Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social Capital and Dynamic Capability Driving Competitive Advantage: The Moderating Role of Corporate Governance

In the search for factors that drive competitive advantage, this paper develops a framework that links a firm’s capabilities and resources to its competitive advantage. The notion of governance is used as a supervisory mechanism for an organization’s sources of competitive advantage. In light of empirical advancement, this paper examines panel data of 250 high technology firms from 2001 to 2009. The findings demonstrate that the impact of dynamic capability for production on competitive advantage is positive. However, the dynamic capability for R&D does not have a significant effect. Moreover, the social capital to build network relationships with a firm’s partners emerges as essential in achieving competitive advantage. We also find that governance moderates the impact of dynamic capability and social capital on competitive advantage. The findings of this study have important management implications. Limitations of the study are considered and future research directions are identified.
Evaluation of the Disease Surveillance System in Adjumani District Refugee Settlements, Uganda, April 2017

Background: Adjumani District in Uganda has hosted refugees in camps since the onset of the South Sudan conflict in Dec 2013. Since then, Adjumani refugee settlements have experienced measles, cholera, and hepatitis E outbreaks. Health care, disease surveillance, and response for these refugees is carried out by both government health facilities and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) using the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) guidelines. Methods: We evaluated attributes of the surveillance system using CDC MMWR 2001 guidelines for public health surveillance as a reference. Time liness was defined as proportion of reports received by the monthly due dates at the MOH. We interviewed District Health Team and health facility staff using a standardized questionnaire to determine their readiness to conduct IDSR, and used a checklist to ascertain the availability of surveillance tools. Results: The surveillance system was adequate regarding stability, acceptability, and representativeness. NGO health facilities used HIS, which lacked some variables in the standard HMIS used by the MOH.
Terminus advance, kinematics and mass redistribution during eight surges of Donjek Glacier, St. Elias Range, Canada, 1935 to 2016

ABSTRACT Donjek Glacier has an unusually short and regular surge cycle, with eight surges identified since 1935 from aerial photographs and satellite imagery with a ~12 year repeat interval and ~2 year active phase. Recent surges occurred during a period of long-term negative mass balance and cumulative terminus retreat of 2.5 km since 1874. In contrast to previous work, we find that the constriction where the valley narrows and bedrock lithology changes, 21 km from the terminus, represents the upper limit of surging, with negligible surface speed or elevation change up-glacier from this location. This positions the entire surge-type portion of the glacier in the ablation zone. The constriction geometry does not act as the dynamic balance line, which we consistently find at 8 km from the glacier terminus. During the 2012–2014 surge event, the average lowering rate in the lowest 21 km of the glacier was 9.6 m a−1, while during quiescence it was 1.0 m a−1. Due to reservoir zone refilling, the ablation zone has a positive geodetic balance in years immediately following a surge event. An active surge phase can result in a strongly negative geodetic mass balance over the surge-type portion of the glacier.
Variation in size-at-age between native cutthroat and introduced brown trout in allopatry and sympatry: implications for competitive interaction.

Brown trout Salmo trutta have been introduced into aquatic ecosystems throughout the western United States and have been implicated in the extirpation of many native cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii populations. We document patterns of size-at-age among multiple pop- ulations of brown trout and cutthroat trout in allopatry and sympatry. Comparisons were based on data from 48 allopatric populations (9 brown trout and 39 cutthroat trout) and 2 sympatric popula- tions gathered from published reports and field collections. Brown trout are significantly larger than same-age cutthroat trout at all ages in both sympatry and allopatry. Size-at-age was also sig- nificantly negatively influenced with increasing latitude and elevation. The size-at-age for both species is reduced when in sympatry, but the reduction is more pronounced for brown trout. Cut- throat trout may be able to persist in the presence of brown trout in these instances because of the limited competitive ability of brown trout due to the reduced size, which may be a result of sub- optimal conditions of the habitat. The fact that brown trout are unable to exclude cutthroat trout when growth is restricted suggests that size is an important mechanism of competitive exclusion of cutthroat trout by brown trout.
Size matters: abundance matching, galaxy sizes, and the Tully-Fisher relation in EAGLE

The Tully–Fisher relation (TFR) links the stellar mass of a disc galaxy, Mstr, to its rotation speed: it is well approximated by a power law, shows little scatter, and evolves weakly with redshift. The relation has been interpreted as reflecting the mass–velocity scaling (M ∝ V3) of dark matter haloes, but this interpretation has been called into question by abundance-matching (AM) models, which predict the galaxy–halo mass relation to deviate substantially from a single power law and to evolve rapidly with redshift. We study the TFR of luminous spirals and its relation to AM using the EAGLE set of _ cold dark matter (_CDM) cosmological simulations. Matching both relations requires disc sizes to satisfy constraints given by the concentration of haloes and their response to galaxy assembly. EAGLE galaxies approximately match these constraints and show a tight mass–velocity scaling that compares favourably with the observed TFR. The TFR is degenerate to changes in galaxy formation efficiency and the mass–size relation; simulations that fail to match the galaxy stellar mass function may fit the observed TFR if galaxies follow a different mass–size relation. The small scatter in the simulated TFR results because, at fixed halo mass, galaxy mass and rotation speed correlate strongly, scattering galaxies along the main relation. EAGLE galaxies evolve with lookback time following approximately the prescriptions of AM models and the observed mass–size relation of bright spirals, leading to a weak TFR evolution consistent with observation out to z = 1. _CDM models that match both the abundance and size of galaxies as a function of stellar mass have no difficulty reproducing the observed TFR and its evolution.
Size Metrics and Dynamics of Firms Expansion in the European Pharmaceutical Industry

We generalize the growth-of-firm literature by linking alternative metrics of size via a Copula approach. We look at the result of the fitted Copula and justify the metric we base our analysis upon. We employ the Amadeus dataset and investigate the growth dynamics of the European pharmaceutical industry in the Single Market Programme era, 1990–2004. Relying on a set of dynamic panel Probit methods that deal with unobserved heterogeneity and initial conditions, we analyze how our units of investigation, multinationals, capture opportunities over time. We find strong evidence of state dependence and mean reversion, as predicated by the theory of maturation — firms face a period of rapid growth, followed by a slow down, or even a stop, in growth. We finish off our exercise by conditioning the fitted Copula on the predicted measure of size and simulate the remaining measures.
RNA/DNA ratios of scleractinian corals suggest acclimatisation/adaptation in relation to light gradients and turbidity regimes

RNA/DNA ratios are used in many organisms as an indicator of growth, biomass or metabolic functioning. We hypothesised that hermatypic corals, as they depend for growth largely on energy transferred from their algal symbionts, may show an effect in the RNA/DNA ratio with factors influencing irradiance. This was tested along 2 environmental gradients: in relation to depth (decreasing irradiance) and in relation to environmental degradation (increased turbidity). RNA/DNA ratios were determined by HPLC in coral samples collected over depth gradients in 3 islands off the coast of north-west Java, Indonesia. The reefs range from shallow reefs (depth <3 m) in very turbid water, which are close to eroded shores, to intermediate reefs (depth <6 m) further from the shore with less turbid water, to offshore clear water control reefs (depth <20 m). RNA/DNA ratio was shown to be negatively correlated with depth in all but the most turbid conditions, suggesting it is an expression of metabolic acclimatisation of the coral host-symbiont community with decreasing irradiance (i.e. photoadaptation). Comparing the RNA/DNA ratio in clear and turbid waters, the decrease with depth tended to be steeper over a shorter depth range under turbid conditions, analo- gous with the more rapid extinction of light in these conditions. The relationship between the RNA/DNA ratio and light was consistently higher under turbid conditions (p = 0.0037), indicating that RNA/DNA ratio had shifted to a higher level, possibly indicating a genetic adaptation in the meta- bolic functioning of corals in the turbid environment. The positive relation between light and RNA/DNA ratio would suggest the opposite, i.e. lower ratio under turbid conditions. The RNA/DNA ratio may provide a relatively reliable method to determine the metabolic functioning (health) of indi- vidual coral colonies.
It ain’t over till it’s over: A global perspective on the Great Moderation-Great Recession interconnection

ABSTRACT A large-scale Factor-Augmented Vector Autoregressive (FAVAR) model of the global economy is used to investigate the determinants of the Great Moderation and the transition to the Great Recession (1986–2010). Beside the global-economy perspective, the model presents the novel feature of a broad range of included financial variables and risk factor measures. The results point to various mechanisms related to the global monetary policy stance (Great Deviation), financial institutions’ risk-taking behaviour (Great Leveraging) and global imbalances (savings glut), determining aggregate fluctuations. Finally, an out-of-sample forecasting exercise provides evidence against the ‘end of the Great Moderation’ view, showing that the timing, though not the dimension of the Great Recession episode (2008–2010), was predictable on the basis of the same macroeconomic mechanisms at work over the two previous decades.
Monitoring and analysis of interactions between the retreating Aletsch glacier and adjacent rock slope instabilities

In high alpine regions extreme weather conditions, long snowfall periods, avalanches and rock fall can make continuous and accurate monitoring of surface displacements a complex task. Here we focus on the design, construction and operation of a total station monitoring system installed in the surroundings of the Great Aletsch Glacier to continuously measure 3D displacement data with millimetric accuracy and correct this data with GNSS recorded displacements of the total station position during the data processing. The sites presented in this study include two cases of irreversible deformation processes, i.e. the large, accelerated rock slope instability of Moosfluh and the slow-moving instability of Driest, superimposed on widespread reversible rock slope deformations caused by annual cycles of groundwater recharge and depletion. After identifying the key monitoring goals in terms of accuracy and the absence of stable positions caused by cyclic reversible slope deformations, we present the applied monitoring solutions for the specific challenges in a paraglacial environment. Finally we discuss the system performance in terms of climatic influences, reliability, accessibility and data communication with examples from the Great Aletsch Glacier study area. 2 Automatic total station monitoring in high alpine environments: challenges and solutions applied in the Great Aletsch region
PERCEPTION OF FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY AMONG YOUNG CONSUMERS

The aim of this study was to assess the perception of food quality and safety from young consumers’ point of view. The study was conducted among 1121 respondents aged 16 to 24. The findings show that food quality and safety are terms which are interpreted by consumers in various ways depending on socio-demographic characteristics. There is a need to undertake educational activities aimed at young consumers to make them aware of the variety of factors that constitute perception of both food quality and food safety and should be taken into consideration when making decisions, and to realise the responsibility for the safety level of food they buy and consume.
Trends of polyfluoroalkyl compounds in marine biota and in humans

Environmental context Polyfluoroalkyl compounds are used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications, including polymer production and for surface treatment of textiles and paper. Research over the last 10 years has shown that these compounds are ubiquitous environmental contaminants â they are extremely persistent, show toxic effects and accumulate in the food chain. We evaluate global, temporal and spatial trends of these important emerging contaminants. Abstract This review gives an overview of existing knowledge of polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in humans and in marine biota. Temporal trends and spatial distribution of PFCs were globally compared in humans, marine mammals, seabirds and fish. In general, PFC concentrations in the environment have increased significantly from the beginning of the production up to the 1990s. After the phase-out of perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (POSF) production starting in 2000, PFC concentrations in humans generally decreased. In marine biota no clear temporal trends were observed. The temporal trends depended on the species, their trophic levels and the geographical locations. PFC patterns in humans and in marine wildlife species were compared regarding perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), their shorter and longer chain homologues (C4–C15) and precursor compounds. Finally knowledge gaps were identified and recommendations for future work were presented.
Synthesis of Fine AlN Powders by Foamed Precursor-assisted Carbothermal Reduction-nitridation Method

: A modified carbothermal reduction-nitridation (CRN) method was proposed to synthesize fine AlN particles using γ -Al 2 O 3 and sucrose as raw materials which were pre-treated as cellular foams. The reaction procedure and the produced AlN were investigated by XRD, SEM and TEM. XRD result suggests that γ -Al 2 O 3 transferred into AlN without transformation into α -Al 2 O 3 . HRTEM shows that γ -Al 2 O 3 particles are covered by amorphous carbon from sucrose inhibiting the transformation of α -Al 2 O 3 from γ -Al 2 O 3 in the synthesis procedure. The foamed structure is of benefit to the diffusion of N 2 and the produced CO. The minimum reaction temperature is 1450 ℃ for full conversion of Al 2 O 3 to AlN. SEM photographs show the particle size of synthesized AlN is 50 nm. This study demonstrated an efficient way to synthesize fine AlN powders which are urgently required for the manufacture of advanced AlN ceramics.
The sulfur-oxygen bond in sulfinylamines and sulfinylhydrazines: an AIM study

The quantum theory of "atoms in molecules" (AIM) has been employed for an investigation of the sulfur- oxygen bond in CH3-NSO and CH3-NH-NSO. A comparison with the SO bond in SO2 shows that the nature of the bonding is similar in all three compounds: the SO interaction is in between shared and closed-shell and is described best as a polar double bond. The electrostatic contribution to the bonding is largest in SO2 and smallest in CH3-NH-NSO. Within the AIM picture, the SO bond in CH3-NSO and CH3-NH- NSO resembles the CO interaction in carbonyl compounds and is fundamentally different from the PO bond in the hypervalent H3PO.
Malaria parasitaemia among patients in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia caused by Plasmodium falciparum between ages and genders among patients in Ibadan city, southwestern Nigeria. Methodology and results: Two hundred (200) patients attending University College Hospital in Ibadan, comprising 95 males and 105 females (ages 0.7-109 years; mean age = 31.2 years) were examined for malaria parasites using 3% Giemsa stained thick and thin films. The study was carried out between March, 2009 and July, 2009, a period characterized by peak rainy season, but no significant seasonal variation was noted. Of the 200 samples examined, 100 were Plasmodium slide-positive indicating an overall prevalence of 50%. The findings show that malaria parasitaemia and intensity are dependent on age and sex, but there was no significant difference in the ages and sex of the patients studied (P>0.05). Of the 105 samples from females, 58 (55.2%) were positive for malaria parasitaemia while 42 (44.2%) of the samples from 95 males were positive for malaria parasitaemia showing a higher prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in females than their male counterparts. Higher prevalence was noted in age-groups >46 years, 20/36 (55.6%)] and 16-30years [36/69 (52.1%)]. The age-specific profiles of malaria prevalence in younger infants (<4 years of age) were much higher (66.7%) than those observed in older children (5-9 years and 10-14 years of age) having 44.4 and 35.7% prevalence rates respectively. It showed that children >4years were more infected compared to persons >5 years of age, irrespective of season. Conclusion and application of findings: The study showed that a substantial number people in Ibadan were infested by malaria parasites. This could be attributed to lack of appropriate accommodation and poor sanitary conditions in the area of study. Although there were several limitations to this study, the results can contribute to national efforts towards reducing the malaria burden in local hospitals. These findings can Journal of Applied Biosciences 29: 1774 1780
Effect of dietary protein content on growth, uniformity and mortality of two commercial broiler strains

Two experiments were conducted to determine the response in performance, including uniformity and mortality, of two broiler strains to dietary protein content. In Experiment 1, 480 Cobb 500 and 480 Ross 788 day-old sexed broiler chickens were housed in cages to 21 d with 10 chickens per cage, and in Experiment 2, lasting 42 d, 1680 sexed broiler chickens of each of these two strains were placed in 48 floor pens with 70 chickens per pen. Males and females were reared separately in both experiments. Six levels of dietary protein were fed for 21 d in both experiments, the composition changing for the period 22 to 42 d in Experiment 2. Body weight of each bird was measured at weekly intervals up to 21 d in Experiment 1, and of 20 randomly selected birds from each pen on days 1, 21 and 42 in the second experiment. Broilers in the latter trial were group-weighed by pen at weekly intervals. Mortality was monitored daily. The highest body weight gains and feed conversion efficiencies (FCE, g gain/ kg food) were recorded in Cobb, with a correspondingly higher food intake for the starter feed in both experiments. In the finisher period Ross birds consumed significantly more than Cobb broilers (9 g/d) but in this case there was no difference in growth rate between the two strains, resulting in a significantly poorer FCE for Ross (487 vs. 522 g gain/kg feed). The pattern of food intake in the finisher period also differed between the two strains: the Cobb birds increased their food intake as the dietary protein content was decreased, but food intake decreased with protein content in the Ross. Uniformity was greatest in both strains when they were fed the highest protein feeds in both experiments, the variation in live weight increasing as the protein content decreased. There was no nutritional effect on mortality, although mean overall mortality was twice as high in Cobb broilers. Keywords : Broiler, strain, uniformity, mortality, dietary protein South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 38 (4) 2008: pp. 293-302
Constant vorticity water flows with full Coriolis term

We consider here three-dimensional water flows governed by the geophysical water wave equations exhibiting full Coriolis term. More precisely, under mild assumptions we determine all possible flow solutions to the governing equations that exhibit constant vorticity vector. That is, we show that the vertical component of the velocity vanishes, the horizontal components are constant and the free surface is necessarily flat. Our investigation features three-dimensionality, nonlinearity, Coriolis effects and vorticity, the last aspect being one of relevance in relation to the issue of turbulence.
The impact of organizational culture on patient satisfaction

Introduction: Managing organizational culture has been increasingly viewed as a lever for health care improvement. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the type of organizational culture and patient satisfaction in the selected health care centers in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBIH). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in two municipal primary health care (PHC) centers in the FBIH, referred as Primary health care (PHC) center A and Primary health care (PHC) center B. A validated questionnaire, known as the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI), was used for the assessment of organizational culture. The questionnaire was distributed among the family health care teams at the two PHCs. Simultaneously, we carried out a survey about patient satisfaction among patients during their visits to the family health care teams. Results: We observed the differences in the type of the organizational culture between the health care centers. The hierarchical culture was found the dominant culture in PHC center A, whereas the market culture was the dominant culture in PHC center B. Also, the statistical significance (t test) was recorded in the overall patient satisfaction in the health care center with the dominated hierarchical culture followed by the clan culture (PHC center A). Conclusions: Considering the lack of similar surveys in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we believe that this study might be a good starting point for education of human resource managers in health care.
A ‘Walrasian post-Keynesian’ model? Resolving the paradox of Oskar Lange’s 1938 theory of interest

This paper investigates Oskar Lange’s 1938 article, “The Rate of Interest and the Optimum Propensity to Consume”, with the intention of providing a thorough interpretation of this rather obscure work. We explore in depth Lange’s theory of interest and its relationship with both Keynes’ General Theory (1936) and Hicks’ synthesis (1937), developing two graphical models that show the non-linearity of Lange’s investment function as well as the consequentiality of his equilibrium solution. Through an unedited manuscript, we also reconstruct Lange’s beliefs about the chronic sub-optimality of the capitalist economy and his scientific endorsement of the socialist economy. We conclude that the purposes of Lange’s article predate and are independent of the General Theory. They consisted of a theoretical generalization and analysis of institutional data, intended to separate economic theory from the tacit assumption of a capitalist economy.