Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Branded Flash Mobs: Moving Toward a Deeper Understanding of Consumers’ Responses to Video Advertising

Ads are no longer unidirectional or one-dimensional but a blend of offline and online techniques designed to directly interact with the community. For many companies, advertising via online platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo has replaced commercials on television altogether. Recently, branded flash mobs have emerged as a popular form of viral advertising. While many branded flash mobs have experienced millions of YouTube views a metric such as view count does not fully indicate the effectiveness of the ad. This netnographic study evaluates viewers’ attitude toward the ad to better understand the effects of branded flash mobs. After examining 2,882 YouTube comments from three virally successful branded flash mob ads, a typology is developed, referred to as the archetype of consumer attitude matrix, to enable academics to formulate research questions regarding branded flash mobs. These archetypes of consumer attitudes to the online ad, in this case branded flash mobs, aid in the assessment of consumer response based on processing (cognitive versus emotive) and stance (supportive versus antagonistic). This typology also serves as a guide to marketing managers in the use of branded flash mobs in their viral campaigns. The article concludes with recommendations for future research.
Thermal and Structural Simulation Techniques for Estimating Fatigue Life of an IGBT Module

Two techniques, one for estimating fatigue life of aluminum bonding wires and one for estimating fatigue life of solders under repeated thermal load, were developed. In one method, fracture mechanics with strain intensity factor (DeltaK epsiv) is used to estimate the fatigue life of aluminum bonding wires. In the other method, "electrical-thermal-structural coupled analysis" is used to estimate fatigue life of solders. The simulated crack propagation in aluminum bonding wires agrees well with the experimentally measured propagation. Moreover, the simulations show that fatigue life of aluminum bonding wires has a lower fatigue limit at a temperature-cycling range of 30degC.
Enhancing Synergistic Innovative Capability in Multinational Corporations: An Empirical Investigation

A substantial amount of research has focused on determining and classifying the structures of the global research and development (R&D) organization of multinational corporations (MNCs). However, little research has been undertaken to show how the various R&D structures adopted by MNCs affect their abilities to generate and deploy innovations globally. This study initiates analysis and discussion of this latter dimension, providing empirical evidence of the relationship between the coordination structures and innovative capabilities. Specifically, this study investigates how intrafirm collaborative relationships among globally dispersed R&D units of MNCs enhance the synergistic innovative capabilities of the MNC group. The nature of the collaborative relationships among globally dispersed R&D units is evaluated in the context of four well-established structural constructs: autonomy, formalization, socialization, and communication. Synergistic innovative capability is defined as a higher-order ability to accumulate and deploy new knowledge or to recombine existing knowledge to create new innovations more effectively and efficiently due to collaboration among globally dispersed R&D units. It is measured using 10 items commonly used in innovation management research to measure the innovativeness of firms. The analysis is based on survey data collected from 79 R&D units belonging to North American, Japanese, and European MNCs in the telecommunications, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, and automotive industries. In addition to the survey data, seven highly experienced R&D executives who have worked for several companies were interviewed by telephone in order to obtain a richer perspective of issues and a better context from which to interpret the statistical results. Respondents included personnel from the levels of director, managing director, and vice president who were directly responsible for participating R&D units. The data were analyzed using partial least squares, a structural equation modeling technique that works well with small datasets. The results indicate that synergistic innovative capability has four distinct dimensions uniquely related to the structural variables defining the nature of collaborative relationships among globally dispersed R&D units. The four dimensions of synergistic innovative capabilities are labeled strategic R&D synergy, managerial and operational synergy, knowledge management synergy, and innovative proficiency synergy. The research and managerial implications of the findings are discussed in this article.
Intraoperative changes in blood pressure, heart rate, plasma vasopressin, and urinary noradrenalin during elective ovariohysterectomy in dogs: repeatability at removal of the 1st and 2nd ovary.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the physiologic reactions after removal of 1st ovary and whether this is repeated during removal of the 2nd ovary in elective ovariohysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS Dogs (n = 10). METHODS Dogs were premedicated with acepromazine, carprofen, and methadone and anesthetized with propofol and isoflurane. Blood pressure, heart rate, and end-tidal isoflurane concentration were measured every minute. The effects of various events during surgery on physiologic variables were analyzed using mixed linear models. Blood and urine samples were collected before anesthesia, before incision, before and after removal of ovaries with a 15 minute pause between ovary removal, and after abdominal closure. Plasma vasopressin and urinary noradrenalin and creatinine concentrations were analyzed. RESULTS The magnitude of blood pressure increase at removal of the 1st ovary was greater than for the 2nd ovary because of an elevation in baseline. Similarly, the heart rate increased at the removal of the 1st ovary but not at removal of the 2nd ovary. Plasma vasopressin concentration increased at removal of both ovaries. Urinary noradrenalin/creatinine ratio increased at anesthesia, removal of both ovaries, and was elevated at closure of the abdomen. End-tidal isoflurane concentration did not change. Blood pressure and vasopressin concentrations changed in parallel using z-scores for comparison. CONCLUSIONS Peak values for blood pressure, heart rate, plasma vasopressin concentration, and urinary noradrenalin/creatinine ratio did not differ between removals of the ovaries. Relative changes differed between repeated noxious stimuli, which should be considered in evaluation of methods at ovary removal.
Evaluation of a Mitochondrial Voltage Sensor, (18F-Fluoropentyl)Triphenylphosphonium Cation, in a Rat Myocardial Infarction Model

Radiolabeled lipophilic cationic compounds, such as 18F-labeled phosphonium salt, accumulate in the mitochondria through a negative inner transmembrane potential. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate (18F-fluoropentyl)triphenylphosphonium salt (18F-FPTP) as a myocardial PET agent. Methods: A reference compound of 18F-FPTP was synthesized via 3-step nucleophilic substitution reactions and was radiolabeled via 2-step nucleophilic substitution reactions of no-carrier-added 18F-fluoride. Accumulations of 18F-FPTP, 3H-tetraphenylphosphonium, and 99mTc-sestamibi were compared in a cultured embryonic cardiomyoblast cell line (H9c2). The biodistribution of 18F-FPTP was assessed using BALB/c mice. The 18F-FPTP small-animal PET study was performed in Sprague–Dawley rats with or without left coronary artery (LCA) ligation. Results: 18F-FPTP was synthesized with a radiochemical yield of 15%–20% and radiochemical purity of greater than 98%. Specific activity was greater than 6.3 TBq/μmol. Cell uptake of 18F-FPTP was more than 15-fold higher in H9c2 than in normal fibroblasts (human normal foreskin fibroblasts). Selective collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential substantially decreased cellular uptake for 18F-FPTP and 3H-tetraphenylphosphonium, compared with that for 99mTc-sestamibi. The biodistribution data in mice (n = 24) showed rapid blood clearance and high accumulation in the heart. Heart-to-blood ratios at 10 and 30 min were 54 and 133, respectively. Heart-to-lung and heart-to-liver ratios at 10, 30, and 60 min were 4, 4, and 7 and 4, 5, and 7, respectively. Dynamic small-animal PET for 60 min after injection of 18F-FPTP showed an initial spike of radioactivity, followed by retention in the myocardium and rapid clearance from the background. 18F-FPTP small-animal PET images in LCA-occluded rats demonstrated sharply defined myocardial defects in the corresponding area of the myocardium. The myocardial defect size measured by 18F-FPTP small-animal PET correlated closely with the hypoperfused area measured by quantitative 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining (r2 = 0.92, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The excellent pharmacokinetics of 18F-FPTP and its correlation with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining in normal and LCA-occluded rats suggest that this molecular probe may have a high potential as a mitochondrial voltage sensor for PET. This probe may also allow high throughput, with multiple daily studies and a wide distribution of PET myocardial imaging in the clinic.
The Moderating Role of Business Environment in the Relationship between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Business Performance among Nigerian SMEs

ABSTRACT Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are essential to economic growth of Nigeria, and therefore are considered as a major source of job creation, and poverty reduction as they significantly contribute to the gross domestic products. Thus the aim of this study is to investigate the direct relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and business performance of SMEs in Nigeria, with the moderating effect of business environment. A quantitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire survey, and a total of 511 valid responses were duly completed and returned, representing 79.8 percent response rate. Based on theoretical consideration, a framework was developed to investigate these relationships. The result of regression analysis established a strong and positive relationship between EO and business performance. However, the hypothesized moderating effect of the business environment on the relationship between EO and business performance was not supported. The findings from this study will benefit SME owner/managers, regulatory agencies, and government at all levels, and will also serve as a frame of reference for future studies. Keywords: Entrepreneurial orientation (EO); business performance (BP); business environment (BE); small and medium enterprises (SMEs) ABSTRAK Perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) adalah penting kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi Nigeria dan ianya dianggap sebagai punca utama kepada kewujudan peluang pekerjaan, pengurangan kadar kemiskinan dan memberi sumbangan signifikan ke atas keluaran kasar negara. Justeru, tujuan kajian ini ialah untuk meneliti hubungan langsung di antara orientasi keusahawanan (OK) dengan prestasi perniagaan PKS di Nigeria, dengan kesan penyederhanaan persekitaran perniagaan. Reka bentuk penyelidikan kuantitatif telah digunakan melalui tinjauan soal selidik berstruktur, dan sebanyak 511 respons yang lengkap telah dikembalikan menjadikan kadar respons sebanyak 79.8 peratus. Berdasarkan pertimbangan teoretikal, satu rangkerja telah dibentuk untuk meneliti hubungan-hubungan tersebut. Dapatan daripada analisis regresi menunjukkan wujud satu hubungan kukuh dan positif di antara OK dengan prestasi perniagaan. Namun dapatan kajian tidak menyokong hipotesis kesan penyederhanaan persekitaran perniagaan ke atas hubungan di antara OK dengan prestasi perniagaan. Dapatan kajian ini dijangka akan memberi manfaat kepada tuan punya/pengurus PKS, agensi-agensi penguatkuasa, pihak kerajaan di semua peringkat serta boleh dijadikan sebagai asas untuk kajian masa hadapan. Kata kunci: Orientasi keusahawanan (OK); prestasi perniagaan (PP); persekitaran perniagaan (PP); perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS)
Index Options Realized Returns Distributions from Passive Investment Strategies

Few papers provide research about options returns, and the few available are focused in the analysis from the perspective of the long side of the option contract, i.e. the buyer that pays the price and her expected and realized option return. The main point of our research work is to provide a simple metric to analyze option returns from the perspective of the short side of the contract, the seller, where at the time of the sale of naked options, capital is committed in the form of a guarantee or margin (similar to net worth). We estimate realized returns from passive investment strategies, by assuming puts and calls are kept until the expiration of the maturity. To that purpose we develop an appropriate algorithm which is applied on real historic data. Our result is a distribution of realized option returns (ex-ante prices and ex-post cash flows whether the options end up in or out-of-the-money with respect to margin requirements) for the seller point of view, as if the seller was an insurer seeking to calculate how profitable the insurance activity is. From the results we can see that selling puts is more profitable than selling calls, without adjusting for the return of the underlying asset and for the risk free rate of return, something in line with what was expected, but we also find that the risk is approximately the same. We also find that time tends to increase the realized returns, measured everything on annual basis.
[Study of closed colony of Microtus fortis infected with Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE To understand the pathological changes of tissues and organs in Microtus fortis infected with Schistosoma japonicum for further insight into the biological dynamic variation and explore immune mechanisms of M. fortis against S. japonicum infection. METHODS The healthy M. fortis and mouse were infected with cercariae of S. japonicum through abdominal skin. On the day 12, 20 and 40, the M. fortis and mouse were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and dissected. The liver and kidney slices of M. fortis and mouse of the different groups were prepared and stained with hematoxylin eosin stain (HE) by conventional techniques, respectively. RESULTS We did not find obvious lesions on the internal organs of mouse 12 d and 20 d after the infection and the lesions of M. fortis 40 d after the infection. However, white nodules appeared on the liver, kidney and spleen of the M. fortis 12 d and 20 d after the infection, and there were a lot of S. japonicum worms on pathological sections of inflamed liver and kidney tissues, and the boundary between worms and normal organization was clear. There were no parasites on pathological section of liver and kidney of mouse 12 d and 20 d after the infection. CONCLUSION Among M. fortis, there are severe immune responses and the immune responses have an individual difference 12 days after S. japonicum infection.
Health-related quality of life of coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous transluminal coronary artery angioplasty patients: 1-year follow-up

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) before the interventions and 6 and 12 months afterward, and to compare their HRQoL also with that of the general population. Methods: The sample (n = 615) consisted of consecutive coronary artery disease patients treated with elective CABG (n = 432) or PTCA (n = 183). The baseline data before the treatments were collected by structured interview, the follow-up data mainly by mailed self-administered questionnaires. HRQoL was measured by the 15D. For comparisons, the groups were standardized for differences in socioeconomic and clinical characteristics with a regression analysis. Results: At baseline, the average 15D scores of the patient groups were 0.752 (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.743–0.761) in CABG and 0.730 (95 percent CI, 0.716–0.744) in PTCA. After standardization, the difference between the groups was statistically significant but not clinically important. These scores were significantly worse (statistically and clinically) than the score of 0.883 (95 percent CI, 0.871–0.879) in the general population sample matched with the gender and age distribution of the patients. By 6 months, the CABG and PTCA patients had experienced a statistically significant and clinically important improvement to 0.858 (95 percent CI, 0.844–0.872) and 0.824 (95 percent CI, 0.806–0.842), respectively. No significant change took place in either group from 6 to 12 months. Conclusions: Both CABG and PTCA produces an approximately similar, clinically important improvement in HRQoL in 1-year follow-up.
Economics of paddy processing : A comparative analysis of conventional and modern rice mills*

The paper discusses the efficiency factors in both conventional and modern rice mills. The study contends that the conventional rice milling industry has less operational efficiency due to the adoption of conventional milling methods compared to modern mills. The results showed that the capacity utilization of conventional unit was around 44 per cent only as compared to 69 per cent capacity utilization in modern units. With a marginal increase in the number of working days and duration of each shift, the quantity processed per day and annual quantity processed was around 13 times higher in the modern units as compared to the conventional units. Procurement costs were lower when paddy was purchased directly from farmers instead of purchasing from commission agents. Thus, mills would benefit from strong contractual arrangements with paddy growers. The total processing cost per quintal of paddy amounted to Rs. 127 per quintal for conventional and Rs. 196.40 for modern unit to process rice from paddy and Rs. 35.30 for conventional and Rs. 41 for modern unit to process paddy into poha. Sales tax formed the major proportion in the total marketing cost. It was Rs. 49 per quintal of rice sold by conventional units and Rs. 53 per quintal in modern units. Invariably all the rice mill owners opined that the existing tax rates are very high both while buying paddy and selling rice. High taxes generally get resisted in high prices. Since rice is an important staple food of the state, it would be advisable to the government to lower the tax rates and help to reduce the prices, which would help consumers especially in the present days of rising food prices.
Peripheral Lung Nodules: Fluoroscopically Guided Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Resection After Computed Tomography-Guided Localization Using Platinum Microcoils

Objectives:We sought to test the safety and efficacy of fluoroscopically guided, video-assisted, thoracoscopic resection after computed tomography (CT)-guided localization using platinum microcoils. Summary Background Data:Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) resection of small pulmonary nodules >5 mm deep to the visceral pleura fails to locate the nodule and requires conversion to open thoracotomy in two thirds of cases. Therefore, we developed a new technique for intraoperative localization of these nodules using CT-guided placement of platinum microcoils. This study tests the safety and efficacy of this technique in a Phase I human study. Methods:Twelve patients with undiagnosed growing pulmonary nodules <20 mm were marked preoperatively using percutaneously placed CT-guided platinum microcoils. The coil was deployed adjacent to the nodule with the distal end of the coil placed deep to the nodule and the superficial end coiled on the pleural surface. The nodule and coil were excised using endostaplers guided by VATS and fluoroscopy. Histopathologic diagnosis was performed immediately after resection. Results:CT-guided microcoil localization was successful in all patients. A small hemothorax and a pneumothorax requiring a chest tube occurred in 2 patients. Mean distance from visceral pleura to the deep edge of the nodule was 30.9 ± 15.4 mm. VATS resection of the nodules (size = 11.8 ± 3.2mm) was successful in all patients. Mean microcoil localization, fluoroscopy, and operative times were 42 ± 14, 3.1 ± 2.0, and 67 ± 27 minutes. A diagnosis of primary nonsmall cell bronchogenic carcinoma was made in 6 patients who then received a completion lobectomy. Six patients (hamartoma: 2, reactive lymph node: 1, bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma: 2, metastatic sarcoma: 1) did not receive further resections. Conclusions:Preoperative localization of pulmonary nodules using percutaneous CT-guided platinum microcoil insertion combined with operative fluoroscopic visualization is a safe, effective technique that increases the success rate of VATS excision.
Board Composition, Non-Executive Directors' Characteristics and Corporate Financial Performance

ABSTRACT In the aftermath of the corporate excesses of the 1980's, the performance of boards of directors has come under increased scrutiny. A number of professional and regulatory committees have addressed the issue of board performance and some have recommended that companies should appoint a board of directors having a majority of non-executive directors, with an appropriate mix of experience. In contrast, empirical evidence casts doubt on whether non-executive directors improve financial performance and suggests that the value of non-executive directors differs across companies. This study examines the composition of boards of directors and the personal characteristics of their non-executive directors, for a sample of eighty-six Australian listed public companies, and investigates whether these factors are associated with financial performance. Boards were found, on average, to have a majority (greater than 50%) of non-executive directors with a majority of those non-executive directors holding degree.
Design of Subscription Programs for a Performing Arts Series

Conjoint analysis is used to determine the impact of factors such as renown of performers, seating priority, season discount, and driving time on the demand for subscription series to performing arts events. Checks to assess the consistency of the data are developed and implemented. The results suggest that commonly computed derived-attribute importance weights need to be adjusted by the number of levels, if rank order preference data are collected.