Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of customer loyalty for home delivery

The purpose of this study was to investigate the crucial factors, namely service quality and service convenience, that lead to customer loyalty in the home delivery (HD) industry in Taiwan. An investigation of customer loyalty in the HD industry was conducted, with a total of 426 effective questionnaires collected. After validating the measurement scales, empirical analyses were conducted using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results confirm that service quality and service convenience both correlate positively with customer loyalty in the HD industry. In a mature market such as that of Taiwan, it is of great importance for home delivery service (HDS) providers to understand the nature of the drivers of customer loyalty. The current study presents findings useful to managers of HDS providers in their efforts to develop and implement successful customer loyalty strategies.
The isokinetic strength profile of quadriceps and hamstrings in elite volleyball players

Knowledge of lower-extremity strength can be used in injury prevention, conditioning and rehabilitation of volleyball players. The goals were: (1) to describe the bilateral concentric and eccentric quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) muscle function in volleyball players, (2) to evaluate the differences in Q and H strength, strength ratios and bilateral strength asymmetry among age groups, playing positions and playing levels, (3) to compare bilateral strength asymmetry in Q and H muscles in two different contraction modes. Ninety five professional male volleyball players were tested on an isokinetic machine at 60 ◦ /s to assess concentric and eccentric Q and H strength. We also calculated strength ratios and bilateral strength asymmetries. MANOVAs indicated significant main effect of playing level on relative PT (p = 0.001) and strength ratios ( p< 0.05). International-level players had significantly ( p< 0.05) higher H strength and dynamic control ratio (DCR) of the right leg compared to the 1st and/or 2nd national division players. There were no signs of bilateral strength asymmetry regardless of muscle group tested and contraction mode. Our results suggest that right H strength and DCR could be important for successful volleyball performance. Descriptive data about Q and H muscle function can be used as guidelines for coaches and therapists during training and rehabilitation of male volleyball players.
A Model of Length Increases of the Pectoralis Major Muscle to Provide Rehabilitation Precautions for Patients after Mastectomy.

A common complication of breast cancer treatment is the development of shoulder stiffness on the affected side. Rehabilitation interventions exist, but scientific guidelines for safe early motion are lacking. A 3-dimensional model of the shoulder and the pectoralis major muscle was used to interactively generate the total muscle excursion during the simulated motions. From these simulation results it can be concluded that women can externally rotate the shoulder in isolation and fall within the "safe" guidelines for pectoralis major muscle increase. Flexion and extension can also be safely accomplished. However, combined motions, such as abduction with external rotation will fall outside of the "safe" region
CORRELATION ANALYSIS FOR TOURISM HEDONIC AND UTILITARIAN MOTIVATORS IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESSÂ

For centuries, the marketing concept claims that organizations must forecast and satisfy consumer needs if their goals are to make profit and develop a connection with their customers. The marketing concept plays a vital role because consumers have a variety of choices and lately, they are better educated, with eagerness in spending and they are capable to shop around much more in order to purchase everything that satisfy their needs and expectations. In this line of ideas, this study examines correlations between consumer motivators to buy a tourism package.
A method for examining SME descriptions of environmental sustainability online

This chapter contributes to green ICT/IS research by presenting a content analysis method for analysing the environmental sustainability descriptions on small and medium enterprise (SME) websites. Past research focuses on large firms, and few past studies have explored how firms of any size describe sustainability online. The chapter presents the method’s four steps: 1) identifying sources of SME websites; 2) determining if websites describe sustainability; 3) archiving the website content for later analysis; and 4) coding the website content using a structured coding framework developed by combining the literature on IS and sustainability. The authors anticipate the method will be useful to researchers and practitioners. The chapter gives examples of these uses such as qualitative and quantitative research objectives and practical outcomes (e.g. SME website design guidelines for incorporating sustainability content) which could result from applying the method.
Pap Mutant of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli O1, an O1:K1:H7 Strain, Is Attenuated In Vivo

Abstract P or Pap fimbriae of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) have previously been shown to be important in the pathogenesis of colibacillosis. However, no study has been done to ascertain the effects of deletion of the genes responsible for P fimbrial biogenesis on APEC's in vitro and/or in vivo characteristics. In the present study, all 11 genes of the pap gene cluster were deleted from APEC O1, the recently sequenced APEC strain, and the wild-type strain was compared to the mutant (ECPAP1) for changes in certain phenotypic characteristics and virulence for chickens. Both APEC O1 and ECPAP1 demonstrated mannose-sensitive agglutination of guinea pig and chicken erythrocytes, but only APEC O1 demonstrated mannose-resistant hemagglutination and P-receptor binding properties. The in vivo experiments revealed that ECPAP1 was markedly attenuated as compared to its wild-type strain APEC O1. These findings suggest that P fimbriae are involved in the virulence of APEC O1.
Functional differentiation in the hippocampus

The hippocampus is critically involved in certain kinds of memory. During memory formation, it may operate as an integrated unit, or isolated parts may be responsible for different functions. Recent evidence suggests that the hippocampus is functionally differentiated along its dorsoventral (septotemporal) axis. The cortical and subcortical connections of the dorsal and ventral hippocampus are different, with information derived from the sensory cortices entering mainly in the dorsal two‐thirds or three‐quarters of the dentate gyrus. Rats can acquire a spatial navigation task if small tissue blocks are spared within this region, but equally large blocks at the ventral end are not capable of supporting spatial learning. In primates, the posterior hippocampus (corresponding to the dorsal hippocampus of rodents) appears to be more important than anterior areas for encoding of spatial memory and certain forms of nonspatial memory. The ventral (or anterior) hippocampal formation is to some extent disconnected from the rest of the structure both in terms of intrahippocampal and extrahippocampal connections and may be performing functions that are qualitatively different from, and independent of, those of the dorsal hippocampal formation. Hippocampus 1998;8:608–619. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Order Clustering System using ART2 Neural Network and Particle Swarm Optimization Methodn

Surface mount technology (SMT) production system set up is quite time consuming for industrial personal computers (PC) because of high level of customization. Therefore, this study intends to propose a novel two-stage clustering algorithm for grouping the orders together before scheduling in order to reduce the SMT setup time. The first stage first uses the adaptive resonance theory 2 (ART2) neural network for finding the number of clusters and then feed the results to the second stage, which uses particle swarm Kmeans optimization (PSKO) algorithm. An internationally well-known industrial PC manufacturer provided the related evaluation information. The results show that the proposed clustering method outperforms other three clustering algorithms. Through order clustering, scheduling products belonging to the same cluster together can reduce the production time and the machine idle time.
Pandemic influenza preparedness and community resiliency.

WEATHERING A FUTURE PANDEMIC OF INFLUenza will be a challenge unlike anything experienced in the United States since 1918. A unique strength of the country has been the sharing of common goals and aspirations. Drawing on strong ethnic identities that celebrate diversity and respect for heritage, when faced with crises, individuals throughout the United States have protected each other because of this common bond. Responding to a future influenza pandemic will test loyalties to families, friends, neighborhoods, and communities. As planning for the national response to pandemic influenza continues, it is essential to protect against adverse, unintended consequences that could seriously threaten the fabric of US society. There has been a major shift in public health advice regarding influenza, and current national pandemic influenza planning advocates that individuals will be able to prevent influenza infection by modifying personal behaviors. Decreased person-to-person contact is recommended as an effective strategy to prevent infection. This new advice is based on limited current scientific evidence and could have serious adverse unintended consequences for the social fabric of society and community resiliency.
Unintentional injury among low-income 5-year-olds with chronic health conditions

Background: Growing numbers of children suffer from chronic health conditions, and initial evidence suggests chronic illness may be associated with increased child injury risk. We examined injury risk among 5-year-olds with and without chronic health conditions. Methods: Data from a diverse US sample of 7954 low-income 5-year-olds participating in the National Head Start/Public School Early Childhood Transition Demonstration Study were analysed. Mothers reported demographics, presence/absence of eight chronic health conditions, and whether children had experienced injuries requiring professional medical attention in the past year. Primary analyses used ordinal logistic regression. Results: Asthma, bronchitis, recurrent ear infections, hay fever/allergies and speech problems associated with increased injury risk (OR range = 1.20—1.49 in bivariate ordinal logistic regression, ps < 0.01). Children with cerebral palsy had reduced injury risk (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.15—0.91, p < 0.05). Most findings held after including demographic covariates in multivariate models. Conclusion: Because a range of chronic health conditions associated with increased injury risk, the causal mechanism behind relations between chronic illness and injury risk may not be disease-specific. Instead, factors related to having chronic medical conditions—not any particular condition—might contribute. Possible mediators include impaired family functioning, impaired peer relations, and familiarity with the health system/health-seeking behaviours.
Insulin-induced gene 2 involvement in human adipocyte metabolism and body weight regulation.

BACKGROUND Insulin-induced genes (INSIGs) encode proteins that block proteolytic activation of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins, transcription factors that regulate lipogenic enzymes, and adipocyte differentiation. OBJECTIVE Here, we analyzed the relative significance of INSIG1 and INSIG2 in human liver and adipocyte metabolism, and defined a novel, functional polymorphism in the promoter of INSIG2 associated with body mass index. RESEARCH METHODS Variations in gene expression of different human tissues, of hepatoma cells exposed to INSIG1 and INSIG2 gene silencing probes, and of differentiating 3T3-L1 adipocytes were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. The functional significance of a novel polymorphism in the promoter of INSIG2 was analyzed using in vitro methods and gene expression analysis of human adipose tissue, whereas the phenotype associated with this polymorphism was studied in two cohorts of middle-aged men. RESULTS Gene expression analysis of 17 human tissues demonstrated that INSIG1 is highly expressed in the liver, whereas INSIG2 is ubiquitously expressed. Gene silencing experiments confirmed that INSIG1, but not INSIG2, regulates the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins target genes in human hepatoma cells. In contrast, adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells was associated with a 13-fold increase in expression of INSIG2. Significant relationships between the INSIG2-102G/A polymorphism and body mass index were observed in two cohorts of middle-aged men (ANOVA P = 0.017 and 0.044, respectively). In vitro studies and analysis of allele-specific expression in human adipose tissue substantiated the functional significance of the INSIG2-102G/A polymorphism. CONCLUSION INSIG2 is involved in adipocyte metabolism and body weight regulation.
Why Do Firms Have Boards?

In a world where corporate boards are not required by law, I identify a governance and a distribute motive for board establishment and board composition. I investigate the presence of these motives in a sample of 23.000+ closely held corporations. Board frequency increases with more owners, if control is diluted and in larger firms. Given firms have a board, non-controlling owners are more likely to be on the board when controlling owners are more powerful. Finally, consistent with an equilibrium interpretation of strategic board establishment, I find little effect of the presence of boards on performance. I conclude that both motives are significant and discuss related corporate governance implications.
Evaluation of synergistic effect between ethyl formate and phosphine for control of three species Aphids in perishable commodity

Methyl bromide (MB) as a fumigant for Quarantine and Pre-shipment (QPS) could offer eradication of target pests within shorter fumigation period and without phytotoxicity. Therefore, unlike MB alternatives for soil fumigation, there is no ideally MB alternative fumigant for QPS purpose, particularly for perishable commodities. It is critically important that within shorter fumigation time requires killing all target insect pests and without effect of quality and deliver treated fruit and vegetables to the final consumer. Aphids are pests frequently found in imported and exported fruit and vegetables. Aphids was known as quarantine pest hard to control when conduct short period fumigation with phosphine (PH3) and low dose of ethyl formate (EF). Ethyl formate can lead to highly sorption and phytotoxic damage of some perishable commodities such as strawberries and cut flowers, especially at lower temperature (< 8°C). Here, we reported that synergistic effect between ethyl formate and phosphine at lower dosages and temperature. The mixture of ethyl formate and phosphine had synergistic effect to control adult and nymph stages of tested cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii), green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and turnip aphid (Lipaphis erysimi). When 0.5 mg/L of PH3 combined with different levels of EF at 5 and 20°C for 2 hours fumigation, there was significantly difference in terms of LCT50% and LCT90% values in comparison with EF or PH3 alone. This new technology could be meet QPS requirement that is shorter exposure time and less damage of perishable commodities.
Comparison of combined spinal epidural anesthesia and epidural anesthesia for cesarean section

Background: Epidural anesthesia (EA) is popular for cesarean section, but has some drawbacks such as incomplete block, inadequate muscle relaxation and delayed onset. Combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) has gained increasing interest as it combines the reliability of a spinal block and the flexibility of an epidural block. We investigated the efficacy of CSEA that combines the main spinal and the supporting epidural anesthesia, comparing with pH‐adjusted EA, for cesarean section.
Determination of MIC ( minimum inhibitory concentration ) and MBC ( minimum bactericidal concentration ) of alcoholic and aqueous green tea extracts against Porphyromonas gingivalis :

Background: Periodontal diseases represent one of the most prevelant diseases around the world and the main etiologic factor behind it is plaque accumulation, in addition certain kinds of bacteria have been detected frequently in subjects suffering from periodontitis, Several studies suggested that the outcome of periodontal treatment is better if particular pathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis can no longer be detected after therapy. Green Tea is reported to contain thousands of bioactive ingredients including catechins which have shown great promise for having antimicrobial effects.There are four main catechins in green tea: epicatechin (EC), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). This study investigates the inhibitory activity of green tea extracts on Porphyromonas gingivalis . Materials and Methods: plaque samples were collected from patients suffering from chronic periodontitis with probing pocket depth of at least 6mm, Porphyromonas gingivalis was isolated and diagnosed according to morphological characteristic and biochemical test. Green tea leaves were extracted using water and alcohol. Sensitivity of Porphyromonas gingivalis to different concentrations of the extracts was tested using agar well diffusion method, determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentrations against Porphyromonas gingivalis by serial microdilution in broth media. And analysis of the extracts was performed using high performance liquid chromaticity (HPLC) technique. Results: Both green tea extracts were effective in inhibition of Porphyromonas gingivalis growth on agar plates but the alcoholic extract showed larger inhibition zones and contained higher percentage of epigallocatechin-3gallate (EGCG) and it showed non-significant difference compared to chlorhexidine. ,90%cconcentration of both extracts were able to demonstrate bactericidal activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis. Conclusions : alcoholic green tea extract was able to inhibit and kill Porphyromonas gingivalis and had higher concentration of EGCG than the aqueous extract, further studies should focus on the use of alcoholic green tea extract in treatment of periodontal disease.
Aid and reform in Uganda country case study

• Aid Uganda received an increasing amount of aid during the period from 1980 to 1995. Thereafter aid started to level out. Until recently aid was mainly provided as loans from multilateral institutions in contrast to the typical African country. Bilateral assistance and grants have come to play the major role in the 1990s. Broadly half of the total assistance has been associated with structural adjustment programs from the mid 1980s. Technical assistance makes a large fraction of the aid and has amounted to some 1/3 of the grants. Uganda was the first country to receive support through the HIPC Initiative. Aid coordination has improved considerably during the 1990s with the government playing a more active role and with intensified local donor coordination. • Reforms Uganda's reform program has been one of the most successful in Sub Saharan Africa. GDP growth averaged 6.4 during the decade 1987-1996 and inflation has been reduced from over 100 percent in 1987 to single digit figures. The government has achieved both stabilization and substantial decontrol of the economy. From an early stance of rejection of marked based reforms (1986) and reluctance (1987-1992) the government has moved to a situation of full ownership of such reforms. The basic factors behind the successful reforms have been strong political leadership, learning of own mistakes, evolving government commitment and in recent years broadening domestic ownership of reforms. A more active policy dialogue is now taking place involving the Parliament, the private sector, unions, Non Governmental Organizations, the media etc. The challenge ahead is to further develop and sustain the reform program as well as to broaden and deepen the domestic ownership. Aid has in various forms helped support the generation and implementation of the policy reforms. When the government reluctantly introduced market-based reforms policy dialogue, advisory services, training and technical assistance were of critical importance both for the decisions to reform and the direction of the reforms. The government has made uncharacteristically good use of technical assistance. In addition, study visits to countries within and outside the region, Ghana for instance, were also very valuable during this period. When the government decided to reform in the late 1980s, financial aid and conditionality became a main and most powerful tool for the reform undertakings. Conditionality, which earlier had been regarded as externally imposed, was now used by pro-reformers within the government to help push the reforms. It became a …
The effect of firm characteristics on disclosures: A Swedish context

The aim of this thesis is to examine the quality of the disclosure IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, paragraphs 122 and 125 in the annual reports of Swedish publicly listed firms. These paragraphs state that firms are required to disclose judgments made by management in preparing financial statements that may have significant impact on the recognized carrying amount. These paragraphs should also include information about major sources of estimation uncertainty.A quantitative research approach is used and the sample consists of 1,519 annual reports over a 7-year period. We construct a disclosure index to assess the quality of the disclosures in Critical judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty (IAS 1:122 and 1:125) note and categorize the annual reports into four index groups. Additionally, the number of headlines in the note are counted and sorted into three other groups, creating a headline index. Lastly, we multiply the disclosure index with the headline index to get a score, which then enable us to distinguish and rank the quality of disclosure between firms. Further, we count the number of words in each individual disclosure in each annual report. This additional quantitative data enable regression analyses, further ensuring objectivity in assessing the disclosure quality.Agency theory and political cost theory are used as base for determining which firm characteristics may affect disclosure quality. We examine the firm characteristics firm visibility, ownership concentration and leverage to investigate any relationship with disclosure quality. We use the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression method to analyse this data. The analysis shows that firm visibility and leverage have positive relationships with disclosure quality. This supports the political cost theory and suggests that firms that are more visible have stronger incentives to attain a high disclosure quality. Our findings also support debt-associated agency problems and are also in line with prior studies that found a positive relationship between disclosure quality and the degree of leverage, which indicates that disclosures reduces the information gap.