Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of supplier corporate social irresponsibility on MNEs sales performances: a consumer approach

In the early 1990s, MNEs came under public scrutiny for their irresponsible sourcing practices, after revelations that their supplier’s workers in developing countries were working under exploitative conditions. Nevertheless, irresponsible behaviour and poor working conditions in global supply chains remain contemporary issues in developing countries. Managing corporate social responsibility issues in global supply chain is an important area of research. However, research has mainly focused on the business case for CSR: determining the positive impact CSR initiatives may have on corporate performances. Contrary to the business case for CSR, this master’s thesis assumes that there is a negative relationship between supplier CSI and MNEs sales performances. The literature review of this thesis is mainly built around the corporate social responsibility literature and the attribution theory literature. The research model and related hypothesis are derived from previous research in those fields. The empirical data was collected in spring 2017 through an online self-administered vignette-based experiment survey. Walloon consumers were set as the studied population. The data collection resulted in 202 observations for each vignette. The empirical data was analysed with descriptive statistics and factor analysis and the examination of the relationships derived from the research model is done by means of structural equation modeling. In studying how consumers react to supply chain incidents and how supply chain incidents impact sales of MNEs, I find that consumers negatively react to supply chain incidents caused by irresponsible suppliers and consumers negative reactions deteriorate sales of MNEs through boycott. Those findings contribute to existing international business research by demonstrating that contrary to the business case for CSR there is a negative relationship between supplier CSI and MNEs sales performances because understanding what factors impact sales performances of MNEs and whether consumers can affect MNEs sales is key to incite MNEs to address their suppliers’ irresponsible behaviour and to eliminate CSI behaviour from supply chains. This would therefore resolve supply chain social issues and improve working conditions in supply chains. Additionally, those findings have managerial implications. Indeed, supplier CSI negative impact on MNEs sales suggest a fundamental revision of offshoring advantages and disadvantages. This paper suggest that captive offshoring is most fitted to address consumer negative reaction to supply chain incidents and related sales decrease while maintaining most of the advantages derived from offshoring.
SMOKING AND LEVEL OF NICOTINE DEPENDENCY IN LOCAL POPULATION OF ARAR REGION, SAUDI ARABIA

The aim of the present study is to assess the hazards of smoking, with a special reference to nicotine dependency, Coronary Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma, in a remote tribal area located in Northern Saudi Arabia, to collect the data symptoms/diagnosis over a last 10 year period and to counsel the habitual smokers to quit smoking as soon as possible. For this purpose, 50 smokers from people comprising of both sexes aging between 15-85 years were selected to conduct a retrospective case control study. The subjects were given questioners related to the topic and were tested for Nicotine dependence by the Fagerstrom Tolerance Test as a diagnostic tool. The data was accumulated and statistics was applied. In our study we asked about attempts taken to quit smoking and the data shows that 9 persons tried to quit smoking one time, 26 more than one time and 15 have never tried to quit smoking. This may be due to the problems they came through during quitting this habit. For this the smokers should consult with health care providers about programs and products that can help quit smoking. Also, they should stay away from secondhand smoke, which is smoke in the air from other people smoking. In the
Brand Relationship and Its Effect Towards Brand Evangelism to Banking Service

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of brand relationship, brand trust, brand identification, brand involvement, brand commitment to brand evangelism. This study using purposive sampling technique in which samples were selected in this study as much as 200 commercial banks customers have used the services of the bank at least 12 months. Data analysis instrument used was multiple regression analysis with SPSS assistance. The results obtained are consistent with previous studies, in which customers increasingly have a relationship, trust, identification, involvement, and commitment to the brand commercial bank will increasingly have the intention to buy the brand, reference brand they use positively, and give contradictory references the back of a competing brand to others or called with brand evangelism. Furthermore, it is known that the most dominant factor influencing brand evangelism is a brand commitment. Further research is recommended to investigate the influence of brand relationship with all of its dimensions, namely brand trust, brand identification, brand involvement, brand commitment to brand evangelism with its entire dimension (Positive brand referrals, brand purchase intention, and oppositional brand referrals). Furthermore, it also is advisable to do research for brands other services, such as hotels and restaurants. DOI : https://doi.org/10.21632/irjbs.8. 1.33-45 Keywords: Country Image, Brand Relationship, Brand Trust, Brand Identification, Brand Involvement, Brand Commitment, Brand Evangelism
Food preferences of inpatients in an Australian teaching hospital--what has happened in the last 12 years?

Abstract The aim of this study was to survey the food preferences of patients in a large teaching hospital in Australia and to compare the results to a similar study conducted in 1986. Possible differences between genders also were examined. Five hundred and twenty-four patients completed a food preferences survey, using a nine-point hedonic scale, to indicate how much they liked or disliked 223 different food items. Fresh fruit, poultry and red meat remained the most popular food classes. Nine of the 15 most popular individual food items were fresh fruit. Significant differences were found between the food preferences of males and females for a number of food classes and individual food items. Compared to the 1986 results there appears to be a greater preference for nutritionally desirable items, more food from various cultures and more traditionally gourmet or ‘novel’ foods. It is hoped that the results of this survey may assist other nutrition and food service staff plan menus for Australian hospital patients. (Aust J Nutr Diet 2001;58:37–44)
A COMPARISON OF QUALITY INDICATORS BETWEEN MEDICARE ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA

A COMPARISON OF QUALITY INDICATORS BETWEEN MEDICARE ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA By W. Wesley Campbell, III, PhD A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Related Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018 Major Director: Carolyn Watts, PhD, Chair, Department of Health Administration The purpose of this study is to explore differences in quality between Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO). Three outcomes measures reported by these plans use different methodologies but possess enough alignment to permit comparison: percent of diabetic patients with last HbA1c > 9.0%, colon cancer screening rate and ER visits per 1,000. These outcomes are the dependent variables (DV). A secondary purpose is to explore differences in quality based on the size of the beneficiary population served, using the same measures. As the Medicare program faces threats to its solvency in coming decades, with 10,000 baby boomers becoming eligible every day, and the ongoing national conversation about healthcare more generally, approaches to Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) are becoming more common. Organizations seeking to identify the types of VBP arrangements in which they should enter have precious little information on the comparative performance of VBP approaches relative to outcomes measures. Different structures create different incentives through the plan design and risk/reward. The convergence or dissipation of the plan incentives at the level of the provider, particularly in primary care, may be a source of variance. This study is retrospective, non-experimental, and uses publicly available data on the performance of Medicare ACO and HMO plans in calendar year 2015, for the identified measures. Using the Donabedian Structure-Process-Outcome framework, this study explores the impact of structure by type of plan and size of population served, relative to the outcomes. Race, average Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) risk score and duration of operations are control variables. The analysis uses multiple hierarchical regression to better understand the relationship between the independent variables (IV) and DVs, after the impact of the control variables (CV). After controls, the IVs did offer some explanation of variation in outcomes. The ACO plans fared better on HbA1c control, while HMO plans had fewer ER visits per 1,000. No discernable difference existed between the HMO and ACO plans with regard to colon cancer screening rate. Serving larger populations led to better performance on all three measures. In general performance was worse on each measure in both models when the percent of not-White patients or average HCC risk score increased. A longer duration of operations also associated to better performance on the outcome measures.
Vitex agnus-castus extract (Ze 440) improves symptoms in women with menstrual cycle irregularities

Неинтервенционное обсервационное исследование было выполнено швейцарскими гинекологами и врачами общей практики в условиях повседневной работы. Цель этого исследования заключалась в оценке эффективности и безопасности экстракта витекса священного, также известного как авраамово дерево, прутняк обыкновенный (Ze 440 производства фармацевтической компании Zeller Medical AG, г. Романсхорн, Швейцария), у женщин с нарушениями менструального цикла в целом и, в частности, полименореей, олигоменореей и аменореей. Методика: в исследование были включены 211 пациенток, средний возраст которых составил 35,3 ± 8,8 лет. Симптомы, связанные с нарушениями менструального цикла и менструальными кровотечениями, были оценены при первом визите к врачу и при визите после лечения экстрактом витекса священного в течение трех последовательных менструальных циклов. Результаты: количество пациенток, у которых наблюдалась ремиссия или уменьшение нарушений менструального цикла в целом и, в частности, таких симптомов как полименорея, олигоменорея и аменорея при последнем визите составило 79–85%. Количество пациенток с ремиссией или уменьшением симптомов, связанных с менструальным кровотечением, в частности, дисменореи, межменструальных, предменструальных или послеменструальных кровотечений, гиперменореи, менометроррагии, кровотечений при овуляции во время последнего визита составило 60–88%. Из 53 пациенток, которые при первичном визите указывали на нереализованное желание иметь детей, 12 (23%) женщин забеременели на протяжении лечения экстрактом витекса священного. Во время последнего визита 91% врачей и 92% пациенток были «довольны» или «очень довольны» достигнутыми результатами лечения, а 80% женщин подтвердили, что предпочли бы продлить лечение екстрактом витекса священного. Выводы: данное обсервационное исследование, проведенное в условиях повседневной медицинской практики, показало, что лечение экстрактом витекса священного (Ze 440) достоверно уменьшает нарушения менструального цикла, полименорею, олигоменорею и аменорею и хорошо переносится. Большинство пациенток приняли решение продлить лечение экстрактом витекса священного.
Share Repurchases and the Effects on Investment Behaviour

This paper examines the increased use of share repurchase programs as a corporate payout method. Following the work of Grullon and Michealy (2002) and Skinner (2008), I first confirm the substitution hypothesis that firms indeed use share buybacks instead of dividend payments to distribute cash to its shareholders. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the associated changes in real investments. Extensive payouts to equityholders have been a topic of debate as critics claim that corporate resources should rather be invested in productive assets. Using different proxies for investments, I examine repurchase activity and the associated changes in investments. The findings of this research indicate that increasing values of share repurchases are correlated to lower levels of capital expenditures, employment, and investments in R&D. JEL classification: G31, G35
Dropped Foot Impairment Post Stroke: Gait Deviations and the Immediate Effects of Ankle-foot Orthotics and Functional Electrical Stimulation

Individuals with stroke often demonstrate impaired ankle-foot function, commonly termed dropped foot that affects their ability to walk safely at home and within their community. While interventions are available to improve gait function, they have inconsistency demonstrated positive effects due to the lack of evidence-based practice guidelines and a limited understanding of the mechanisms leading to dropped foot. The aim of this dissertation was to 1) determine the relationship between dropped foot gait deviations and impaired sensorimotor control, 2) compare gait biomechanics between stroke survivors with and without dropped foot impairment, and 3) evaluate the immediate effects of an ankle-foot orthotic (AFO) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) device among stroke survivors with dropped foot impairment. Our evaluation combined standardized clinical measures of ankle-foot function (i.e. sensorimotor control, strength, spasticity and range of motion) and gait analysis using advanced laboratory techniques (i.e. electromyography and electrical goniometers) to quantify mechanisms of dropped foot impairment. Fifty-five stroke survivors completed the assessment prior to discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Individuals with poor generation of isometric dorsiflexor force and reduced passive ankle range of motion were likely to demonstrate greater plantarflexion in swing and limited stance phase ankle joint excursion, respectively. Results
Innovative Technology-based Entrepreneurs: Does Clean-tech Make A Difference?

Sustainable development has emerged as an influential, although controversial, concept for both business and policy, and there is rising recognition that a major transformation is needed to reduce detrimental environmental and societal impacts created by our presently unsustainable practices (Hall et al., 2010). Innovation is a driver of that transformation is innovation and, in this context, entrepreneurship is increasingly being recognized as a significant conduit for sustainable innovation and an enabler of transformation to sustainable products and processes (Cohen & Winn, 2007; Dean & McMullen, 2007). Moreover, entrepreneurship is being advocated as the solution for many social and environmental concerns (Brown, 2006; Vaitheeswaran, 2003). However, despite the potential entrepreneurship has for fostering sustainable development, substantial uncertainty remains concerning the nature of entrepreneurship's role in the area, which is also reflected in the sparse literature and insufficient academic discourse on the topic (Larson, 2000).
Adverse Medical Events in the NICU: Epidemiology and Prevention

Adverse medical events and adverse drug events are not uncommon in NICUs, and research has been directed at determining the causes of such events as well as potential methods of reducing their occurrence. Both human fallibility and the complex adaptive system that comprises the NICU present opportunities for errors. Human factors engineering and systems can improve reliability, as can computer systems for ordering, dispensing, administering, and monitoring drugs. Barcode scanning medication dispensing and administration systems and smart pumps also have been investigated. Human factors that have contributed to errors include fatigue, communication failure, poor handoffs, problems with cross-coverage, workload, and staffing patterns. Addressing these factors can aid in reducing medical errors.
Body volume changes during simulated microgravity I: Technique and comparison of men and women during horizontal bed rest.

Abstract It has been hypothesized that many of the adaptive processes that occur in man during exposure to microgravity involve the rapid headward shift of fluids during the first few hours of spaceflight. Impedance plethysmography was used to measure lower body volume changes in men and women during horizontal bed rest simulated microgravity. Segmental volumes calculated from the leg impedance values are compared to similar volumes determined from detailed anthropometric measurements. The results of this experiment indicate that men and women respond differently to bed rest and that impedance plethysmography can be used to quantify the extent of fluid redistribution in the body during actual or simulated microgravity in a manner that corresponds well with anthropometric determinations.
Exploring strategic options at Firm X:development of a roadmap for the future

Disclaimer This document contains a student thesis (bachelor's or master's), as authored by a student at Eindhoven University of Technology. Student theses are made available in the TU/e repository upon obtaining the required degree. The grade received is not published on the document as presented in the repository. The required complexity or quality of research of student theses may vary by program, and the required minimum study period may vary in duration.
Dissociable Posterior and Anterior Insula Activations in Processing Negative Stimulus Before and After the Application of Cognitive Reappraisals

Although the role of the insular cortex in representing bodily and emotional feelings has been recognized, whether the mid-posterior and anterior parts of the insula act differentially in the encoding and regulation of emotional feelings is still unclear. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we examined the effects of the creative cognitive reappraisals versus the non-creative ordinary reappraisals on the activation pattern of the mid-posterior and anterior insular cortex during the processing of unpleasant pictures by comparing the neural correlates for processing these pictures before and after the application of cognitive reappraisals. We found significant anterior insular activation after the application of cognitive reappraisals, especially the creative ones, in contrast to the significant mid-posterior insular activation before the application of the cognitive reappraisals or after the application of the non-creative ordinary reappraisals. This finding supports the posterior-to-anterior progression hypothesis with the mid-posterior insular cortex being used for the encoding of primary emotional feelings and the anterior insular cortex being used for the encoding of regulated or modulated emotional feelings.
Precocious Preclinical Cardiovascular Sonographic Markers in Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Childhood Obesity

Background: Childhood obesity is related to a wide spectrum of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities. Objectives: (1) To identify precocious, preclinical, cardiovascular sonographic modifications, in a cohort of overweight (OW) and obese (OB) children and adolescents compared to lean controls; (2) to investigate the association between clinical and metabolic variables and cardiovascular sonographic parameters; (3) to evaluate their relation with two different phenotypes of obesity: metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). Materials and Methods: Fifty-nine OW and OB children and adolescents (9.8 ± 2.9 years) and 20 matched lean controls underwent anthropometric, biochemical, echocardiography assessment, and sonographic evaluation of carotid artery and ascending aorta (AA). OW and OB subjects were divided in MHO and MUO, according to the Camhi et al. definition. Results: OW and OB children showed significantly higher left ventricular (LV) dimensions and mass, carotid artery intima–media thickness (CIMT), carotid stiffness [β-index, pulse wave velocity (PWV)], significantly lower mitral peak early (E) and late (A) velocity ratio (E/A ratio), and significantly impaired global longitudinal strain (GLS) compared to controls. BMI SD and HOMA-IR were positively significantly related to LV dimensions, LA volume and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), and negative to E/A ratio. Waist circumference (WC) was positively correlated to LV dimensions, LA volume, CIMT, PWV, AA diameter, and EAT. Furthermore, WC was a strong predictor of LV dimensions, LA volume and strain, AA stiffness and diameter; BMI SD was significantly associated with EAT, LVM index, and E/A ratio; HOMA-IR and triglycerides were significant predictors of GLS. MUO patients showed higher BMI SD (p = 0.02), WC (p = 0.001), WHtR (p = 0.001), HOMA-IR (p = 0.004), triglycerides (p = 0.01), SBP (p = 0.001), as well as LV dimensions, EAT (p = 0.03), CIMT (p = 0.01), AA diameter (p = 0.02), β-index (p = 0.03) and PWV (p = 0.002), AA stiffness (p = 0.006), and significantly impaired GLS (p = 0.042) compared to MHO. Conclusions: Severity of overweight, abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and MUO phenotype negatively affect cardiovascular remodeling and subclinical myocardial dysfunction in OW and OB children. MUO phenotype is likely to increase the risk of developing cardiometabolic complications since the pediatric age. Distinction between MHO and MUO phenotypes might be useful in planning a personalized follow-up approach in obese children.
An Eye-Tracking Study of Sketch Processing: Evidence From Russian

This study investigates the online process of reading and analyzing of sketchnotes (visual notes containing a handwritten text and drawings) on Russian language material. Using the eye-tracking method, we compared the processing of different types of sketchnotes [“path” (trajectory), linear, and radial] and the processing of a verbal text. Biographies of Russian writers were used as the material. In a preliminary experiment, we asked 89 college students to read the biographies and to evaluate each text or sketch using five scales (from −2 to +2). The best example for each of three formats of sketchnotes and a verbal text was chosen. In the main experiment, 21 secondary school students examined four different biographies in four different formats (three sketchnotes and a verbal text), answered to the factual and analytical questions to these texts and estimated the difficulty of each text. We measured the total dwell time, the total fixation count, the average fixation duration for each stimulus as well as for separate zones inside the sketches including verbal and non-verbal information. Our results show that readers process the information better and faster while reading sketchnotes than a verbal text. In the trajectory sketchnotes, the readers followed the order of elements aimed by the author of the sketchnotes better than in the radial and linear sketchnotes. The analysis of participants’ eye movements while processing the stimuli made it possible to propose several recommendations for creating effective sketchnotes.