Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizational design correlates of entrepreneurship: The roles of decentralization and formalization for opportunity discovery and realization

Extant research offers relatively little insight into the organizational design correlates of entrepreneurship in established firms. We argue on theoretical grounds that the same organizational designs support the realization as well as the discovery of opportunities. Specifically, decentralized structures are associated with opportunity realization as well discovery, and this effect is reinforced by formalization. Decentralization gives managers the discretion and autonomy needed to recognize and realize opportunities, while formalization enables the standardization and codification of actions and processes. To test these ideas, we use a data-set based on paired responses from 474 Danish firms operating in several industries for our analyses. We find that decentralization and formalization have direct, positive, and significant associations with opportunity realization. We also address how these organizational design variables are related to opportunity discovery. We find similar effects. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our reasoning and results, such as implications for the idea in the innovation and organizational learning literatures that optimal performance over time requires that firms either vacillate between organizational designs or adopt ambidextrous designs.
Meta-analysis of Environmental Issues in Regional, Urban and Transport Economics

Increasingly, environmental policy-makers and environmental economists are confronted with results from an expanding number of studies. In preparing research, the technical analyst can draw upon extensive bodies of existing work that might contain useful information and helpful insights. When the characteristics and results of previous studies are similar, especially in terms of the problems considered and the methodological approaches used, a logical question is whether this material can be systematically processed to generate comprehensive and concise conclusions. If this is possible, then rather than performing an additional in-depth study to gain new insight, it may be possible to elicit the relevant information by looking at earlier studies dealing with similar questions or hypotheses. Dependent on the type of issue, the methods involved and the variety of cases included, it may be possible to adopt a wellde® ned framework for summarising, assessing, comparing, averaging, evaluating and apprehending common elements in other studies. This variety of processes is referred to as meta-analysis (Glass et al., 1984). Meta-analysis is thus concerned with the formal synthesis of results and ® ndings of scienti® c studies. It should not be regarded as the only applicable method of reviewing studies, but rather it should be seen as supplementary and complementary to information elicited by other methodsÐ for instance, in-depth literary reviews (Wachter, 1988; Mann, 1990; Button and Jongma, 1995). Meta-analysis, and its focus on rigorous synthesis, contrasts with more conventional literary review procedures. In particular, it moves away from the taxonomies of ® ndings which often characterise literary reviews and provides a basis for reducing the level of subjectivity inherent in any reviewing activity (Button, 1995; The Economist, 1991). The approach circumvents the common problem that literary reviews often have of handling and then presenting a large number of ® ndings in a succinct and comprehensible way. Used correctly, the meta-analytical approach can also delve beneath the elaborate combinations of statistical procedures used in the modern sciences to isolate core assumptions or parameters (Wachter, 1988). Appropriate application of meta-analysis can, therefore, help to improve our understanding of economic analysis. It can enable us to make better use of prior information and knowledge. It can also help to remove some
Green Information Technologies and Systems: Employees’ Perceptions of Organizational Practices

In this study, we examine the extent to which employees recognize the importance of information technologies and systems (IT/S) in developing and implementing environmental initiatives. To address this question, we first review past research on this topic and draw on a framework for examining environmental motivating forces, strategies, and employee environmental orientations. We then analyze qualitative data based on in-depth interviews with employees in financial services organizations. Our aim is to develop a richer understanding of how employees currently view IT/S issues in relation to environmental sustainability and if similarities exist between different types of financial institutions. We also assess the extent to which these employee perceptions align with both actual organizational practices, as captured in interviews with information technology managers, and practices espoused by organizations, as reflected on their corporate websites. Our findings suggest that organizations are still in the infancy stage of awareness and adoption of “Green” IT/S. As a result, we identify four types of gaps: knowledge gaps, practice gaps, opportunity gaps, and knowing—doing gaps. We suggest that future research should draw on absorptive capacity, organizational learning, and social marketing theories to help align employees’ attitudes, cognitions, and behaviors and to drive environmental changes.
Virtual Reality for Pain Management in Cardiac Surgery

Surgical anxiety creates psychological and physiological stress, causes complications in surgical procedures, and prolongs recovery. Relaxation of patients in postoperative intensive care units can moderate patient vital signs and reduce discomfort. This experiment explores the use of virtual reality (VR) cybertherapy to reduce postoperative distress in patients that have recently undergone cardiac surgery. Sixty-seven patients were monitored at IMSS La Raza National Medical Center within 24 hours of cardiac surgery. Patients navigated through a 30 minute VR simulation designed for pain management. Results were analyzed through comparison of pre- and postoperative vital signs and Likert scale survey data. A connection was found in several physiological factors with subjective responses from the Likert scale survey. Heavy positive correlation existed between breathing rate and Likert ratings, and a moderate correlation was found between mean arterial pressure and Likert ratings and heart rate and Likert ratings, all of which indicated lower pain and stress within patients. Further study of these factors resulted in the categorization of patients based upon their vital signs and subjective response, providing a context for the effectiveness of the therapy to specific groups of patients.
Adaptation of International Marketing Strategy Components, Competitive Advantage, and Firm Performance: A Study of Hong Kong Exporters

The authors examine how firms adapt different components of their marketing strategies in foreign markets compared with their domestic market and how such adaptation decisions influence the firms' competitive positions and performance in foreign markets. The authors conceptualize that adaptation of a marketing-mix component is a purposeful process that is influenced by a firm's past adaptation strategy, and they investigate the importance of that marketing-mix component to the firm's success. The authors propose that the adaptation process helps define a firm's competitive advantage, which in turn affects its performance in the foreign market. The authors develop hypotheses and propositions and test them with a sample of 183 export firms in Hong Kong.
Effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination in Spain

With the aim of determining rotavirus vaccine effectiveness (RVVE) in Spain, from Oct-2008/Jun-2009, 467 consecutive children below 2 years old with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) were recruited using a pediatric research network (ReGALIP-www.regalip.org) that includes primary, emergency and hospital care settings. Of 467 enrolled children, 32.3% were rotavirus positive and 35.0% had received at least one dose of any rotavirus vaccine. RRVE to prevent any episode of rotavirus AGE was 91.5% (95% CI: 83.7%–95.6%). RVVE to prevent hospitalization by rotavirus AGE was 95.6% (85.6–98.6%). No differences in RVVE were found regarding the vaccine used. Rotavirus vaccines have showed an outstanding effectiveness in Spain.
Lipoic acid supplementation prevents cyclosporine-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background Cyclosporine (CsA) has significantly improved long-term survival after organ transplantations. Hypertension and nephrotoxicity are common side effects during CsA treatment and are aggravated by high salt intake. Objective To examine whether lipoic acid (LA), a natural antioxidant that scavenges reactive oxygen species and regenerates/recycles endogenous antioxidants, could prevent CsA-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity. Methods Six-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) on a high-sodium diet (NaCl 6%) received CsA [5 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.)] alone or in combination with LA (0.5% w/w) for 6 weeks. Blood pressure, arterial functions, and tissue morphology were determined. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and high-pressure liquid chromatography were used for kidney and heart samples. Results CsA induced severe hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, endothelial dysfunction, and pronounced albuminuria. Histologically, the kidneys showed severe thickening of the media of the afferent arteries with fibrinoid necrosis, perivascular monocyte/macrophage infiltration and nitrotyrosine overexpression. CsA induced the expression of fibrogenic connective tissue growth factor both in the heart and kidneys. The detrimental effects of CsA were associated with upregulation of myocardial atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mRNA expression, paradoxical activation of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), induction of renal reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, and overexpression of oxidative stress-induced transcription factor NRF2. LA lowered blood pressure, ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy and endothelial dysfunction, and totally normalized albuminuria. In LA-treated rats, renal and cardiac morphologies were indistinguishable from those of SHR controls. CsA-induced myocardial ANP and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA overexpression, RAS activation, NADPH oxidase induction, and NRF2 overexpression were prevented by LA. LA induced the mRNA expression of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase, the rate-limiting enzyme in glutathione synthesis, and markedly increased hepatic cysteine and glutathione concentrations. Conclusions Our findings suggest a salutary role for lipoic acid supplementation in the prevention of CsA-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity, and underscore the importance of increased oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of CsA toxicity.
An Empirical Investigation of the Performance Consequences of Nonfinancial Measures

Firms are increasingly implementing new performance measurement systems to track nonfinancial metrics such as customer and employee satisfaction, quality, market share, productivity, and innovation. This study examines the implications of nonfinancial performance measures included in compensation contracts on current and future performance. Contextual factors, environmental factors, and strategic plans vary across firms and, in turn, adopting appropriate nonfinancial measures determines the performance consequences of such measures. Our findings support the contention that firms that employ a combination of financial and nonfinancial performance measures have significantly higher mean levels of returns on assets and higher levels of market returns. Although we find evidence that the adoption of nonfinancial measures improves firms' current and future stock market performance, we find only partial support for accounting performance improvements. Overall, the results indicate that the association between th.
Cambodia’s Comparative Advantage Patterns and Trade Structure from 1985 to 2010

This paper examines the structure of international trade and evaluates the patterns of Cambodia’s comparative advantage from 1985 to 2010 using the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) index. It is found that: (i) Cambodia’s exports were initially concentrated in some primary goods and basic manufactures; (ii) resource-based exports shifted to light and labour-intensive industrial products in the mid-1990s; (iii) trade diversification is still low despite government efforts in industrial development and trade integration; and (iv) intra-industry specialization occurs in the relatively low value-added product ranges. Consequently, Cambodia needs to build a solid base for industrialization—both physical and institutional—to further develop infrastructure; enhance human resource development; develop competitive and diverse export industries; and implement sound trade, investment and education policies.
Not All Scientists Pay to Be Scientists: PhDs’ Preferences for Publishing in Industrial Employment

It is often assumed that academically trained scientists have a strong taste for science and are willing to “pay” for the ability to openly disclose their research results. However, little is known regarding how scientists considering jobs in industrial R&D make trade-offs between positions that allow publishing on the one hand and positions that do not allow publishing but offer higher pay on the other. Using data on over 1900 science and engineering PhD candidates about to enter the job market, we find that while some are unwilling to give up publishing at virtually any price, over one third of those most likely to seek positions in industrial research are willing to forego publishing for free. We develop a simple model of the “price” scientists assign to publishing in firms and explore potential sources of heterogeneity empirically. We find that the price of publishing increases with individuals’ preferences for various benefits from publishing such as peer recognition and contributing to society, but it decreases with their preference for money. Scientists who believe themselves to be of high ability and who train at top tier institutions have a higher price of publishing. Yet, they are more expensive to hire (not less) even if publishing is allowed. We discuss implications for research on the economics of science and on compensating differentials, for managers seeking to attract and retain academically trained personnel, and for firms considering their participation in open science.
A dual-code-rate memoryless Viterbi decoder for wireless communication systems

This paper presents a novel dual-code-rate memoryless Viterbi decoder with a 4-level soft decision for wireless communication systems. Based on the proposed architecture, the survivor memory can be eliminated totally, which will significantly reduce 50% of the total power dissipation. As shown, the proposed design uses approximately 27.5 K gates in 0.18 μm CMOS technology, and its power consumption is approximately 9.8 mW at 80 MHz.
Splenomegaly in schistosomiasis mansoni.

Summary Egg counts for Schistosoma mansoni in part of the population of a highly endemic town in Pernambuco, Brazil, showed that after reaching a maximum early in life, egg output decreased sharply. It is felt that acquired immunity may be involved. While splenomegaly in other parasitic or infectious diseases may start in infancy, spleen enlargement in schistosomiasis occurs suddenly after the tenth year of life. A connection between this process and the sudden decrease in egg output is strongly suspected. The incidence of splenomegaly is significantly higher in a population with high egg counts. Egg output is also higher in the members of families in which splenomegaly occurs.
Spatial variation in the risk of hospitalization with childhood pneumonia and empyema in the North of England

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to investigate spatial variation in risk of hospitalization in childhood pneumonia and empyema in the North of England and associated risk factors. Data on childhood (0–14 years) hospital admissions with a diagnosis pneumonia or empyema were linked to postcode districts. Bayesian conditional autoregressive models were used to evaluate spatial variation and the relevance of specific spatial covariates in an area-based study using postcode as the areal unit. There was a sixfold variation in the risk of hospitalization due to pneumonia across the study region. Variation in risk was associated with material deprivation, Child Well-being Index (CWI) health domain score, number of children requiring local authority support, and distance to hospital. No significant spatial variation in risk for empyema was found.
Day-Night Dip and Early-Morning Surge in Blood Pressure in Hypertension: Prognostic Implications

We investigated the relationship between the day-night blood pressure (BP) dip and the early morning BP surge in an cohort of 3012 initially untreated subjects with essential hypertension. The day-night reduction in systolic BP showed a direct association with the sleep trough (r=0.564; P<0.0001) and the preawakening (r=0.554; P<0.0001) systolic BP surge. Over a mean follow-up period of 8.44 years, 268 subjects developed a major cardiovascular event (composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and heart failure requiring hospitalization) and 220 subjects died. In a Cox model, after adjustment for predictive covariates, including age, sex, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, total cholesterol, left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and average 24-hour systolic BP, a blunted sleep trough (⩽19.5 mm Hg; quartile 1) and preawakening (⩽9.5 mm Hg; quartile 1) BP surge was associated with an excess risk of events (hazard ratio, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.14–2.42]; P=0.009; hazard ratio, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.12–2.71]; P=0.013). After adjustment for the same covariates, neither the dipping pattern nor the measures of early morning BP surge were independent predictors of mortality. In conclusion, in initially untreated subjects with hypertension, a blunted day-night BP dip was associated with a blunted morning BP surge and vice versa. In these subjects, a blunted morning BP surge was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events, whereas an excessive BP surge did not portend an increased risk of events.
The Information Content of Option-Based Forecasts of Volatility: Evidence from the Italian Stock Market

The aim of this paper is to comprehensively compare option-based measures of volatility, with the ultimate plan of devising a new volatility index for the Italian stock market. The performance of the different implied volatility measures in forecasting future volatility is evaluated both in a statistical and in an economic setting. The properties of the implied volatility measures are also explored, by looking at both the contemporaneous relationship between implied volatility changes and market returns and the usefulness of the proposed index in forecasting future market returns.The results of the paper are of practical importance for both policy-makers and investors. The volatility index, based on corridor measures, could be used to forecast market volatility, for value at risk purposes, in order to determine trading strategies on the underlying index and as an early warning for future market conditions.
Benefits trickling away: the health impact of extending access to piped water and sanitation in urban Yemen

This article investigates the impact of extending piped water supply and sanitation on health outcomes in urban Yemen using a combination of quasi-experimental methods and results from microbiological water tests. Variations in project roll-out allow separate identification of water and sanitation impacts. The results indicate that access to piped water supply worsens health outcomes when water rationing is frequent, which appears to be linked to the build-up of pollution in the network. When water supply is continuous no clear health benefits are found compared to traditional urban water supply through water vendors, but connections to piped sewers can then lead to health improvements. The findings suggest that investments in piped water supply should not be made when reliability of water cannot be guaranteed.
Investment in human capital: Does tax-deductibility matter? Preliminary - Do not quote Comments invited

To stimulate investment in training by employees, the Dutch tax system allows a deduction of direct training expenditures from taxable income. This paper investigates to what extent the resulting cost reduction encourages training investments. Two dierent identification strategies are used. The first strategy takes advantage of the 2001 tax reform, which implied a substantial change in marginal tax rates. The second strategy uses the progressive structure of the income tax scheme and compares groups with taxable income just above or just below kinks. These strategies exploit dierent sources of exogenous variation and are based on dierent identifying assumptions. Nevertheless, the results point in the same direction: tax incentives increase human capital investment.
Capitalized Human Resources Cost and Its Influence on Corporate Productivity: A Study of Selected Companies in Nigeria

This study aimed at examining the influence of human resources cost on corporate productivity. Human resources have been identified as one of the main sources of competitive advantage by many organizations in today’s economy. In other to investigate the above issue, the researcher gathered data from ten (10) companies listed in the Nigerian Stock Exchange with the aid of a questionnaire using an ex-post facto design. The study revealed that acquisition and development costs are important determinants of human resources cost and does significantly influence corporate productivity. Conclusively, human resources cost approach to corporate performance measurement which have gained substantial attention and use in recent years provides further opportunities for utilization of human resource accounting measures. The study recommended that companies should use career management programs to assist their employees in career planning.
Contrast and visual saliency similarity induced index for image quality assessment

Perceptual image quality assessment (IQA) defines/utilizes a computational model to assess the image quality in consistent with human opinions. A good IQA model should consider both the effectiveness and efficiency, while most previous IQA models are hard to reach simultaneously. So we attempt to make another effort to develop an effective and efficiency image quality assessment metric. Considering that contrast is a distinctive visual attribute that indicates the quality of an image, and visual saliency (VS) attracts the most attention of the human visual system, the proposed model utilized these two features to characterize the image local quality. After obtaining the local contrast quality map and global visual saliency quality map, we add the weighted standard deviation of the previous two quality maps together to yield the final quality score. The experimental results on three benchmark database (LIVE, TID2008, CSIQ) showed that the proposed model yields the best performance in terms of the correlation with human judgments of visual quality. Furthermore, it is more efficient when compared with other competing IQA models.