Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consumer Perceptions of Livestock Products and Animal Welfare

Researchers conducted an online survey of 798 United States consumers to characterize smoked ham and lunchmeat purchasing behaviors and consumers’ views of animal welfare and food safety attributes across a variety of animal species and livestock products. Animal welfare and food safety concerns differed by animal species, as well as the individual product in question, even if those products came from the same species of animal. Most participants were reportedly concerned about food safety and animal welfare attributes in staple products, such as milk, eggs and ground beef. Fourteen percent of respondents indicated they had reduced their overall pork consumption in the past three years due to animal welfare and handling concerns. Inconsistencies were found when consumers were asked which lunchmeat attributes they associated with high quality and which attributes they actually consider during lunchmeat purchases. More than 73 percent of respondents indicated they agreed that “produced on farms with animal welfare and handling standards in place” and “produced by farmers certified in animal welfare techniques” were associated with higher quality lunchmeats; of those purchasing lunchmeat, only 47 and 45 percent of respondents, respectively, reported considering these attributes during purchase.
Opportunistic feedback with multiple classes in wireless systems

An opportunistic feedback protocol with multiple access probabilities is proposed, where users are divided into several classes according to their measured channel state. Different random access probabilities are assigned to each class. All users compete to send a feedback message through random access if their scheduling metric exceeds a threshold. An analytical model is developed for evaluating the proposed feedback protocol in terms of the sum-rate capacity and the feedback load. The proposed feedback protocol achieves an asymptotic sum-rate capacity with a minimal amount of feedback information.
Effects of zinc on L-[3H]proline uptake by lobster (Homarus americanus) hepatopancreatic brush-border membrane vesicles

Epithelial brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) from the hepatopancreas of the lobster Homarus americanus were prepared using a magnesium precipitation technique and employed in transport experiments designed to demonstrate the effects of external and internal divalent cationic heavy metals on the uptake of l-[(3)H]proline. When BBMVs were exposed to a high external concentration (2.5 mmol l(−)(1)) of Cd(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(2+), Mn(2+) or Zn(2+), l-[(3)H]proline (0.5 mmol l(−)(1)) uptake was significantly (P 0.05) on apparent l-[(3)H]proline binding to the membranes (K(m)=1.66+/−0.23 mmol l(−)(1)) (means +/− s.e.m., N=3). In the presence of 0.5 mmol l(−)(1)l-pipecolate, bilateral zinc-stimulated, carrier-mediated, l-[(3)H]proline influx was abolished. At low external concentrations of zinc alone (e.g. below 1.0 mmol l(−)(1)), l-[(3)H]proline influx was enhanced by the metal. Enhanced amino acid uptake in the presence of external zinc alone was abolished by l-pipecolate. A model accounting for external and internal zinc enhancements of l-[(3)H]proline influx by the Na(+)-dependent l-pipecolate-sensitive IMINO transport system in these membranes is proposed.
Interaction between Miltefosine and Amphotericin B: Consequences for Their Activities towards Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Leishmania donovani Promastigotes In Vitro

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of a combination of two antileishmanial drugs, miltefosine (HePC) and amphotericin B (AMB), when administered by the oral route. Caco-2 cell monolayers were used as a validated in vitro model of the intestinal barrier and Leishmania donovani promastigotes as a model for evaluating the effect of the drug combination. Spectroscopic measurements demonstrated that HePC and AMB associate, leading to the formation of mixed aggregates in which AMB is solubilized as monomers. The incubation of the association of HePC and AMB with Caco-2 cell monolayers, at a concentration higher than 5 μM, led to (i) a reduction of the HePC-induced paracellular permeability enhancement in Caco-2 cell monolayers, (ii) an inhibition of the uptake of both drugs, and (iii) a decrease in the transepithelial transport of both drugs, suggesting that a pharmacokinetic antagonism between HePC and AMB could occur after their oral administration. However, the combination did not exhibit any antagonism or synergy in its antileishmanial activity. These results demonstrated a strong physicochemical interaction between HePC and AMB, depending on the concentration of each, which could have important consequences for their biological activities, if they are administered together.
The Importance of Place of Origin in Purchase Decisions for Agricultural Products

Abstract The evolution of the “global marketplace” has increased the number of product choices competing for consumer patronage. The purpose of this study was to explore whether competitive advantages exist for agricultural products produced locally rather than coming from elsewhere. The findings suggest that consumers have not thought about the issues associated with place of origin, think all produce is about the same, or trust their grocers to make the right purchase decisions. Marketing efforts need to educate consumers that not all produce is the same relative to quality and safety issues, and that they need to consider place of origin before making purchase decisions.
Minimization of routing overhead on the bases of multipath and destination distance estimation mechanism under MANET

Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is a form of mobile hosts or nodes that move in freely in omni-direction with random movement without the need to maintain connectivity with deployed network infrastructure. While two mobile nodes within the radio zone from each other's, than they can communicate and transfer /receives data with each other directly, otherwise, the mobile nodes in between have to forward the route packets for them. In such a case, every mobile node has to function as a router and to forward the packets for others intermediate nodes. Thus, routing is a basic operation for the MANET. In this paper we design combined approach of AOMDV-Dream protocol, the multipath routing strategy balance the load of the network, and Dream protocol for destination location estimation and periodically send location information to the sender for route flood minimization from the network, so that our networks performance can been increases and routing overhead minimize. We take network simulator −2 and analyze the comparatively study about AOMDV as well as AOMDV-Dream protocol.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Public Services

This groundbreaking book provides new key insights and opens up an important research agenda. The book develops a new taxonomy of the different types of innovation found in public sector services, and investigates the key features and drivers of public sector entrepreneurship. The book contains new statistical studies and a set of six international case studies in health and social services.
A Novel Microfluidic Platform for Continuous DNA Extraction and Purification using Laminar Flow Magnetophoresis

We present a novel microfluidic platform using laminar-flow magnetophoresis for combined continuous extraction and purification of DNA. All essential unit operations (DNA binding, sample washing and DNA elution) are integrated on one single chip. The key function is the motion of magnetic beads given by the interplay of laminar flow and time-varying magnetic field. The time for extraction was 1 minute. The device is a central part of a complete biochemical system for continuous monitoring of cell-growth in bioreactors. The novel platform allows continuous purification of DNA, but is also applicable to purification of RNA, proteins or cells, including their subsequent real-time analysis in general.
The demographic history of the New Zealand short‐tailed bat Mystacina tuberculata inferred from modified control region sequences

Short‐tailed bats Mystacina tuberculata were widespread throughout the forest that dominated prehuman New Zealand, but extensive deforestation has restricted them to scattered populations in forest fragments. In a previous study, the species’ intraspecific phylogeny was investigated using multiple mitochondrial gene sequences. Six phylogroups were identified with estimated divergences of 0.93–0.68 Ma. In the current study, the phylogeographical structure and demographic history of the phylogroups were investigated using control region sequences modified by removing homoplasic sites. Phylogeographical structure in the North Island was generally consistent with an isolation‐by‐distance dispersal model. Coalescent‐based analyses (i.e. mismatch distributions, skyline plots, lineage dispersal analysis and nested clade analysis) indicated that the three phylogroups found in central and southern North Island expanded before the last glacial maximum, presumably during interstadials when Nothofagus forest was most extensive. Genetic structure within a central North Island hybrid zone was consistent with range expansion from separate refugia following reforestation after catastrophic volcanic eruptions. Phylogeographical structure in the South Island was consistent with southern populations originating during rapid southward range expansion from refugia in northern South Island following postglacial reforestation of the South Island 10–9 kya.
Time Pressure and Information in Sales Promotion Strategy: Conceptual Framework and Content Analysis

Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in time pressure and information between two broad classes of promotional offers: (1) “advanced receipts” in which consumers are encouraged to expedite the purchase of a good or service to take advantage of coupons, rebates, price-offs, premiums, etc.; and (2) “delayed payments,” in which consumers are urged to “buy now and pay later. ” A content analysis of 222 promotional offers was conducted using the time and outcome valuation model as a theoretical basis for understanding the role of time pressure in terms of time allowed before the offer expiration as well as copy and information in these different types of promotional offers. The findings indicate that delayed payment offers allow less time to participate than advanced receipt offers, have more time pressure copy for those promotional offers giving a deadline and provide more information.
Wideband beamforming using rectangular arrays without phase shifting

Conventional wideband arrays suffer from the implementation of tapped-delay-line processors in the beamforming networks. In this paper, a wideband rectangular array of omni-directional antenna elements is proposed, which requires no phase compensations and employs a single real multiplier for each antenna element. The desired angle and frequency characteristic of the array are the key parameters of the design of the beamformer. Furthermore, the undesired frequency characteristics of the antenna elements can be compensated by the beamformer as well. The most practical advantage of the array is that the number of antenna elements required for a relatively high fractional bandwidth is much lower than other comparable wideband beamformers. Copyright © 2003 AEI.
Outbreak of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Darfur, Sudan: Effectiveness of Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Analysis of Dried Blood Spots

ABSTRACT Biological samples collected in refugee camps during an outbreak of hepatitis E were used to compare the accuracy of hepatitis E virus RNA amplification by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) for sera and dried blood spots (concordance of 90.6%). Biological profiles (RT-PCR and serology) of asymptomatic individuals were also analyzed.
Impact of Sales Promotions on when, what, and how Much to Buy

The effectiveness of a sales promotion can be examined by decomposing the sales “bump” during the promotion period into sales increase due to brand switching, purchase time acceleration, and stockpiling. The author proposes a method for such a decomposition whereby brand sales are considered the result of consumer decisions about when, what, and how much to buy. The impact of marketing variables on these three consumer decisions is captured by an Erlang-2 interpurchase time model, a multinomial logit model of brand choice, and a cumulative logit model of purchase quantity. The models are estimated with IRI scanner panel data for regular ground coffee. The results indicate that more than 84% of the sales increase due to promotion comes from brand switching (a very small part of which may be switching between different sizes of the same brand). Purchase acceleration in time accounts for less than 14% of the sales increase, whereas stockpiling due to promotion is a negligible phenomenon accounting for less than 2% of the sales increase.
An empirical examination of factors influencing the internationalization of service firms

The internationalization of service firms is expanding dramatically, fueled by recent technological innovations and reductions of trade barriers. Drawing upon Dunning’s eclectic theory, firm‐ and location‐specific factors which have been found to be antecedents of internationalization of manufacturing firms are extended to determine their applicability to the internationalization of service firms. The hypotheses are empirically examined through a survey of 228 business‐to‐business service firms. Findings indicate that the firm‐specific factor of firm size and the location‐specific factor of market characteristics influence management attitudes toward operating internationally, which in turn influence the degree of internationalization of service firms. Practical implications, drawn from the results, are offered for managers of service firms who are facing the task of internationalizing.
The influence of government support and awareness on rural farmers' intention to adopt mobile government services in Tanzania

Purpose Generally, this paper aims to develop a model by identifying factors which will assist policy makers in implementing m-government in Tanzania. The paper identifies direct and indirect factors which may influence adoption of m-government among the rural farmers in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach The paper conducted a survey by using Drop Off/Pick Up method to collect data from rural farmers. Stratified and multi-stage sampling were used to collect 407 valid responses from rural farmers in Tanzania. Data collected were analyzed by using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings The results show that government support has direct influence, while awareness has indirect influence through relative advantage, ease of use, compatibility and visibility. Furthermore, relative advantage, compatibility, ease of use, visibility and results demonstrability have direct influence on rural farmers intention to adopt m-government. Originality/value This study contributes to knowledge because no study in this area has been conducted in developing countries to examine factors that influence adoption of m-government. Furthermore, this study tests the mediating effects of perceived characteristics of innovation which have not yet been investigated to date.
Increased epicardial adipose tissue in patients with slow coronary flow phenomenon.

BACKGROUND Slow coronary flow (SCF) is an angiographic finding characterised by delayed opacification of epicardial coronary arteries without obstructive coronary disease. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), localised beneath the visceral pericardium, is a metabolically active endocrine and paracrine organ with possible interactions within the heart. EAT and low-grade inflammation play major roles in the atherosclerotic vascular processes and may be important in other coronary pathologies such as SCF. AIM To investigate whether EAT and C-reactive protein (CRP) are increased in patients with isolated SCF compared to normal subjects. METHODS The present study was cross-sectional and observational, consisting of 66 individuals who underwent coronary angiography with a suspicion of coronary artery disease and who had angiographically normal coronary arteries of varying coronary flow rates. The relationship between EAT, CRP and SCF phenomenon was investigated. Thirty-three patients with isolated SCF (mean age: 56 ± 10 years) and 33 age- and gender-matched control participants with normal coronary flow (NCF), but without SCF, (mean age: 55 ± 10 years) were included in the study. RESULTS EAT thickness was significantly increased in the SCF group compared to the NCF group (7.1 ± 2.7 vs. 4.7 ± 1.9 mm, p < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI, p < 0.001) and the percentage of isolated SCF (p = 0.002) were significantly higher in patients with increased EAT thickness. CRP was not related to SCF. When we performed multiple logistic regression analysis, only increased EAT thickness was related to the presence of SCF (OR 1.720, 95% CI 1.175-2.516, p = 0.005) independent of BMI and CRP. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed, for the first time, a significant increase in EAT thickness in patients with SCF compared to NCF. We believe that further studies are needed to clarify the role of adipose tissue in patients with SCF.
DNA vaccination against hepatitis E virus infection in cynomolgus macaques

Background : The feasibility of DNA vaccination against hepatitis E in non‐human primates has not been evaluated. In the present study a full‐length hepatitis E virus (HEV) open reading frame (ORF)2 (Burmese strain) was assembled, cloned, and used for genetic immunization of cynomolgus macaques (cynos), which were subsequently challenged with a heterologous HEV strain (Mexico).
Service Competition and Service War: A Game-Theoretic Analysis

We conduct a game-theoretic analysis on a duopoly pure service game. We consider the situation in which two service providers compete in a market with respect to the service-level decision on a particular common service product. We first construct an analytical model to examine the existence of the Nash equilibrium in the service game. We then prove that the characteristics of equilibrium service levels depend heavily on the prices offered by the service providers. After that, we include service costing and analytically study how it affects the equilibrium service levels under different cases. Finally, we examine the service game under the service war in which one service provider chooses to deviate from the equilibrium service level with the goal of improving market share. Important managerial insights on the first-mover advantage, market share, and service levels under the service war are revealed and discussed.
Aid Distribution and Co-operation in Unequal Communities

We study the influence of economic inequality on co-operation and aid distribution in community-based development schemes. For this, we organized a field experiment in which community members contributed to a collective effort to attract aid. We find that devolving aid distribution to community representatives increases the aid attracted, but that this benefits community representatives only. At the same time, however, community representatives do take fairness considerations into account. They give higher aid shares to poorer community members and lower shares to low contributors. Moreover, representatives with lower relative wealth or who contribute relatively more keep higher aid shares.
Match or Mismatch: Strategy-Structure Configurations in the Service Business of Manufacturing Companies

A new trend seems to be emerging for multinational manufacturing companies to make a strategic reorientation into becoming service providers. For some companies, such as Kone and IBM, the revenues from services are 50% or more of their total sales. Despite the increasing interest in exploring various aspects of the service part of the business in manufacturing companies, existing research has not focused on the interdependencies between different service strategies and organizational designs. This article studies different service strategies in manufacturing companies and highlights the organizational design necessary for implementing each service strategy. The service strategies explored are aftersales service providers, customer support service providers, outsourcing partners, and development partners. Each service strategy is supported by organizational design factors related to the service orientation of corporate culture, the service orientation of human resource management, and the service orientation of organizational structures. This research concludes that a specific strategy-structure configuration is needed in order to succeed with a chosen service strategy.
Total Trust and Trust Asymmetry: Does Trust Need to Be Equally Distributed in Interfirm Relationships?

Interfirm supply chain relationships can be an important driver of firm performance and sustainable competitive advantage. Successful supply chain relationships have been shown to reduce costs, increase service, and improve financial performance. However, in order to truly leverage the power of collaborative supply chain initiatives, relationship partners must trust each other. The purpose of this research is to take a deeper look at the concept of trust and to more precisely specify how trust impacts interfirm relationships. Therefore, this conceptual literature review uses applicable theory to introduce the interdependent concepts of total trust and trust asymmetry. This research addresses a gap in the relationship literature by exploring the potential effects of total trust and trust asymmetry on collaborative behaviors in interfirm supply chain relationships. The strategic performance implications of total trust and trust asymmetry may offer critical insight into the reasons why interfirm supply chain relationships succeed or fail.
Consumer reactance against loyalty programs

Purpose – Although relationship marketing has developed into the prevailing marketing paradigm, it frequently encounters resistance from the demand side. Both management practitioners and academics indicate that at least some consumers show reactance against loyalty programs, i.e. against tactical instruments of relationship marketing. Nevertheless, relationship marketing has widely neglected reactance theory. This paper attempts to close this gap.Design/methodology/approach – Based on the fundamental principles of loyalty programs and reactance theory the paper presents a set of hypotheses on the determinants and effects of situational consumer reactance against loyalty programs. It tests these hypotheses on the basis of 388 face‐to‐face interviews with bookstore customers. These interviews include a between‐subject manipulation on the reactance effect of economic, social‐psychological, and contractual bonding potentials. To test the proposed hypotheses, the paper applies structural equation modeling wit.
Fundamentos de Metodologia Científica

resumo): Em poucas frases apresenta-se o resumo do que foi pesquisado, os objetivos pretendidos, a metodologia utilizada e os resultados alcançados. Para publicação em pe148 54. O currículo, agradecimentos e data de entrega dos originais devem aparecer em rodapé na página de abertura ou como nota editorial no final do artigo. riódicos o abstract deve ser apresentado também em idioma estrangeiro de grande divulgação, geralmente em inglês.