Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of Islamic values on green purchase intention

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of religious values (RGV) on green purchase intention (GPI) among middle-class Muslims in Malaysia. The demand for environmentally green products is growing to facilitate the changing consumption pattern due to the substantial interest in ethical consumerism. Despite the potential impact of RGV on ethical consumption, it is difficult to find studies that embark on linking RGV towards this type of consumption, especially in a developing Muslim country such as Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire survey that was distributed using the purposive sampling method. The final useful sample consists of 140 middle-class Muslim participants. The partial least squares (PLS) structural equation was used to develop the model showing the relationship between RGV and intention to purchase green products for middle-class Muslims in Malaysia. Findings – The results suggest that there is an in.
Predictors of videotex adoption

This study investigated both personal characteristics and attitudes toward properties of a videotex shopping system for use as predictors of its adoption among catalog shoppers. The hypotheses tested were developed from diffusion of innovations theory and previous research on adoption of videotex. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from approximately 600 catalog shoppers who resided in cities in which a videotex shopping system had been recently introduced. Results indicated that attitudes toward the characteristics of videotex, particularly its relative advantage and compatibility with needs and experiences, were better predictors of intent to adopt than were the personal characteristics of consumers.
ULTRASTRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE BACTERIAL ENVELOPE *

With the discovery of the microorganisms, it was evident that the bacteria grew in a great variety of shapes and that there had to be an organized structure responsible for the constancy of the shapes and sizes, and, obviously, that there also had to be a barrier between the protoplasmic contents and the cell’s environment. The first evidence for the complexity of the bacterial surface came from light microscopic experiments of Fischer in 1895, in which he demonstrated (by osmotic plasrnolysis) the existence of a semipermeable “membrane” that surrounded the protoplasmic contents and that could me “shrunk” away from a more rigid, apparently structureless, cell b0undary.l Much later, Gorter and Grendel promoted the concept of a cell membrane lipid-protein complex, and Danielli and Davson proposed that cell membranes consisted of bimolecular lipid layers. The significance of these models was such that subsequent research on membrane organization and on cell surfaces gained considerable momentum, both in the experimental approaches and in the understanding of membrane functions and their molecular biology. However, increasing evidence suggested that the bacterial surface was organized with a higher complexity than predicted from the membrane models originally developed for “idealized” surface membranes of eukaryotic cells. The strongest support for the complex composition of the cell surface came from a sequence of biochemical and morphological discoveries, such as the dissolving action of lysozyme on isolated walls of Micrococcus lysodeikticus, reported by S a l t ~ n , ~ and the lytic effect of this enzyme on living cultures of Bacillus megaterium. Weibull showed that the presence of sucrose prevented enzymatic cell lysis; instead, after lysozyme treatment, the cells formed chains of up to four spheres or “protoplasts. ” This suggested that the protoplasmic contents with their protoplasmic membranes had already progressed in their division to an advanced stage within the rod, whereas the rigid lysozyme-sensitive “wall” did not yet show signs of cleavage. Division of the cell surface disclosed itself as an event that affects the components of the envelope in separate sequential processes; this is a topic that is presently yielding fascinating data on cell division and separation.
Cost of Capital and Insurer Loss Reserve Manipulation

An insurer’s loss reserve estimate represents the single largest liability on its balance sheet and has a material effect on the insurer’s financial reports. While a significant body of literature exists that focuses on the motivations for specific insurers to engage in earnings management, very little research has addressed the issues surrounding a possible systemic influence on the broader insurance marketplace. This research examines insurers’ loss reserving behavior within the context of the cost of insurer capital. We hypothesize that, in their efforts to smooth their cost of capital, senior insurance management intentionally over/under-states its loss reserves to manipulate artificially its policyholder surplus. Management will do this in order to adjust its capital structure during periods of relatively low/high capital from other traditional sources. To test our hypotheses, we utilize data from 1996 to 2011 – a time period in which the market saw a significantly varying cost of capital in the traditional markets. These conditions allow us to examine the impact of varying costs on insurer reserving behavior. This is the first study that examines comprehensively the effect the cost of capital has on insurer loss reserving behavior. To capture the varying effects environmental factors have on insurers reserving behavior across differing forms of ownership, the analysis will be performed separately for publicly traded stock insurers, privately held stock insurers and mutual insurers, in addition to an aggregate analysis. We use system GMM estimators that control for dynamic responses as well as potential endogeneity. As a robustness check, we will also estimate alternative models using panel data fixed effects and random effects models. Additionally, we will cluster our standard errors by firm, as well as by time period, to adjust the standard errors for possible dependence across the residuals.
THE INCIDENCE AND OTHER ASPECTS OF FACTITIOUS WEALING (DERMOGRAPHISM)

Summary. — Using an instrument designed to exert known pressures on the skin, an incidence survey of factitious wealing in the general population has been carried out; 2813 subjects have been tested with a pressure of 4900 g/cm2, and the overall incidence was 4·24% (females, 5·2%; males, 4·34%). The incidence did not vary significantly in the different age groups.
Internet addiction is related to attention deficit but not hyperactivity in a sample of high school students

Abstract Objective. To assess the effects of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom dimensions on Internet addiction (IA) after controlling for Internet usage features among high school students. Methods. This study consisted of 640 students (331 females and 309 males) ranging from 14 to 19 years of age. The Internet Addiction Scale, the Conners-Wells’ Adolescent Self-Report Scale-Short Form, and a personal information form were completed by the participants. Statistical analyses were conducted for both sexes and the total sample. Results. According to the logistic regression analysis, attention deficit and playing online games were significant predictors of IA in both sexes. Other predictors of IA included behavioral problems for females, total weekly Internet usage time, and lifelong total Internet use for males. Hyperactivity and other Internet usage features did not predict IA. Conclusion. These results suggest that attention deficit and playing online games are important determinants of IA in this age group.
Effective benchmarking of innovation adoptions: A theoretical framework for e‐procurement technologies

Purpose – Recent rapid pace in the introduction of innovations has made adopting new technologies, such as those used for electronic procurement, a routine practice. But successful technology adoption depends on a multitude of factors, including those related to the adopter, to the technology, to the provider and the network within which they operate. Without careful consideration of these factors, effectiveness of benchmarking of technology adoptions may be remiss of predictable outcomes. The paper aims to aid in understanding when and how benchmarking applies to technology adoptions by introducing a new conceptual framework.Design/methodology/approach – The paper combines facets of established theories of innovation adoption to develop a new broad‐based framework. It then applies the framework to develop propositions on the adoption of two distinct types of e‐procurement technologies (EPT), namely electronic data interchange and online auctions.Findings – Three prominent adoption theories that explain i.
Validity and reliability of the Short Form-36 in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

OBJECT Validity (the extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure) and reliability (the stability and reproducibility of measures of the same concept over time or across methods of gathering data) are important characteristics of any outcomes instrument. Generic outcomes instruments are designed for use in any population; however, their validity and reliability in particular diseases should be verified to ensure their appropriateness for use in that disease. In this study the authors assessed the validity and reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), a generic outcomes instrument, in a population of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). METHODS The SF-36 was administered to a cohort of patients with CSM on an outpatient basis. Symptom-related data derived from a structured interview and physical examination findings were used to classify cases according to the myelopathy scales of Nurick, Cooper, Harsh, and a Western modification of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA). Construct validity was assessed by determining whether SF-36 scores varied in accordance with predefined hypotheses relating to the myelopathy scores by using the Cuzick nonparametric test for trend. The reliability of the SF-36 scores was assessed using Cronbach alpha. Eighty-eight patients with CSM completed the SF-36 and interview. Construct validity was demonstrated by confirming the hypothesized relationship between SF-36 scales and the myelopathy scales of Nurick (p < or = 0.003), Cooper leg subscale (p < or = 0.012, except the general health perceptions domain [p = 0.091]), Harsh (p < or = 0.016), and the motor component of the modified JOA (p < or = 0.006). Reliability was demonstrated for all eight SF-36 domain scales and the physical component and mental component summary scales, in which Cronbach alpha satisfied the Nunnally criterion of 0.7. CONCLUSIONS The SF-36 provides valid and reliable data on patients with CSM.
Ownership Structure, Agency Problems, and Auditor Choice: Evidence from Western European Firms

Recent evidence on the ownership structures of Western European firms reveals significant divergence between the ultimate ownership and control rights of the largest controlling shareholder, implying that their conflicting interests with minority shareholders is the main agency problem besetting firms in these countries. Prior research also implies that credible financial reporting constrains controlling shareholders’ opportunism by enabling minority investors to identify any diversion of corporate resources. In this paper, we examine whether external monitoring by a high-quality auditor helps reduce the agency problems embedded in the ultimate ownership structures of Western European firms. Consistent with the incentive alignment effect to maximize firm value to the benefit of all shareholders, we find strong, robust evidence that the demand for a Big Four auditor subsides with the ownership rights of the controlling shareholder. In contrast to recent research on East Asian firms, we find no evidence that the divergence between ownership and control rights affects auditor choice. However, we find that both firms with multiple large shareholders beyond the controlling owner and family-controlled firms are associated with lower demand for Big Four auditors. Collectively, our research suggests that Western European firms rely on superior external monitoring from Big Four auditors to moderate the agency problems evident in their ownership structures.
Management of arterial lines and blood sampling in intensive care: a threat to patient safety

In 2008, the UK National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) made recommendations for safe arterial line management. Following a patient safety incident in our intensive care unit (ICU), we surveyed current practice in arterial line management and determined whether these recommendations had been adopted. We contacted all 241 adult ICUs in the UK; 228 (94.6%) completed the survey. Some NPSA recommendations have been widely implemented – use of sodium chloride 0.9% as flush fluid, two‐person checking of fluids before use – and their practice was consistent. Others have been incompletely implemented and many areas of practice (prescription of fluids, two‐person checking at shift changes, use of opaque pressure bags, arterial sampling technique) were highly variable. More importantly, the use of the wrong fluid as an arterial flush was reported by 30% of respondents for ICU practice, and a further 30% for practice elsewhere in the hospital. Our survey provides evidence of continuing risk to patients.
Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Renal Impairment Parameters in Diabetic Nephropathy: Preliminary Data

Objective: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL Abs) represented an independent factor that was associated with the occurrence and/or progression of nephropathy in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, but their role in diabetic nephropathy is not elucidated. Therefore, we evaluated the association of aPL Abs with the renal impairment parameters in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Methods: Concentrations of analyzed antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Cystatin C and anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig) G (r = .349, P = .004) and the IgM isotype (r = .316, P = .009) were in positive correlation. The IgG isotype of the aCL Abs was in positive correlation with creatinine (r = .252, P = .038), urea (r = .241, P = .048), and uric acid (r = .271, P = .025). The concentrations of the IgG isotype of the aCL Abs were significantly different between subgroups of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy and patients without this clinical finding (Mann-Whitney, P = .033). Conclusion: This is the first report on positive correlation between aCL Abs and renal impairment parameters. Larger studies are necessary for elucidation whether this association is involved in further progression of the disease.
Stage-dependent and Temperature-controlled Expression of the Gene Encoding the Precursor Protein of Diapause Hormone and Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori(*)

Embryonic diapause and sex pheromone biosynthesis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are, respectively, induced by diapause hormone (DH) and pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN), which are produced in the subesophageal ganglion from a common polyprotein precursor (DH-PBAN precursor) encoded by a single gene (DH-PBAN gene). Using DH-PBAN cDNA as a probe, we quantitatively measured DH-PBAN mRNA content throughout embryonic and postembryonic development and observed the effects of incubation temperature, which is a key factor for determination of diapause, on DH-PBAN gene expression. The silkworm, which is programmed to lay diapause eggs by being incubated at 25°C, showed peaks of DH-PBAN mRNA content at five different stages throughout the life cycle: at the late embryonic stage, at the middle of the fourth and the fifth larval instars, and at early and late stages of pupal-adult development. In the non-diapause type silkworms programmed by a 15°C incubation, only the last peak of DH-PBAN mRNA in pupal-adult development was found, and the other peaks were absent. Furthermore, interruption of the incubation period at 25°C by incubation at 15°C decreased both DH-PBAN mRNA content in mature embryos and in subesophageal ganglia of day 3 pupae and the incidence of diapause eggs. Thus, there were two types of regulatory mechanisms for DH-PBAN gene expression. One is a temperature-controlled expression that is responsible for diapause induction, and the other is a temperature-independent, stage-dependent expression related to pheromone production.
An exploratory study of service value in the USA and Ecuador

In recent years, the significance of offering value to service customers rivals the provision of satisfaction and service quality. The growing importance of the construct is especially apparent in the fast food industry as evidenced by the international popularity of value menus offered by many fast food franchises. The service value trend is particularly relevant in Latin America as more multinational service franchises compete for newfound market share. Zeithaml, in her comprehensive analysis of the service value construct, suggests that service value perceptions emerge when consumers weigh their perceptions of service quality against the necessary sacrifices made to acquire the service. In the current study, this conceptual model is tested using samples derived from fast food consumers in both Ecuador and the USA. The objective is to perform an empirical test of Zeithaml’s model and to compare the relative importance attached to the components of her model across the two samples. An additional consideration is an analysis of the effect of gender on the purchase behaviour of these consumers. The research and managerial implications of the study are considered, as are the research limitations.
The Adoption of Electronic Commerce by Small and Medium Enterprises in Pretoria East

The objectives of this study were to determine the current level of e‐commerce adoption and factors that motivates the adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Pretoria East. A structured questionnaire survey was distributed to 200 randomly selected small and medium enterprises and 48 valid responses were obtained. The results indicate that 67 percentage of SMEs in the sample in Pretoria East have somewhat embraced the adoption of e‐commerce. Retail is the largest industry sector in the sample followed by Service industry with 45.8percentage and 35.4 percentage respectively. The results also indicates that Service sector was at adoption level 2 followed by Retail and others. The results show that only three independent factors namely (relative advantage, competitive pressure, IT knowledge) were statistically significant. Relative advantage emerged as the most important factor influencing the adoption of e‐commerce among SMEs in terms of relative importance. The Chi‐square test indicates that the type of business, occupation level, numbers of employees in the company and academic qualification did influence the adoption levels amongst SMEs whilst how long as owner/manager and gender did not influence the adoption level.
Natriuretic peptides and myocardial oxygen supply‐to‐demand ratio in patients with aortic stenosis

Background In severe aortic stenosis (AS), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its precursor, the amino‐terminal pro‐hormone (NT‐proBNP) are independent predictors of outcome. Deterioration of cardiac function in AS is currently assessed by symptomatology and echocardiography to determine the optimal time point for surgery. We investigated whether BNP or NT‐proBNP may help to estimate the individual risk of patients for subendocardial ischaemia in patients with moderate and severe AS.
Framing the problematic relationship between the marketing and operations functions

Marketing and operations as functional areas constitute the key value adding areas of the business organisation. It is these areas that are responsible for specifying what is produced, how it is produced and actually delivering goods and services to customers. Close collaboration between marketing and operations is vital to ensure effective fulfilment of organisational aims. In practice, the relationship between these two areas has been marked by fighting and hostility rather than co‐operation or partnership. In this paper, the literature that has examined this relationship is analysed. From this, six key issues are proposed that have resulted in the poor working relations seen in practice. These are: conflicting reward systems, different backgrounds and philosophies, functional separation, politics and resource allocation, management failure and academic failure. Implications for marketing practice and future research directions are then identified.
Determinants of Debt Maturity Structure: Case of Non-Financial Firms in Pakistan (KSE)

After a firm decides to finance itself with debt, it has to decide on the duration of the maturity of debt: short, medium or long term. This study attempts to illustrate the effects of Growth Option, Firm Size, Leverage, Liquidity and Assets Maturity on a firm? s debt maturity structure. The data of variables under study has been drawn from the 60 random sample companies taken from non-financial sector of Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE). Data is taken from KSE and State Bank of Pakistan websites for ten years (2004-2013). Descriptive analysis, correlation and regression are run to show the relationship between the variables using SPSS and Stata. Both pooled regression and fixed effects model is run to analyze the data.Pooled regression results show that Growth Option, Firm Size, Leverage and Assets Maturity have positive relationship whereas liquidity has negative relationship with debt maturity. Only leverage and liquidity have significant relationship. Fixed effects model show positive relationship of Firm Size, Leverage and Assets Maturity with debt maturity and negative relationship of growth options and liquidity with debt maturity. Company size, leverage and liquidity have significant relationship whereas growth option and assets maturity have insignificant relationship. No such study has been conducted for Pakistan. There are options for further research on the topic by adding variables like short and long term debt, assessment of market value of growth options, firm? s credit ratings, information of flotation costs etc.
Contact allergy due to colophony (VI). The sensitizing capacity of minor resin acids and 7 commercial modified‐colophony products

3 minor resin acidS 7 commercial modified‐colophony products of different origins were studied by experimental sensitization by means of a modified FCA method. All 3 resin acids were almost negative. The commercial products gave different results. While the maleic‐modified product of Greek origin showed a strong sensitizing power, the fumaric‐modified, terpene‐phenol‐modified and a disproportioned rosin were only moderate. A remarkable difference was obtained with the Swedish and Finnish tall oil rosins, which, in contrast to the previously studied French product, exhibited only a weak sensitizing capacity.