Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are Father Surrogates a Risk Factor for Child Maltreatment?

Most research on the effect of father figures in the home on the incidence of child maltreatment has been cross-sectional and has focused on sexual abuse. This prospective study's purpose is to determine if the presence of a father surrogate in the home affects the risk of a subsequent child maltreatment report. In a longitudinal sample of at-risk children, North Carolina's Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect was used to determine the maltreatment history of children from birth to age 8 years. Children who had a father surrogate living in the home were twice as likely to be reported for maltreatment after his entry into the home than those with either a biological father (odds ratio = 2.6, 95% confidence interval = 1.4-4.7) or no father figure in the home (odds ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-3.5).
The emergence of children's causal explanations and theories: evidence from everyday conversation.

This research examines the content of explanations that 4 English-speaking children gave or asked for in everyday conversations recorded from 2 1/2 to 5 years of age. Analyses of nearly 5,000 codable explanations (identified by markers like why or because) focused on the entity targeted for explanation (e.g., person, animal, object), the explanatory mode of causal reasoning (e.g., psychological, physical), and interrelations between these elements. Children's explanations focused on varied entities (animals, objects, and persons) and incorporated diverse modes (psychological, physical, social-conventional, and even biological reasoning). Children's pairings of entities with explanatory modes suggest appropriately constrained yet flexible causal reasoning. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that young children draw on several complementary causal-explanatory theories to make sense of real-life events.
Towards a cross‐cultural typology of trust in B2B food trade

Purpose – This paper aims to develop a hierarchical typology of trust elements for business‐to‐business trade among European companies in the food sector.Design/methodology/approach – The paper integrates desk research literature study and a qualitative survey of food industry companies. An extensive literature review about inter‐organizational trust lays a foundation for designing a draft typology based on previous studies, with special attention paid to the influence of culture. Fine‐tuning and validation of the typology is achieved through an exploratory field study based on 18 qualitative in‐depth interviews with key informants in five EU countries, involving practitioners from the fresh fruit and vegetable, grain, meat and olive supply chains.Findings – A detailed typology of trust is developed. Although it is highly specific to the food industry, it is designed to be neutral to culture and sector, thus allowing the identification of differences in culture when dealing with trust building elements in.
Effect of particle migration on the heat transfer of nanofluid

A nanofluid is a mixture of solid nanoparticles and a common base fluid. Nanofluids have shown great potential in improving the heat transfer properties of liquids. However, previous studies on the characteristics of nanofluids did not adequately explain the enhancement of heat transfer. This study examined the distribution of particles in a fluid and compared the mechanism for the enhancement of heat transfer in a nanofluid with that in a general microparticle suspension. A theoretical model was formulated with shear-induced particle migration, viscosity-induced particle migration, particle migration by Brownian motion, as well as the inertial migration of particles. The results of the simulation showed that there was no significant particle migration, with no change in particle concentration in the radial direction. A uniform particle concentration is very important in the heat transfer of a nanofluid. As the particle concentration and effective thermal conductivity at the wall region is lower than that of the bulk fluid, due to particle migration to the center of a microfluid, the addition of microparticles in a fluid does not affect the heat transfer properties of that fluid. However, in a nanofluid, particle migration to the center occurs quite slowly, and the particle migration flux is very small. Therefore, the effective thermal conductivity at the wall region increases with increasing addition of nanoparticles. This may be one reason why a nanofluid shows a good convective heat transfer performance.
Smart Fund Managers? Stupid Money?

We develop a model of mutual fund manager investment decisions near the end of quarters. We show that when investors reward better performing funds with higher cash flows, near quarter-ends a mutual fund manager has an incentive to distort new investment toward stocks in which his fund holds a large existing position. The short-term price impact of these trades increase the fund's reported returns. Higher returns are rewarded by greater subsequent fund inflows which, in turn, allow for more investment distortion the next quarter. Because the price impact of trades is short term, each subsequent quarter begins with a larger return deficit. Eventually, the deficit cannot be overcome. Thus, our model leads to the empirically observed short-run persistence and long-run reversal in fund performance. In doing so, our model provides a consistent explanation of many other seemingly contradictory empirical features of mutual fund performance.
Relationship marketing in consumer markets: Antecedents and consequences

Understanding the motivations of consumers to engage in relationships with marketers is important for both practitioners and marketing scholars. To develop an effective theory of relationship marketing, it is necessary to understand what motivates consumers to reduce their available market choices and engage in a relational market behavior by patronizing the same marketer in subsequent choice situations. This article draws on established consumer behavior literature to suggest that consumers engage in relational market behavior due to personal influences, social influences, and institutional influences. Consumers reduce their available choice and engage in relational market behavior because they want to simplify their buying and consuming tasks, simplify information processing, reduce perceived risks, and maintain cognitive consistency and a state of psychological comfort. They also engage in relational market behavior because of family and social norms, peer group pressures, government mandates, religious tenets, employer influences, and marketer policies. The willingness and ability of both consumers and marketers to engage in relational marketing will lead to greater marketing productivity, unless either consumers or marketers abuse the mutual interdependence and cooperation.
Effects of the Chorion Type on Prosocial Behavior in Young South Korean Twins

Abstract The present study examined the possible effects of chorionicity of twins on variation of prosocial behavior in the classical twin design. Mothers of 56 pairs of monochorionic monozygotic (MCMZ) twins, 34 pairs of dichorionic monozygotic (DCMZ) twins, and 316 pairs of dizygotic (DZ) twins rated their children's prosocial behavior. The MCMZ correlation for prosocial behavior was similar to the DCMZ correlation (.63 vs. 61), but both correlations were higher than the DZ correlation (.33). Models incorporating the chorion effects were fit to the data. Genetic, shared and nonshared environmental, and chorion effects in the full model were, respectively, 53% (95% CI: 1–70%), 7% (95% CI: 0–37%) , 40% (95% CI: 29–54%), and 0% (95% CI: 0–27%), with the effects of chorion and shared environment being nonsignificant. These findings indicate that genetic and environmental factors in prosocial behavior estimated from twin studies are not significantly influenced by the chorion type of MZ twins.
Factors influencing women entrepreneurs’ performance in SMEs

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the entrepreneurship literature by identifying factors influencing women entrepreneurs’ performance (EP) and the corresponding challenges in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The study also examines the opportunity recognition (OR) as a mediator between influencing factors and performance of women entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach – The study proposes a model that shows the effects of different internal and external factors on women EP. Findings – The paper demonstrates several challenges that are encountered by women entrepreneurs such as lack of access to financial resources, difficulty in finding qualified labors, work-home conflict and low profit. The results suggest that the most influencing factor is industry (SMEs) characteristics followed by entrepreneurial goals and motivations (EGM), and legal factors. Additionally, OR is found to mediate EGM, and industry characteristics. Research limitations/implications – As the study is conducted in Bahrain, it may lack generalization. In future research, it is advisable to expand study factors, use interviews as a research tool and make comparison between women and men entrepreneurial performances. Practical implications – The paper can help increase women EP and enable them to make use of the business environment in a more efficient and effective way. Originality/value – Although several papers already exist that discuss issues on women entrepreneurs, there has been little research focussing on factors influencing and challenges facing women entrepreneurs, particularly in the Middle East. The study explores important issues and calls for more research in this domain.
Minimax Estimation of Kernel Mean Embeddings

In this paper, we study the minimax estimation of the Bochner integral $$\mu_k(P):=\int_{\mathcal{X}} k(\cdot,x)\,dP(x),$$ also called as the kernel mean embedding, based on random samples drawn i.i. d. ~from $P$, where $k:\mathcal{X}\times\mathcal{X}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ is a positive definite kernel. Various estimators (including the empirical estimator), $\hat{\theta}_n$ of $\mu_k(P)$ are studied in the literature wherein all of them satisfy $\bigl\| \hat{\theta}_n-\mu_k(P)\bigr\|_{\mathcal{H}_k}=O_P(n^{-1/2})$ with $\mathcal{H}_k$ being the reproducing kernel Hilbert space induced by $k$. The main contribution of the paper is in showing that the above mentioned rate of $n^{-1/2}$ is minimax in $\|\cdot\|_{\mathcal{H}_k}$ and $\|\cdot\|_{L^2(\mathbb{R}^d)}$-norms over the class of discrete measures and the class of measures that has an infinitely differentiable density, with $k$ being a continuous translation-invariant kernel on $\mathbb{R}^d$. The interesting aspect of this result is that the minimax rate is independent of the smoothness of the kernel and the density of $P$ (if it exists). This result has practical consequences in statistical applications as the mean embedding has been widely employed in non-parametric hypothesis testing, density estimation, causal inference and feature selection, through its relation to energy distance (and distance covariance).
Linearisation via input–output injection of time delay systems

ABSTRACT This paper deals with the problem of linearisation of systems with constant commensurable delays by input–output injection using algebraic control tools based on the theory of non-commutative rings. Solutions for the problem of linearisation free of delays, and with delays of an observable nonlinear time-delay systems are presented based on the analysis of the input–output equation. These results are achieved by means of constructive algorithms that use the nth derivative of the output expressed in terms of the state-space variables instead of the explicit computation of the input–output representation of the system. Necessary and sufficient conditions are established in both cases by means of an invertible change of coordinates.
The Moderating Role of Age in Customer Loyalty Formation Process

ABSTRACT This study attempts to investigate the effects of an Internet service provider's network quality and customer service on their customers' satisfaction, commitment, behavioral loyalty, and attitudinal loyalty, as well as the moderating effect of age. Data obtained from 1,989 Internet users was analyzed using statistical techniques including bias corrected bootstrap and structural equation modeling with multiple group analysis. The findings confirm that satisfaction mediated the relationship between network quality and customer service, and customer commitment. It is also revealed that the influence of satisfaction and commitment on behavioral and attitudinal loyalty varied across different groups of customers characterized by their age.
Phenotypes of Mouse diabetes and Rat fatty Due to Mutations in the OB (Leptin) Receptor

Mice harboring mutations in the obese (ob) and diabetes (db) genes display similar phenotypes, and it has been proposed that these genes encode the ligand and receptor, respectively, for a physiologic pathway that regulates body weight. The cloning of ob, and the demonstration that it encodes a secreted protein (leptin) that binds specifically to a receptor (OB-R) in the brain, have validated critical aspects of this hypothesis. Here it is shown by genetic mapping and genomic analysis that mouse db, rat fatty (a homolog of db), and the gene encoding the OB-R are the same gene.
Adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet and mortality in subjects with diabetes. Prospective results from the MOLI-SANI study

Background Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower mortality in a general population but limited evidence exists on the effect of a Mediterranean diet on mortality in subjects with diabetes. We aim to examine the association between the Mediterranean diet and mortality in diabetic individuals. Design Prospective cohort study on 1995 type 2 diabetic subjects recruited within the MOLI-SANI study. Methods: Food intake was recorded by the European Project Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was appraised by the Greek Mediterranean diet score. Hazard ratios were calculated using multivariable Cox-proportional hazard models. Results During follow-up (median 4.0 years), 109 all-cause including 51 cardiovascular deaths occurred. A 2-unit increase in Mediterranean diet score was associated with 37% (19%–51%) lower overall mortality. Data remained unchanged when restricted to those being on a hypoglycaemic diet or on antidiabetic drug treatment. A similar reduction was observed when cardiovascular mortality only was considered (hazard ratio = 0.66; 0.46–0.95). A Mediterranean diet-like pattern, originated from principal factor analysis, indicated a reduced risk of overall death (hazard ratio = 0.81; 0.62–1.07). The effect of Mediterranean diet score was mainly contributed by moderate alcohol drinking (14.7% in the reduction of the effect), high intake of cereals (12.2%), vegetables (5.8%) and reduced consumption of dairy and meat products (13.4% and 3.4% respectively). Conclusions The traditional Mediterranean diet was associated with reduced risk of both total and cardiovascular mortality in diabetic subjects, independently of the severity of the disease. Major contributions were offered by moderate alcohol intake, high consumption of cereals, fruits and nuts and reduced intake of dairy and meat products.
Customer retention: a potentially potent marketing management strategy

The traditional marketing approach advocates the marketing mix principles and the quest for market share dominance through mass marketing techniques and a focus on new customer acquisition. This approach has guided managers for decades in planning and implementing their marketing strategies. However, several authors have drawn attention to the inadequacies of the traditional marketing approach, which led to the birth of relationship marketing (RM). RM advocates supplier–customer interaction and maintaining long-term relationships with a focus on customer retention. Customer retention, in the traditional marketing approach, is however seen as the 'end' rather than the means to delivering long-term profitability to firms. This paper discusses key issues pertaining to customer retention management, namely its definition, forms of measure, benefits and potential strategies for application. It uses examples from a variety of contexts. It is proposed that customer retention should be part of the strategic marketing planning process. Customer retention, we envisage, is a potentially potent marketing management strategy. Further research is also recommended.
Value Relevance and the Development of Accounting Regulation and Market Institutions in a Transition Economy

This paper investigates how value relevance of accounting earnings changes and a transition economy develops. Book earnings have been shown to explain variance of stock returns in developed countries; however, in transition and developing countries accounting numbers may be less value-relevant. Rapid changes in the economy, inadequacy of accounting regulation and other institutions can have a negative effect on the usefulness of accounting information. As a country continues to develop, accounting information should become more relevant. We analyse intertemporal changes in value relevance of earnings on a sample of companies listed at the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Poland over the period from 1997 to 2006. The results show that earnings coefficients increase with time.
Psychological Safety and Error Reporting Within Veterans Health Administration Hospitals

Objective In psychologically safe workplaces, employees feel comfortable taking interpersonal risks, such as pointing out errors. Previous research suggested that psychologically safe climate optimizes organizational outcomes. We evaluated psychological safety levels in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals and assessed their relationship to employee willingness of reporting medical errors. Methods We conducted an ANOVA on psychological safety scores from a VHA employees census survey (n = 185,879), assessing variability of means across racial and supervisory levels. We examined organizational climate assessment interviews (n = 374) evaluating how many employees asserted willingness to report errors (or not) and their stated reasons. Finally, based on survey data, we identified 2 (psychologically safe versus unsafe) hospitals and compared their number of employees who would be willing/unwilling to report an error. Results Psychological safety increased with supervisory level (P < 0.001, &eegr;2 = 0.03) and was not meaningfully related to race (P < 0.001, &eegr;2 = 0.003). Twelve percent of employees would not report an error; retaliation fear was the most commonly mentioned deterrent. Furthermore, employees at the psychologically unsafe hospital (71% would report, 13% would not) were less willing to report an error than at the psychologically safe hospital (91% would, 0% would not). Conclusions A substantial minority would not report an error and were willing to admit so in a private interview setting. Their stated reasons as well as higher psychological safety means for supervisory employees both suggest power as an important determinant. Intentions to report were associated with psychological safety, strongly suggesting this climate aspect as instrumental to improving patient safety and reducing costs.
Environmental Management Systems as soruces of competitive advantage

An increasing number of firms are adopting environmental management systems as a way of dealing with challenges from the natural environment. Many of these firms also decide to have their environmental management systems certified according to one or both of the available international standards, ISO 14001 and EMAS (The European Union’s Eco Management and Audit Scheme). Both the environmental management system and the certification process involve significant investment of financial resources and management effort, which raises the question of what benefits firms might derive from these activities. Three levels of strategic advantage are identified in this paper. The first level of advantage is transient on nature, being based on competitive preemption and development of first mover advantage. The second level involves development of valuable competencies and more durable resources inside the firm, while the third level advantage depends on the extent to which such resources can be extended and conserved when emphasis shifts from an internal pollution prevention focus towards life cycle oriented environmental management.
The Effect of Executive Confidence, Ability, and Private Beliefs on the Valuation of Executive Stock Options

It is widely believed that executives value stock options at considerably less than market or Black-Scholes-Merton values. This belief is contingent, however, on a subtle assumption that executives are like price-taking shareholders. We argue that executives not only have ability to influence the stock but are also confident and optimistic, leading them to a private valuation of the stock that exceeds the market value. Hence, executives value their options at more than would be obtained by traditional executive stock option valuation models. In some cases, these options are worth even more than the values of analogous publicly traded options. We also find that consideration of these effects can alter early exercise behavior, leading executives who perceive themselves to be better to exercise at higher prices. Our results contrast with the existing body of literature that values stock options as though executives were simply ordinary investors with poorly diversified portfolios.
The impact of communication channels on mobile banking adoption

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the distinct effects of different communication channels, particularly interpersonal networks, social media, and mass media on customer beliefs and usage intention in a mobile banking (MB) context. Design/methodology/approach – This study employed a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research approaches with an exploratory sequential research design in two major phases: focus groups; and a large-scale survey among 183 New Zealand young adults. Findings – The most significant influential factor of usage intention was perceived usefulness, followed by perceived credibility and perceived costs. Face-to-face communication with bank staff and close acquaintances was perceived as the most reliable and persuasive sources of banking-related information. Moreover, mass channels were considered to be more important and trustworthy than social media in the MB sector. The research results revealed that the current status of MB diffusion in New Zealan.
Using ZMET to explore barriers to the adoption of 3G mobile banking services

Telecommunications companies world‐wide are developing 3G mobile phones and applications. In the UK, mobile banking is considered to be one of the most value‐added and important mobile services available. However, the adoption rate of using 3G mobile phones for financial services is yet to be determined. The current research examined both innovative attributes and customers’ perceived risk in order to understand customers’ behaviour and motivation toward this innovation. It has advanced the theoretical frameworks of innovation and customers’ risk perception as new attributes and risk dimensions were identified. The findings provide banking executives with a better understanding of what are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of 3G mobile banking services, helping them to plan marketing strategies and promotion approaches for 3G mobile banking services in the future.