Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A hierarchical model of the internal relationship marketing approach to nurse satisfaction and loyalty

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to empirically test a hierarchical model of the antecedents of nurse job satisfaction and loyalty based on the internal marketing literature. Specifically, the study aims to investigate the degree to which structural, social, and financial bonding activities influence nurses' job satisfaction and retention.Design/methodology/approach – Following a review of the literature, the model was tested via a survey of 200 nurses from three US health care institutions.Findings – The study resulted in key findings pertaining to the hierarchical nature of structural, social, and financial bonding activities and their impact on job satisfaction and loyalty.Practical implications – Service industries that depend on front‐line employees to deliver high quality services are provided with innovative suggestions to improve job satisfaction and loyalty of their employees by employing an internal marketing approach. The study provides organizations with empirical evidence regarding the .
Strategic Groups as Reference Groups: Theory, Modeling and Empirical Examination of Industry and Competitive Strategy

Previous studies on strategic groups have mainly focused on their static characteristics in order to test the theory of strategic groups and intraindustry performance differences (Porter, 1979; Cool and Schendel, 1988; Fiegenbaum and Thomas, 1990). In contrast, this study takes a longitudinal, dynamic perspective and describes the forces driving strategic group membership and structural evolution. It proposes that a strategic group acts as a reference point for group members in formulating competitive strategy. A partial adjustment model of strategic mobility is then developed which incorporates the idea of a strategic group as a reference group. It models strategic change in an industry both within and across strategic groups. The model is tested in the context of an in-depth industry analysis of the more significant firms in the insurance industry over the 1970-84 time period. The results suggest that strategic groups act as reference points for firm strategies and that predictions of future firm strategies and industry/group structures may also be successfully derived.
Regulation of Private Equity - Backed Leveraged Buyout Activity in Europe

Private equity-backed leveraged buyout activity in European markets has risen to unprecedented levels in recent years. This has yielded significant economic benefits but it has also prompted deepening concerns about excessive leverage, conflicts of interest, market abuse and general lack of transparency. For policymakers the challenge is to maintain a balance between these competing considerations so that economically worthwhile activity can take place but abusive conduct that is socially wasteful is effectively curtailed. Recent initiatives, such as the European Commission's 2005 Green Paper and 2006 White Paper on investment funds and the UK Financial Services Authority's 2006 paper on private equity, indicate that responses to this challenge are being actively developed. This article reviews key recent regulatory changes in Europe which, though not necessarily conceived with the private equity-backed leveraged LBO segment of the market specifically in mind, may have significant repercussions for it. The article also considers the market's experience with Article 23 of the Second Company Law Directive on financial assistance, a provision that has been only lightly affected by recent reforms. Superficially, Article 23 appears to address one of the classic agency problems in LBOs, namely, that of target company assets being stripped to service the debt incurred for the acquisition and to provide a quick return to the bidders. However, in reality the LBO market has found ways round Article 23. A conclusion that can be drawn from this gap between appearance and reality is that in determining whether new measures should be added to the corpus of EC law in order more effectively to curb abuse and excess in LBOs, no-one should be under any illusion that there already is robust protection, in the form of Article 23.
Identification of multi‐copy suppressors for endoplasmic reticulum‐mitochondria tethering proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In yeast, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) tethers the ER to mitochondria, but its primary function remains unclear. To gain insight into ERMES functions, we screened multi‐copy suppressors of the growth‐defective phenotype of mmm1∆ cells, which lack a core component of ERMES, and identified MCP1, MGA2, SPT23, and YGR250C (termed RIE1). Spt23 and Mga2 are homologous transcription factors known to activate transcription of the OLE1 gene, which encodes the fatty acid ∆9 desaturase. We found that Ole1 partially relieves the growth defects of ERMES‐lacking cells, thus uncovering a relationship between fatty acid metabolism and ERMES functions.
Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Local Government Service Delivery Efforts in Limpopo Province, South Africa

There is an on-going debate with regard to the effectiveness of local governments in terms of service provision in South Africa. It is evident that the country has been experiencing several violent service delivery protests in different localities. Hence, this study aims to explore the attitude and perceptions of officers and community representatives regarding the current status of service delivery in Polokwane, Lepelle-Nkumpi and Aganang local municipalities in Limpopo Province. Techniques such as interviews, group discussions and questionnaire were used to collect data. The findings from interviews and discussions show that respondents have discomfort and frustration with the current level of services in their local municipalities. Furthermore, the analysis of the overall attitude indicated that the majority of the respondents uphold the view that service delivery is largely inadequate in the local municipalities under study. Likewise, the analysis on the degree of response revealed the key factors that affect the local service delivery, inter alia: limited administrative capacity to function and manage finances; huge service delivery backlogs; and insufficient incentives for performance. Therefore, it is recommended that the local municipalities should continuously assess the satisfaction level of their beneficiary community with regard to the various types of services provided by municipalities. The local municipalities should also focus on key strategic interventions such as: building their institutional capacity; improving financial management and administration; and improving incentives and stipends to the key role players of service delivery. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n20p224
Value of the extracellular water ratio for assessment of cirrhotic patients with and without ascites

Aims: Ascites, which often complicates liver cirrhosis, is reported to be a factor that worsens the outcome. The aims of this study were to quantify body water compartment changes in cirrhotic patients, with and without ascites, and to elucidate the value of body water analysis for predicting the development of ascites.
Physical Activity Levels at Work and Outside of Work Among Commercial Construction Workers

Objective: Characterize the number of minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activities at work and outside of work during seven consecutive days, in a sample of 55 commercial construction workers. Methods: Workers wore accelerometers during work and outside-of-work hours for seven consecutive days and completed brief survey at the seventh day of data collection. Results: From the directly measured physical activity, the average number per participant of moderate minutes of occupational physical activity and physical activity outside of work obtained in short bouts were 243 minutes (65%) and 130 minutes (35%), respectively. Directly measured minutes of vigorous occupational physical activity were significant and positively correlated with self-reported fatigue. Conclusions: Among commercial construction workers, physical activity from work contributes significantly, approximately two thirds, toward a worker's total amount of weekly minutes of moderate physical activity.
Phosphatidylserine Synthetase Mutants of Escherichia coli

Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 defective in CDP-diglyceride:L-serine phosphatidyltransferase (phosphatidylserine synthetase) can be isolated by a rapid autoradiographic screening assay described previously (Raetz, C. R. H. (1975) Proc. N&l. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 72, 2274-2278). Four organisms of this kind have now been characterized. The gene (designated pss) which is altered in these mutants is closely linked to the nadB locus near minute 49 on the E. coli chromosome. Strains carrying the pss-8 mutation do not grow at elevated temperatures and have low levels of an altered synthetase in cell extracts. An analysis of several hundred transductants and temperature-resistant revertants reveals that the pss-8 mutation is responsible both for the enzyme defect and for the phenotype. When a pss-8 mutant is shifted to the nonpermissive temperature, the cells stop dividing and form long filaments. After 3 hours at 44” the level of phosphatidylethanolamine drops from 66 to 32% (percentage of the total lipid phosphorus), while the combined levels of phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin rise from 34 to 68%.
Dilution and Multiple-Issue Tranches Inherent in Employee Stock Option Valuation

Nearly all publicly traded firms issue employee stock options. This work examines two important characteristics of employee stock options: dilution and the existence of multiple option issues over time. Dilution of share values occurs with employee option exercise (e.g. when an employee actually buys their firm’s shares.) Both existing employee option analysis and current reporting rules – FASB 123 – have failed to address employee stock option dilution. Incremental issues occur when firms make additional option grants; and these issues, like dilution, are a pervasive characteristic of employee option valuation. Since the two mentioned activities affect option values, we analyze their impact in particular cases. Our main task is to discern how the current “Black-Scholes” based standard performs in valuing these options in the face of changing firm ownership structure and value. We evaluate the well-known Galai-Schneller (1978) warrant-based alternative to the Black-Scholes option model. We also develop a new two maturity and strike price warrant pricing model. In comparing the standard model to these two warrant-based alternatives, we find that the Black-Scholes model does quite well. Among the standard option pricing factors, dividend yield is the only factor that differentiates the Black-Scholes approach from the dilution-based method. Furthmore, only dilution changes generate marginally significant value differences between the Black-Scholes and warrantbased models. Different option issuance tranches can, however, result in significant aggregate employee option values effects. Firms that have significantly different exercise proceeds across option tranches do not accurately reflect the employee option’s total equity claim by reporting only aggregate numbers.
A clinical pharmacogenetic model to predict the efficacy of methotrexate monotherapy in recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To develop a clinical pharmacogenetic model to predict the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Two hundred five patients with newly diagnosed RA and active disease were treated with MTX (initiated at a dosage of 7.5 mg/week and increased to 15 mg/week after 4 weeks) and folic acid (1 mg/day). If the Disease Activity Score (DAS) was >2.4 at 3 months, the dosage of MTX was increased up to 25 mg/week. Twenty-four baseline variables possibly influencing disease state and drug response were selected. In addition, 17 polymorphisms in 13 genes related to the MTX mechanism of action, purine and pyrimidine synthesis, were determined. Factors were compared between responders (defined as patients with a DAS < or = 2.4 at 6 months) and nonresponders. In case of differences, a stepwise selection procedure identified the predictors for response. A clinical score was designed by simplifying regression coefficients of the independent variables. Cutoff levels were chosen based on the clinical score, and positive and negative response rates were calculated. An evaluation of the model was performed in a second group of patients. RESULTS The model for MTX efficacy consisted of sex, rheumatoid factor and smoking status, the DAS, and 4 polymorphisms in the AMPD1, ATIC, ITPA, and MTHFD1 genes. This prediction model was transformed into a scoring system ranging from 0 to 11.5. Scores of < or = 3.5 had a true positive response rate of 95%. Scores of > or = 6 had a true negative response rate of 86%. Sixty percent of the patients were categorized as either responders or nonresponders, whereas 32% of the patients were categorized using a nongenetic model. Evaluation of the model in 38 additional patients with RA supported the results. CONCLUSION This study established a model for predicting the efficacy of MTX in patients with RA. This pharmacogenetic model may lead to better-tailored initial treatment decisions in patients with RA.
The Effect of Corporate Governance and Ownership Structure on Capital Structure of Iranian Listed Companies

This paper presents the relationship between corporate governance and capital structure of listed companies from Tehran Stock Exchange. Measures of corporate governance employed are board size, board composition, and CEO/Chair duality. Impact of shareholding on financing decisions has also been examined by using institutional shareholding. Similarly influence of controlled variables like firm size and profitability on firms’ financing mechanism is also investigated. Results reveal that board size is significantly negatively correlated with debt to equity ratio. However corporate financing behavior is not found significantly influenced by CEO/Chair duality and the presence of non-executive directors on the board. However, control variables firm size and return on assets are found to have a significant effect on capital structure. Therefore results suggest that corporate governance variables like size and ownership structure play important role in determination of financial mix of the firms.
Consumer knowledge of functional foods

This study constructs a multi-dimensional index to measure consumer knowledge of functional foods. A nationwide survey in Finland shows that objective and specific knowledge are the most important components in the consumer knowledge index and that they distinguish experts from novices. Gender, education, income, and age serve as antecedents to consumers' knowledge of functional foods, which in turn affects attitudes towards health and, consequently, buying behaviour. The study extends the application of consumer knowledge literature to non-durables and edible products and provides further insights into the growing functional foods market as seen from the consumer perspective.
Tungiasis-related knowledge and treatment practices in two endemic communities in northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND Tungiasis, caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans, is highly prevalent in many resource-poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Studies on knowledge and treatment practices related to tungiasis in affected populations are virtually nonexistent. To fill this gap, we performed a study in two resource-poor communities in northeast Brazil where this parasitic skin disease is highly prevalent. METHODOLOGY Structured interviews were realized in a representative sample of household leaders in an urban slum in Fortaleza, capital of Ceará State (northeast Brazil), and in a traditional fishing village 60 km southeast of the city. RESULTS Two hundred ninety household leaders were interviewed in the urban slum and 136 in the fishing village. Knowledge about the etiological agent of tungiasis and its transmission was high in both communities: 90% knew the flea as the etiological agent of tungiasis. Transmission of tungiasis was thought to be related to sandy soil (72% and 84% in the urban slum and in the fishing village, respectively), presence of animals (52% and 59%), walking barefoot (5% and 23%), and with the presence of garbage littering the area (23% and 21%). Surgical extraction of embedded sand fleas using unsterile sewing needles was the most commonly treatment applied (97% and 96%). In addition, a variety of topical products and medical ointments was used. Mothers were almost exclusively responsible for treatment and knowledge transfer to the next generation. The health sector neither provided health education nor treatment. CONCLUSIONS In communities of low socio-economic status in northeast Brazil, knowledge on tungiasis was high, but individuals did not follow appropriate treatment. A reduction of intensity of infestation, bacterial superinfection and associated morbidity is feasible with minimum support from the health sector, such as supplying hypodermic needles and disinfectants to mothers, and targeted health education.
Biseparating linear maps between continuous vector-valued function spaces

Abstract Let X, Y be compact Hausdorff spaces and E, F be Banach spaces. A linear map T: C(X, E) → C(Y, F) is separating if Tf, Tg have disjoint cozeroes whenever f, g have disjoint cozeroes. We prove that a biseparating linear bijection T (that is, T and T-1 are separating) is a weighted composition operator Tf = h · f o ϕ. Here, h is a function from Y into the set of invertible linear operators from E onto F, and ϕ, is a homeomorphism from Y onto X. We also show that T is bounded if and only if h(y) is a bounded operator from E onto F for all y in Y. In this case, h is continuous with respect to the strong operator topology.
Eligibility criteria in paravertebral block meta‐analysis

Heesen et al. reported a meta-analysis of trials reporting the effect of preoperative paravertebral block (PVB) on the risk of developing persistent post-surgical pain (PPP) following breast cancer surgery [1]. We congratulate the authors on their effort to answer an important clinical and research question, and we applaud their use of sequential analysis. However, we have identified some serious methodological concerns about the eligibility criteria, which are likely to have influenced their findings, and which differ from the results of earlier meta-analyses [2, 3]. Firstly, the meta-analysis included only randomised controlled trials comparing the effect of PVB to sham or no block on PPP. However, Ilfeld et al. [4] compared single-shot and continuous PVB, and reported that ‘all patients received a single injection of long-acting local anesthetic (15 ml of ropivacaine 0.5%, with epinephrine 5 lg.ml ) administered through the catheter’ before randomisation to an infusion of local anesthetic or saline. This breaches Heesen et al.’s inclusion criteria. Heesen et al. considered single-shot and continuous PVB as equally important in preventing PPP, combining them into one group when any trial included both interventions. The Ilfled trial does not include a control group and should have been excluded from the analysis. Secondly, the trial by Chui et al. [5], who compared PVB with local infiltration analgesia, also lacked a control group, local infiltration itself being an effective intervention in preventing chronic pain following breast cancer surgery [6–8], and so should have also been excluded from the meta-analysis. These exclusions may affect the validity of Heesen et al.’s findings, particularly as the number of trials pooled for certain outcomes (e.g. PPP at 1 year) would be fewer than three, mitigating any justification for pooling the data. Could we invite the authors to re-analyse and report their results having excluded these ineligible trials?
Comparison of 1470 nm Radial Fiber Laser Ablation and Radiofrequency Ablation in Endovascular Treatment of Venous Insufficiency

Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the results of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with lower extremity venous insufficiency due to great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux on efficiency, patient comfort and postoperative morbidity. Methods: Endovascular approach in treatment of GSV insufficiency was performed in 283 patients between 2011 and 2014 at our clinic. In group 1, EVLA was performed on 149 patients (42 male, 107 female; mean age 46.90 ± 11.43) and in group 2, RFA was performed on 134 patients (41 male, 93 female; mean age 47.02 ± 12.58). The results were compared in terms of local pain, ecchymosis, paresthesia, venous clinic severity score (VCSS), length of GSV that process performed, efficiency and Clinical Etiology Anatomy Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification data. Results: GSV diameter at saphenofemoral junction level was 10.65 ± 3.72 mm and 11.29 ± 3.78 mm in group 1 and 2, respectively. Length of GSV that process performed was 38.97 ± 6.88 cm in group 1 and 41.83 ± 4.82 cm in group 2. Postoperatively burn, pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were not observed in both groups. Postoperative complications in group 1 were hematoma formation in 2 (1.3%) patients, ecchymosis in 13 (8.7%) patients, edema in 21 (14.1%) patients and paresthesia in 10 (6.7%) patients. Postoperative complications in group 2 were hematoma formation in 1 (0.7%) patient, ecchymosis in 8 (6%) patients, edema in 12 (9%) patients and paresthesia in 6 (4.5%) patients. The efficiency of the process was 96.6% in EVLA group and 98.5% in RFA group. Conclusion: We conclude that both RFA and 1470 nm radial fiber EVLA procedures are effective and reliable techniques in treatment of GSV insufficiency. No significant difference was found between two techniques in terms of efficiency and postoperative morbidity.
Algorithms for provisioning virtual private networks in the hose model

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide customers with predictable and secure network connections over a shared network. The recently proposed hose model for VPNs allows for greater flexibility since it permits traffic to and from a hose endpoint to be arbitrarily distributed to other endpoints. In this paper, we develop novel algorithms for provisioning VPNs in the hose model. We connect VPN endpoints using a tree structure and our algorithms attempt to optimize the total bandwidth reserved on edges of the VPN tree. We show that even for the simple scenario in which network links are assumed to have infinite capacity, the general problem of computing the optimal VPN tree is NP-hard. Fortunately, for the special case when the ingress and egress bandwidths for each VPN endpoint are equal, we can devise an algorithm for computing the optimal tree whose time complexity is O(mn), where m and n are the number of links and nodes in the network, respectively. We present a novel integer programming formulation for the general VPN tree computation problem (that is, when ingress and egress bandwidths of VPN endpoints are arbitrary) and develop an algorithm that is based on the primal-dual method. Our experimental results with synthetic network graphs indicate that the VPN trees constructed by our proposed algorithms dramatically reduce bandwidth requirements (in many instances, by more than a factor of 2) compared to scenarios in which Steiner trees are employed to connect VPN endpoints.