Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Key service drivers for high-tech service brand equity: The mediating role of overall service quality and perceived value

Abstract This study investigates how different aspects of service quality could have effects on overall perception of service quality, perceived value, and service brand equity. Based on a survey of active users of mobile telecommunications services in Taiwan, we obtained the following findings. First, we found that empathy, network quality, reliability, and assurance, but not tangibles and responsiveness, have a significant effect on service quality and value perception. Second, the effect of overall service quality on brand equity is partially mediated by perceived value. Third, overall service quality has differential mediation effects on the relationships between specific service quality dimensions and perceived value. Finally, empathy and network quality have direct effects on brand equity. For managers, our study suggests the importance of identifying key service drivers for building strong service brand for high-tech service firms. The identification of key service drivers could then enable these firms to make strategic decisions on services investments. It also demonstrates the importance of the humanisation of technology for services firms. This study is original in that it explores the path from specific services qualities to service brand equity.
The Determinants of Audit Fees. Further Evidence From the UK Charity Sector

Given the lack of literature and the ever growing relevance of charities, the present paper investigates the determinants of audit fees in the UK charity sector. It proposes a theoretical framework to determine the audit fee, which is empirically tested on a dataset of 119 “largest” charities. The paper also investigates the presence of a fee premium associated with (now) Big4 audit firms and expertise in charity auditing, and compares the results with those of a leading study in the UK context (Beattie et al., 2001). Our findings basically confirm those of Beattie et al. (2001). The evidence shows that size, risk, and fees for Non-Audit Services (NAS) are the main determinants of audit fee determination, while, contrary to research in the private sector, the organisational complexity of the charity does not seem to have significant influence on audit fees. The results also show a positive association between audit fees and NAS fees, the presence of an audit fee premium between Big4 and non-Big4 auditors, as well as significant higher remuneration for the auditors’ expertise.
Innovativeness and Internet Shopping Adoption: An Extended Technology Acceptance Model

This study was initiated with the aim is to examine the impact of a human trait – innovativeness along with the constructs of Technology Acceptance Model on the embracement of web as a shopping medium in Pakistan. A sample size of 252 Pakistani consumers who never shopped online before has been collected using purposive sampling method. Structural equation modeling technique has been utilized to approve the measurement model and test assumptions. Outcomes revealed that TAM constructs perceived ease of use and Attitude have a significant positive effect on Future internet shopping intention whereas Perceived usefulness have no significant impact on Future internet shopping intention. Innovativeness has also been found to have a significant positive effect on future internet shopping intention as well as on Perceived ease of use that affects Attitude of a person, which consequently influences future internet shopping intention in a positive manner. These results have vital strategic policy implications for online retailers to get non-online buyers involve in online shopping.
Genetica fish Roundup Ready ® so Dissertation fo a lly modified plan feed ingredients y , MON 810 maize

Commonly used plant ingredients in salmon feed such as soybeans and maize are increasingly grown as genetically modified (GM) varieties. The question arises whether these are equally nutritious and safe for the fish as conventional varieties. The target species of this thesis is Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), while zebrafish (Danio rerio) is used as a potential model. Extensive evaluations of performance, health, organ function and stress response were carried out in a 7-month salmon feeding trial with GM soy (25%). A smaller study was conducted on zebrafish evaluating both GM soy and GM maize as feed ingredients, including tracing of dietary DNA in fish tissues. Feeding salmon GM soy did not affect growth, body composition, haematology or weights of liver, spleen, head-kidney and proximal intestine, compared to non-GM soy. Distal intestine was larger in the GM group at one sampling point, but not at the end of the trial. Mid intestine was consistently smaller in the GM group. Typical soybean meal (SBM) -induced alterations in the distal intestine were seen in both groups. However, GM fed fish had shorter mucosal fold height at one sampling point, and more mucosal fold fusion overall in the trial, which could indicate slightly more pronounced SBM-induced changes. In liver, glycogen deposits were lower in salmon fed GM soy. Apart from this, no morphological differences were detected in any organs. Of parameters related to health, there were no differences in haematology, proportion of leukocytes types, lysozyme concentrations in spleen and head-kidney, or concentrations of plasma enzymes. Plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) was higher in the GM group overall in the trial, while no diet effects were seen on plasma glucose and protein. Fish in both diet groups responded similarly to seawater transfer; they adapted well and rapidly regulated chloride ion content in plasma back to basal levels. Similarly, there were no differences in stress response between the two diet groups. Proteomic comparisons of livers from fish in the two diet groups exhibited small fold differences, and differentially expressed proteins all had a high false discovery rate. The diet groups were not distinguishable by principal component
Does family ownership impact positively on firm value

Given the importance of family firms all over the world, our main objective is to determine whether family ownership contributes to increase the market value of the firm. Additionally, we study whether family firms outperform non-family corporations. Our results show that family ownership positively impacts on firm value. Nevertheless, when ownership concentration in the hands of the family is too high, firm value decreases; thus giving rise to a non-linear relation between family ownership concentration and firm value. Finally, we find that family firms perform better than non-family ones, even when nonlinearities are taken into account.
Direct Evidence That Perhexiline Modifies Myocardial Substrate Utilization from Fatty Acids to Lactate

Summary Perhexiline maleate, originally classified as a calcium antagonist, is in use as an antianginal agent. The mechanism of its protective effect is unknown, but there is speculation that it involves a modification of myocardial substrate utilization, in which glycolytic sources are used rather than fatty acids. This hypothesis was tested by employing [13C]N MR isotopomer analysis to measure substrate selection in the working rat heart. Substrate utilization was measured from a mixture of substrates present at their physiological concentration, as follows: acetoacetate, glucose, lactate and long-chain fatty acids. Control perfusions were compared with those perfused with perhexiline. It was found that perhexiline increased lactate utilization, which reduced the extent of fatty acid and endogenous substrate oxidation. There was also a significant increase in cardiac output for a small and insignificant increase in oxygen consumption, which suggested an improvement in myocardial efficiency. Thus, it was confirmed by direct measurement that this drug does modify substrate oxidation, which suggests that further investigations of the role that this agent can play in the management of ischemie heart disease would be beneficial.
Crosstalk of hypoxia‐mediated signaling pathways in upregulating plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 expression in keloid fibroblasts

Keloids are skin fibrotic conditions characterized by an excess accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components secondary to trauma or surgical injuries. Previous studies have shown that plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) can be upregulated by hypoxia and may contribute to keloid pathogenesis. In this study we investigate the signaling mechanisms involved in hypoxia‐mediated PAI‐1 expression in keloid fibroblasts. Using Northern and Western blot analysis, transient transfections, and pharmacological agents, we demonstrate that hypoxia‐induced upregulation of PAI‐1 expression is mainly controlled by hypoxia inducible factors‐1α (HIF‐1α) and that hypoxia leads to a rapid and transient activation of phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/Akt (PI3‐K/Akt) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). Treatment of cells with PI‐3K/Akt inhibitor (LY294002) and tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor (genistein) significantly attenuated hypoxia‐induced PAI‐1 mRNA and protein expression as well as promoter activation, apparently via an inhibition of the hypoxia‐induced stabilization of HIF‐1α protein, attenuation of the steady‐state level of HIF‐1α mRNA, and its DNA‐binding activity. Even though disruption of ERK1/2 signaling pathway by PD98059 abolished hypoxia‐induced PAI‐1 promoter activation and mRNA/protein expression in keloid fibroblasts, it did not inhibit the hypoxia‐mediated stabilization of HIF‐1α protein and the steady‐state level of HIF‐1α mRNA nor its DNA binding activity. Our findings suggest that a combination of several signaling pathways, including ERK1/2, PI3‐K/Akt, and protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), may contribute to the hypoxia‐mediated induction of PAI‐1 expression via activation of HIF‐1α in keloid fibroblasts. J. Cell. Physiol. 199: 89–97, 2004© 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A structural framework for closed‐loop supply chains

Purpose – The concept of the customer order decoupling point (CODP) has been used in manydifferent contexts as an important structural concept for the traditional forward supply chain. TheCODP is rarely explicitly applied in reverse supply chain management and the purpose of this paper isto show that the CODP can be an important corner stone of a framework for analysis of the closed-loopsupply chain containing both forward and reverse material flows.Design/methodology/approach – Conceptual similarities are identified using analogies betweenforward and reverse supply chains. First, the concepts are discussed in their original context offorward flows and thereafter the concepts are applied on reverse flows. Finally, a holistic closed-loopmodel is established.Findings – The conventional CODP framework for forward flow supply chains can be extended tocover also reverse material flows and therefore providing a foundation for a more comprehensivediscussion of closed-loop supply chains useful in both education, research, and industrial applications.Using the suggested extended framework it is possible to identify nine fundamental supply chainconfigurations.Practical implications – Differentiating between demand driven and forecast driven activitiesplays a critical role in practical supply chain management and this paper highlights that this approachalso can be applied to closed-loop supply chains and therefore extending the reach of the toolboxpreviously developed for the forward supply chain.Originality/value – The concept CODP has not previously been comprehensively treated for theclosed-loop supply chain and this paper provides a foundation for establishing a strategic structuralframework for discussing issues such as lean vs agile and balancing efficiency and responsiveness in amore comprehensive context involving also reverse material flows.
Salvage Reconstruction of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Clavicle With Vascularized Fibular Graft After Failed Operative Treatment: A Case Report

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle is a rare condition present at birth but often diagnosed later in childhood. Indications for surgical treatment include deformity, pain, or neurovascular compromise. Reconstruction usually involves resection of the pseudarthrosis, placement of iliac crest bone graft, and internal fixation. We report a case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle that failed initial surgical management at another institution using bone marrow aspirate, bone graft substitute, and internal fixation with plate and screws. Treatment failure was associated with significant osteolysis resulting in a large defect of the midclavicle with only small areas of residual bone remaining at the medial and lateral ends, and the remaining hardware was mobile. The defect was judged to be too large for placement of an iliac crest bone graft and was therefore spanned with a free vascularized fibular graft. At 15 months postoperatively, the patient has clinical and radiographic unions, and is symptom-free with an excellent cosmetic result. This unique application of a well-established technique provided a successful solution to this difficult revision situation. Level of Evidence: Level V, case report
Estimating Biomass of Barley Using Crop Surface Models (CSMs) Derived from UAV-Based RGB Imaging

Crop monitoring is important in precision agriculture. Estimating above-ground biomass helps to monitor crop vitality and to predict yield. In this study, we estimated fresh and dry biomass on a summer barley test site with 18 cultivars and two nitrogen (N)-treatments using the plant height (PH) from crop surface models (CSMs). The super-high resolution, multi-temporal (1 cm/pixel) CSMs were derived from red, green, blue (RGB) images captured from a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Comparison with PH reference measurements yielded an R2 of 0.92. The test site with different cultivars and treatments was monitored during “Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie” (BBCH) Stages 24–89. A high correlation was found between PH from CSMs and fresh biomass (R2 = 0.81) and dry biomass (R2 = 0.82). Five models for above-ground fresh and dry biomass estimation were tested by cross-validation. Modelling biomass between different N-treatments for fresh biomass produced the best results (R2 = 0.71). The main limitation was the influence of lodging cultivars in the later growth stages, producing irregular plant heights. The method has potential for future application by non-professionals, i.e., farmers.
Overexpression of a novel osteopetrosis-related gene CCDC154 suppresses cell proliferation by inducing G2/M arrest

Osteopetrosis, a disorder of skeletal bone, can cause death during childhood. We previously described a new spontaneous autosomal recessive osteopetrosis mouse mutant, “new toothless” (ntl). In this study, we reported for the first time the identification, cloning and characterization of the coiled-coil domain-containing 154 (CCDC154), a novel gene whose deletion of ~5 kb sequence including exons 1–6 was completely linked to the ntl mutant. The CCDC154 was conserved between mouse and human and is wildly expressed in mouse tissues. The cellular localization of CCDC154 was in the early endosomes. Overexpression of CCDC154 inhibited cell proliferation of HEK293 cells by inducing G2/M arrest. CCDC154 also inhibited tumor cell growth, and the soft agar assay revealed a significant decrease of the colony size of Hela cells upon transfection of CCDC154. Our results indicate that CCDC154 is a novel osteopetrosis-related gene involved in cell cycle regulation and tumor suppression growth.
The effects of market orientation on customer knowledge development: comparison of R&D and marketing

The ability to understand and develop customer new product preferences in response to changing market trends is shown as a key to new product success. Given the significance of developing customer preferences and the increasing use of cross-functional teams in NPD process, this study examine how customer knowledge development is affected by characteristics of cross-functional teams in a market-orientated organizational context. On the basis of a study of 228 new product project managers who are either R&D or marketing specialties, the results indicated that customer knowledge development has positive effects on customer orientation, competitor orientation, and cross-functional integration. Inter2 estingly, lead users' involvement has a positive quadratic effect on customer knowledge development in terms of marketing respondents. However, cross-functional integration weakens the positive effects of both customer orientation and competitor orientation on customer knowledge development. Our results also reveal a clear R&D-marketing split on the main effect of the proposed antecedents
A Boundary Integral Method for Computing the Dynamics of an Epitaxial Island

In this paper, we present a boundary integral method for computing the quasi-steady evolution of an epitaxial island. The problem consists of an adatom diffusion equation (with desorption) on terrace and a kinetic boundary condition at the step (island boundary). The normal velocity for step motion is determined by a two-sided flux. The integral formulation of the problem involves both double- and single-layer potentials due to the kinetic boundary condition. Numerical tests on a growing/shrinking circular or a slightly perturbed circular island are in excellent agreement with the linear analysis, demonstrating that the method is stable, efficient, and spectrally accurate in space. Nonlinear simulations for the growth of perturbed circular islands show that sharp tips and flat edges will form during growth instead of the usual dense branching morphology seen throughout physical and biological systems driven out of equilibrium. In particular, Bales-Zangwill instability is manifested in the form of wave-like fronts (meandering instability) around the tip regions. The numerical techniques presented here can be applied generally to a class of free/moving boundary problems in physical and biological science.
Comparative effectiveness of amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium in acute paranasal sinus infections in children: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

This study compared the relative effectiveness of two antimicrobial preparations, amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium (Augmentin), in the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis in children 2 to 16 years of age. Of 171 children with persistent (ten to 30 days' duration) nasal discharge or daytime cough or both, 136 (80%) had abnormal maxillary sinus radiographs. These children were stratified by age and severity of symptoms and randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, or placebo. After the exclusion of 28 children with throat cultures positive for group A Streptococcus and 15 who did not complete their medication, the remaining 93 children were evaluated: 30 received amoxicillin, 28 received amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, and 35 received placebo. Clinical assessment was performed at three and ten days. On each occasion, children treated with an antibiotic were more likely to be cured than children receiving placebo (P less than .01 at three days, P less than .05 at ten days). The overall cure rate was 67% for amoxicillin, 64% for amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, and 43% for placebo.
Loan Term Interdependences and Information Asymmetries

This study examines whether loan terms are jointly determined and if information asymmetries’ effects on them across revolving and term loans. A simultaneous equation model is applied for revolving and term loans made by US commercial banks to US corporate borrowers from 1987 to 2009. The findings suggest that loan terms are jointly determined and that information asymmetries’ effects on them differently across loan types. The research contributes literature in several ways. It first provides evidence the determinants of largest set of loan terms in a simultaneous context therefore may better reflect reality. This is also the first examines the effect of information asymmetries on loan terms, especially on covenants and loan size, in such a context. Lastly, this is the first study that distinguishes revolving and term loans to inspect these issues.
Digital Image Analysis to Assess Quantity and Morphological Quality of Isolated Pancreatic Islets

Quantity and quality assessment of human pancreatic islets are essential processes to define a safe and potent quality product used for clinical transplantation. The conventional method of manual assessment has been used in the field for longer than two decades. The high degree of variability in product quantity and lack of archival imaging records of the product for verification are two major disadvantages of using the manual method for quantity and quality assessment of human pancreatic islets. Investigators have developed promising new methods for technical improvement. In this study, we briefly review the published methods and highlight the advantages of digital imaging analysis (DIA) when compared to the manual method. The application of DIA reduces measurement variability and increases the precision of islet equivalent (IEQ) determination for batch analysis. It produces images that can be archived for retrospective analysis and validation, and the data can be transmitted electronically for off-site analysis. These features are important for quality pancreatic islet assessment and are consistent with FDA requirements of current good manufacturing practice for clinical islet transplantation.
Assessing the Reliability and Validity of the Mini—Clinical Evaluation Exercise for Internal Medicine Residency Training

Purpose The mini—clinical evaluation exercise, or mini-CEX, assesses residents' history and physical examination skills. To date, no study has assessed the validity of the mini-CEX (mCEX) evaluation format. The authors' objective was to determine the reliability and validity of the mCEX evaluation format. Method Twenty-three first-year residents at Wright—Patterson Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, were included in the study (academic years 1996–97, 1997–98, and 1998–99). Validity of the instrument was determined by comparing mCEX scores with scores from corresponding sections of a modified version of the standard American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM's) monthly evaluation form (MEF) and the American College of Physicians—American Society of Internal Medicine In-Training Examination (ITE). All ABIM MEFs were used without exclusionary criteria, including ABIM MEFs from months where a corresponding mCEX evaluation was not performed. Results Each resident in the study had an average of seven mCEX evaluations and 12 ABIM MEFs. Of the 168 required mCEX evaluations, 162 were studied. Internal consistency reliability was . 90. Statistically significant correlations were found for the following: mCEX history with ABIM history; mCEX physical exam with ABIM physical exam; mCEX clinical judgment with ABIM clinical judgment, medical care, medical knowledge, and the ITE; mCEX humanistic attributes with ABIM humanistic attributes, and mCEX overall clinical competence with ABIM overall clinical competence, medical care, medical knowledge, and the ITE. Analysis of variance comparing sequential mean mCEX scores yielded no significant difference. Conclusions This study suggests that the mCEX is a feasible and reliable evaluation tool. The validity of the mCEX is supported by the strong correlations between mCEX scores and corresponding ABIM MEF scores as well as the ITE.