Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining the Effect of Corruption and Bureaucracy on SMEs Growth in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are considered a seed-bed of entrepreneurship and innovation in most emerging economies; nevertheless, SMEs sometimes lack an enabling business climate, which hinders their potential growth. This paper examines the effect of corruption and bureaucracy on SMEs growth in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. The study was a quantitative research, and convenience sampling method was employed to select 373 owners/managers as respondents for the study. Employing questionnaire as its main data collection instrument, the study used Gretl version 3.0 Statistical Software for the analysis of data collected. The results of the study revealed that 1% increase in corruption in the SMEs sector leads to 36.12% decline in SMEs growth (sales and employment), and 1% increase in bureaucracy leads to 28.76% decrease in the growth of SMEs. An interesting outcome of the study was that the excessive bureaucratic bottlenecks in the SMEs sector are implied by corruption. We, therefore, conclude that there is a significant negative relationship between corruption and bureaucracy and SMEs growth. It is, therefore, recommended that the government takes a giant-step to fight corruption in the SMEs sector by ensuring transparency and accountability of public officials and also streamline its systems and activities in the sector to reduce the excessive administrative barriers. The present study adds substantial value to the body of research on SMEs as it is the first research to have considered the joint effect of corruption and bureaucracy on SMEs growth in an emerging economy like Ghana. Published In: Munyoki, Bode (Eds.): Universities, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Africa - Conference Proceedings 2017. Nairobi, Kenya, 19. July 2017
Cumulative adversity and drug dependence in young adults: racial/ethnic contrasts.

AIMS To study cumulative exposure to stressors as a risk factor for drug dependence, and evaluate whether group differences in exposure contribute to differences in prevalence. DESIGN Cross-sectional community survey of life-time adverse experiences and substance and psychiatric disorders. SETTING Data collected between 1997 and 2000 in Miami-Dade County, USA. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1803 former Miami-Dade public school students, 93% between ages 19 and 21 years when interviewed. Males and females of Cuban origin, other Caribbean basin Hispanics, African-Americans and non-Hispanic whites are represented equally. MEASUREMENTS Drug dependence disorder assessed by DSM-IV criteria using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and a 41-item checklist of life-time exposure to major and potentially traumatic experiences. Both measures include age at time of first occurrence. FINDINGS Life-time rate of drug dependence disorder (total 14.3%) did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) by socio-economic group. Male rate (17.6%) was significantly greater than female rate (10.9%). The African-American rate (6.5%) was dramatically lower than non-Hispanic white (17.0%), Cuban (18.1%) and non-Cuban Hispanic (16.0%) rates despite their dramatically higher exposure to adversity. Twenty-eight of 33 individual adversities were associated with the subsequent onset of drug dependence (P < 0.05). Cumulative life-time exposure was greatest for males and for African-Americans, and was associated inversely with socio-economic level. Multivariate discrete-time event history analysis revealed significant independent effects of distal (>1 year earlier) and proximal (previous year) exposure to adverse events (P < 0.05), controlling for childhood conduct disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder and previous psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSIONS Life-time cumulative exposure to distant as well as more recent adversity predicts risk of subsequent drug dependence, although it does not explain ethnic group differences in risk.
Altruistic and Private Values For Saving Lives With an Oyster Consumption Safety Program

We use data from an Internet‐based survey and estimate the benefits of an oyster consumption safety policy with the contingent valuation method. In addition to providing a context‐specific estimate of willingness‐to‐pay for oyster safety, we consider an important issue in the contingent valuation mortality risk reduction literature. A number of studies find that willingness‐to‐pay for mortality risk reduction is not sensitive to the scope of the risk change. We present the scope test as a difference in the number of lives saved by the program, instead of small changes in risk, and find that referendum votes are responsive to scope. A third feature of this article is that we identify those at‐risk respondents who would most benefit from the policy and decompose willingness‐to‐pay into use values and altruistic nonuse values. We find that willingness‐to‐pay per life saved ranges from $3.95 million to $7.69 million for the private good of lives saved when the respondent is at risk (i.e., use values). Willingness‐to‐pay per life saved including both use and altruistic nonuse values ranges from $6.89 million to $12.87 million.
A Review of the Determinants of Counterfeiting and Piracy and the Proposition for Future Research

The objective of this study is, through a review of current literature on product counterfeiting and piracy, to propose specific topics that future research needs to investigate. Specifically, the study calls for developing a framework explaining the whole process of counterfeiting production, distribu- tion, and consumption; estimating the revenue losses more accurately; surveying real buyers rather than students; examining a variety of manufacturer and con- sumer motivations in contextual factors; and studying the interactive complexity between the demand-side and supply-side driving factors. In conclusion, the study discusses policy and research implications.
A balanced scorecard approach to fibre supply for Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership

Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership (CPLP) is a pulp and paper manufacturing facility located in Prince George, British Columbia. The key component in making pulp and paper is wood fibre. Within the Fibre department, a clear strategy must be mapped that considers all of the internal and external forces at work. The objective of this study is to use the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) approach to build a strategy map for the Fibre department. Kaplan and Norton first recognized that financial measures alone could not be used to assess a company's overall performance. By including the perspectives of customers, innovation and growth, and internal business processes, one could build a more comprehensive strategy map. The current work of Kaplan and Norton outlines the process to link the strategic map to operations for competitive advantage. This study is limited to building a strategic map for CPLP's Fibre department. It is meant to be a prototype for a corporate-wide initiative encompassing the vision of the entire company. --P. ii.
Low self-esteem and high psychological distress are common among depressed adolescents presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract Background Increasing psychiatric disorders and alcohol intoxication challenge the pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) to which adolescents are referred owing to acute alcohol intoxication. Objective This study examined the degree to which adolescents presenting to PED with alcohol intoxication or deliberate self-harm report symptoms of depression and how they differed from non-depressed patients in terms of alcohol use, perceived social support, psychological distress, self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts. Methods In a sample of 138 adolescents, 12- to 16-years old (62% females), we assessed the patients’ psychiatric status using self-report scales and analyzed blood samples for alcohol. Before discharge, a consulting psychiatrist interviewed each patient to evaluate possible suicidality and organized aftercare when necessary. The mediating data-driven hypothesis was examined. Adolescents scoring ≥ 10 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were deemed as screening positive for depression. Results In 55% of participants, intoxication was by alcohol consumption. Deliberate self-harm was found in 17% of the participants. Of the 138 adolescents, 39% scored positive on the BDI for depressive symptoms, occurring more commonly in girls. Logistic regression showed that the most significant variables associated with depressive symptoms were female gender, high psychological distress, and low self-esteem. Symptoms of depression served as a mediator between gender and self-esteem and the blood alcohol level. Conclusions Our findings underscore the importance of identifying mood disorders, suicidality, and self-esteem among adolescents with acute alcohol intoxication at the PED. Intensive psychiatric evaluation in an emergency department is necessary in order to detect those adolescents requiring additional treatment and support.
Context-Aware Handover Policies in HetNets

Next generation cellular systems are expected to entail a wide variety of wireless coverage zones, with cells of different sizes and capacities that can overlap in space and share the transmission resources. In this scenario, which is referred to as Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets), a fundamental challenge is the management of the handover process between macro, femto and pico cells. To limit the number of handovers and the signaling between the cells, it will hence be crucial to manage the user's mobility considering the context parameters, such as cells size, traffic loads, and user velocity. In this paper, we propose a theoretical model to characterize the performance of a mobile user in a HetNet scenario as a function of the user's mobility, the power profile of the neighboring cells, the handover parameters, and the traffic load of the different cells. We propose a Markov-based framework to model the handover process for the mobile user, and derive an optimal context-dependent handover criterion. The mathematical model is validated by means of simulations, comparing the performance of our strategy with conventional handover optimization techniques in different scenarios. Finally, we show the impact of the handover regulation on the users performance and how it is possible to improve the users capacity exploiting context information.
Unjustified exclusion of elderly people from studies submitted to research ethics committee for approval: descriptive study

Ageism in clinical practice1 and published research2 is well recognised. We were interested in whether research protocols submitted to the local research ethics committee contained unjustified upper age limits and how the committee dealt with this. We reviewed all studies submitted to Bro Taf local research ethics committee in the first seven months of 1999 to determine whether any upper age limits were justified and whether the committee had commented on such age restrictions. We then made a judgment on the appropriateness of the upper age limit. Of 225 studies whose protocols were reviewed, 65 were on topics or conditions that automatically excluded elderly people. Five studies specifically concerned elderly people and had a lower age limit but no upper limit. Of the remaining 155, 90 (58%) had an upper age limit, which …
Determining the Importance of Competency and Person-Job Fit for the Job Performance of Service SMEs Employees in Malaysia

The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have contributed to the economic growth and competitiveness of many countries. However, as the SMEs continue to grow as an important entity in many economies including Malaysia, many factors have dampened such progress. While previous studies had focused on its macro perspective in terms of firm level and industry level performance, this study attempted to address the basic issue of SMEs employees in terms of their job performance. This study is underpinned by the theory of job performance and further supported by the theory of congruence. The main objective of this research is to investigate on the relationship that may exist between three variables comprised of competency, person-job fit and the employees’ job performance in the context of service SMEs. Using a quantitative method, a sample of 324 responses was collected using a mail survey from 1500 distributed questionnaires. Results show significant relationships between competency, person-job fit and the job performance of employees. Conclusions and implications of the study were discussed.
Norwegian Nurses’ Experiences with Blended Learning: An Evaluation Study

An increasing number of nurses undertake continuing education via information and communication technologies. Development of best practice, based on students’ own experiences, is vital in order to create the most effective learning environment. This paper describes the challenges to and facilitators of learning for a group of Norwegian nurses enrolled in a postgraduate course in wound management delivered by blended learning, which combines face-to-face and online components. Data was gathered through a focus group interview and inductive content analysis was used to identify themes emerging from the data. A number of both personal and academic facilitators, and challenges impacted on these adult learners. Technical and academic problems combined with a lack of time created a steep learning curve for these adult students. Valuable feedback, IT support at home and an increased competence eventually gave them a foundation for lifelong learning. Blended learning is an important way to offer postgraduate courses to give adults access to continuing educational programmes independent of geographical location. Both academic and personal challenges and facilitators should be taken into account when educators design blended learning courses in order to facilitate an effective learning environment for adults through the best blend of face-to-face and online learning.
Functional aspects of factor VIII expression after transplantation of genetically‐modified hematopoietic stem cells for hemophilia A

Major complications with respect to the development of gene therapy treatments for hemophilia A include low factor VIII (fVIII) expression and humoral immune responses resulting in inhibitory anti‐fVIII antibodies. We previously achieved sustained curative fVIII activity levels in hemophilia A mice after nonmyeloablative transplantation of genetically‐modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) encoding a B‐domain deleted porcine fVIII (BDDpfVIII) transgene with no evidence of an immune response.
Investigating Revisit Intentions for the Boutique Hotels of Penang-A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The growth in the number and variety of boutique hotels in tourist destinations has stimulated a wide range of research studies. Nevertheless, within Malaysia, the area remains under studied. In 2008, George Town, a popular heritage destination in Malaysia, was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, and since then the number of boutique hotels and tourist arrivals have steadily grown. But, to date, there has been no investigation of the determinants of tourists’ revisit intention to boutique hotels. Such a study is timely and needed. Based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as its theoretical foundation, this study investigates the determinants of customers’ revisit intention for boutique hotels. The findings from 78 completed questionnaires indicate that attitude, subjective norm and customer satisfaction influence customers’ revisit intention. Surprisingly, the effect of perceived behavioural control and overall image upon customer revisit intention was not significant.
TRENDS IN SERVITIZATION: EVIDENCE FROM CROATIA

Servitization of manufacturing is a hot topic with around 180 publications in top peer reviewed journals. This hype is due to the proclaimed benefits of servitization in terms of increased revenues and better competitive position. However, servitization if not performed correctly can even lead to bankruptcy of a company. So it may be safely said that the servitization strategy is risky. The current literature shows inconsistent results, and there is still no prescription on how to servitize. Research in servitization is still in a nascent phase dominated by case based and exploratory studies rather than testing servitization theory. Most research is done in western developed countries with a clear lack of evidence of the phenoemenon in less developed countries. This work contributes to theory by addressing the servitization phenomenon in a less developed country – Croatia. The analysis is performed on three rounds of European Manufacturing Survey (EMS) taken place in years 2009, 2012 and 2015. , covering a period of nine years. In this way longitudinal effects of servitization can be researched. So on one side a process of servitization is researched and on the other hand contextual variables leading to servitization are researched in line with open questions in current literature. The results show that Croatian manufacturers follow trends similar to those in developed western countries, except for provision of advanced services. Current literature advises to provide advanced services. However, advanced services cannot be given without base services and there are important risk issues in provision of advanced services. This work presents a ground for further investigation of servitization, showing the current state of servitization in Croatia and future directions for research.
Acoustic scattering from a contrast agent microbubble near an elastic wall of finite thickness

Interest in the problem under consideration in this study is motivated by targeted ultrasound imaging where one has to deal with microbubble contrast agents pulsating near blood vessel walls. A modified Rayleigh–Plesset equation is derived that describes the oscillation of a contrast agent microbubble near an elastic wall of finite thickness. It is assumed that the medium behind the wall is a fluid but it is shown that the equation obtained is easily transformable to the case that the medium behind the wall is an elastic solid. In contrast to the model of a rigid wall, which predicts decreasing natural frequency of a bubble near the wall, the elastic wall model reveals that the bubble natural frequency can both decrease and increase, and in cases of interest for medical applications, the bubble natural frequency usually increases. It is found that the influence of an elastic wall on the acoustic response of a bubble is determined by the ratio between a cumulative parameter, which integrally characterizes the mechanical properties of the wall and has the dimension of density, and the density of the liquid surrounding the bubble. It is shown that the acoustic influence of the arterial wall on the bubble is weak and apparently cannot be used to recognize the moment when the bubble approaches the wall. However, in experiments where the behavior of bubbles near various plastic walls is observed, changes in the bubble response, such as increasing natural frequency and decreasing oscillation amplitude, are detectable.
Perceived quality and intention to revisit coffee concept shops in Malaysia: A mixed-methods approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of perceived quality on intention to revisit coffee concept shops among regular and irregular consumers. Specifically, the framework developed by Pine and Gilmore (2000) is adopted to look into the effect of product, service and experience qualities on intention to revisit. Design/methodology/approach The explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used to articulate the intention of consumers to revisit coffee concept shops. A preliminary study was conducted to define regular and irregular consumers. Self-administered questionnaire was first administered before using interview to elicit more insights and triangulate the findings. Findings The combination of both quantitative and qualitative findings show that the experiences of regular consumers at coffee concept shops include personal routine activities, while the experiences of irregular customers are composed of occasions with specific and collective purposes. While the intention to revisit of the former is related to the product and service quality, the intention of the latter is largely affected by its service and experience quality. Originality/value Given the rapid rise of coffee concept shops in the developing markets, the use of a mixed-methods design provides more insights into the intention to revisit of the regular and irregular consumers. It underscores the importance for the organisations to know what really matters to the diverse consumers.
On the structuring of distributed systems : the argument for mobility

The last decade has seen an explosion in the growth and use of the Internet. Rapidly evolving network and computer technology, coupled with the exponential growth of services and information available on the Internet, is heralding in a new era of ubiquitous computing. Hundreds of millions of people will soon have pervasive access to a huge amount of information, which they will be able to access through a plethora of diverse computational devices. These devices are no longer isolated number crunching machines; rather they are on our desks, on our wrists, in our clothes, embedded in our cars, phones and even washing machines. These computers are constantly communicating with each other via LANs, Intranets, the Internet, and through wireless networks, in which the size and topology of the network is constantly changing. Over this hardware substrate we are attempting to architect new types of distributed system, ones that are able to adapt to changing qualities and location of service. Traditional theories and techniques for building distributed systems are being challenged. In this new era of massively distributed computing we require new paradigms for building distributed systems. This thesis is concerned with how we structure distributed systems. In Part I, we trace the emergence and evolution of computing abstractions and build a philosophical argument supporting mobile code, contrasting it with traditional distribution abstractions. Further, we assert the belief that the abstractions used in traditional distributed systems are flawed, and are not suited to the underlying hardware substrate on which contemporary global networks are built. In Part U, we describe the experimental work and subsequent evaluation that constitutes the first steps taken to validate the arguments of Part I.