Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moderating effects in relationship marketing: The roles of customer expertise and price orientation

This study explains a relationship marketing model in which relationship investment (RI) influences the relationship quality (RQ), which generates customer loyalty (CL) in the life insurance industry and explores the model’s moderating effects. This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the moderating effects and proposes that the customer’s price orientation moderates the relationship between RQ and CL. Empirical findings provide further support for the relationship marketing model in that, the more resources, effort, and time the salesperson devotes to the relationship, the greater the RQ the customers perceive. The paper also discusses managerial implications and suggestions for future research. Key words: Relationship marketing, relationship quality, price orientation, customer loyalty, life insurance.
Medical and nursing staff highly value clinical pharmacists in the emergency department

Despite the potential impact that emergency pharmacist (EPh) programmes could have on medication safety and quality of care in the emergency department (ED), very few programmes exist. This descriptive survey study aimed to assess staff perceptions of an EPh programme. A random sample of medical and nursing staff in an academic medical centre ED with a dedicated EPh programme received a 26-item survey (82% return rate). 99% of respondents felt the EPh improves quality of care, 96% feel they are an integral part of the team, and 93% had consulted the EPh at least a few times during their last five shifts. Staff felt that the EPh should be available for consults, attend resuscitations, and check orders. This study reinforced the value of many specific duties of the EPh programme and found that doctors and nurses overwhelmingly favour the presence of an EPh in the ED, frequently seek their advice, and feel they improve quality of care. Staff acceptance is clearly not a barrier to implementation of this programme.
A study of online virtual fitting room adoption based on UTAUT

User acceptance is one of the key fundamentals for development and success of virtual fitting room. This paper integrates the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology(UTAUT) model and perceived risk into a comprehensive model of online virtual fitting room adoption. To empirically test the model a survey is administered to 226 online virtual fitting room users. Structural equation modeling(SEM) is used to evaluate relationships between these concepts and intention to use. Results indicate performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and perceived risk all have a significant impact on online virtual fitting room intention. Security concerns and privacy concerns were shown to significantly influence perceived risk. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Relationships for Otamixaban, a Direct Factor Xa Inhibitor, in Healthy Subjects

Direct pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships for otamixaban were investigated after rising doses in healthy subjects using mixed‐effect modeling. Activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, dilute prothrombin time, and Russell's viper venom—induced clotting time (RVVT) related linearly, whereas Heptest clotting time (HCT) followed a sigmoidal Emax model. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic response (slope) and their corresponding interindividual variability (seconds per ng/mL, [% coefficient of variation]) were 0.263 (29%) for Russell's viper venom—induced clotting time, 0.117 (10%) for dilute prothrombin time, 0.058 (19%) for activated partial thromboplastin time, and 0.021 (11%) for prothrombin time. For Heptest clotting time, the parameter estimates with their corresponding interindividual variability (% coefficient of variation) were 71 ng/mL (30%) for EC50, 186 seconds (64%) for Emax, and 17 seconds (16%) for E0. The model predicted otamixaban plasma concentrations to double the clotting times that were close to those observed. These pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships, together with the predictable pharmacokinetics, allowed the anticoagulant effect at given doses of otamixaban to be foreseen in healthy subjects.
The Effect of Management Commitment to Service Quality on Frontline Employees' Job Attitudes, Turnover Intentions and Service Recovery Performance in a New Public Management Context

We present and test a model of behavioural job outcomes grounded in Bagozzi's (1992) reformulation of attitude theory in the important and novel context of a former public sector government department that has undergone corporatisation. Frontline employees (FLEs) completed a self‐administered questionnaire on how factors characterising management commitment to service quality (MCSQ) affect their job satisfaction and organisational commitment, and how these job attitudes impact service recovery performance and turnover intentions. Data obtained from the FLEs were analysed using the SEM‐based Partial Least Squares (PLS) methodology. Results suggest there is a significant influence of MCSQ on job attitudes, which in turn influence service recovery performance and turnover intentions. Implications of the results and further research directions are discussed.
Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the Calf Muscle in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES.To investigate the potential of 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the management of severe peripheral ischemic disease, phosphocreatine:inorganic phosphate (PCr:Pi) and PCr:adenosine triphosphate (PCr:ATP) ratios were compared with a clinical ranking of arterial insufficiency. METHODS.3IP MR spectra of the muscles in the lower and upper leg were measured in a group of healthy volunteers (n = 21) and in a group of patients (n = 42) with arterial occlusive disease. The patients were graded according to the categories advised by the Ad Hoc Committee on Reporting Standards (AHCRS). Spectra were obtained 12 and 20 cm below and 15 cm above the knee joint. RESULTS.The PCr:Pi ratio showed a significant decrease between measurements 12 and 20 cm below the knee joint for patients with severe arterial insufficiency (AHCRS 4-6), whereas this decrease was not found in patients with mild or moderate arterial insufficiency (AHCRS 1-3). CONCLUSIONS.Although the observed spatial variation in PCr:Pi ratio measured at rest does not offer profound insight into muscle physiology, the authors' results suggest that MRS may be useful in assessing the severity of peripheral vascular disease.
A Customized Particle Swarm Method to Solve Highway Alignment Optimization Problem

Abstract: Optimizing highway alignment requires a versatile set of cost functions and an efficient search method to achieve the best design. Because of numerous highway design considerations, this issue is classified as a constrained problem. Moreover, because of the infinite number of possible solutions for the problem and the continuous search space, highway alignment optimization is a complex problem.
Marketing-Driven Factors Influencing Savers In The Hellenic Bank Market

This paper studies the influencing factors on bank savings customers decisions regarding selection of a bank, in the Hellenic bank market. An empirical study was conducted on 811 bank customers in the greater Athens area. Results point to similar conclusions with prior studies conducted in the U.S. and Europe. Discussion of results also refer to different consumer perceptions of Greek public, private and foreign banks operating in Greece, as well as to the identification of reasons for switching a customers main bank.
Scale-Specific but Inter-Linked Strategies for Managing Forest Resource Conflicts in Ghana: Forest Professionals' Views 1

Constructive conflict management strategies according to forest professionals have the potential to minimise the prevalence of forest resource conflicts at different levels of scale in Ghana’s high forest zone. The paper therefore employed mixed methods in gathering data on conflict causes, prevailing and alternative conflict management strategies from forest professionals’ perspectives. Results revealed multifaceted forest resource conflict causes such as: i) weak implementation of policy strategies and actions; ii) absence of guidelines on crop damage compensation payment; iii) boundary disputes; iv) farmland scarcity; and v) local elite capture of social responsibility agreement negotiation process and benefits. It was also ascertained that prevailing conflict management strategies are diverse but strategies used are based on case-by-case approaches which lack clearly defined conflict management mechanism to redress the numerous grievances in the sector. It is in view of that the forest professionals recommended scale-specific but inter-linked strategies to be institutionalised in the forestry sector.
Temporary brand–retailer alliance model: the routes to purchase intentions for selective brands and mass retailers

ABSTRACT We investigate a common but under-studied practice, the temporary alliance between a selective brand and a mass retailer, online or offline. Using a before-and-after methodology, we show how the attitude towards the new offer of a selective brand at a mass retailer plays a central mediating role. It is influenced by brand–retailer fit and product-category fit. It influences purchase intention towards the new offer, attitude changes towards the selective brand and mass retailer, and therefore purchase intention towards the brand and retailer. We also reveal a counterintuitive direct negative route from product-category fit to changes in purchase intention towards the retailer. To offer important managerial implications, we break out results for two selective brands and two types of mass retailers.
Funding, Liquidity, Credit and Counterparty Risk: Links and Implications

In this work we try and clarify what is the essence of the DVA: we believe we offer a robust conceptual framework to consistently included the DVA in the balance sheet of a financial institutions. Under this perspective, to our knowledge never proposed before, the DVA does not manifest any counterintuitive effects, such as a reduction of the current value of the liabilities of a counterparty when its creditworthiness worsens. On the other hand, the link between funding costs and dva will be easily identified and considered, and in this way we can also establish in a thorough fashion how to discount positive and negative future cash-flows.
Commercial Vehicle Value of Time and Perceived Benefit of Congestion Pricing

This study investigated the value of time for commercial vehicles in urban areas and its implications for perceived benefits created by congestion pricing projects. Central questions explored were (1) Do values of time differ among commercial vehicle operators? If so, what explains the differences? (2) Will congestion pricing make particular segments of the commercial vehicle industry better-off than others due to differences in values of time? In the first part of the study, stated preference data for measuring commercial vehicle value of time were collected by interviewing 70 truck operators in California. The value of time was estimated based on the point of diversion at which the switch of facility occurred in the stated preference questions, and also using a modified logit model in which the coefficients to be estimated were assumed to be distributed lognormally across the population. The former approach revealed that the value of time can be well replicated with a lognormal distribution. The latter approach, of the random coefficient logit model, indicated that the mean and standard deviation of the value of tie were $23.4/hr. and $32/hr. , respectively. Comparisons between data sets that were segmented according to business type, shipment size, and the method of driver compensation indicated that for-hire trucks tend to have higher value of time than those who pay by commission or fixed salary. Using the SR91 congestion pricing project in Southern California as a case study, perceived benefits for commercial vehicles were calculated based on the value of time estimated by the logit model. The analyses revealed that trucks with high values of time receive a disproportional amount of benefit, especially if the toll is expensive. The comparison between for-hire and private trucks indicated that the former, due to their considerably higher mean value of time, tend to receive much greater benefit individually and collect slightly ore aggregate benefit than the latter despite smaller numbers. However, the share of the benefit received by each sector is relatively unaffected by the level of the toll charged.
Evidence for Dinucleotide Flipping by DNA Photolyase*

DNA photolyases repair pyrimidine dimers via a reaction in which light energy drives electron donation from a catalytic chromophore, FADH−, to the dimer. The crystal structure of Escherichia coli photolyase suggested that the pyrimidine dimer is flipped out of the DNA helix and into a cavity that leads from the surface of the enzyme to FADH−. We have tested this model using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Phr1 photolyase which is >50% identical to E. coli photolyase over the region comprising the DNA binding domain. By using the bacterial photolyase as a starting point, we modeled the region encompassing amino acids 383–530 of the yeast enzyme. The model retained the cavity leading to FADH− as well as the band of positive electrostatic potential which defines the DNA binding surface. We found that alanine substitution mutations at sites within the cavity reduced both substrate binding and discrimination, providing direct support for the dinucleotide flip model. The roles of three residues predicted to interact with DNA flanking the dimer were also tested. Arg452 was found to be particularly critical to substrate binding, discrimination, and photolysis, suggesting a role in establishing or maintaining the dimer in the flipped state. A structural model for photolyase-dimer interaction is presented.
Resource Allocation Decisions for the Internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Firms

Abstract This research explores the problems of resource allocation during the process of internationalization by small and medium-sized manufacturing firms. The literature largely portrays a positive view of internationalization with respect to increased firm performance or growth. However, particularly for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises(SMEs), growth through internationalization increases uncertainty and may jeopardize firm performance and even threaten survival of the firm. The literature indicates that some SMEs fail during the process of expanding to foreign markets (Brewer 1981;Ramaswamy 1992; Mudambi and Zahra 2007). Many of these failures are due, in part,to the challenges of allocating limited resources during and after internationalization(Chen and Hsu 2009). Given the challenge of internationalizing, this research examines the influence of resource allocation on firm performance with the aim of providing recommendations on how entrepreneurs can make better resource allocation decisions that in turn may lead to improved performance. To address the problem of allocation of limited resources during and after internationalization, theoretical propositions are developed based on modern portfolio-theory (Markowitz 1952; 1959; 1991) that explains the risk-return tradeoffs with regards to resource allocation to domestic, U.S., and foreign markets and possible effects on firm performance. This research applies a multiple case-study approach based on critical realism, a qualitative philosophical research paradigm. Data collection is through in-depth interviews with executives of twenty-two small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms located in Canada. Within-case and cross-case analyses findings are used to confirm or modify the propositions, resulting in a descriptive model that best explains resource allocation decisions and the effects on performance. The findings indicate that resource allocations to domestic, U.S., and foreign markets have different contributions to overall firm performance. However, the way in which resource allocation trade-offs are decided between these markets is largely dependent on the firms or owners/manager’s disposition to risks and returns. Findings from this research also show that decisions by firm managers to allocate resources to a particular market depend on their assessment or anticipation of risks and the potential mitigation strategies that are required in order to maximize returns. This, consequently, determines the firm’s performance during the process of internationalization. This research contributes to the literature in international entrepreneurship, management of technology, and decision analysis. While there is an extensive body of literature that focuses on the output of internationalization (i.e., where, when, and how firms export their products), few studies have specifically examined the inputs that make this happen (one of these being the allocation of resources). Rugman et al. (2008) examines the resource allocation decision…
The Impact of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) on Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence in Turkish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

This study is based on empirical evidence at measuring the relationship between the use of the accounting information systems (AIS) by the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Kayseri-Turkey, and firms’ improved performance indicators. Kayseri is one of the most successful furniture-making centers in Turkey and it earned more than a billion dollars in export revenues in 2007. The data obtained from interviews with 60 firms in the organized industrial zone is analyzed by generalized least squares. It is found that there is positive and statistically significant relation between the use of AIS and educational status of managers. Moreover, as the number of employees rises, the use of AIS also increases. Furthermore, a positive relation is found between the use of AIS and growth (Sale, Customer and Revenue)
Effect of β-amyloid peptide 42 on the dynamics of expression and formation of Аβ40, IL -1β, TNF α, IL -6, IL -10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro and its correction by curcumin.

The toxic effect of Аβ-oligomers accompanies chronic inflammation, with cytokines as main mediators. Therefore, the cytokine link of inflammation becomes a new target on the way to restrain amyloidosis. The aim of the study was the effect of aggregated Аβ42 on the dynamics of expression and formation of endogenous Аβ40 and cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6, IL-10) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro and its correction by curcumin. A suspension of mononuclear cells isolated ex tempore using ficoll-urografin gradient from venous blood samples of healthy volunteers were used to study the effects of Аβ42 (15 nM), curcumin (54 pM), and their combined action (at similar concentrations) in time dynamics: 0, 1, 3, 6 and 24 h incubation at 37 °C. Polymerase chain reaction with appropriate primers was used to determine the relative expression of mRNA for AβPP, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay – to determine the content of Аβ40 and cytokines in mononuclear suspension during all periods of incubation. The individual dynamics AβPP and cytokine expression was shown under the action of the Aβ42, which had influence on the content of Aβ40, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in mononuclear suspension. Curcumin displayed the inhibitory effect on gene expression of AβPP, TNFα and IL6, which resulted in the decrease of the level of these two cytokines and Aβ40. Thus, the dynamics of anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin in vitro for transcriptional and translational levels of cytokine’s formation by mononuclear cells was shown in the work. Direct inhibitory effect of curcumin on the concentration of endogenous Aβ40 during the 24 h incubation in conditions of toxic action of Aβ42 aggregates was established.
An analysis of information systems outsourcing adoption at Kenya Armed Forces

Information Technology (IT) is now an integral organization resource that plays a supporting role in most functions. However IT is not the primary business of many organizations. Their core competencies, the areas in which an organization performs best and that represent its competitive advantage is in other functions such as logistics, manufacturing or services. This study analyzed the extent of Information Systems outsourcing adoption within the Kenya Armed Forces. The research looks at the importance of understanding the success factors and the problems associated with planning and implementation of outsourcing strategies in government institutions such as the Security Institutions (Military, Police, National Security Intelligence Service, etc) while ensuring that such institutions perform their core tasks so as to meet the various needs of varying stakeholders. It is also important that the way such institutions handle emerging trends in management of outsourced information systems be understood well. The literature review focuses on specific aspects of adoption relevant to this research in relation to how outsourcing of information systems has been conceptualized, the factors at play plus research into the hurdles of outsourcing adoption within government Security Institutions such as the military. The research methodology used is exploratory in nature and factor analysis is used for data analysis. Data analysis shows that majority of the respondents have worked in the Information Systems department for more than two years, therefore they have an understanding of what happens in the department and also they have the necessary experience to make policy decisions in the military. It is apparent from the findings that the concept of outsourcing has not been clearly articulated and understood by both the Senior Policy Makers and staff working in the department.
Strategic Agility and Competitive Advantage: Exploration of the Ontological, Epistemological and Theoretical Underpinnings

This paper aims and seeks to explore the question of ontological and epistemological foundations of the major constructs in the study – strategic agility and competitive advantage by reviewing relevant literature on related theories such as: Game, industrial organisation (I/O), resource-based view (RBV), dynamic capability, institution, population ecology, strategic choice perspective, and organisation learning theories. The main purpose is to ensure that the study on strategic agility and competitive advantage in Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria meets the scientific prescription that every research worth its salt must be rooted in and traced to a specific baseline theory (ies) within, in this case, the body of management theory. Hence, a review of literature was carried out to trace and identify the specific theory (ies) in which to ground the study. Based on the insights gained from the literature review, we have opted to anchor the study on dynamic capability perspective (DCP) which is an extension of the resource-based-view (RBV), strategic choice perspective (SCP), organization learning (OLT) and industrial organization (I/O) theories which culminate in what we refer to as RBIO hybrid theory. It is significant to add that the outcome of this study would go a long way to enrich the extant literature in the field of strategic management in particular and knowledge within the purview of management in general. Original Research Article Nkuda; BJEMT, 16(1): 1-13, 2017; Article no.BJEMT. 30979 2