Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retail positioning through customer satisfaction: an alternative explanation to the resource-based view

Through exploring factors influencing effective retail positioning strategies in an emerging market environment, this paper challenges the role of isolation mechanism and heterogeneous idiosyncrasy argued by the resource-based view (RBV) theory. By drawing on a sample of 11,577 customers from hypermarkets, electronic appliance specialty stores and department stores in major Chinese cities, we set up 10 hypotheses and confirm a nine-item model for customer-oriented retail positioning (perceived price, store image, product, shopping environment, customer service, payment process, after-sales service, store policies and shopping convenience). Our results show that different retail formats achieve success through the implementation of similar positioning strategies, in which case, it is not heterogeneity but homogeneity that contributes to retailers' success greatly at the development stage of retail expansion. Our results challenge previously proved effectiveness of inimitability to success by the RBV, and support homogenous idiosyncrasy of retailers in the implementation of customer-oriented positioning strategies in an emerging market.
Spare parts criticality evaluation using hybrid multiple criteria decision making technique

Criticality evaluation of spare parts is very important for controlling the spare parts inventory. The service levels that are specified consequent to the criticality evaluation serve as one of the inputs enabling smooth operation of production facilities. Systematic criticality evaluation of spare parts is the key to effective control of spare parts inventory systems. In order to deal with this problem, the criticality of the spare parts (SPs) must be confirmed. There are many factors to be considered as a part of the criticality of spare parts for maintenance activities. Consequently, evaluation procedures involve several objectives and it is often necessary to compromise among possibly conflicting tangible and intangible factors. For these reasons, MCDM has been found to be a useful approach to solve this kind of problem. In the present work, a three phase hybrid model is developed for the evaluation of criticality of the spare parts. The first stage involves identifying the criteria. The second stage is to prioritise the different criteria using fuzzy ANP, and then finally ranking of spare parts using fuzzy TOPSIS.
Governance arrangements and initiatives in Athens, Greece

Work package 4: Governance arrangements and initiatives Deliverable nr. : D 5.1 Lead partner: Partner 7 (synergo) Authors: Thomas Maloutas, Nicos Souliotis, Georgia Alexandri, George Kandylis, Michalis Petrou Nature: Report Dissemination level: PP Status: Final version Date: 24 August 2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt financing of high-growth startups: The venture debt business model 1

We study the business model of venture debt firms, specialized institutions that provide loans to high-growth start-ups. Venture debt is in apparent contradiction with traditional debt theory since start-ups have negative cash flows and lack tangible assets to secure the loan. Yet, we estimate that the U.S. venture debt industry provided at least US$ 3 billion in loan to start-ups in 2010, which is about 1 venture debt dollar for every 7 venture capital dollars invested. We aim to provide the first quantitative empirical analysis of the venture debt business model. Building on existing field interviews and case studies, we design a choice experiment of the lending decision and conduct experiments with 55 senior venture lenders. Our findings yields empirical evidence that venture debt firms rely on non-traditional criteria to evaluate repayment capacity. Most notably, we find that backing by venture capital firms substitutes for start-ups’ cash flows and illustrate the importance of offering patents as collateral in the lending decision.
BUYER DEPENDENCY AND RELATIONAL CAPITAL FORMATION: THE MEDIATING EFFECTS OF SOCIALIZATION PROCESSES AND SUPPLIER INTEGRATION

Effective supply chain configurations are increasingly cited as a key driver of value creation. However, many supplier relationships are characterized by differing levels of dependence between the parties, which has the potential to influence the outcomes achieved. We build and test an empirical model to examine how buyer firms respond to dependency on a supplier by undertaking either socialization processes or closer integration in order to achieve relational capital. Using empirical data collected from 111 UK purchasing executives, a structural equation model is used to test the theoretical framework. The results provide support for four of the five hypotheses developed. Buyer firms facing high supplier dependency are found to undertake socialization processes to mitigate the dependency and generate relational capital. However, buyer dependency did not, in isolation, lead to increased levels of supplier integration. The study extends our understanding of how firms deal with asymmetric power within their supplier relationships and suggests important implications for both research and practice.
Development of a low cost microwave mixer using a broad-band substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) coupler

A low cost single-balanced mixer is designed using a newly designed 90/spl deg/ substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) 3-dB coupler, which takes the advantages of low cost, low profile, and high performance. An X-band single-balanced SIW mixer is designed and fabricated with a standard printed circuit board process. Measured conversion loss of 6.8dB and the wide-band response from 8.5 to 12GHz are presented.
Strategies for reducing online privacy risks: Why consumers read (or don't read) online privacy notices

Online privacy notices are intended to promote consumer choice and reduce the risks of disclosing personal information online. However, these effects result only if consumers read and use the information contained in the notices. This study used an online survey of 2,468 U.S. adult Internet users to investigate why online consumers read privacy notices across a variety of situations. We found that reading is related to concern for privacy, positive perceptions about notice comprehension, and higher levels of trust in the notice. This suggests that effective privacy notices serve an important function in addressing risk issues related to e-commerce. We further found that reading privacy notices is only one element in an overall strategy consumers use to manage the risks of disclosing personal information online.
Growth hormone (GH) regulation of cytochrome P-450IIC12, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and GH receptor messenger RNA expression in primary rat hepatocytes: a hormonal interplay with insulin, IGF-I, and thyroid hormone.

We have studied the GH-dependent expression of cytochrome P-450IIC12 (P-450(15)beta) mRNA and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mRNA in primary adult rat hepatocytes. The GH receptor (GHR), being the common denominator for the GH response, was also studied. The respective mRNA levels were measured with specific solution hybridization assays. By investigating the effects of insulin, IGF-I, T3, and corticosterone, alone or in combinations, in the presence or absence of GH we concluded that GH is indeed the inducer of P-450(15)beta mRNA and IGF-I mRNA. However, insulin and IGF-I exerted a 2-fold potentiation of the GH-induced expression of the P-450(15)beta and IGF-I mRNA species. No significant effect of insulin was observed on GHR mRNA expression, but a translational or posttranslational effect on GHR was seen, in that insulin increased the binding of GH to the cells 4-fold. Furthermore, T3 caused a 9-fold increase in the GH-induced expression of IGF-I mRNA. These observations led us to postulate a possible mechanism of hormonal interplay between GH, thyroid hormone, and IGF-I in vivo, i.e. a thyroid hormone potentiation of the GH-induced IGF-I expression, which, in turn, leads to an increased GHR level and thereby a potentiation of the GH-induced expression of P-450(15)beta and, at least transiently, of IGF-I. A transcriptional mechanism of GH action on P-450(15)beta and IGF-I mRNA induction was indicated by the similar half-lives of respective mRNAs in the presence or absence of GH in cell cultures treated with actinomycin-D. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cooperative interaction of hepatocyte growth factor and neuregulin regulates Schwann cell migration and proliferation through Grb2‐associated binder‐2 in peripheral nerve repair

The sequential reactive changes in Schwann cell phenotypes in transected peripheral nerves, including dedifferentiation, proliferation and migration, are essential for nerve repair. Even though the injury‐induced migratory and proliferative behaviors of Schwann cells resemble epithelial and mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumors, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotypic change of Schwann cells are still unclear. Here we show that the reactive Schwann cells exhibit migratory features dependent on the expression of a scaffolding oncoprotein Grb2‐associated binder‐2 (Gab2), which was transcriptionally induced by neuregulin 1‐ErbB2 signaling following nerve injury. Injury‐induced Gab2 expression was dependent on c‐Jun, a transcription factor critical to a Schwann cell reprograming into a repair‐type cell. Interestingly, the injury‐induced activation (tyrosine phosphorylation) of Gab2 in Schwann cells was regulated by an EMT signal, the hepatocyte growth factor‐c‐Met signaling, but not by neuregulin 1. Gab2 knockout mice exhibited a deficit in nerve repair after nerve transection due to limited Schwann cell migration. Furthermore, Gab2 was required for the proliferation of Schwann cells following nerve injury and in vitro, and was over‐expressed in human Schwann cell‐derived tumors. In contrast, the tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1 after nerve injury was principally regulated by the neuregulin 1‐ErbB2 signaling and was indispensable for remyelination after crush injury, but not for the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells. Our findings indicate that Gab1 and Gab2 in Schwann cells are nonredundant and play a crucial role in peripheral nerve repair.
Microtubules regulate PI‐3K activity and recruitment to the phagocytic cup during Fcγ receptor‐mediated phagocytosis in nonelicited macrophages

Phagocytosis is a complex sequence of events involving coordinated remodeling of the plasma membrane with the underlying cytoskeleton. Although the role of the actin cytoskeleton is becoming increasingly elucidated, the role of microtubules (MTs) remains poorly understood. Here, we examine the role of MTs during FcγR‐mediated phagocytosis in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages. We observe that MTs extend into the phagosomal cups. The MT‐depolymerizing agents, colchicine and nocodazole, cause a sizeable reduction in phagocytosis of large particles in RAW264.7 cells. Phagocytosis in primed macrophages is unaffected by MT‐depolymerizing agents. However, activation of macrophages coincides with an increased population of drug‐stable MTs, which persist in functional phagocytic cups. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of unprimed macrophages reveals that pseudopod formation is reduced markedly following colchicine treatment, which is not a consequence of cell rounding. MT depolymerization in these cells does not affect particle binding, Syk, or Grb2‐associated binder 2 recruitment or phosphotyrosine accumulation at the site of phagocytosis. Ras activation also proceeds normally in macrophages treated with colchicine. However, MT disruption causes a decrease in accumulation of AKT‐pleckstrin homology‐green fluorescent protein, a probe that binds to PI‐3K products at the sites of particle binding. A corresponding decline in activated AKT is observed in colchicine‐treated cells using immunoblotting with a phospho‐specific‐AKT (ser473) antibody. Furthermore, the translocation of the p85α regulatory subunit of PI‐3K is reduced at the phagocytic cup in colchicine‐treated cells. These findings suggest that MTs regulate the recruitment and localized activity of PI‐3K during pseudopod formation.
Identification to the Species Level and Differentiation between Strains of Aspergillus Clinical Isolates by Automated Repetitive-Sequence-Based PCR

ABSTRACT A commercially available repetitive-sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) DNA fingerprinting assay adapted to an automated format, the DiversiLab system, enables rapid microbial identification and strain typing. We explored the performance of the DiversiLab system as a molecular typing tool for 69 Aspergillus isolates (38 A. fumigatus, 15 A. flavus, and 16 A. terreus isolates) had been previously characterized by morphological analysis. Initially, 27 Aspergillus isolates (10 A. fumigatus, 9 A. flavus, and 8 A. terreus isolates) were used as controls to create a rep-PCR-based DNA fingerprint library with the DiversiLab software. Then, 42 blinded Aspergillus isolates were typed using the system. The rep-PCR-based profile revealed 98% concordance with morphology-based identification. rep-PCR-based DNA fingerprints were reproducible and were consistent for DNA from both hyphae and conidia. DiversiLab dendrogram reports correctly identified all A. fumigatus (n = 28), A. terreus (n = 8), and A. flavus (n = 6) isolates in the 42 blinded Aspergillus isolates. rep-PCR-based identification of all isolates was 100% in agreement with the contiguous internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) sequence-based identification of the respective isolates. Additionally, the DiversiLab system could demonstrate strain-level differentiation of A. flavus and A. terreus. Automated rep-PCR may be a time-efficient, effective, easy-to-use, novel genotyping tool for identifying and determining the strain relatedness of fungi. This system may be useful for epidemiological studies, molecular typing, and surveillance of Aspergillus species.
A comparative ecological risk assessment for herbicides used on spring wheat: the effect of glyphosate when used within a glyphosate-tolerant wheat system

Abstract Glyphosate-tolerant spring wheat currently is being developed and most likely will be the first major genetically engineered crop to be marketed and grown in several areas of the northern Great Plains of the United States. The public has expressed concerns about environmental risks from glyphosate-tolerant wheat. Replacement of traditional herbicide active ingredients with glyphosate in a glyphosate-tolerant spring wheat system may alter ecological risks associated with weed management. The objective of this study was to use a Tier 1 quantitative risk assessment methodology to compare ecological risks for 16 herbicide active ingredients used in spring wheat. The herbicide active ingredients included 2,4-D, bromoxynil, clodinafop, clopyralid, dicamba, fenoxaprop, flucarbazone, glyphosate, MCPA, metsulfuron, thifensulfuron, tralkoxydim, triallate, triasulfuron, tribenuron, and trifluralin. We compared the relative risks of these herbicides to glyphosate to provide an indication of the effect of glyphosate when it is used in a glyphosate-tolerant spring wheat system. Ecological receptors and effects evaluated were avian (acute dietary risk), wild mammal (acute dietary risk), aquatic vertebrates (acute risk), aquatic invertebrates (acute risk), aquatic plants (acute risk), nontarget terrestrial plants (seedling emergence and vegetative vigor), and groundwater exposure. Ecological risks were assessed by integrating toxicity and exposure, primarily using the risk quotient method. Ecological risks for the 15 herbicides relative to glyphosate were highly variable. For risks to duckweed, green algae, groundwater, and nontarget plant seedling emergence, glyphosate had less relative risk than most other active ingredients. The differences in relative risks were most pronounced when glyphosate was compared with herbicides currently widely used on spring wheat. Nomenclature: Bromoxynil; clodinafop; clopyralid; dicamba; 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid; fenoxaprop; flucarbazone; glyphosate; MCPA; metsulfuron; spring wheat; thifensulfuron; tralkoxydim; triallate; triasulfuron; tribenuron; trifluralin; spring wheat, Triticum aestivum L.
Locating Defects in Software Architectures Through Debugging

Defects in software architectures are difficult to locate and repair. A single architecture defect often affects the architecture in several widely separated places. As software products become larger and more complex so do their architectures. There is an increasing likelihood of defects being present and those defects require more effort to isolate. We view architecture debugging as a feedback mechanism that informs architecture definition of possible changes to the architecture that would repair the defects found during architecture evaluation.
One-pot synthesis of gold nanorods using binary surfactant systems with improved monodispersity, dimensional tunability and plasmon resonance scattering properties

A facile seedless growth method for high-yield synthesis of monodisperse gold nanorods using binary surfactant mixtures is reported for the first time. In comparison with other seedless methods, the present method enables the preparation of gold nanorods with much better monodispersity. Moreover, the present seedless growth method enables the preparation of not only thin gold nanorods but also thick gold nanorods which cannot be prepared by other reported seedless methods. Dark-field microscopy measurements of a single gold nanorod indicate that the thicker gold nanorod shows enhanced scattering properties.
Logical brand management in a dynamic context of growth and innovation

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to propose a consistent framework that allows the brand manager to detect innovation/growth opportunities and risks.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on an extensive theoretical study of innovation and growth approaches combined with analysis of cases (Dell and Red Bull) and many practical examples. The different approaches are compared at three levels: the customer value, the process and customer segment level. It also uses principles of the logical brand management model, proposed in a JPBM (2004) article as a benchmark.Findings – The paper shows that many frameworks still focus too much on the firm's perspective instead of the customer perspective. An approach is proposed in which growth and innovation starts from the customer value. It allows to detect potential opportunities and risks at a very detailed level.Research limitations/implications – The growth and innovation model proposed may be used in a business‐ to‐consumer and a business‐ to‐business .
REFORMING SOEs UNDER CHINA'S STATE CAPITALISM

The economic volatility in the developed world and the rise of state capitalism in emerging markets are the two prominent parallel developments in the world economy in the past decade. On the one hand, the advanced economies in Europe and North America have been hard hit by the global financial crisis and the Eurozone crisis. On the other hand, the emerging market economies represented by the BRICS have changed their development strategy from a Washington-consensus-based liberal capitalism model to a model of state capitalism. In Russia, the leadership in the past decade responded to the demand of the public for order and state control by reasserting direct state control over “strategic” industries and making private-sector oligarchs obedient to bureaucratic command. In China, the state advanced and the private sector retreated in the past decade. The state capitalism model has shown its extraordinary strength in the wake of the global financial crisis. China’s fiscal stimulus package working primarily through state companies has rather quickly stabilized output growth and employment, helped the country weather the crisis, and even led the world
Assessing the localization of centrosomal proteins by PALM/STORM nanoscopy

The structure of the centrosome was resolved by EM many years ago to reveal a pair of centrioles embedded in a dense network of proteins. More recently, the molecular composition of the centrosome was catalogued by mass spectroscopy and many novel components were identified. Determining precisely where a novel component localizes to within the centrosome remains a challenge, and until now it has required the use of immuno‐EM. This technique is both time‐consuming and unreliable, as it often fails due to problems with antigen accessibility. We have investigated the use of two nanoscopic techniques, photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), as alternative techniques for localizing centrosomal proteins. The localization of a known centrosomal component, the distal appendage protein Cep164 was investigated by direct STORM (dSTORM) and resolved with a high spatial resolution. We further validated the use of nanoscopic PALM imaging by showing that the previously uncharacterized centrosomal protein CCDC123 (Cep123) localizes to the distal appendages, forming ring‐like structures with a diameter of 500 nm. Our results demonstrate that both PALM and STORM imaging have great potential as alternatives to immuno‐EM. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Auction Mechanism and Methods for Heterogeneous Goods Such as Multiple Polymer Materials

Multi-object auctions can be divided into homogeneous goods auction and heterogeneous goods auction. In this paper, the auction mechanism and methods for heterogeneous goods such as multiple polymer materials (rubber, plastic, polymer fibre, adhesive, polymer coating) is investigated. Concretely, the research history and the newest research trends are introduced, and many widespread theoretical and applied problems are presented. In addition, assumptions, main ideas, and conclusions of literature related to heterogeneous goods auction are commented and reviewed.
“Did you hear what Tommy Hilfiger said?” Urban legend, urban fashion and African‐American generation Xers

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of an urban folktale on the purchasing intentions and buying behaviour of the consumer. Specifically, it examines a rumour involving fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, in which he purportedly made disparaging statements about African‐Americans. A survey of African‐American generation Xers revealed a relationship between the rumour and the decision to purchase Tommy Hilfiger clothing. Implications of the findings are discussed.