Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interorganizational Information Systems and Business-to-Business Relationships: System Characteristics, Assistance, Performance, Satisfaction, and Commitment Model

We introduce the SAPSaC model to see how relationship characteristics influence the implementation and outcomes of a specific type of inter-organization information system—electronic data interchange (EDI). Using a relational exchange perspective, we examine the effects of interfirm system characteristics, target firm capabilities, and initiator assistance, on project outcomes. We explore effects of three system characteristics—relationalism, dependence, and tenure on initiator assistance. System characteristics and assistance are hypothesized to affect outcomes—project performance, satisfaction, and commitment to the relationship. We consider the target's task readiness an additional determinant of initiator assistance and performance. Using sample survey data from firms in the housewares industry, we find that initiator assistance stems from relationalism, not tenure. From the target's perspective, project performance derives from relationalism and tenure. Satisfaction is driven by relationalism, tenure, assistance, and performance. Commitment comes from relationalism, dependence, and satisfaction. A multi-industry study successfully replicates most of the results.
Regulation of fetal lung development in response to maternal overnutrition

With the worldwide obesity epidemic, the proportion of women entering pregnancy overweight or obese has increased significantly in recent years. Babies born to obese women are at an increased risk of respiratory complications at birth and in childhood. In addition to maternal diabetes, there are a number of metabolic changes that the fetus of an overnourished mother experiences in utero that may modulate lung development and represent the mechanisms underlying the increased risk of respiratory complications. Herein we highlight a series of factors associated with the intrauterine environment of an overnourished mother that may impact on fetal lung development and lead to an increased risk of complications at birth or in postnatal life.
A Note on Agency Conflicts and the Small Firm Investment Decision**

This paper explains how agency conflicts—and potential agency conflicts—can influence the investment decisions of small firms, and provides evidence of these effects using data from a recent survey of small firm investment practices. The survey asks business owners to identify their most important investment concern—overinvestment or underinvestment. We find that underinvestment concerns are more prevalent in growing firms, and those with concentrated ownership and control structures. Overinvestment concerns increase as firms adopt less‐concentrated ownership and control structures. These results suggest that the management challenges facing small firms shift as the degree of separation between ownership and control becomes greater.
Profit Efficiency Among Basmati Rice Producers in Pakistan Punjab

Farm-specific profit inefficiency among Basmati rice producers was estimated from a variable-coefficient profit frontier. The mean level of inefficiency at farm resources and price levels was 28%, with a wide range (5%–87%). Average loss of profit was Rs 1,222 per hectare. Socioeconomic factors related to profit loss were the farm household's education, nonagricultural employment, and a credit constraint. Institutional determinants of profit loss were a water constraint and the late application of fertilizer. Punjab-wide benefits of increasing farmer's profit efficiency are large; a 25% reduction in profit loss among Basmati rice producers may generate over Rs 240 million in extra profits each rice season.
Is trust in government a short-term strategic value or a long-term democratic value? A case study of three Nordic countries and three East Asian Nations

Some prominent theorists suggest that trust in government functions primarily as a short-term strategic effect that stems from particularized social trust, political preference for politicians and positive evaluation of government performance. Others alternatively argue that trust in government is associated with long-term democratic values based on generalized social trust, association participation and internal political efficacy. The main purpose of this article is to examine these arguments by testing the following hypotheses: (1) whether trust in government is linked more to particularized social trust, political preference and external political efficacy, or (2) whether it is associated with generalized social trust, association participation and internal political efficacy. Furthermore, this article compares the similarities and differences of the relationships between trust in government and people’s political attitudes in three Nordic countries and in three East Asian nations. Using survey data from the 1999–2001EPCReN Survey on Denmark, Finland, Sweden, China, Japan, and Korea, this article shows that trust in government is related to specific support based on short-term strategic value like particularized social trust, political preference and external political efficacy; but it is far from the diffuse support based on long-term democratic value like generalized social trust, association participation and internal political efficacy; and that the relationships between trust in government and people’s political attitude-values have similarities and differences across nations.
Convergence or Divergence? The Impacts of Globalisation on Growth and Inequality in Less Developed Countries

Abstract This paper assesses the impacts of globalisation on the cross‐country comparative patterns of growth and development. In the theoretical section, some of the key linkages between growth, development and globalisation are explored including the positive and negative impacts of globalisation and the constraints on effective development in a globalised world. Some of the key factors emphasised include trade and capital flows as well as computerisation. These issues are then analysed empirically using σ and club convergence models, estimated using panel techniques. The empirical evidence presented indicates that globalisation has been associated with increasing trade and financial flows to less developed countries. It has also coincided with increasing penetration of the Internet suggesting that increases in informational flows have complemented economic and financial linkages, but the empirical evidence also shows that the current era of globalisation has not been associated with convergence in economic outcomes; instead less‐developed countries have suffered from increases in international income inequality. In the final section, conclusions and policy implications are presented including a discussion of how international and national development policies could be designed properly to ameliorate tendencies towards growing international disparities in economic growth.
Role of losartan and MAPK pathway in the natriuresis induced by central stimul

This study investigated the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of the angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist losartan on the natriuresis, pressor effect, and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) activity in the rostroventrolateral medulla (RVLM) caused by ICV injection of either angiotensin II (ANG II) or carbachol. Losartan (20μg) was infused into the lateral ventricle before, during, and after infusions of either ANG II at 10 μg, or carbachol at 0.5 μg. ICV injection of ANG II or carbachol caused increases in urinary sodium excretion, arterial pressure, and the activity of MAPK in the RVLM. Increases in arterial pressure, Na+ excretion, and the activity of MAPK in the RVLM in response to ICV injection of ANG II were either abolished or attenuated by ICV injection of losartan. ICV injection of losartan did not reduce the increase in arterial pressure in response to ICV injection of carbachol, but it did attenuate the natriuretic response to ICV administration of carbachol. We conclude that an ICV dose of losartan that inhibits responses to ICV injection of ANG II also inhibits natriuresis, and the pressor response to ICV injection of carbachol. These results suggest that common neural pathways are involved in the responses induced by ICV administration of ANG II and carbachol. We propose that ICV injection of carbachol activates angiotensinergic and MAPK signal pathways in the central nervous system subserving the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance and arterial pressure in rat.
Long axis electromechanics during dobutamine stress in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction

OBJECTIVE To dissociate the effect of inotropy from activation change during dobutamine stress on left ventricular long axis function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS 25 patients with CAD and normal left ventricular cavity size and 30 with cavity dilatation—18 with normal activation (DCM-NA) and 12 with left bundle branch block (DCM-LBBB)—were compared with 20 controls. 12 lead ECG and septal long axis echograms were assessed at rest and peak dobutamine stress. Amplitude, shortening and lengthening velocities, postejection shortening, Q wave to onset of shortening (Q-OS), and A2 to onset of lengthening (A2-OL) were measured. Inotropy was evaluated from peak aortic acceleration. RESULTS In controls, amplitude, shortening and lengthening velocities, and peak aortic acceleration increased with stress; QRS, Q-OS, and A2-OL shortened (all p < 0.001); and contraction remained coordinate. In the group of patients with CAD and normal left ventricular cavity size, shortening velocity and peak aortic acceleration increased with stress (p < 0.005). However, amplitude and lengthening velocity did not change, QRS, Q-OS, and A2-OL lengthened (p < 0.01), and incoordination appeared. Results were similar in the group with DCM-NA. In the DCM-LBBB group, shortening velocity and peak aortic acceleration increased modestly with stress (p < 0.01) but amplitude, lengthening velocity, QRS, Q-OS, A2-OL, and incoordination remained unchanged. Overall, change in shortening velocity correlated with that in peak aortic acceleration (r 2 = 0.71), in amplitude with that in lengthening velocity (r 2 = 0.74), and in QRS with both Q-OS (r 2 = 0.69) and A2-OL (r 2 = 0.63). CONCLUSION The normal long axis response to dobutamine reflects both inotropy and rapid activation. In CAD, inotropy is preserved with development of ischaemia but the normal increase in amplitude is lost and prolonged activation delays the time course of shortening, causing pronounced incoordination. Overall, shortening rate uniformly reflects inotropy while lengthening rate depends mainly on systolic amplitude rather than primary diastolic involvement, even with overt ischaemia.
Molecular evidence of father‐to‐child transmission of hepatitis B virus

At present in Japan, only high‐risk infants born to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐infected mothers are given HBV vaccine. However, children can contract the virus from other HBV‐infected family members, including fathers. The aim of this study is to present substantial and unequivocal evidence of father‐to‐child transmission of HBV infection using techniques including homology analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Thirteen chronic HBV‐infected members of five families that included eight children and their respective fathers were enrolled in this study. Homology analysis and phylogenetic analyses of 2 coding region, the S gene and X gene, from the HBV genome were performed comparing the 13 nucleotide sequences from the 13 subjects. The nucleotide homology among the five sets of fathers and children was quite high (99.3–100%). A phylogenetic tree constructed on the 13 nucleotide sequences showed that all 5 sets of fathers and children were grouped into the same cluster with high bootstrap values. These results strongly indicate that father‐to‐child transmission is an important route of HBV infection in Japan and it is recommend that universal vaccination against HBV infection be instituted immediately in Japan for all children, in accordance with the WHO recommendation of 1997. J. Med. Virol. 79:922–926, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Influence of Macroeconomic and BehavioralFactors on Tactical Strategy Allocation (TSA)for Funds of Hedge Funds

Market factors like high yield credit spreads, merger spreads, or Fama French factors—commonly addressed as alternative beta factors—have been shown to significantly impact the performance of many hedge fund strategies. However, the nature of the influence as determining factors for the risk/return profiles of hedge fund strategies and their benefit for tactical strategy allocation (TSA) have only been fractionally discussed in the academic world. This study highlights the non-linear influence of macroeconomic factors (OECD lead indicator), market factors (volatility), and behavioral factors (crowdedness and risk aversion) on the performance of various hedge fund strategies and tactical strategy allocation for funds of hedge funds. A kernel regression technique is employed to address the non-linear and the non-Gaussian distributed hedge fund returns. Finally, similar to traditional asset classes, the importance of TSA within the context of funds of hedge funds has been shown.
Detection of enteric adenoviruses by dot‐blot hybridization using a molecularly cloned viral DNA probe

Enteric adenoviruses (EAds) (candidate adenoviruses 40 and 41, subgroups F and G) have been implicated in the etiology of gastroenteritis in infants, but their clinical significance has been unclear because a rapid test to distinguish these agents from other adenovirus (Ad) types has not been available. We developed a dot‐blot hybridization assay for EAd DNA using a cloned DNA fragment that has little homology to non‐EAd DNAs. The dot‐blot system detected less than 20 pg of EAd DNA, while showing minima cross hybridization to representative strains from all other Ad groups. There was no detectable hybridization to extracts of samples known to contain other enteric viruses. It was further shown that low levels of EAds in specimens could be amplified by culturing for 1 day in 293 cells. Stool samples and tissue culture lysates prescreened by electron microscopy, cell culture or ELISA were tested in a blind fashion. Using endonuclease analysis as the standard for typing the isolates, we found the dot‐blot system to have a 91% sensitivity and 71% specificity for detecting EAds and distinguishing them from other Ads. False‐positive and equivocal dot‐blot results appeared to be caused by other Ads.
Demographic Characteristics and Mental Morbidity Amongst Different Castes in West Bengal

S. P. MUKHERJEE, M.Sc., Ph.D. Professor of Statistics, University College of Science & Tech., Calcutta University . SUNIPA SINHA (ROY), M.B. B.S., D.P.M. , M.D. Consultant Psychiatrist &mdash; Girindrasekhar Clinic, Calcutta. G. C. BORAL, B.Sc., M.B. B.S., D.P.M. , M.D.(Cal), M.D., M.A.P.A. (USA). Psychiatrist &mdash; Goenka Hospital, University College of Medicine, Calcutta University. G. BANERJEE, M.B. B.S., D.P.M. Lecturer &mdash; N.R. S. Medical College, Calcutta. P. DUTTA, M.B. B.S., D.P.M. Supy. Duty Medical Officer, Dept. of Psychiatry, R. G. Kar Medical College, Calcutta. P. S. NANDI U.G. Student, N.RS. Medical College, Calcutta. M. PAIK, M.A., Ph.D. P. G. Student &mdash; Indian Psycho-Analytical Instt. , Calcutta.
'Revenue Accounting' in the Age of E-Commerce: A Framework for Conceptual, Analytical, and Exchange Rate Considerations

This paper explores "revenue accounting" in contrast to traditional "cost accounting". Revenue accounting serves the information needs of managers and investors in planning and controlling a firm's sales activities and their financial consequences, especially in the age of e-commerce. Weaknesses of traditional accounting have become particularly evident recently, for example, the lack of 1) revenue mileposts, 2) revenue sustainability measurements, and 3) intangibles capitalization. The paper emphasizes the need to develop a conceptual framework of revenue accounting and, as a tentative measure, proposes five basic postulates and five operational postulates of revenue accounting. On the side of analytical frameworks, the paper explores some tentative remedies for the weaknesses. Several revenue mileposts are explored to gauge progress in earning revenues and a Markov process is applied to an example involving mileposts. Revenue momentum, measured by the exponential smoothing method, is examined as a way of getting feedback on revenue sustainability; and the use of the sustainability concept in the analysis of "fixed and variable revenues" is illustrated. A project-oriented approach in a manner similar to capital budgeting and to Reserve Recognition Accounting is proposed by treating each customer as a project. Standardization of forecasts are also considered as an important way of bypassing the capitalization issue. Finally, while e-commerce is inherently global, issues specific to global operations are highlighted, namely, exchange rate issues when venture capitalists and the start-up company use different currencies producing different rates of return on the same project.
Intra-National, Intra-Continental, and Intra-Planetary PPP

This paper builds a model of adjustment toward PPP for a panel of real exchange rates. The model eliminates some inconsistencies in previous models, which implied a model for the real exchange rate of country B relative to country C that was not commensurate with the posited model of the real exchange rate for A relative to B, and A relative to C. The model allows us to handle correlations across exchange rates in a panel in a natural way. We put restrictions on an underlying model which yields a simple covariance matrix that can be easily estimated by GLS methods. We also put restrictions on the underlying model which allow us to easily estimate a panel PPP model in which the speed of adjustment is not the same for all real exchange rates. Our model, applied to the price levels of eight cities in four countries and two continents, does not find evidence in favor of reversion of PPP.
Optimization of culture medium composition for manganese peroxidase and tyrosinase production during Reactive Black 5 decolourization by the yeast Trichosporon akiyoshidainum

Decolourization and degradation of the diazo dye Reactive Black 5 was carried out by the yeast Trichosporon akiyoshidainum. A nine‐factor Plackett–Burman design was employed for the study and optimization of the decolourization process and production of manganese peroxidase (MnP) and tyrosinase activities. In the present study, 26 individual experiments were conducted and three responses were evaluated. Raising yeast extract concentration significantly enhanced decolourization and MnP production. Carbon and nitrogen sources, glucose and (NH4)2SO4, showed no significant effect on any response over the concentration range tested. Other culture medium components, such as CaCl2 or MgSO4, could be excluded from the medium formula, as they had no effect on the evaluated responses. Metal ions (Fe, Cu and Mn) showed different effects on decolourization and enzymatic activities. Addition of copper significantly enhanced MnP activity and decreased dye decolourization. On the contrary, iron had a positive effect on decolourization and no effect on enzyme production. Oddly, increasing manganese concentration had a positive effect on tyrosinase production without affecting decolourization or MnP activity. These results strongly suggest that dye decolourization should be regarded as a complex multi‐enzymatic process, where optimal medium composition should arise as a compromise between those optimal for each implied enzyme production. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring Price Fairness: Development of a Multidimensional Scale

ABSTRACT Although differential pricing strategies in the tourism industries have raised fairness issues so far, price fairness studies from a consumer perspective are still lacking as opposed to pricing research based on the managerial approach. Thus, this study developed a scale to measure price fairness in line with the procedures recommended by the literature, and tested if the proposed items and dimensionality of the construct best fit the empirical data. Consequently, it was found that price fairness embraces two dimensions of cognitive and affective fairness. The valid and reliable measurement of price fairness may have far reaching theoretical and managerial implications.
Managing the transformation to e‐government: An Australian perspective

Australia is recognized as a leading country in the move to an information economy, and the Australian government has played a pivotal role in this transformation. This commentary outlines some of the key issues confronting Australia as it moves towards its policy goal of achieving e-government. Although governments differ in the pace and nature of reforms required to bring about the transformation to e-government, many of the underlying issues are the same for most governments. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Thermostable Cytotoxic Factor in Normal Human Serum Active Against Landschutz Ascites Tumor Cells.∗

Summary A heat stable factor (SF) in normal human serum which is cytotoxic to Landschutz ascites tumor cells has been described. The cytotoxic action requires the presence of human or rabbit complement but guinea pig complement is ineffective. The substance is found in the beta-globulin fraction and has characteristics similar to C′4 of human complement. It is selectively absorbed on human and mouse tumor cells and human placenta but not by normal human liver, kidney or heart. SF inhibits the action of heterologous antibody on ascites and HeLa cells. We are indebted to Dr. A. Rimon, Marcus Memorial Blood Bank Institute, Jaffa, for the Cohn fractions, and to Dr. Esther Tenenbaum of this Department for a generous supply of HeLa cells and Chang cells.
Voluntary Contribution Games: Efficient Private Provision of Public Goods

This paper reports on a series of laboratory experiments designed to evaluate a mechanism for the voluntary provision of public good. The public good is provided if the total contributions meet or exceed a threshold and all contributions are returned if the public good is not provided. The members of the group all know the threshold, the incomes, and the valuations assigned the public good by all other members. The results support the prediction that this mechanism will yield Pareto efficient outcomes and suggest that economic agents adopt strategies which form equilibria satisfying certain refinements to the Nash equilibrium. Copyright 1991 by Oxford University Press.
Differential projection patterns of superior and inferior collicular neurons onto posterior paralaminar nuclei of the thalamus surrounding the medial geniculate body in the rat

The thalamic nuclei at the medial border of the medial geniculate body (i.e. the suprageniculate nucleus, the medial division of the medial geniculate nucleus, the posterior intralaminar nucleus and the peripeduncular nucleus) which relay sensory information to the amygdala are thought to receive convergent input from multiple sites. In order to delineate the organization of these multimodal thalamic nuclei, the locations of superior and inferior collicular neurons projecting to these nuclei were studied by means of retrograde transport methods.