Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interorganizational Governance in Marketing Channels

Relationship management rapidly is becoming a central research paradigm in the marketing channels literature. A growing body of conceptual and empirical literature addresses different aspects of interfirm relationships, building in part on recent theoretical developments in organization theory, law, and economics. Interestingly, however, some of these theoretical frameworks make radically different assumptions about the nature of interfirm relationships, though these differences to date have not been examined systematically in the marketing literature. The author reviews these theoretical perspectives and develops a formal typology of approaches to relationship management. Specifically, he develops a typology of three different forms of governance, which vary systematically in terms of how specific interfirm processes are carried out. He also discusses the antecendents of different relationship forms and shows the results of a preliminary empirical test.
Parallel WDM Signal Processing in Mixed NRZ and RZ Transmission Networks Using a Single Optical Gate With Multiple Switching Windows

We propose and demonstrate in experiment a multiple switching-window optical gate (MW-OG) for applications on parallel multiwavelength processing. The proposed scheme is a multiwavelength compatible version of the conventional Sagnac interferometric switch that offers independent controllability of switching windows at different wavelengths. This feature makes possible the data format conversion from nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) and return-to-zero (RZ) with parallel pulsewidth tunability for wavelength-division-multiplexed signals. It also leads to the multiwavelength regeneration against chromatic dispersion and amplified spontaneous emission noise for both NRZ and RZ signals over the optical sampling processes. The MW-OG is then used as inline signal regeneration in a mixed NRZ and RZ data format transmission network over standard single-mode fiber without dispersion compensation. The regeneration is carried out at a central node that works as a terminal and an intermediate for various interconnections among nodes. Transmission performances are significantly improved for all channels simultaneously by parallel pulsewidth management in accordance with their modulation formats and lightpaths.
Humoral Immune Response to Human Cytomegalovirus in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

ABSTRACT Possible causal relations between prior human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and atherosclerosis and between HCMV reactivation and restenosis after coronary angioplasty have been suggested. We investigated patterns of antibodies directed to HCMV in 112 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and in a group of sex- and age-matched controls (blood donors without evidence of atherosclerosis). Levels of antibodies to HCMV were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of serum samples drawn before and 5 weeks after PTCA. To further differentiate the humoral immune response, we specifically tested antibody reactivity towards four single HCMV proteins (IE2, p52, pp150, and pp65) by recombinant ELISAs. We found that 73% of PTCA patients and 69% of sex- and age-matched controls were seropositive for HCMV (odds ratio, 1.2 [not significant]). The corresponding odds ratios for matched pairs ranged in the recombinant ELISAs from 1.2 to 1.4. Patients had more often high titers of anti-HCMV antibodies (11 versus 4%; odds ratio = 3.3 [0.9 to 15.2]; P = 0.052) and high titers of anti-pp150 antibodies (13 versus 4%; odds ratio = 6.0 [1.3 to 38.8]; P = 0.008). Anti-HCMV immunoglobulin M antibodies were not detected in any patient. There was no evidence of acute HCMV reactivation after PTCA, since the titers of antibodies to the investigated recombinant proteins did not increase at 5 weeks after PTCA. Our results show a limited association between prior HCMV infection and coronary artery disease. We infer that positive anti-HCMV titers are not a major risk factor at the time of disease manifestation. However, this study cannot rule out a possible role of HCMV at earlier stages of the atherosclerotic process. Recombinant ELISAs provide a valuable tool for investigating the antiviral immune response.
An expanded perspective on power in distribution channels: Strategies and implications

Traditionally, research on channel relationships has focused on either manufacturer-distributor or distributor-consumer relationships. We argue that looking at either dyad exclusively is inadequate to have a full understanding of channel dynamics. This conceptual paper brings these two dyadic relationships together and we study the power issue in the channel. We look at access to information, rising consumer power and cost shifting as three major influences on power in distribution channels, and we analyse their effects on the triadic relationship (among the manufacturer, distributor, and consumer). We illustrate these concepts using numerous examples from industry.
Perception of Youth Roles in Agricultural Innovation Management System among Arable Crop Farmers in Farming Communities of Osun State, Nigeria

This paper investigated the arable crop farmers’ perception of youth roles in agricultural innovation management system in farming communities of Osun State. Specifically, problems militating against the effective participation of youths in innovation management system among the arable crop farmers were empirically investigated. Quantitative data were collected through a multi-stage sampling procedure, using structured interview schedule to elicit information from one hundred and twenty six respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean age of respondents was about 53 years, while majority (96.0%) were married with about 5 people as mean household size. Also, the identification of youth roles in agricultural innovation management system (r=0.721, P ≤0.01) had a positive and significant relationship with the perception of youth roles in agricultural innovation management. Among others, the study concluded that arable farmers have access to few innovations while non-lucrativeness of farming accounts for the major problems militating against effective youth participation in arable farming. In
Book-Tax Differences, a Proxy for Earnings Management and Tax Management - Empirical Evidence from China

This paper investigates the potential of book-tax differences (BTDs) for capturing opportunistic book and tax reporting in the Chinese context. It firstly constructs a conceptual framework interpreting BTDs as a function of accounting-tax misalignment, earnings and tax management. Next, this paper develops a cross-sectional regression model to identify normal and abnormal components in total BTDs. Normal BTDs refer to the mechanical differences due to divergent reporting rules for book and tax purposes, signaling the extent of accounting-tax misalignment. Alternatively, abnormal BTDs reflect the opportunistic differences due to managerial choices in accounting and tax reporting, quantifying the level of management manipulations. Using unique tax-based BTDs data obtained from English-version financial reports of Chinese B-shares listed firms, this paper examines the association between abnormal BTDs and the incentives for earnings and tax management in China. The evidence shows that firms with strong incentives and prospects for earnings and tax management exhibit high levels of abnormal BTDs. The magnitude of abnormal BTDs appears to indicate the level of management manipulations, suggesting that BTDs are a useful proxy for combined earnings and tax management after controlling for accounting-tax misalignment.
Fair Value Accounting: Consequences of Booking Market-Driven Goodwill Impairment

We examine whether fair value accounting applied to goodwill impairment leads to unintended negative consequences. Under the fair-value-based goodwill impairment test, a firm’s market value is often used as an important reference point for determining whether goodwill is impaired. A below-one market-to-book ratio, generally used by external auditors and security lawyers, is a reasonable indicator of impairment; however, it could be misleading when prices deviate from fundamentals. In fact, strict reliance on this indicator can result in firms being pressured into recording goodwill impairment upon a temporary market value decline even when such decline is unsubstantiated by economic fundamentals. From a sample of goodwill impairments recorded during the period 2002-2009, we identify about a sixth of our sample firms reporting impairment charges that are most likely market-driven and not backed by fundamentals. This number triples during the financial crisis when price deviations from fundamentals are likely more prevalent. Validating our identification of market-driven impairments, we find that the impairment loss of these firms is associated with a return reversal in the subsequent year. It appears from our results that investors do not differentiate between market-driven and other impairments and react equally negatively upon the initial announcement of the loss. This results in a further price decline for firms with market-driven impairments analogous to the downward price spiral observed during the crisis. In addition, we find that, until the return reversal occurs, firms with market-driven impairment experience an increase in information asymmetry associated with the impairment loss. Finally, our results suggest that these firms "time" share repurchases to benefit from the delay in the market's reversal of the temporary undervaluation. Overall, our findings shed light on potential negative consequences associated with the imperfect implementation of fair value accounting.
Coupons going wireless: Determinants of consumer intentions to redeem mobile coupons

Firms are increasingly using the mobile media for communication and promotion and Short Message Service (SMS), in particular. This study investigates consumers’ intentions to redeem mobile (m-) coupons. Results from a survey of 370 mobile phone users in Austria indicate that consumers’ attitude toward and perceived control of m-coupons affect their intention to redeem such coupons. The effort involved in redeeming m-coupons strongly affects consumers’ attitudes toward m-coupons, and fear of mobile spam influences consumers’ perceived control with regard to commercial SMS. Value seekers are more sensitive to the effort involved in redeeming m-coupons and to mobile spam than are other consumers. The results suggest that firms should not overwhelm consumers with m-coupons, consider the usability of m-coupons in deciding the right offer, and educate their consumers about how to use the m-coupons.
Loss of spatial learning in a patient with topographical disorientation in new environments

The case is described of a patient who, following cerebral hypoxia, developed severe difficulty in orienting himself in new environments in the context of a mild global amnesic syndrome. Some episodes he related suggested that his main difficulty was remembering the spatial/directional value of landmarks he recognised. A neuroradiological examination documented severe bilateral atrophy of the hippocampi associated with atrophic changes in the cerebral hemispheres, most marked in the dorsal regions. Neuropsychological and experimental evaluation showed a severe deficit of spatial learning with substantially preserved ability to learn verbal and visual-object information. He was also virtually unable to learn a route in a maze task based exclusively on spatial data, but the availability of visual cues substantially improved his learning. Finally, he performed within normal limits on various tests investigating knowledge acquired premorbidly regarding famous buildings, routes in the town he had been living in since childhood, and geography. Topographical disorientation may be subtended by a specific difficulty in storing the spatial/directional value of visual landmarks in novel environments. The hippocampus appears to be involved in the acquisition of new topographical spatial knowledge.
Comparison between two methods of working length determination and its effect on radiographic extent of root canal filling : a clinical study [ ISRCTN 71486641 ]

Background: Obtaining a correct working length is critical to the success of endodontic therapy. Different methods have been used to identify this crucial measurement. The Aim of this clinical study was to compare the effect of working length determination using apex locator alone or in combination with working length radiograph on the apical extent of root canal filling. Methods: A total number of 66 patients, 151 canals were randomized into two groups, In group (I) working length was determined by apex locator alone, while in group (II) working length was determined by apex locator confirmed by working length radiograph, length of obturation was assessed, and the total number of radiographs was recorded. The data were analyzed using SAS system and T. tests were carried out. Statistical significance was considered to be P ≤ 0.05. Results: Sixty seven canals in group I were treated with a mean distance from the tip of root canal filling to radiographic apex -0.5 mm ± 0.5 and a mean of a total number of radiographs of 2.0, while in group II eighty four canals were treated with a mean distance from the tip of root canal filling to radiographic apex -0.4 mm ± 0.5 and a mean of a total number of radiographs of 3.2. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean distance from the tip of root filling to radiographic apex between group I and group II (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The practice of using electronic apex locator in the determination of working length is useful and reliable with no statistical difference of the radiographic extent of root canal filling when using apex locator alone or in combination with working length radiograph. Under the clinical conditions of this study, it is suggested that the correct use of an apex locator alone could prevent the need for further diagnostic radiographs for determination of working length. This method can be useful in patients who need not to be exposed to repeated radiation because of mental, medical or oral conditions. Background One of the main concerns in root canal treatment is to determine how far working instruments should be advanced within the root canal, and at what point the preparation and obturation should be located [1,2]. Published: 11 February 2006 BMC Oral Health 2006, 6:4 doi:10.1186/1472-6831-6-4 Received: 05 March 2005 Accepted: 11 February 2006 This article is available from: http://www.biomedcentral. com/1472-6831/6/4 © 2006 Smadi; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The Market Orientation-Performance Link: Some Evidence from the Public Sector and Universities

ABSTRACT A basic tenet of the marketing discipline holds that organisations that adopt a market orientation will exhibit better performance. This relationship does not appear to have been tested for not-for-profit organisations. The basic objective of this study is to add insight into the generalisability of the market orientation-performance relationship by focusing on two important sectors in the not-for-profit category. To do this the constructs of market orientation and performance are first considered and suitable measurement instruments are identified. Research is carried out among Australasian universities and in the Australian public sector. In both cases, the findings confirm a positive relationship between market orientation and performance. The implications of the studies are discussed, limitations are noted and directions for further research are also indicated.
A study of efficiency evaluation in Taiwan’s banks

The main contribution of this paper is empirical in nature. We use data envelopment analysis to evaluate the relative efficiency of 34 commercial banks in Taiwan. Fifteen banks are identified as efficient ones and they are divided into four sub‐groups. Conversely, 19 banks are attributed as inefficient ones and the slack analysis are followed. The inefficient banks can effectively promote resource utilization efficiency by better handling their labour and capital operating efficiency and enlarging bank investment function. In addition, we compare the data envelopment analysis results to the financial ratios and show that a consistent effect cannot be obtained. This is to say that we cannot derive which bank has a higher performance from financial ratio analysis only.
Compliance to Islamic marketing practices among businesses in Malaysia

Purpose – This research paper aims to explore the perceptions of Muslim consumers of the degree of compliance of Malaysian businesses to Islamic marketing practices and promotional strategies.Design/methodology/approach – The perceptions of the Muslim consumers were examined by distributing a self‐administered survey questionnaire to a sample of 450 Muslim respondents residing in the major towns in Peninsular Malaysia. Items used in the questionnaire were derived from the basic guidelines provided in the Quran and the Sunnah on the conduct of business practices, specifically on the general marketing and promotional practices used.Findings – Findings suggest that though there is an awareness of these regulations and practices, not many businesses in Malaysia are perceived to be complying with them both with respect to general Islamic marketing principles and with recommended Islamic promotional practices. There was also a significant difference in opinions expressed by Muslim consumers due to the influence.
Effect of a Mandatory Geriatric Medicine Clerkship on Third‐Year Students

A nationwide push has increased geriatric medicine instruction within medical school curricula. Some institutions have proceeded with an integrated 4‐year curriculum while others have constructed discrete courses in the third or fourth year of medical school. This paper describes the impact of a new mandatory 4‐week geriatric medicine clerkship on third‐year students developed by the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. In the first year of implementation, 135 students took the course on both the Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses. Clinical sites included inpatient, VA extended care unit, outpatient clinics, dementia clinics, home care, long‐term care settings, and hospice. Didactic instruction used formal lectures and problem‐based learning. The impact of the clerkship on students was assessed in three areas: knowledge, skills, and attitude using a pre‐ and postknowledge test, student satisfaction survey, and written comments. This article discusses how the clerkship resulted in increased knowledge of geriatric medicine. Student self‐report indicates that the clerkship enhanced clinical evaluation and patient assessment skills. Students indicated that the experience was positive and recognized the importance of geriatric medicine in their development as doctors.
The employment relationship: un-tied or re-tied?

Executive Overview Employment relationships in the United States are under attack. As American companies attempt to become internationally competitive, many people see a new cooperative employment relationship being created. However, given the recent business environment during the past ten years—lay offs. wage and benefit reductions, and harder work—a cooperative relationship seems unlikely. This article starts by presenting divergent views on the definition of cooperation, how viewing the organization as family is dysfunctional, the Human Resource Department's role, and the question of unequal power between management and the employee. Several new employment relationships are starting to appear. Three types are examined here: core, contractual, and flexible. These new relationships, particularly the core one. reflect the changing nature of work and the work force in America. If we are to move to a cooperative relationship, these changes in employment relationships are going to require changes in manager.
Chromosomal distribution and organization of three cervid satellite DNAs in Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis)

The species-specific profile and centromeric heterochromatin localization of satellite DNA in mammalian genomes imply that satellite DNA may play an important role in mammalian karyotype evolution and speciation. A satellite III DNA family, CCsatIII was thought to be specific to roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). In this study, however, this satellite DNA family was found also to exist in Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis) by PCR-Southern screening. A satellite III DNA element of this species was then generated from PCR-cloning by amplifying this satellite element using primer sequences from the roe deer satellite III clone (CCsatIII). The newly generated satellite III DNA along with previously obtained satellite I and II DNA clones were used as probes for FISH studies to investigate the genomic distribution and organization of these three satellite DNA families in centromeric heterochromatin regions of Chinese water deer chromosomes. Satellite I and II DNA were observed in the pericentric/centric regions of all chromosomes, whereas satellite III was distributed on 38 out of 70 chromosomes. The distribution and orientation of satellite DNAs I, II and III in the centromeric heterochromatin regions of the genome were further classified into four different types. The existence of a Capreolus-like satellite III in Chinese water deer implies that satellite III is not specific to the genus Capreolus (Buntjer et al., 1998) and supports the molecular phylogeny classification of Randi et al. (1998) which suggests that Chinese water deer and roe deer are closely related.
Bank Capital and the Credit Crunch: The Roles of Risk-based and Leverage-based Capital Regulations

We investigated whether in recent years banks have increased their holdings of securities at the expense of their holdings of business loans in response to short-falls of their capital relative to risk-weighted capital standards and relative to a capital standard that made no explicit allowance for credit risk. We estimated that bank credit fell by about $4.50 for each $1 that a bank's capital fell short of the unweighted capital standard. Banks that had less capital than required by the risk-weighted standard appear to have shifted away from assets with low risk weights (securities and single-family mortgages) and to have shifted toward assets with higher risk weights (commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans). When we included both shortfall variables in a regression, shortfalls relative to the unweighted capital standard significantly affected bank credit, while shortfalls of capital relative to the risk-weighted standard did not. We found no significant effects of capital shortfalls at other, local-competitor banks on bank portfolios. Delinquencies in a given category of a bank's loans generally had significantly negative effects on that bank's holdings of loans in that category. In contrast, banks tended to increase holdings of loans in categories in which local-competitor banks were experiencing higher delinquency rates.
Genetics of the Antibody Response to Dextran in Mice

The immune response to dextran having the α-1,3 linkage may be under the control of antibody structural genes. Mice that respond well to this antigen produce antibody restricted with respect to light chain class (λ) and to an antigenic determinant resulting from a particular heavy and light chain interaction. The response to dextran is controlled by a locus linked to the-heavy chain locus.