Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrating Strategic Marketing on an Institutional Level

Marketing of higher education has been approached mainly from the operational level as tools for student recruitment and income generation. Responsible marketing in higher education, as called for by its terms of reference, is concerned with how to effectively bring students into contact with programs that are both beneficial and rewarding from the broadest sense of personal as well as societal fulfillment. This paper proposes how the competencies of marketing contribute to integrating marketing strategies in institutional Strategic planning.
PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING OF COFFEE PROCESSING AND MARKETING IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF A COFFEE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION

The research paper investigates the profitability of investing in producing for the specialty coffee market, using the Maraba Association as a case study. The paper also develops a strategic analysis and plan for the same association. The study finds that investing in coffee processing and marketing by coffee growers' associations such as the Maraba Association is profitable as long as there is a market for high quality coffee. In addition, strategic analysis and planning identify key success factors as well as action strategies that should be implemented to enable the Maraba Association to be successful in the future.
Basel II and Banking Behavior in Local Markets

The paper deals with the effects of the new capital requirements (Basel II) on banking behaviour. Since the core of the new rules is the greater sensitivity of regulatory capital to the borrowers' risks, we investigated whether banks react to the new rules by differentiating their lending behaviour accordingly. Our theoretical conclusions indicate that as banks switch from Basel I to Basel II rules, they reallocate loans from high-risk to low-risk borrowers, while making interest rates more sensitive to probability of default. An econometric study using Italian data supports both these conclusions. Specifically, we find that as banks adapt to Basel II interest rates on loans do become more sensitive to default risk. In addition, an increase in the interest rate reduces the availability of credit in Southern regions, but increases it in the Centre-North. These results suggest that under Basel II higher-risk firms are likely to pay more for loans, and that firms located in the South are likely to be more severely affected.
FIRM RESOURCES AS DETERMINANTS OF INTERNATIONALIZATION OF MEDIUM SIZED FIRMS; EVIDENCE FRAOM KENYA

The purpose of the study is to assess the effects of firm resources on the internationalization of medium firms taking evidence from Kenya.Resource Based View (RBV) is the main theoretical framework that has informed the study. According to Barney (1991), the ownership of the unique resources is assumed to be the reason why Medium firms in the same industry and location respond differently to export stimuli; one initiating export business and is in a position to meet its export orders while another similar one is not. The argument is that the internal resources tangible or intangible are the main explanatory determinant of firm internationalization. Kenya Top 100 medium firms formed target population. The results of the study indicate that Medium firms that seek for internationalization should invest in developing rare and unique resources which are not imitable. The findings reveal that internal resources tangible or intangible are the main explanatory determinant of medium firm internationalization. The results of the study agrees with a lot of the existing literature on SMEs internationalization on that ownership of the unique resources is a major reason why firms in the same industry and location respond differently to export stimuli. To overcome the challenges of smallness, medium firms have to leverage on knowledge and network resources for they are rare, unique and are not imitable.
Innovation Creation, Innovation Adoption, and Firm Characteristics in the Construction Industry

Purpose – This study aims to assess the construction firm’s innovation orientation and to investigate its relationship with firm characteristics.Design/methodology/approach – A structured survey was conducted among 105 firms in the Malaysian construction industry. The results of the factor analysis revealed two underlying dimensions of innovation, namely, innovation creation and innovation adoption. For the cluster analysis, the firms were segmented into four subgroups according to four dimensions, namely, non-innovative, innovation-creator, imitator and innovative firms.Findings – Firm’s business scale and age significantly affected the innovation orientation of construction firms.Originality/value – This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by adding a new firm characteristic, business scale, as a potential predictor of firms’ innovativeness. This study is the first to explore the effect of firm characteristics on the innovation orientation of firms.
The Impact of Primary Care Dual-Management on Quality of Care

Background: Discontinuity is common in US healthcare. Patients access multiple systems of care and in the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system, Veteran’s Administration (VA) patients frequently use non-VA primary care providers. The impact of this “dual-management” on quality is unknown. The authors’ objective was to identify dual-management and associations with markers of care quality for hypertension and associated conditions. Methods: Data was collected via surveys and chart reviews of primary care patients with hypertension from six VA clinics in Iowa and Minnesota. Clinical measures abstracted included the following: goal blood pressure (BP) and use of guideline-concordant therapy, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C, and body mass index (BMI). Dual-management data was obtained through self-report. Results: Of 189 subjects (mean age = 66), 36% were dual-managed by non-VA providers. There was no difference in hypertension quality of care measures by dual-management status. A total of 51% were at BP goal and 58% were on guideline-concordant therapy. Dual-managed patients were more likely to use thiazide diuretics (43% vs 29%; P = .03) and angiotensin receptor blockers (13% vs 3%; P < .01), but less likely to use angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (43% vs 61%; P = .02). There was no difference in LDL cholesterol (97.1 mg/dl vs 100.1 mg/dl; P = .55), hemoglobin A1C (7% vs 6%; P = .74), or BMI (29.8 vs 30.9; P = .40) for dual-managed versus VA managed patients, respectively. Conclusions: Although dual-management may decrease continuity, VA/private sector dual-management did not impact quality of care, though some medication differences were observed. With the high prevalence of dual-management, future work should further address quality and evaluate redundancy of services.
Ghanaian Craft Exporters in the Global Market: Binding and Missing Links

The paper explored the benefits that accrue to Ghanaian craft exporters from subcontracting ties and the regulatory mechanisms (or the lack of them) that bind (or undermine) their integration into the global market. The benefits that accrue to the exporters for participating in the informal subcontracting arrangement include access to finance, buyer contact services, product development and quality control services. Power to enforce trade terms, effective monitoring, sanctions and trust are critical in enabling informal subcontracting arrangements to work effectively. The strong positions of buyers and export agents in the craft value chain enable them to apply sanctions to extract compliance from the exporters whereas the weak position of the export vendors implies the lack of sanctioning authority over the rogue artisan subcontractors. The government’s promotion programmes could be tailored to help develop the capacities of the artisans to design new products, as well as re-orient them to imbibe the work ethics that would enable them to succeed in the export market. State power can be used to formulate craft industry specific patenting laws that address design copying. Keywords: Ghana; Export; Network; Craft
MAN1B1 Mutation Leads to a Recognizable Phenotype: A Case Report and Future Prospects

Intellectual disability (ID) is one of the most common reasons for referral to genetic counseling. Nevertheless, in over 50% of the cases no diagnosis can be made. Here, we present how exome sequencing in combination with medical genetics evaluation led to the identification of a known pathogenic homozygous mutation in MAN1B1 in a consanguineous Turkish family. The phenotype comprised mild ID, truncal obesity and facial dysmorphism, comparable to that of the patients in the 3 recent publications on mutations in this gene. Clinically, the majority of patients in the literature showed congenital disorder of glycosylation syndrome type 2. In this study, we summarize the current knowledge about MAN1B1 mutations from the literature as well as databases and suggest that exome sequencing should be implemented in a larger scale in routine diagnostics, since autosomal recessive ID has proven to be extremely heterogeneous. Even syndromic patterns may only become recognizable retrospectively.
Consumer Awareness, Ethnocentrism and Loyalty: An Integrative Model

ABSTRACT This article examines the relationships among consumer awareness, ethnocentrism, and loyalty toward imported poultry meat products. Four hundred consumers were randomly intercepted while shopping in major supermarkets using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The structural equation modeling technique was used to test the integrative model. The results show that consumer awareness positively influences consumer ethnocentrism, while consumer awareness does not influence consumer loyalty. The results also reveal that consumer ethnocentrism negatively influences consumer loyalty. It is recommended that marketers consider consumer awareness, ethnocentrism, and loyalty when designing marketing programs in developing countries such as Zimbabwe. Poultry marketers are advised to offer quality products accompanied by aggressive promotions to improve their image. Foreign poultry marketers should also consider setting up manufacturing facilities in developing countries such as Zimbabwe so that their products may be viewed as appropriate and contributing to the development of these economies.
A problem-solving intervention for children with persistent asthma: A pilot of a randomized trial at a pediatric summer camp

Background: Pediatric summer camps are emerging as a means to increase social support and improve children's attitudes about their chronic illness. Because of the high rate of camp attendance, it may be feasible to implement interventions within that setting; however, it has yet to be determined what components of camp are beneficial. Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to determine the efficacy of a problem-solving intervention targeting disease management in improving psychosocial functioning of children with persistent asthma, over and above the benefits of participation in a pediatric summer camp. Methods: Fifty campers were randomly assigned to receive camp plus a nightly problem-solving intervention activity or camp as usual. Changes in self-reported asthma knowledge and problem-solving skills and self- and parent-reported child self- and social competence health-related quality of life were assessed thrice: before camp, on the last day of camp, and 3-months post-camp. Results: There were no significant differences between the problem-solving intervention group and the camp as usual group in change across psychosocial variables from before camp to last day of camp or before camp to 3-months post-camp. Increases in asthma knowledge and problem-solving were found 3-months post-camp when groups were combined. Conclusions: Although support was found for improvements in disease knowledge and problem-solving skills after camp participation, there were no identified benefits to the problem-solving intervention. Children with asthma who participated in camp were functioning at a high level in terms of knowledge, problem-solving, and social and self-competence, suggesting that interventions may be more effective if targeted to patients with identified problems with disease management.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk of Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce dopaminergic neuron degeneration in animal models of Parkinson disease (PD). However, no epidemiological data have been available on NSAID use and the risk of PD. OBJECTIVE To investigate prospectively whether the use of nonaspirin NSAIDs or aspirin is associated with decreased PD risk. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective cohorts of 44 057 men and 98 845 women free of PD, stroke, or cancer (Health Professionals Follow-up Study, 1986-2000, and Nurses' Health Study, 1980-1998). Main Outcome Measure Newly diagnosed PD. RESULTS We documented 415 incident PD cases (236 men and 179 women). Participants who reported regular use of nonaspirin NSAIDs at the beginning of the study had a lower risk of PD than nonregular users during the follow-up; the pooled multivariate relative risk was 0.55 (95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.96, P =.04). Compared with nonusers, a nonsignificantly lower risk of PD was also observed among men and women who took 2 or more tablets of aspirin per day (relative risk, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-1.21). CONCLUSION These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that use of NSAIDs may delay or prevent the onset of PD.
Quantitative antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae by using the E-test

The E-test (PDM Epsilometer; AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden) is an antimicrobial agent gradient-coated plastic test strip which allows MIC determinations on agar media. The test is performed in a manner similar to the agar disk diffusion procedure. A collection of Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae strains possessing various resistance mechanisms was used to evaluate the E-test method. H. influenzae strains were tested with both Haemophilus test medium (HTM) and PDM ASM II chocolate agar, while the S. pneumoniae strains were tested on Mueller-Hinton sheep blood agar. E-test MICs for a total of 10 antimicrobial agents were compared with broth microdilution MICs determined according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards methods. In general, E-test MICs for both species were quickly and easily interpreted and agreed within one log2 MIC increment in 89.8% of tests with H. influenzae and in 80.4% of pneumococcal tests. The majority of disagreements between the E-test and conventional MICs occurred with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole because of trailing and diffuse E-test MIC endpoints with both species. Ampicillin MICs for beta-lactamase-producing H. influenzae determined by the E-test differed at times from those determined by conventional testing because of the vagaries of interpreting colonies growing within the E-test inhibition ellipses. E-test penicillin MICs for pneumococci tended to be 1 to 2 log2 dilutions lower than those determined by using Mueller-Hinton broth supplemented with lysed horse blood. Nevertheless, strains of both species with documented resistance to the study drugs were detected by E-tests, i.e., 0.7% of the tests had very major errors with H. influenzae and 0.8% had very major errors with S. pneumoniae. Thus, the E-test represents a potential alternative method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of these two fastidious bacterial species.
Stakeholders' Perception of Audit Performance Gap In Nigeria

Abstract The audit expectation gap is critical to the auditing profession because the greater the unfulfilled expectation from the public, the lower the credibility earning potential and prestige associated with the work of auditors. The study examined the level and nature of expectation gap (performance gap) between auditors and users of financial statements. It sought to establish whether or not there are differences between users of financial statements and auditors’ perception of management responsibility for the preparation of financial statements, its reliability and decision usefulness. Chi-square ( c 2 ) was used to analyze the data obtained from the study. The data were obtained through questionnaire. Two hundred and fifty (250) copies of the instrument were distributed using purposive sampling technique. In this study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to capture the perceptions of users of financial statements in Nigeria. The tests of hypothesis were done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 14.0. Tests were carried out at a significant level of 5% and four degree of freedom. The findings of this study indicated that there is a wide expectation gap in the areas of auditors responsibility for fraud prevention and detection. There is no generally accepted description of the role of the auditor. Audit scandals had negative impact on auditor’s credibility. We recommend that users of financial statements should be enlightened more on the responsibilities of auditors on the financial statements, the role of the auditor should be clarified and quality control measures should be observed in audit firms. Key words: Auditing, Audit Performance gap, Users of Financial Statements, perceptions
Running head : AtTTM 1 is involved in dark-induced leaf senescence 1 2

1 Running head: AtTTM1 is involved in dark-induced leaf senescence 1 2 Huoi Ung, Purva Karia, Kazuo Ebine, Wolfgang Moeder, Takashi Ueda, and 3 Keiko Yoshioka 4 5 6 1 Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, 7 Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada 8 9 10 * To whom correspondence should be addressed: 11 E-mail: keiko.yoshioka@utoronto.ca 12 Fax: +1-416-978-5878, Tel: +1-416-978-3545 13 14 15 Research Area: Signaling and Response 16 17 18 19 Plant Physiology Preview. Published on July 21, 2017, as DOI:10.1104/pp.17. 00700
An exploratory study of attendee activities at a business trade show

Purpose – Although trade shows are a significant part of the B2B communications mix, academic research in the area is sparse. To successfully manage this medium, a careful understanding of attendee behavior on the trade show floor is necessary. Drawing from the rich literature on shopper typologies in retailing (which parallels the trade show atmosphere), this paper sets out to develop a set of attendee metrics that show organizers can track regularly.Design/methodology/approach – Through latent class clustering on unique attendee‐level data from a popular computer trade show, five segments of attendee activity are uncovered that differ along dimensions such as the attendee's involvement and focus and the exhibitor's booth size, booth accessibility, and product display.Findings – Significant heterogeneity is found in attendee activities on the show floor. There are interesting similarities and differences between the retail and B2B shopper. Implications for trade show organizers and exhibitors are discuss.
BOES: Building Occupancy Estimation System using sparse ambient vibration monitoring

In this paper, we present a room-level building occupancy estimation system (BOES) utilizing low-resolution vibration sensors that are sparsely distributed. Many ubiquitous computing and building maintenance systems require fine-grained occupancy knowledge to enable occupant centric services and optimize space and energy utilization. The sensing infrastructure support for current occupancy estimation systems often requires multiple intrusive sensors per room, resulting in systems that are both costly to deploy and difficult to maintain. To address these shortcomings, we developed BOES. BOES utilizes sparse vibration sensors to track occupancy levels and activities. Our system has three major components. 1) It extracts features that distinguish occupant activities from noise prone ambient vibrations and detects human footsteps. 2) Using a sequence of footsteps, the system localizes and tracks individuals by observing changes in the sequences. It uses this tracking information to identify when an occupant leaves or enters a room. 3) The entering and leaving room information are combined with detected individual location information to update the room-level occupancy state of the building. Through validation experiments in two different buildings, our system was able to achieve 99.55% accuracy for event detection, less than three feet average error for localization, and 85% accuracy in occupancy counting.
Influence of Corporate Image on Brand Extensions: A Model Applied to the Service Sector

The paper presented here provides a new perspective in the study of service brand extensions, which has become a popular strategy for launching new services. Specifically, the paper proposes and estimates a model that shows how potential consumers evaluate service extensions. The findings show that the corporate image affects both the perceived service quality and the perceived fit between the new service and the parent brand, which in turn affects attitudes towards the extension. In consequence, the service extension is more likely to be successful when the corporate image is reinforced by effective marketing communications. The perception of service quality will be better and consumers will think that the company is more able to offer the new services.
CD47 is expressed at normal levels in patients with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and/or immune thrombocytopenia

summary CD47 deficiency results in lethal autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and mild spontaneous thrombocytopenia in non‐obese diabetic mice. It is unknown whether CD47 has an impact on AIHA of the warm type or autoimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in humans.
The Determinants of Consumers’ Attitude Towards Advertising

The advertising industry is a lucrative business in Malaysia. However, government intervention in the industry has to certain extent regulated the content of the advertisement messages. This in turn has impacted the formation of consumers’ attitude towards advertising. As such, it is crucial to identify the determinants of their attitude. The aim of this research is to investigate the determinants of consumers’ attitude towards advertising among tertiary students in a private higher education institution in Malaysia. A total of 263 undergraduate business students from a private university in Malaysia participated in this research. The outcome shows that credibility, informative, hedonic/ pleasure and good for economy positively relates to consumers’ attitude towards advertising.Keywords: attitude towards advertising; credibility; informative; hedonic/pleasure; good for economy.
Acquiring Subject Participation for Information Security Survey Research: A Content and Correspondence Analysis Approach

Abstract Twenty-four business executives and 22 security executives had previously participated in a study about information security investment. The current study asked participants to comment on their reasons for participating in that research. A total of 1003 reasons were submitted which were used to perform a content analysis of information security survey research (ISSR) participation factors. Security and business executives' reasons for participating differed. Reasons also differed by industry. The findings will help researchers to properly communicate the benefits of their studies and thus increase participation rates for ISSR. Greater participation will perhaps contribute to efforts to improve information security.