Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Strategic Role of the Salesperson in Established Buyer-Seller Relationships

When the ordering function is governed by administrative arrangements and sales are regulated by long-term contracts, managers may question the necessity and the tasks of the sales function within established customer relationships. The authors examine three issues related to the role of the salesperson in established industrial buyer-seller relationships: (1) appropriate measures of salesperson performance within a relationship, (2) behaviors and skills affecting salesperson performance, and (3) the effect of salesperson performance on the relationship. The results from a survey of industrial buyers suggest that the salesperson has a significant and substantial effect on relationship continuity. They also show that the salesperson contributes to perceptions of the supplier's reliability and supplier services. The key attributes of an effective salesperson are ability to resolve conflicts, ability to develop a personal relationship with customers, and ability to facilitate exchange of information between .
Provider‐perceived dimensions of total quality management in healthcare

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight key dimensions of provider‐perceived total quality management (TQM) in the healthcare sector in India. Further, the impact of the dimensions of provider perceived TQM on hospital performance is examined.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire has been developed based on an extensive literature review of research in service quality and based on responses of the pilot survey among medical professionals. The instrument thus developed has been examined for its psychometric properties using tests of reliability and validity. Multiple regression analysis has been used to examine the impact of the dimensions of provider‐perceived TQM on hospital performance.Findings – Findings highlight 14 distinct dimensions of provider‐perceived TQM and the relationships among them. Positive and significant relationships among the dimensions and hospital performance have been found.Research limitations/implications – Contribution to research on healthcare quality by the.
ROLE OF PAROXETINE IN INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE RESPONSES IN MACROPHAGES

ROLE OF PAROXETINE IN INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE RESPONSES IN MACROPHAGES By Haritha Durairaj G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) play a critical role in immunity by regulating the function of immune cells including macrophages. Along with their role in GPCR desensitization, G-protein receptor kinases (GRKs) exhibit GPCR-independent roles in modulating various intracellular signaling pathways that regulate inflammatory responses. Paroxetine, a FDAapproved selective serotonin (5HT) re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) used as an anti-depressant, selectively inhibits GRK2 in cardiomyocytes. We hypothesized that paroxetine inhibits GRK2 activity and affects LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages. Our results revealed that paroxetine decreases LPS-induced IL-6, IL-1β and increases TNFα levels in macrophages. To further evaluate if paroxetine mediated inflammatory cytokine response is through its ability to inhibit GRK2, RNA interference studies were performed with GRK2 siRNA smartpool. These experiments demonstrated that the effects of paroxetine on macrophages are GRK2-independent. Another SSRI, fluoxetine was also found to exert similar LPS-induced differential regulation of cytokine responses in macrophages. However, exogenous 5HT did not affect the inflammatory cytokine response in LPS-induced macrophages. Furthermore, paroxetine did not appear to modulate the following inflammatory signaling kinases in macrophages: pIκBα, pp105, pP38, pJNK1/2, and pERK1/2. A logical continuation of this study would be attempts to elucidate the intracellular pathways involved in SSRI-mediated molecular mechanisms that govern inflammatory cytokine response in macrophages.
What drives customers to use retailers’ Facebook pages? Predicting consumers’ motivations and continuance usage intention

Abstract The emergence of social networking sites (SNSs) has changed business–consumer communication and become one of the major marketing tools in current retailing, including fashion retailing. Implementing SNSs in their businesses is no longer an option for retailers but a requirement. This study examined factors related to cognitive, social integrative, and hedonic benefits influencing consumers’ extrinsic and intrinsic motivations, which in turn predict their intent to continue to use retailers’ Facebook pages. Using a web-based survey and college students as a sample, this study collected 404 usable responses. This study revealed that information quality and sense of community influenced perceived usefulness and enjoyment. Vividness of information and entertainment affected only perceived enjoyment while interactivity influenced only perceived usefulness. The antecedents of consumer’s motivations indirectly influenced intent to continue to use retailers’ Facebook pages via perceived usefulness and/or perceived enjoyment. The findings of this study provide retailers with valuable insights about what drives customers to use their Facebook pages and how to design their Facebook pages to attract customers and expand their fan base. This study fills a gap in the literature by integrating external factors to predict customers’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for using retailers’ Facebook pages.
Enhancing Noah Land Surface Model Prediction Skill over Indian Subcontinent by Assimilating SMOPS Blended Soil Moisture

In the present study, soil moisture assimilation is conducted over the Indian subcontinent, using the Noah Land Surface Model (LSM) and the Soil Moisture Operational Products System (SMOPS) observations by utilizing the Ensemble Kalman Filter. The study is conducted in two stages involving assimilation of soil moisture and simulation of brightness temperature (Tb) using radiative transfer scheme. The results of data assimilation in the form of simulated Surface Soil Moisture (SSM) maps are evaluated for the Indian summer monsoonal months of June, July, August, September (JJAS) using the Land Parameter Retrieval Model (LPRM) AMSR-E soil moisture as reference. Results of comparative analysis using the Global land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) SSM is also discussed over India. Data assimilation using SMOPS soil moisture shows improved prediction over the Indian subcontinent, with an average correlation of 0.96 and average root mean square difference (RMSD) of 0.0303 m3/m3. The results are promising in comparison with the GLDAS SSM, which has an average correlation of 0.93 and average RMSD of 0.0481 m3/m3. In the second stage of the study, the assimilated soil moisture is used to simulate X-band brightness temperature (Tb) at an incidence angle of 55° using the Community Microwave Emission Model (CMEM) Radiative transfer Model (RTM). This is aimed to study the sensitivity of the parameterization scheme on Tb simulation over the Indian subcontinent. The result of Tb simulation shows that the CMEM parameterization scheme strongly influences the simulated top of atmosphere (TOA) brightness temperature. Furthermore, the Tb simulations from Wang dielectric model and Kirdyashev vegetation model shows better similarity with the actual AMSR-E Tb over the study region.
Does Technological Innovation Undertaken Alone Have a Real Pivotal Role?

This paper investigates the role of non-technological innovation (i.e., marketing and organizational innovation) on firms’ innovation propensity and performance. We note that emphasis on technological innovation alone is misleading, as a firm’s decision to undertake technological innovation brings about a more complex and general process which may involve new attitudes regarding organization and market orientation. This analysis represents a step forward towards the integration of the methodological approach typical of economic analysis, and the more firm-specific approach found in managerial literature.
Lag Screw Only Fixation of the Lateral Malleolus

Objectives To evaluate the use of lag screw only fixation of noncomminuted oblique fractures of the lateral malleolus in patients younger than fifty years of age. Design Prospective evaluation. Setting Level I trauma center. Patients and Participants Forty-seven ankle fractures with simple oblique patterns and no comminution that were long enough to accept two lag screws placed at least 1 centimeter apart were prospectively evaluated. All patients were younger than fifty years of age. There were twenty-three ligamentous SE4, eighteen bimalleolar SE4, and six PE4 fractures. Intervention Open reduction and internal fixation with lag screw only fixation of the lateral malleolus. Main Outcome Measurements Radiographic and clinical outcome parameters were compared with those of a cohort of patients previously treated at the same institutions using different techniques. Results Thirty-five patients' ankles were fixed with two lag screws, ten with three lag screws, and two with four lag screws. The incision for lag screw placement was 30 percent shorter and slightly more anterior than that in the comparison group. No patient lost reduction and there were no soft-tissue complications in the group. Follow up averaged 1.6 years for forty-two patients. One patient (2 percent) had complaints of lateral pain in the study, compared with 17 percent in the plate group. No patient fixed with lag screws had palpable hardware, as compared with 56 percent in the plate group. None had any restrictions in shoe wear, as compared with 15 percent in the plate group. No patient required screw removal, as compared with 31 percent in the plate group. There was no difference in radiographic outcome between the two groups. Conclusions Lag screw only fixation is a useful and successful method for appropriately selected lateral malleolar fractures.
Dynamic OD demand estimation and prediction for dynamic traffic management

Dynamic origin-destination (OD) demand is important input to many simulation models applied within dynamic traffic management systems (DTMS) for predicting traffic states on the network. The inability to provide high-quality dynamic OD demand estimates makes prediction with simulation models simply impossible, irrespective of how well these models have been calibrated. This thesis presents methods regarding the provision of efficient and reliable dynamic OD demand information for DTMS applications.
Safety, Acceptability, and Potential Efficacy of a Topical Penile Microbicide Wipe

Summary:Innovative, low-cost, and acceptable measures are needed to reduce sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Use of a topical microbicide wipe for penile cleaning before and after sex might be effective in preventing STIs. However, evaluation of this simple method has not been done. Two studies were conducted in Malawi to determine the safety, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a benzalkonium chloride topical penile microbicide wipe. The first study was a phase 1 dose-escalating clinical trial among low-risk circumcised or uncircumcised HIV-negative men. The second study was a pilot before-after efficacy study among uncircumcised HIV-negative or -positive men. In the first study 24 circumcised and 27 uncircumcised men were enrolled. During the entire study period, 18 adverse events (AEs) were reported, and 3 AEs were confirmed by physical examination. Acceptability concerns did not increase with dose escalation, and adherence to use of the wipe ranged from 89%-95%. In the second study, 27 men were enrolled. Gram stain and culture tests showed significant reductions in frequency of several organisms after use of the wipe, including STI-associated bacteria. This penile wipe is safe, acceptable, and can decrease the frequency of penile colonization with microorganisms. The clinical relevance remains to be determined in larger clinical trials.
Delay-dependent stability criterion for discrete linear time-delay systems with state saturation nonlinearity

This paper is concerned with stability analysis for discrete linear time delay systems with state saturation nonlinearity. By introducing a free matrix whose infinity norm is less than or equal to 1, the discrete state under state saturation constraint is confined in a convex hull. In this way, a sufficient criterion for discrete linear time-delay systems with state saturation to be asymptotically stable is obtained in terms of bilinear matrix inequalities that can be solved using the presented iterative linear matrix inequality algorithm. The state feedback control law synthesis problem is also solved and the corresponding iterative linear matrix synthesis algorithm is given. Two numerical examples are used to show that the presented method is applicable and effective.
A Catalyst-Enabled Diastereodivergent Aza-Diels-Alder Reaction: Complementarity of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and Chiral Amines.

Highly efficient and diastereodivergent aza-Diels-Alder reactions have been developed to access either diastereomeric series of benzofuran-fused δ-lactams and dihydropyridines in nearly perfect stereoselectivity (d.r. >20:1, >99 % ee for all examples). The complementarity of N-heterocyclic carbene and chiral amine as the catalyst was demonstrated for the first time, together with an excellent level of catalytic efficiency (1 mol % loading).
The Response to the Commitment with Block-Leader Recycling Promotion Technique: A Longitudinal Approach

SUMMARY This article focuses on the study of the changes in consumers' recycling beliefs, attitudes, and behavior due to the application of one promotion technique: a commitment by block leader technique characterized by the agreeing participant signing a request or statement in which s/he makes a commitment to recycle as a result of the encouragement of a person who belongs to the same social circle. We therefore carried out a quasi-experimental work whose results enable us to explain the response to this recycling promotion technique. It makes a contribution to existing environmental literature by (1) systemizing the set of existing doctrines in order to explain the response to this recycling promotion technique, and (2) revealing the effects of this technique on people's beliefs and attitudes. The practical implications that may stem from these contributions are of an educational nature and should be of use to the public management of promotion campaigns.
Consumer adoption of videotex services

The study investigated the association of (a) communication variables, (b) product-related variables, and (c) individual characteristic variables on consumer awareness, interest, and attitude toward the Viewtron (videotex) system. The hypotheses drawn from diffusion of innovation literature were tested in the study conducted in South Florida where the Viewtron system was offered. The results suggest that marketers can play a dominant role in the diffusion of an innovation such as a videotex system.
Title Relationship between circulating and tissue microRNAs in amurine model of breast cancer

MiRNAs are key regulators of tumorigenesis that are aberrantly expressed in the circulation and tissue of patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to determine whether miRNA dysregulation in the circulation reflected similar changes in tumour tissue. Athymic nude mice (n = 20) received either a mammary fat pad (n = 8, MFP), or subcutaneous (n = 7, SC) injection of MDA-MB-231 cells. Controls received no tumour cells (n = 5). Tumour volume was monitored weekly and blood sampling performed at weeks 1, 3 and 6 following tumour induction (total n = 60). Animals were sacrificed at week 6 and tumour tissue (n = 15), lungs (n = 20) and enlarged lymph nodes (n = 3) harvested. MicroRNAs were extracted from all samples (n = 98) and relative expression quantified using RQ-PCR. MiR-221 expression was significantly increased in tumour compared to healthy tissue (p,0.001). MiR-10b expression was significantly higher in MFP compared to SC tumours (p,0.05), with the highest levels detected in diseased lymph nodes (p,0.05). MiR-10b was undetectable in the circulation, with no significant change in circulating miR-221 expression detected during disease progression. MiR-195 and miR-497 were significantly decreased in tumour tissue (p,0.05), and also in the circulation of animals 3 weeks following tumour induction (p,0.05). At both tissue and circulating level, a positive correlation was observed between miR-497 and miR-195 (r = 0.61, p,0.001; r = 0.41, p,0.01 respectively). This study highlights the distinct roles of miRNAs in circulation and tissue. It also implicates miRNAs in disease dissemination and progression, which may be important in systemic therapy and biomarker development. Citation: Waters PS, McDermott AM, Wall D, Heneghan HM, Miller N, et al. (2012) Relationship between Circulating and Tissue microRNAs in a Murine Model of Breast Cancer. PLoS ONE 7(11): e50459. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0050459 Editor: Jin Q. Cheng, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, United States of America Received July 12, 2012; Accepted October 22, 2012; Published November 30, 2012 Copyright: 2012 Waters et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This work was supported by funding received from the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI, www.nbcri.ie). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: roisin.dwyer@nuigalway.ie
Influence of Different Winemaking Technologies on the Malolactic Bacteria and the Occurrence of Biogenic Amines in Chianti Wines

The occurrence of biogenic amines (BA) in red wines, made with Sangiovese vine, was monitored during wine-making trials carried out in two farms located in the Chianti region of Tuscany. Innovative wine making technologies ie. prefermentative cold maceration (PCM) and the use of selected malolactic bacteria were investigated in relation with biogenic amines production. HPLC analyses were performed to assess the content of the major biogenic amines (ie. histamine, tyramine and putrescine) and the minor ones, (ie. cadaverine, phenylethylamine, spermidine and spermine). The analyses were performed in wine samples corresponding to specific times of the wine making process: (I) end of malolactic fermentation, (II) 3 months of ageing, (III) 5 and/or 7 months of ageing.
Developmental toxicity, EROD, and CYP1A mRNA expression in zebrafish embryos exposed to dioxin‐like PCB126

Dioxin‐like PCB126 is a persistent organic pollutant that causes a range of syndromes including developmental toxicity. Dioxins have a high affinity for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and induce cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A). However, the role of CYP1A activity in developmental toxicity is less clear. To better understand dioxin induced developmental toxicity, we exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to PCB126 at concentrations of 0, 16, 32, 64, and 128 μg L−1 from 3‐h post‐fertilization (hpf) to 168 hpf. The embryonic survival rate decreased at 144 and 168 hpf. The fry at 96 hpf displayed gross developmental malformations, including pericardial and yolk sac edema, spinal curvature, abnormal lower jaw growth, and non‐inflated swim bladder. The pericardial and yolk sac edema rate significantly increased and the heart rate declined from 96 hpf compared with the controls. PCB126 did not alter the hatching rate. To elucidate the mechanism of PCB126‐induced developmental toxicity, we conducted ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) in vivo assay to determine CYP1A enzyme activity, and real‐time PCR to study the induction of CYP1A mRNA gene expression in embryo/larval zebrafish at 24, 72, 96, and 132 hpf. In vivo EROD activity was induced by PCB126 at 16 μg L−1 concentration as early as 72 hpf but significant increases were observed only in zebrafish exposed to 64 and 128 μg L−1 doses (p < 0.005) at 72, 96, and 132 hpf. Induction of CYP1A mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in zebrafish exposed to 32 and 64 μg L−1 at 24, 72, 96, and 132 hpf. Overall, the severe pericardial and yolk sac edema and reduced heart rate suggest that heart defects are a sensitive endpoint, and the general trend of dose‐dependent increase in EROD activity and induction of CYP1A mRNA gene expression provide evidence that the developmental toxicity of PCB126 to zebrafish embryos is mediated by activation of AhR. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 201–210, 2016.
Innovation in Experiential Services - An Empirical View

copies (URN 07/989) can be ordered via the search facility at 2 Executive Summary This report examines innovation in experiential services. These are services where the focus is on the experience of the customer when interacting with the organisation, rather than just the functional benefits following from the products and services delivered. The report is based on a continuing research programme on experiential services at London Business School. In particular it draws on a recent case-based study of eight design agencies and consultancies and nine successful experiential service providers. The report addresses the question of how do experiential service providers innovate, in particular the content of innovation and the process of innovation including organisation for innovation. Studying innovation in experiential services facilitates wider reflection on the subject of service innovation. The research found that experiential services are often designed from the perspective of the customer journey rather than as a single product or transaction; the service is seen as a journey that spans a longer period of time and consists of multiple components and multiple touchpoints. The journey perspective implies that a customer experience is built over an extended period of time, starting before and ending after the actual sales experience or transaction. During a customer journey, numerous touchpoints occur between the customer and the organisation or the brand. These touchpoints need to be carefully designed and managed. The research shows that innovation takes place at each of these touchpoints as well as of the overall journey itself. The customer journey perspective differs from the current models and frameworks describing service innovation, as it clearly shows the central role of the customer in innovation and design, as opposed to for example a central role of technology. In addition, the scope of the journey perspective is much broader than traditional models, for example it includes aspects such as building anticipation and facilitating transport to the core experience. Finally, the journey perspective integrates the common distinction between service product innovation and service process innovation, as a journey has elements of both. Another finding from the research is that innovation takes place in five distinct design areas that directly or indirectly influence the customer experience: the physical environment, the service employees, the service delivery process, fellow customers and back office support. Although these areas are relevant to any service, they generally do not receive the same amount of attention as experiential service designers …