Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Dividend Policy on Stock Price Volatility and Market Value of the Firm: Evidence From Sri Lankan Manufacturing Companies

The impact resulted from the dividend policy of a firm, on the volatility of the market value of stocks, is the major concern of this study, which is an issue bearing an utmost significance, when considering the objectives of a corporate. The focus of an entity should be aligned, on the maximization of stock holders’ wealth and this necessitates the selection of an optimum dividend policy. The present study, thus, attempts to shed a light on the above fact, within the Sri Lankan context. Data was collected from a sample of companies listed under the manufacturing sector of the Colombo Stock Exchange from year 2006 to 2014. The study occupied panel data regression model for analysis. The outcome revealed that, the dividend yield of the current year has a negative impact on the share price volatility, while the dividend payout ratio of both the current and previous years has a positive impact. In addition, the impact of dividend yield is negative on the market value of the firm, where the dividend payout ratio of the current year is also depicts the same impact. The findings of the study reassure the findings of the previous researchers within the Sri Lankan context, in case of the market value of the firm, while being contrary in case of the share price volatility. Accordingly, the firms’ ability of utilizing the dividend policy as a mechanism of controlling the volatility of share prices is established. However, it will not be effective in altering the market value of the firm.
Relationship benefits in an internet environment

Purpose – The notion of relationships has been shown to be a worthwhile strategy in many service industries. This coupled with the rapid development of the internet means that it is now possible (and even beneficial) to implement internet based relationship management programs. Given the importance of this issue this paper seeks to understand the relational benefits that consumers receive in an internet environment relative to the benefits consumers receive in a traditional environment i.e. face‐to‐face.Design/methodology/approach – Results are derived from 15 in‐depth interviews (10 from the internet context and 5 from the traditional context) and over 200 quantitative surveys.Findings – The relationship benefit of “history” appears in both samples which was missing from the original study on relationship benefits. Findings also show that there are differences between the internet group of customers and the traditional customers in respect to the perceived relational benefits. In particular internet cust.
Pneumatization of the occipital bone as a cause of radiolucent skull lesions.

A 67-year-old man was admitted to the St. Vincent Medical Center (SVMC) for biopsy of an occipital bone lesion. Several months before , following a coughing spell, he noticed a small mass and some discomfort in the occipital region. There was no drainage or redness. More recently he felt discomfort involving the left side of the head and the left ear . A few weeks before admission, while under the care of a different physic ian, the patient had the small mass in the occ ipital reg ion exc ised . This was reported to be consistent with a lipoma. Subsequent outside skull radiographs were reported to show a large defect in the occipital bone; a computed tomographic (CT) scan was reported to show a low-density occipital bone lesion, but th e rad ionuc lide bone scan was normal. After admission to SVMC, skull radiographs (fig . 1 A) and complex motion tomograms (figs. 1 Band 1 C) were obtained, pneumatization of the occipital bone was recognized, and th e scheduled bone biopsy cancelled . The air density was confirmed by CT (f ig . 1 D). The patient was discharged with the assurance of a benign process. On follow-up 9 months later he continued to experience fullness in the left ear on pressing the occiput and discomfort in the occiput on blowing his nose.
Generation and characterization of Csrp1 enhancer‐driven tissue‐restricted Cre‐recombinase mice

Cell type‐specific genetic modification using the LoxP/Cre system is a powerful tool for genetic analysis of distinct cell lineages. Because of the unique arterial smooth muscle‐restricted expression of a 5.0 kb cysteine‐rich protein (Csrp1) enhancer (Lilly et al., 2001 , Dev Biol 240:531–547), we hypothesized that a transgenic Cre line would prove useful for the smooth muscle lineage‐specific genetic manipulation. Here we describe a transgenic mouse line, ECsrp1Cre, where Cre is initially specifically expressed in arterial smooth muscle cells. Use of the ROSA26R reporter allele confirmed that Cre‐mediated recombination in vascular smooth muscle cells began at ∼E10.0 and was highly proficient. Subsequently, Cre is expressed in restricted skeletal and nonvascular smooth muscle lineages. This lineage tracing data is important for future conditional knockout studies to understand where and when Cre‐mediated deletion occurs and where Cre‐expressing daughter cells finally localize. Additionally, we crossed the ECsrp1Cre mice to the ROSA26‐eGFP‐DTA diphtheria toxin A‐expressing mice to genetically ablate ECsrp1Cre expressing cells. This ECsrp1Cre transgenic line should thus prove useful for genetic analysis of diverse aspects of cardiovascular morphogenesis and as a general smooth muscle lineage deletor line. genesis 46:167–176, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Continuous, seamless integration of users into the software design of interactive systems

Informal design prototypes are often created and validated with users as a means for integrating users into the requirements elicitation phase. The informal character of design prototypes impedes the structured documentation and thus the continuous tracing of requirements that are represented by the prototypes. This work introduces a structured representation for design prototypes and a formalism for the representation of structural requirements using the example of user interface design patterns. The structured representation allows for an automatic detection and tracing of requirements in informal design prototypes. A workflow and tool-support for continuous integration of users into the requirements elicitation phase is developed and applied to a professional software engineering project as part of a comparative study.
Specific AHNAK expression in brain endothelial cells with barrier properties

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is essential for maintaining brain homeostasis and low permeability. Because disruption of the BBB may contribute to many brain disorders, they are of considerable interests in the identification of the molecular mechanisms of BBB development and integrity. We here report that the giant protein AHNAK is expressed at the plasma membrane of endothelial cells (ECs) forming specific blood–tissue barriers, but is absent from the endothelium of capillaries characterized by extensive molecular exchanges between blood and extracellular fluid. In the brain, AHNAK is widely distributed in ECs with BBB properties, where it co‐localizes with the tight junction protein ZO‐1. AHNAK is absent from the permeable brain ECs of the choroid plexus and is down‐regulated in permeable angiogenic ECs of brain tumors. In the choroid plexus, AHNAK accumulates at the tight junctions of the choroid epithelial cells that form the blood–cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier. In EC cultures, the regulation of AHNAK expression and its localization corresponds to general criteria of a protein involved in barrier organization. AHNAK is up‐regulated by angiopoietin‐1 (Ang‐1), a morphogenic factor that regulates brain EC permeability. In bovine cerebral ECs co‐cultured with glial cells, AHNAK relocates from the cytosol to the plasma membrane when endothelial cells acquire BBB properties. Our results identify AHNAK as a protein marker of endothelial cells with barrier properties. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Blended Learning Environment on the Foreign Language Learning Process: A Balance for Motivation and Achievement.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects on motivation and success within the application of blended learning environments in the foreign language class. The research sample is formed by third grade students studying in the tourism and hotel management programs of the faculty for tourism and the faculty of economics and administrative sciences at the Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University (Turkey) in fall semester of the 2012-2013 academic year. The research group consists of 62 students and there of 35 students belong to the experimental group and the other 27 persons belong to the control group. While the experimental group was subject to 14 hours online and 6 hours traditional face to face learning, the control group was subject to only 6 hours traditional face to face learning. The research has been completed after a 10 week application. The data on the research have been collected with German course achievement tests via the German Language Learning Motivation Scale. The results reveal that the experimental group of students attending the German classes in blended learning environments has more success and higher motivation compared to the control group attending German language classes in the traditional learning environment. Even if the learners achieve certain success and motivation findings in the classroom and face to face environments performed along with teaching-learning activities mainly in control of the instructor, the success and motivation effect of the blended learning environment could not be achieved.
Online apparel retailing: roles of e‐shopping quality and experiential e‐shopping motives

– The objectives of this paper are to: examine e‐shopping quality dimensions; explore how e‐shopping quality factors influence consumer shopping outcomes (e‐shopping satisfaction and e‐shopping intention); and test the moderating effects of consumer experiential e‐shopping motives on the e‐shopping quality – e‐shopping outcomes links within the context of online apparel retailing. , – Data were gathered from 298 college students in the USA using a self‐administered online survey. , – Among four e‐shopping quality factors identified (privacy/security, web site content/functionality, customer service, and experiential/atmospheric), web site content/functionality and atmospheric/experiential quality have significant impact on e‐shopping satisfaction contributing to e‐shopping intention, while privacy/security and customer service have significant impact on e‐shopping intention but not on e‐shopping satisfaction. Furthermore, this study provides some support for the moderating roles that experiential e‐shopping motives plays in the e‐shopping quality – e‐shopping outcomes links. , – This paper shows that experiential e‐shopping motives as an individual characteristic play a role in controlling the dynamics among e‐shopping quality, e‐shopping satisfaction, and e‐shopping intention. However, the data consisting of self‐reported measures from a single segment of online retail industry warrants caution in generalization in relation to common method bias. , – This paper entails useful implications for internet‐ and multichannel retail marketers delivering apparel/fashion goods to better understand the online consumer response process and determine effective e‐store management strategies that reflect the differing customer evaluation processes. , – This study extends and complements the e‐tail service literature by examining whether and how experiential e‐shopping motives moderate the relationships among e‐shopping quality dimensions, e‐shopping satisfaction, and e‐shopping intention.
Managing taxi service operations based on the automatic vehicle location and dispatch system and wireless communication technology

This paper explores taxi service operations management based on the automatic vehicle location and dispatch system and wireless communication technology. With the implementation of the system, the taxi companies have enhanced service operations in terms of the efficiency of processing taxi reservations and dispatching taxi vehicles. In particular, they are able to offer timely and quality service to many different customers who request for taxi services at different locations. The wireless communications and human-system interactions of the taxi dispatch process have been discussed. The findings have managerial implications for improving service operations of public transport in different contexts.
An Odorant Congruent with a Colour Cue is Selectively Perceived in an Odour Mixture

Odour identification can be influenced by colour cues. This study examined the mechanism underlying this colour context effect. We hypothesised that a specific odour component congruent with a colour would be selectively perceived in preference to another odour component in a binary odour mixture. We used a ratio estimation method under two colour conditions, a binary odour mixture (experiment 1) and single chemicals presented individually (experiment 2). Each colour was congruent with one of the odour components. Participants judged the perceived mixture ratio in each odour container on which a colour patch was pasted. An influence of colour was not observed when the odour stimulus did not contain the odour component congruent with the colour (experiment 2); however, the odour component congruent with the colour was perceived as more dominant when the odour stimulus did contain the colour-congruent odorant (experiment 1). This pattern indicates that a colour-congruent odour component is selectively perceived in an odour mixture. This finding suggests that colours can enhance the perceptual representation of the colour-associated component in an odour mixture.
Interfirm Influence Strategies and Their Application within Distribution Channels

This article focuses on the use of influence strategies by boundary personnel within distribution channel relationships. Alternative strategies are discussed in terms of their operational characteristics and apparent benefits and costs. Results from a field study are used in assessing: (1) the relative and absolute frequencies of employment of these influence strategies by boundary personnel; (2) how these strategies are interrelated with respect to their frequency of use; and (3) the relationship between the boundary person's reliance on each strategy and interfirm agreement.
Heterotopic Finger Transfer in Ulnar Ray Deficiency Associated with Contralateral Postaxial Polydactyly: A Case Report

A case of type-I ulnar ray deficiency, combined with postaxial polydactyly of the opposite hand, is described. Heterotopic transfer of the supernumerary finger was performed, in order to improve function in the defective hand and to treat the hexadactyly of the other hand. A combination of these malformations has apparently not previously been reported in the literature.
Effects and mechanisms of tapering in maximizing muscular power

Muscle power is of great importance in most sports, and its development is one of the most fundamental physiological adaptations for improving physical performance. In order to optimize competition performance, athletes usually decrease training load before competition, the so-called tapering, to allow physiological and psychological recovery from accumulated training stress. Tapering could be conducted through changes in training volume, intensity and/or frequency, but training volume seems to be most effective in optimizing muscular power. There are two main types of tapering: progressive tapering and one-step tapering. Currently, there is no general conclusion on tapering duration. The physiological mechanisms regarding tapering effects on neuromuscular system are largely unknown. Generally, it is believed that sustained maximal muscular power after tapering is obtained through maintaining adaptations in muscle fiber size, fiber type and neural adaptations whereas increased maximal muscular power after tapering is assumed mainly through both physiological and psychological recovery. We believe that increased maximal muscular power after tapering may also rely on higher neural drive and increased muscle fiber cross sectional area (CSA), especially in type IIA muscle fibers. Complete rest is a special form of tapering and it usually only leads to sustained maximal power. This effect is believed to be associated with decreased muscle CSA and a transformation of muscle fibers from type IIA to type IIX.
Can this be spring? Assessing the impact of the "Arab Spring" on the Arab tourism industry

Th e socio-political unrest known as the “Arab Spring” has left its imprint on the tourism sector of the Arab region. Th is paper explores fi rst the eff ects of the Arab Spring on the macro-tourism performance of selected Arab countries, both oil and non-oil, using offi cial tourism and macro-economic statistical data. Subsequently, it examines the policies and strategies adopted by the Arab governments in order to mitigate the evolving tourism crisis in the non-oil Arab states. Finally, it examines the relationships between the Non –oil and GCC countries with respect to the tourism trends characterizing the Arab World since the outbreak of the, so-called, Arab Spring. It concluded that the tourism “pain” of the non-oil Arab countries became the “gain” of the GCC countries, which have been perceived by both intra-regional and international tourists as safer to visit. Th e paper concludes with an evaluation of the future tourism prospects for both the non-oil and the GCC countries. Assuming that the socio-political unrest accompanied by safety and security threat to tourists in some of the non-oil Arab countries will prevail at least in the foreseeable future, the paper points at further research directions in order to monitor these future trends.
Directors as Connectors: The Impact of the External Networks of Directors on Firms

The external networks of directors significantly impact firm value and decisions. Surrounding close gubernatorial elections, local firms with directors connected to winners increase value by 4.1% over firms connected to losers. Director network’s value increases with network strength and activities, and is not due to network homophily. Connected firms are more likely to receive state subsidies, loans, and tax credits. They obtain better access to bank loans, borrow more, pay lower interest, invest and employ more, and enjoy better long-term performance. Network benefits are concentrated on connected firms, possibly through quid pro quo deals, and unlikely spread to industry competitors.
Mild electrical stimulation with heat stimulation increase heat shock protein 70 in articular chondrocyte

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of mild electrical stimulation (MES) and heat stress (HS) on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), that protects chondrocytes and enhances cartilage matrix metabolism, in chondrocyte and articular cartilage. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were treated with MES and/or HS. The safeness was assessed by LDH assay and morphology. HSP70 protein, ubiquitinated proteins and HSP70 mRNA were examined by Western blotting and real‐time PCR. Rat knee joints were treated with MES and/or HS. HSP70 protein, ubiquitinated proteins, HSP70 mRNA and proteoglycan core protein (PG) mRNA in articular cartilage were investigated. In vitro, HS increased HSP70 mRNA and HSP70 protein. MES augmented ubiquitinated protein and HSP70 protein, but not HSP70 mRNA. MES + HS raised HSP70 mRNA and ubiquitinated protein, and significantly increased HSP70 protein. In vivo, HS and MES + HS treatment augmented HSP70 mRNA. HS modestly augmented HSP70 protein. MES + HS significantly increased HSP70 protein and ubiquitinated proteins. PG mRNA was markedly raised by MES + HS. This study demonstrated that MES, in combination with HS, increases HSP70 protein in chondrocytes and articular cartilage, and promotes cartilage matrix metabolism in articular cartilage. MES in combination with HS can be a novel physical therapy for osteoarthritis by inducing HSP70 in articular cartilage. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 894–900, 2013
DAMPAK PENINGKATAN ASSET, PROFITABILITAS DAN LIKUIDITAS TERHADAP LEVERAGE PERUSAHAAN

Every public company is required to submit financial statements audited by public accountant every year. This study examines the effect of the increase in assets, increase in profitability and increase in liquidity on leverage of public companies in the trade, services and investment sector, which are listed on the stock exchanges of Indonesia. This study used multivariate equation model. The study found that the increase in assets providing a positive influence but not significant. The increase in profitability provides positive influence and significant, while the increase in liquidity provides negative effect significantly.
Understanding the Mechanisms Involved in the Regulation of Cytochrome P450 Gene Expression in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are known to play a central role in the adaptive response of insects and other animals to chemicals in the environment. Drosophila spp. P450s are known to be regulated by Cap ‘n’ collar isoform C (CnCC) and/ Spineless (ss) which are orthologs to Nuclear factor erythroid-2 factor 2 (Nrf2)/Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in higher mammals. However, the mechanism underpinning this regulation in insects including fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster is poorly understood. Understanding the constitutive and inducible patterns of expression requires knowledge about the signalling pathways that control insect P450 expression, which is still lacking for most identified insect P450s. D. melanogaster, because of its longstanding use as a genetic model insect, is a powerful tool for identifying possible regulatory mechanisms and for following expression through to function. Here, we describe the roles played by the cis-acting elements and the Transcription Factors (TFIF) mechanisms involved in the regulation of cytochrome P450 genes in D. melanogaster in response to xenobiotic compounds. These cis-acting elements include; promoters, enhancers, repressors, silencers and insulators. The regulatory mechanisms involved in the regulation of the P450s by the spineless (ss)/tango (Tgo) and CnCC/dKeap1 (Drosophila Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) signalling pathways in insecticide resistance were also extensively discussed. This review increases our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in the insecticide metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster.