Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Free Wi-Fi Service as a Competitive Advantage in Public Cafés

Hospitality chains around the world have installed Wi-Fi equipment to blanket their premises with wireless access to the internet. Wi-Fi Internet access may be the tool that attracts new customers, holds customer loyalty, and increases sales in hospitality industry establishments. Offering free Wi-Fi helps to generate revenue thus ensuring the food outlet to stay competitive. The question now is not whether to offer Wi-Fi, but how to use it for maximizing customer experience, loyalty, and revenues. Objective: This research aims to achieve the following: Exploring the effect of free Wi-Fi provision in the Egyptian public cafes sector on guests’ choices, identifying the impact of free Wi-Fi in public cafes as a competitive advantage and determining the behavior of guests in relation to speed and quality of free Wi-Fi that offered in public cafes. Research Importance: while many studies, around the world, had been done to examine the Wi-Fi service as a competitive advantage in most types of hospitality operations, it is noticeable that there is a shortage of studies that done on guests of public cafes. Research Hypotheses: This research paper aims to test the following 2 hypotheses: H 1 : Availability of free Wi-Fi positively correlated with guests’ choice for a public cafe. H 2 : The speed and quality of free Wi-Fi service positively correlated with guests’ choice for a public cafe. Methodology: Depending on descriptive analytical method, the research was accomplished to investigate the correlation between both availability and speed and quality of free Wi-Fi in public cafes and the choice of their potential guests. The data was collected by sending of 1126 developed questionnaire through Face-book to random potential public cafes guests, who asked to fill in and return using the same way. 714 questionnaires were returned during a period of 7 days. By checking such received questionnaires, only 672 questionnaires were completed and available to analysis which composed the research participants. As 174 participants indicated that they never sitting in public cafes, they were eliminated from research sample to be 498 participants Results: Research results indicated that there are a positive correlation between both availability and speed and quality of free Wi-Fi in public cafes and the choice of their potential guests. To sum up, free Wi-Fi service is represented as an effective competitive advantage in public cafes.
ANALISIS KUALITAS LAYANAN SERTA DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP KEPUASAN PASIEN RUMAH SAKIT NASRUL UMMAH LAMONGAN

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh kualitas layanan yang terdiri dari layanan medis, paramedic, layanan penunjang medis dan layanan penunjang non medis terhadap kepuasan pasien. Unit analisis dalam penelitian ini adalah pasien di RSI Nasrul Ummah Lamongan. Sampel diambil dengan menggunakan teknik purposive accidental sampling, artinya dari sejumlah pasien rawat inap yang ada di RSI Nasrul Ummah Lamongan dan sudah menginap lebih dari 1 hari. Sampel diambil sebanyak 100 orang pasien diambil berdasarkan data pasien yang ditemui pada saat penelitian. Untuk mengetahui pengaruh layanan medis, layanan paramedic, layanan penunjang medis dan layanan penunjang non medis secara simultan digunakan analisis dengan uji F, sedangkan untuk menguji pengaruh secara parsial digunakan analisis dengan uji t. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kualitas layanan di RSI Nasrul Ummah Lamongan sudah baik, hal ini ditunjukkan oleh nilai rata-rata hasil kuesioner yang menunjukkan hahwa kualitas layanan sudah baik. analisis data menggunakan SPSS ditemukan bahwa nilai F hitung mempunyai tingkat signifikansi kurang dari 0,05 sehingga dapat dikatakan bahwa secara simultan kualitas layanan berpengaruh pada kepuasan pasien. Demikian pula hasil analisis data dengan menggunakan uji t diperoleh nilai t hitung untuk masing-masing variabel mempunyai tingkat signifikansi kurang dari 0,05 sehingga dapat dikatakan bahwa secara parsial kualitas layanan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap kepuasan pasien.
Beyond Rationality

The effects of anger and information were experimentally tested in a small group deliberation setting. The participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions varying in the level of induced anger and amount of information they received. After reading about a controversial local issue, they engaged in a group discussion about the topic. Content analysis revealed each individual’s level of participation. More informed participants expressed more opinions during deliberation than less informed participants. Participants made to feel angry were also more active than those in the control condition, but to a lesser degree than the more informed participants. Structural equation modeling suggested that the effect of anger on postdeliberation argument repertoire and knowledge was more direct, whereas the effect of information was mediated by active participation during deliberation.
Oligomerization of the Human Prion Protein Proceeds via a Molten Globule Intermediate*

The conformational transition of the human prion protein from an α-helical to a β-sheet-rich structure is believed to be the critical event in prion pathogenesis. The molecular mechanism of misfolding and the role of intermediate states during this transition remain poorly understood. To overcome the obstacle of insolubility of amyloid fibrils, we have studied a β-sheet-rich misfolded isoform of the prion protein, the β-oligomer, which shares some structural properties with amyloid, including partial proteinase resistance. We demonstrate here that the β-oligomer can be studied by solution-state NMR spectroscopy and obtain insights into the misfolding mechanism via its transient monomeric precursor. It is often assumed that misfolding into β-sheet-rich isoforms proceeds via a compatible precursor with a β-sheet subunit structure. We show here, on the contrary, evidence for an almost natively α-helix-rich monomeric precursor state with molten globule characteristics, converting in vitro into the β-oligomer. We propose a possible mechanism for the formation of the β-oligomer, triggered by intermolecular contacts between constantly rearranging structures. It is concluded that the β-oligomer is not preceded by precursors with β-sheet structure but by a partially unfolded clearly distinguishable α-helical state.
New technologies and their impact on French consumer behaviour: an investigation in the banking sector

New information and communication technologies are constantly emerging, altering business methods, and particularly, the relationship an organization establishes with its customers. Therefore, it is essential to analyse the impact of these technologies on customer behaviour. The purpose of this study is to explore, in the banking sector, the impact of customers’ use of self‐service technologies on their interest in a relationship approach, and consequently in a long‐term personalized relationship. A survey of 242 adult students reveals that there is no real impact of the use of self‐service technologies on interest in a relationship approach. Respondents who use these technologies extensively do not place more or less importance on their relationship with a given bank.
Effect of Sciatic Nerve Transection on acetylcholinesterase activity in spinal cord and skeletal muscles of the bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus

Sciatic nerve transection (SNT), a model for studying neuropathic pain, mimics the clinical symptoms of “phantom limb”, a pain condition that arises in humans after amputation or transverse spinal lesions. In some vertebrate tissues, this condition decreases acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, the enzyme responsible for fast hydrolysis of released acetylcholine in cholinergic synapses. In spinal cord of frog Rana pipiens, this enzyme’s activity was not significantly changed in the first days following ventral root transection, another model for studying neuropathic pain. An answerable question is whether SNT decreases AChE activity in spinal cord of frog Lithobates catesbeianus, a species that has been used as a model for studying SNT-induced neuropathic pain. Since each animal model has been created with a specific methodology, and the findings tend to vary widely with slight changes in the method used to induce pain, our study assessed AChE activity 3 and 10 days after complete SNT in lumbosacral spinal cord of adult male bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus. Because there are time scale differences of motor endplate maturation in rat skeletal muscles, our study also measured the AChE activity in bullfrog tibial posticus (a postural muscle) and gastrocnemius (a typical skeletal muscle that is frequently used to study the motor system) muscles. AChE activity did not show significant changes 3 and 10 days following SNT in spinal cord. Also, no significant change occurred in AChE activity in tibial posticus and gastrocnemius muscles at day 3. However, a significant decrease was found at day 10, with reductions of 18% and 20% in tibial posticus and gastrocnemius, respectively. At present we cannot explain this change in AChE activity. While temporally different, the direction of the change was similar to that described for rats. This similarity indicates that bullfrog is a valid model for investigating AChE activity following SNT.
Print Ad Recognition Readership Scores: An Information Processing Perspective

An information processing perspective is used to develop hierarchical and divergent models of how individuals process print ads. An aggregation across individuals generated related audience-level models, which were operationalized by using Starch scores and extended to incorporate specific ad characteristics. Confirmatory tests -indicate that these models provide a substantial advance over previous data-driven approaches to analyzing readership scores.
Gender, Race, and Sentencing

Race and gender pose empirical and policy problems that are both similar and different for the U. S. criminal justice system. They are similar in that blacks and women occupy subordinate social and economic positions in American life, and their interests are less likely to be represented in the justice system than are those of white men. They are different in that blacks are overrepresented in arrest statistics and jail and prison populations while women are underrepresented. If over- (or under-) representation is assumed to result from similar effects of bias and subordination, the two patterns are hard to explain. The empirical literature on criminal courts reveals policy dilemmas in achieving "just" sentencing practices. Blacks (and especially black men) may be more likely than white men or women to benefit from tightly limited discretion and limited individualization of sentencing whereas women (both black and white) may be more likely to benefit from broader discretion and greater individualization. Future policies will need to confront the competing demands of justice that race and gender pose in the official response to crime.
Industry Momentum: The Role of Time-Varying Factor Exposures and Market Conditions

This paper focuses on momentum strategies based on recent and intermediate past returns of U.S. industry portfolios. Our empirical analysis shows that strategies based on intermediate past returns yield higher mean returns. Moreover, strategies involving both return specifications exhibit time-varying factor exposures, especially when applying the Fama and French (2015) five-factor model. After risk-adjusting for these dynamic exposures, the profitability of industry momentum strategies diminishes and becomes insignificant for strategies based on recent past returns. However, most strategies built on intermediate past returns remain profitable and highly significant. Further analyses reveal that industry momentum strategies are disrupted by periods of strong negative risk-adjusted returns. These so-called momentum crashes seem to be driven by specific market conditions. We find profits of industry momentum strategies to be related to market states and to the business cycle. However, there is no clear evidence that industry momentum can be linked to market volatility or sentiment.
Idiosyncratic Volatility Matter? New Zealand Evidence

Standard asset pricing models ignore idiosyncratic risk. In this study we examine if stock idiosyncratic or unique risk affects returns for New Zealand stocks using the factor portfolio mimicking approach of Fama and French (1993, 1996). We find evidence of a negative relationship between firm size and a stock’s idiosyncratic volatility. Small firms and firms with high idiosyncratic risk also generate positive risk premia after controlling for market returns. We find no evidence of seasonal effects that can explain our findings. Our study provides support for an asset-pricing model with multiple risk factors.
Vascular endothelial growth factor increases fenestral permeability in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells

Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important regulator of vasculogenesis and vascular permeability. Hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) possess sieve‐like pores that form an anastomosing labyrinth structure by the deeply invaginated plasma membrane. Caveolin is the principal structural protein in caveolae. In this study, we examined the role of VEGF on the fenestration and permeability of SECs and the relation with caveolin‐1. SECs isolated from rat livers by collagenase infusion method were cultured for 24 h with (10 or 100 ng/ml) or without VEGF. The cells were then examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy (EM). The expression of caveolin was investigated by confocal immunofluorescence, immunogold EM, and Western blot. Endocytosis and intracellular traffic was studied using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) reaction as a marker of fluid phase transport in SECs.
Service quality measurement in the banking sector in South Korea

There have been numerous studies on measures of service quality, such as SERVQUAL and SERVPERF, in a variety of contexts, but the validity of these instruments in Asian markets is under‐researched. The present study was focused in South Korea and data on expectations, perceptions and importance measures were collected from 153 bank customers. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the measurement scales lacked validity with the South Korean sample, and principal component analyses revealed that SERVQUAL and SERVPERF were not uni‐dimensional. An amended SERVQUAL type scale showed three factors similar to the original SERVQUAL analysis, and an amended SERVPERF type scale showed two factors, with most of the original items converged on different conceptual dimensions.
Course and prognosis of chronic obstructive lung disease.

Abstract To document the course and prognosis of chronic obstructive lung disease, 200 patients with the disorder were enrolled in a prospective standardized study four to eight years ago. Their disease progressed in a more regular and more predictable fashion than had been anticipated from casual clinical observations. Reasonably precise predictions of longevity could be made on the basis of initial findings. Measurements of ventilatory capacity, resting heart rate and carbon dioxide levels were the best indicators of prognosis. Prediction of survival was further improved by consideration of the course of physiologic abnormalities over a two-year follow-up period. Most features of the disease showed a systematic tendency to worsen, but yearly changes were relatively small, often becoming evident only with long-term observation. Data are compatible with the concept that chronic obstructive lung disease is a slowly progressive disorder that begins many years before the onset of clinical symptoms.
The Work Tasks Motivation Scale for Teachers (WTMST)

The authors developed and validated a measure of teachers' motivation toward specific work tasks: The Work Tasks Motivation Scale for Teachers (WTMST). The WTMST is designed to assess five motivational constructs toward six work tasks (e.g., class preparation, teaching). The authors conducted a preliminary (n = 42) and a main study among elementary and high school teachers (n = 609) to develop and validate the scale. Overall, results from the main study reveal that the WTMST is composed of 30 reliable and valid factors reflecting five types of motivation among six work tasks carried out by teachers. Results based on an extension of the multitrait—multimethod approach provide very good support for assessing teachers' motivation toward various work tasks. Support for the invariance of the WTMST over gender and teaching levels was also obtained. Results are discussed in light of self-determination theory and the multitask perspective.
When Some Investors Head for the Exit

We develop a measure of binding short-sales constraints in equity markets derived from Chen, Hong, and Stein (2002)'s breadth of mutual fund ownership. We show that when the exit rate, the fraction of investors that held a stock in the previous quarter and that exit that stock this quarter, is high, short-sales constraints are more tightly binding and price is high relative to fundamentals. In contrast, entry of investors that have not previously owned the stock is associated with more not less over-pricing. The exit rate better captures the disagreement distribution of investors in similar fund styles actively evaluating a stock. Using equity funds and for the fi rst time hedge funds, we show that stocks with high exit rates consistently under-perform the market throughout the entire 1980-2008 sample.
Structuring internal audit functions in multinational companies

During the last five decades, the world has witnessed a dramatic proliferation of multinational companies (MNCs) that has evoked strong interest amongst academic researchers. Despite the acknowledged need to expand internal auditing activities to cover MNCs' diversified operations in multiple countries, only limited research has been performed from an internal auditing perspective. Drawing on institutional theory, this paper aims to add to the existing internal auditing literature by reviewing various international business management frameworks, in order to suggest an appropriate approach for the establishment and management of the internal auditing functions of MNCs. The study looks at the evolution of internal auditing functions in MNCs, examines organizational models described in international business management literature, and concludes that a geocentric approach is appropriate when structuring the internal audit function in a MNC. The argument is presented that geocentricity (which implies careful customization to address local context, while operating within established uniform standards) seems to be an appropriate approach for the organization of the internal auditing function of a MNC.
From necessity to responsibility: evidence for corporate environmental citizenship activities from a developing country perspective

The objective of this study is to focus on corporate activities conducted to protect and preserve the environment, and to evaluate these activities with respect to social responsibility in a developing country setting. This study also tries to find out whether corporations take part in these activities due to social expectations and legal obligations or due to their own social awareness. The data was collected from Turkey, which is a good example of a developing country with its economic situation. Corporations from the automotive, pharmaceutical and textile industries were studied, as the products and the process of production of these industries pose a threat to the environment. The research findings show that in adopting environmental citizenship policies corporations are more influenced by ‘obligatory regulations’ coming from institutional forces than by ‘voluntary regulations’ coming from their own social awareness. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Partially Asynchronous Distributed Unmixing of Hyperspectral Images

So far, the problem of unmixing large or multitemporal hyperspectral data sets has been specifically addressed in the remote sensing literature only by a few dedicated strategies. Among them, some attempts have been made within a distributed estimation framework, in particular, relying on the alternating direction method of multipliers. In this paper, we propose to study the interest of a partially asynchronous distributed unmixing procedure based on a recently proposed asynchronous algorithm. Under standard assumptions, the proposed algorithm inherits its convergence properties from recent contributions in nonconvex optimization, while allowing the problem of interest to be efficiently addressed. Comparisons with a distributed synchronous counterpart of the proposed unmixing procedure allow its interest to be assessed on synthetic and real data. Besides, thanks to its genericity and flexibility, the procedure investigated in this paper can be implemented to address various matrix factorization problems.
An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Ratings on the Prices and Risks of Interbank Loans

I provide empirical evidence that ratings are relevant determinants of interest rates in the overnight interbank market, even after controlling for other observable factors about credit risk and solvency in banks' balance sheets. I develop a multiperiod network model that exploits this feature to estimate banks' default probabilities in the interbank market. In this model, banks receive liquidity shocks, which are more likely for institutions with low ratings. I find that default probabilities remain relatively low over the first week when liquidity problems occur. Finally, I assess the effect of rating downgrades and the sensitivity to the interbank market structure.
BSE: an update on the statistical evidence

BSE has now been transmitted orally to 16 species, and appears to have infected over 50 per cent of UK dairy herds, these representing over 85 per cent of UK dairy cattle. It now seems that BSE may be passed from cow to calf and hence the banning of infected feed in 1988 has only had a minor effect in stopping infection of calves, which, as they reach the age of three to six years are the cattle we see with clinical symptoms. Presents evidence that BSE is not derived from scrapie. Approximately 1,800,000 infected cattle will be eaten by humans by 2001. Discusses the human risk.
Crowdsourcing Strategizing

Disruptive environmental trends are forcing organizations to be more innovative in their approaches to organizational strategy generation. Rather than using a traditional top-down approach, some organizations are turning to open strategizing, which involves a large number of stakeholders who communicate in transparent, virtual environments. This study used a case analysis to explore one organization’s use of crowdsourcing technology in a move from a traditional to an open strategizing approach. Drawing on technology affordance and communicative-as-constitutive perspectives, we identified individual and collective crowdsourcing technology affordances for strategizing. Subsequently, we explored how the technology affordances influenced organizational strategizing. Results showed that crowdsourced strategy was constituted as multivoice, divergent, egalitarian, and inclusive.