Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Third-Party Organization Endorsement of Products: An Advertising Cue Affecting Consumer Prepurchase Evaluation of Goods and Services

Abstract Advertisements containing product endorsements by a third-party organization (TPO), product endorsements by a celebrity, or no endorsement were compared for their ability to affect the dependent variables of perceived product quality, attitude toward the manufacturer, purchase risk, and information value of the ad. In addition, prior brand evaluation and source (endorser) trustworthiness were tested as moderators of the endorsement effect. In two factorial experiments, one for a desktop computer and one for auto insurance, significant main effects were found for endorsement and brand but not for trustworthiness. Brand interacted with endorsement in the quality perception of computers. In both experiments, TPO endorsement was particularly effective in enhancing respondent perceptions of product quality. It is concluded that TPO endorsement may function as an extrinsic quality cue in advertising.
Critical review of current trends in shape memory alloy actuators for intelligent robots

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the current application areas of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators in intelligent robotic systems and devices.Design/methodology/approach – This paper analyses how actuation and sensing functions of the SMA actuator have been exploited and incorporated in micro and macro robotic devices, developed for medical and non‐medical applications. The speed of response of SMA actuator mostly depends upon its shape and size, addition and removal of heat and the bias force applied. All these factors have impact on the overall size of the robotic device and the degree of freedom (dof) obtained and hence, a comprehensive survey is made highlighting these aspects. Also described are the mechatronic aspects like the software and hardware used in an industrial environment for the control of such nonlinear actuator and the type of sensory feedback devices incorporated for obtaining better control, positioning accuracy and fast response.Findings – SMA actuators find wide ap.
Toward mountains without permanent snow and ice

The cryosphere in mountain regions is rapidly declining, a trend that is expected to accelerate over the next several decades due to anthropogenic climate change. A cascade of effects will result, extending from mountains to lowlands with associated impacts on human livelihood, economy, and ecosystems. With rising air temperatures and increased radiative forcing, glaciers will become smaller and, in some cases, disappear, the area of frozen ground will diminish, the ratio of snow to rainfall will decrease, and the timing and magnitude of both maximum and minimum streamflow will change. These changes will affect erosion rates, sediment, and nutrient flux, and the biogeochemistry of rivers and proglacial lakes, all of which influence water quality, aquatic habitat, and biotic communities. Changes in the length of the growing season will allow low‐elevation plants and animals to expand their ranges upward. Slope failures due to thawing alpine permafrost, and outburst floods from glacier‐ and moraine‐dammed lakes will threaten downstream populations. Societies even well beyond the mountains depend on meltwater from glaciers and snow for drinking water supplies, irrigation, mining, hydropower, agriculture, and recreation. Here, we review and, where possible, quantify the impacts of anticipated climate change on the alpine cryosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, and consider the implications for adaptation to a future of mountains without permanent snow and ice.
The antecedents of relationship commitment in the management of relationships in business-to-business (B2B) financial services

The importance of commitment in the management of long-term marketing relationships is well accepted in the marketing literature. There is, however, uncertainty regarding the antecedents of relationship commitment. The study on which this paper is based focused on four possible antecedents of relationship commitment, namely trust, communication, shared values and attractiveness of alternatives. The study was conducted in the South African business-to-business (B2B) financial services industry. A web-based approach was used to survey 300 relationship managers, while data from 400 B2B clients were collected using a telephone survey. The relationship-manager data were analysed with regression analysis, while structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the client data. The uniqueness of the study is the simultaneous consideration of the perceptions of both relationship managers and clients. As far as could be ascertained, a study of this nature has not yet been conducted in the B2B financial services industry. Based on the perceptions of both relationship managers and clients, the contribution of this study is the confirmation of the important roles of trust, communication, shared values and attractiveness of alternatives in the management of commitment to a relationship from both a customer and a provider perspective.
Pharmacodynamic studies on the cardiovascular system of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The cardiovascular responses to pressor, de-pressor agents and carotid occlusion in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (OKAMOTO and AOKI) were investigated. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were divided into 3 groups, i. e. , the pre-hypertensive or transitional stage (Sy ; 40-60 days old), the earliest hypertensive stage (Sp ; 60-110 days old) and the early hypertensive stage (Sa; 130-210 days old), and were compared with acute and chronic renal infarction hypertension (Ry, Ra), acute constricted renal artery hypertension (Rg) and normotensive controls at the corresponding age, respectively. Direct blood pressure was recorded manometrically on kymograph under chloralose (40 mg/kg, intravenous administration) anesthesia and all pressor or depressor agents were administered intravenously and the following results were obtained. 1) Spontaneously hypertensive rats (Sp, Sa) after the development of hypertension, which seemed somewhat easily depressed by general anesthesia maintained hypertensive blood pressure level under chloralose (40mg/ kg) anesthesia. 2) Response to adrenalin (5γ/kg) was slightly decreased in spontaneously hypertensive rats (Sy, Sa), but response to noradrenalin (5γ/kg) showed an increasing tendency in spontaneously hypertensive rats in the early stage (Sa) as well as in chronic renal hypertensive rats (Ra). 3) Pressor response induced by bilateral carotid occlusion for 20 seconds was significantly increased in spontaneously hypertensive rats (Sy, Sa) and renal hypertensive rats (Ry, Ra) in comparison with normotensive controls. Spontaneously hypertensive rats in the pre-hypertensive or transitional stage (Sy) did not show a significantly increased carotid occlusion reflex until atropine (2mg/kg) was administered. 4) The depressor effect of regitine (0.6mg/kg) in spontaneously hypertensive rats in the pre-hypertensive stage (Sy) was almost the same as that in controls. Spontaneously hypertensive rats in the early stage (Sa) showed nearly the same increased response as chronic renal hypertensive rats (Ra) but a significantly increased response in comparison with acute renal hypertensive rats (Ry). 5) The stable pressure level after hexamethonium (20mg/kg) administration was significantly lower in spontaneously hypertensive rats in the earliest hypertensive stage (Sp) than in acute renal hypertensive rats with constricted renal arteries (Rg). 6) The effect of acetylcholine (2γ/kg) on blood pressure was significantly increased in spontaneously hypertensive rats in the pre-hypertensive or transitional stage (Sy) and in acute renal hypertensive rats (Ry) as compared with controls. 7) These results suggested the probable participation of neural fractors in the development of spontaneous hypertension. Differences between spontaneous and renal hypertension as well as the similarity of spontaneous hypertension to human essential hypertension in early stage were also discussed.
Evolutionary adaptation of membranes to temperature.

The "fluidity" of brain synaptosomal membrane preparations of arctic and hot-springs fish species, two temperature water fish species acclimated to different seasonal temperatures, and two mammals was estimated using the fluorescence polarization technique. At all measurement temperatures, the fluidity decreased in the order: arctic sculpin, 5 degrees-acclimated goldfish, 25 degrees-acclimated goldfish, desert pupfish, and rat. This correlated with increasing adaptation or body (i.e., cellular) temperatures of 0 degrees, 5 degrees, 25 degrees, 34 degrees, and 37 degrees and suggested a partial compensation of membrane fluidity for environmental temperature that occurs over the evolutionary time period as well as during laboratory (seasonal) acclimation. Evolutionary adaptation of relatively stenothermal species to constant thermal environments resulted in a more complete compensation than laboratory (seasonal) acclimation. Each compensation is accompanied by differences in the saturation of membrane phosphoglycerides. At increased cellular temperatures the proportion of saturated fatty acids increased and the unsaturation index decreased; the correlation between these indices and the measured expression of membrane dynamic structure was highly significant. It is concluded that the homeoviscous compensation of synaptic membrane function is an important component of temperature adaptation.
Movement disorders emergencies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although movement disorders are traditionally viewed as chronic diseases that are followed electively, a growing number of these patients present with acute, severe syndromes or complications of their underlying neurological problem. Identifying and managing movement disorders emergencies is challenging, even for the specialist. This review summarizes evidence outlining the clinical presentation of acute, life-threatening movement disorders. RECENT FINDINGS We review the most significant aspects in the most common movement disorders emergencies, including acute complications related to Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism, serotonergic, and neuroleptic malignant syndromes, chorea, ballismus, dystonia, myoclonus, and tics. SUMMARY The increasing amount of information delineating the descriptions of movement disorders emergencies provides means for more effective prevention, identification, and management for the nonspecialist. Although the commonest of these syndromes eventually have a good outcome, serious conditions such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome and status dystonicus may induce substantial rates of morbidity and mortality. This review re-emphasizes the need for their prompt identification and management.
Hyperkyphotic posture and risk of injurious falls in older persons: the Rancho Bernardo Study.

OBJECTIVE Falls among older adults can have serious physical and emotional consequences, ultimately leading to a loss of independence. Improved identification of those at risk for falls could lead to effective interventions. Because hyperkyphotic posture is associated with impaired physical functioning, we hypothesized that kyphosis may also be associated with falls. METHODS Participants were 1883 older adults from the Rancho Bernardo Study. Between 1988 and 1991, kyphosis was measured using a system of 1.7-cm blocks placed under the participants' heads if they were unable to lie flat without neck hyperextension. Data on falls including injurious falls, demographics, health, and habits were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire completed at the same visit. RESULTS Hyperkyphosis was defined as requiring the use of > or = 1 blocks (n = 595, 31.6%). In this cohort, men were more likely to be hyperkyphotic than were women (p <.0001). Of those who fell, 36.3% were hyperkyphotic, versus 30.2% among those who did not fall (p =.015). Those who fell were older, more likely to be women, had lower body mass index, did not exercise, did not drink alcohol, and had poor self-reported physical and emotional health. In age- and sex-adjusted models, those with hyperkyphosis were at 1.38-fold increased odds of experiencing an injurious fall (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.91; p =.02) that increased to 1.48 using a cutoff of > or = 2 blocks versus < or = 1 blocks (95% CI, 1.10-2.00; p =.01). Although women were more likely to fall, after adjustment for possible confounders, men with moderate hyperkyphosis were at greatest fall risk. CONCLUSIONS Moderate hyperkyphotic posture may signify an easily identifiable independent risk factor for injurious falls in older men, with the association being less pronounced in older women.
An investigation into the effectiveness of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) : a case study for Zimbabwe.

This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of initial public offerings (IPOs) on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE), as an investment option in comparison to their seasoned matching firms and to establish why an investor would prefer buying into an IPO and not into already trading matching firms. The study also sought to determine the extent of IPO underpricing and to establish if there is a relationship between underpricing and the long-run performance of IPOs. This study further sought to establish the reasons behind the investors' over-optimism in IPOs despite their uncertainty as well as to establish the factors governing the success or failure of IPOs. A matching firm was judgementally selected for each of the IPOs listed on the ZSE during the period 1997 to 2002, for the purposes of comparing the short and long-run buy and hold returns. Returns for the 15 qualifying IPOs and 15 seasoned matching firms were analysed and the share price performance compared in event windows of 30 days, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years from the respective IPO dates. Questionnaires were also administered on a sample of 50 major stock market investors comprising stockbrokers, mutual funds, insurance companies, pension funds and merchant banks to test various theoretical propositions on these IPOs. Consistent with Majaya (2002) and Mutsigwa (2004), this study finds that there is substantial underpricing of IPOs in Zimbabwe with an average of 28% underpricing. This paper also finds that IPOs in Zimbabwe leave money on the table as a result of underpricing. The study finds that IPOs offer higher short-run returns than their seasoned matching firms and consistent with Brav and Gompers (1997), that there is no difference between the long-run performance of IPOs and that of their seasoned matching firms. This study finds no evidence of a relationship between underpricing and long-run IPO performance. The study also finds that the market condition, the timing of placement of an IPO and the firm size and age are some of the key factors determining the success or failure of an IPO and that oversubscription of IPOs on the ZSE is attributed to the size of the bourse which is too small, to cope with the demand for IPO shares. This study concludes that IPOs are risky investment and recommends that investors should carry out detailed analysis on the future prospects of an IPO before buying shares. Ascertaining the true value of a share may help the investor decide whether or not to invest in an IPO. The study recommends that the ZSE management should explore the possibility of setting up an exchange for small capitalisation stocks and that they should remove some of the restrictive listing requirements to enable more companies to list and access capital for expansion and other projects in a country already starved of foreign direct investment due to economic sanctions.
The influence of mechanical stress on graft healing in a bone tunnel.

PURPOSE To examine the relationship between mechanical stress and tendon-bone healing. TYPE OF STUDY Histologic animal study. METHODS Forty-four female Japanese White rabbits underwent transplantation of the extensor digitorum longus tendon into a tibial bone tunnel created perpendicular to the long axis of the bone. After surgery, the animals were returned to their cages and were free to move about without any restriction or immobilization of their extremities. The morphologic differences in tendon-bone junctions in terms of location and time were evaluated at 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks, and at 6 months. RESULTS At 4 and 6 weeks, abundant collagen-fiber continuity between the graft and the bone was observed at the upper side of the bone tunnel. These fibers resembled Sharpey fibers. The lower side of the tunnel showed a layer of chondroid cells and newly formed woven bone. At 8 and 12 weeks, the collagen-fiber continuity of the upper side of the tunnel had become attenuated, but it was more organized at the entrance. At the lower side, the woven bone layer was still present at the entrance but had disappeared inside the tunnel. At 6 months, regenerated tendon-bone junction was observed only at the entrance; a direct type of insertion was observed only at the upper side. The interface tissue inside the tunnel had disappeared on both sides. CONCLUSIONS Stress distribution in the bone tunnel was thought to be compressive on the lower side and tensile on the upper side at the entrance, and shear force is dominant inside the tunnel. A comparison of histology and stress distribution suggests that tensile stress enhances the healing process of tendon-bone junctions, compressive stress promotes chondroid formation, and shear load has little or no effect on regeneration of the tendon-bone junction.
The amphetamine response moderates the relationship between negative emotionality and alcohol use.

BACKGROUND Considerable evidence suggests that sensitivity to the stimulant effects of alcohol and other drugs is a risk marker for heavy or problematic use of those substances. A separate body of research implicates negative emotionality. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of the stimulant response, assessed with an amphetamine challenge, and negative emotionality on alcohol and drug use. METHODS Healthy young women and men completed the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) and an inventory assessing alcohol and other drug use. Subsequently, the effects of 10-mg d-amphetamine were determined in the laboratory using the Stimulant scale of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses evaluated the effects of amphetamine response and the MPQ factor Negative Emotionality on measures of substance use. RESULTS The amphetamine response moderated relationships between negative emotionality and alcohol use: in combination with a robust amphetamine response (i.e., enhanced stimulant effects as compared with baseline), negative emotionality predicted greater alcohol consumption, more episodes of binge drinking, and more frequent intoxication in regression models. A strong stimulant response independently predicted having used an illicit drug, and there was a trend for it to predict having used alcohol. Negative emotionality alone was not associated with any measure of alcohol or drug use. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with the idea that emotion-based behavioral dysregulation promotes reward seeking, a high level of negative emotionality was associated with maladaptive alcohol use when it co-occurred with sensitivity to drug-based reward. The findings contribute to our understanding of how differences in personality may interact with those in drug response to affect alcohol use.
Short Sellers Are Indeed Sophisticated Traders

Current literature shows that short sellers earn positive returns on their trades and that the superior performance of short sellers is due to their better analytic skills. In this paper, we investigate, if it is possible for a short seller to make profits even if he does not have insider information or is not sophisticated. We use a one period model and assume that stock price follows a random walk with a positive drift to show that the expected return for an uninformed short seller is always negative and his risks are always greater than the risks of a stock buyer. Hence a short seller would not trade unless he has superior trading skills and/or information. We also show that the market conditions when the stock’s dividend yield is greater than the risk free rate gives the shortsellers advantage over stock buyers.
The Developmental Implications of Parentification : Effects on Childhood Attachment

Parentification refers to the process through which children are assigned the role of an adult, taking on both emotional and functional responsibilities that typically are performed by the parent. The parent, in turn, takes the dependent position of the child in the parent-child relationship. Although a small degree of parentification can be beneficial to child development, this process can become pathological when the tasks become too burdensome or when the child feels obligated to take on the role of adult. The purpose of this review is to examine the current literature concerning the effects of parentification on child attachment and the implications this may have for the present and future well-being of a child. Methodological issues in current research as well as suggestions for future research are also discussed. Research indicates that, due to the emotional unavailability of the caregiver, emotional parentification disrupts the development of secure attachment. The consequent formation of insecure attachments to primary caregivers, particularly the mother, results in interpersonal deficits in the child that can carry on into adulthood.
The creation and evolution of quasi markets in the public sector: A problem for strategic management

The public sector has been unjustly neglected by the strategic management field as an object of study. In Britain we now see significant changes in public sector management, notably the introduction of an ‘internal market’ in the National Health Service. This paper reviews three theoretical perspectives on these developments and develops propositions for empirical enquiry based on the economic sociology perspective.
Corporate Pension Plan Investments in Alternative Assets: Determinants and Consequences

I examine the determinants and consequences of corporate pension plan investments in hedge funds and private equity, commonly referred to as ‘alternative assets’. I find that highly leveraged firms with low market-to-book ratios and volatile earnings performance are more likely to invest in alternative assets, indicating that financially constrained firms choose alternative investments to increase asset returns and minimize pension contributions. I also find a nonlinear relationship between plan funding status and alternative investing – very underfunded and well-funded plans are less likely to make alternative investments compared to moderately underfunded plans, suggesting that such plan sponsors may avoid these investments to minimize contribution volatility. I find that plans with alternative investments earn higher returns in the pre-crisis period, but also perform more poorly during the crisis period, suggesting that the potential diversification benefits from investing in this asset category may be overstated.
Design and implementation of a service guarantee

Purpose – To propose a decision support model that can be used to design, implement and communicate effective and efficient service guarantees.Design/methodology/approach – Based on in‐depth interviews by the author and on a recent literature review, the author has looked at different issues regarding service guarantees developed by services companies over the last five years.Findings – The decision support model looks first at 12 key issues to examine before designing a service guarantee. If the preliminary analysis is conclusive, discussion about design and implementation is presented.Originality/value – The main and original contribution of this model is to present to services marketing managers a step‐by‐step process, including preliminary analysis, marketing communication and performance analysis.