Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The COLLOQUY loyalty marketing census: sizing up the US loyalty marketing industry

Purpose – This article aims to examine US loyalty marketing industry size and analyzes growth trends.Design/methodology/approach – The article provides a discussion on COLLOQUY's benchmark‐setting measurement.Findings – US loyalty rewards program membership has reached 1.3 billion, according to COLLOQUY research that provides the first comprehensive census‐taking of loyalty marketing since the modern loyalty era began with frequent flyer incentives in 1981. COLLOQUY's benchmark‐setting measurement, based on a fourth‐quarter 2006 analysis of a dozen business sectors, reveals that the average US household belongs to 12 loyalty programs. In a key finding, the COLLOQUY census shows that “active participation” in loyalty programs is a blended average of 39.5 percent across all sectors analyzed, a number that COLLOQUY experts characterized as “dismal. ” Of the 12 programs per average household, 4.7 yield active participation. The census results raise a major question. Does the participation data mean the loyalty.
Design and optimization of surfactant-based nanovesicles for ocular delivery of Clotrimazole

Abstract The objective of this study was to develop an efficient ocular nanovesicular carrier providing a controlled delivery of Clotrimazole (CLT); a water insoluble antifungal drug. The nanovesicular carriers were formulated using Span 60 with one of the following edge activators (EA): Tween 80 (TW80), sodium cholate (SC) or sodium deoxycholate (SDC). A 32 full factorial design was used to study the effect of two independent variables, namely, the type of EA and the ratio of Span 60 to EA. The effects of these parameters on the mean particle size, entrapment efficiency (EE) and zeta potential (ZP) were investigated as dependent variables. Then, optimization was performed producing the best optimized formulation composed of SDC as an EA at the ratio of 90:10 (Span 60:EA) with an average diameter of 479.60 nm, EE of 87.92% and ZP of −33.7 mV. The optimized nanovesicular carriers appeared as spherical unilamillar vesicles with CLT in an amorphous state as evidenced by the differential scanning calorimetry study. The antifungal activity against Candida albicans compared to niosomal formulation as well as the CLT suspension was determined. CLT-loaded nanovesicular carriers displayed sustained antifungal effect over 12 h. The AUC of the optimized formulation was 3.09 times more than that of drug suspension with no sign of irritation after testing for ocular tolerance. Therefore, the present study showed the feasibility of using non-ionic surfactant nanovesicles as carrier systems for prolonged ocular delivery of CLT.
Three-dimensional H-1 MR spectroscopic imaging of the in situ human prostate with high (0.24-0.7-cm3) spatial resolution.

PURPOSE To evaluate if three-dimensional hydrogen-1 magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (3D MRSI) when combined with a clinical MR imaging examination could discriminate prostatic adenocarcinoma from normal prostatic zonal anatomy and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on the basis of observable metabolite levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS Combined phased-array, endorectal MR imaging and 3D MRSI was performed in nine young healthy volunteers, five patients with BPH, and 85 patients with prostate cancer and BPH. Volume MR imaging and 3D MRSI data were analytically corrected for the reception profile of the endorectal and pelvic phased-array coils, aligned with the MR imaging data, and compared with postoperative pathologic histology findings. RESULTS Statistically significant variations in metabolite levels with prostatic zonal anatomy, age, and pathologic condition were detected with a 3D MRSI examination added to a clinical MR imaging examination. Significantly higher choline levels and significantly lower citrate levels were observed in regions of cancer compared with BPH and normal peripheral zone tissues. The ratio (choline + creatine/citrate) in regions of cancer (2.1 +/- 1.3 [standard deviation]) had no overlap with normal peripheral zone values and minimal overlap with BPH values (0.61 +/- 0.21). An estimate of the spatial extent of prostate cancer was determined by generating metabolite images in which this metabolite ratio significantly exceeded normal peripheral zone values in multiple contiguous sections. CONCLUSION These results suggest that a 3D MRSI examination added to a clinical MR imaging examination may help define the presence and spatial extent of prostate cancer.
Factors Affecting Purchase Intention on 3G Value-added Services

This article provides insights into consumer behavior, and the results have important implications for designers, managers, marketers, and system providers of 3G value-added services to explore a conceptual model for analyzing customers’ perceptions of using 3G value-added services. An empirical investigation was carried out to test the hypotheses. The samples include 826 professional participants. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test the relationships of the model. After reviewing the previous research papers, a conceptual model of customer adoption is developed and nine important factors are proposed, namely, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived security, perceived price, use experience, perceived enjoyment, need for uniqueness, social influence, context and compatibility. Then a big sample of questionnaire investigation in Chinese 3G value-added service market is conducted. The empirical findings are as follows: (a) security and social influence are two of the most important factors in 3G market; (b) 3G value-added services must be enjoyable and useful; (c) using context should be friendly and compatible. The results not only help to develop a sophisticated understanding of 3G adoption theories for researchers but also offer useful knowledge to those involved in promoting 3G value-added services to potential purchasers.
Effect of low frequency (LF) electric fields on gene expression of a bone human cell line

Abstract We evaluated the effects, on cultured human SaOS-2 cells, of exposures to the low frequency (LF) electric signal (60 kHz sinusoidal wave, 24.5 V peak-to-peak voltage, amplitude modulated by a 12.5 Hz square wave, 50% duty cycle) from an apparatus of current clinical use in bone diseases requiring regenerating processes. Cells in flasks were exposed to a capacitively coupled electric field giving electric current density in the sample of 4 µA/cm2. The whole expressed cellular mRNAs were systematically analyzed by “DNA microchips” technology to identify all individual species quantitatively affected by field exposure. Comparisons were made between RNA samples from exposed and control sham-exposed cells. Results indicated that immediately and 4 h after exposure there were almost no differentially modulated mRNA species. However, samples obtained at 24 h after exposure showed a small number of limitedly differential signals (7 down-regulated and 3 up-regulated with a cut-off value of ±1.5; 38 and 11, respectively, with a cut-off value of ±1.3), which included mostly mRNA encoding transcription factors and DNA binding proteins. Nevertheless, in identical experimental conditions, we previously demonstrated enzymatic changes of alkaline phosphatase occurring immediately after exposure and declining in a few hours. Therefore, since enzymatic changes occur before those observed at gene regulation level, it is conceivable that only earlier effects are directly due the treatment and then these effects are later able to affect gene expression only indirectly.
Evolution of complexity in high technology markets and its consequences

High technology markets evolve very quickly and see companies form, grow, and then often fail in quick succession. The complexity of interactions change throughout the market and the firm’s evolution, as companies navigate within their market, manage their internal staffing and product development, and deal with external funding imperatives. If unaware or unwilling to address complexity at any of the various life cycle stages, a firm could enter into rapid decline and ultimately fail. By definition, complexity is a collection of interacting objects, be they human, technological, financial, or management issues; and these factors change along the high tech lifecycle. Complexity cannot be completely managed, but it can be often reasonably contained; this paper will examine factors that influence the nature of complexity in high technology markets at various stages in the firm and market life cycle and discuss the boundary layers and tipping points that change the complexity landscape. The concept appears to be important because the literature on complex markets indicates that decisions can only be made on the margin when the future is made uncertain by high level of uncertainty due to complexity. And that the firm will have to be reactive in its behavior without guidance from strategic plans and corporate vision, indeed even without the benefit of a stabilizing feedback generated through corporate learning, as such learning is not possible under these circumstances of extreme time pressures.
The Audit Firm Rotation Rule: A Review of the Literature

The European Union's response to recent financial reporting scandals on both sides of the Atlantic reached a crucial stage recently when the European Parliament voted to accept the new 8th Company Law Directive. It takes the minimum harmonisation route to set the basic standards that Member States need to enforce to protect audit quality whilst allowing them the freedom to add specific national requirements where they see fit. One practical example stems from the position reached on the topics of the mandatory rotation of audit firms. The 8th Directive suggests the rotation of individual audit partners, albeit one that leaves Member States the freedom to decide whether to enforce mandatory firm rotation at the national level (Amendment 101 - 26 Sep. 05). In this paper the evidence on mandatory audit firm rotation from around the world are examined in order to offer a global perspective on this regulatory hot topic. Our research supports the idea that benefits of mandatory audit firm rotation are largely unproven. First of all this study reviews the conclusions and findings of 26 reports by regulators or other representative bodies from around the world. Of the 26 reports, 22 conclude against the benefits of mandatory audit firm rotation and while 4 are in favour. The study also looked at 33 academic studies (9 opinion based and 24 based on empirical evidence). The majority did not support mandatory audit firm rotation.
The Role of Institutional Development in the Prevalence and Value of Family Firms

We investigate the role played by institutional development in the prevalence and value of family firms, while controlling for the potential effect of cultural norms. China provides a good research lab since it combines great heterogeneity in institutional development across the Chinese provinces with homogeneity in cultural norms, law, and regulation. By decomposing family firms into their ownership, control, and management elements, we are able to test the specific predictions of the investor protection and internal markets explanations. Using hand-collected data from publicly listed Chinese firms, we find that, when institutional efficiency is low, family ownership and management increase value, while family control in excess of ownership reduces value. When institutional efficiency is high, none of these effects are significant. We conclude that institutional development plays an important role in the prevalence and value of family firms.
Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Improved Upper Limb Function in Subacute Poststroke Patients: A Small-Scale Clinical Trial

Abstract Background: Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has been advocated as a means of facilitating motor function in poststroke patients; however, the evidence for its efficacy is controversial. Objective: To evaluate the effect of modified CIMT on improving paretic arm function in poststroke patients during a subacute rehabilitation period. Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital, Israel. Twenty-eight subacute stroke patients with arm paresis after a first ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery area were randomized into a modified CIMT or control group by a 1:2 ratio. The modified CIMT group received 1-hour daily physical rehabilitation sessions for 2 weeks. The unaffected arm was restrained during the sessions. Subjects were encouraged to wear a restrictive mitten up to 4 hours a day. The control group received similar intensive regular rehabilitation. Three upper limb function tests, developed for this study, were used as outcome measures. The subjects were asked to perform the following tasks, with the affected hand for 30 seconds: (1) transfer pegs from a saucer to a pegboard; (2) grasp, carry, and release a hard rubber ball; and (3) “eating,” using a spoon to remove the jelly from the plate, bring it towards the mouth, and then place it on another plate. The number of repetitions in each test was recorded as an outcome. Results: The modified CIMT group showed significantly higher changes in all 3 tests compared to the standard rehabilitation group. Conclusion: Our study provides additional support for the use of modified CIMT during a subacute rehabilitation period of poststroke patients. CIMT may facilitate functional improvement of a plegic hand.
Clinicopathological spectrum of mycosis fungoides

Cutaneous lymphomas represent a heterogeneous group of T‐, NK‐ and B‐cell neoplasms, with mycosis fungoides (MF) being the most common subtype. MF has a plethora of clinicopathological manifestations. Many variants of this lymphoma differ substantially from the ‘classical’ Alibert–Bazin disease and are therefore sometimes referred to as ‘atypical’ forms of the disease. This review addresses the whole clinicopathological spectrum of mycosis fungoides with respect to epidemiology, clinical, histopathological, immunophenotypic and genotypic features and the clinical course and prognosis of its variants: classical, erythrodermic, follicular, syringotropic, bullous/vesicular, granulomatous, poikilodermic, hypo‐ and hyperpigmented, unilesional, palmoplantar, hyperkeratotic/verrucous, vegetating/papillomatous, ichthyosiform, pigmented purpura‐like, pustular and mucosal involvement in MF.
How sellers can stimulate purchasing in electronic marketplaces: Using information as a risk reduction signal

Existing studies offer myopic insights how intermediaries can reduce consumers’ perceived risk in order to make electronic marketplaces more successful. In contrast, the study here acknowledges the role of sellers in enabling these transaction platforms. The study focuses on how sellers may use information about themselves (i.e., seller information) and about their products (i.e., product information) as risk reduction signals to stimulate purchasing. Combining signaling theory with perceived risk theory the authors present a research model that they test using structural equation modeling with data collected in an actual consumer-to-consumer electronic marketplace. The results confirm that while product and seller information are indeed important risk reduction signals, the risk reduction potential of these forms of information may be different across risk types. This article discusses these findings and explains how they augment signaling theory, perceived risk theory and the relatively scarce research on the conceptual associations between these two theories.
Breakfast habits among European adolescents and their association with sociodemographic factors: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study

Abstract Objective To describe breakfast habits at food group level in European adolescents and to investigate the associations between these habits and sociodemographic factors. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Secondary schools from nine European cities participating in the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study. Breakfast habits were assessed twice using a computer-based 24 h dietary recall. Adolescents who consumed breakfast on at least one recall day were classified as ‘breakfast consumers’ and adolescents who did not have anything for breakfast on either of the two recall days were considered ‘breakfast skippers’. A ‘breakfast quality index’ to describe breakfast quality was created based on the consumption or non-consumption of cereals/cereal products, dairy products and fruits/vegetables. The sociodemographic factors studied were sex, age, region of Europe, maternal and paternal education, family structure and family affluence. Subjects Adolescents (n 2672, 53 % girls) aged 12–17 years. Results The majority of the adolescents reported a breakfast that scored poorly on the breakfast quality index. Older adolescents, adolescents from the southern part of Europe and adolescents from families with low socio-economic status were more likely to consume a low-quality breakfast. Conclusions The study highlights the need to promote the consumption of a high-quality breakfast among adolescents, particularly in older adolescents, adolescents from southern Europe and adolescents from families with low socio-economic status, in order to improve public health.
Functional Characterization of Δ3,Δ2-Enoyl-CoA Isomerases from Rat Liver*

The degradation of unsaturated fatty acids by β-oxidation involves Δ3,Δ2-enoyl-CoA isomerases (enoyl-CoA isomerases) that catalyze 3-cis → 2-trans and 3-trans → 2-trans isomerizations of enoyl-CoAs and the 2,5 → 3,5 isomerization of dienoyl-CoAs. An analysis of rat liver enoyl-CoA isomerases revealed the presence of a monofunctional enoyl-CoA isomerase (ECI) in addition to mitochondrial enoyl-CoA isomerase (MECI) in mitochondria, whereas peroxisomes contain ECI and multifunctional enzyme 1 (MFE1). Thus ECI, which previously had been described as peroxisomal enoyl-CoA isomerase, was found to be present in both peroxisomes and mitochondria. This enzyme seems to be identical with mitochondrial long-chain enoyl-CoA isomerase (Kilponen, J.M., Palosaari, P.M., and Hiltunen, J.K. 1990. Biochem. J. 269, 223–226). All three hepatic enoyl-CoA isomerases have broad chain length specificities but are distinguishable by their preferences for one of the three isomerization reactions. MECI is most active in catalyzing the 3-cis → 2-trans isomerization; ECI has a preference for the 3-trans → 2-trans isomerization, and MFE1 is the optimal isomerase for the 2,5 → 3,5 isomerization. A functional characterization based on substrate specificities and total enoyl-CoA isomerase activities in rat liver leads to the conclusion that the 3-cis → 2-trans and 2,5 → 3,5 isomerizations in mitochondria are catalyzed overwhelmingly by MECI, whereas ECI contributes significantly to the 3-trans → 2-trans isomerization. In peroxisomes, ECI is predicted to be the dominant enzyme for the 3-cis → 2-trans and 3-trans → 2-transisomerizations of long-chain intermediates, whereas MFE1 is the key enzyme in the 2,5 → 3,5 isomerization.
Ameliorating Conflicts of Interest in Auditing: Effects of Recent Reforms on Auditors and Their Clients

Moore, Tetlock, Tanlu, and Bazerman conclude that recent auditing reforms are misguided and insufficient. I argue that Moore et al. do not consider sufficiently how recent reforms reduce the likelihood of audit failure by affecting the incentives and actions of audit clients as well as auditors. I conclude that further research is necessary to understand the effects (both intended and unintended) of recent reforms before enacting further reforms.
Information Literacy Among Undergraduate Students in Nigeria

This paper examined information literacy skills among undergraduate students in Nigeria. The scope of the study covered two departments in Delta State University, Abraka namely: Library and Information Science and Guidance and Counselling. The study was limited to final year students of the two departments. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study and the population was 517. 103 or 20% of the population of 517 were sampled for the study. 97 questionnaires were retrieved and used for the study. Simple percentage and frequency count statistical tool was used to analyze the data. The study found out that ability to use information effectively to accomplish a task, ability to recognize the needed information, ability to access the needed information effectively and efficiently and ability to evaluate information critically are the information literacy skills possessed by some of the undergraduate students in Nigeria. The study recommended that information literacy education and electronic/digital information skills should be included in the curriculum of the undergraduate students in the universities.
Characterizing subjective responses to alcohol among adolescent problem drinkers.

Theoretical models of alcoholism emphasize the acute reinforcing properties of alcohol as chief determinants of drinking, and animal research suggests adolescents are uniquely sensitive to these effects. Human studies of these phenomena, however, are virtually nonexistent. We used ecological momentary assessment methods to capture adolescents' subjective responses to alcohol in real time in their natural environments. Adolescent participants were 22 problem drinkers, ages 15 to 19 years (M = 18.3, SD = 0.09; 55% female; 55% alcohol dependent). Participants consumed alcohol on 38% of days during a 1-week monitoring period, with an average of 5 drinks per occasion. Momentary data revealed that adolescents experience decreased stimulation and increased sedation and "high" across the ascending limb of the blood alcohol curve. Notably, greater craving predicted higher volumes of subsequent alcohol consumption during the episode, whereas greater "high" attenuated use. To test for developmental differences in these effects, we pooled these data with data from a similarly ascertained sample of 36 adult heavy drinkers, ages 24 to 64 years (M = 38.1, SD = 11.8; 50% female; 61% alcohol dependent). Adolescents were more sensitive to the stimulant effects of alcohol than adults. This study provides novel data on how adolescent problem drinkers experience alcohol in their natural contexts and illustrates how these effects, which appear to differ from adult problem drinkers, confer liability for future drinking.
Leveraging Employee Engagement for Competitive Advantage

Leveraging employee engagement in the workplace is vital in achieving a competitive advantage. Research has shown that despite the existence of shared drivers of engagement, employees may be influenced by different factors. Engagement is produced by aspects in the workplace and by something that employees bring to the organization. There is much that organizations can do to raise levels of engagement among employees. There may be a linkage between levels of engagement and organizational performance. For this reason, a comprehensive view of employee engagement can be helpful to determine what is working and what is not. The extent to which employees are connected to organizational strategy and goals, recognition for a work well done, and a culture of learning and development, may foster high levels of engagement.