Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring HR outsourcing and its perceived effectiveness

This study tries to explore the impact of HR outsourcing on its corresponding perceived effectiveness. Meanwhile, four variables, namely environmental dynamism, company strategy, HR involvement in the company's strategy process, and contractor relationship were employed to test the moderating effect between HR outsourcing and its effectiveness. Empirical data are collected from high-level HR executives in 153 large Taiwanese companies. Dynamic environment, prospector company strategy, and good contractor relationship are found to moderate positively the relationship of HR outsourcing and its perceived effectiveness. HR function's involvement in the company's strategic process is found to moderate negatively in the relationship between HR outsourcing and perceived effectiveness. Implications and limitation of this study are discussed.
Chapter 11; Treatment at the End of Life

SUMMARY End-of-life care has gained recognition as an important interdisciplinary clinical domain during the past three decades largely because scientific and medical advances have changed the nature of dying in the US. Advances in the treatment of life-limiting ilness have typically focused on medical issues and on treating the physical symptoms that accompany the final stage of a terminal illness. However, because the lengthening life span has made more choices available at the end of life, there is also greater need for evidence-based psychosocial treatment to diminish some of the prolonged emotional, psychological treatment to diminish some of the prolonged emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual distress that accompanies dying. Both terminally ill older adults and their caregivers can be helped by interventions that address the need for information, education, preparation, communication, emotional support, and advocacy. This paper preents a review of evidence-based psychosocial treatments at the end of life for both older adults and their caregivers.
International Policy Transmissions Before and After Establishing a Monetary Union

This paper analyzes the effects of the implementation of a monetary union on the international transmission of monetary and fiscal policies. A dynamic three-country general equilibrium model, exhibiting monopolistic competition and sticky prices, is used to show how asymmetric monetary and fiscal policy shocks affect the production and consumption decisions in the three countries. The international effects of asymmetric monetary and fiscal policy shocks are then compared with respect to the two situations - before and after the implementation of a (two-country) monetary union. It is shown that all key economic variables of the two countries forming a monetary union react completely symmetrically to no longer independent monetary and fiscal policy shocks. Even the fiscal policies of the countries forming a monetary union themselves turn out to become symmetric, although, in principle, there is no particular need for government spending levels to be fully synchronized within a monetary union.
Distinct patterns of oesophageal shortening during primary peristalsis, secondary peristalsis and transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation

Abstract This study characterized oesophageal shortening during secondary peristalsis and transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation (TLOSR) in an attempt to determine its contribution to the opening mechanism. Eight healthy subjects (four males, 26 ± 1 years) had metal clips affixed at 0, +3, and +8 cm relative to the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ), defining two distal oesophageal segments. Axial clip movement was assessed with concurrent videofluoroscopy and manometry during primary peristalsis, secondary peristalsis and TLOSR. Clip‐defined oesophageal segment length change was measured at 0.5‐s intervals. The magnitude of the most distal segment shortening was least with TLOSR, greatest with primary peristalsis and intermediate with secondary peristalsis. Conversely, maximal overall oesophageal shortening during TLOSR, evidenced by SCJ movement, was similar to that during primary peristalsis. In 3/12 TLOSRs, the moment of LOS opening and gas reflux was optimally imaged; SCJ excursion was 0.3 ± 0.1 cm prior to LOS opening and 1.4 ± 0.7 cm immediately after gas reflux. The segmental pattern of oesophageal shortening was distinct during primary peristalsis, secondary peristalsis and TLOSR. During TLOSR, significant elevation of the SCJ occurred only after LOS opening, suggesting that this was a consequence of oesophageal distension induced by gas reflux rather than a component of the opening mechanism.
Subcellular Distribution of Superoxide Dismutases (SOD) in Rat Liver

Rat liver was homogenized in isotonic buffer, fractionated by differential centrifugation, and then subfractionated by equilibrium sedimentation in Nycodenz gradients. Fractions were assayed for both Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Mn-SOD by exploiting the cyanide sensitivity of the former activity and by the use of specific antibodies. As expected, the cytosol and lysosomal fractions contained Cu,Zn-SOD; while the mitochondrial matrix contained Mn-SOD. In mitochondria, Cu,Zn-SOD was found in the intermembrane space and Mn-SOD in the matrix and also on the inner membrane. The Mn-SOD associated with the inner membrane was solubilized by 0.5 m NaCl. Surprisingly the intracellular membrane fraction (microsomes) contained bound Cu,Zn-SOD that could be solubilized with a detergent, and to lesser degree with 0.5m NaCl. Both the cytosolic and mitochondrial Cu,Zn-SODs were isolated and compared. They have identical molecular mass, cyanide sensitivity, SDS sensitivity, heat stability, and chloroform + ethanol stability. Tissue from Cu,Zn-SOD knockout mice was entirely devoid of Cu,Zn-SOD; indicating that the cytosolic and the intermembrane space Cu,Zn-SODs are coded for by the same gene. The significance of this distribution of the SODs is discussed.
INSIDERS, OUTSIDERS, OR TREND CHASERS?: AN INVESTIGATION OF PRE‐TAKEOVER TRANSACTIONS IN THE SHARES OF TARGET FIRMS

In this study we examine pre-takeover volume run-ups preceding tender offer announcements from 1982 to 1985 and consider three possible explanations for the run-ups: (1) they are due primarily to registered insiders, (2) they are due to market anticipation of the impending event by informed outsiders, and (3) they are due (at least in part) to "positive feedback" investors--i.e., those who observe early price and volume increases and buy to "chase the trend. " Our results suggest that preannouncement volume run-ups are largely due to trading by registered insiders. We explain this phenomenon in the context of the relatively lax regulatory environment during the period studied.
Enzyme‐ and immunohistochemical aspects of skeletal muscle fibers in brown bear (Ursus arctos)

To further elucidate the pattern of MHC isoform expression in skeletal muscles of large mammals, in this study the skeletal muscles of brown bear, one of the largest mammalian predators with an extraordinary locomotor capacity, were analyzed. Fiber types in longissimus dorsi, triceps brachii caput longum, and rectus femoris muscles were determined according to the myofibrillar ATPase (mATPase) histochemistry and MHC isoform expression, revealed by a set of antibodies specific to MHC isoforms. The oxidative (SDH) and glycolytic enzyme (α‐GPDH) capacity of fibers was demonstrated as well. By mATPase histochemistry five fiber types, i.e., I, IIC, IIA, IIAX, IIX were distinguished. Analyzing the MHC isoform expression, we assume that MHC‐I, ‐IIa, and ‐IIx are expressed in the muscles of adolescent bears. MHC‐I isoform was expressed in Type‐I fibers and coexpressed with presumably ‐IIa isoform, in Type‐IIC fibers. Surprisingly, two antibodies specific to rat MHC‐IIa stained those fast fibers, that were histochemically and immunohistochemically classified as Type IIX. This assumption was additionally confirmed by complete absence of fiber staining with antibody specific to rat MHC‐IIb and all fast fiber staining with antibody that according to our experience recognizes MHC‐IIa and ‐IIx of rat. Furthermore, quite high‐oxidative capacity of all fast fiber types and their weak glycolytic capacity also imply for MHC‐IIa and ‐IIx isoform expression in fast fibers of bear. However, in adult, full‐grown animal, only MHC‐I and MHC‐IIa isoforms were expressed. The expression of only two fast isoforms in bear, like in many other large mammals (humans, cat, dog, goat, cattle, and horse) obviously meets the weight‐bearing and locomotor demands of these mammals. J. Morphol. , 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Systemic acquired silencing: transgene‐specific post‐transcriptional silencing is transmitted by grafting from silenced stocks to non‐silenced scions

Using grafting procedures, we investigated the transmission of co‐suppression of nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase host genes and transgenes and of post‐transcriptional silencing of a uidA transgene encoding glucuronidase in tobacco. We demonstrate that silencing is transmitted with 100% efficiency from silenced stocks to non‐silenced scions expressing the corresponding transgene. Transmission is unidirectional from stock to scion, transgene specific, locus independent and requires the presence of a transcriptionally active transgene in the target scion. The transmission of co‐suppression occurs when silenced stocks and non‐silenced target scions are physically separated by up to 30 cm of stem of a non‐target wild‐type plant. Taken together, these results suggest that a non‐metabolic, transgene‐specific, diffusable messenger mediates the propagation of de novo post‐transcriptional silencing through the plant.
Managerial Overconfidence and Audit Fees

We investigate the association between managerial overconfidence and audit fees, as well as the effect of a strong audit committee on this relation. Overconfident managers tend to overestimate their ability and the future payouts of projects but underestimate the likelihood and impact of adverse events. If auditors perceive managerial overconfidence as increasing audit risk, they will charge additional fees to compensate for the increased audit effort. Conversely, audit fees for companies with an overconfident manager will be lower if managers demand less audit services due to either hubris in their companies' financial reporting or a desire to reduce auditor scrutiny over aggressive accounting practices. We find evidence of a negative relation between managerial overconfidence and audit fees for companies lacking a strong audit committee. Additionally, we find that overconfident managers are less likely to use an industry specialist auditor.
Contract renegotiation with time-varying valuations

The paper characterizes optimal renegotiation-proof rental contracts in a model with adverse selection and hidden information. It generalizes the work of Hart and Tirole (1988) to the case of time-varying valuations. The paper considers a durable-goods monopolist who serves a nonanonymous buyer with time-varying valuation for the seller's good. The buyer's valuation has a persistent and a transient component; both are private information. The paper shows that for some range of prior beliefs the seller strictly prefers leasing to selling. Copyright (c) 1998 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Pilot Study: Does the Five Shot Questionnaire Give an Indication of the Severity of Alcohol Use–Related Problems?

This study explores whether the Five Shot Questionnaire reflects the severity of alcoholic inpatients' problems, such as assessed clinically by means of the EuropASI. Data were collected from 101 patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Belgium for alcohol use–related problems between September 2003 and December 2004. To investigate the research question, regression analyses—linear, ordinal, and binary logistic regression—have been performed. We conclude that the Five Shot Questionnaire gives an indication of the severity of alcohol use–related problems. As such, it can be recommended in general practice and emergency departments for further evaluation and treatment planning. The article ends with a discussion of its limitations and some suggestions for future research.
A Highly Reliable MEMS Relay With Two-Step Spring System and Heat Sink Insulator for High-Power Switching Applications

This paper reports a highly reliable electrostatic microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) relay for high-power switching applications. The main proposal to elevate reliability is to reduce thermal damage in the contact area. Since a contact resistance is the key parameter determining the amount of Joule-heating and the corresponding thermal damage, we devised a unique spring structure to maximize the contact force (resulting in a low contact resistance) using a reasonable actuation voltage named a two-step spring system. Another important feature was applied to alleviate Joule-heating, which is to use an insulator having high thermal conductivity to dissipate the generated heat efficiently, named a heat sink insulator. The fabricated MEMS relay exhibited 2 mΩ in contact resistance, which is the lowest level reported so far with an actuation voltage of 45 V. Reliability was remarkably enhanced over ten times by the heat sink insulator. Consequently, by applying these two approaches simultaneously, the fabricated MEMS relay was successfully operated up to the 5.3 ×106 cycles at 1 V/200 mA in ambient air and hot switching condition, which is the highest reliability reported at that power level.
Creativity and Work Environment in a High-Tech Context

Creativity is essential for success in business, especially in the high-tech field where knowledge is the key resource. This study addresses the ways in which creativity is fostered in high-tech organizations. It melds the different perspectives on organizational creativity into one six-dimensional model that defines the creativity work environment. Those dimensions are: work atmosphere; vertical collaboration; autonomy/freedom; respect; alignment; and lateral collaboration. They are valid, reliable predictors of the creativity achieved in high-tech organizations.
Effect of number of clinics and panel size on patient continuity for medical residents.

BACKGROUND Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education program requirements for internal medicine residency training include a longitudinal, continuity experience with a panel of patients. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the number of resident clinics, the resident panel size, and the supervising attending physician affect patient continuity. To determine the number of clinics and the panel size necessary to maximize patient continuity. DESIGN We used linear regression modeling to assess the effect of number of attended clinics, the panel size, and the attending physician on patient continuity. PARTICIPANTS Forty medicine residents in an academic medicine clinic. MEASUREMENTS Percent patient continuity by the usual provider of care method. RESULTS Unadjusted linear regression analysis showed that patient continuity increased 2.3% ± 0.7% for each additional clinic per 9 weeks or 0.4% ± 0.1% for each additional clinic per year (P = .003). Conversely, patient continuity decreased 0.7% ± 0.4% for every additional 10 patients in the panel (P = .04). When simultaneously controlling for number of clinics, panel size, and attending physician, multivariable linear regression analysis showed that patient continuity increased 3.3% ± 0.5% for each additional clinic per 9 weeks or 0.6% ± 0.1% for each additional clinic per year (P < .001). Conversely, patient continuity decreased 2.2% ± 0.4% for every additional 10 patients in the panel (P < .001). Thus, residents who actually attend at least 1 clinic per week with a panel size less than 106 patients can achieve 50% patient continuity. Interestingly, the attending physician accounted for most of the variability in patient continuity (51%). CONCLUSIONS Patient continuity for residents significantly increased with increasing numbers of clinics and decreasing panel size and was significantly influenced by the attending physician.
A Multi‐Level Perspective of CSR Reporting: The Implications of National Institutions and Industry Risk Characteristics

Manuscript Type. Empirical. Research Question/Issue. This study seeks to capture the influence of national institutions and industry characteristics on CSR reporting. To explore national institutions, the paper compares CSR reporting in France and Australia characterized respectively as state‐led market economies (SLMEs) and liberal market economies (LMEs). Comparisons are also made between high‐risk and low‐risk industries. The interaction between the two main variables is also analyzed. Research Findings/Insights. Using corporate published data from a sample of 220 Australian and French companies in 2009, the research finds that CSR reporting is stronger and CSR practices more transparent in France compared to Australia. CSR reporting is also stronger in high‐risk industries than in low‐risk industries. It also found that industry characteristics override the influence of national institutions in high‐risk industries. However, these conclusions vary depending on the sub‐categories of CSR reporting and the implicit versus explicit form of this type of communication. Theoretical/Academic Implications. This study develops a new model of CSR reporting using 99 items. It provides empirical support for the institutional perspective for understanding differences in reporting whilst demonstrating the interaction between industry risk characteristics and national institutions. Practitioner/Policy Implications. The study offers insights to policy makers interested in promoting CSR accountability and transparency. It especially raises the importance of regulation to develop corporate reporting practices. It also provides insights to managers to identify relevant CSR practices within their country/industries and the different communication strategies that they can adopt in responding to institutional pressures.
Business Cycle and Management Earnings Forecasts

type="main"> This study examines the effects of the economic cycle on the properties of management earnings forecasts. Although a large volume of accounting literature examines the determinants of managerial earnings forecasts, the properties of such forecasts, and the response of market participants to earnings forecasts (Cameron 1986; King et al., 1990; Hirst et al., 2008), research on management earnings forecasting incentivized by macro-economic factors has received scant empirical investigation. We use the National Bureau of Economic Research economic cycle definition to operationalize economic recession, and consider some commonly used management earnings forecast characteristics, including forecast likelihood, forecast frequency, forecast error, forecast pessimism, and forecast precision. We find that the likelihood of providing management earnings forecasts and frequency of forecasts increases during economic recession. We also find that economic recession is positively associated with forecast error, but negatively associated with forecast precision. Our findings suggest macro-economic factors as an important determinant of management earnings forecasts properties.
The Effects of Television Advertising on Local Telephone Usage: Exploratory Data Analysis and Response Modeling

In increasingly competitive and deregulated service environments, telecommunications service providers are interested in using advertising to stimulate usage. Measuring response in telephone usage to advertising presents difficulties because the effects are likely to be small, and the usage exhibits high variability. The substantive question of whether advertising has any effect on telephone usage is addressed through a systematic analytical process that combines exploratory data analysis with formal modeling. We find that telephone usage does respond to advertising, that this response can be quantified, and that households with heavy usage of telephone service respond proportionally more than light usage households.
Information Dispersion and Equilibrium Multiplicity

This paper studies the implications of correlation of private signals about the liquidation value of a risky asset in a variation of a standard noisy rational expectations model in which traders receive endowment shocks which are private information and have a common component. We …nd that a necessary condition to generate multiple linear partially revealing rational expectations equilibria is the existence of several sources of information dispersion. In this context equilibrium multiplicity tends to occur when information is more dispersed. A necessary condition to have strategic complementarity in information acquisition is to have mul- tiple equilibria. When the equilibrium is unique there is strategic substi- tutability in information acquisition, corroborating the result obtained in Grossman and Stiglitz (1980). JEL Classi…cation: D82, D83, G14 Keywords: Multiplicity of equilibria, strategic complementarity, asym- metric information.
Great apes anticipate that other individuals will act according to false beliefs

Apes understand false beliefs We humans tend to believe that our cognitive skills are unique, not only in degree, but also in kind. The more closely we look at other species, however, the clearer it becomes that the difference is one of degree. Krupenye et al. show that three different species of apes are able to anticipate that others may have mistaken beliefs about a situation (see the Perspective by de Waal). The apes appear to understand that individuals have different perceptions about the world, thus overturning the human-only paradigm of the theory of mind. Science, this issue p. 110; see also p. 39 Apes recognize that others may have false beliefs. [Also see Perspective by de Waal] Humans operate with a “theory of mind” with which they are able to understand that others’ actions are driven not by reality but by beliefs about reality, even when those beliefs are false. Although great apes share with humans many social-cognitive skills, they have repeatedly failed experimental tests of such false-belief understanding. We use an anticipatory looking test (originally developed for human infants) to show that three species of great apes reliably look in anticipation of an agent acting on a location where he falsely believes an object to be, even though the apes themselves know that the object is no longer there. Our results suggest that great apes also operate, at least on an implicit level, with an understanding of false beliefs.
China's tourism in a global financial crisis: a computable general equilibrium approach

Tourism is vulnerable to externalities such as natural disasters and man-made crises. The current global economic slowdown has adversely affected global tourism. While headline figures show that international tourism is suffering as a consequence of this economic crisis, domestic tourism is larger in many countries and impacts through this market could be larger than through international tourism. A common viewpoint is that an increase in domestic tourism could compensate a decline in inbound tourism, which supports the policy of focusing on the development of domestic tourism. This paper will test this viewpoint in the context of China's tourism. This paper aims to evaluate the magnitude of economic impact of the economic slowdown on China's tourism using computable general equilibrium modelling and then bring forward some policy suggestions on the development of China's tourism.