Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizational Innovation in Victorian Social Housing

Different organizational forms may be developed at different points in time to meet societies’social welfare goals. This article considers how we can understand and explain change in the range of institutions chosen to address the problem of the London slums between 1840and1914.A number of theories, which posit some periodization or sequencing in the evolution of nonprofit, public, and for-profit provision, are examined and compared with this historical example. Theories that are implicitly periodized yet not properly historicized cannot account adequately for the process of change in the choice of organizational types to meet society’s social welfare goals. For the nonprofit field to learn from history, we must first understand the causal processes that lie behind that history and the factors that explain change as a process of continuity in particular contexts rather than as an abrupt transfer from one unspecified time period to the next.
The Effect of Income Taxation on Labor Supply when Deductions Are Endogenous

This paper extends the standard static model of labor supply and taxation to the case where people are able to legally avoid taxes through the use of itemized deductions. Tax deductible expenditures are treated as a Hicksian composite good with a price (for those who decide to itemize) proportional to one minus the marginal tax rate. Estimation of the commonly used linear labor supply model (extended to incorporate the additional composite good) on a cross-section of prime aged married men suggests that tax deductible consumption is an uncompensated substitute for leisure (and complement with labor). The impact of taxes through the relative price of deductible expenditures appears to be much stronger than through the net wage. Copyright 1992 by MIT Press.
The Relationship Between Financial Factors and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from U.S. Restaurant Firms

ABSTRACT This study empirically investigates the relationship between firm-wise financial factors and firm performance in the restaurant industry from 2000 to 2004 using panel data regression. A fixed effects model was determined to be the appropriate approach for the investigation. The model identifies debt leverage and activity as significant financial factors affecting restaurant firm performance. On the other hand, the intercept of the model was found to play an equally important role in a restaurant firm's market performance, implying that firm-wise nonfinancial factors should be examined in future research.
Religious and spirituality diversity at a multi-campus suburban university: what type of need for chaplaincy?

This article explores people's use of and need for religious and/or spiritual facilities, based on the findings from a survey sent to students and staff of a multi-campus suburban university. The results indicate that, in this context, people use facilities more for practising their faith/spirituality by themselves rather than to meet with others of similar beliefs. It also shows that a multi-faith pragmatic approach to religious diversity seems to match with student and staff needs.
Lumbar disk herniation: do MR imaging findings predict recurrence after surgical diskectomy?

PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate if the degree of disk degeneration and disk herniation volume at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are risk factors for recurrent disk herniation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The institutional review board permits such retrospective studies, and individual informed consent was not required. MR imaging findings obtained before initial diskectomy in 30 patients (mean age, 42.8 years; 10 women, 20 men) with recurrent disk herniation (study group) and 30 patients (mean age, 42.2 years; nine women, 21 men) without recurrence for at least 2 years after surgery (control group) were compared. Disk degeneration was assessed on T2-weighted sagittal MR images with a five-point grading system (grade I indicated no degeneration; grade II, horizontal hypointense bands within disk; grade III, inhomogeneous disk with intermediate signal intensity; grade IV, no distinction between inner and outer parts of disk; and grade V, collapsed hypointense disk). Disk herniation was classified as representing protrusion, extrusion, or sequestration. The volume of both the affected intervertebral disk and the herniated disk material was measured. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed by two readers. The chi(2) test was used for comparison of categorical variables. For comparison of disk degeneration and volumes between patients with and those without recurrence, a paired two-tailed t test was used. Odds ratios based on the extent of disk degeneration were calculated for the entire sample. RESULTS Advanced disk degeneration (grades IV and V) was significantly less frequent in the study group than in the control group (P < .006). The risk of recurrent disk herniation decreased by a factor of 3.4 for each increase in grade of disk degeneration (odds ratio: 3.58; 95% confidence interval: 1.3, 9.6; P = .011). Mean disk herniation volume as a percentage of intervertebral disk volume was 10.59% +/- 3.41 in the study group and 11.56% +/- 3.84 in the control group. This difference was not significant (P = .31). CONCLUSION Minor disk degeneration but not herniation volume represents a risk factor for the recurrence of disk herniation after diskectomy.
Insulin-like growth factor-I, but not growth hormone, is dependent on a high protein intake to increase nitrogen balance in the rat

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of dietary protein level on the protein anabolic effects of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Female growing rats were fed on either a high- or a low-protein diet with crude protein contents of 222 and 83 g/kg respectively. The diets contained the same amount of metabolizable energy (15·1 MJ/kg) and were given during a 14 d period. During the same time, three groups of rats (n 8) on each diet received subcutaneous infusions of either saline, recombinant human GH (rhGH) or recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I). rhGH and rhIGF-I were given in doses of 360 and 500 μg/d respectively. The low-protein diet alone reduced significantly (P < 0·05) IGF-I concentrations in serum and in tissue taken from the gastrocnemius muscle as well as IGF-I mRNA from the same muscle. The responses to rhGH and rhIGF-I in terms of muscle IGF-I and its mRNA were variable. However, when rhIGF-I was infused into rats on the high-protein diet, significantly elevated levels of IGF-I in muscle tissues could be observed. This was associated with a significantly (P < 0·05) increased N balance, whereas rhGH significantly (P < 0·05) enhanced the N balance in rats on the low-protein diet. Thus, it can be concluded that the level of dietary protein ingested regulates not only the effect of IGF-I on whole-body N economy but also the regulation of IGF-I gene expression in muscles. The exact mechanism by which GH exerts its protein anabolic effect, however, remains to be elucidated.
Managing transnational education: does national culture really matter?

This article reports on an exploratory study that examined the effect of national culture upon the management of Australia's provision of transnational higher education in Thailand. In particular, using Hofstede's national cultural value dimensions as an analytical tool, interviews with managers responsible for Australia's provision of transnational higher education in Thailand were examined with the aim of exploring how they understood national culture to affect their work and working environment. The findings suggest that, in the case of transnational education partnerships between Australian and Thai universities, managers believe national culture affects both the academic and operational management of their transnational higher education programs. The findings also have possible implications for both transnational education managers involved with other countries and for researchers of transnational education.
Technological Diffusion and Productivity Convergence: A Study for Manufacturing in the OECD

In this article is investigated the issue of total factor productivity convergence through international technological diffusion on disaggregate manufacturing panel data from 1970 to 1995 with respect to a set of OECD countries. Estimates of alternate growth equations imply conditional convergence in all industries. Leaving out the conditioning variables still implies a significant catch-up effect in a great majority of industries. These same industries are also characterized by ? -convergence and by a tendency toward a unimodal distribution of relative productivity levels. These results suggest that, during the period of investigation, total factor productivity growth performances in OECD manufacturing were dominated by transitional dynamics. Evidence in favor of the presence of a unit root in the technology gap between frontier and non-frontier countries is, therefore, misleading.
Transient Analysis of Adaptive Filters Using a General Framework

Employing a recently introduced framework in which a large number of adaptive filter algorithms can be viewed as special cases, we present a generalized transient analysis. An important implication of this is that while the theoretical analysis is performed for a generic filter coefficient update equation the results are directly applicable to a large range of adaptive filter algorithms simply by specifying some parameters of this generic filter coefficient update equation. In particular we point out that theoretical learning curves for the Least Mean Square (LMS), Normalized Least Mean Square (NLMS), the Affine Projection Algorithm (APA) and its relatives, as well as the Recursive Least Squares (RLS) algorithm are obtained as special cases of a general result. Subsequently, the recently introduced Fast Euclidian Direction Search (FEDS) algorithms as well as the Pradhan-Reddy subband adaptive filter (PRSAF) are used as non-trivial examples when we demonstrate the usefulness and versatility of the proposed approach to adaptive filter transient analysis through an experimental evaluation.
Development Aid, Agricultural Value Chains And Farmers’ Benefits: The Case of Vanilla Growers in Kasese, Uganda

This article assesses farmers’ benefits from a donor-funded programme that promoted non-traditional agricultural export crops, specifically vanilla and hot pepper. Data was obtained from a survey of 125 famers from eight farmers’ associations working with a Dutch NGO and trading company, four focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Kasese Smallholder Income and Investment Programme used a value chain approach helping farmers at various stages. Farmers benefited from input loans, agricultural skills, extension services and a market for their produce. Vanilla producers were affected by the persistent drop in the crop prices, which affected the sustainability of associations beyond the Kasese Smallholder Income and Investment Programme. Stronger famers’ associations will give more benefits; the government should therefore promote a nationwide cooperative movement and crop regulatory authorities so as to be able to help farmers sustainably.
"Actinomycetes, promising tools to control plant diseases and to promote plant growth"

Les actinomycetes representent une grande proportion de la biomasse microbienne du sol et ont la capacite de produire une large variete d’antibiotiques et d’enzymes extracellulaires. Plusieurs souches d’actinomycetes s’averent capables de proteger les plantes contre des maladies. Cette revue se penche sur le potentiel des actinomycetes comme (a) source de composes agronomiques, (b) agents stimulant la croissance des plantes et (c) agents de lutte biologique. La revue donne aussi des exemples de lutte biologique contre les agents phytopathogenes bacteriens et fongiques par l’utilisation d’especes d’actinomycetes deja disponibles sur le marche ou qui le seront probablement au cours des prochaines annees.
Lead–lag relationship between new-building and second-hand ship prices

We examine lead–lag relationships between new-building and second-hand ship prices. Our analysis shows the existence of a one-directional lead–lag relationship between two ship prices. The direction of lead–lag relationship is not affected by the time evolution and age of second-hand ships, but is affected by the division of shipping sector. Particularly, directions of ship price movements in dry bulk and tanker shipping sectors are opposite. We argue that the opposite directional lead–lag relationships are caused by the difference in competition levels and the difference in the purposes of trading in the two shipping sectors.
Exploring social capital of emerging farmers from Eksteenskuil, South Africa

The objective of this paper was to quantify the levels of social capital of emerging raisin producers from Eksteenskuil, and to explore the relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and their social capital levels. The respondents prove to have high levels of social capital. Interestingly, they tend to trust and get along with each other more than they actively participate in organised group activities in the community. Their social capital thus can be said to be more cognitive than structural. Higher levels of social capital were also found to be associated with higher age, experience and education levels of the respondents. Ultimately it was concluded that the complexity of social capital makes it difficult to implement initiatives that will contribute to developing the social capital levels of these farmers. Efforts to stimulate collective action and farmer-to-farmer skills transfer should take cognisance of the role of social dynamics in the behaviour of emerging farmers.
Gendered selves and identities of information technology professionals in global software organizations in India

Global software organization (GSOs) are a recent form of work settings where Information Technology (IT) professionals engage in information and communication technology (ICT) mediated software development work for businesses across the globe. Issues of self, identity, and gender are linked to particularities of GSOs as a work setting. Using an interpretative, ethnographic approach, empirical data from a case study in India was analyzed to understand how gender was expressed in GSOs and linked to the concepts of self and identity of IT workers. Data suggests that GSOs are a global work setting where local issues of gender reflect social arrangements in Indian society. These arrangements have implications for GSOs as a work setting, for software development work, as well as for the selves and identities of IT workers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Entry and Competition in Concentrated Markets

This paper proposes an empirical framework for measuring the effects of entry in concentrated markets. Building on models of entry in atomistically competitive markets, we show how the number of producers in an oligopolistic market varies with changes in demand and market competition. These analytical results structure our empirical analysis of competition in five retail and professional industries. Using data on geographically isolated monopolies, duopolies, and oligopolies, we study the relationship between the number of firms in a market, market size, and competition. Our empirical results suggest that competitive conduct changes quickly as the number of incumbents increases. In markets with five or fewer incumbents, almost all variation in competitive conduct occurs with the entry of the second or third firm. Surprisingly, once the market has between three and five firms, the next entrant has little effect on competitive conduct.
Nepali fuelwood production and consumption: Regional and household distinctions, substitution and successful intervention

This article uses household data from Nepal's two major populated regions (and 27 of 59 districts within those regions) to examine fuelwood consumption and production. In contrast with a purely market assessment, household analysis includes production which is consumed in the producing household. The household regressions yield coefficients and elasticities that are very different from and more reliable than a comparable assessment of market demand and supply. Household results generally support the hypotheses that expenditures on fuelwood are a small share of total household activity and that fuelwood is not sufficiently scarce to alter household behaviour. Fuelwood is sufficiently scarce, however, to alter behaviour for those households in the hill region that do not participate in market exchange. These households may be the best targets for public market interventions designed to alter fuelwood supply and deforestation.
Glutathione peroxidase-1 gene knockout on body antioxidant defense in mice.

To determine the in vivo role of cellular glutathione peroxidase (E.C.1.11.1.9, GPX1), we challenged the GPX1 knockout [GPX1(-/-)], the GPX1 overexpressing [GPX1(+)], and their respective wild-type (WT) mice of different Se and vitamin E status with acute oxidative stress. After these mice were injected with pro-oxidants paraquat or diquat at 12 to 125 mg/kg of body weight, their survival rate and time were a function of their GPX1 activity levels. The GPX1 protection was associated with attenuation of NADPH and NADH oxidation, protein carbonyl and F(2)-isoprostanes formation, and alanine transaminase release in various tissues, and was irreplaceable by high levels of dietary vitamin E or other selenoproteins. The GPX1 expression was also protective against moderate oxidative stress induced by low levels of paraquat or diquat, particularly in the Se-deficient mice. Alteration of GPX1 expression showed no impact on the expression of other selenoproteins and antioxidant enzymes in unstressed mice. Total Se content in liver of the Se-adequate GPX1(-/-) mice was reduced by 60% the WT controls. In conclusion, normal expression of GPX1 is essential and overexpression of GPX1 is beneficial to protect mice against acute oxidative stress.
Exploring knowledge work and leadership in online midwifery communication.

AIM This paper reports a study to answer the following question: if given a user-friendly online system, that enabled communication across the practice community, would midwives function as knowledge workers? BACKGROUND Globally, the demand for quality-led and innovative service delivery requires that nurses and midwives shift from being 'information workers', or passive receivers of managerial and organizational decisions, to become 'knowledge workers' who are able to create, lead and communicate service innovation and practice development. New communication technologies may offer a means for healthcare professionals to interact as knowledge workers and develop supportive communities of practice. METHODS An online discussion forum was implemented as a low-cost technological intervention, deploying existing hardware and a standard hospital intranet. The evaluation of the forum was constructed as case-study organizational research. The totality of online communication, both traffic and content, was analysed over a 3-month period (193 messages downloaded 2003/2004), and 15 in-depth interviews were undertaken with forum users. FINDINGS Given simple, facilitative, innovative technology, supported by a positive working culture and guided by effective leadership, midwives could function as 'knowledge workers', critically reflecting upon their practice and translating knowledge into action designed to achieve change in practice. Participation occurred across all staff grades, and midwives were predominantly supportive and facilitative towards the contributions made by colleagues. CONCLUSION; Midwives may be well placed to exemplify the 'ideal' characteristics of the knowledge worker being demanded of modern healthcare professionals. The deployment of online interactive technologies as part of strategic vision to enhance knowledge work among healthcare professionals should be given attention within health systems.
CCPs, Central Clearing, CSA, Credit Collateral and Funding Costs Valuation FAQ: Re-Hypothecation, CVA, Closeout, Netting, WWR, Gap-Risk, Initial and Variation Margins, Multiple Discount Curves, FVA?

We present a dialogue on Funding Costs and Counterparty Credit Risk modeling, inclusive of collateral, wrong way risk, gap risk and possible Central Clearing implementation through CCPs. This framework is important following the fact that derivatives valuation and risk analysis has moved from exotic derivatives managed on simple single asset classes to simple derivatives embedding the new or previously neglected types of complex and interconnected nonlinear risks we address here. This dialogue is the continuation of the "Counterparty Risk, Collateral and Funding FAQ" by Brigo (2011). In this dialogue we focus more on funding costs for the hedging strategy of a portfolio of trades, on the non-linearities emerging from assuming borrowing and lending rates to be different, on the resulting aggregation-dependent valuation process and its operational challenges, on the implications of the onset of central clearing, on the macro and micro effects on valuation and risk of the onset of CCPs, on initial and variation margins impact on valuation, and on multiple discount curves. Through questions and answers (Q&A) between a senior expert and a junior colleague, and by referring to the growing body of literature on the subject, we present a unified view of valuation (and risk) that takes all such aspects into account.
SCREENING OF DIFFERENT PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST LEAF SPOT (Cercospora arachidicola and Cercosporidium personatum) OF GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A study was undertaken to evaluate effectiveness of foliar spray with 33 plant extracts against leaf spot (Tikka) of groundnut caused by Cercospora arachidicola and Cercosporidium personatum. Bavistin and BAU-Biofungicide were included in the experiment as checks and spray of plain water represented control. Almost all treatments gave considerable reduction in disease incidence and increase in growth parameters, pod and haulm yield compared to control. The most effective materials were Bavistin 50 WP, BAU-Biofungicide, leaf extract of neem, tomato, datura black, and datura white. The materials decreased spot number per leaf, defoliation per plant, incidence of leaf spot, and number of infected leaf per plant by 35.45 -60.07, 42.06-72.20, 51.97–63.58, and 38.33 to 46.89 % and increased pod yield and haulm yield by 64.37-111.41 and 32.35- 74.71 %, respectively. The materials may be recommended against the disease after economic analysis. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjar.v38i3. 16976 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(3): 491-503, September 2013
Do Capital Inflows Matter to Asset Prices? The Case of Korea

In the present paper, we investigate whether capital flows induce domestic asset price hikes in the case of Korea. This issue is relevant for crisis-hit economies trying to prevent a boom-bust cycle as well as in the formulation of macroeconomic policy objectives in emerging market economies. Korea has recently experienced large capital inflows, in particular a surge in portfolio inflows. Furthermore, asset prices, including stock prices, land prices and nominal and real exchange rates, have also appreciated. The empirical results, obtained using a vector autoregression model, suggest that capital inflow shocks have caused stock prices but not land prices to increase. The effects on the nominal and real exchange rates have been limited, which relates to the accumulation of foreign exchange reserves. Copyright 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation 2009 East Asian Economic Association and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.