Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance differences between the wrigley/rumelt strategic categories

This study examines differences in profit and sales performance between the different Wrigley/Rumelt categories of diversification strategy. Our sample comprised 305 large U. K. manufacturing companies over the period 1972–84. Although diversification strategy explained only a small proportion of inter‐firm performance differences, once the influence of other firm and industry variables were taken into account, significant differences did emerge. Our findings conflict with those of earlier U.S. studies. In particular, we find that diversified firms outperformed specialized firms and there was no evidence that related diversification was more successful than unrelated.
Demographics and diagnoses at rural health camps in Nepal: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND The charity 'Health Partnership Nepal' is committed to both improving global health care and providing medical training links between Nepal and the UK. This paper analyses data gathered at rural health camps. AIM To describe the demographics, diagnoses and treatments offered to people attending three rural health camps in Nepal during 2009. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Three free health care camps established within the Nuwakot district of Nepal during April-May 2009. Camps were staffed by doctors including GPs, nurses and medical students from London and Kathmandu. METHODS Attendees had treatment sheets completed which recorded their demographics, diagnoses and dispensed medications. RESULTS The mean age of the 1903 consecutive patients attending was 42.8 years (range one month to 98 years) of whom 68.6% were female and 13.7% were children. The majority, 82.3%, were agricultural workers. For adults (n = 1574), the most frequent complaints were stomach pain 20.1%, musculoskeletal pain 19.3% and visual acuity problems 6.1%. Stomach pain was significantly more common in women than men [21.2% (236/1064) versus 14.5% (65/449) P < 0.01]. For children (n = 249), the most common diagnoses were helminthiasis 10.4%, conjunctivitis 7.6% and upper respiratory tract infection 7.2%. Overall, opthalmological, gastroenterological and rheumatological diagnoses were significantly more common in Nepalese than UK general practice patients. Of 1109 recorded prescriptions, the most common were multivitamins 23%, oral analgesics 15% and oral antibiotics 14%. CONCLUSIONS There is a considerable unmet disease burden within rural districts of Nepal particularly for stomach pain, musculoskeletal pain and visual acuity problems. When planning similar rurally based health camps, we recommend recruiting GPs and ophthalmologists.
Health Checkup and Telemedical Intervention Program for Preventive Medicine in Developing Countries: Verification Study

Background The prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing throughout the world, including developing countries. Objective The intent was to conduct a study of a preventive medical service in a developing country, combining eHealth checkups and teleconsultation as well as assess stratification rules and the short-term effects of intervention. Methods We developed an eHealth system that comprises a set of sensor devices in an attaché case, a data transmission system linked to a mobile network, and a data management application. We provided eHealth checkups for the populations of five villages and the employees of five factories/offices in Bangladesh. Individual health condition was automatically categorized into four grades based on international diagnostic standards: green (healthy), yellow (caution), orange (affected), and red (emergent). We provided teleconsultation for orange- and red-grade subjects and we provided teleprescription for these subjects as required. Results The first checkup was provided to 16,741 subjects. After one year, 2361 subjects participated in the second checkup and the systolic blood pressure of these subjects was significantly decreased from an average of 121 mmHg to an average of 116 mmHg (P<.001). Based on these results, we propose a cost-effective method using a machine learning technique (random forest method) using the medical interview, subject profiles, and checkup results as predictor to avoid costly measurements of blood sugar, to ensure sustainability of the program in developing countries. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate the benefits of an eHealth checkup and teleconsultation program as an effective health care system in developing countries.
Consumer Attitudes Towards Private Label Products: An Empirical Investigation

During the last decades, private label products evolution has radically changed the retail industry in manifold ways. Nowadays, private label products are constantly gaining market shares and penetrate in new product categories. Numerous studies have identified several factors affecting consumers’ attitudes towards private label products. This paper examines consumers’ perception on private label products, as compared with the branded products, under the spectrum of five basic dimensions: (a) quality, (b) price, (c) packaging, (d) status and (e) innovation. Moreover, it attempts to identify changes in Greek consumers’ attitudes towards private label products within the last three years, and thus investigate the impact of the current economic recession. Finally, differences in consumers’ attitudes across specific private label product categories (ie. food, home care and personal care) are examined. Primary empirical research was conducted, focusing on Greek consumers shopping attitudes. The findings of the research, confirmed the existence of differences in consumers’ evaluations between private label and branded products under all dimensions examined. Branded products were favoured as far as it concerns their quality, packaging, status and innovation. On the other hand, as it was expected, private label products were favoured for their price. In addition, statistically significant differences were found in consumers’ attitudes towards private label products within the last three years. It seems that consumers have become more price sensitive, thus their attitudes towards private label products has changed in a positive way compared with three years ago. Finally, differences were also found in consumers’ attitudes towards private label products across the three product categories examined. Specifically, it was found that consumers, as regards private label products, tend to have a positive attitude towards home care products and negative attitude towards food and especially personal care products. Several managerial implications for marketers were also identified.
Corporate Governance Convergence in the European M&A Market

We examine both regulator- and market-driven corporate governance convergence in the European M&A market during 2001-2011. First, while we reveal some trends in deal characteristics consistent across all legal families (e.g., method of payment and target type), there are also diverging developments (e.g., cross-border M&As). Second, differences in the effects of the legal family on acquisition efficiency diminished after the harmonization of takeover laws, whereas the importance of the quality of law enforcement and culture increased. Third, cross-border deals contribute to an increase in shareholder rights and growing ownership dispersion. However, different corporate governance standards are not motivating acquisitions abroad.
Stress Markers During a Rally Car Competition

Abstract Del Rosso, S, Abreu, L, Webb, HE, Zouhal, H, and Boullosa, DA. Stress markers during a rally car competition. J Strength Cond Res 30(3): 605–614, 2016—The aim of the study was to assess the stress responses in drivers during an official rally car race and the influence of fitness and body composition on stress hormones. Fitness and body composition were assessed in 9 rally car drivers with an incremental exercise test for determination of maximum aerobic speed (MAS) and 6-site skinfold method, respectively. Before (pre) and after (post) the first stage of an official rally car race, data were collected for heart rate (HR), blood samples were collected for analysis of hormones (i.e., epinephrine [EPI], norepinephrine [NE], cortisol, and aldosterone) and metabolites (i.e., lactate [LA], glucose, and ammonia). There were significant (p ⩽ 0.05) increases in all assessed variables except glucose at postrace. Heart rate increased 93% (p ⩽ 0.05) at the end of the race stage, reaching 88.77 ± 4.96% of HRpeak. Also, EPI and NE significantly (p = 0.001) increased by 45 and 65%, respectively, and LA increased by 395% (p < 0.001). Significant correlations between percent body fat (%BF) and postrace EPI (r = 0.95; p < 0.001), and percentage change of EPI (r = 0.83; p = 0.012) were observed. The MAS was not associated to any metabolic or hormonal variable. These results suggest that psycho-physiological stress induced by the race elicited important changes in hormonal and metabolic variables and that %BF could be an important mediator of psycho-physiological stress in rally car drivers. Specific programs, including both strength and aerobic training, and nutritional plans should be implemented for appropriate conditioning of rally car drivers.
Effect of Non-Performing Assets on Operational Efficiency of Central Co-Operative Banks

Credit risk stands out as the most detrimental risk to which Banking business is exposed to. Co-operative banks which have proved to be vessels of rural development and financial inclusion, have been susceptible to credit risk throughout their history. The Prudential Norms of Income Recognition and Asset Classification were implemented for Co-operative Banks in India in 1996-1997 in order to strengthen them and improve their quality. Non-performing Assets (NPA) in the loan portfolio affect the operational efficiency which in turn influences profitability, liquidity and solvency position of co-operative banks. This is a theoretical analysis of the effect of Non-performing Assets on the Operational Efficiency of Central Co-operative Banks.
Interpersonal Issues Surrounding HIV Counseling and Testing, and the Phenomenon of “Testing by Proxy”

This multimethod study explored challenges faced by women in close heterosexual relationships who decided to test for HIV, and their experiences with instituting safer sexual practices and partner testing. Eighty-one women who sought HIV counseling and testing and had a regular male sexual partner were interviewed on five occasions, and 18 of these women and 15 men later took part in one of four focus groups (women only, men only, or couples). Findings identified difficulty understanding the unpredictability of HIV transmission, gender differences in how partners interpret their susceptibility to HIV, and male resistance to safer sex and testing. We also identified a pervasive phenomenon of “testing by proxy”—the belief that if one partner tests negative for HIV after having unprotected intercourse, the untested partner's serostatus is deemed to be negative. This dangerous practice must be addressed in public health prevention efforts. Programs aiming to reduce heterosexual HIV risk for women must include their male partners and incorporate effective interpersonal communication skills.
Otologic manifestations of experimental rhinovirus infection

Episodes of acute otitis media are commonly associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections. Rhinoviruses account for approximately 40% of these infections, and were previously shown to alter eustachian tube function and middle ear pressures. However, progression to otitis media has not been prospectively documented. In the present study, changes in tympanometric pressures and otoscopic findings resulting from experimental intranasal rhinovirus type‐39 inoculation were documented in 60 adult volunteers. Fifty‐seven (95%) subjects became infected and 34 (60%) of these had a clinical cold. Prior to viral inoculation, 3 (5%) subjects had middle ear pressures of less than −100 mm H2O and two of these subjects developed middle ear effusions following infection. In all, 22 (39%) subjects developed middle ear pressures of less than −100 mm H2O. No subject with normal middle ear pressures prior to infection developed evidence of effusion. This study extends the otologic manifestations of rhinovirus infection to include otitis media. Furthermore, these results support the hypothesized relationship between upper respiratory tract infections, eustachian tube dysfunction, and otitis media.
Effects of Business Managers’ Skills on Enterprise Resources Planning Strategic Alignment

The subject of the antecedents of strategic IT/IS alignment continues to generate interest. Most researches focus on the role of IT/IS managers in the alignment process and less attention is paid to the role of business managers in such projects. Indeed, although these managers are deemed to have contributions to the success of IT/IS projects, few researches have examined their contributions in the alignment process. In this context, this research attempts to identify the contributions of business managers’ skills in achieving alignment between business strategy and ERP (Enterprise Resources Planning) implementation. To achieve this objective, a model is developed based on the literature review. According to this model, three types of skills are necessary for business managers to contribute to alignment: IT/IS skills, interpersonal skills and conceptual skills. These skills influence the state of alignment directly and indirectly by promoting interactions between managers. A survey research provided support, mainly, to the assumptions of indirect dependency between skills and the state of alignment. The results of statistical tests demonstrate also that it is mainly interpersonal skills which most influence alignment. These results are in contradiction with several previous studies that emphasize the importance of the "technical" skills of business managers (IT/IS skills) to contribute to alignment. Thus, this research supports the idea that the "social" (human) aspect is more crucial than the "technical" one in ERP projects. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA
Bio‐maleimide as a generic stain for detection and quantitation of microparticles

Microparticles (MP) are small fragments of cytoplasm shed from a cell surface and their role in the pathophysiology of disease is being extensively investigated. A novel staining technique for quantifying total MP in peripheral blood was evaluated in this study. Evaluation of Bodipy‐maleimide (or bio‐maleimide) as a stain for quantifying total MP in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Samples were obtained from 10 healthy donors after informed consent. Plasma was prepared by sequential centrifugation at 1500 g followed by 13 000 g and stained with Annexin V and bio‐maleimide. Enumeration beads were added after 15 min of incubation with the stain and samples analyzed on a FACS Canto flow cytometer. Detection and quantification of MP by bio‐maleimide staining was comparable with that by Annexin V. The total mean MP level with bio‐maleimide staining was 34 ± 19.7/μl (range of 11.6–68.1/μl) and with Annexin V staining it was 38.9 ± 29.8/μl (range of 10.6 to 112.9/μl). There was no significant difference using a paired t‐test and methods were comparable using a Bland–Altman plot. Bio‐maleimide is a useful and inexpensive stain to measure total MP levels in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. This technique could be employed to study thrombotic risks in a variety of disease states.
The Coverage Gap: Uninsured Poor Adults in States that Do Not Expand Medicaid - An Update

One of the major coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to nearly all low-income individuals with incomes at or below 138 percent of poverty ($27,724 for a family of three in 2015). This expansion fills in historical gaps in Medicaid eligibility for adults and was envisioned as the vehicle for extending insurance coverage to low-income individuals, with premium tax credits for Marketplace coverage serving as the vehicle for covering people with moderate incomes. While the Medicaid expansion was intended to be national, the June 2012 Supreme Court ruling essentially made it optional for states.
ASSESSING THE TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY LEVEL OF POULTRY EGG PRODUCERS IN ILORIN, KWARA STATE: A DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS APPROACH

Evidence had shown that the critical issue in poultry production in Nigeria is that of low production and inefficiency in resource allocation and utilization. Nowadays, chickens and eggs are regarded as comprehensive and favorite foods of people and they have a special place in food program of families. This study assesses the technical efficiency level of poultry egg producers in Ilorin, Kwara state using Data Envelopment Analysis. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 150 poultry egg producers. The data for the study were collected with the use of well structured questionnaires from poultry farmers. The result showed the poultry egg farmers are relatively technically efficient in their use of resources, with a mean technical inefficiency of 26%. The mean input slack for numbers of birds, feeds and labour have slacks of 6.936, 91.021 and 0.334 respectively implying that inputs could be decreased by those units and still produce the same level of output. The study concluded that the poultry egg farmers are relatively technically efficient. The study recommend that reducing excess amount of inputs on one hand and raising output on the other hand, efficiency level can be improved and farmers could benefit economically. ﻿
Insights into Consumer Preference of Foreign Brand Names: Reality or Myth?

This study builds from LeClerc et al.’s (1989, 1994) work on foreign branding effects, but it does so in the context of a developing East European country; as in the case of Turkey. The purpose of this exploratory research is to examine consumers’ attitudes towards products with foreign brand names and also to assess the impact of foreign brand names on the purchasing decision making. In the data collection phase of the study an in-depth interviews were conducted with 23 participants in the city of Ankara, Turkey. The results show that products with foreign brand names elicit more positive consumer attitude than products with national brands. Overall, the findings suggest that consumers prefer to purchase products with foreign brand names for a variety of reasons which including quality, reliability, functionality and prestige. The results have important implications for domestic and foreign manufacturers with regards to the consumer-side effects of their decisions on branding strategies and on their competitive foreign branding decisions.
Corporate Diversification And Organizational Structure: A Resource-Based View

We argue that related diversification enhances performance only when it allows a business to obtain preferential access to strategic assets—those that are valuable, rare, imperfectly tradable, and costly to imitate. As the advantage this access affords will decay as a result of asset erosion and imitation by single–business rivals, in the long run only competences that enable a firm to build new strategic assets more quickly and efficiently than competitors will allow it to sustain supernormal profits. Both short– and long–run advantages are conditional, however, on organizational structures that allow the firm's divisions to share existing strategic assets and to transfer the competence to build new ones efficiently.
Giving Behaviors in Indonesia: Motives and Marketing Implications for Islamic Charities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the motives and giving behaviours of donors towards Islamic charities in Indonesia by using various demographic, socio-economic, psychographic and motivational/situational characteristics. Based on these analyses, relevant marketing implications are also discussed. The study hopes to enrich Islamic marketing literature and contribute further to the understanding of marketing within the context of the Islamic voluntary sector. Design/methodology/approach – This empirical paper primarily employs a quantitative approach in analysing the giving behaviours. The primary data is gathered through a survey conducted in January 2011 involving 300 Indonesian Muslim donors. The results are analysed with descriptive and correlation statistics. Findings – First, the analysis highlights that the main causes for charitable giving are to help the poor/needy and support religious causes. Second, most of the donors provide funds through “informal” Islamic charities. Third, m.
The performance of IDs. Some insights from the Italian case

Behind the term ID, extensively used in various disciplinary fields, different organizational arrangements and firms’ endowment can be recognized. However, the attempts to offer a sound measurement of their performance on a comparative basis are still few. This paper explores the conundrums of defining and measuring the performance of IDs, taken, in general terms, as complex socio-economic systems, as meso-organization between the firm and the industry. The discussion is based on a first attempt to measure the performance as well as the socio-economic structure of 24 Italian local/subprovincial areas. Performance is then related to the structural factors that literature has highlighted. The results show how a large variety of institutional arrangements in Italian IDs is combined with a positive social or economic performance. New organizational forms, such as larger firms, networks, or constellation of firms may as well generate external economies for the local environment.
HIV-specific T-helper activity in seronegative health care workers exposed to contaminated blood.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1-specific cellular immune responses in HIV-seronegative health care workers with occupational high-risk exposures to HIV-infected (HIV-positive) patients. DESIGN Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained after occupational exposures to HIV, and PBMCs from health care workers exposed to HIV-negative patients served as controls. The PBMCs were stimulated in vitro with HIV envelope synthetic peptides. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) production was measured in a bioassay. The HIV antibody status was determined by standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Exposed individuals were also evaluated for HIV proviral DNA by polymerase chain reaction techniques. PARTICIPANTS The PBMCs from eight health care workers with high-risk exposures and nine control health care workers were studied. RESULTS The PBMCs from all individuals showed strong IL-2 production to control antigens, indicating intact T-helper function. Interleukin 2 production to HIV peptides was detected in PBMCs from six of eight HIV-exposed individuals, but in only one of the nine health care workers exposed to HIV-negative body fluids (P < .008). None of the HIV-exposed health care workers became infected as determined by negative HIV antibody and polymerase chain reaction analysis after follow-up evaluation that ranged from 8 to 64 weeks. CONCLUSION Human immunodeficiency virus-specific T-helper activity was detected in six (75%) of eight HIV-negative health care workers with exposure to HIV-positive body fluids. Potent HIV-specific T-helper activity was detectable 4 to 8 weeks after the exposure and was lost in individuals followed up for 8 to 64 weeks. Three health care workers remained responsive at 8, 19, and 24 weeks. Exposure to HIV without evidence of subsequent infection appears to result in activation of cellular immunity without activation of antibody production.