Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does globalisation affect consumers' pro-environmental intentions? A multilevel analysis across 25 countries

The aim of this paper is to empirically evaluate whether the process of globalisation, through which countries become increasingly interconnected, is related to pro-environmental intentions. Due to the hierarchical nature of the data, the study uses a multilevel modelling approach to cross-culturally test the impact of globalisation on pro-environmental intentions. Using an updated indicator of globalisation, the results from 25 nations show that economic, social and political openness are not related to pro-environmental intentions, as measured by willingness to sacrifice to protect the environment. This result implies that concern for the environment is a global phenomenon and not unique to the wealthy and more globalised nations. The findings of this paper highlight the importance of simultaneously assessing individual- and contextual-level variables in determining pro-environmental intentions across nations.
Migrant youths in Beijing: a life history analysis of class reproduction

This study utilizes life history analysis to explore the class reproduction process among migrant youths in Beijing, the capital city of China. Eight migrant youths were interviewed about their life histories using a life-line interview methodology. Results showed that these migrant youths could be classified into four groups based on their residential location and the duration of their residence in Beijing, each representing distinctive characteristics. Limited family educational background, poor quality of school education and unstable community environment were common experiences among the youths. In addition, the hukou system and other social policies that restricted education opportunities for these migrant youths contributed to the class reproduction process. Thus, the current education system, family background and social policy all adversely affect the opportunities of migrant youths to choose different life paths from their parents. This article then offers suggestions for changes in policy formulation and social services to improve social mobility for migrant youths.
A Simple Model of Endogenous Agricultural Commodity Price Fluctuations with Storage

A debate has been raging for centuries regarding the effects of inter-annual storage on commodity prices. Most analysts consider storage to function as a price stabilizer, while others place it at the core of an explanation of intriguing features of commodity price series, such as skewed distributions. Most studies have been developed in the context of the theory of competitive storage where random shocks affect supply or demand. Recently, the endogenous chaotic behavior of markets has become another possible hypothesis regarding the origin of commodity price fluctuations. We develop a nonlinear cobweb model with intra- and inter-annual storage, risk averse agents and adaptive expectations. Like the theory of competitive storage, this nonlinear cobweb model with storage can reproduce some of the stylized facts of agricultural commodity prices (autocorrelation of first rank, low kurtosis and skewness). In addition, the effects of storage on price variation are mixed. In the presence of inter-annual storage, chaotic price series show less variation compared to a situation without inter-annual storage but we find that storage contributes to the endogenous volatility of prices by making chaotic dynamics more likely.
The hemodynamic study for growth factor evaluation of rupture cerebral aneurysm followed up for five years

Computer-based simulations are essential for clarifying the hemodynamics of brain aneurysms. Since cerebrovascular disease is often fatal, it is strongly desirable to predict its progression. While previous studies have clarified the initiation mechanism of aneurysms, their growth mechanism remains unclear. Consequently, it is difficult to develop a diagnostic system for predicting aneurysm rupture. This study seeks to clarify the mechanism of aneurysm growth by identifying significant hydrodynamic factors. We focus on a single ruptured aneurysm that was followed up for five years. Computer simulations and fluid dynamic experiments with silicone vessel models were performed. To confirm the reliability of data in the computer simulations, we conducted particle image velocimetry measurements in steady flow. We then performed computer simulations for pulsatile conditions to determine an effective index for aneurysm growth. We obtained good agreement between the trends in the obtained computer simulation and experimental data. Numerical simulations for pulsatile flow in three models revealed that aneurysms grew in regions having a low wall shear stress, a low aneurysm formation indicator, and a high oscillatory shear index.
On the Relationship Between Exchange Rates and Interest Rates: Evidence from the Southern Cone

The purpose of this paper is to provide a closer view on the interaction of exchange rate volatility and interest rate volatility in the Mercosur countries. We discuss several models that explain systematic correlations between the movements of both variables and their second statistical moments, i.e. their volatilities. In contrast to the “fear of floating” argument that could lead to a volatility trade-off, we argue that both variables are largely driven either by the credibility of a country or by politics in general and thus should move in the same direction. Subsequently, we test this hypothesis of a positive correlation between both variables empirically. As a final step, we control for the impact of third variables such as exchange rate misalignment, financial stress, and monetary volatility. Our results show that – independent from third variables –there is a notable co-movement of exchange rates and interest rates in Mercosur countries.
High‐pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS)

High‐pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) is a condition encountered in diving beyond a depth of 100 m. Manifestations include headache, tremor, myoclonus, neuropsychiatric disturbances and EEG changes. Convulsions are seen only in experimental animals. Most of the changes are reversible on surfacing but some such as memory disturbances may linger on for long periods. Excessive atmospheric pressure is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of HPNS. Neurotransmitter changes occur of which serotonin appears to be a more likely mediator because of the resemblance of HPNS to serotonin syndrome. Anesthetics and anticonvulsants have been used in experimental animals but are unsuitable for use in human divers. Breathing gas mixtures such as heliox have enabled the extension of depth of diving without HPNS. Use of 5‐HT1A receptor antagonists may provide an interesting approach to prevention of HPNS.
Patterns of Leadership in a Rural Malay Community

ALTHOUGH LITERATURE ON the modernization of post-traditional societies usually includes generalizations about the mobilization of peasants in support of political and socioeconomic change, it often ignores the complex factors influencing the exercise of village leadership. In the case of Malaysia, for example, despite repeated pronouncements by national leaders that attaining the government's goals will require a "mental revolution" among the peasantry and their more active participation in development programs, very little is known about the village leaders' ability to contribute to national development. This case study of a Malay community in northwest Johore is concerned with three topics: (1) changing patterns of leadership in Sungai Raya since World War II; (2) factors affecting the exercise of leadership; and (3) the leaders' performance of specific leadership activities. ' The analysis describes significant differences in the effectiveness with which the leaders perform various roles. The study indicates that they are not mobilizing the community to accelerate rural development. It suggests that mass-based political parties are potentially more effective than the bureaucracy in mobilizing villagers to participate in efforts to encourage social change and economic growth.
Money and the Welfare Cost of Inflation in an R&D-Growth Model

This study analyzes the effects of inflation on R&D and innovation-driven growth. In the theoretical section, we incorporate money demand into a quality-ladder model with elastic labor supply and derive the following results. If the elasticity of substitution between consumption and the real money balance is less (greater) than unity, then R&D and output growth are decreasing (increasing) in inflation. If either labor supply is inelastic or the elasticity of substitution between consumption and the real money balance is unity, then social welfare monotonically increases as the nominal interest rate approaches zero (i.e. the Friedman rule). Quantitatively, decreasing inflation in the US to achieve price stability improves welfare (equivalent to a permanent increase in consumption of at least 0.5%). In the empirical section, we use cross-country data to establish a negative and statistically significant relationship between inflation and R&D.
Reconciling traditional Chinese management with high-tech Taiwan

The traditional view of management culture among the overseas Chinese is that of an autocratic, paternalistic and centralised organisation with low levels of trust of ‘outside’ professional managers and employees. By contrast, the organisational culture associated with successful innovation and/or high technology is that of a decentralised organisation with high levels of employee autonomy. Existing research indicates that the overseas Chinese have become successful by sticking to the business sectors compatible with their preferred management culture, and that this holds true for Taiwan. What, then, explains the Taiwanese success in high-technology ventures? This article offers initial evidence that management culture in Taiwan is adapting in order to enable industrial development in new areas. In-depth interviews with 20 Taiwanese companies indicated that the change is being led by the high-technology businesses. However, while many of these business culture changes are in a direction towards the organisational culture associated with high-technology companies, it is also clear that a strong Chinese influence remains.
Behavioral Rationality and Heterogeneous Expectations in Complex Economic Systems

Recognising that the economy is a complex system with boundedly rational interacting agents, the book presents a theory of behavioral rationality and heterogeneous expectations in complex economic systems and confronts the nonlinear dynamic models with empirical stylized facts and laboratory experiments. The complexity modeling paradigm has been strongly advocated since the late 1980s by some economists and by multidisciplinary scientists from various fields, such as physics, computer science and biology. More recently the complexity view has also drawn the attention of policy makers, who are faced with complex phenomena, irregular fluctuations and sudden, unpredictable market transitions. The complexity tools - bifurcations, chaos, multiple equilibria - discussed in this book will help students, researchers and policy makers to build more realistic behavioral models with heterogeneous expectations to describe financial market movements and macro-economic fluctuations, in order to better manage crises in a complex global economy.
NO -GO IN THE FORTRESS CITY: YOUNG PEOPLE, INEQUALITY AND SPACE

Public urban space is regulated and functionally ordered in very specific ways. It tends to be subject to strict rules of entry and use, reflecting both the growing private ownership of ‘public’ space and the role of the state in maintaining a particular kind of spatial order. This has enormous implications for the dispossessed and marginalised in Australian society, particularly the young. The aim of this paper is to highlight several issues relating to the position of young people in the urban environment. Specifically, it is argued that the social construction of urban space in a manner which reflects first and foremost the protection of private property and commercial interests serves to disadvantage those who do not have the economic and social resources to either establish a ‘legitimate’ claim to be in the consumer spaces or to access alternative outlets or spaces in which to gather and socialise. A good living environment for the majority who make up ‘the community’ is not one which is based on the.
Increased RNA‐induced silencing complex (RISC) activity contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma

There is virtually no effective treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and novel targets need to be identified to develop effective treatment. We recently documented that the oncogene Astrocyte elevated gene‐1 (AEG‐1) plays a seminal role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Employing yeast two‐hybrid assay and coimmunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry, we identified staphylococcal nuclease domain containing 1 (SND1), a nuclease in the RNA‐induced silencing complex (RISC) facilitating RNAi‐mediated gene silencing, as an AEG‐1 interacting protein. Coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization studies confirmed that AEG‐1 is also a component of RISC and both AEG‐1 and SND1 are required for optimum RISC activity facilitating small interfering RNA (siRNA) and micro RNA (miRNA)‐mediated silencing of luciferase reporter gene. In 109 human HCC samples SND1 was overexpressed in ≈74% cases compared to normal liver. Correspondingly, significantly higher RISC activity was observed in human HCC cells compared to immortal normal hepatocytes. Increased RISC activity, conferred by AEG‐1 or SND1, resulted in increased degradation of tumor suppressor messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that are target of oncomiRs. Inhibition of enzymatic activity of SND1 significantly inhibited proliferation of human HCC cells. As a corollary, stable overexpression of SND1 augmented and siRNA‐mediated inhibition of SND1 abrogated growth of human HCC cells in vitro and in vivo, thus revealing a potential role of SND1 in hepatocarcinogenesis. Conclusion: We unravel a novel mechanism that overexpression of AEG‐1 and SND1 leading to increased RISC activity might contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Targeted inhibition of SND1 enzymatic activity might be developed as an effective therapy for HCC. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;)
“Patients’ understanding is the problem”: physicians’ views of nonadherence among Arabs with type 2 diabetes

Purpose Nonadherence to diabetes medication is a significant barrier toward achieving positive treatment outcomes. There is an abundance of research looking at the problem from the patient perspective, but less from the provider perspective. The Middle East region has one of the highest prevalences of type 2 diabetes in the world, with special cultural characteristics, which require research attention. The aim of this study was to explore the views of primary-care physicians on medication nonadherence among type 2 diabetes patients. Materials and methods A descriptive qualitative study was performed using one-on-one semistructured interviews of 21 primary-care physicians who were selected using stratified and random sampling from polyclinics in the five health districts in Kuwait. The interviews elicited the participants’ views about barriers and facilitators of medication adherence in type 2 diabetes patients. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis with constant comparison was used to generate the codes and themes to arrive at a core category. Results Patient understanding, including knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes, was identified by respondents as the core determinant of medication nonadherence in type 2 diabetes. This was composed of six major themes: four against understanding and two for understanding. The ones against were “Patients do not understand diabetes”, “Patients do not understand the importance of medications”, “What the patient hears from friends is more important than what the doctor says”, “Patients are in denial (or difficult)”. Themes for understanding were “I need to educate more” and “Patients must hear it from other sources”. Conclusion That lack of understanding among patients results in medication nonadherence is the dominant view of primary-care physicians. This finding has implications in relation to the evolution of diabetes care toward more patient-centeredness within the cultural context.
How ‘social’ are social media? A cross-cultural comparison of online and offline purchase decision influences

Traditional word of mouth (WOM) involves personal communications among family, friends, and others. Today, social media sites like Facebook offer the possibility of electronic word of mouth (eWOM), a mediated form of WOM. Little is known about the best way for marketers to use social media. Even less is known about international differences in consumer usage of social media and how eWOM influences consumer decision-making. This study helps address that research gap and uses cultural dimensions to compare the use of social media and other information sources for consumer decision-making across 50 countries. The results indicate that the use of information sources that influence online purchase decisions strongly varies by culture. For example, relationship-oriented collectivists rely to a greater extent than individualists on social media, which are an alternative for interpersonal WOM communication. Interestingly culture affects the influence of social media on purchases differently than the influence of traditional WOM through family or friends. Furthermore, there are major differences in online complaint behavior by country, due to cultural variations.
Private Equity: A Review and Synthesis

The recent international surge in private equity markets has been accompanied by growing interest in its nature and effects. Private equity involves investment in unquoted companies and includes both early stage venture capital and later stage buyouts. The latter, which have been particularly controversial, are our focus. This paper provides a review of the different theoretical approaches that have been deployed to understand this phenomenon. Thereafter, the findings of a large cross section of empirical studies within a range of different national settings are compared and contrasted. Finally, existing themes emerging from – and gaps in – the existing literature and likely future directions are summarized.
Evidence for cooperativity between E2 binding sites in E2 trans-regulation of bovine papillomavirus type 1

The long control region of bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) can function in an orientation- and position-independent manner as an E2-dependent enhancer. Dissection of the long control region has revealed two E2-responsive elements, E2RE1 and E2RE2, which map, respectively, between nucleotides 7611 and 7806 and between nucleotides 7200 and 7386 of the BPV-1 genome. In this study, we have carried out a detailed analysis of E2RE1, which has previously been shown to be involved in the regulation of the BPV-1 promoters P89 and P7940. One characteristic of E2RE1 is the presence of a pair of ACCN6GGT motifs (E2 binding sites) at each end of the element. To determine the contribution of these sites, as well as other sequences within E2RE1, to enhancer function, specific mutations and deletions were generated by oligonucleotide reconstruction. The functional analysis of these mutations confirmed that a pair of E2 binding sites was essential for E2-dependent enhancer activity but also indicated that cooperativity between the motifs at each end of E2RE1 creates a highly responsive element. Isolated ACCN6GGT motif pairs could also act as E2-dependent enhancers but at a significantly reduced level in comparison to the intact element. The sequences between the E2 binding sites in E2RE1 were not required for enhancer function and could actually block the enhancer activity of an isolated pair of E2 binding sites when positioned between the binding sites and the enhancer-deleted simian virus 40 early promoter.
Toxicity of trichloroethylene following inhalation and drinking contaminated water

The neurobehavioural effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) were studied in rats following administration of the solvent orally (350, 700 and 1400 ppm in drinking water for 90 days) and through inhalation (376 ppm for 4 h a day, 5 days per week for 180 days). Various aspects of spontaneous locomotor activity were assessed at different periods after exposure through either of the routes. Oral exposure to TCE had no significant effect on spontaneous locomotor activity or cognitive ability, whereas inhalation to the solvent resulted in an increase in the distance travelled and horizontal activity counts at day 30 but a decrease at day 60 of exposure. The time spent in ambulatory and stereotypic movements as well as the number of stereotypic movements were enhanced significantly only at day 30. The resting time was decreased at day 30 but enhanced at day 60 of exposure. The learning ability was not affected significantly up to day 180. The results highlight the neurotoxic potential of inhalation exposure to TCE. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interrelationships between human capital, HRM and innovation in Belgian start-ups aiming at an innovation strategy

Research on the impact of human resource management (HRM) on firm performance has increased since the end of the nineties. Despite the pile of studies and results, critical assessments of this literature stream point to several empirical and theoretical gaps. We focus on two empirical gaps. First, there is a lack of attention to innovation as a measure of firm performance outcome. Most articles use financial (e.g., return on assets (ROA)), organisational (e.g., productivity) and employee related (e.g., commitment) performance measures. Yet, Western knowledge economies consider innovation to be a driving force of economic growth, and international competitive advantage. Moreover, innovation is a function of a firm's ability to create, manage and maintain knowledge. Because knowledge is created by and stored within individuals, human resources as well as HRM may play an important role as drivers of innovation. Second, HRM is considered to be a large company phenomenon. Yet, small businesses provide a great environment to study the HRM-performance relationship because of their transparent nature and the small distance between an individual's and a company's performance. Next, human resources and HRM are crucial to small businesses because they have less tolerance for inefficiency. We examine a sample of small start-ups that aim for an innovation strategy, but are not necessarily successful in terms of innovative output. We expect start-ups with superior human resources and HRM to produce more innovative output. The results show that both human capital (of owners/managers and employees) and HRM are important determinants of innovation in start-ups.
Key determinants of service quality in retail banking

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to build a retail‐banking specific quality scale and, through its examination and comparison with the SERVQUAL and BSQ metrics that are currently used in banking, to deepen understanding of quality determinants in the industry. Furthermore, the study is set to provide additional input to the debate over generic against setting/industry/time‐specific quality metrics.Design/methodology/approach – The study is implemented through a two‐stage process of literature review and empirical survey. Evidence drawn from Greek retail banking, through a specially designed research tool, is analyzed through reliability, factorial and regression analysis to determine the scale's item and factorial structure and assess its reliability and validity.Findings – The BANQUAL‐R metric is introduced, with key elements assurance/empathy, effectiveness, reliability and confidence, a combination of SERVQUAL and BSQ dimensions. Findings back the setting‐specific approach of service quality and .