Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards a Decomposed Expectation Confirmation Model of IT Continuance: The Role of Usability

: We propose a decomposed expectation confirmation model of IT continuance by 1) decomposing user expectation and confirmation into two dimensions of usefulness and usability, 2) conceptualizing the role of usability in IT continuance research, and 3) exploring changes in user perceptions of usability and usefulness over time and their impacts on user satisfaction and continuance intention. We tested the proposed research model using longitudinal data that we collected in two points in time six months apart from 125 users of the LinkedIn professional social networking site (pSNS). The results show that 1) perceived usability, usability confirmation, perceived usefulness, and usefulness confirmation determined user satisfaction with pSNS and 2) perceived usability along with satisfaction predicted continuance intention, whereas perceived usefulness had no effect. This study contributes IT continuance research by 1) proposing and empirically validating a decomposed model of IT continuance and 2) by bringing in usability as a core construct of interest for IT continuance research.
Role of Lymphotoxin and the Type I TNF Receptor in the Formation of Germinal Centers

In mice deficient in either lymphotoxin-α (LT-α) or the type I tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor, but not the type II TNF receptor, germinal centers failed to develop in peripheral lymphoid organs. Germinal center formation was restored in LT-α-deficient mice by transplantation of normal bone marrow, indicating that the LT-α-expressing cells required to establish this lymphoid structure are derived from bone marrow.
Sustainability and Integrated Reporting in the South African Corporate Sector

This article aims to determine if the adoption of Integrated Reporting by large private sector companies in South Africa has led to an improvement in the quality of sustainability-related information disclosed. This was done in two stages. The first stage comprised a literature review with the aim to develop an evaluation matrix that can be used to access the quality of the sustainability-related information being disclosed within Integrated Reports. During the second stage, empirical evidence was obtained by assessing the sustainability reporting disclosures made by the best performers according to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Sustainability Index. The Integrated Reporting process is still in the development phase with many companies only now developing methodologies to measure their various impacts. The study found that, although many companies are attempting or claiming to be creating Integrated Reports, the level of integration is still very low. Few companies have incorporated or understood the importance of environmental and social sustainability in achieving long-term success. It is hoped that this research will provide an evaluation matrix to assess the information disclosed within Integrated Reports as well as provide insights into the implementation challenges experienced by the early adopters in South Africa.
Deciphering phonemes from syllables in blood oxygenation level‐dependent signals in human superior temporal gyrus

Linguistic units such as phonemes and syllables are important for speech perception. How the brain encodes these units is not well understood. Many neuroimaging studies have found distinct representations of consonant–vowel syllables that shared one phoneme and differed in the other phoneme (e.g. /ba/ and /da/), but it is unclear whether this discrimination ability is due to the neural coding of phonemes or syllables. We combined functional magnetic resonance imaging with multivariate pattern analysis to explore this question. Subjects listened to nine Mandarin syllables in a consonant–vowel form. We successfully decoded phonemes from the syllables based on the blood oxygenation level‐dependent signals in the superior temporal gyrus (STG). Specifically, a classifier trained on the cortical patterns elicited by a set of syllables, which contained two phonemes, could distinguish the cortical patterns elicited by other syllables that contained the two phonemes. The results indicated that phonemes have unique representations in the STG. In addition, there was a categorical effect, i.e. the cortical patterns of consonants were similar, and so were the cortical patterns of vowels. Further analysis showed that phonemes exhibited stronger encoding specificity in the mid‐STG than in the anterior STG.
High-resolution STIR for 3-T MRI of the posterior fossa: visualization of the lower cranial nerves and arteriovenous structures related to neurovascular compression.

OBJECTIVE Preoperative evaluation of small vessels without contrast material is sometimes difficult in patients with neurovascular compression disease. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether 3D STIR MRI could simultaneously depict the lower cranial nerves--fifth through twelfth--and the blood vessels in the posterior fossa. MATERIALS AND METHODS The posterior fossae of 47 adults (26 women, 21 men) without gross pathologic changes were imaged with 3D STIR and turbo spin-echo heavily T2-weighted MRI sequences and with contrast-enhanced turbo field-echo MR angiography (MRA). Visualization of the cranial nerves on STIR images was graded on a 4-point scale and compared with visualization on T2-weighted images. Visualization of the arteries on STIR images was evaluated according to the segments in each artery and compared with that on MRA images. Visualization of the veins on STIR images was also compared with that on MRA images. Statistical analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS There were no significant differences between STIR and T2-weighted images with respect to visualization of the cranial nerves (p > 0.05). Identified on STIR and MRA images were 94 superior cerebellar arteries, 81 anteroinferior cerebellar arteries, and 79 posteroinferior cerebellar arteries. All veins evaluated were seen on STIR and MRA images. There were no significant differences between STIR and MRA images with respect to visualization of arteries and veins (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION High-resolution STIR is a feasible method for simultaneous evaluation of the lower cranial nerves and the vessels in the posterior fossa without the use of contrast material.
Effects of motivation on performance of students in MOOC

The paper is based on the view that avid number of students enrolled in online courses doesn’t necessarily finish them and earn certificate. Specialized web sites such as Coursera, EdX and Udacity are getting more members each day, but number of people who attend courses is not getting higher. Question that was asked is what is motivational factor for people to enroll in these courses and what keeps them focused and oriented toward finishing them. The premise is that reason for engagement in online courses comes mainly from external factor i.e. expectations of subject social environment. This paper discuss differences between external and internal motivational factors, with emphasis on self-determination which subjects shows in early weeks of attendance these courses, and which declines as the course proceeds toward the end and final exam which leads to receiving certificate.
Obsessive Thoughts: The Problem of Therapy

Summary Eleven patients with obsessive thoughts were treated in two pilot studies. In the first of these patients were given thought-stopping, and this was contrasted with relaxation therapy. In the second study patients were treated by a technique described here as ‘satiation’, and this was followed by thought-stopping and finally a course of amitriptyline. The overall results were poor, but one type of obsessive thought responded well to satiation.
Convertible Bond Arbitrage, Happy Meals, and Insider Trading

Consistent with hedge funds trading on privileged information during the wall-crossing period, we document negative abnormal returns and abnormally high short selling in the trading days just prior to the private placements of U.S. convertible bonds, no pre-placement negative abnormal returns and less pre-placement abnormal short selling volume for convert issuers who engage in related stock buybacks, and more pre-placement short selling for convert issues subject to more intense post-issue short selling. Alternative explanations for our results are rejected because pre-placement anomalies are related to specific terms of the converts and related buybacks. Short interest disclosure needs to be more transparent and Regulation Fair Disclosure better enforced.
The Contingent Effect of Marketing Alliances on Firm Profitability

Forming interfirm collaborative relationships has become a key aspect of a firm’s marketing strategies to create value for customers and achieve greater firm performance. While empirical findings are mixed in previous studies, this study is an effort to identify boundary conditions for the benefits of marketing alliances. We investigate internal and environmental factors that may magnify or constrain the effect of marketing alliances on firm profitability. Given the complementary relationship between marketing and R&D activities, we focus on a firm’s R&D intensity as an internal factor that may magnify the value of marketing alliances for firm performance. For environmental factors, we focus on industry turbulence and industry competitiveness. Industry turbulence refers to the degree to which industry market conditions change quickly and unpredictably, whereas industry competitiveness refers to the degree to which a firm faces competition in the industry. By testing these factors, we are intended to reveal boundary conditions that determine the value of marketing alliances for firm profitability. The analysis of firms in the diverse industries shows that while the main effect of marketing alliances on firm profitability is not significant, it becomes more positive when R&D investment is more intensive or when industry environment is more turbulent. The results of this study imply that just forming more marketing alliances may not be enough to increase firm profitability. Our findings imply that marketing alliances become more effective in a dynamically changing industry environment. That is, firms can cope with industry uncertainties more effectively by forming marketing alliances. At the same time, the moderating effect of R&D intensity implies that the internal investments in R&D magnify the effect of marketing alliances on firm profitability. The findings of this study contributes to the existing alliance literature in three aspects. First, this study enhances our understanding of the contingent value of marketing alliances by testing both internal and external factors that may influence the effectiveness of marketing alliances. Second, this study responds to the need for research that investigates actual performance resulting from interfirm relationships. Third, while previous studies primarily focused on a specific industry, this study extend previous findings of the boundary conditions for the benefits of marketing alliances in a broader context.
Cancer Therapy : Clinical A Multicenter , First-in-Pediatrics , Phase 1 , Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of Ridaforolimus in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors

Purpose: Ridaforolimus (MK-8669, AP23573) is a potent and selective mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. Preclinically, ridaforolimus displays antiproliferative activity against a variety of human tumors in vitro and tumor xenograftmodels in vivo, with additive or synergistic activity when combinedwith other anticancer agents. Antitumor activity has been confirmed in adults. This phase I study determined the safety, pharmacological, biologic, and toxicity profiles of ridaforolimus in pediatric patients with refractory
A SURVEY OF PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AGENCIES READINESS FOR E-PROCUREMENT ADOPTION

E-Procurement is a veritable tool for increasing efficiency, productivity and faster project delivery in construction industry practice. However, despite the administrative and managerial benefits obtainable by the adoption of e-procurement, public organizations are slow in their approach to its adoption due to their exposure to the technology application in that regards. Thus, this research aim to assess the state of readiness of government construction organization to adopt e-procurement in order to establish their responds to information communication technology innovations with a view to enhancing continuous efficiency in service delivery. Questionnaire and literature review were use as sources of data, where by the factors either for or against e-procurement adoption were identified and established. From the research findings, majority of the response shows lack of awareness and lack of experienced partners. However, the management is aware of its benefits to construction industry and will welcome changes to strategies that ensure successful migration from paper base procurement to electronic one. The study therefore recommended that a framework be developed by Government for the full adoption of e-procurement in Nigerian construction industry.
Corporate Governance in China: Recent Developments, Key Problems, and Suggested Solutions

China started its economic reform in 1978. By 1995, China had become the world's third largest economic powerhouse after the United States and Japan, with a total GDP of $720 billion. The development of the securities market and a sound corporate governance system plays an important role in the progress of China's economic reform. Since 1992, China has made substantial progress in seven areas of corporate governance: (1) rights of shareholders and rules for shareholders' meetings, (2) duties and responsibilities of directors and independence of board of directors, (3) fiduciary duties, (4) performance assessments and incentive and disciplinary systems, (5) information disclosure and transparency, (6) insider information and related party transactions, and (7) the role of the auditor. This paper describes the recent developments in China's corporate governance. In particular, it addresses nine key corporate governance problems in China: (1) highly concentrated ownership structure, (2) insider control of corporate affairs, (3) weak protection of shareholders' rights, (4) frequent insider trading, self dealings and collusions in market manipulations, (5) falsification and fabrication of financial data, (6) weak independent board of directors and specialized committees, (7) weak supervisory board, (8) weak auditing profession, and (9) weak external governance structure. This paper also provides eleven suggested solutions to improve the quality of corporate governance in China: (1) gradually floating the un-tradable shares, (2) CEO certification, corporate governance guidelines, and code of business conduct and ethics, (3) improving disclosure and supervision of insider and related party transactions, (4) accelerating the reform of board of directors, (5) clearly defining the functions of the supervisory board, (6) improving internal controls, audit quality and independence, (7) requiring an independent audit committee and an internal audit function, (8) strengthening legal liabilities and enforcement, (9) strengthening shareholder rights, (10) developing a long-term focus incentive compensation system for directors and executives, and (11) improving the quality of the external governance structure.
The role and value of information technology infrastructure: some empirical observations

Information technology (IT) infrastructure is a critical component of the IT portfolio. The role and value of IT infrastructure is not well understood. This paper explores these issues via the IT and public infrastructure literatures as well as observations in five large organizations. The provision of IT infrastructure appears to be a strategy companies have adopted to find an economically sensible compromise between complete centralization and complete decentralization of IT. Specifically, three questions are addressed: 1. What is a clear definition of IT infrastructure? 2. What benefits do firms expect to get from IT infrastructure investments? 3. How are IT infrastructure investments identified and justified? The result is a model of the role and business value of IT infrastructure. Two types of infrastructure are identified: firm-wide and business unit IT infrastructure. The model also distinguishes between different roles firms identify for IT infrastructure and suggests different benefits profiles will result. A number of propositions and implications for management policy are derived from the model. # The author would like to acknowledge the supportive sabbatical environment provided by the Center for Information Systems Research (CISR) at MIT during this study. The author would also like to recognize the managers who gave freely of their time to provide much of the input for this paper. There are several other people who provided valuable insight and helped shape this paper who the author would like to thank: Geoffrey Brooke, Margrethe Olson, Judith Quillard, Jack Rockart, Mike Vitale and two anonymous reviewers. The Role and Value of Information Technology Infrastructure: Some Empirical Observations
Impact of Working Capital Management on Firms Performance

Working capital management is one of the most important financial decisions in the company. Optimal working capital management will increase company’s value. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between working capital management and company’s performance. In order to measure company’s performance, return on equity (ROE), rate of return on assets (ROA) and ratio of market value to book value of the company (P/B) have been used. Analyses were done using 56 companies active in Tehran stock exchange during 2003-2007. Results of the study showed that there is a positive and significant relation between working capital management and return on equity, between working capital management and rate of return on assets, between working capital management and ratio of market value to book value of the company.
Evaluation of Rapid Chromatographic Immunoassay with Latex Agglutination Test and (ELISA) for Diagnosis of Human Toxoplasmosis

Background: there are different procedures for the diagnosis of females suspected with toxoplasmosis. However, time, cost, and accuracy of the test should meet patient’s needs.Material and methods: one hundred and eleven female with suspected toxoplasmosis were under go three different procedures for the diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection. Latex agglutination test, rapid chromatographic (immunoblot) and ELISA test were done for all patients. The results were described as frequency and percentage of positivity; also, specificity and sensitivity of immunoblot were assessed according to the result of other tests.Results: The Latex test has shown 80% and 61.54% sensitivity and specificity respectively with IgG measured by ELISA while it has shown 100% sensitivity and specificity with IgM measured by ELISA. IgM immunoblot give a relatively higher sensitivity and specificity (95% and 98.89%) respectively than IgG immunoblot (88% and 89.29%) made with IgM and IgG ELISA respectively.Conclusion: Rapid chromatographic test considered as a good test for detection of IgG and IgM anti Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in both acute and chronic Toxoplasmosis.
Successful marketing by multinational firms to the bottom of the pyramid: connecting share of heart, global “umbrella brands”, and responsible marketing

Purpose – This paper aims to contend that four significant ideas must be comprehended, and their connection and interaction understood if successful marketing to the 4 to 5 billion undeserved bottom of the pyramid (BOP) people in the world, by multinational firms is to be realized. These ideas are: the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) market itself; share of the heart versus consumer animosity; the nature and influence of global “umbrella” brands and responsible marketing as a guiding principle for all firms including those focusing on the BOP. Each of these ideas, in and of itself, represents an important dimension in today's global business environment, but taken together they offer a clearer understanding of how companies, particularly multinational companies, can do well (profit) and do good (improve humanity). Design/methodology/approach – The paper briefly overviews the BOP literature, highlighting those parts most relevant to this work; expands upon the notion of “share of heart” and its twin components .
Cross-Country Differences in Disclosure Quality: A Study of Fair Value Disclosures by European Real Estate Companies.

Companies are under IAS 40 required to report fair values of investment properties on the balance sheet or to disclose them in the notes. The standard requires also that companies have to disclose the methods and significant assumptions applied in determining fair values of investment properties. However, IAS 40 does not include any illustrative examples or other guidance on how to apply the disclosure requirements. We use a sample with publicly traded companies from the real estate sector in the EU. We find that a majority of the companies use income based methods for the measurement of fair values but there are considerable cross-country variations in the level of disclosures about the assumptions used in determining fair values. More specifically, we find that Scandinavian and German origin companies disclose more than French and English origin companies. We also test whether disclosure quality is associated with enforcement quality measured with the “Rule of Law” index according to Kaufmann et al. (2010),and associated with a secrecy-versus transparency-measure based on Gray (1988). We find a positive association between disclosure and earnings quality and a negative association with secrecy.
Effect of backrest elevation on the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a common complication of mechanical ventilation. Backrest position and time spent supine are critical risk factors for aspiration, increasing the risk for pneumonia. Empirical evidence of the effect of backrest positions on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, especially during mechanical ventilation over time, is limited. OBJECTIVE To describe the relationship between backrest elevation and development of ventilator-associated pneumonia. METHODS A nonexperimental, longitudinal, descriptive design was used. The Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score was used to determine ventilator-associated pneumonia. Backrest elevation was measured continuously with a transducer system. Data were obtained from laboratory results and medical records from the start of mechanical ventilation up to 7 days. RESULTS Sixty-six subjects were monitored (276 patient days). Mean backrest elevation for the entire study period was 21.7 degrees . Backrest elevations were less than 30 degrees 72% of the time and less than 10 degrees 39% of the time. The mean Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score increased but not significantly, and backrest elevation had no direct effect on mean scores. A model for predicting the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score at day 4 included baseline score, percentage of time spent at less than 30 degrees on study day 1, and score on the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, explaining 81% of the variability (F=7.31, P=.003). CONCLUSIONS Subjects spent the majority of the time at backrest elevations less than 30 degrees . Only the combination of early, low backrest elevation and severity of illness affected the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.