Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CROSSROADS - Microfoundations of Performance: Balancing Efficiency and Flexibility in Dynamic Environments

Our purpose is to clarify the microfoundations of performance in dynamic environments. A key premise is that the microfoundational link from organization, strategy, and dynamic capabilities to performance centers on how leaders manage the fundamental tension between efficiency and flexibility. We develop several insights. First, regarding structure, we highlight that organizations often drift toward efficiency, and so balancing efficiency and flexibility comes, counterintuitively, through unbalancing to favor flexibility. Second, we argue that environmental dynamism, rather than being simply stable or dynamic, is a multidimensional construct with dimensions that uniquely influence the importance and ease of balancing efficiency and flexibility. Third, we outline how executives balance efficiency and flexibility through cognitively sophisticated, single solutions rather than by simply holding contradictions. Overall, we go beyond the caricature of new organizational forms as obsessed with fluidity and the simplistic view of routines as the microfoundation of performance. Rather, we contribute a more accurate view of how leaders effectively balance between efficiency and flexibility by emphasizing heuristics-based “strategies of simple rules,” multiple environmental realities, and higher-order “expert” cognition. Together, these insights seek to add needed precision to the microfoundations of performance in dynamic environments.
Detection of anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep in Balochistan through faecal egg count reduction test and egg hatch assay.

The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of oxfendazole, levamisole and ivermectin against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. Three hundred and twenty sheep comprised four breeds (Balochi, Rakhshani, Kurakul and Balochi/Kurakulcross ) were selected for this experiment. The selected sheep were divided into four groups.First group was treated with oxfendazole, second with Levamisole, third with ivermectin and fourth kept as untreated to serve as control. Faecal samples were collected on day first prior to administration of treatment followed by day 14 post treatment. The efficacy of each anthelmintics was measured using the faecal egg count reduction test and egg hatch test. The arithmetic faecal egg count reduction with oxfendazole, levamisole and ivermectin were recorded 97%, 98% and 99% respectively, which indicated the susceptibility of these anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodes. The results of egg hatch test indicated that Lc50 were 0.09931, 0.0894, 0.09302 and 0.086 ug/ml respectively for four sheep breeds, which are less than 0.1ug/ml of oxfendazole. Result indicates that no resistance was found in the eggs with oxfendazole. The egg hatch assay also confirmed the result of faecal egg count reduction test. The qualitative examination of faecal samples after Coproculture revealed four gastrointestinal nematode genera i.e., Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus and Ostertagia.
Auditing Mergers and Acquisitions – Caveat Emptor

Adapted from a major study of acquisitions made by British companies both in the UK and in the USA, draws some important lessons for all involved in the acquisition process, and suggests a more proactive role for the internal audit function in acquisition planning. Acquisitions and mergers often fail because insufficient attention is given to conducting an organizational audit of the vendor prior to signing the deal.
Un modello di misura per l'analisi della disoccupazione di lunga durata

In recent years, specifically in western European countries, it has been observed a notable increase in the number of people showing long duration of job search spells, and this aspect seems to concern mostly some specific groups of the population. Significantly, it has become very common to report besides the unemployment rate the level of long-term unemployment as an important index on the situation of labour markets. In this work a class of mixture models is developed, in order to allow for the coexistence of different distributions of unemployment in the population. These models make possible an interpretation of long-term unemployment allowing for: (a) the estimation of the duration model referred only to individuals with some opportunity of transition to employment, thus eliminating the bias due to the joint estimation of the mixture of two different populations; (b) pointing out the distinctive features (as age, gender, education) related to the disadvantaged side of the population. An empirical application of mixture models on a longitudinal sample coming from the rotating sample structure of the Italian labour force survey is presented, also considering the correction to take into account problems related to length bias.
Bank Size and Systemic Risk

Large banks are riskier, and create more systemic risk, when they have lower capital and less-stable funding. Large banks create more systemic risk (but are not individually riskier) when they engage more in market-based activities or are more organizationally complex. Traditional bank regulation, which focuses on individual bank risk, may be insufficient for large banks. Additional regulation, based on systemic risk considerations, is needed to deal with the externalities of distress of large banks. This may include capital surcharges on large banks and measures to reduce their involvement in market-based activities and their organizational complexity.
The Russian management revolution : preparing managers for the market economy

This collection of articles on population growth spans 20 years of the author's thinking and research on a wide range of issues. The book opens with a presentation of the early history of demography before Thomas Malthus wrote his essay on the principles of population (1798) that marked the beginnings of modern demography as a science. The author follows up with a chapter on the estimates made at various times in the past hundred years about the maximum number of people who could live on earth. Four papers deal with the debates about global models of population growth and the limits to growth. Sharp swings in population policy in China from the Communist Revolution under Mao in 1949 to the one child-per-family rule in 1979 are also considered. Another chapter compares population policy in Japan, China and India. A chapter is devoted to the role of oil and the soaring price of this basic input into agriculture as a constraint on food production and, as a result, on population growth. A closing chapter considers the great migrations of the 19th and 20th centuries, including the transatlantic and transpacific movements, the mass migrations after World Wars I and II, and those of recent decades. This book will interest scholars and students in economics and other social sciences dealing with the issues of demography, population growth, and economic development.
Association of active and passive smoking with sleep disturbances and short sleep duration among Japanese working population

Background: The relationship between passive smoking and sleep is uncertain. Purpose: To examine the association of passive/active smoking with sleep disturbances. Method: 732 women and 1,896 men, working in a suburb of Tokyo, were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Information on smoking, passive smoking exposure, and sleep was elicited. Exposure levels to passive smoking were assessed separately at work and at home as no, occasional, or regular exposure. Risk of sleep disturbances according to smoking status was estimated using logistic regression with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as measures of association. Results: Compared to never smokers, odds of difficulty awakening in the morning (DAM) in current smokers were significantly higher for women (OR 1.95) and men (OR 1.50), while increased difficulty initiating sleep (OR 1.88) and decreased early morning awakening (OR 0.31) were found only in women. Never smoking men occasionally exposed to passive smoking at work but not at home had increased odds (OR 1.81) of short sleep duration (SSD, <6 h) than unexposed counterparts. Conclusions: The analyses suggest that exposure to passive smoking at work is associated with SSD in men, while current smoking relates to various subtypes of sleep disturbances in both sexes.
Seasonal timing using put option portfolio protection on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange

Extracted from text . Seasonal timing using put option portfolio protection on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange Investment Analysts Journal - No. 64 2006 5 Seasonal timing using put option portfolio protection on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange 1. INTRODUCTION* Market timing is generally described as a strategy of switching between asset classes in anticipation of significant economic changes. In contrast to selecting individual securities for a portfolio, market timing seeks to switch or weight entire portfolios into particular asset classes. Jeffery (1984), in his seminal article titled "The Folly of Stock Market Timing", showed that perfect timing ability in switching between an equity index on .
Socioemotional Wealth and Proactive Stakeholder Engagement: Why Family–Controlled Firms Care More about their Stakeholders

While family business research has prominently recognized that family firms are motivated by nonfinancial factors, the literature has remained relatively silent about whether or not these firms are more likely than others to engage actively with their stakeholders, who often have nonpecuniary demands. This paper argues that family firms are more prone to adopt proactive stakeholder engagement (PSE) activities because by doing so they preserve and enhance their socioemotional wealth (SEW). We explore the impact of the different dimensions of SEW on PSE and identify distinctive logics that explain the adoption of such practices. Finally, we offer a set of topics for future studies.
Tissue Selective Estrogen Complexes (TSECs) Differentially Modulate Markers of Proliferation and Differentiation in Endometrial Cells

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have tissue-specific estrogen receptor (ER) modulating properties. Combining an SERM with one or more estrogens to form a tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC) can provide an improved blend of tissue-specific ER agonist and antagonist effects. While both estrogens and SERMs affect the uterine endometrium, not all TSECs reverse the endometrial effects of estrogens preventing endometrial proliferation and hyperplasia. Their action in uterine cells is not completely understood. HOXA 10, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), progesterone receptor (PR), and EMX2 are genes known to regulate endometrial proliferation and differentiation. The expression of these genes was used to assess endometrial effects of SERMs and TSECs. We evaluated the effects of raloxifene (RAL), tamoxifen (TAM), lasofoxifene (LAS), bazedoxifene acetate (BZA), and progesterone (P) alone and in combination with estradiol (E2) in Ishikawa cells. Increased HOXA10, LIF, PR, and EMX2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was noted in E2-treated cells compared with vehicle-treated controls. All TSECs maintained E2-induced PR expression and all except TAM prevented estrogen-induced LIF expression. The TSEC containing BZA uniquely decreased HOXA10 expression and increased EMX2 expression. The TSECs alter endometrial cell proliferation by selective modulation of estrogen responsive genes, maintaining the antiproliferative effects mediated by PR and inhibiting LIF. The differential effect of TSECs on endometrial gene expression suggests a mechanism by which they manifest differential effects on endometrial safety against the risk of estrogen-induced endometrial hyperplasia.
Rollout of efavirenz-based regimens in option B+ in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs: challenges and lessons learned from a postexposure prophylaxis experience.

The standard of care for individuals exposed to HIV is to administer antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection. Examples include healthcare workers (HCWs) who sustain injuries from occupational exposure [1]. This is commonly referred to as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV infection and is administered for 1 month. The same concept guides prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, in which the pregnant HIV-positive woman is started on lifelong antiretroviral drugs to protect her unborn child. Subsequently, PMTCT programs have led to a dramatic reduction of HIV transmission, and the global community was advocating for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of new HIV infections among children by 2015 [2]. However, this has not been achieved, and new targets have been set to have 90% of all individuals living with HIV know their HIV status, 90% of all patients diagnosed with HIV infection receive sustained antiretrovirals and 90% receiving antiretrovirals to have viral suppression by 2020 [3]. In view of these, fast-track targets recommended for prevention programs are very ambitious with the aim of eliminating the HIV epidemic by 2030. The policy-makers draw information from lessons learnt from previous studies conducted to draw up these program guidelines. Historically, the AIDS Clinical Trial Group 076 study, in which pregnant women and their newborns received monotherapy with zidovudine
Disparities in EIA Systems of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand Implications for the ASEAN Free Trade Area

The development towards economic integration of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreseen by the creation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) could very well translate into an expansion of demand for goods which necessarily will lead to a more vigorous exploitation of natural resources in the region. Differences in laws regulating the use of resources can influence the choice of locating an investment which hopes to utilize a country's natural assets at the least cost. This article discusses the implications of the diversity in the frameworks for environ mental impact assessment (EIA) of four ASEAN countries and suggests that concern for developing a uniform EIA system may be as important as the concern for tariffs in the development of an overall legal framework for economic integration in the region.
Nonlinear interrelations between ADRs and their underlying stocks revisited: application of threshold VECM

This study examines the dynamic interrelations between American depository receipts (ADRs) and their underlying stocks (UNDs) by using the threshold vector error correction model. In contrast to prior studies focusing on examining the effects of arbitrage threshold on stock return means, this study not only analyse the dynamics of return means but also return volatilities. Moreover, this article adopts two representative ADR issuers: UK VOD and Brazil CVDO and compares the differences between them. The empirical findings of this study are consistent with the following notions. First, for both of the case of UK VOD and Brazil CVDO, once the price relationship of ADRs and UNDs deviates away from the long-run cointegrated equilibrium, the re-establishing equilibrium process is more/less remarkable when the price deviations do (do not) exceed a critical threshold. However, for the case of UK VOD (Brazil CVDO), the tendency to adjust to correct a disequilibrium situation mostly depends on the UND (ADR) markets. Furthermore, this article denotes the threshold estimate in the case of UK VOD (Brazil CVDO) as an unusual (extreme) condition. Last, the arbitrage behaviours between the ADR and UND markets will increase the volatility in these two markets and reduce the correlation between them.
The Centralization of EU Competition Policy: Historical Institutionalist Dynamics from Cartel Monitoring to Merger Control (1956–91)

The contemporary strength of EU competition policy does not stem naturally and mechanically from the Treaty of Rome, nor is it only a consequence of the spread of ‘neoliberal’ ideas or the single market programme. It is also the product of decades of dynamics underlined by historical institutionalism, which allowed the Commission to secure decisive powers, despite the unwillingness of some of the most powerful Member States. In this regard, the two most important cornerstones were Regulations 17/62 on cartels and 4064/89 on mergers. The Commission benefited from the unintended consequences of decisions taken in the Council and from the path dependencies created by Regulation 17/62. It progressively developed a centralized institutional framework with itself at the centre.
User acceptance of ‘near field communication’ mobile phone service: an investigation based on the ‘unified theory of acceptance and use of technology’ model

Near-field communication (NFC) is a technology with service applications that include location-based service, mobile payment, peer gaming, and targeted advertising. Using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, this study explores the factors that affect consumer acceptance of mobile phones with built-in NFC capability. The results indicate that Effort Expectancy has a positive effect on Performance Expectancy. Also, Performance Expectancy and Social Influence have a positive effect on Attitude Toward Use of Technology, but Anxiety has a negative effect on it. Finally, Attitude Toward Use of Technology is more significant than Facilitating Conditions in affecting Behavioral Intention.
Interest-Rate Sensitivity of Real Estate Investment Trusts

This paper addresses the issue of whether REITs are sensitive to changes in short-term and long-term interest rates. REITs were found to be sensitive to changes in the long-term interest rates in 1973-1979, but in 1980-1985, REITs were sensitive to changes in both short-term and long-term rates. These sources of interest-rate sensitivity were also found to be different for equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs are sensitive to changes in expected inflation, whereas mortgage REITs are sensitive to both changes in expected inflation and changes in the real rate.
Exogenous lipid uptake induces metabolic and functional reprogramming of tumor-associated myeloid-derived suppressor cells

ABSTRACT Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) promote tumor growth by blocking anti-tumor T cell responses. Recent reports show that MDSC increase fatty acid uptake and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to support their immunosuppressive functions. Inhibition of FAO promoted a therapeutic T cell-mediated anti-tumor effect. Here, we sought to determine the mechanisms by which tumor-infiltrating MDSC increase the uptake of exogenous lipids and undergo metabolic and functional reprogramming to become highly immunosuppressive cells. The results showed that tumor-derived cytokines (G-CSF and GM-CSF) and the subsequent signaling through STAT3 and STAT5 induce the expression of lipid transport receptors with the resulting increase in the uptake of lipids present at high concentrations in the tumor microenvironment. The intracellular accumulation of lipids increases the oxidative metabolism and activates the immunosuppressive mechanisms. Inhibition of STAT3 or STAT5 signaling or genetic depletion of the fatty acid translocase CD36 inhibits the activation of oxidative metabolism and the induction of immunosuppressive function in tumor-infiltrating MDSC and results in a CD8+ T cell-dependent delay in tumor growth. Of note, human tumor-infiltrating and peripheral blood MDSC also upregulate the expression of lipid transport proteins, and lipids promote the generation of highly suppressive human MDSC in vitro. Our data therefore provide a mechanism by which tumor-derived factors and the high lipid content in the tumor microenvironment can cause the profound metabolic and functional changes found in MDSC and suggest novel approaches to prevent or reverse these processes. These results could further enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
Capital Structure and Its Choice in Central and Eastern Europe

We analyze the determinants of capital structure and its choice by small and medium-sized enterprises in Central and Eastern Europe from 2002 to 2007. We test the relevance of the three main theories: the Static Trade-off Theory, the Pecking Order Theory, and the Agency Theory, which have been derived primarily for developed markets, because our knowledge on their validity for emerging European countries is limited. We confirm the positive impact of size and asset tangibility on the leverage, while rejecting both the positive impact of profitability and tax, as well as the negative impact of business risk and non-debt tax shields. We report that SMEs behave homogeneously, and the relevant capital structure determinants show remarkable steadiness. Our results show a special time varying behaviour, in which the relevant determinants become stronger, while most of the country-specific factors present weakening effects. We argue that firms of the CEE countries remarkably converged their financial decision-making procedure to that of developed countries through the investigated period. The relevance of the Trade-off Theory is weak, as firms respect a one-sided upper threshold rather than converging to a fixed target on both sides, while they are not indifferent to the hierarchy of financing alternatives.
‘A matter of principle’? EU foreign policy in the International Labour Organization

This article contributes to the debate on the role of norms in European Union (EU) foreign policy by looking at EU policies in the making of a Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Given the economic importance of shipping for many EU members, one would expect the EU to promote its economic interests in the International Labour Organization (ILO). However, the EU was described as a human rights promoter and had positions on the MLC that after common EU implementation will increase costs for both ship-owners and national administrations. How can this be? I answer by examining the arguments that mobilized the actors to agree to the policies conducted, differentiating between three ideal-types: pragmatic; ethical-political; and moral arguments. I conclude that moral arguments, supporting a thesis that a concern for establishing global law for the protection of rights, have been particularly important in mobilizing the EU to promote a convention of high standards.
UPAYA MENINGKATKAN KINERJA PEMASARAN MELALUI ORIENTASI PASAR DAN ORIENTASI KEWIRAUSAHAAN DENGAN INOVASI SEBAGAI VARIABEL INTERVENING (Studi Empiris pada Usaha Mikro Kecil dan Menengah Kota Semarang)

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have an important role for the growth of the national economy. In the first quarter of 2014, the number of MSMEs in Central Java increased, reaching 53.951 business units. However, in line with the increasing number of MSMEs and increasing turnover generated by SMEs in Central Java until 2013, when analyzed the average turnover per MSMEs by dividing turnover per year divided by the number of SMEs, it is known that the average turnover per MSMEs in Central Java in 2013 actually decreased, which decreased by 0.0102 billion from the year 2012. The purpose of this research was to determine the factors that can improve the marketing performance of MSMEs. Empirical studies conducted in this research is on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of Semarang City. The reason is because Semarang is Capital City of Central Java and MSMEs of Semarang contribute most to the GDP of Central Java province. This study uses four variables: Market Orientation, Entrepreneurship Orientation, Innovation and Marketing Performance. Research hypothesis testing using the data of 120 respondents MSMEs in Semarang City. The analysis technique used in this research is Structural Equation Model (SEM) of 21.0 AMOS program. The research proves that in order to improve marketing performance on MSMEs can be via 4 process. However, the most influential on the increase marketing performance in MSMEs is to innovate on products that are supported by market-oriented.