Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of High-Performance Work Practices on Perceived Organizational Support and Turnover Intentions: Evidence from the Airline Industry

The present study examines the simultaneous impacts of high-performance work practices on perceived organizational support and turnover intentions. Data were collected from flight attendants with a time lag of two weeks in Iran to assess these relationships. The results reveal that career opportunities, empowerment, selective staffing, rewards, job security, teamwork, and training as the indicators of high-performance work practices foster perceived organizational support and reduce turnover intentions. Management implications and avenues for future research are provided in the current study.
Employment of New Mothers and Child Care Choice: Differences by Children's Age

This paper examines a woman's decisions about when to return to market work in the two years following childbirth and the type of child care she chooses. Own wages relate positively to an early return to work, while higher family income delays return to work. Wages and income did not significantly affect choice of market versus nonmarket child care. Greater child care tax credits increased early return to work (within three months) but had little effect on later labor supply. Contrary to expectations, tax credits did not affect child care choice, but predicted early market reentry.
Fasting Glucose Level Modulates Cell Surface Expression of CD11b and CD66b in Granulocytes and Monocytes of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), in which onset and progression of atherosclerosis is linked to chronic inflammation. Activation status of innate immune cells (granulocytes [Gc], monocytes [Mc]), as reflected by increased CD11b, CD66b, and other surface markers, increases their endothelial and cytokines/chemokines release. Whereas this inflammatory activation seems inversely related to poor glycemic control, the effect of acute spontaneous hyperglycemia on innate immune cell activation remains unclear. Methods Expression of key markers (CD11b, CD14, CD16, CD62L, and CD66b) was therefore determined by flow cytometry on whole blood of healthy subjects and patients with T2DM with spontaneous fasting euglycemia or hyperglycemia both at baseline and after 30, 90, and 240 minutes of incubation at room temperature. Results Hyperglycemic patients with T2DM had significantly higher Gc and Mc CD11b and Gc CD66b surface mean fluorescence intensity compared with the euglycemic patients with T2DM whose values were similar to those of the healthy controls. CD16 expression in CD14+CD16+ Mc was elevated in all patients with T2DM, regardless of glycemic levels. Conclusion Our data suggest that whereas the presence of diabetes per se may have a proinflammatory effect, hyperglycemia seems to further acutely exacerbate innate cell inflammatory status and their consequent endothelial adhesion and vascular damage potential.
On the Performance of Naive, Analyst and Composite Earnings Forecasts: Evidence from Hong Kong

In this paper, we compare the information content and performance of naive, analyst and composite forecasts in Hong Kong. Empirical evidence shows that superior performance can be obtained by a composite measure combining both analyst and naive forecasts. In addition, analyst forecasts become more conditionally efficient over the naive model as the actual announcement approaches. The superiority and timing advantage of analyst forecasts suggest that more emphasis should be placed on the services of analysts for predicting future earnings figures, particularly when the announcement is approaching.
The role of the founder in creating organisational culture

In a Luger pistol equipped with a toggle hold open mechanism, a small portion of one of the frame side rails is milled out in the vicinity of the sear bar slide to receive a new L-shaped release lever engageable at one end with the gun's hold open latch. The original sear bar slide is replaced by a modified form engageable with both the thumb safety lever and with the release lever in such manner that as the safety lever is moved to "safe" position, the release lever disengages the hold open latch from the breech block and allows the toggle mechanism to move forwardly and downwardly into closed position. Concurrently, the trigger mechanism is automatically locked against firing.
Explaining Social Policy Preferences: Evidence from the Great Recession

To what extent do personal circumstances, as compared to ideological dispositions, drive voters’ preferences on welfare policy? Addressing this question is difficult because a person's ideological position can be an outcome of material interest rather than an independent source of preferences. The article deals with this empirical challenge using an original panel study carried out over four years, tracking the labor market experiences and the political attitudes of a national sample of Americans before and after the eruption of the financial crisis. The analysis shows that the personal experience of economic hardship, particularly the loss of a job, had a major effect on increasing support for welfare spending. This effect was appreciably larger among Republicans than among Democrats, a result that was not simply due to a “ceiling effect. ” However the large attitudinal shift was short lived, dissipating as individuals’ employment situations improved. The results indicate that the personal experience of an economic shock has a sizable, yet overall transient effect on voters’ social policy preferences.
Dividend Policies and Dividend Announcement Effects for Real Estate Investment Trusts

Previous research on real estate investment trusts (REITs) assumes that their dividend policies are determined solely by tax regulations. We observe, however, that REITs often pay out more dividends than are required by tax rules. This paper examines the dividend policies of REITs by drawing inferences from agency-cost theory and tests for the determinants of REIT dividend payout ratios. The study also considers whether the stock market responds differently to the dividend announcement effects of equity and mortgage REITs based on asymmetric information. Our results support agency-cost explanations for dividend policy and suggest a differential announcement effect. Copyright American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association.
Semitransparent Field-Effect Transistors Based on ZnO Nanowire Networks

This investigation demonstrates the fabrication of semitransparent field-effect transistors with self-assembling ordered ZnO nanowire (NW) networks, using a high-k HfO<sub>2</sub> gate. The devices exhibit excellent optical transparency and transistor performance at on/off ratios of >;10<sup>5</sup>, a mobility of ~7.59 cm<sup>2</sup> V<sup>-1</sup> s<sup>-1</sup>, and threshold voltages of 4 V. Under UV illumination (3.65 eV), the devices exhibit the highest relative photoconductivity (2.08 10^5), corresponding to a photoresponsivity of 3.96 A/W at low operating voltages ( V<sub>GS</sub> = 0 V and V<sub>DS</sub> = 1 V). The result suggests that the NW-based devices have low power consumption and high photosensivity when used in photodetection.
Further Evidence on Convergence across Italian Regions

In the last decade the issue of convergence across states and regions has received a great deal of attention both on the theoretical and empirical ground. On the empirical ground different specifications lead to different results and their robustness is also questioned. We review both neoclassical and endogenous growth theories and the evidence on international and Italian data. We use a methodology that enhances the power of the estimates proposed by Evans and Karras (Journal of Monetary Economics, 1996) that uses panel data and test for their stochastic properties. Data cover the time-span 1951-1998. We find evidence of conditional convergence.
Lower than expected desmosomal gene mutation prevalence in endurance athletes with complex ventricular arrhythmias of right ventricular origin

Objective To determine the prevalence of desmosomal gene mutations in athletes with complex arrhythmias (VA) of right ventricular (RV) origin and structural RV abnormalities to evaluate whether there is sufficient genetic overlap with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) to consider them the same or different entities. Design Observational cohort Setting Tertiary hospital referrals Patients Forty-seven consecutive athletes (age 42 (11) years) with complex VA of RV morphology (excluding idiopathic right ventricular outflow tract ventricular tachycardia), who performed 14 (9) h/week of moderate to intense sport practise for 19 (9) years. Interventions Clinical evaluation (detailed sports history, multi-modality imaging, electrophysiological study) and sequencing of five candidate desmosomal genes. Results A clinical diagnosis of definite or suspected ARVC by task force criteria (TFC) was met in 24 (51%) and 17 (36%), respectively. ARVC classification was not related to the rate of major arrhythmic events (p=0.28). Pathogenic mutations (four novel) were identified in six athletes (12.8%), which is below published rates for familial ARVC (27–52%). Moreover, only two athletes had a suggestive family history. Severe RV dysfunction was more frequent in mutation carriers (33% vs 2%, p=0.04), but otherwise TFC features were similar to those without mutations. No mutations were found in the 20 athletes performing more than average weekly exercise, yet all met the criteria for definite or suspected ARVC. Conclusions In this athletic cohort, we found lower than expected rates of desmosomal gene mutations, particularly among those performing the most exercise. This adds further weight to the hypothesis that an ARVC-like phenotype may be acquired through intense exercise without an identifiable genetic predisposition.
Examining the Practical Relevance of Public Sector Management Accounting Research

Concerns exist that practical relevance is becoming devalued as accounting scholars respond to signals about what sort of research ‘counts’. We categorize public sector management accounting papers in six leading journals according to two criteria: the practical orientation of the research objective(s), and whether the conclusions communicate issues of practical relevance. The findings reveal that most of the papers are directed towards understanding or critiquing the use of management accounting techniques, while other practically oriented research objectives are largely absent. Although half of the papers identify practical research implications, few suggest guidelines for practice. Reflections are offered on the role of leading journals in shaping how practical relevance is valued in accounting research.
Prevalence, risk factors and underdiagnosis of asthma and wheezing in adults 40 years and older: A population-based study

Abstract Objective: There are differences in the prevalence and risk factors of asthma around the world. The epidemiological situation of adults 40 years and older is not well established. Our aim was to determine the prevalence, underdiagnosis and risk factors of asthma and wheezing in adults in Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study including 5539 subjects from 40 to 93 years selected by a probabilistic sampling technique in five cities was conducted. Measurements: respiratory symptoms and risk factors questionnaire and spirometry. Definitions: (a) Wheezing: Affirmative answer to the question “have you ever had two or more attacks of “wheezes” causing you to feel short of breath? ” (b) Asthma: Wheezing definition and FEV1/FVC post-bronchodilator ≥ 70%. (c) Underdiagnosis: Asthma definition without a physician-diagnosis. Logistic regression was used for exploring risk factors. Results: Prevalence of asthma was 9.0% (95% CI: 8.3-9.8) and wheezing 11.9% (95% CI: 11.0-12.8). Asthma underdiagnosis was 69.9% and increased to 79.0% in subjects 64 years or older. The risk factors related to asthma and/or wheezing were: living in Bogota or Medellin, female gender, first degree relative with asthma, respiratory disease before 16 years of age, obesity, no education, indoor wood smoke exposure and occupational exposure to dust particles, gases or fumes. Conclusion: We described the epidemiologic situation of asthma in adults 40 years and older in Colombia. In addition to some recognized risk factors, our data supports the association of indoor wood smoke and occupational exposures with asthma and wheezing. Underdiagnosis of asthma in adults was high, particularly in older subjects.
PLASTIC YAM AND PLASTIC YAM STICKS - PERSPECTIVES ON INDIGENOUS TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AMONG JAMAICAN FARMERS

Yam farming in Jamaica has been one of the few success stories in agriculture since Independence in 1962. Production is entirely dominated by small farmers who have intensified production systems. Over the last decade yam farmers experienced a 'yam stick problem' due to the scarcity, poor quality and high prices of yam sticks. This paper focuses on the content and contextualisation of indigenous technical knowledge among yam farmers. The intrinsic dynamic nature of indigenous technical knowledge is revealed by showing how farmers have adapted their cultivation methods and have themselves innovated new ways of staking yams in efforts to solve the yam stick problem. In effect they have had to rely on their own indigenous knowledge base as a source of new ideas. We discuss a series of alternatives to traditional yam staking methods with a large sample of farmers, including both real and hypothetical examples of externally-induced innovations. Farmers' responses to these innovations are reported and analysed in the context of Briggs' recent review of indigenous knowledge and development issues. Our research suggests that farmer innovation is a normal consequence of coping with farming problems. Further, farmers are not intrinsically unresponsive to externally-induced innovations, which supports the view that 'Western science' and indigenous knowledge are not necessarily bipolar and mutually exclusive knowledge systems. We conclude that indigenous technical knowledge can provide a nexus for research in fostering partnerships with farmers, NGOs and planners in their search for sustainable solutions to the yam stick problem and broader aspects of rural development and resource management. Copyright (c) 2006 by the Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Nicotine Induces Tumor Growth and Chemoresistance through Activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway in Bladder Cancer

Continued smoking is highly associated with not only a higher incidence but also greater risk of tumor recurrence, progression, and acquired chemoresistance of urothelial carcinoma. We investigated whether nicotine affects urothelial carcinoma, and the detailed mechanism by which nicotine could induce tumor growth and any associated chemoresistance. Cell viability was evaluated in the human bladder cancer cell line T24 exposed to nicotine with or without cisplatin (CDDP) and NVP-BEZ235 as a PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor by the WST-1 assay. Protein expression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was investigated by Western blotting or immunohistochemical analysis. The influence of nicotine on tumor growth was also evaluated with or without CDDP and/or NVP-BEZ235 in a subcutaneous bladder tumor model. The result demonstrated that cell proliferation was increased in T24 cells after exposure to nicotine. Phospho-specific Akt (pAkt) and phospho-specific p70 S6 kinase (pS6) were significantly upregulated by nicotine exposure. Tumor growth in vivo was significantly induced by nicotine exposure in accordance with increased pS6 expression. Nicotine attenuated inhibition of T24 cell growth by CDDP and further upregulated pS6 expression in vitro and in vivo. NVP-BZE235 inhibited T24 cell proliferation and pAkt and pS6 expression induced after exposure to nicotine and/or CDDP. In conclusion, nicotine increases tumor growth and induces acquired chemoresistance through activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in bladder cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(9); 2112–20. ©2015 AACR.
Electrochemical interdigitated conductimetric ph sensor based on RuO2 thick film sensitive layer

Metal oxide based electrochemical pH sensors are an alternative to the glass pH sensor, exhibiting many potential advantages in industrial and laboratory applications. In particular, thick film based pH sensors are promising devices for a next generation of wireless sensors for online monitoring of water pollution. So far, there have been many solid state materials used for pH sensor fabrication, among which RuO2 based sensitive material stands out due to its excellent sensitivity and high accuracy. In potentiometric measurements, the RuO2 based pH sensor exhibited excellent sensing performance with sensitivity close to the theoretical Nernstian value. In this work, an interdigitated conductimetric pH sensor based on RuO2 sensitive layer was fabricated by screen printing technology on an alumina substrate. The RuO2 sensitive layer was deposited on the top of the interdigitated Ag electrode. The impedance spectroscopic studies carried out in the frequency range of 10 mHz - 2 MHz revealed a decrease in the sensor resistance when it was exposed to the test solutions with increasing pH value. The relative change in conductance was found to be almost linear function of pH in the range of 3-11 at 1 kHz. The conductimetric pH sensors can be used for fabrication of low cost miniaturized sensors based on monitoring of the variation of electrical parameters as a function of pH of test solutions.
The Crowding Effects of Basic and Applied Research: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of an Agricultural Biotech Industry

Game theory is used to examine the incentives for private firms to fund applied research to improve differentiated crop varieties sold to compete with a public generic variety. We distinguish between applied research, modeled as a stochastic search process, and basic research, which improves applied research productivity. Propositions derived from the theoretical model are tested using empirical evidence from the canola crop research industry. The results show consistency between the analytical findings and the econometric results, supporting the validity of the framework and underlining the need to disaggregate the crowding effects of basic and applied public research.
Rational Expectations and Price Rigidity in a Monopolistically Competitive Market

This paper analyses monopolistically competitive markets under incomplete information, facing unanticipated disturbances. Firms determine their prices before they have information about other firms' prices, and form their expectations about the average price rationally. If the market becomes very competitive in the sense that the price elasticity of individual demand is close to infinity, then the average price is completely insensitive to short-run unanticipated disturbances. In the intermediate case, if (a) cost disturbances are uniform and (b) demand and cost disturbances are correlated, then the average price is sensitive to cost and insensitive to demand.
Estimating the Effects of College Characteristics over the Career Using Administrative Earnings Data

We estimate the labor market effect of attending a highly selective college, using the College and Beyond Survey linked to Social Security Administration data. We extend earlier work by estimating effects for students that entered college in 1976 over a longer time horizon (from 1983 through 2007) and for a more recent cohort (1989). For both cohorts, the effects of college characteristics on earnings are sizeable (and similar in magnitude) in standard regression models. In selection-adjusted models, these effects generally fall to close to zero; however, these effects remain large for certain subgroups, such as for black and Hispanic students.
Early loading of sandblasted, acid-etched implants in the posterior maxilla and mandible: a 1-year follow-up report from a multicenter 3-year prospective study.

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concept of an immediate loading protocol in the posterior maxilla and mandible through analysis of implant survival at 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS One year follow-up data of a multicenter study are reported. Eighty-two ITI sandblasted, acid-etched (SLA) implants in 40 patients were loaded between 0 and 11 days after implant placement (mean 4.3 +/- 2.8 days). The restorations consisted of either 2 splinted crowns or a 3-unit fixed prosthesis. All restorations were put into full functional occlusion. Periapical radiographs were evaluated for changes in crestal bone level from baseline to 1 year postloading. Primary stability of the implants was checked initially and before the fitting of the definitive prosthesis. The restorations were evaluated by the practitioners for retention, stability, and esthetics. RESULTS Three patients' implants were not loaded because of lack of primary stability, and a fourth patient was excluded from the study because of a protocol violation (more than 4 implants were used). All 4 patients were successfully treated outside the protocol. The overall survival rate of the remaining implants at 1 year was 98.8%. The mean bone loss at 1 year was 0.52 +/- 0.98 mm, which is within the reported limits of less than 1 mm (range 0.4 to 1.4 mm) loss in the first year. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The early results from this study indicate that early and immediate loading of 2 implants in the posterior maxilla and mandible may be suitable in selected patients. On the basis of 1 year of observation, the results appear similar to those achieved with a delayed procedure.
Scaling Limits of Additive Functionals of Interacting Particle Systems

Using the renormalization method introduced by the authors, we prove what we call the local Boltzmann‐Gibbs principle for conservative, stationary interacting particle systems in dimension d = 1. As applications of this result, we obtain various scaling limits of additive functionals of particle systems, like the occupation time of a given site or extensive additive fields of the dynamics. As a by‐product of these results, we also construct a novel process, related to the stationary solution of the stochastic Burgers equation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patient-specific mutations impair BESTROPHIN1’s essential role in mediating Ca2+-dependent Cl- currents in human RPE

Mutations in the human BEST1 gene lead to retinal degenerative diseases displaying progressive vision loss and even blindness. BESTROPHIN1, encoded by BEST1, is predominantly expressed in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), but its physiological role has been a mystery for the last two decades. Using a patient-specific iPSC-based disease model and interdisciplinary approaches, we comprehensively analyzed two distinct BEST1 patient mutations, and discovered mechanistic correlations between patient clinical phenotypes, electrophysiology in their RPEs, and the structure and function of BESTROPHIN1 mutant channels. Our results revealed that the disease-causing mechanism of BEST1 mutations is centered on the indispensable role of BESTROPHIN1 in mediating the long speculated Ca2+-dependent Cl- current in RPE, and demonstrate that the pathological potential of BEST1 mutations can be evaluated and predicted with our iPSC-based ‘disease-in-a-dish’ approach. Moreover, we demonstrated that patient RPE is rescuable with viral gene supplementation, providing a proof-of-concept for curing BEST1-associated diseases.