Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Contributing to Global Digital Divide: Some Empirical Results

Abstract The present paper investigates the factors that contribute to the problem of digital divide in the global community. The global digital divide is defined as the difference in the value of IT index (comprised of four IT adoption data: the Internet, PC, Cell phone and telephone) of a nation from the U.S. A model is proposed that contains several new indicators, not tried in the literature before. The model is then tested on Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) over a period of time. Results indicate that some of these indicators explain the existence of global digital divide. The study also concludes that the factors that are responsible for such divide are not all common for OECD and ECLAC set of nations and that significances of these indicators also vary over time.
The Role of Angels in Technology SMEs: A Link to Venture Capital

The presence of angels among early-stage financiers of new technology-based firms should improve chances of eventual venture capital financing. Reasons to expect that firms with private investment would have easier access to venture capital are discussed. This study presents findings that support this expectation. A total of 57% of the firms that had received private investor financing had also received financing from institutional venture capitalists; only 10% of firms that had not received angel financing obtained venture capital. Angel investor financing was a significant explanatory variable (among others) of differences between venture capital recipients and firms that had not received venture capital. It would appear that angels help firms to become more ready for future stages of investment by, among other contributions, being closely involved with the firms in which they invest. They usually provide advice and networking opportunities. They also serve on Boards of Directors and Advisors, and provide hands-on assistance and business intelligence. Angels also fulfill an important accreditation role. Overall, this study provides empirical support for the expectation that involvement of angels can substantially increase the attractiveness of firms to institutional venture capitalists.
Profitability Regulation, Earnings Management, and Modified Audit Opinions: Evidence from China

This study, using data from the Chinese stock market, investigates the relationship between earnings management induced by profitability regulation and modified audit opinions (MAOs). We review recent developments in the accounting profession and in independent auditing to foster an understanding of the environment in which Chinese auditing operates. Based on annual reports published by listed companies from 1995 to 1997, we analyze the underlying reasons for MAOs. Our test results show a significant association between receiving MAOs and reporting profits marginally above the target levels specified in stock de‐listing and rights offering regulations. Our findings are consistent with the notion that asymmetric profitability requirements exacerbate managers' propensity to engage in earnings management, which in turn is positively associated with receiving MAOs. Though based on Chinese data, our findings are of general interest because they address a fundamental issue of trade‐offs between expected costs a.
The Impact of a Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program on Knowledge, Attitudes, Awareness, and Response to Suicidal Youths

Adolescent suicide is a significant and troubling public health issue in the United States. Although there have been attempts to develop suicide prevention programs for adolescents, there is no consensus as to what methods are most effective. One popular method of prevention is the implementation of school-based suicide awareness curriculums. A suicide prevention program, SAFE:TEEN Plus, was evaluated. Using a self-report survey, high school students’ and staff members’ knowledge, attitudes, awareness, and potential responses to suicidal youths were measured prior to participation in the program, immediately following participation, and at one or two follow-up points. Descriptive statistics were used to describe changes in the above areas. Students demonstrated an increase in knowledge, favorable attitudes, and awareness of potentially suicidal youth following participation in the program. Staff members previously held high levels of knowledge and favorable attitudes and thus they demonstrated little change in these areas. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed. Degree Type Dissertation
Do the new organic producers differ from the ‘old guard’? Empirical results from Norwegian dairy farming

Conventional farmers converting to organics have contributed to most of the rapid expansion of organic farming in recent years. The new organic farmers may differ from their more established colleagues, which may have implications for the development of the organic farming sector and its distinctiveness vis-à-vis conventional production and marketing practices. The aim of this study was to explore Norwegian organic dairy farmers' personal and farm production characteristics, farming goals, conversion motives, and attitudes to organic farming, grouped by year of conversion (three groups). A postal survey was undertaken among organic dairy farmers (n=161). The results show that the newcomers (converted in 2000 or later) were less educated than the early entrants (the so-called ‘old guard’) who converted in 1995 or earlier. The frequency of activities like vegetable growing and poultry farming among the old guard was high. The late-entry organic herds were fed with more concentrates and had a higher milk production intensity, showed a higher incidence of veterinary treatments and less frequent use of alternative medicine than the herds of the two earlier converting groups. For all groups of farmers, the highest ranked farming goals were sustainable and environment-friendly farming and the production of high-quality food. Late entrants more often mentioned goals related to profit and leisure time. On average, the most frequently mentioned motives for conversion were food quality and professional challenges. The old guard was more strongly motivated by food quality and soil fertility/pollution issues than the others, whereas financial reasons (organic payments included) were relatively more important among the newcomers. All groups held very favorable views about the environmental qualities of organic farming methods, albeit with different strengths of beliefs. Even though trends towards more pragmatic and business-oriented farming were found, the majority of the newcomers were fairly committed.
NEGATIVE AFFECTIVITY, CONSCIENTIOUSNESS AND JOB SCOPE (A CASE OF IT AND TELECOM INDUSTRY)

Based on a sample of 350 employees in the telecommunication and telecommunication, we obtained empirical evidence suggesting that while individuals high on conscientiousness tended to react more positively to job scope, individuals high on negative affinity tended to react less positively. Job scope was defined as the extent to which a job required the jobholder to be mentally and physically involved to get it done effectively. Typically, a job characterized by a high job scope would be non-repetitive, would need a great deal of independent thought/action and training, would entail the job holder to keep track of his/her progress, and others. The affirmative results obtained in regard of the moderating roles of personality factors in the present study suggested that job design researchers should further explore individuals’ personality differences in response to job scope.
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Convergence: The Strategic Alliances of Broadcasting, Cable Television, and Telephone Services

Convergence through mergers and acquisitions seems to provide the best opportunity for companies to accelerate the implementation of new technologies and at the same time capture a developed customer base. This article addresses the following research questions: (a) What is the pattern of mergers and acquisitions in the broadcasting, cable TV, and telephone industries after the 1996 ownership deregulation? (b) What are the initial merger and acquisition strategies for broadcasting, cable TV, and telephone companies on the way to convergence? (c) Is the convergence being carried out by internal (within industry) mergers and acquisitions or cross-segment integrated strategic alliances?
The impact of human resource management practices and corporate entrepreneurship on firm performance: evidence from Turkish firms

This paper outlines the important role of human resource management practices with a link between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance. Data were collected from a survey of 124 firms operating in different industries in Turkey. The findings of this study indicated that human resource management (HRM) practices partially mediated the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and firm performance. In other words, corporate entrepreneurship affects firm performance, both directly and through its effects on HRM practices. In addition to corporate entrepreneurship, it is found that HRM practices explain a significant level of additional variance (9 per cent) in firm performance. The theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
Bank Lending Networks, Experience, Reputation, and Borrowing Costs: Empirical Evidence from the French Syndicated Lending Market

We investigate the network structure of bank lending markets and evaluate the impact of lenders' network centrality, considered a measure of their experience and reputation, on borrowing costs. We show that the French market for syndicated bank loans is a ‘small world' characterized by large local density and short social distances between lenders. Such a network structure allows for better information and resources flows between banks thus enhancing their social captial. We then show that lenders' experience and reputation play a significant role in reducing loan spreads and thus increasing borrower's wealth. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Pharmacologic Characterization of Valbenazine (NBI-98854) and Its Metabolites

The vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) is an integral presynaptic protein that regulates the packaging and subsequent release of dopamine and other monoamines from neuronal vesicles into the synapse. Valbenazine (NBI-98854), a novel compound that selectively inhibits VMAT2, is approved for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Valbenazine is converted to two significant circulating metabolites in vivo, namely, (+)-α-dihydrotetrabenazine (R,R,R-HTBZ) and a mono-oxy metabolite, NBI-136110. Radioligand-binding studies were conducted to assess and compare valbenazine, tetrabenazine, and their respective metabolites in their abilities to selectively and potently inhibit [3H]-HTBZ binding to VMAT2 in rat striatal, rat forebrain, and human platelet homogenates. A broad panel screen was conducted to evaluate possible off-target interactions of valbenazine, R,R,R-HTBZ, and NBI-136110 at >80 receptor, transporter, and ion channel sites. Radioligand binding showed R,R,R-HTBZ to be a potent VMAT2 inhibitor in homogenates of rat striatum (Ki = 1.0–2.8 nM), rat forebrain (Ki = 4.2 nM), and human platelets (Ki = 2.6–3.3 nM). Valbenazine (Ki = 110–190 nM) and NBI-136110 (Ki = 160–220 nM) also exhibited inhibitory effects on VMAT2, but with lower potency than R,R,R-HTBZ. Neither valbenazine, R,R,R-HTBZ, nor NBI-136110 had significant off-target interactions at serotonin (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B) or dopamine (D1 or D2) receptor sites. In vivo studies measuring ptosis and prolactin secretion in the rat confirmed the specific and dose-dependent interactions of tetrabenazine and R,R,R-HTBZ with VMAT2. Evaluations of potency and selectivity of tetrabenazine and its pharmacologically active metabolites were also performed. Overall, the pharmacologic characteristics of valbenazine appear consistent with the favorable efficacy and tolerability findings of recent clinical studies [KINECT 2 (NCT01733121), KINECT 3 (NCT02274558)].
How Entrepreneurs' Knowledge and Network Ties Relate to the Number of Employees in New SMEs

Knowledge is central to entrepreneurship when explaining successful venturing. However, little is known about how a founder's knowledge and their network ties relate to the number of workers in early‐stage small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). This study draws on the knowledge‐based view and social network theory to examine 174 new SME founders. Findings suggest a positive relationship between the comprehensiveness of an entrepreneur's knowledge set and the number of workers. In addition, the number of network ties positively moderates the relationship between the entrepreneur's knowledge set and the number of employees. Network tie knowledge heterogeneity was not significantly related to the number of employees in new SMEs.
The Evolution of the French Political Space and Party System

New structural potentials related to the processes of globalisation and European integration have produced far-reaching changes in the structure of opposition in the French party system. Whereas the newly designed institutions of the Fifth Republic progressively brought about a ‘bipolar multipartism’ in the first two decades of their existence, the rising prominence of new cultural conflicts and of the issue of European integration have led to an increasing disunity of the parties within the left and right, to the emergence of the Front National as a powerful new actor, as well as to a general process of party system fragmentation. On the basis of four electoral campaigns between 1978 and 2002, this article analyses the transformation of the ideological dimensions underlying party competition and the positions of parties within this space, and assesses the implications for the electoral success of parties and for the general make-up of the party system.
Helping Each Other Grow: Romantic Partner Support, Self-Improvement, and Relationship Quality

This research tested whether and how partners’ support of self-improvement efforts influences recipients’ relationship evaluations and self-improvement success. Study 1 provided an initial test of predictions using self-reports (N = 150). Study 2 assessed support behavior exhibited in couples’ (N = 47) discussions of self-improvement desires, and tracked relationship quality and self-improvement every 3 months for 1 year. More nurturing and action-facilitating partner support was more helpful to recipients, whereas partners who criticized and invalidated recipients were less helpful. Receiving more help from the partner, in turn, predicted greater relationship quality and more self-improvement. More negative support seeking also predicted lower self-improvement because recipients’ behavior elicited less partner help. These effects were not attributable to partners’ general warmth and understanding, global self or relationship evaluations, how much recipients desired or tried to change, or whether targeted attributes posed relationship problems. This research documents the powerful influence that partners’ help has on recipients’ personal growth.
Impacts of international mergers and acquisitions on the logistics operations of manufacturing companies

The ongoing trends of rapid technological development and globalisation have reshaped several industries during the past decade. For one, the newly emerged challenges have triggered a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within a number of industries as companies have sought efficient ways to enhance their business capabilities and to restructure themselves to better adapt to the new business environment. This paper discusses the value creational aspects of international M&A and addresses matters of resource redeployment and capability transfer related to the logistics operations of manufacturing companies. The empirical part of the paper reports on an explorative multiple-case study covering six horizontal M&A deals carried out by Finnish manufacturing companies during 1998–2001. Results suggest that the combining of complementary resources, in particular, and capability transfer (e.g. of technology-related knowledge) can create value through the transference of existing key competencies to new contexts, as well as through creating new capabilities.
The long and short run forcing variables of purchasing power parity of ASEAN-5

This study examines the long-run and short-run forcing variables of purchasing power parity (PPP) for ASEAN-5 currencies vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar, i.e., their real effective exchange rate (REER). This study uses the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to co-integration over the period 1991:Q1 – 2006:Q2. Our empirical results suggest that the domestic money supply (M1) is a significant long run forcing variable for the REERs of Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. However, the results suggest that the foreign interest rate (R*) is a long run forcing variable for Thailand’s REER. The findings can derive policy implication for the monetary authorities in these ASEAN-5 countries.
Intrinsic and extrinsic factors impacting casino hotel chefs' job satisfaction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore intrinsic and extrinsic factors impacting the job satisfaction of casino hotel chefs, and whether chefs' background characteristics are associated with their overall and specific facets of job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 152 surveys were analyzed using a randomly selected sample of 25 major casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. The sample selection represented chefs working in various types of foodservice operations within the hotel segments.Findings – Overall, the casino hotel chefs were satisfied with their jobs (M=3.9). Among intrinsic factors, the chefs were most satisfied with the “work itself” and least satisfied with “growth and recognition” they received. Among extrinsic factors, they were most satisfied with “supervision” and least satisfied with “company policy” pertaining to sick leave and paid vacation. Highest job satisfaction levels were found among chefs who worked in the fine dining kitchens and supervised between 21 and 3.
A Survey of Headache Medicine Physicians on the Likeability of Headaches and Their Personal Headache History

Two prior studies have shown an increased prevalence of migraine among physicians who are headache medicine specialists (HMS). There have been no studies of the prevalence of other headache disorders among HMS. A prior survey showed that neurologists like to treat some headaches more than others but there has not been a similar survey of HMS.
Recent Trends in New Zealand Agricultural Productivity and its Measurement

This paper updates the results of an earlier paper (Johnson 1996) exploring productivity trends 1972-92 prepared for the OECD. Tornqvist indexes are used to compensate for changes in the mix of outputs and inputs. Capital is charged at service prices. Present indications are that labour and capital inputs have not increased in the last ten years but total factor productivity has increased at the rate of around 4 per cent per year reflecting past investments and adaptation to new challenges. Comparisons are made with indexes based on static factor shares and suggestions are made on the construction of more ideal index numbers for measuring productivity change where the data is available.
Volunteers' Identification and Commitment in a Publicly Disgraced Organization

Drawing on a study of the Swedish Red Cross, the research intends to examine how individual volunteers identify themselves with the organization that has suffered from a public disgrace and how this has impacted their commitment. In the existing literature, volunteers’ organizational identification has been commonly theorized to predict their commitment, which draws our interest and concerns to further investigate the relationship of the two classical concepts specifically in the context of image crisis. Underpinned by an interpretive approach, 10 face-to-face semi- structured interviews have been conducted. The findings suggest that volunteers still stay with Swedish Red Cross and continue committed to their voluntary work despite the image crisis. On this basis, the study problematizes this simplistic link between organizational identification and commitment empirically and theoretically. It contributes to both the organizational studies and the voluntary sector literature by showing that the multiple identification targets, the possible positive effect of disidentification, and the neutral identification in terms of the spirit of volunteering could offer more insight into understanding the complicated rather than simplistic link.
Ten building blocks for sustainable water governance: an integrated method to assess the governance of water

A three-step interdisciplinary method to assess approaches to water shortage, water quality and flood risks is presented. This method, based on water system analysis, economics, law and public administration, seeks to create common understanding based on newly developed concepts and definitions. First, generating content knowledge about the water system and about values, principles and policy discourses. Second, providing an organizational process with sufficient stakeholder involvement, insight into the trade-off between social objectives, and attribution of responsibilities in addition to regulations and agreements. Finally, implementing the agreed service level through adequate infrastructure, enforcement and conflict resolution.
Laminin enhances β2‐adrenergic receptor stimulation of L‐type Ca2+ current via cytosolic phospholipase A2 signalling in cat atrial myocytes

We previously reported that attachment of atrial myocytes to the extracellular matrix protein laminin (LMN), decreases adenylate cyclase (AC)/cAMP and increases β2‐adrenergic receptor (AR) stimulation of L‐type Ca2+ current (ICa,L). This study therefore sought to determine whether LMN enhances β2‐AR signalling via a cAMP‐independent mechanism, i.e. cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) signalling. Studies were performed on acutely isolated atrial myocytes plated on uncoated coverslips (−LMN) or coverslips coated with LMN (+LMN). As previously reported, 0.1 μm zinterol (zint‐β2‐AR) stimulation of ICa,L was larger in +LMN than −LMN myocytes. In +LMN myocytes, zint‐β2‐AR stimulation of ICa,L was inhibited by inhibition of cPLA2 by arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3; 10 μm), inhibition of Gi by pertussis toxin and chelation of intracellular Ca2+ by 10 μm BAPTA‐AM. In contrast to zinterol, stimulation of ICa,L by fenoterol (fen‐β2‐AR), a β2‐AR agonist that acts exclusively via Gs signalling, was smaller in +LMN than −LMN myocytes. Arachidonic acid (AA; 5 μm) stimulated ICa,L to a similar extent in −LMN and +LMN myocytes. Inhibition of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) by either 5 μm H−89 or 1 μm KT5720 in −LMN myocytes mimicked the effects of +LMN myocytes to enhance zint‐β2‐AR stimulation of ICa,L, which was blocked by 10 μm AACOCF3. In contrast, H−89 inhibited fen‐β2‐AR stimulation of ICa,L, which was unchanged by AACOCF3. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by 1 μm U0126 inhibited zint‐β2‐AR stimulation of ICa,L in +LMN myocytes and −LMN myocytes in which cAMP/PKA was inhibited by KT5720. In −LMN myocytes, cytochalasin D prevented inhibition of cAMP/PKA from enhancing zint‐β2‐AR stimulation of ICa,L. We conclude that LMN enhances zint‐β2‐AR stimulation of ICa,L via Gi/ERK1/2/cPLA2/AA signalling which is activated by concomitant inhibition of cAMP/PKA signalling and dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. These findings provide new insight into the cellular mechanisms by which the extracellular matrix can remodel β2‐AR signalling in atrial muscle.