Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expectations, Performance Evaluation, and Consumers’ Perceptions of Quality

The author examines conceptual and operational issues associated with the “perceptions-minus-expectations” (P-E) perceived service quality model. The examination indicates that the P-E framework is of questionable validity because of a number of conceptual and definitional problems involving the (1) conceptual definition of expectations, (2) theoretical justification of the expectations component of the P-E framework, and (3) measurement validity of the expectation (E) and revised expectation (E*) measures specified in the published service quality literature. Consequently, alternative perceived quality models that address the problems of the traditional framework are developed and empirically tested.
Why Would Customers Engage in Drone Deliveries?

Modern technologies, such as autonomously flying vehicles respectively drones, have won attention and are on the edge to change incumbent industries. Whereas drones are currently used in a variety of industry landscapes, such as filmmaking and agriculture, we focus particularly on the shipping industry. In this paper, we take the customers’ perspective and evaluate why customers would engage in drone deliveries. We investigate the influence of trust, perceived risk, and motivational factors and propose a research model that seeks to explain the customers’ intention. This study uses survey data (n = 116) and structural equation modeling. Our results provide empirical evidence that trust and perceived risk, as well as specific motivational factors influence the customers’ intention to engage in drone deliveries. Further, our paper encourages researchers, designers, and developers to build the respective IS including the expectations of future drone users. Therefore, academic and practical implications are discussed.
Role of Reference Price on Price and Quantity: Insights from Business-to-Business Markets

The authors study the role of reference price in a setting in which both the price and the quantity are set through personal interaction during the transaction process, such as in business-to-business markets. Most studies on reference price in the marketing research literature focus on consumer packaged goods, for which prices are typically fixed during the shopping trip and the transaction does not involve personal interaction with a salesperson. In this study, the authors study the effect of reference price on the quantity purchased and also on the pricing outcome of the transaction. They estimate a simultaneous equation system of both pricing and quantity purchased. The findings are as follows: (1) Reference price effects exist on quantity purchased and on the transaction pricing outcome in business-to-business market transactions, (2) business customers react asymmetrically to price increases and price decreases, and (3) salespeople have their own reference prices that affect the transaction price. The authors also find that customer experience with the salesperson might exacerbate the loss aversion effect. They conclude by discussing the underlying reasons behind these findings and their managerial implications.
Individual Experience of Positive and Negative Growth is Asymmetric : Global Evidence from Subjective Well-being Data ∗

Are individuals more sensitive to losses than gains in macroeconomic growth? Using subjective well-being measures across three large data sets, we observe an asymmetry in the way positive and negative economic growth are experienced, with losses having more than twice as much impact on individual happiness as compared to equivalent gains. We use Gallup World Poll data drawn from 151 countries, BRFSS data taken from a representative sample of 2.5 million US respondents, and Eurobarometer data that cover multiple business cycles over four decades. This research provides a new perspective on the welfare cost of business cycles with implications for growth policy and our understanding of the long-run relationship between GDP and subjective well-being. JEL Codes: D03, O11, D69, I39
Development of urinary concentrating capacity: role of aquaporin-2.

The capacity to concentrate urine develops progressively during postnatal life in most mammalian species. Here we have examined whether low expression of the arginine vasopressin (AVP)-activated water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) may be a limiting factor for the concentrating capacity in the infant rats. Urine osmolality in response to 24-h dehydration increased significantly from 10 to 40 days of age. The most rapid increase occurred during the weaning period, i.e., days 15-20. A similar developmental pattern was observed for AQP-2 mRNA levels in the renal medulla. AQP-2 protein levels also increased markedly from day 10 to 40. Immunohistochemistry revealed that AQP-2 was exclusively located in collecting duct principal cells both in infant and adult rats but that the signal was much weaker in infants. To further examine the relationship between urinary concentrating capacity and AQP-2 expression, we treated rats with a single injection of betamethasone, which is known to accelerate maturation in several organs. Twenty-four hours after treatment, there was an increase in urine osmolality, renal medullary AQP-2 mRNA, and AQP-2 protein levels in infant but not in adult rats. A single injection of a specific V2 agonist caused within 6 h significant increase of AQP-2 mRNA in both infant and adult. The expression of the mRNA of three other transporters involved in the concentrating process, medullary Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit, Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, and epithelial chloride channel also increased during the weaning period and were upregulated by glucocorticoids. We conclude that there is a well-synchronized development of the many of the components that determine the concentrating capacity and that the low expression of AQP-2 is one of the limiting factors for low concentrating capacity in infants.
Anticardiolipin Antibodies in NZW x BXSB F1 Mice

During the late 1970s it became apparent that a subgroup of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had a clotting disorder and a constellation of features which included strokes, venous thrombosis, recurrent abortion and occasional thrombocytopenia. Later, these symptoms are called ’antiphospholipid syndrome’ 1,2 . Recognition of this syndrome has spread worldwide as its clinical implications have become appreciated. Recent studies showed that anti-cardiolipin (aCL)-cofactor, P2-glycoprotein I (P2-GPI) was required for binding of aCL raised in the patients with SLE and related other autoimmune disorders 3-5
General Household Survey

The General Household Survey (GHS) is a multi-purpose continuous survey carried out by the Social Survey Division of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which collects information on a range of topics from people living in private households in Great Britain. The survey started in 1971 and has been carried out continuously since then, except for breaks in 1997/98 (when the survey was reviewed) and 1999/2000 when the survey was re-developed.
Endocytic and Secretory Traffic in Arabidopsis Merge in the Trans-Golgi Network/Early Endosome, an Independent and Highly Dynamic Organelle[W]

This study examines secretory and endocytotic trafficking in Arabidopsis by tracking the movement of a brassinosteroid receptor and a boron exporter through the endomembrane system. Both endocytotic and secretory cargo travel through the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE), and the TGN/EE is shown to be an independent organelle that only transiently associates with the Golgi. Plants constantly adjust their repertoire of plasma membrane proteins that mediates transduction of environmental and developmental signals as well as transport of ions, nutrients, and hormones. The importance of regulated secretory and endocytic trafficking is becoming increasingly clear; however, our knowledge of the compartments and molecular machinery involved is still fragmentary. We used immunogold electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to trace the route of cargo molecules, including the BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1 receptor and the REQUIRES HIGH BORON1 boron exporter, throughout the plant endomembrane system. Our results provide evidence that both endocytic and secretory cargo pass through the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE) and demonstrate that cargo in late endosomes/multivesicular bodies is destined for vacuolar degradation. Moreover, using spinning disc microscopy, we show that TGN/EEs move independently and are only transiently associated with an individual Golgi stack.
Reversible lipidization for the oral delivery of leu-enkephalin

The endogenous opioid peptide leu-enkephalin (ENK) was chemically modified by a method known as reversible aqueous lipidization (REAL) with a novel amine-reacting lipophilic dimethylmaleic anhydride analog, 3,4-bis(decylthiomethyl)-2,5-furandione. The binding affinity of the product, REAL-ENK, to opioid receptors was greatly reduced. This prodrug was stable in neutral and basic phosphate buffers but underwent rapid hydrolysis under acidic conditions in the presence of 50% acetonitrile. It also showed increased stability toward enzymatic degradations in various tissue preparations. The half-lives of REAL-ENK in mouse small intestinal mucosal homogenate and liver homogenate were 12 and 80 min, representing a 12- and 32-fold increase over those of ENK itself. In contrast to ENK (t1/2 6.7 min), REAL-ENK was stable in mouse plasma. More importantly, REAL-ENK produced significant and sustained antinociception mediated by peripheral opioid receptors in a rodent inflammatory pain model. Pharmacokinetic studies employing a radioimmunoassay (RIA) demonstrated that significantly higher and sustained plasma peptide levels were detected up to 24 h following the oral administration of REAL-ENK in normal mice. The peak concentration and area under the curve of oral REAL-ENK were 4.4 and 21 times higher than that of oral ENK. Our results indicate that like its disulfide-based counterpart, amine-based REAL may be an enabling technology which can be applied to enhance metabolic stability, increase oral absorption, and preserve and possibly prolong the pharmacological activity of peptide drugs.
Predicting survival after curative colectomy for cancer: individualizing colon cancer staging.

PURPOSE Cancer staging determines extent of disease, facilitating prognostication and treatment decision making. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM classification system is the most commonly used staging algorithm for colon cancer, categorizing patients on the basis of only these three variables (tumor, node, and metastasis). The purpose of this study was to extend the seventh edition of the AJCC staging system for colon cancer to incorporate additional information available from tumor registries, thereby improving prognostic accuracy. METHODS Records from 128,853 patients with primary colon cancer reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program from 1994 to 2005 were used to construct and validate three survival models for patients with primary curative-intent surgery. Independent training/test data sets were used to develop and test alternative models. The seventh edition TNM staging system was compared with models supplementing TNM staging with additional demographic and tumor variables available from the registry by calculating a concordance index, performing calibration, and identifying the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS Inclusion of additional registry covariates improved prognostic estimates. The concordance index rose from 0.60 (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.61) for the AJCC model, with T- and N-stage variables, to 0.68 (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.68) for the model including tumor grade, number of collected metastatic lymph nodes, age, and sex. ROC curves for the extended model had higher sensitivity, at all values of specificity, than the TNM system; calibration curves indicated no deviation from the reference line. CONCLUSION Prognostic models incorporating readily available data elements outperform the current AJCC system. These models can assist in personalizing treatment and follow-up for patients with colon cancer.
WHAT DOES MARKET STRUCTURE REVEAL? EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE US AIRLINE INDUSTRY* 1

This paper uncovers the underlying competitive proc ess in the airline industry inferred by investigation of market structure. First, the paper documents evidence that endogenous sunk costs investments in advertising and in expanding route n etwork play a crucial role in determining equilibrium market structure. Second, it is perform ed an empirical analysis to explain firm numbers and market shares asymmetries for a large s ample of airline city pair markets. Finally, splitting the full set of firms into two types, lea ders and non-leaders, it is proposed evidence that nature of competition depends on presence of either group of firms; in particular, it appears that non-leaders infer profitability of routes from the number and identity of leaders. Most of the industrial organization literature on airlines has neglected competitive forces which have generated industrial market structure. In addition, the majority of competition models of this literature assume homogeneous products or at most s ymmetric product differentiation. The empirical literature on oligopoly market structure is also extended by testing the theory of upper bound to concentration (Nocke 2000; Vasconcelos 2006), and by analysing market shares asymmetries.
Journal of Managerial Psychology Perceived organizational support and risk taking

Purpose – The aim of this paper was to investigate the role of perceived organizational support (POS) for employee risk-taking through its association with greater trust among supervisors and subordinates that the organization will take into account the individual’s intent to be helpful in the case of failure (failure-related trust). Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained from 346 employee-supervisor dyads from diverse organizations. Employees and supervisors described their POS and failure-related trust. Supervisors also rated employee’s risk-taking behaviors. Findings – Perceived organizational support (POS) was positively related to failure-related trust among subordinates and supervisors which, in turn, was related to subordinates’ risk taking. Additionally, supervisors’ failure-related trust moderated the relationship between subordinates’ POS and failure-related trust, such that when supervisors strongly believed the organization was trustworthy in risk situations, employees’ POS had a stronger relationship with failure-related trust, which in turn, was related to risk-taking. Research limitations/implications – Understanding employee risk-taking has both theoretical, practical, and social implications. It advances our theoretical understanding of employee risk-taking and it shows the role played by managers in the promotion of subordinates’ risk-taking behaviors. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to examine the antecedents of employee risk-taking behaviors in the workplace. Additionally, it provides evidence for the key role played by supervisors in modeling subordinate’s risk taking through social information processing. Another strength concerns the use of data from dyads (subordinates and supervisors), which helps us to overcome problems related to common method bias.
Quality Incentives and Dependence in Vegetable Supply Chains to Ho Chi Minh City

A growing number of studies in the transition economies have pinpointed the asymmetrical power existing in business-to-business (B2B) relationships between small suppliers and traders. The dependence of suppliers on their customers for inputs, access to credit and sales has been documented in both traditional and modern supply chains. In the Vietnamese vegetable market, which is characterised by extremely volatile prices, the abusive use of power by traders over uninformed smallholders is most likely. This paper highlights the contrasting case of a tomato supply chain co-ordinated by a trader supplying a modern distribution outlet. A case study approach with in-depth interviews of supply chain stakeholders (farmers, collectors, wholesalers, supermarket managers) reveals how one trader’s response to customer incentives through commitment to quality and investment in selected growers has improved the terms of trade for upstream stakeholders in this tomato supply chain to Ho Chi Minh City. The case study reveals insights into B2B relationships and competitive strategy that may be adapted by other sectors for the benefit of those stakeholders at greatest risk from downstream concentration and the growing presence of modern wholesale and retail businesses in South East Asian countries.
Outside Directors, Corporate Governance and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from India

The current study examines the efficacy of outside directors on the corporate boards of 157 non-financial Indian companies for the year 2008. The research particularly investigates if the monitoring by grey director (non-executive non-independent) and independent director influences firm performance. Research finding reveals that while the proportion of grey directors on board has marginally deteriorated effect, the independent director’s proportion has an insignificant positive effect on firm value. Outcome of research has significant implications for devising a board model for companies in India that have a significant ownership concentration and insider control. Independent directors require greater representation on the board in lieu of other non-executive outside directors.
Measuring the Quality of Health Services in Government Hospitals in Sudan, from the Point of View of Patients and Reviewers.(A Field Study on the Major Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum State)

This study aimed at measuring the level of quality of health services in government hospitals in Sudan from the point of view of patients and reviewers. The study was conducted on the major teaching hospitals in the state of Khartoum. Was chosen as soft sample of inpatients and outpatient, and the use of a questionnaire consisted of (22) is to measure the quality of health services where the level. The study found that there are fully aware of in patients and reviewers to levels of quality health services to be provided in government hospitals. It also showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of quality of health services in government hospitals at significantly lower level of (0.05) depending on the demographic variables of the sample of gender, age, education, income, place of residence. The study recommended the creation of government hospitals required devices and equipment, and the provision of medical staff and qualified personnel assistance and the provision of appropriate physical evaluation of their effectiveness to ensure it continues to work out, to plant the trust and confidence in the hearts of patients and their auditors.
Managed Equity Fund Attributes and Performance: Australian Evidence

This cross-sectional study goes beyond the traditional performance evaluation of managed funds and extends the literature to consider fund-specific attributes that influence performance. Using a sample of 168 Australian open-ended equity funds, the risk adjusted performance is measured using three alternative evaluation techniques. We find that funds with higher management fees and long fund history have contributed to the underperformance. Along with the traditional attributes identified by the literature, market capitalisation of the security held by the fund is included as a unique attribute with significant results, indicating that funds targeting small capitalisation companies display superior performance.
High prevalence and incidence of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia among young Thai men who have sex with men with and without HIV

Background:Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at elevated risk of having anal cancer. However, the prevalence and incidence among MSM of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (HGAIN), the putative precursor of anal cancer, is understudied, particularly in Asians. Methods:A total of 123 HIV-positive and 123 HIV-negative MSM were enrolled at the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, and followed for 12 months. Anal sample collection for human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) with biopsies were performed at every visit. Results:Mean age at enrollment was 28.9 years. HIV-positive MSM were more commonly infected with high-risk HPV types in the anus than HIV-negative MSM (57.5 vs. 36.6%; P = 0.001). The prevalence of HGAIN was 18.9% in HIV-positive and 11.4% in HIV-negative MSM (P = 0.1). The incidence of HGAIN at 12 months was 29% in HIV-positive and 8% in HIV-negative MSM (P = 0.001). The hazard ratios for incident HGAIN in multivariate models were 5.16 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.89–14.08, P < 0.001] in MSM with persistent HPV 16 and/or 18 infection and 2.62 (95% CI 1.04–6.61, P = 0.042) in HIV-positive MSM. Conclusions:Approximately one-third of HIV-positive MSM developed incident HGAIN within 12 months. Given the relative increased prevalence of HIV among MSM worldwide, local HGAIN data are needed to guide practitioners, policy makers, and communities in planning for strategies to screen for and treat HGAIN in this population.
Inbreeding in Swiss Braunvieh and its influence on breeding values predicted from a repeatability animal model.

Inbreeding coefficients were computed for 910,444 animals of the Swiss Braunvieh population. Of the animals born in 1984, 71.5% were inbred with 67.9, 3.4, and . 2% having inbreeding coefficients between greater than 0 and 5%, greater than 5 to 10%, and greater than 10%, respectively. The average inbreeding coefficient was 1.14% but, for animals with both parents and at least one grandparent known, it was 1.67%. Breeding values for total milk, fat, and protein yields and for fat and protein percentages were predicted using a repeatability animal model including a regression on the inbreeding coefficient. Phenotypic performance was sizeably depressed for milk yield only (-26 kg/% of inbreeding or 2.4% of the phenotypic standard deviation). Adjusting for inbreeding increased the estimated genetic trend slightly. Inbreeding is only partially accounted for when it is ignored in the construction of the inverse of the numerator relationship matrix. This effect was investigated by comparing predicted breeding values from a model including the complete matrix with predicted breeding values from a model including a matrix constructed with inbreeding ignored. Only . 8% of all predicted breeding values were affected by more than +/- 5.5 kg. The maximum difference observed was 55.3 kg. The observed average absolute differences between the breeding values of offspring predicted with the two models increased with inbreeding of parents.