Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cultures that support product-innovation processes

Executive SummaryMost managers know that organizational culture influences the firm's economic consequences and recognize its important role in shaping product-innovation processes. Highly innovation-supportive cultures are credited with fostering teamwork and promoting risk-taking and creative actions that seem directly linked to effective new-product development. Fostering highly innovation-supportive cultures in practice, however, is easier said than done. From the voices of participants in new-product development processes in high-technology organizations, we report what we have learned about the distinctive features of highly innovation-supportive cultures in product-innovation settings and propose how organizations might develop such cultures.
Central Congenital Hypothyroidism Detected by Neonatal Screening in Sapporo, Japan (2000–2004): It’s Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics

In Sapporo, Japan, a neonatal screening program for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) has employed measurement of free thyroxine (T4) and TSH in the same filter-paper blood spot. This system has enabled us to identify primary CH and central CH during the neonatal period. The aim of this study was to clarify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of central CH. For this purpose, the screening program requested serum from infants with free T4 concentrations below the cut off value regardless of the TSH levels. Between January 2000 and December 2004, 83,232 newborns were screened and six central CH patients were detected as a result of follow-up of low free T4 and non-elevated TSH screening (1:13,872). This frequency is higher than in other studies. Four patients showed multiple pituitary hormone deficiency with pituitary malformations on magnetic resonance imaging. One patient was diagnosed as having Prader-Willie syndrome. The remaining patient was considered to have isolated central CH. Our study demonstrated that the frequency of central CH is 1:13,872. Free T4 measurement would also be advantageous in early recognition of multiple pituitary hormone deficiency.
Net Worth and Financial Satisfaction as a Function of Household Money Managers' Competencies

The purpose of this study was to test hypotheses derived from the systems theory of family resource management in the area of family financial management. Money managers in 123 households in central Iowa were interviewed during fall 1986. A path analysis model based on multiple regression analyses was tested. The typical household money manager was a married, 49-year-old woman in a two-member household with a median after-tax income of $20,760. Money man agers who were more knowledgeable practiced more recommended planning and implementing behaviors than less knowledgeable money managers. House holds were more likely to have a higher level of net worth if the money manager used optimum planning practices and were more satisfied if the money manager used recommended implementing practices. Because this study suggests that money managers who use the principles of financial management do achieve greater net worth and satisfaction, educators should target their efforts toward the identified competencies.
Understanding Policy Coherence: Analytical Framework and Examples of Sector–Environment Policy Interactions in the EU

This paper presents a framework for analysing policy coherence in a European Union setting through the perspective of policy interaction. Building on a simple policy-analytical approach and theories of institutional interaction, the framework develops a three-step analytical pproach, consisting of the inventory of policy objectives, the screening matrix and a more in-depth analysis of key interactions. Central to the analytical framework is the identification of synergy and conflict at three levels: policy objectives, policy instruments and implementation practices, also taking into account as far as possible outcome and impacts. The paper presents illustrative examples from EU renewable energy and cohesion policies in relation to different environmental policy areas such as biodiversity, habitats, resource efficiency and water. It finds that policies are often coherent at the level of objectives, but that associated instruments and in particular implementation practices cause concern for policy conflict in all three examples. Finally, the paper identifies emerging challenges in the application of policy coherence analysis and a need for further development of the analytical approach.
Workplace Flexibility Practices in SMEs: Relationship with Performance via Redundancies, Absenteeism, and Financial Turnover

This workplace flexibility study uses primary data on private sector small and medium‐sized enterprises () in ancashire, nited ingdom, collected in 2009 during the recent “credit crunch” recession. Key features include: (1) objective measures of performance; (2) a focus on the previously relatively neglected relationship between workplace flexibility practices () and three performance indicators, namely, redundancies, absenteeism, and financial turnover; and (3) a timely contribution to research on . Numerical, functional, and cost analyses, via zero‐inflated oisson and linear regressions, control for and market characteristics. Despite having limited resources, the results show a significant section of to be innovative and entrepreneurial organizations, embracing advancements in employment relations regarding employee discretion, training, participative working arrangements, and/or job security. Moreover, results indicate that have the potential to assist in responding to periods of constrained demand. Flexitime and job sharing are associated with low permanent‐employee redundancies. Training, job security, and family‐friendly practices relate to low absenteeism with reductions of up to six annual days per worker. Job security and profit‐related pay are associated with high financial turnover. Staff pay‐freeze links with high financial turnover, but to the detriment of redundancies and absenteeism, whereas management pay‐cuts or management pay‐freeze relate to low financial turnover. On a cautionary note, spending cuts, often enforced by policymakers, may be of limited benefit to , and thus other approaches would appear more fruitful.
Steering nonholonomic mobile robots using a trajectory interception approach

Employing the example of a class of wheeled mobile robots, a simple and systematic approach to the construction of stabilizing feedback control for nonholonomic systems is presented. Two types of robotic models are considered: models with the degree of mobility δm = 1, and the degree of steeribility δs = 1, and models characterized by (δm,δS) = (1,2). The controllability Lie algebras for both models are infinite dimensional. For feedback design purposes, the original models are first approximated by ones whose respective controllability Lie algebras are finite dimensional. A time varying stabilizing feedback law is constructed for each of the simplified models by employing their respective Lie bracket extensions. The resulting feedback laws can be regarded as compositions of standard stabilizing feedback control laws for the extended systems and periodic continuations of parametrized solutions to certain open-loop, finite horizon trajectory interception problems, stated in logarithmic coordinates of flows. An adequately large stability robustness margin for the extended controlled systems can always be insured, and is shown to guarantee that the constructed feedback laws are stabilizing not only for the approximate but also for the original models. This approach does not rely on a specific choice of a Lyapunov function, and does not require transformations of the models to chained forms.
Use and outcomes of amplatz renal dilator for treatment of urethral strictures

ABSTRACT Introduction Urethral stricture disease is still a major problem in men. Many procedures are available for the treatment of urethral strictures; urethral dilatation is one of the oldest. The blind dilatation of urethral strictures may be a difficult and potentially dangerous procedure. The purpose of this study was to describe safe urethral dilatation using amplatz renal dilator and to report outcomes. Materials and Methods From 2010 to 2014, a total of 26 men with primary urethral strictures were managed by urethral dilatation using amplatz renal dilators. The parameters analyzed included presentation of patients, retrograde urethrography (RGU) findings, pre-and postoperative maximum flow rate (Qmax) on uroflowmetry (UF) and post-void residual urine (PVR). Patients were followed-up at 1.6 and 12 months. The technique described in this paper enables such strictures to be safely dilated after endoscopic placement of a suitable guidewire and stylet over which amplatz renal dilators are introduced. Results The mean age of the patients was 57.6 (35–72) years. The median stricture length was 0.82 (0.6–1.5)cm. Pre-operative uroflowmetry showed Qmax of 7.00 (4–12) mL/sec and ultrasonography showed PVR of 75.00 (45–195)mL. Postoperatively, Qmax improved to 18.00 (15–22)mL/sec (p<0.001) at 1 month, 17.00 (13–21)mL/sec (p<0.001) at 6 months and 15.00 (12–17)mL/sec (p<0.001) at 12 months. The post-operative PVR values were 22.50 (10–60)mL (p<0.001), 30.00 (10–70)mL (p<0.001) and 30.00 (10–70) mL (p<0.001) at 1.6 12 months, respectively. The median procedure time was 15.00 (12–22) minutes. None of the patients had a recurrence during a 12-month period of follow-up. Conclusion Urethral dilatation with amplatz renal dilators avoids the risks associated with blind dilatation techniques. This tecnique is a safe, easy, well-tolerated and cost-effective alternative for treatment of urethral strictures.
Synthetic Vitreous Fibers: A Review Toxicology, Epidemiology and Regulations

This review addresses the characteristics which differentiate synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs, e.g., fiber glass, stonewool, slagwool, refractory ceramic fibers, etc.), how these influence the potential biopersistence and toxicity, the most recent epidemiological results and the integration of these findings into the health and safety regulations in Europe and the United States. Also presented is the historical basis for the European classification directive. The use and equivalence of the chronic inhalation toxicology and chronic intraperitoneal injection studies in laboratory rodents for evaluation of fiber toxicology is assessed as well as the impact of dose selection and design on the validity of the study. While synthetic vitreous fibers can span a wide range of chemistries, recognition and understanding of the importance of biopersistence (ability to persist in the lung) in fiber toxicity has led to the development of more and more biosoluble fibers (that break down rapidly in the lung). Still, the epidemiological data available which are largely based upon the use of fibers in past decades, indicate that the SVF do not present a human health risk at current exposure levels. The animal toxicology and biopersistence data provide a coherent basis for understanding and evaluating the parameters which affect SVF toxicity. The current regulations are based upon an extensive knowledge base of chronic studies in laboratory rodents which confirm the relationship between chronic adverse effects and the biopersistence of the longer fibers that can not be fully phagocytised and efficiently cleared from the lung. The amorphous structure of synthetic vitreous fibers facilitates designing fibers in use today with low biopersistence. Both the epidemiological data and the animal studies database provide strong assurance that there is little if any health risk associated with the use of SVFs of low biopersistence. IARC (2001) reclassified these fibers from Category 2b to Category 3 (with RCF and special purpose fibers remaining in 2b) an event which has not been common in the history of these monographs.
Understanding environmentally significant behavior among whitewater rafting and trekking guides in the Garhwal Himalaya, India

Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India, is planning for large-scale sustainable mountain tourism. However, current tourism practices have resulted in waste accumulation and vegetation loss. This paper explores the possibility of increasing the role of whitewater rafting and adventure tour guides to reduce tourists’ environmental impacts. Earlier studies on guides acquiescent with this role have found it to be effective in altering client behavior and minimizing environmentally destructive behavior. However, only limited research focuses on guides from developing countries outside an ecotourism context. This exploratory research in Garhwal, India, helps explain adventure guide intentions to perform pro-environmental behavior. The theory of planned behavior was applied to identify factors leading to a sample of 68 whitewater and trekking guides to perform three environmentally significant behaviors – packing out rubbish, burying their human waste and cutting living trees for firewood. Results suggest that the theoretical antecedents of the theory of planned behavior can predict intentions to perform pro-environmental behavior among non-western guides. Possible impediments to consistent performance of pro-environmental behavior among guides were noted, including lack of social pressure to change, abhorrence of contact with excreta, caste issues, effort expended to dig burial holes, etc. Managerial possibilities to encourage change are discussed.
Traveler Acceptance of an App-Based Mobile Tour Guide

This study aims to identify antecedents and determinants affecting travelers’ technological acceptance of an app-based mobile tour guide (AMTG). Informativeness (IF) and entertainment (EN) are amended as antecedents apart from performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), and facilitating conditions (FC) suggested by the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model. The empirical results were obtained in a sample of 205 travelers visiting Macau. Structural equation modeling is used to evaluate the relationships among the antecedents and determinants of the proposed model. The results indicate that IF and EN have direct effects on PE and EE. All factors except EN have significant effects on the behavioral intention of a traveler to use an AMTG. The results of this study provide implications for travel app designers and service providers to formulate business strategies to encourage travelers to adopt the AMTGs.
LOWER PRETREATMENT CEREBRAL BLOOD VOLUME AFFECTS HEMORRHAGIC RISKS AFTER INTRA‐ARTERIAL REVASCULARIZATION IN ACUTE STROKE

OBJECTIVEIntra-arterial therapies are being used more frequently in patients presenting with acute cerebral occlusions, but they have been limited by the potential for hemorrhage. We sought to determine whether pretreatment computed tomography perfusion parameters might help to identify patients at a higher risk of developing intracranial hemorrhage after intra-arterial stroke revascularization treatment. METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed all patients at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Michigan State University who underwent computed tomography perfusion imaging of the brain before intra-arterial thrombolysis between January 2006 and June 2007. Demographic information, angiographic variables, and types of endovascular interventions were recorded. The mean transit time and cerebral blood volumes were recorded for the ipsilateral and contralateral middle cerebral artery territories. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to determine the independent predictors of developing intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTSA total of 57 patients (33 from the University of Pittsburgh and 24 from Michigan State University) with a mean age of 66 ± 13 years and mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of 16 ± 5 were studied. The overall recanalization (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Trial scale 2 or 3 flow) was 72% for the cohort, and the overall rate of parenchymal hemorrhage was 5 of 57 (9%) patients. The overall hemorrhage rate was 19 of 57 (33%) patients. The only variable found to be predictive of the development of hemorrhage after intervention was reduced pretreatment cerebral blood volume (odds ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.35–0.91; P < 0.022). CONCLUSIONA reduced pretreatment ipsilateral cerebral blood volume value before endovascular revascularization of an acute middle cerebral artery or internal carotid artery occlusion significantly increases the risk of an intracranial hemorrhage.
The Expected Benefits of Trade Liberalization for World Income and Development: Opening the "Black Box" of Global Trade Modeling

"Trade liberalization is expected to act positively on world economic development and poverty alleviation, both of which have become high priorities of the international community. This emphasis explains why numerous studies have focused on assessing the expected benefits of trade liberalization on development. The main empirical tools for these assessments have been the use of spatial and nonspatial partial equilibrium models, gravity equations, and single- and multicountry computable general equilibrium models (CGEMs). Multicountry CGEMs, however, have produced strikingly divergent results. As demonstrated by recent studies, the associated increase in world welfare from full trade liberalization ranges from 0.2 to 3.1 percent—results that differ by a factor of 15! The objective of this study is to examine the efficiency of trade modeling in capturing the benefits from trade liberalization. It provides a survey of methodologies utilized to assess the impact of trade liberalization, putting an emphasis on multicountry CGEMs, and examines the extent to which such assessments diverge. The survey also demonstrates the benefits of “complementary analysis,” which utilizes different methodologies to study a specific topic. The report presents global modeling results using a general equilibrium model—the modeling international relations under applied general equilibrium (MIRAGE) model—the results of which are compared to those obtained in recent studies. Using the MIRAGE model,1 full trade liberalization is estimated to increase world real income by US$100 billion (+0.33 percent) after 10 years of implementation. This trade reform would be development-friendly, as it entails a larger growth rate of real income for developing countries and especially for least-developed countries. " "Authors' Abstract
Lipoprotein(a) binds to fibronectin and has serine proteinase activity capable of cleaving it.

The plasma concentration of human lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is correlated with the risk of heart disease. A distinct feature of the Lp(a) particle is the apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)], which is associated with apoB‐100, the main protein component of low‐density lipoprotein. We now report that apo(a), which has extensive homology to plasminogen, binds to immobilized fibronectin. The binding of Lp(a) was localized to the C‐terminal heparin‐binding domain of fibronectin. Incubation of Lp(a) with fibronectin resulted in fragmentation of fibronectin. The cleavage pattern, as visualized by gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, was reproducibly obtained with Lp(a) purified from five different individuals and was distinct from that obtained upon proteolysis of fibronectin by plasmin or kallikrein. The use of synthetic peptide substrates demonstrated that the amino acid specificity for Lp(a) was arginine rather than lysine. The proteolytic activity of Lp(a) was localized to apo(a) and experiments with inhibitors indicated that the proteolytic activity was of serine proteinase‐type.
DETERMINANTS OF VALUATION EFFECTS FOR SECURITY OFFERINGS OF COMMERCIAL BANK HOLDING COMPANIES

In this study, the impact of security issuance by bank holding companies is examined in light of two hypotheses: the regulation or asymmetry reduction hypothesis and the bank capital hypothesis. Announcements of the issuance of common stock are associated with a significant negative effect, and the magnitude of this effect is similar to that found previously for utilities and smaller than that found for industrial firms. The market does not appear to treat subordinated debt announcements as similar to equity, although the debt qualifies as "capital" for regulatory purposes. Cross-sectional regressions do not support asymmetric information models where all unexpected external announcements are viewed negatively. Rather, the type of security being issued is an important determinant of the announcement effect.
Tax Evasion and Labor Supply

Recently, a number of economists have applied the modern theory of choice under risk to the study of criminal activities. The important work of Becker (1968) has led to a number of contributions; see for example Brown & Reynolds (1973), Ehrlich (1973), Sjoquist (1973) and Block & Heineke (1975). Some studies have focused on income tax evasion as a criminal activity, e.g. Allingham & Sandmo (1972), Kolm (1973), Singh (1973) and Srinivason (1973). A number of works have also stressed the importance of uncertainty for labor supply decisions; see for example Block & Heineke (1973) and Hartley & Revankar (1974). The purpose of this note is to integrate the theories of income tax evasion with the conventional theories of labor supply. The model we use for this purpose is considered in Section II. In Section III the effects of different parameter changes on labor supply and on undeclared income are calculated and interpreted. The results are summarized in Section IV.