Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"Exploring the Impact of Retail Stores' Service Quality on Consumers' Purchase Intention: The Moderating Role of CSR".

3 Abstract: This quantitative field survey study examines the relationship between Service quality, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and customer purchase intentions in context of multinational quick service restaurant (QSR) chains in Pakistan. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of Service Quality on Purchase Intention with moderating role of CSR. Based on convenience sampling due to lacking sampling frame, data was collected from 276 walk-in respondents at three major well known multinational fast food stores in Faisalabad and Lahore in Pakistan. Results of this study showed firstly that Service quality has significant and direct impact on the purchase intention. Secondly, CSR moderates between Service Quality and Purchase intention in Quick Service Restaurant Industry in such a way to strengthen the relationship between them. This study can contribute a lot to the retail business community, through understanding the drivers of customer purchase intention and the role of CSR in impacting the purchase intention. The firm manifesting CSR role must clearly communicate and promote their activities to the community to get a positive response. Furthermore, these activities must not give a manipulative reflection or give an impression to increase the prices of product due to cost incurred by CSR activities. Lastly, this study is helpful for marketers and retailers to apprehend the service quality from customer's perspective. In future, there is need to understand that among set of CSR activities, what particular activities are most likely to affect purchase intentions of customers.
Suppression of Androgen Receptor-mediated Transactivation and Cell Growth by the Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β in Prostate Cells*

Androgens play important roles in the growth of normal prostate and prostate cancer via binding to the androgen receptor (AR). In addition to androgens, AR activity can also be modulated by selective growth factors and/or kinases. Here we report a new kinase signaling pathway by showing that AR transactivation was repressed by wild type glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) or constitutively active S9A-GSK3β in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the catalytically inactive kinase mutant GSK3β showed little effect on the AR transactivation. The suppression of AR transactivation by GSK3β was abolished by the GSK3β inhibitor lithium chloride. The in vitro kinase assay showed that GSK3β prefers to phosphorylate the amino terminus of AR that may lead to the suppression of activation function 1 activity located in the NH2-terminal region of AR. GSK3β interrupted the interaction between the NH2 and COOH termini of AR, and overexpression of the constitutively active form of GSK3β, S9A-GSK3β, reduced the androgen-induced prostate cancer cell growth in stably transfected CWR22R cells. Together, our data demonstrated that GSK3β may function as a repressor to suppress AR-mediated transactivation and cell growth, which may provide a new strategy to modulate the AR-mediated prostate cancer growth.
Absolute elastic cross-sections for low-energy electron scattering from tetrahydrofuran

We present results for elastic electron collision cross-sections with tetrahydrofuran (C4H8O) in the energy range of 6.5–50 eV. The absolute cross-sections are determined from crossed beam measurements using the relative flow technique and cover the angular range between 10° and 130°. Integral and momentum transfer cross-sections have also been derived from these results. The data, where possible, are compared to recent experimental results and theoretical calculations.
Unwanted Unprotected Sex: Condom Coercion by Male Partners and Self-silencing of Condom Negotiation Among Adolescent Girls

This exploratory study used the theory of reasoned action and the theory of gender and power to guide elicitation of partner-related impediments to condom use among 64 adolescent girls living in poor urban areas with high rates of HIV and partner abuse. About 53% indicated that they had experienced unwanted, unprotected vaginal sex and 25% indicated that they were unable to discuss condom use with a partner. Novel qualitative findings related to condom coercion, condom sabotage, and self-silencing of condom negotiation are discussed in the context of connecting partner abuse to interpersonal control over condom use. Implications for intervention design are discussed.
An Analysis of the Link between Customers' Intention to Recommend a Firm and the Lifetime Value of its Customers

The Net Promoter Score (NPS) concept, which is widely used among practitioners, assumes that there is a positive and nonlinear linkage between intention to recommend a firm (positive word of mouth) and Customer Lifetime Value. However, this critical assertion for customer portfolio management has not yet been empirically proved. This study uses a data set from a financial service provider to analyze the link between customers' intention to recommend a firm and Customer Lifetime Value. It reveals that intention to recommend a firm increases contribution margins but it neither enhances customer loyalty nor Customer Lifetime Value. However, satisfaction has a significant influence on Customer Lifetime Value. Thus, the expected nonlinear link between intention to recommend and Customer Lifetime Value cannot be proved, so the significance of the NPS concept for customer management cannot be verified.
Localization of kisspeptin neurons in the hypothalamus of peripubertal female lambs; possible connection with gonadotrophin releasing hormone and neuropeptide Y neurons.

Hypothalamic peptide kisspeptin (kp) plays a major role in the initiation of pubertal events in mammals through the activation of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. The present study was designed to analyse the morpho-functional role of kisspeptin cells in the multimodal effects on GnRH secretion in female prepubertal lambs. The localization of kp immunoreactive (ir) expression was compared with that of GnRH release and neuropeptide Y (NPY) synthesis. The experiment was conducted on eight 32-week-old Merino lambs. The distribution of the peptides was estimated using immunohistochemistry and anti-kp, anti-GnRH and anti-NPY specific antibodies. The hypothalamic area containing numerous kp-ir perikarya and a dense network of kp-ir fibres was localized in the caudal part of the arcuate nucleus. Single axons and single perikarya were observed throughout the hypothalamus extending from the preoptic area to the mammillary bodies. Distinct bundles of kp-ir nerve terminals were observed in the lateral zone of the median eminence (ME) and dispersed in smaller quantities in its medial zone. Double immunostaining indicated that a third of the kp-ir neurons were in close apposition with NPY-ir afferents, and that the distribution of kp-ir nerve terminals in the ME matched that of GnRH-ir nerve terminals. To conclude, the presence of very large numbers of kp-ir neurons in the peripubertal period could be attributed to their stimulating action on the GnRH neuronal system during this period. This influence could act directly in the ME, where both peptides are released. In addition, kp-ir neurons could mediate the effect of NPY on GnRH secretion.
Retaining Knowledge Workers: A Case Study of a Leading South African Bank

This paper explored the factors that influenced the retention of knowledge workers (KWs) at a major financial institution in South Africa, to ascertain the strategies that are currently being employed, determine the strategies that were most valued by the employees, and recommend strategies to retain the KWs. The data which was collected through self-administered questionnaires from a convenience sample of KWs revealed that remuneration, challenging work, learning and development opportunities and, flexible work practices, were the most valued strategies. The retention strategies KWs were most satisfied with were good working conditions, respect, an aspirational brand, a safe working environment and leave benefits. Remuneration was a key factor influencing their intentions to remain in the organization, and there were no significant differences between the retention strategies valued by Black and White knowledge workers. It is recommended that in order to retain KWs, financial institutions should focus on a few well embedded retention strategies such as flexible working hours, providing more learning and development opportunities, and a more meaningful and challenging work environment. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n23p2768
Using free association to examine the relationship between the characteristics of brand associations and brand equity

The purposes of this study are to identify the types of brand association and examine the relationship between association characteristics and brand equity. Based on a literature review, two types of brand association are identified. One is product association including functional attribute association and non‐functional attribute association. The other is organizational association including corporate ability association and corporate social responsibility association. An empirical study measures the numbers of association, deriving from free association, and examines its differences between three pairs of high and low equity brands. We found that the corporate social responsibility association is almost absent across four high equity brands from subject’s free associations. Based on the other three contents of brand association, we use its total number of association to identify the orientation of association for each brand. The results are the same as that of using the favorable association. In addition, we also found that the number of brand association and total association have a significant relationship with brand equity. But the core of the brand association, instead of total association, is the key factor of driving brand equity building. The greater the numbers of the core brand association, the higher the brand equity. However, there is no significant difference for the other brand associations between the high and low equity brands. Marketers should develop the core association to position its brand strategy to create competitive advantages.
A Critical Discussion of Financial Market Anomalies Associated with the Initial Public Offerings (IPOS)

Initial Public Offerings (IPO) are exposed to two undisputed anomalies of short-run under-pricing and long-run underperformance which has put the theories of rationality, market efficiency and neo-classical models under suspicion. This paper is based on the critical discussion of empirical literature, and aimed to extract the sources of IPO anomalies so that the significance of behavioural finance can be demonstrated, and suggestions can be made to overcome anomalies of new-issues. The paper concludes that under-pricing phenomena is primarily associated with the asymmetric-information, book-building practices, hot-markets, small-sized younger firms, and legal liabilities. Underperformance phenomena, however, is the product of sentimental-investors, poor-accounting practices, hot- markets, and after-market intervention of underwriters. Anomalies of IPOs can be eradicated by stringent market regulations, hiring reputed auditors, voluntary disclosure, and by ensuring the accountability of underwriters (Loughran, 2002).
Incomes of Retirement-Age and Working-Age Canadians: Accounting for Home Ownership

This paper estimates the implicit income generated by the home equity of working-age and retirement-age households. In so doing, it expands our understanding of Canadians' preparation for retirement by taking into account the services that homeowners realize as a result of having invested in their homes. On the basis of both the 2006 Survey of Household Spending and the 2006 Census of Population, we find that housing services make an important contribution to household income. When estimates of the services provided by the equity invested in housing are added to traditional estimates of income, the income of retirement-age households is increased by 9% to 12% for those in the 60-to-69 age class and by 12% to 15% for those in the 70-plus age class. In turn, this additional income reduces the difference in income between working-age and retirement-age households that own their own homes. According to the Survey of Household Spending, net incomes decline by about 45% between the peak household earning years and the 70-plus retirement-age class. This figure is reduced to 42% when the contribution of housing services is taken into account. The Census provides a similar picture: the gap in incomes is 38% when net income alone is considered and 35% when one accounts for housing services.
Levodopa therapy for Parkinson disease

Although levodopa is widely recognized as the most effective therapy for Parkinson disease (PD), its introduction 5 decades ago was preceded by several years of uncertainty and equivocal clinical results. The translation of basic neuroscience research by Arvid Carlsson and Oleh Hornykiewicz provided a logical pathway for treating PD with levodopa. Yet the pioneering clinicians who transformed PD therapeutics with this drug—among them Walther Birkmayer, Isamu Sano, Patrick McGeer, George Cotzias, Melvin Yahr, and others—faced many challenges in determining whether the concept and the method for replenishing deficient striatal dopamine was correct. This article reviews highlights in the early development of levodopa therapy. In addition, it provides an overview of emerging drug delivery strategies that show promise for improving levodopa's pharmacologic limitations.
Is a Company Known by the Company it Keeps? Assessing the Spillover Effects of Brand Alliances on Consumer Brand Attitudes

The authors examine the growing and pervasive phenomenon of brand alliances as they affect consumers’ brand attitudes. The results of the main study (n = 350) and two replication studies (n = 150, n = 210) together demonstrate that (1) consumer attitudes toward the brand alliance influence subsequent impressions of each partner's brand (i.e., “spillover” effects), (2) brand familiarity moderates the strength of relations between constructs in a manner consistent with information integration and attitude accessibility theories, and (3) each partner brand is not necessarily affected equally by its participation in a particular alliance. These results represent a first, necessary step in understanding why and how a brand could be affected by “the company it keeps” in its brand alliance relationships.
Estimation of conditional and marginal odds ratios using the prognostic score

Introduced by Hansen in 2008, the prognostic score (PGS) has been presented as ‘the prognostic analogue of the propensity score’ (PPS). PPS‐based methods are intended to estimate marginal effects. Most previous studies evaluated the performance of existing PGS‐based methods (adjustment, stratification and matching using the PGS) in situations in which the theoretical conditional and marginal effects are equal (i.e., collapsible situations). To support the use of PGS framework as an alternative to the PPS framework, applied researchers must have reliable information about the type of treatment effect estimated by each method. We propose four new PGS‐based methods, each developed to estimate a specific type of treatment effect. We evaluated the ability of existing and new PGS‐based methods to estimate the conditional treatment effect (CTE), the (marginal) average treatment effect on the whole population (ATE), and the (marginal) average treatment effect on the treated population (ATT), when the odds ratio (a non‐collapsible estimator) is the measure of interest. The performance of PGS‐based methods was assessed by Monte Carlo simulations and compared with PPS‐based methods and multivariate regression analysis. Existing PGS‐based methods did not allow for estimating the ATE and showed unacceptable performance when the proportion of exposed subjects was large. When estimating marginal effects, PPS‐based methods were too conservative, whereas the new PGS‐based methods performed better with low prevalence of exposure, and had coverages closer to the nominal value. When estimating CTE, the new PGS‐based methods performed as well as traditional multivariate regression. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Vision For Continuous Automated Game Design

ANGELINA is an automated game design system which has previously been built as a single software block which designs games from start to finish. In this paper we outline a roadmap for the development of a new version of ANGELINA, designed to iterate on games in different ways to produce a continuous creative process that will improve the quality of its work, but more importantly improve the perception of the software as being an independently creative piece of software. We provide an initial report of the system's structure here as well as results from the first working module of the system.
An Empirical Investigation of Privacy Awareness and Concerns on Social Networking Sites

Abstract Privacy affects every user who exchanges information over the Internet. In the past few years, the growth of information on social networks (such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) has increased exponentially. Companies are harvesting this information with and without the knowledge of individuals. While the exchange of information and seamless interaction between individuals and groups has become an easy task, issues related to this exchange, such as information privacy and security, have created new challenges. This study investigated respondents' attitudes towards privacy on social networking sites. In addition, the study sought to ascertain whether socio-demographic variables and knowledge of privacy issues influence attitudes and privacy concerns towards using social computing sites. Data analysis includes descriptive profile analysis, and statistical validation of attitudes and privacy concerns by means of correlation, regression, and cluster analysis. There was a significant relationship between privacy awareness and knowledge based on information provided by respondents. Most socio-demographic variables did not show significant effects on information privacy concerns. Implications of the findings are discussed. Further research is needed to investigate individual concerns on specific information that is being collected, stored, and shared on popular social networking sites.
Association of the metabolic syndrome with severe periodontitis in a large U.S. population-based survey.

CONTEXT Metabolic syndrome and periodontitis both have an increasing prevalence worldwide; however, limited information is available on their association. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to assess the association between periodontitis and the metabolic syndrome in a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of the noninstitutionalized civilians in the United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Data analysis from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey on 13,994 men and women aged 17 yr or older who received periodontal examination were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Association of diagnosis and extent of periodontitis (gingival bleeding, probing pocket depths) with the metabolic syndrome and its individual component conditions (central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, hypertension, and insulin resistance) were measured. Adjustment for age, sex, years of education, poverty to income ratio, ethnicity, general conditions, and smoking were considered. RESULTS The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 18% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16-19], 34% (95% CI 29-38), and 37% (95% CI 28-48) among individuals with no-mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, participants aged older than 45 yr suffering from severe periodontitis were 2.31 times (95% CI 1.13-4.73) more likely to have the metabolic syndrome than unaffected individuals. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome increased by 1.12 times (95% CI 1.07-1.18) per 10% increase in gingival bleeding and 1.13 times (95% CI 1.03-1.24) per 10% increase in the proportion of periodontal pockets. CONCLUSIONS Severe periodontitis is associated with metabolic syndrome in middle-aged individuals. Further studies are required to test whether improvements in oral health lead to reductions in cardiometabolic traits and the risk of metabolic syndrome or vice versa.
The supply of personal information: A study on the determinants of information provision in e-commerce scenarios

Disjoint research efforts have so far considered latent constructs (e.g. privacy concerns) either as an independent variable to explore consumers' actual or stated intentions or - to a less extent - as dependent variable explained through a number of antecedents (e.g. privacy awareness, demographic differences). However, there has not been a formal link across antecedents, latent constructs and behavioural (or stated) intentions in the context of ecommerce or information disclosure. This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature in order to establish a better understanding of the role of attitudes in respondents' willingness to engage in online purchases. We employ a stated preference discrete choice experiment to collect respondents' choices across online retailers, conventional store and opt-out options under different levels of personal-information requirements. Personal information in the experiment is presented across three dimensions (attributes): amount/type of information collected, duration of storage and the likelihood of this information being shared with third parties. These dimensions are introduced in order to be able to capture risks involved in online transactions according to consumer perceptions. Using the Privacy Calculus as a guiding conceptual framework, the experiment also offers respondents trade-offs between benefits such as faster check-out, detailed reviews and priority shipping of the purchased product. The choice data are complemented with a set of attitudinal indicators (psychometric scales) describing individuals’ attitudes toward information privacy protection. The data comes from 502 participants representing the online-user population in the UK. We report results from Integrated Latent Variable models, which test the influence of these latent constructs in the consumers' decision to purchase a product online and their sensitivity upon attributes describing online retailers. Preliminary model estimation results show that the higher an individual's concern, general caution and technical protection the less likely a consumer is to purchase a product online. In a joint model, the influence of privacy concern is found to outweigh the influence of general caution and technical protection. Also, consumers with increased general caution are less sensitive in the case an online retailer shares their personal data with third parties.