Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Work Groups and Teams

Teams of people working together for a common purpose have been a centerpiece of human social organization ever since our ancient ancestors first banded together to hunt game, raise families, and defend their communities. Human history is largely a story of people working together in groups to explore, achieve, and conquer. Yet, the modern concept of work in large organizations that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries is largely a tale of work as a collection of individual jobs. A variety of global forces unfolding over the last two decades, however, has pushed organizations worldwide to restructure work around teams, to enable more rapid, flexible, and adaptive responses to the unexpected. This shift in the structure of work has made team effectiveness a salient organizational concern. Teams touch our lives everyday and their effectiveness is important to well-being across a wide range of societal functions. There is over 50 years of psychological research—literally thousands of studies—focused on understanding and influencing the processes that underlie team effectiveness. Our goal in this monograph is to sift through this voluminous literature to identify what we know, what we think we know, and what we need to know to improve the effectiveness of work groups and teams. We begin by defining team effectiveness and establishing the conceptual underpinnings of our approach to understanding it. We then turn to our review, which concentrates primarily on topics that have well-developed theoretical and empirical foundations, to ensure that our conclusions and recommendations are on firm footing. Our review begins by focusing on cognitive, motivational/affective, and behavioral team processes—processes that enable team members to combine their resources to resolve task demands and, in so doing, be effective. We then turn our attention to identifying interventions, or “levers,” that can shape or align team processes and thereby provide tools and applications that can improve team effectiveness. Topic-specific conclusions and recommendations are given throughout the review. There is a solid foundation for concluding that there is an emerging science of team effectiveness and that findings from this research foundation provide several means to improve team effectiveness. In the concluding section, we summarize our primary findings to highlight specific research, application, and policy recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of work groups and teams.
ATP Depletion and Cell Death in the Neonatal Lamb Ductus Arteriosus

Postnatal constriction of the full-term ductus arteriosus produces cell death and remodeling of the ductus wall. Using a bioluminescence imaging technique, we found that after birth, the lamb ductus develops ATP, glucose, and glycogen depletion in addition to hypoxia. In vitro studies showed that cell death correlates best with ATP depletion and is most marked when both glucose and oxygen are severely depleted; in addition, the degree of ATP depletion found in vivo is sufficient to account for the extensive degree of cell death that occurs after birth. Under hypoxic conditions, the immature ductus is more capable of preserving its ATP supply than the mature ductus as a result of increased glucose availability, glycogen stores, and glucose utilization. However, the immature ductus is just as susceptible as the mature ductus to ATP depletion when glucose supplies are restricted. The extensive degree of cell death that occurs in the newborn ductus after birth is associated primarily with ATP depletion. The increased glycolytic capacity of the immature ductus may enable it to tolerate episodes of hypoxia and nutrient shortage, making it more resistant to developing postnatal cell death and permanent closure.
Unilateral Craniofacial Microsomia: Unrecognized Cause of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

AbstractBilateral craniofacial microsomia causes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We hypothesize that unilateral craniofacial microsomia (UCFM) is an underappreciated cause of OSA. The records of all pediatric UCFM patients from 1990 to 2010 were reviewed; only complete records were included in the study. UCFM patients with OSA (apnea hypopnea index >1/hr) were compared to UCFM patients without OSA. Univariate and multivariate Fisher and &khgr;2 tests were performed. Of the 62 UCFM patients, 7 (11.3%) had OSA. All OSA patients had Pruzansky IIB or III mandibles. OSA patients presented with snoring (71.4%), failure to thrive (FTT) (57.1%), and chronic respiratory infections (42.8%). Snoring (P < 0.001), Goldenhar syndrome (P = 0.001), and FTT (P = 0.004) were significantly associated with OSA, but race, obesity, clefts, respiratory anomalies, adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and laterality were not. The prevalence of OSA in UCFM patients is up to 10 times greater than in the general population. Snoring, Goldenhar syndrome, and FTT are significantly associated with the presence of OSA.
Entrepreneurial action, innovation and business performance: the small independent business

Using a sample of some 300 small independent businesses, drawn from Central London, the paper examines how entrepreneurial behaviour affects business performance. It is argued that small businesses motivated by a desire to grow in terms of sales and/or employees and to survive in a dynamic and competitive environment need to be innovative. However, to what extent they will innovate successfully depends on their capacity to plan ahead, their capacity to innovate and their willingness to take risk. It is shown that entrepreneurial businesses are characterised by these competencies that allow them to innovate and thus develop and grow successfully. Not surprisingly, not all small businesses are equipped with these three competencies owing to their diverse array of strengths and weaknesses arising from the diversity in the managerial motives and aspirations of entrepreneurship. These results highlight the importance of the capacity to innovate and the capacity to plan ahead as strong predictors of small busin.
Determination of the normal reference interval for anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in bitches and use of AMH as a potential predictor of litter size.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a reliable endocrine marker of ovarian reserve in many species with extensive literature in both humans and cattle. However, there are no known hormonal predictors of ovarian reserve and potential reproductive performance in the bitch. A prospective cohort study was performed involving 155 intact bitches of various ages (range 1.2-7.6 years) and breeds that were presented for routine breeding management over a one-year period. All bitches were artificially inseminated with frozen or fresh semen using the transcervical insemination (TCI) technique. AMH concentrations were measured using a commercially available canine AMH ELISA (Ansh Labs® , Texas, USA), which we validated prior to performing the study. The reference interval (RI) for AMH for all bitches in the study, regardless of body weight, was 2.9-21.1 ng/ml. There was a significant effect of bitch size and age on AMH concentrations. The RI for giant breeds was significantly (p < .01) lower (1.75-15.6 ng/ml) than small-sized (5.6-24.2 ng/ml), medium-sized (4.3-23.7 ng/ml) and large-sized (4.3-21.0 ng/ml) bitches. The mean AMH concentration in bitches less than 4 years of age was 12.4 ng/ml, whereas the mean AMH concentration in bitches older than 4 years of age was 10.5 ng/ml (p < .05). For each additional year of age above 1 year of age, AMH concentrations fell by 0.5 ng/ml. There was no effect of AMH concentration on the whelping rate. Smaller breeds had smaller litters (and higher AMH concentrations), but within each breed size category, bitches with higher AMH concentrations had significantly larger litter sizes (p < .01). For each 1 ng/ml increase in AMH, litter size increased by 0.3 pups/litter. In conclusion, we determined a normal reference interval for AMH in bitches based on body weight using a canine-specific assay. In agreement with findings in humans and other species, we found that there is a decline in AMH concentrations with advancing age in bitches. Finally, the significant positive correlation between AMH concentrations and litter size indicates that AMH may be a useful management tool for the selection of bitches in breeding programmes.
Use of Language Tests when Identifying Specific Language Impairment in Primary Health Care

Objective: To evaluate the ability of language tests to identify children with specific language impairment (SLI) in primary health care. All the language tests presently in clinical use in Finland were applied. Method: All the children with SLI living in one city in Finland constituted the cohort. Test scores were collected from 83 subjects drawn from a birth cohort of 4,553 children. Finally 31 case-control pairs were studied. All SLI diagnoses were set in secondary health care. Test scores of 14 language tests were examined that, together with subtests, included 39 different tasks. Results: Out of 39 performed tests, the difference in test scores between children with SLI and their matched controls was statistically significant in 26 tests. A group of six tests had good sensitivity and moderate specificity for SLI diagnosis and they correctly classified children with SLI to either F80.1 or F80.2 diagnosis category. Conclusion: The results suggest that most of the language tests in Finnish identify children with SLI and, furthermore, that these tests identify language deficits that are consistent with those found in other studies. More studies with larger age-matched populations are needed.
Microbial Diversity in Water and Sediment of Lake Chaka, an Athalassohaline Lake in Northwestern China

ABSTRACT We employed culture-dependent and -independent techniques to study microbial diversity in Lake Chaka, a unique hypersaline lake (32.5% salinity) in northwest China. It is situated at 3,214 m above sea level in a dry climate. The average water depth is 2 to 3 cm. Halophilic isolates were obtained from the lake water, and halotolerant isolates were obtained from the shallow sediment. The isolates exhibited resistance to UV and gamma radiation. Microbial abundance in the sediments ranged from 108 cells/g at the water-sediment interface to 107 cells/g at a sediment depth of 42 cm. A major change in the bacterial community composition was observed across the interface. In the lake water, clone sequences affiliated with the Bacteroidetes were the most abundant, whereas in the sediments, sequences related to low G+C gram-positive bacteria were predominant. A similar change was also present in the archaeal community. While all archaeal clone sequences in the lake water belonged to the Halobacteriales, the majority of the sequences in the sediments were related to those previously obtained from methanogenic soils and sediments. The observed changes in the microbial community structure across the water-sediment interface were correlated with a decrease in salinity from the lake water (32.5%) to the sediments (approximately 4%). Across the interface, the redox state also changed from oxic to anoxic and may also have contributed to the observed shift in the microbial community.
Social Health Insurance in Developing Countries: A Continuing Challenge

This paper addresses the issue of the feasibility of 'social' health insurance (SHI) in developing countries. SHI aims at protecting all population groups against financial risks due to illness. There are substantial difficulties in implementation, however, due to lack of debate and consensus about the extent of financial solidarity, problems with health service delivery, and insufficient managerial capacity. The transition to universal coverage is likely to take many years, but it can be speeded up. Adopting a 'family' approach to financial protection, sustained financial support from governments and donors, and deconcentrating the development of SHI may slash several years from the time needed to achieve full universal protection against healthcare costs.
Virtual endocasts of Eocene Paramys (Paramyinae): oldest endocranial record for Rodentia and early brain evolution in Euarchontoglires

Understanding the pattern of brain evolution in early rodents is central to reconstructing the ancestral condition for Glires, and for other members of Euarchontoglires including Primates. We describe the oldest virtual endocasts known for fossil rodents, which pertain to Paramys copei (Early Eocene) and Paramys delicatus (Middle Eocene). Both specimens of Paramys have larger olfactory bulbs and smaller paraflocculi relative to total endocranial volume than later occurring rodents, which may be primitive traits for Rodentia. The encephalization quotients (EQs) of Pa. copei and Pa. delicatus are higher than that of later occurring (Oligocene) Ischyromys typus, which contradicts the hypothesis that EQ increases through time in all mammalian orders. However, both species of Paramys have a lower relative neocortical surface area than later rodents, suggesting neocorticalization occurred through time in this Order, although to a lesser degree than in Primates. Paramys has a higher EQ but a lower neocortical ratio than any stem primate. This result contrasts with the idea that primates were always exceptional in their degree of overall encephalization and shows that relative brain size and neocortical surface area do not necessarily covary through time. As such, these data contradict assumptions made about the pattern of brain evolution in Euarchontoglires.
Inflation Dynamics

This paper first outlines the key stylized facts about changes in inflation dynamics in recent years: 1) inflation persistence has declined, 2) the Phillips curve has flattened, and 3) inflation has become less responsive to other shocks. These changes in inflation dynamics are interpreted as resulting from an anchoring of inflation expectations as a result of better monetary policy. The paper then goes on to draw implications for monetary policy from this interpretation, as well as implications for inflation forecasts.
Blood flow in the internal carotid and middle cerebral arteries: effects of continuous oral conjugated equine estrogens administration with monthly progestogen supplementation on postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed in order to evaluate the effect of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) on internal carotid and middle cerebral artery blood flow in postmenopausal women. DESIGN Thirty-four healthy postmenopausal women with intact uteri were randomly divided into two groups of 17 subjects each. The first group was treated for 24 weeks with continuous CEE medication (0.625 mg daily) and cyclical supplementations of 5 mg/day of medrogestone acetate, given on the last 12 days of every 4-week period (Prempak, Wyeth, Italy). The second group received no treatment. The pulsatility indices (PI) of both the internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery were measured. RESULTS In the treated group, the PI of the interior carotid artery and MCA was reduced from respectively 0.736 (0.016) and 0.745 (0.009) at baseline, to 0.669 (0.021) and 0.670 (0.011) after 24 weeks (p = 0.01); in the control group, the PI values remained unchanged. The between-group difference for both arteries was significant (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The administration of CEE with cyclical medrogestone supplementation to postmenopausal women induces a statistically significant reduction in the PI of cerebral arteries.
Pharmacokinetics, Biotransformation, and Mass Balance of Edoxaban, a Selective, Direct Factor Xa Inhibitor, in Humans

This study determined the mass balance and pharmacokinetics of edoxaban in humans after oral administration of [14C]edoxaban. After oral administration of 60 mg (as active moiety) of [14C]edoxaban to six healthy male subjects, serial blood/plasma and urinary and fecal samples were collected for up to 168 h postdose. All samples were analyzed for total radioactivity by liquid scintillation counting and for concentrations of edoxaban and four metabolites in plasma, urine, and fecal samples by either high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method using multiple reaction modes, or a liquid chromatography radiometric method. The mean recovery of radioactivity was >97% of the administered radioactive dose, with 62.2% eliminated in feces and 35.4% in urine. Unchanged edoxaban accounted for the majority of radioactivity, with 49.1 and 23.8% of the dose as parent observed in feces and urine, respectively. Unchanged edoxaban was the most abundant species in plasma, with a mean area under the curve (AUC)0−∞ of 1596 ng · h/ml. The next most abundant species was metabolite M4, with a mean AUC0−∞ 147 ng · h/ml. The mass balance of edoxaban was well described, with unchanged edoxaban as the most abundant component of total radioactivity. Edoxaban is eliminated through multiple pathways, but each accounts for only a small amount of overall elimination.
Improved Cardiac and Neurologic Outcomes With Postresuscitation Infusion of Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist WIN55, 212-2 Depend on Hypothermia in a Rat Model of Cardiac Arrest*

Objectives:To investigate the mechanisms of improved myocardial and neurological function and survival following IV administration of cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55, 212-2 in a rat model of cardiac arrest. Design:Prospective randomized controlled experimental study. Setting:University-affiliated research institute. Subjects:Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats. Interventions:Ventricular fibrillation was electrically induced in 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 450 and 550 g. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated after 6 minutes of untreated ventricular fibrillation. The precordial compression was performed with a pneumatically driven mechanical chest compressor. No pharmacological agent was used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. After 8 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, up to three 2-J defibrillations were attempted. The animals were then randomized into three groups: 1) WIN55, 212-2 hypothermia, 2) WIN55, 212-2 with normal body temperature, and 3) placebo control. Either WIN55, 212-2 (1.0 mg/kg/hr) or saline placebo was continuously infused for 2 hours. Except for the WIN55, 212-2 hypothermia group, the body temperature in the other two groups was maintained at 37.0 ± 0.2°C using an external heating lamp. Postresuscitation myocardial function was measured by echocardiogram. Neurological deficit scores and survival time were observed for up to 72 hours. Measurements and Main Results:Blood temperatures decreased from 37°C to 33°C in 4 hours in animals in WIN55, 212-2 hypothermia group. Myocardial function, as measured by cardiac output, ejection fraction, and myocardial performance index, was significantly impaired in all animals after successful resuscitation when compared with the baseline values. There was a significant improvement in myocardial function in the animals treated with WIN55, 212-2 hypothermia beginning at 1 hour after start of infusion. However, no improvement was observed in the groups of WIN55, 212-2 with normal body temperature and placebo control. WIN55, 212-2 hypothermia group was associated with significantly improved neurologic deficit scores and survival time when compared with placebo control group and WIN55, 212-2 with normal body temperature group. Conclusions:In a rat model of cardiac arrest, better postresuscitation myocardial function, neurological deficit scores, and longer duration of survival were observed by the pharmacologically induced hypothermia with WIN55, 212-2. The improved outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation following administration of WIN55, 212-2 appeared to be the results from its temperature reduction effects.
The Value of Region of Origin, Producer and Protected Designation of Origin Label for Visitors and Locals: The Case of Fontina Cheese in Italy The case of Fontina cheese in Italy

This research reports an empirical survey of tourists’ and residents’ on the case of Fontina, a typical Italian cheese, considering the value that can be generated by linking a food product to the region of origin, producer and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification. The paper segments typical consumers, exploring what images different consumers associate with these elements. Findings indicate that the perceived value of these attributes varies according to the distance between the region of origin of the product and consumers’ residences. The findings should help tourism operators to better target marketing communications to the consumer segments.
Interorganizational determinants of environmental purchasing: Initial evidence from the consumer products industries

Environmental purchasing consists of the purchasing function's involvement in activities that include reduction, recycling, reuse, and substitution of materials. Despite the potentially important role that the purchasing function can play in a firm's environmental activities, little research has been performed to date that examines the factors that impact environmental purchasing. The authors develop and empirically test a theoretical model that examines how interorganizational factors both drive and constrain purchasing's involvement in environmental activities. The empirical findings suggest that environmental purchasing activities will be facilitated through increased coordination with suppliers as well as downstream members of the supply chain, including retailers. The results also suggest the need for increased coordination within the firm, particularly between the purchasing function on the inbound side and marketing and distribution functions on the outbound side.
Performance Reporting – The IASB's Proposed Formats of Financial Statements in the Exposure Draft of IAS 1

ABSTRACT This paper is a response to the exposure draft of proposed amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in March 2006. The objective is to bring to the standard setter's attention research that is relevant to the issues raised in the exposure draft. We review analytic, empirical and experimental research that addresses the presentation of income and the format of the income statement. Overall, there is some support for a single statement of (total) recognised income and expense. However, net income is on average more relevant than comprehensive income, which may favour a two-statement approach. While this result is in line with the IASB's option of the two formats, it does not support the IASB's preference for a single statement.
Earnings management and the audit opinion: evidence from Malaysia

Purpose – This study aims to examine auditor reporting behaviour in the presence of aggressive earnings management (EM) in the context of the Asian Economic Crisis as it affected Malaysia. In the vein of Bartov, Gul and Tsui, the interaction between discretionary or abnormal accruals and audit quality (AQ), as indicated by auditor size and auditor industry specialisation, is examined.Design/methodology/approach – A logistic regression model adapted from various prior studies is utilised to test the hypotheses.Findings – As per earlier findings using Western data, Big 5 auditors in Malaysia appear to qualify more frequently than their non‐Big 5 counterparts when high levels of abnormal accruals are present. However, the interaction between auditor industry specialisation and abnormal accruals is not significant in predicting the incidence of qualification.Originality/value – This study extends the current literature on AQ differentiation and specifically it attempts to address the gaps in the literature wi.