Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty avoidance and the exploration-exploitation trade-off

Purpose This study aims to investigate how a firm’s uncertainty avoidance – as indicated by the headquarters’ national culture – impacts firm performance by affecting exploratory (product innovation) and exploitative (brand trademark protection) activities. It aims to show that firms characterized by high levels of uncertainty avoidance may be less competitive in the exploratory product development stage, but may be more competitive in the exploitative commercialization stage by producing more durable brands. Design/methodology/approach The study uses data from US Software Security Industry (SSI) trademarks, registered by firms from 11 countries during 1993–2000, that provide 2,911 trademarks and a panel of 18,213 observations. It uses the SSI database to identify the number of product innovations introduced by firms. Findings Results show that uncertainty avoidance lowers the rate of product innovation, but helps firms to appropriate more value by greater protection of their brands. Uncertainty avoidance thus creates an exploration–exploitation trade-off. Practical implications This study provides useful insights for managers regarding where to locate a firm’s front-end development (product innovation) activities and commercialization (brand trademarking protection) activities. Originality/value This is the first study to demonstrate the influence of a cultural trait on both explorative and exploitative stages simultaneously. As a methodological contribution, it shows how objective, longitudinal brand trademark data can be used to analyze the long-term impact of marketing activities on firm performance.
A Comparison of Job Performance and Disciplinary Records of Smokers and Nonsmokers

Abstract The authors compared job performance and receipt of disciplinary action among smoking and nonsmoking hotel employees using organizational records and observation. Although smokers and nonsmokers did not differ on 3 measures of discipline, there were significant differences on a guest relations performance dimension and a summated overall job performance measure. Smokers received higher ratings than did non-smokers. Implications of these findings for the management of smoking behavior in the workplace are discussed.
Mutations in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Kinase Cbk1p Lead to a Fertility Defect That Can Be Suppressed by the Absence of Brr1p or Mpt5p (Puf5p), Proteins Involved in RNA Metabolism

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae the protein kinase Cbk1p is a member of the regulation of Ace2p and cellular morphogenesis (RAM) network that is involved in cell separation after cytokinesis, cell integrity, and cell polarity. In cell separation, the RAM network promotes the daughter cell-specific localization of the transcription factor Ace2p, resulting in the asymmetric transcription of genes whose products are necessary to digest the septum joining the mother and the daughter cell. RAM and SSD1 play a role in the maintenance of cell integrity. In the presence of a wild-type SSD1 gene, deletion of any RAM component causes cell lysis. We show here that some mutations of CBK1 also lead to a reduced fertility and a reduced expression of some of the mating type-specific genes. As polarized growth is an integral part of the mating process, we have isolated suppressors of the fertility defect. Among these, mutations in BRR1 or MPT5 lead to a restoration of fertility and a more-or-less pronounced restoration of polarity; they also show genetic interactions with SSD1. Our experiments reveal a multilayered system controlling aspects of cell separation, cell integrity, mating, and polarized growth.
Avoidance of smoking: the impact of warning labels in Brazil

Background: Research on human emotion shows that pictures drive the activity of specialised brain networks affecting attitude and behaviour. Pictorial warnings on cigarette packages are considered one of the most effective ways to convey information on the health consequences of smoking. However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of warning labels to elicit avoidance of smoking. Objectives: To investigate the impact of pictorial health warnings conveyed by the Brazilian tobacco control programme through a well-established psychometric tool designed for studies on emotion and behaviour. Methods: Graphic Brazilian cigarette warnings labels were evaluated. They consisted of the two sets of warning pictures displayed in 2002–4 (n = 9) and 2004–8 (n = 10). Pleasant, unpleasant and neutral pictures selected from a standard catalogue were used as controls. Undergraduate students (n = 212, 18% smokers) evaluated the emotional content of each picture in two affective dimensions: hedonic valence and arousal. Participants were not provided with the sources of distinction between control and warning pictures. Results: The judgements of hedonic content of the warning pictures ranged from neutral to very unpleasant. None was classified as highly arousing. Smokers judged warning pictures representing people smoking significantly more pleasant than pictures without smoking scenes, and significantly more so than non-smokers. No significant differences between smokers and non-smokers were found for warning pictures without these smoking scenes. Conclusion: Previous studies have shown that the most threatening and arousing pictures prompt the greatest evidence of defensive activation. Emotional ratings of Brazilian warning pictures described them as unpleasant but moderately arousing. To intensify avoidance of the packages, future graphic warnings should therefore generate more arousal. The ratings for the Brazilian warning pictures indicated that, except for those depicting people smoking, judgements by smokers and non-smokers were similar, suggesting a potential applicability in both prevention and cessation. Smoking cues, however, should be avoided.
Characterization of epoxy microcomposite and nanocomposite materials for power engineering applications

This article presents the results from round-robin tests performed on epoxy composite materials. These results show the potential of these materials for use as electrical insulation in some specific applications. A small section of the article addresses the health and safety issues related to the use of nanoparticles in the electrical power engineering industry. We define epoxy nanocomposites as epoxy-based materials containing exclusively nanosized filler particles. Epoxy microcomposites are defined as epoxy materials containing exclusively microsized filler particles, and epoxy micro+nano composites are materials containing both microsized and nanosized particles.
Slow-Moving Liquidity Provision and Flow-Driven Common Factors in Stock Returns

Since 1965, retail investors frequently made large capital reallocation across mutual funds of different size and value styles. These flows generated large price pressures that reverse in the subsequent two years, explaining approximately 30% of Fama-French size and value factor return movements. I show evidence that flows explain so much price movement due to slow-moving capital. Most institutional investors, except active mutual funds and perhaps hedge funds, do not trade against flow-induced price dislocations. Surprisingly, the largest liquidity provision comes from companies trading their own stocks. The liquidity provision responses are slow, consistent with the slow speed of price reversion.
Production of Salvianolic Acid B in Roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) During the Post-Harvest Drying Process

Drying is the most common and fundamental procedure in the post-harvest processing which contributes to the quality and valuation of medicinal plants. However, attention to and research work on this aspect is relatively poor. In this paper, we reveal dynamic variations of concentrations of five major bioactive components, namely salvianolic acid B (SaB), dihydrotanshinone I, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA, in roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dashen) during the drying process at different oven temperatures. A minor amount of SaB was found in fresh materials while an noticeable increase in SaB was detected in drying at 50~160 °C. The maximal value occured after 40 min of drying at 130 °C and its variation showed a reverse V-shaped curve. Production of SaB exhibited a significant positive correlation with drying temperatures and a significant negative correlation with sample moistures. The amounts of tanshinones were nearly doubled in the early stage of drying and their variations showed similar changing trends with drying temperatures and sample moistures. The results supported our speculation that postharvest fresh plant materials, especially roots, were still physiologically active organs and would exhibit a series of anti-dehydration mechanisms including production of related secondary metabolites at the early stage of dehydration. Hence, the proper design of drying processes could contribute to promoting rather than reducing the quality of Danshen and other similar medicinal plants.
In vivo determination of substrate specificity of hepatitis C virus NS3 protease: genetic assay for site-specific proteolysis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease is responsible for the processing of the viral polyprotein and is considered as a primary target for the development of anti-HCV therapy. We have developed a genetic method in yeast to screen for good substrate sequences of the NS3 protease. A library of fusion proteins was constructed with a transcription factor, GAL4, linked to the intracellular domain of an integral membrane protein, STE2, by a randomized protease substrate sequence. In yeast cells expressing NS3 protease, the substrate sequences in the fusion proteins were specifically recognized and cleaved. This cleavage resulted in the release of GAL4 from the cytoplasmic membrane and the subsequent activation of reporter genes by GAL4, which was detected by the growth of yeast cells on selective media. Based on the analysis of 69 isolated substrate sequences, a consensus sequence was deduced: (Glu/Asp)-X-Val-Val-(Leu/Pro)-Cys / (Ser/Ala), with the scissile bond being located between Cys and Ser or Ala and X not being determined. This is largely consistent with the previous results obtained by biochemical methods. An oligopeptide containing the deduced sequence was highly efficiently cleaved in vitro by the purified NS3 protease. These data demonstrated that the present genetic method could be used as an efficient tool for the in vivo determination of substrate specificity of proteases.
Experimental Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection of Adults

Volunteers were inoculated with a low (102.7 pfu), or 200-fold higher dose (105.0 pfu) of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The low dose infected 100% of the men but did not produce illness; the level of virus replication and the magnitude of the subsequent antibody response were inversely correlated with the level of nasal secretory neutralizing antibody prior to infection. The high dose infected only 53% of the men (9 of 17); five of the infected men became ill. Two of the men who excreted virus apparently resisted experimental inoculation and acquired infection secondarily by contact with infected men. The differences in rates of infection between the two studies were minimized if only those men who had extensive infection (virus excretion τ; 102.5 pfu or significant antibody responses) were considered. Resistance to extensive infection in both studies, and resistance to illness in the second study, appeared to be correlated with high levels of nasal wash antibody, but not with the level of serum antibody.
Does High-Skilled Migration Affect Publicly Financed Investments?

This paper analyzes the interaction between migration of high-skilled labor and publicly financed investment. We develop a theoretical model with multiple, ex ante identical jurisdictions where individuals decide on education and subsequent emigration. Migration decisions are based on differences in net income across jurisdictions which may occur endogenously. The interaction between income differences and migration flows gives rise to the potential of multiple equilibria: a symmetric equilibrium without migration and an asymmetric equilibrium in which net income levels differ among jurisdictions and trigger migration flows. In the former equilibrium, all jurisdictions have the same public investment level. In the latter one, public investment is high in host economies of skilled expatriates and low in source economies. We empirically test the hypothesis that emigration rates are negatively associated with publicly financed investment levels for OECD countries.
Gut microbiota analysis reveals a marked shift to bifidobacteria by a starter infant formula containing a synbiotic of bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I-3446.

Non-digestible milk oligosaccharides were proposed as receptor decoys for pathogens and as nutrients for beneficial gut commensals like bifidobacteria. Bovine milk contains oligosaccharides, some of which are structurally identical or similar to those found in human milk. In a controlled, randomized double-blinded clinical trial we tested the effect of feeding a formula supplemented with a mixture of bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides (BMOS) generated from whey permeate, containing galacto-oligosaccharides and 3'- and 6'-sialyllactose, and the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) strain CNCM I-3446. Breastfed infants served as reference group. Compared with a non-supplemented control formula, the test formula showed a similar tolerability and supported a similar growth in healthy newborns followed for 12 weeks. The control, but not the test group, differed from the breast-fed reference group by a higher faecal pH and a significantly higher diversity of the faecal microbiota. In the test group the probiotic B. lactis increased by 100-fold in the stool and was detected in all supplemented infants. BMOS stimulated a marked shift to a bifidobacterium-dominated faecal microbiota via increases in endogenous bifidobacteria (B. longum, B. breve, B. bifidum, B. pseudocatenulatum).
Effects of IFRS 16 on Key Financial Ratios: A New Methodological Approach

In January 2016, the IASB issued a new standard for lease accounting (IFRS 16). IFRS 16 will lead to the capitalisation of the majority of current operating leases by lessees. We analyse the impact of the new accounting model on entity’s key financial, contributing to research by making significant changes in the Imhoff et al. (1991, 1997) methodology used by previous authors. We change how the lease term is estimated (more aligned with the final approved standard), and how the discount rate is obtained. Furthermore, we use a more comprehensive sample (646 quoted European companies). In line with previous research we find important systematic impacts on key balance sheet financial ratios (mainly leverage ratios), on a magnitude that depends on the operating lease intensity of the sector in which the entity operates. Our estimated impact is generally higher than that obtained in previous studies. The most affected sectors are retail, hotels and transportation. We do not find a consistent result with regard to the effect on profitability ratios.
Estimation of Seismic Load Demand for a Wind Turbine in the Time Domain: Preprint

Turbines installed in seismically active regions such as the Pacific Rim or the Mediterranean must consider loads induced by base shaking from an earthquake. To account for this earthquake risk, current International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certification requirements provide a simplified method for calculating seismic loads which is intended to be conservative. Through the addition of capabilities, it is now possible to simulate earthquake loading of a wind turbine in conjunction other load sources such as wind and control system behavior using the FAST code. This paper presents a comparison of three earthquake loading scenarios of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) offshore 5-MW baseline wind turbine: idling; continued operation through an earthquake; and an emergency shutdown initiated by an earthquake. Using a set of 22 earthquake records, simulations are conducted for each load case. A summary of the resulting tower moment demand is presented to assess the influence of operational state on the resulting structural demand.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in five schools of the San Juan metropolitan area: assesment of teacher's knowledge.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to explore the level of knowledge that a group of Puerto Rican teachers have about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the most common psychiatric disorder in school age children. METHOD the design was descriptive experimental. One hundred thirty two school teachers of five different schools (public and private) from the metropolitan area of San Juan participated in the study. Questionnaires administered included demographic data of participants; 29 true or false questions, (obtained from the DSM-IV TR diagnostic criteria of ADHD and other behavioral disorders); and five 'vignettes' of children with common behavioral problems observed in the classroom. Logistic regression was used in the analysis of data. RESULTS Thirty five per cent of the teachers reported to have had previous knowledge about ADHD. Seventy two per cent (72) reported a low level of knowledge about the disorder as reflected on the true/false section, while 60% were able to identify two out of three vignettes of children with characteristics of ADHD. No statistically significant correlation was found between teachers' level of knowledge and other variables studied (age, gender, college where obtained the degree, years of experience, the level they teach or previous training obtained about ADHD). DISCUSSION The findings evidence the limited information and confusion that teachers have about ADHD. A thorough revision of the curricular content of teachers in training is recommended so that they become knowledgeable about the common behavioral problems that commonly affect children. Teachers' observations are important sources of information for child psychiatrists in the process of evaluation and diagnosing children with ADHD. Therefore, is critical that teachers in the public and private sectors become aware of these characteristics so they are able to identify these children as early as possible.
Implementation of Power Efficient Parallel Chien Search Architecture using Modified Booth Encoding

ABSTARCT-The short horizontal Bose chaudari Hocquenghem (BCH) Chien search for signs of a new power-saving (CS) structure is proposed. For syndrome-based decoding, CS plays an important role in identifying the areas of error, but incurs a huge waste of exhaustive computation power consumption. The proposed architecture, the process of searching for the binary representation of the matrix is decomposed in two steps. This is neither new low power architecture for parallel CS provided. By reducing access to the second stage of the conventional CS to achieve significant power savings is decomposed in two steps. Error operate under the same ownership, the less energy the size of the CS in the construction sector in different configurations, and error correction capability of the horizontal factor compared to traditional construction. Power saving horizontal factor or increase the size of the field will become more and more important.Further this project is enhanced by replacing by multiplier architecture with radix8 modified booth multiplication algorithm for more power and area reduction. Radix4 modified booth encoding algorithm produces 50 percent reduction in partial products.
A Case of Fetal Intestinal Volvulus Without Malrotation Causing Severe Anemia

Fetal intestinal volvulus without malrotation is a rare, life-threatening disease. Left untreated, hemorrhage from necrotic bowel tissue will lead to severe fetal anemia and even intrauterine death. We encountered a case of fetal intestinal volvulus causing severe anemia, which was diagnosed postnatally and successfully treated with surgical intervention.
Assessment of beef cattle production, management practices and marketing system in Lume District of east Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Study was conducted to assess beef cattle production, management practices and marketing system in Lume district, East Shoa Zone, Oromia. Traditional, semi-intensive and intensive beef cattle production and marketing system were considered for the study. For this purpose 120 respondents were included based on discussions with district livestock experts, 1 kebele for intensive; 2 kebeles from semi-intensive fattening systems were purposively selected as they are the only kebeles practicing intensive and semi-intensive fattening in the district. From the traditional system, three kebeles were randomly selected. Structured and semi-structured questioners were used to collect data from sampled households. In addition the performance of beef animals and chemical composition of major feedstuff were evaluated on eleven purposively selected feedlots and households (2 intensive feed lots, 3 semi-intensive and 6 from traditional). Major feed resources used from the 11 households involved in body weight monitoring were collected and chemical composition determined. From the interviewed households, 100%, 85%, 75%, 63%, and 55% of them use crop residues, aftermath grazing, grazing from communal, roadside and riverside areas, respectively. The majority of the respondents (82.5%) provided additional supplement for their cattle during dry season. Traditional fatteners commonly used noug cake (72.2%) and local brewery by-product (70%) as the main sources of feed. During wet season the major feed resources was grazing (76.3%) while during the dry seasons, tethering (49.1%, free grazing (41.6%) and cut and carry system (1.6%) were the main feed resources. The majority (82.5%) of the farmers supplement cattle during dry season which was provided once a day (44.2%), twice a day (21.7%) and whenever available (34.2%). Traditional fatteners mainly use their own animal for fattening from their herds. The semi-intensive and intensive fatteners purchase fattening animals from another source. The most preferred animal for fattening was old oxen (56.7%) in the traditional fattening system while young bull (20.8%) was used in semicommercial and intensive fatteners. Cattle were fattened once, twice and trice a year under traditional, semi-intensive, intensive production systems, respectively. In all production systems, decision of ending fattening period was made based on live weight change. The average length of fattening period was 3-4, 3, 3 months for traditional, semi-intensive and intensive system, respectively. At the market places, the main buyers of beef cattle were local traders (74.2%) in traditional and semi-intensive systems. According to the respondents, reasons for prices variation were involvement of number of traders (75.8%), road and transportation accessibility (15%) and proximity to urban (9.2%) places. The determinants of price of animals (purchased/sold) were breed (29.2%), weight (28.3%), and color (26.7%) and age (15%). The majority of the producers (95.4%) in traditional fattening system and semi-