Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Business Intelligence Tools on Performance: A User Satisfaction Paradox?

While Business Intelligence (BI) initiatives have been a top-priority of CIOs around the world for several years, accounting for billions of USD of IT investments per annum (IDC), academic research on the actual benefits derived from BI tools and the drivers of these benefits remain sparse. This paper reports the findings of an exploratory, cross-sectional field study investigating the factors that define and drive benefits associated with the deployment of dedicated BI tools. BI is broadly defined as an analytical process which transforms fragmented data of enterprises and markets into action-oriented information or knowledge about objectives, opportunities and positions of an organization; BI tools are software products primarily designed and deployed to support this analytical process (e.g. data warehouse software, data mining software, digital dashboards applications). Building upon DeLoneand McLean’s (1992; 2002; 2003) information systems success model, we develop, test and refine a BI quality and performance model adapted for the specific purpose, application, user group and technology of BI tools. The ultimate performance predictors in this model are user satisfaction and the impact of BI tools on managerial decision quality, both of which are determined by data quality. Partial Least Square (PLS) modeling is used to analyze data collected in a survey administered to IT executives of large Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) listed companies. The results confirm some of the theoretical relationships established in – especially the original – DeLone-McLean model in the specific context of BI. More importantly, the results also confirm the important role of explicit BI management as antecedent of benefits derived from BI tools, and the key impact of data quality on managerial decision making and organizational performance. However, the results also reveal a ‘user satisfaction paradox’: In contrast to the predictions derived from the DeLone-McLean model, organizational performance is negatively associated with user satisfaction with BI tools. Financial performance data collected for ex-post verification of this unexpected result confirm this paradox. We discuss BI-specific interpretations of these unexpected findings and provide avenues for future research.
You Must Be Joking! Benign Violations, Power Asymmetry, and Humor in a Broader Social Context

Violated expectations can indeed be funny, as is acknowledged by incongruity theories of humor. According to the Benign Violation Theory (BVT), something is perceived as humorous when it hits the “sweet spot,” where there is not only a violation, but where the violation is also perceived as benign. The BVT specifies how psychological distance plays a central role in determining whether a certain event, joke, or other stimulus is perceived as benign or malign. In line with the aims of this research topic, we specifically address how this “sweet spot” may be influenced by social distance. This form of psychological distance has so far received less attention in the BVT than other forms of distance. First, we argue that the BVT needs to distinguish between different perspectives in a given situation, i.e., between the joke-teller and the joke-listener, and needs to account for the social distance between the two parties as well as between each of them and the joke. Second, we argue that the BVT needs to acknowledge possible power asymmetries between the two parties, and how asymmetries might influence the social distance between the joke-teller and joke-listener, as well as between each of these and the joke. Based on the assumption that power influences social distance, we argue that power asymmetry may explain certain disagreements over whether something is funny. Third, we suggest that cultural differences might influence shared perspectives on what is benign vs. malign, as well as power balance. Thus, cultural differences might have both a direct and an indirect influence on what is perceived as humorous. Finally, we discuss potential implications beyond humor, to other social situations with border zones. Close to the border, there is often disagreement concerning attempted violations of expectations and norms, and concerning their nature as benign or malign. This can for instance occur in sexual harassment, #MeToo, bullying, aggression, abusive supervision, destructive leadership, counterproductive work behavior, organizational citizenship behavior, parenting, and family relations. New understanding of border zones may thus be gained from BVT along with our proposed systematically mismatched judgments which parties could make about attempted benign violations.
Balanced Scorecard as a strange attractor tool contributing to the improvement of transformation process and ultimately to the competitive advantage of an Organization

Organizations today represent dynamic complex systems and their behaviour cannot be examined effectively through the reductionist view of it. Competitive advantage is the ability to exploit opportunities that occur inside and outside the organisation, and adapt to meet these opportunities. It is the alignment of external and internal environments of an organization, which create and sustain competitive advantage. The use of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a performance measure and a strategic control tool, contributes to organization's survival and success. The adoption of the BSC contributes to certain type of behaviour, which is elicited through the use of positive feedback. Acceptable actions are reinforced through the appropriate culture (norms and values ) and rewards linked to performance. As the pace of change is increasing, there is a constant demand for creativity and innovation. Agile and flexible BSC serves as strange attractors in the system's agents behaviour, operating in a turbulent dynamic environment. Feedbacks and information distributed throughout the system, upgrading knowledge and ultimately improving performance through learning. Organizations that are able to learn from their environment and change their internal structure survive and prosper through transformation, which is substantially influenced by strange attractors. Chaos theory can help us to understand and improve the transformation process and through the use of the BSC.
Running head: FACTORS OF GRAMMATICAL AND LEXICAL L2 COMPLEXITY Factors Affecting Grammatical and Lexical Complexity of Long-term L2 Speakers’ Oral Proficiency Author Note

This research was financed by the Dutch national re search foundation (NWO; Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek), Grant No. 360-70-420. We also thank the following archives for granting us the permission t use their oral history testimony data: USC Shoah Foundation Institute (Los Angeles), Werkstatt der Erinnerungen (Hamburg), Alte Synagoge (Essen), Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Tes timonies (Yale University Library), Tauber Holocaust Library and Education Pr ogram (San Francisco), United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (Washington, D.C.), Assoc iation of Jewish Refugees (London).
Epidemiological Aspects of Theileriosis in Cattle in and around Patna, Bihar, India

Theileriosis is a major constraint to livestock production and food securities in many developing countries. Bovine theileriosis is a haemoprotozoan disease caused by parasites of genus Theileria belonging to Family Theileridae, which are round ovoid rod like or irregular shaped organism found in lymphocytes, histiocytes and erythrocytes (Soulsby, 1982). There are different species of Theileria, among which Theileria annulata and Theileria parva are considered as most pathogenic species causing lymphoproliferative diseases. A severe form of the disease called Bovine Tropical theileriosis is caused by Theileria annulata and transmitted by Ixodid ticks of Hyalomma International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 03 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Facile preparation of sago starch esters using full factorial design of experiment

A facile solvent-free method to acetylate sago starch (Metroxylon sagu) is reported. Microwave (100 W) was used as the heating source and the heating time was varied from 2 to 10 min with the temperature of acetylation maintained at 100oC under continuous stirring. Using a24 full factorial design of experiment, it was found that the degree of substitution (DS)of acetylated sago starch was strongly affected by the ratio of starch to acylating reagents, the ratio of acetic anhydride to acetic acid as the acylating reagents, the concentration of iodine as catalyst and reaction time. The physicochemical characteristics of the acetylated sago starch were assessed based on the FTIR spectra, the XRD spectra, the water absorption index (WAI), and the water solubility index (WSI). SEM was used to study the surface morphology of the acetylated sago starch at different DS.
A study of the influence of organizational change on organizational performances of listed tourist hotels in Taiwan: Using organizational commitment as the mediating variable

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of organizational change on organizational performance of listed tourist hotels in Taiwan using organizational commitment as the mediating variable. By convenience sampling to select employees from Taiwan’s listed tourist hotels, this study applied the method of structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the goodness-of-fit of the overall model, structural model and measurement model. This study focused on the path coefficients between “implicit variables” (also known as unobservable variables) of the structural model, and the Bayesian estimation was used to test the significance of the structural model’s direct effect, mediating effect and total effect. Findings from this study include: (1) organizational change does have a positively direct influence on organizational performance, but insignificantly; (2) the organizational change has a significantly positive influence on organizational commitment as well as on the organizational performance. Generally, organizational commitment does have a “fully” mediating effect.
Information Systems and Performance: An analytical approach to understand IS value in business organizations

This study provides an overview of the theories and research on information systems and performance, and explains in details a literature review of information systems and their impacts on an organization performance. The literature review includes contributions from several academic disciplines in addition to information systems, including economics, strategy, accounting, and operations research. Thus, the main purposes of this study are first to attain an in depth understanding of the relationship between information systems and performance at both organizational and individual levels and to evaluate the significant value of information systems in order to understand the determinants their value to organizations, helping them to better manage information systems resources and enhance performance.
Combining quantitative and qualitative models to identify functional groups for monitoring changes in the Bay of Biscay continental shelf exploited foodweb

To develop and implement ecosystem-based management, it is critical to monitor foodweb components or functional groups which are robust to uncertainty in ecosystem structure and functioning yet sensitive to changes. To select such functional groups for the Bay of Biscay continental shelf, both quantitative and qualitative foodweb models were developed. First, functional groups for which predictions of directions of change following an increase in primary productivity, prey or predators, or in fishing activities were identical across alternative qualitative model structures were identified. Second, the robustness to model type was assessed by comparing qualitative predictions with quantitative Ecopath model results. The demersal fish community was identified as a sensitive and robust indicator for monitoring foodweb ecological status in the Bay of Biscay. The present study also suggested the potential antagonistic effects of alternative management measures on small pelagic fish and highlighted the need for the joint management of all pressures.
Molecular Characterization of Diarrheagenic Bacteria Isolated from Stool of Under-five Children in Dar Es Salaam. Tanzania

Diarrhea is a daily public health song in developing countries like Tanzania. The causative agents are theoretically known almost to everybody. However, the eradication of this killer disease for the under-fives is an enigma. This study aimed to provide update advantages of molecular diagnostic versus conventional methods as regards to acute diarrhea, and to determine bacterial causes of diarrhea among children aging five years and below in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, using multiplex PCR technique. Samples were collected from the under-fives from district hospitals in Dar Es Salaam city between June 2010 and February 2014. This included children admitted due to acute and/ or chronic diarrhea. A total of 3600 stool samples were analyzed, of which 1800 samples were from diarrhea cases and 1800 samples from normal control cases. About 1080 (60%) of the patients recruited were aged less than 3 years and 983 (54.6%) were males. Diarrheagenic bacteria were isolated and identified using conventional stool cultures then were characterized by mPCR. Pathogenic bacteria were detected in 67.7% of the cases and in 20% of the controls. The pathogenic bacteria most strongly associated with diarrhea disease were diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (21.6% of cases, 6% of controls), Shigella spp. (16.1% of cases, 5% of controls) and S almonellae, ( 10.6% of cases, 3% of controls. The pathogenic bacteria were mostly from children aging from 24 months and above. Diarrheagenic bacteria play an important role in relation to childhood diarrhea aging from two years and above. Proper diagnostic methods, prevention and control through fostering good hygiene and sanitation to water and food should be emphasized especially to oral-faecal age.
Price Setting in a Model with Production Chains: Evidence from Sectoral Data

Reconciling the high frequency of price changes at the micro level and their apparent rigidity at the aggregate level has been the subject of considerable debate in macroeconomics recently. In this paper I show that incorporating production chains in a standard New- Keynesian model replicates two stylized facts about the data. First, sectoral prices respond with significantly different speeds to aggregate shocks. Meanwhile, the responses to sectorspecific shocks are similar. Second, the standard price setting models are unable to quantitatively match the amount of monetary non-neutrality observed in the data. I argue, First, that the input-output linkages in production generate different responses to aggregate shocks across sectors. Second, calibrating this model to the US data can create five times more monetary non-neutrality in response to nominal shocks compared to an equivalent homogeneous economy with intermediate inputs. Finally, the model implies that upstream industries respond faster to aggregate shocks compared to downstream industries. I show that this prediction is supported by the data.
Microscopic Modeling of Driver Behavior in Uninterrupted Traffic Flow

In this paper a comprehensive microscopic model of driver behavior in uninterrupted traffic flow is developed. The model aims to explain or predict the actions of a driver in a variety of driving scenarios ranging from free flow conditions on wide roads to forced flow conditions on narrow two-way roads. The salient features of the proposed theory are (1) a single model (or framework) is used to describe driver behavior in different driving scenarios and (2) the response of drivers through both steering control and speed control are modeled. Driver behavior is simulated in 19 different driving scenarios. Results from these simulations show the efficacy of the proposed model in explaining/predicting driver behavior.
Are Men Really More Overconfident than Women? - A Natural Field Experiment on Exam Behavior

This paper reports from a simple natural field experiment based on an eco-nomics exam. Part of the exam consisted of 30 multiple choice questions, where the students obtained 1 point per correct answer while 1 point was deducted for each in-correct answer. We find no significant gender differences in overconfidence, irrespec-tive of how we measure it, i.e., whether we regard the number of questions answered, the number of questions answered incorrectly or the answering patterns for the most difficult questions. Hence, the data provides no support for the frequently proposed hypothesis that men are more overconfident than women.
Skill level and normative evaluations among summer recreationists at alpine ski areas

Abstract This article examines acceptability norms regarding use density reported by hikers and mountain bikers with varying skill levels. It was hypothesized that highly skilled recreationists would rate increasing use densities as less acceptable. In addition, it was predicted that as skill increases, normative agreement/consensus (crystallization) and importance (norm intensity) would increase. Data were obtained from surveys of hikers (n = 275) and mountain bikers (n = 125) at the Whistler Mountain ski area in British Columbia, Canada. Skill level was measured on a four‐point scale from “novice” to “expert. ” Norms were measured by acceptability ratings of photographs containing increasing densities of hikers and mountain bikers. As predicted, when hikers’ skill level increased, acceptability of greater hiker densities decreased and norm crystallization and intensity increased. Conversely, no relationships were found between mountain bikers’ skill and their acceptability, agreement, and importance of mountain biker density. Possible explanations for these findings and implications for management and future research are discussed.
A Simple Method of Ship Dynamic Trimming Optimization

In order to cope"Guidelines for voluntary use of Energy Efficiency Operational Indicators( EEOI)", a simple method of adjusting ship trimming of a voyage has been attempted,which can minimize the energy consumption and economize cost.A method of ship dynamic trimming optimization base on loading computer is introduced by theories analysis and sea trial of real ships,which can be easily operated and obtained the value of the dynamic trimming optimization by mariners. Comparing the real ship experiment data with the value of experience, this method will be reduce by 1.1% energy consume. Meanwhile, comparing the traditional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method,this method cost more less. This paper also provides a new research way to analyze the ship optimistic maneuvering by the big data analysis when ship-shore internet are completed economically.
Spike Lavender Essential Oil Reduces the Survival Rate and Fecundity of Two-spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, causes major yield loss in numerous plants. The control of this mite is achieved mainly with synthetic acaricides; other strategies are the use of predatory mites or plant natural products. This study evaluated the effects of Lavandula latifolia Medik. (Lamiaceae) essential oil on the survival rate and fecundity of T. urticae by slide-dip and leaf-disk bioassays. Acute contact toxicity was provoked by different spike lavender oil concentrations although 95100% mortality was observed when emulsions contained at least 0.20% (v/v). In the residual toxicity experiments, lavender oil (0.15-0.25%) reduced mite survival and affected its fecundity; laid eggs and emerging larvae were lowered as the oil concentration increased. Incubation temperature determined egg viability; 12oC did not allow larval development, while the highest percentage of hatched eggs was counted at 30oC. Our results confirmed the possibility of using spike lavender oil as an alternative to conventional pesticides.
Análise comparativa dos efeitos da carga orgânica e do tempo de detenção hidráulica na digestão anaeróbia mesofílica de lodo adensado de estação de tratamento de esgoto

Esta pesquisa comparou o desempenho de um digestor anaerobio de lodo sob diferentes estrategias operacionais. Foi avaliada a influencia do aumento da carga orgânica volumetrica (COV) (OP I) e o efeito da reducao do tempo de detencao hidraulica (TDH) (OP II e OP III) no processo anaerobio. As cargas aplicadas variaram entre 0,5 e 4,5 kgSV.m-3.d-1 e o TDH foi reduzido de 15 a 5 dias. Producao de gas metano, degradacao do material orgânico e a diversidade microbiana foram utilizadas para medicao e comparacao do desempenho do processo. Foram necessarios periodos de aclimatacao a cada nova COV aplicada o que levou as instabilidades na remocao de SV e DQO do lodo. A operacao com TDH entre 7 e 5 dias apresentou as maiores eficiencias de remocao de SV, superiores a 70%, o que influenciou positivamente na estabilidade do processo. As COV aplicadas de 2,5 e 3,5 kgSV.m-3.d-1 resultaram nas maiores producoes de metano durante a OP I. Para TDH inferiores a sete dias a producao de CH4 foi prejudicada apesar da existencia de microorganismos metanogenicos atuantes no digestor. Comparativamente, a estrategia de reducao do TDH resultou em um melhor desempenho do sistema que a fixacao da COV. Quanto menor o TDH aplicado, melhor os resultados obtidos na operacao do digestor, sugerindo que a eficiencia do processo e otimizada em sistemas de alta carga com operacao em baixos tempos de detencao hidraulica.
The Association between Age and Depressive Symptoms among Older Men and Women in Europe. Findings from SHARE

Die empirischen Befunde zu den Effekten des Alters auf depressive Symptome sind gemischt und reichen – abhangig von der Modellierung des Alters-Depressions-Profils – von positiven uber keine bis hin zu negativen Effekten. Der vorliegende Beitrag analysiert auf der Grundlage internationaler Vergleichsdaten den Zusammenhang zwischen dem Alter und der Haufigkeit depressiver Symptome bei Kontrolle fur bekannte Determinanten der seelischen Gesundheit. Auf der Grundlage der ersten SHARE-Welle (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) werden die depressiven Symptome von 28.538 Personen im Alter zwischen 50 und 89 Jahren aus elf europaischen Landern sowie Israel unter Verwendung eines negativen Binomial-Regressionsmodells analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die EURO-D-Scores, welche die Anzahl depressiver Symptome angeben, mit dem Alter steigen und bei den Frauen hoher als bei den Mannern ausfallen. Bei Einbeziehung soziodemografischer Merkmale, des Gesundheitszustands und wirtschaftlicher Belastungen hebt sich der Zusammenhang zwischen depressiven Symptomen und Alter bei den Mannern auf und kehrt sich bei den Frauen sogar um. Daher sind Gesundheit und Lebensumstande von Senioren die Mediatoren fur den Zusammenhang zwischen Alter und seelischer Gesundheit, das Alter allein besitzt keine Erklarungskraft.
Techniques in utilizing remote sensor technology for precision crop production by farmers as climate change adaptation strategy in Nigeria.

This paper focuses on techniques in utilizing remote sensor technology for precision crop production by farmers as climate change adaptation strategy in Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study and was carried out between August 2013 and May 2014. The findings of the study revealed that 32 items were needed by farmers in utilizing sensory technology for precision crop production. The study recommended that the 32 items identified by the study should be utilized by extension agent in teaching the farmers the use of sensor technology for precision crop production while the farmers should make themselves available for the training.