Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ORGANIZATIONAL ALIGNMENT AND PERFORMANCE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify and define the types of organizational alignment – vertical and horizontal; to examine the evidence for the alignment‐performance relationship, and propose research questions and practical implications to advance the theory and practice of managing alignment.Design/methodology/approach – The study is a conceptual examination based on a thorough review of both theoretical and empirical research.Findings – The paper finds that vertical alignment has received considerably more attention in the literature. Studies of horizontal alignment within organizations are less common. When horizontal alignment is studied, the focus tends to be dyadic – between two functional areas. The limitations posed by the dyadic approach suggest gaps in the research and opportunities for future research. As firms grow and diversify, becoming multi‐business organizations, the importance of horizontal alignment will be elevated.Research limitations/implications – Research on vertica.
Efficiency and Punishment in a Coordination Game: Voluntary Sanctions in the Minimum Effort Game

Using a laboratory experiment, we examine whether voluntary monetary sanctions induce subjects to coordinate more efficiently in a repeated minimum effort coordination game. While most groups first experience inefficient coordination in a baseline treatment, the efficiency increases substantially once ex post sanctioning opportunities are introduced, that is, when one can assign costly punishment points to other group members in order to reduce their payoffs. We compare the effect of this voluntary punishment possibility with the effect of ex post costless communication: in contrast to the punishment treatment, the latter only temporarily increases efficiency and fails to do so permanently. This suggests that decentralized sanctions can play an important role as a coordination device in Pareto-ranked coordination settings, such as teamwork in firms and other organizational contexts.
Neo-Bureaucracy and Public Management: The Case of Medicine in the National Health Service

Contemporary public service management in the UK is accompanied by discourses of the ‘third way’ and ‘new public management’ that claim to stand in contrast to older bureaucratic approaches based on hierarchy and rule-adherence. Our examination of approaches to the management of National Health Service medicine over the last twenty years suggests the reverse: that in this particular sector at least, there has been increasing bureaucratisation, though based on rules enforced by regulatory agencies rather than by hierarchical management. Drawing on a number of long-established literatures, we argue that this ‘neobureaucracy’ is likely to possess inadequate technical, political and behavioural capacities for what is expected of it.
Household Borrowing During a Creditless Recovery

Abstract We investigate the factors behind the borrowing of households during a creditless recovery. We use data from a typical creditless recovery case—Estonia during the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Cross-sectional data on households’ assets, liabilities, income, expectations, and intention to use credit in 2001–10 and 2012 are employed. The results indicate that two-thirds of the sluggish recovery in credit demand can be explained by changes in household endowments such as income reduction and lower income expectations, while one-third remains unexplained and is ascribed to changes in behavioral relations. It is noted that the share of credit-constrained households was very high during the creditless recovery period.
Molecular origins of cancer.

Over the past decade, insights into the origins and behavior of human cancers have reshaped our understanding of these diseases and have generated advances in clinical care. The seminal feature of this research is the focus on human cancers. By using ideas and technologies originally derived from basic science laboratories, investigators have shifted the forefront of cancer research from in vitro models of tumor growth to the characterization and treatment of cancers in humans. This issue of the Journal launches a series of reviews on the molecular origins of cancer. The goal of this series is to highlight advances in .
The Effect Of Student Characteristics On Achievement In Introductory Microeconomics In South Africa

This paper uses OLS regression analysis to examine the effect of student characteristics on performance in Introductory Microeconomics at five South African universities. No consistent race-effects were found, but Indian students performed significantly worse than Whites at historically-White universities. Male students outperformed females in general. Older students did better at the historically-White institutions only. At one university, Black students who speak English as their home language outperformed those who are non-English speakers. Students who devoted more time to study outside formal classes did better in general. Greater verbal and mathematical ability had large and significant positive effects on student achievement. Copyright (c) 2006 The Author. Journal compilation (c) 2006 Economic Society of South Africa.
Outsourcing effects on firms' operational performance: An empirical study

Purpose – This research aims to empirically investigate the effect of outsourcing on firm level performance metrics, providing evidence about outsourcing influences on a firm's cost‐efficiency, productivity and profitability.Design/methodology/approach – This study is concerned with empirically examining the impact of outsourcing on a firm's performance. The results are based on a sample of 51 publicly traded firms that outsourced parts of their operations between 1990 and 2002. Publicly available accounting data are used to test for changes in operating performances that result from outsourcing decisions. Operating performances are examined over a four‐quarter period after the outsourcing announcement.Findings – This research provides evidence that outsourcing can improve a firm's cost‐efficiency. While existing literature on outsourcing has also sought to draw anecdotal and conceptual evidence that highly visible companies have improved their productivity and profitability as well through outsourcing, t.
Ropivacaine versus Lidocaine in Digital Nerve Blocks: A Prospective Study

Background: Ropivacaine is a relatively new long-acting amide local anesthetic. Since its introduction in 1996, it has been used for subcutaneous infiltration; epidural, intrathecal, and peripheral nerve block surgery; and postoperative analgesia. However, it has never been used for digital blocks. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study compares the digital block results following the administration of 2.5 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine solution and 2.5 ml of 2% lidocaine solution. Methods: From March of 1999 to March of 2001, 70 adult patients who underwent immediate reconstruction for traumatic injuries of the digits were prospectively randomized into two groups. Group A (n = 35) received 2.5 ml 0.75% ropivacaine and group B (n = 35) received 2.5 ml of 2% lidocaine for digital anesthesia. Onset time of anesthetic action, duration of anesthesia, time until first postoperative requirement for pain medication, and digital-brachial artery systolic blood pressure index were recorded and evaluated. Local vascular effects were observed visually. Results: No side effects were observed. Lidocaine had the quickest onset of anesthesia, with a mean time of 1.3 minutes (range, 1 to 2.7 minutes). Ropivacaine had a mean onset time of 4.5 minutes (range, 3.5 to 5.5 minutes). The mean duration of postoperative anesthesia for lidocaine was 2.4 hours (range, 1.4 to 4 hours), compared with 21.5 hours for ropivacaine and less requirement for analgesics during the first 24 postoperative hours (p < 0.05) (range, 19 to 23 hours). No significant difference was found between the digital-brachial artery systolic blood pressure index of group A compared with group B. Conclusions: Ropivacaine can be used effectively as a local anesthetic for digital nerve blocks. It can be used for prolonged operations (>1.5 hours) without additional injections and can provide long-lasting postoperative analgesia.
China: Fragile Superpower

What kind of superpower will China become, cooperative or aggressive? Susan Shirk, a former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State responsible for China, has spent years thinking about this critical question. In China: The Fragile Superpower, she opens up the black box of Chinese domestic politics and reveals a fragile communist regime struggling to survive in a society turned upside down by economic growth and open markets. Shirk argues that the West's greatest danger is not China's economic or military strength but its internal fragility. She makes the case that it is usually rising powers that provoke wars, and unless Western states understand the fears that motivate Chinese leaders, they are likely to misread and mishandle China - and find themselves in an avoidable international conflict.
Immunohistochemical analysis of cyclin A in astrocytic tumours

Cyclins are important regulators of the cell cycle; there is increasing evidence that some cyclins are positively involved in carcinogenesis. Amplification and translocation of the cyclin genes and overexpression of their mRNAs and proteins have been observed in a variety of tumours. We studied cyclin A protein in astrocytic tumours by immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemistry with microwave antigen retrieval was carried out on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded material from 15 glioblastomas (WHO grade IV), 10 anaplastic astrocytomas (WHO grade III), seven diffuse low grade astrocytomas (WHO grade II) and nine pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO grade I) using antibodies against cyclin A and a proliferation marker MIB1. Staining for these antibodies was seen mainly in the tumour cell nuclei; 66% of all cases showing staining for cyclin A and 95% of all cases staining for MIB1. Mean labelling indices (LI) for cyclin A were higher in glioblastoma (mean LI‐6.7) and anaplastic astrocytoma (mean LI‐5.9) than low grade diffuse astrocytoma (mean LI‐1.7) and pilocytic astrocytoma (mean LI −0.12), although there was no clear cut off point between the various tumour types. A good correlation was seen between labelling indices of cyclin A and MIB1 (Pearson correlation coefficient r=0.59, P<0.0001). Cyclin A is variably expressed in astrocytic tumours, either reflecting increased tumour proliferation (cyclin A being an integral component of the cell cycle), an alteration of its gene, protein upregulation or regulation of apoptosis. The genetic basis of expression of cyclin A in astrocytic tumours remains to be determined.
The role of product lean launch in customer relationships and performance in the high-tech manufacturing industry

Purpose – Most new product research for the past two decades has focussed on new product development and product innovation. Only a few product launches have been discussed in specific fields. The purpose of this paper is to fill the literature gap regarding enhanced product launch performance by using the customer relationship. Design/methodology/approach – From the contract manufacturer’s perspective, the authors propose that the customer relationship and senior management involvement affects lean launch execution. The customer relationship includes both cooperativeness and behavior monitoring. Studies have suggested that a lean launch exerts a direct influence on new product performance and marketing performance. We used a questionnaire to collect data to test the postulated research model and hypotheses from project, account, and purchasing managers in the high-tech manufacturing industry. Findings – The results provided compelling evidence that the customer relationship exerts a positive effect on le.
Public Information Arrival, Exchange Rate Volatility, and Quote Frequency

The mixture of distributions model motivates the role of public information arrival in foreign exchange market dynamics. Public information arrival is measured using Reuters Money-Market Headline News. The exchange rates are high-frequency mark/dollar and yen/dollar quotes. Estimation results suggest that higher than normal public information brings more than the normal quoting activity and volatility. The results have implications for the debate over regulation of the foreign exchange market. Foreign exchange activity is not largely self-generating. Trading is likely providing the function it is meant to provide-adjusting prices and quantities to achieve an efficient allocation of resources.
Perceptual Memory for Highly Familiar People's Body Shape: Manipulation of Images of the Self and Friend

Previous studies have shown that people's ability to detect, from memory, alterations in highly familiar faces is excellent. Indeed, just noticeable differences for the detection of small alterations in a recognition-memory task were not significantly different from the corresponding measures in a perceptual-discrimination task (Brédart and Devue, 2006 Perception 35 101–106; Ge et al, 2003 Perception 32 601–614). The object of the present study was to evaluate whether people's perceptual memory for body shapes of very familiar persons reaches the high level of precision that was reported for face memory. For one group of participants, the task was to detect body shape alterations (an increase or a decrease of 2% to 10% of the waist-to-hip ratio) on photographs depicting either themselves or a friend. For another group of participants who did not know the target persons, the task was to discriminate whether two photographs presented side by side were the same or not. Results showed that the detection of alterations was significantly better in the perceptual-discrimination task than in the recognition-memory tasks (for the participant's own body as well as for the friend's body). In conclusion, the high fidelity of perceptual memory for very familiar faces does not extend to familiar body shapes.
Fiscal federalism and the politics of immigration: Centralized and decentralized immigration policies in Canada and the United States

Abstract Why would immigration policy be centralized or decentralized in a federal system? What incentives do political actors at the central and sub-central levels of government possess vis-à-vis immigration policy? Taking account of the growing need to make sense of the unique features of immigration policy in a federal system (e.g. the mobility of labor, regional and national identities), and the unique challenges to federalism posed by immigration (e.g. public policy co-ordination, social cohesiveness), this paper advances a general theory of immigration politics in federations. It then illustrates this theory through discussion of two empirical cases: Canada and the United States.
Possibilities of building a mixed city – evidence from Swedish cities

During the late twentieth century, the notion of residential mix became an important public policy in Sweden as well as in many other European countries, Australia and North America. The aim of these policies has primarily been to counteract residential segregation through regeneration of neighbourhoods. The Swedish policy provides an interesting case, as it differs in important respects from policies in other countries. The aim of the Swedish policy has been not only to change the social and physical structure of disadvantaged neighbourhoods, but also to create cities that are socially mixed in their entirety. However, the question is whether this universal aim of achieving mixed cities has been translated into urban planning and the actual construction of mixed neighbourhoods. Is the Swedish social mix policy a policy for the entire city or only a rhetorical goal? The present article shows that there is in fact a trend towards residential mix, as the number of tenure-mixed neighbourhoods has increased. However, contrary to the policy aim, new construction and tenure conversions have not always contributed to a greater mix, as there are also counteracting processes at work. The article furthermore shows that there are significant geographical variations in the implementation of the social mix policy.
Neurobiological and psychological evidence of chronic stress in prostate cancer patients

&NA; To measure the prevalence and severity of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), hypo‐ and hypercortisolaemia, and their association in a sample of prostate cancer (PCa) patients, 97 Australian PCa patients completed a background questionnaire and the GAD‐7, and provided a sample of saliva collected 30‐45 min after waking. The mean GAD7 score was 9.67 (SD = 3.09), and prevalence rates for current anxiety were higher than those reported for non‐PCa males of a similar age. Mean salivary cortisol concentrations (30.78 nmol/L, SD = 13.97 nmol/L) were also higher than for age‐comparative non‐PCa men. There was a significant inverse correlation between GAD and cortisol (r = −. 209, p < .05), and four subgroups of GAD‐cortisol patients were able to be identified, with evidence of both hyper‐ and hypocortisolaemia. These findings provide initial neurobiological evidence of the chronic and profound nature of stress experienced by PCa patients, and also suggest a possible measure that might be used to identify most at‐risk PCa patients.
Effects of auditory priming on physiological parameters of stress following an acute , loud , auditory stimulus

Elevated stress levels and constant exposure to music are commonplace to present day college students. Although the relationship of relaxing music and chronic stress have been well studied, the specific effects of auditory priming with music of different tempos followed by a sudden onset of a stressful stimuli have not been closely analyzed. This research sought to better understand the complex influence music can have on a response to a stressful stimulus-specifically the role of tempo on physiological stress. The study participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups and presented with fastor slow-tempo musical priming or silence followed by an acute, loud auditory stimulus. Electrocardiogram, galvanic skin response, and muscle tension data were recorded preand post-stimulus. Analysis of this data revealed the variable with the most reliable and significant results were from the Galvanic Skin Response. There was a significant increase in max skin response between the priming and post stimulus time periods (p=0.0001 for fast-tempo; p=0.0003 for slow-tempo; p=0.01 for no music). Muscle tension did not yield significant results. Some heart rate changes were significant, but not all. Specifically, the change in heart rate from baseline to the priming phase significantly increased in the slow tempo group (p= 0.02) and there was a significant decrease in heart rate between the priming and post stimulus phase in the fast tempo group (p=0.04). Different reactions to stimuli based on type and/or presence of auditory priming did not show any significant results. From this, we concluded GSR accurately depicts physiological changes in humans when presented with stressful stimuli, but muscle tension and heart rate need to be further studied. Auditory priming should be further studied in a more controlled setting and with a larger and more varied group of participants. Barth, Gerhartz, Guerrero, Habbel, & Peterson 3
Tenure Insecurity, Gender, Low-cost Land Certification and Land Rental Market Participation in Ethiopia

Abstract There is a renewed interest in whether land reforms can contribute to market development and poverty reduction in Africa. This paper assesses effects on the allocative efficiency of the land rental market of the low-cost approach to land registration and certification of restricted property rights that was implemented in Ethiopia in the late 1990s. Four rounds of a balanced household panel from 16 villages in northern Ethiopia are analysed, showing that land certification initially enhanced land rental market participation of (potential) tenant and landlord households, especially those that are headed by females.
A Test for Children's Goal-Directed Behavior: A Pilot Study

A test for children's goal-directed behavior was developed, based on neuropsychological executive function research of Vilkki and Holst and on the framework of Lewin's level-of-aspiration research. 46 12-yr. -old children were participants. Fluid Intelligence was expected to be linked to goal-directed behavior and a commonly used executive function task, the Wisconsin Card-sorting Test. A child was asked to set personal goals in a short-term memory task without prior knowledge about performance. Four different task versions were developed employing both verbal (memorizing series of words) and visuospatial (memorizing block sequences) material. The child set an individual goal for each memory trial. Goal-setting after successful and failed trials was investigated. Usually, the children lowered their goals after failures and set their goals higher or did not change them after successful trials. Compared to goal on a previous trial, Inadequate Responses included setting a goal higher after a failed trial and setting it lower after success. Fluid Intelligence was related to goal-directed behavior, viz., Inadequate Responses. It also correlated with scores on the Wisconsin Card-sorting Test. The results are in concordance with previous research. In addition to experimental executive function research, the novel test might be useful in research concerning children's motivation, self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning.
Initiation of intracellular offspring in Epulopiscium

Epulopiscium spp. are the largest heterotrophic bacteria yet described. A distinguishing feature of the Epulopiscium group is their viviparous production of multiple, internal offspring as a means of cellular reproduction. Based on their phylogenetic position, among low G + C Gram‐positive endospore‐forming bacteria, and the remarkable morphological similarity between developing endospores and Epulopiscium offspring, we hypothesized that intracellular offspring production in Epulopiscium evolved from endospore formation. These observations also raise the possibility that a cell with the capacity to form multiple intracellular offspring was the ancestor of all contemporary endospore‐forming bacteria. In an effort to characterize mechanisms common to both processes, we describe the earliest stages of offspring formation in Epulopiscium. First, in anticipation of polar division, some of the mother cell DNA coalesces at the cell poles. FtsZ then localizes in a bipolar pattern and the cell divides. A portion of the pole‐associated DNA is trapped within the small cells formed by division at both poles. As development progresses, more pole‐associated DNA is apparently packaged into the offspring primordia. These results illustrate three mechanisms, the reorganization of cellular DNA, asymmetric division and DNA packaging, that are common to both endospore formation in Bacillus subtilis and the production of active, intracellular offspring in Epulopiscium. Unlike most endospore formers, Epulopiscium partitions only a small proportion of mother cell DNA into the developing offspring.