Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Linkages between Quality System, Service Quality, and Performance Excellence: Service Providers' Perspectives

This study explores the linkages between quality system, employee service-quality culture, and performance excellence in the banking industry operating in a turbulent business environment. Properly conducted quality culture and strategic consensus assessment has the potential of informing a service organization of its current position and possible areas for improvement. The opinions, values, and practices of employees regarding quality are the fundamentals that define quality culture in many service organizations. Management must apply this knowledge to plan for the successful implementation of service-quality related activities. In an exploratory study the authors tested the linkages between quality system, service quality, and performance as perceived by the employees of a large banking institution in Hong Kong. Results of a detailed case study and empirical analysis show that employees perceive strong linkages between quality system, service quality, and performance measures.
Possible different involvement of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism in coronary single vessel disease and myocardial infarction.

To the Editor: Francis et al1 recently reported that a polymorphism in the gene of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is associated with the risk of single, but not multiple, vessel disease in a sample of Sheffield patients undergoing coronary angiography. The authors assume a true genetic distinction between the different expressions of vascular disease. However, a different pathogenetic involvement of the IL-1Ra gene in the mechanisms of atherosclerosis and thrombosis can also be suggested, with thrombosis being more frequent in the presence of multiple vessel disease. No data were, however, presented on patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We studied the IL-1RA gene in 158 Italian patients (129 men and 29 women) with AMI who were younger than 45 years (men) or 50 years (women) of age and who were frequency-matched for age and …
Unexpected mitochondrial matrix localization of Parkinson's disease‐related DJ‐1 mutants but not wild‐type DJ‐1

DJ‐1 has been identified as a gene responsible for recessive familial Parkinson's disease (familial Parkinsonism), which is caused by a mutation in the PARK7 locus. Consistent with the inferred correlation between Parkinson's disease and mitochondrial impairment, mitochondrial localization of DJ‐1 and its implied role in mitochondrial quality control have been reported. However, the mechanism by which DJ‐1 affects mitochondrial function remains poorly defined, and the mitochondrial localization of DJ‐1 is still controversial. Here, we show the mitochondrial matrix localization of various pathogenic and artificial DJ‐1 mutants by multiple independent experimental approaches including cellular fractionation, proteinase K protection assays, and specific immunocytochemistry. Localization of various DJ‐1 mutants to the matrix is dependent on the membrane potential and translocase activity in both the outer and the inner membranes. Nevertheless, DJ‐1 possesses neither an amino‐terminal alpha‐helix nor a predictable matrix‐targeting signal, and a post‐translocation processing‐derived molecular weight change is not observed. In fact, wild‐type DJ‐1 does not show any evidence of mitochondrial localization at all. Such a mode of matrix localization of DJ‐1 is difficult to explain by conventional mechanisms and implies a unique matrix import mechanism for DJ‐1 mutants.
An Examination of the Cost of Capital Implications of Financial Interpretation 46

This study examines whether adoption in 2003 of FASB Interpretation No. 46/R (FIN 46), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities – an Interpretation of ARB No. 51, changes the cost of capital for affected firms. Using comparative analysis on a broad sample of 11,719 firm-quarter observations for 1,389 firms during the period 1998 through 2005, we find evidence FIN 46 significantly increased the cost of equity capital for firms with affected variable interest entities (VIEs), an increase of approximately 50 basis points relative to firms reporting no material effect from the standard. Further, firms consolidating these formerly off-balance sheet structures experienced the largest increase. Taken together, these results suggest that FIN 46 reduced the opportunity for firms to use off-balance sheet structures to artificially reduce their cost of capital, a matter of regulatory concern.
How well does IQ predict neuropsychological test performance in normal adults?

The strength and nature of the association between IQ and performance on other cognitive tests has both practical and conceptual significance for clinical neuropsychology. In this study, 28 measures derived from 16 cognitive tests were analyzed as a function of IQ in 221 adults. Participants were grouped by their IQ scores as having below average (BA), average (A), or above average (AA) intelligence. Planned comparisons revealed that A adults performed significantly better than BA adults on 25 of the 28 cognitive measures, and that AA adults performed significantly better than A adults on 19 of 28 measures. Effect sizes averaged . 74 for BA–A comparisons and . 41 for A–AA comparisons. Linear, quadratic, and cubic functions described the relationships between IQ and cognitive test performance equally well for most individual test measures and for a composite index of test performance, whereas quadratic and cubic functions explained the proportion of abnormal performances better than a linear function. These findings confirm that IQ predicts concurrent neuropsychological performance across the entire spectrum of intelligence, but more so among persons of average IQ or less than among those with above average IQ. (JINS, 2004, 10, 82–90.)
Cardiac pacing in heart failure patients with left bundle branch block: impact of pacing site for optimizing left ventricular resynchronization.

BACKGROUND Acute left ventricular pacing has been associated with hemodynamic improvement in patients with congestive heart failure and wide QRS complex. We hypothesized that pacing two left ventricular sites simultaneously would produce faster activation and better systolic function than single-site pacing. METHODS We selected 14 heart failure patients (NYHA functional class III or IV) in normal sinus rhythm with left bundle branch block and QRS > 150 ms. An 8F dual micromanometer catheter was placed in the aorta for measuring +dP/dt (mmHg/s), aortic pulse pressure (mmHg), and end-diastolic pressure (mmHg). Pacing leads were positioned via coronary veins at the posterior base and lateral wall. Patients were acutely paced VDD at the posterior base, lateral wall, and both sites (dual-site) with 5 atrioventricular delays (from 8 ms to PR -30 ms). Pacing sequences were executed in randomized order using a custom external computer (FlexStim, Guidant CRM). RESULTS Dual-site pacing increased peak +dP/dt significantly more than posterior base and lateral wall pacing. Dual-site and posterior base pacing raised aortic pulse pressure significantly more than lateral wall pacing. Dual-site pacing shortened QRS duration by 22 %, whereas posterior base and lateral wall pacing increased it by 2 and 12%, respectively (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS In heart failure patients with left bundle branch block, dual-site pacing improves systolic function more than single-site stimulation. Improved ventricular activation synchrony, expressed by paced QRS narrowing, may account for the additional benefit of dual- vs single-site pacing in enhancing contractility. This novel approach deserves consideration for future heart failure pacing studies.
Measurement of cervical flexor endurance following whiplash

Aim. To investigate measurement properties of a practical test of cervical flexor endurance (CFE) in whiplash patients including inter-rater reliability, sensitivity to clinical change, criterion related validity against the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and discriminant validity for injured versus uninjured populations. Methods. Two samples were recruited, 81 whiplash patients, and a convenience sample of 160 subjects who were not seeking treatment and met criteria for normal pain and range of motion. CFE was measured using a stopwatch while the subject, in crook lying, held their head against gravity to fatigue. Results. Inter-rater reliability in whiplash patients was in a range considered ‘almost perfect’ (Intraclass Correlation = 0.96). CFE had greater inter-subject variability than the NDI or range of motion in any of three planes. However, the effect size for improvement in CFE over treatment was as large as the effect sizes for all of those measures. In multivariate regression, CFE changes accounted for changes on the NDI better than the three ranges of motion. CFE discriminated whiplash patients who were within six months of injury (n = 71) from age and gender matched normals with high effect size (ES = 1.5). Conclusions. These findings provide evidence of reliability and validity for CFE measurement, and demonstrate that CFE detects clinical improvements. Variance on CFE emphasizes the need to consider inter-, and intra-subject standard deviations to interpret scores.
Marketing buzz: towards a framework for entrepreneurs

Despite the increasing recognition of the importance of word of mouth as an integral component of a firms' marketing efforts, there has been little emphasis on developing suitable guidelines for entrepreneurs who wish to leverage scarce resources by pursuing more innovative marketing techniques. In addition, although there has been a great deal of research into the nature of social networks and interpersonal communication via word of mouth, there have been few attempts to link this research with the firms marketing strategy. In this paper, we consider the diffusion of innovation literature and recent research into social network structure and propose a framework that may be useful for enhancing the marketing efforts of entrepreneurial firms.
THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF GENUS LACTOBACILLUS ON HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION

The triple treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection with two antibiotics and PPI has been shown to be the best way to eradicate this bactirium. In the last years the antibiotic resistance is increasing. Metaanalyses on the effects of probiotics on the gastrointestinal diseases have shown positive effects on the prevention and treatment of these disease. Various studies support thе hypothesis that probiotics may inhibit H. pylori growth. The release of bacteriocins active against H. pylori has been studied chiefly in Lactobacillus, but probiotic bifidobacteria may also produce them. Probiotics reduce the side effects of H. pylori regimens and may slightly increase eradication success. The tradition of yogurt consumption has been related to longevity of some populations living on the Balkans. Probiotics have been claimed to exert anticarcinogenic activities, too. From the 4th Maastricht/Florence Consensus Conference in 2012 about the management of Helicobacter pylori infection: ”Certain probiotics and prebiotics show promising results as an adjuvant treatment in reducing side effects”.
Emerging Market Business Groups, Foreign Investors, and Corporate Governance

We examine the interaction between three kinds of concentrated owners commonly found in an emerging market: family-run business groups, domestic financial institutions, and foreign financial institutions. Using data from India in the early 1990s, we find evidence that domestic international investors are poor monitors, and that foreign institutional investors are good monitors. Whereas affiliates of those groups that attract foreign institutional investment are no more difficult to monitor than are unaffiliated firms, we find that group affiliation reduces the likelihood of foreign institutional investment. More transparent groups (where greater transparency is proxied for by a lower incidence of intra-group financial transactions) are more likely to attract such investment. We conclude that groups are difficult to monitor, and that foreign institutional investors serve a valuable monitoring function as emerging markets integrate with the global economy.
Enhancing brand image via sponsorship

Despite the increased usage of sponsorship activities by practitioners, there has been little research on the impact of sponsorship on building brand image. This research examines the influence of sponsorship on associations transfer from sponsored entity to the sponsor. In order to test all the hypotheses, two pre-tests and one main study were conducted. Empirical findings suggest that individuals who are exposed to the highly fitting partnership develop a stronger associative link between sponsor and sponsored entity than individuals who are exposed to the poorly fitting partnership. Results do not offer support that frequency of the partnership contributes to building the strength of the associative link between sponsor and sponsored entity. Most importantly, results indicate that the strength of the associative link between sponsor and sponsored entity is positively related to the transfer of associations from sponsored entity to sponsor.
General Purpose Reloadable Prepaid Cards: Penetration, Use, Fees, and Fraud Risks

Prepaid cards are the most rapidly growing payment instrument. General purpose reloadable (GPR) prepaid cards, in particular, have gained considerable traction especially among the unbanked and underbanked. How these cards are used is now of acute interest to both policymakers, seeking to ensure broad access to electronic payment methods, consumer protection for prepaid cards, and payments system security, and to payment card industry participants, desiring to advance their product offerings and business models. This study examines the end-user experience of using a GPR card. It investigates which factors, if any, affect the intensity and duration of GPR card use, estimates the fee burden associated with various card usage patterns, and calculates fraud rates by transaction and merchant type. Because we lack cardholder information other than zip code, we supplement our card data with local demographic and socioeconomic data to test whether these factors are correlated with the observed variation in card use and incurred fees. Our results suggest that both account and local socio-demographic characteristics significantly influence the life span, the load and debit activities, the shares of purchase and cash withdrawals, and the average number and value of fees incurred per month, and that transaction and merchant types influence the rate of fraudulent transactions.
Stakeholders and Stocks; Assessing the Interaction between International Companies’ Stakeholder Performance and Their Stock Market Returns

In this paper, we assess the interaction between international firms’ stakeholder performance and their stock market returns. Using data from more than 2,000 firms from 24 countries and 15 industries for the period 2003-2007, we analyze stakeholder performance for firms in different countries/regions and industries. We measure stakeholder performance as firms’ community involvement, their management, customer relations, employee relations, environmental management, and their relationship with contractors and suppliers. We establish that the interaction differs per stakeholder, per country/region, and per industry. Moreover, we conclude that the stakeholders ‘environment’ and ‘community’ are priced factors in the international business environment.
Usefulness of Comprehensive Income Reporting in Canada:Evidence from Adoption of SFAS 130

In March 2003, the Canadian Accounting Standard Board (AcSB) issued an Exposure Draft (ED) proposing a new Handbook Section 1530, COMPREHENSIVE INCOME(along with two other related new standards on FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS-RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT, and HEDGES). These proposed standards are partly motivated partially by the need to recognize the change in the fair value of certain financial instruments as other comprehensive income and partially to harmonize the accounting standards between the US and Canada. The objective of this paper is to examine the incremental information content of the components of the other comprehensive income over net income and the relative predictive power of comprehensive income vis-a-vis net income, using a sample of crosslisted Canadian firms in the period of 1998 to 2003 (listed in the U.S.), which already report other comprehensive items in accordance with SFAS 130. Since the exposure draft on comprehensive income issued by the AcSB states that it aims to harmonize the accounting standards between the US and Canada, we expand our sample to include the entire sample of US firms to investigate the usefulness of disclosing components of other comprehensive income in the post-adoption periods of the SFAS130 (1998 - 2003) and compare it with the pre adoption period (1994-1997), using the COMPUSTAT database. In addition, we re-examine the association between market returns and the components of other comprehensive income for a sub-sample of firms obtained from the Mergent Online database, to examine the change in the fair value of cash flow hedges for the period from 1999 to 2003. In contrast to the results documented by Dhaliwal et al. (1999) of no significant association between the components other comprehensive income and stock returns, we provide evidence that each of the components of other comprehensive income are associated with market returns. This association is stronger for the post-adoption period of SFAS 130 than for the pre-adoption period. The results also hold for non-financial institutions. We observe, however, that net income is a better predictor of future net income/comprehensive income/cash flows from operations than comprehensive income. The results for the reduced sample using the Mergent database with cash flow hedges indicate that the market reacts positively for firms' cash flow hedges. These results also hold (except for foreign currency translation adjustment) for a sub-sample of Canadian cross-listed firms. Overall, our findings suggest that requiring Canadian firms to disclose other comprehensive income components is likely to improve the usefulness of accounting information. These findings, therefore, are of interest to the accounting standard setters in Canada.
Risk factors for nonwork-related adult-onset asthma and occupational asthma: a comparative review

Purpose of reviewTo identify the similarities and differences between nonwork-related adult-onset and occupational asthma from various literature sources published between 2010 and 2013, with respect to the epidemiology, phenotypic manifestations, and risk factors for the disease. Recent findingsThe incidence of adult-onset asthma from pooled population studies is estimated to be 3.6 per 1000 person-years in men and 4.6 cases per 1000 person-years in women. In adults with new-onset asthma, occupational asthma is a common asthma phenotype. Work-related factors are estimated to account for up to 25% of adult cases of asthma and occupational asthma comprising about 16% of adult-onset asthma cases. The review finds that nonwork-related adult-onset asthma is a heterogenous entity and that environmental exposure factors (aside from occupational exposures) appear to have a lesser role than host factors when compared with occupational asthma. SummaryLarge-scale general population studies are needed to identify the similarities and differences between nonwork-related adult-onset and occupational asthma, which may enable a better understanding of these entities and promote efforts towards holistic management approaches for these asthma phenotypes.
Outcome in severe pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome after immunotherapy or supportive care

Article abstract We reviewed duration of illness in 26 children with severe pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) during two contiguous 8-year periods that represent a “non-treatment era” of supportive care alone or a “treatment era” of supportive care plus either plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin intervention. Our findings of similar recovery times in each treatment group suggest that immunotherapy in severe pediatric GBS may be less effective than in adult GBS, or effective only when given to certain patients very early in the course of the illness.
Signal‐specific temporal response by the Salmonella PhoP/PhoQ regulatory system

The two‐component system PhoP/PhoQ controls a large number of genes responsible for a variety of physiological and virulence functions in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Here we describe a mechanism whereby the transcriptional activator PhoP elicits expression of dissimilar gene sets when its cognate sensor PhoQ is activated by different signals in the periplasm. We determine that full transcription of over half of the genes directly activated by PhoP requires the Mg2+ transporter MgtA when the PhoQ inducing signal is low Mg2+, but not when PhoQ is activated by mildly acidic pH or the antimicrobial peptide C18G. MgtA promotes the active (i.e. phosphorylated) form of PhoP by removing Mg2+ from the periplasm, where it functions as a repressing signal for PhoQ. MgtA‐dependent expression enhances resistance to the cationic antibiotic polymyxin B. Production of the MgtA protein requires cytoplasmic Mg2+ levels to drop below a certain threshold, thereby creating a two‐tiered temporal response among PhoP‐dependent genes.
The Role of Cybermediaries in the Hotel Market

The advent of the Internet changed the way buyers and sellers interact. Although access to information seems unlimited, non-expert agents find it difficult to identify the information they can confidently use. A third-party expert or a cybermediary (an intermediary in the cyberspace) can help sort out the information for the contracting partners. In this paper, we study the case of the online hotel market and the role of the cyber travel agent (CTA). We claim that CTAs encourage hoteliers to exert effort in service quality and provide empirical evidence that these hotels are compensated with a price premium.
Board Member Characteristics and Ownership Structure Impacts on Real Earnings Management: Evidence from Taiwan

This study tests the impacts of board member characteristics and ownership structure on real earnings management for firms listed in Taiwan. Rather than examining board member characteristics individually, a “board member quality index” is established based on seven different factors of the board member characteristics (independence, ownership, professionalism, education, busyness, meeting attendance and pledges). This index is used as a proxy measure of the characteristics of the board members. The results reveal that better board member quality results in greater suppression of real earnings management and indicate that our index is successful in evaluating the effectiveness of the board member characteristics of firms in Taiwan. In addition, this study finds that institutional investor ownership of Taiwanese firms plays an important role in curbing real earnings management. However, managerial ownership does not influence the ownership-real earnings management relationship.
Banks and Shareholder Value: An Overview of Bank Valuation and Empirical Evidence on Shareholder Value for Banks

How to measure the shareholder value of banks Valuation methods and their applicability to banks Bank-specific adjustments to standard valuation methods Empirical relevance of shareholder value for banks Accuracy and explanatory value of residual income value estimates for banks Determinants of prediction errors of banks' market values regarding expected shareholder value creation Financial and operational value drivers of banks