution to the health care debate.
The moderating effect of firm size: Internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector

Previous research on the internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) explored the relationship between adoption of global orientation and competitive advantage, management attitude, and international knowledge and experience. However, there was a difference in opinion between those arguing that there is a positive relationship between these variables and others who contended that there is moderating effect of size on the internationalization. Within this context, this study sets out to further the discussion by comparing the global orientation of SMEs in Malaysia with their different level of size. In doing so, it draws upon the findings of survey of 300 internationalized enterprises located in northern region of Malaysia. The results suggest that size functions as moderating factor for internationalization only for relatively smaller firms. It has its biggest impact when relatively smaller SMEs acquire international knowledge and experience. They also note implications for managers and policy makers. Key words: Firm size, international knowledge and experience, competitive advantage, management attitude, index of internationalization.
Predictors of psychotherapy alliance in Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract To better understand alliance formation with BPD patients, we examined the relationship between pre-treatment patient characteristics and alliance at baseline and 2 months. Thirty-five volunteers who enrolled in a RCT comparing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and supportive psychotherapy, with or without antidepressant medication in the treatment of suicidal behavior, were included in this analysis. Participants were administered the SCID-I and II, Beck Depression Inventory, Working Alliance Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: depression, anxiety and hopelessness predicted poorer patient-rated alliance at 2 months. Depression and anxiety did not correlate with alliance at the start of treatment, but strongly correlated with 2-month alliance, suggesting patient-rated alliance at 2 months was influenced by the course of treatment. Therapist-rated alliance was not associated with either mood or BPD symptoms. Our findings suggest that focusing on BPD patients' mood early in treatment may improve alliance formation
Sovereign debt ratings changes and stock liquidity around the world

Sovereign debt rating changes may unveil new information about a country, imposing a significant externality to the country’s private sector, and thus they affect investors’ incentives to hold stocks. While previous literature mostly focuses on the impact of sovereign debt rating changes on stock returns, we explore their impact on liquidity for stocks from 40 countries for the period of 1990-2009. Our findings show that sovereign rating changes have a significant and robust impact on stock liquidity. The impact is nonlinear and varies across stocks and countries. Moreover, we find that the effect is asymmetric and stronger for downgrades than for positive rating changes, and that the loss of sovereign investment grade has a particularly strong negative impact on stock liquidity. In a cross-section, firms with no political connection, smaller size, higher book-to-market ratio, closely-held ownership, less liquidity, less profitability, and less transparency tend to experience more negative liquidity effects from sovereign debt downgrades. We also find that the legal and macroeconomic environment of a country is important in explaining differences in impact of rating changes on liquidity across countries. Specifically, stocks from countries that are more open, that is, countries with higher investor protection, well-developed stock markets, more transparency, higher foreign institutional ownership, and higher GDP tend to experience milder drops in stock liquidity in response to adverse sovereign credit events.
Leveraging Factors for Online Shopping- A Study in an Emerging Economy

Internet has changed the consumption habits and means of satisfying demands for comfort. Online shopping is common in the developed world than it was about 5 years ago but it is not the same in India for its own set of reasons. There is significant interest among marketers and academics to understand how to segment online consumers to better fulfill their needs. The paper tries to explore the marketing strategies to meet the demand of online shoppers, consumer attitude towards online shopping and specifically studying the factors influencing consumer behaviour to shop online. The sample for the study comprised of respondents selected on from a central university in an emerging economy. The findings suggest the influence of demographics and availability of payment options and their impact on online shopping. The managerial implications of the study have been discussed.
Assessment of Aquatic Environmental for Wastewater Management Quality in the Hospitals : a Case Study

Hospitals produce relatively large quantities of wastewater that may contain various potentially hazardous materials; therefore the proper management of hospital wastewater is vital. In this study, the quality and quantity of wastewater in the governmental hospitals along Cairo were studied and the suitable process for wastewater management in the hospitals was determined. Monitoring of about sixty environmental measurements including physiochemical, biological and others indicators such as pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), trace elements, Dissolved Oxygen (D.O), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Total Coliforms (T.C) and Fecal Coliforms (F.C) indicated that the quality of wastewater in the investigated hospitals was similar to domestic wastewater. Physiochemical parameters studied revealed that the hospital wastewaters showed most of parameters values are within WHO acceptable limits. The study of wastewater treatment and disposal methods clarified that the discharge to municipal wastewater collection system will be able to discharge their wastewater into sewerage network. This process is the best solution for wastewater management in the investigated hospitals, but this approach may be not applicable for all hospitals. A pilot-scale system integrated aerobic system for hospital effluent was constructed and its performance was evaluated. The study recommended that the hospitals have to select onsite separate wastewater treatment alternative. Indeed, efforts must be undertaken by hospitals to integrate environmental control and safe program to avoid a higher risk safety factor of hospital facility operations.
Advances in Graduate Marketing Curriculum

This research explores the impact of coercive, mimetic, and normative isomorphic pressures on the coverage and offering of courses addressing ethical, social, and sustainability issues (ESSI) in business schools’ graduate marketing curricula. Data from the Aspen Institute’s Beyond Grey Pinstripes program are analyzed to detect if significant increases have occurred in the number of marketing courses addressing ESSI offered when comparing data from 2005 to 2007, 2007 to 2009, and 2005 to 2009. In addition, analysis of the databases from 2007 and 2009 are undertaken to assess if there are increases in the percentage of coverage of ESSI in the marketing curricula. Significant increases in graduate marketing course offerings focusing on ESSI were found over time but not an increase in the coverage of ESSI in these courses. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Generating positive word‐of‐mouth communication through customer‐employee relationships

In this study, we hypothesize and empirically test the proposition that interpersonal bonds, or relationships between employees and customers, can significantly influence positive word‐of‐mouth (WOM) communication. Such influence may be especially true for many services, particularly in situations where a relationship has developed between the customer and individual service providers. In this study we look at four dimensions of interpersonal bonds: trust, care, rapport, and familiarity. We contend that as a customer’s trust increases in a specific employee (or employees), positive WOM communication about the organization is more likely to increase and such trust is a consequence of three other interpersonal relationship dimensions: a personal connection between employees and customers, care displayed by employees, and employee familiarity with customers. These propositions are investigated using data collected from bank customers and dental patients, and we find empirical support for all but one of our hypotheses. A key finding is that the presence of interpersonal relationships between employees and customers is significantly correlated with customer WOM behavior. We conclude with a discussion of how interpersonal relationships between customers and employees might be fostered in order to increase the likelihood of customer WOM behavior.
An Investigation on Relationship between Accruals Anomaly and Predictive Power of Investment with Stock Returns in Companies Listed in Tehran Stock Exchange

The purpose of this research is The Investigation of Value Relevance of earnings and Accruals anomaly in Predictive Power of Stock returns in Companies Listed in Tehran Stock Exchange. incorrect understanding of investors from prediction power of earnings components particularly accruals. is called abnormal accruals or accruals anomaly. We used classification of accruals from Resutek and Lewellen (2012). In this research, sample is 102 firms listed in Tehran stock exchange that are analyzed for the period of 1382-1390 (2003-2011) by using of the Panel Data system and Ordinary Least Square Regressions (OLS) Model and Chow tests. The results show that Accounting Earnings have Value Relevance. In other hands, Accounting Earnings is significantly associated with the stock returns. Therefore, net operating assets (total accruals) and net working capital are significantly associated with the stock returns. But long-term net operating assets and non-transaction accruals are not significantly associated with the stock returns.
Reproducibility of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain Scores to Mechanical Pressure

Abstract This study tested the reproducibility of visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores to measure changes in masseter muscle pain evoked by maximally tolerable mechanical stimulation over a short time period in healthy subjects. This study also evaluated gender differences in reproducibility of VAS scores to mechanical stimulation. Ten healthy female and eight healthy male individuals participated in this study. The recordings of VAS pain scores to an identical mechanical pressure on the masseter muscle were performed at three different sessions (T1, T2, and T3). The subjects rated their pain on a VAS to a maximally tolerable stimulus that was recorded on an algometer at the first session. The algometer pressure reading was recorded for each subject and then used to duplicate the same identical mechanical stimulus at each of the three sessions. This identical pressure was repeated in the same marked spot at six minutes and after 30 minutes. The subjects rated the pain on a VAS to this identical stimulus at each session. There was no significant difference in VAS pain scores of all subjects at T1, T2, and T3. There was no significant difference in reproducibility of VAS pain scores in females compared to males. Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.811 on the right masseter and 0.844 on the left masseter. VAS pain scores to mechanical stimulation were reproducible over a short time period. Gender did not affect the reproducibility. This previously unreported method of measuring pain to repeated identical mechanical stimulation appears to have potential for both clinical and research application.
Multidimensional Mechanism Design for Auctions with Externalities

In our framework, when a buyer does not obtain the auctioned object, he is no longer indifferent about the identity of the winner (i.e., eyternal effects are present). Buyer i's preferences are characterized by an N-dimensional vector t^i = (t1^i, t2^i,.,tN^i). The coordinate ti^i can be interpreted as the usual "private value" of player i, while each other coordinate tj^i represents i's total payoff should j get the object. In this framework, we characterize incentive-compatible and individually-rational mechanisms, and look at second price auctions (which, under some conditions, maximize the seller's revenue). Any incentive combatible mechanism induces a conditional probability assignement vector field which is conservative. A useful geometric property of conservative vector fields is used for the derivation of a differential equation which determines equilibrium bids. Finally, we show that exclusion (i.e., the announcement of a reservation price such that a measure can never get the object) is not necessarilly optimal for the seller. This contrasts with Armstrong's (Econometrica, 1995) insight about the optimality of exclusion in another multidimensional setting.
Regressive Sin Taxes

A common objection to “sin taxes”—corrective taxes on goods like cigarettes, alcohol, and sugary drinks, which are believed to be over-consumed—is that they fall disproportionately on low-income consumers. This paper studies the interaction between corrective and redistributive motives in a general optimal taxation framework. On the one hand, redistributive concerns amplify the corrective benefits of a sin tax when sin good consumption is concentrated on the poor, even when bias and demand elasticities are constant across incomes. On the other hand, a sin tax can generate regressivity costs, raising more revenue from the poor than from the rich. Sin tax regressivity can be offset by targeted transfers or income tax reforms if differences in sin good consumption are driven by income effects, but not if they are driven by preference heterogeneity, and not if the indirect incentives the sin tax generates for labor supply decisions are not salient. The price elasticity of demand determines the extent to which corrective benefits versus regressivity costs determine the size of the optimal tax. We implement our optimal tax formulas in a calibrated model of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption for a range of parameter values suggested by empirical work.