Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alternative pathways to high-performance workplaces

In this paper we outline four high workplace performance models, two of which have high-road or enabling characteristics. These are the strategic human resource management and organizational trust models, respectively. The second two models – the labour process and numerical flexibility models – motivate workers to raise productivity through the use of the stick (coercion) rather than the carrot. Based on a representative survey of Australian workers, we compare these models in terms of their capacity to explain relative workplace productivity. We find that all four models have some explanatory power. However, contrary to expectations, the low-road numerical flexibility model provides the best fit with the data. We interpret this finding by reference to recent evidence of workforce trends indicating the attraction and ability of employers to pursue this pathway toward higher productivity. We conclude with some suggestions for future research that would assist in developing this line of enquiry.
A Longitudinal Study of the Relationship between Career Management and Organizational Commitment among Graduates in the First Ten Years at Work

Summary This paper reports the findings of a two-wave longitudinal study investigating relationships between organizational and individual career management activities and organizational commitment in the early years of graduate careers. Several hypotheses are tested and receive mixed support. High organizational commitment predicts the practice of career management activities by graduates to further their career within the organization while low commitment is closely associated with behaviour aimed at furthering the career outside the organization. Graduates who manage their own careers also receive more career management help from their employer. This suggests that there may be the potential for employers to create a ‘virtuous circle’ of career management in which individual and organizational activities complement each other. Copyright # 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects of the Structure of the Board of Directors on the Performance of Small to Medium Scale Enterprises

On the subject of the effects of the Board of Directors on the performance of the company, written articles have generally been limited to listed companies. The effects of the Board of Directors and their respective structure on the performance of the company consist of a subject matter that has been frequently researched in the literature by means of various different methods. In this particular study, the existence of the Board of Directors in SME’s and, if present, the effects of these in the performance of the company have been researched. In this context, a field research has been conducted with the search model by means of a simple random sampling. In addition, a poll has been performed on a one on one basis comprising a total of 703 voluntary companies that have a status of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) from several cities around Turkey, of which 204 operate in manufacturing, 347 in service and 152 both in manufacturing and service. The resulting data has been put together and analyzed. On the other hand, the poll that has been applied to the companies is composed of four sections, which consist of the complementary statistics, the decision making and resource generating capacity of the board of directors, the authority of the board of directors over the management processes and, lastly, the performance of the company. As a result of the study, it has been observed that the companies with a board of directors in SME’s demonstrate a higher performance when compared to the companies without a board of directors. Furthermore, the education levels of the members that take part in a board of directors have a positive effect on the performance, whereas the companies with a board of directors that have elected their chief executive officer have a positive effect on the performance of the company which is significantly higher than that of the board of directors where the president is nominated in accordance with the amount of shares that a member holds. Moreover, it has been proven that the structure and characteristics of a board of directors affect the performance of the company in a positive manner.
Exploring the basics with circuit simulation: Support for self-teaching of electrical engineering fundamentals.

Students enrolled in the first year electrical engineering subject at Swinburne University of Technology were encouraged to use an electronic circuit simulation software, Multisim 10 from National Instruments, for self-teaching while: (i) confirming any qualitatively predicted circuit behaviour, (ii) validating any quantitative results of problem-based activities and (iii) first predicting the cause, then verifying these predictions, for the behaviour of potentially faulty circuit components. The students' exposure to this software was facilitated, not only by the mandatory purchase of a copy of the software, but by them being timetabled for all their tutorial sessions into a computer laboratory (rather than a conventional classroom) where under academic supervision they were able to work on desktop computers that had preinstalled copies of the said software. Analysis of two surveys and five post-event focus groups clearly revealed general learner acceptance for using the simulation software for self-teaching in both communal and private settings.
Relations of Children's Motivation for Reading to the Amount and Breadth of Their Reading.

The authors explored different aspects of children's reading motivation and how children's motivation related to the amount and breadth of their reading. The reading motives assessed included self-efficacy, intrinsic-extrinsic motivation and goals, and social aspects. Fourth- and 5th-grade children (N = 105) completed a new reading motivation questionnaire twice during a school year. Children's reading amount and breadth were measured using diaries and questionnaires. Children's reading motivation was found to be multidimensional. Their motivation predicted children's reading amount and breadth even when previous amount and breadth were controlled. An intrinsic motivation composite predicted amount and breadth of reading more strongly than did an extrinsic motivation composite. Some aspects of girls' reading motivation were more positive than boys'. Students' reading amount and breadth contribute substantially to several valued aspects of their achievement and performance, such as reading achievement, world knowledge, and participation in society. Anderson, Wilson, and Fielding (1988) found that the amount of independent out-of-school reading accounted for 16% of the variance in the reading comprehension of fifth graders, after general activity levels were controlled. Similarly, Stanovich and Cunningham (1992) found that amount and breadth of reading predicted reading achievement, as indicated by standardized vocabulary tests, even after previous general intelligence was controlled. Both Anderson et al. and Cipielewski and Stanovich (1992) found that the amount of reading predicted growth of reading achievement during elementary school on different measures of reading comprehension (Cipielewski & Stanovich, 1992). Children's reading amount and breadth contribute to their knowledge of the world, including knowledge of information such as the size of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration budget, who were allies in World War II, and the distinctions among various religious beliefs (Stanovich & Cunningham, 1993). Individuals who read frequently also
A new determination of lunar orbital parameters, precession constant and tidal acceleration from LLR measurements

An analysis of Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) observations from January 1972 until April 2001 has been performed, and a new solution for the lunar orbital motion and librations has been constructed that has been named S2001. With respect to prior solutions, improvements in the statistical treatment of the data, new nutation and libration models and the addition of the positions of the observing stations to the list of fitted parameters have been introduced. Globally, for recent observations, our rms (root mean square error) is within 2 to 3 centimeters in the lunar distance. Special attention has been paid to the determination of the correction to the IAU76 luni-solar constant of precession, and the value of the secular acceleration of the Moon's longitude due to the tidal forces. The main results are: – correction to the constant of precession: $\Delta p$ = -0.302 ± $0.003 ''/{\rm cy}$, – tidal acceleration of the lunar longitude: Γ = -25.858 ± $0.003 ''/{\rm cy}^{2}$. The positions and velocities of the stations have also been determined. The results are consistent with the ITRF2000 determinations from SLR observations. The lunar theory ELP is referred to a dynamical system and introduces the inertial mean ecliptic of J2000.0. The positioning of the reference system of the theory with respect to ICRS is performed (and also with respect to some useful JPL numerical integrations). Finally the orientation of the celestial axes with respect to the ICRS reference system has been derived as well as the offsets of the Celestial Ephemeris Pole.
Conscientiousness, Work Family Conflict and Stress amongst Police Officers in Alice, South Africa

Abstract The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between work-family conflict, stress and conscientiousness amongst police officers. The study was undertaken at the South African Police Service station in Alice in the Eastern Cape and was based on a sample size of 101 (n=101) police officers out of 134 police officers. The study wanted to establish if there is a relationship between conscientiousness and work-family conflict, between conscientiousness and stress (work and family) and overall to establish whether conscientiousness and work-family conflict have a combined effect on stress. The sample demonstrated high levels of conscientiousness and moderate to low levels of work-family conflict, work stress and family stress. There is a negative relationship between work-family conflict and conscientiousness (r=-.20, p=.05) and work stress and conscientiousness (r=-.34, p=.001), but no significant relationship between conscientiousness and family stress (r= -.09, p=>.05). Work-family conflict contributes to both family (r=.42, p=.001) and work stress (r=.33, p=.001). Work stress and family stress are also positively correlated (r=.19, p =.05). Work-family conflict and conscientiousness interact to impact upon work stress F(2, 98) = 9.65, p <. 001, R2 =. 16, where those with higher levels of conscientiousness are better able to reduce the impact of workfamily conflict on work stress. Conscientiousness should be taken into consideration when screening police officers for service.
Corporate Opacity and Cost of Debt for Family Firms

Abstract This paper uses a sample of Chinese firms to examine the impact of corporate opacity on the relationship between family control and firms’ cost of debt. We find that family control is associated with a lower cost of debt on average, and a negative impact exists mainly in firms with relatively low corporate opacity. We further provide evidence that the moderating effect of corporate opacity becomes more pronounced when investors’ perception of controlling families’ moral hazard of expropriation is higher. Our results are robust to alternative opacity proxies and controlling for endogeneity of family control using the instrumental variable method. Our study highlights that controlling families are heterogeneous in their impact on the shareholder–debtholder relationship in family firms, and debtholders view corporate opacity as an important reference in assessing the extent of potential agency conflicts in China.
Refining Oil - A Way Out Of The Resource Curse?:

This paper analyses variation in the refining capacities of oil-producing countries and its economic and institutional outcome within the resource curse framework. It argues that the absence of refining capacities in oil-producing countries is not simply the result of the nature of the commodity, but rather the outcome of engineering political relations out of energy flows. Increasing refining capacities in oil-producing countries may not only improve the economic outcome by enhancing linkages between oil production and other sectors of the economy but also mitigate the negative institutional effect associated with oil rents and power concentration as political groups linked to the petrochemical sector increase their bargaining power vis-a-vis the government.
Prevalence and Antibiogram of Bacterial Uropathogens of Urinary Tract Infections from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most frequently occurring infections majority of which are caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) uropathogens. Hence, the present study was designed to find out the prevalence of bacterial pathogens causing UTIs and to determine their antibiotic resistance patterns against different classes of antibiotics. Clean-catch midstream urine samples were collected from 200 UTI patients of different sex and age groups. The uropathogens were isolated using Hi-Chrome UTI agar, Blood agar, MacConkey agar and then subjected to antibiotic susceptibility analysis against nine antibiotics of different classes using Kirby-Bauers disc diffusion method. From 55.08% positive samples, it was found that females were more prone to UTIs than males and in both cases; the prevalence rate was higher in the age group 21-40 years (33%). Among the uropathogens, E.coli was the predominant etiological agent (57.38%) followed by Enterococcus sp. (36.06%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.28%) and Staphylococcus aureus (3.28%). The pathogens showed remarkable amount of sensitivity against Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin. The present experiment can be helpful for the clinicians in finding proper drugs in the developing countries like Bangladesh where multi-drug resistance problem has just complicated the treatment of UTIs.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF SOIL MOISTURE AND THAW DEPTH AT BARROW , ALASKA

The quantity of water present in the soil influences many processes including gas exchange with the atmosphere, diffusion of nutrients to plant roots, and the speed with which solutes move through the root zone (Jury et al., 1991). In the active layer above permafrost, the amount of soil moisture present influences the development of ground ice, thereby exerting an important influence over terrain evolution. Moisture content also affects soil temperature and the thermal properties of the active layer and permafrost, with attendant implications for modeling (Waelbroeck et al., 1997).
Broadening of the DEM by multi-shelled and turbulent loops

Broad differential emission measure (DEM) distributions in the corona are a sign of multi-thermal plasma along the line-of-sight. Traditionally, this is interpreted as evidence of multi-stranded loops. Recently, however, it has been shown that multi-stranded loops are unlikely to exist in the solar corona, because of their instability to transverse perturbations. We aim to test if loop models subject to the Transverse Wave-Induced Kelvin-Helmholtz (TWIKH) instability result in broad DEMs, potentially explaining the observations. We took simulation snapshots and compute the numerical DEM. Moreover, we performed forward-modelling in the relevant AIA channels before reconstructing the DEM. We find that turbulent loop models broaden their initial DEM, because of the turbulent mixing. The width of the DEM is determined by the initial temperature contrast with the exterior. We conclude that impulsively excited loop models have a rather narrow DEM, but that continuously driven models result in broad DEMs that are comparable to the observations.
DETERMINATION OF MATERIAL RESPONSE AND OPTIMIZATION OF JOHNSON-COOK DAMAGE PARAMETERS OF ALUMINIUM 7075 ALLOY

The effects of rolling direction and notch radius on the mechanical response of aluminium 7075-T651 alloy were investigated and the Johnson-Cook damage parameters of aluminium 7075-T651 alloy on both rolling directions were determined. Specifically, mechanical responses of aluminium 7075-T651 along the rolling direction and perpendicular to the rolling direction were obtained from monotonic tensile tests. 56 tensile tests in total were performed on notched specimens with 3 different notch radiuses and smooth specimens. Tensile tests were repeated 7 times for each case to ensure the consistency and to obtain the closest mechanical response to the real mechanical response with minimum error. Experimental findings revealed that being perpendicular to the rolling direction deteriorates the elongation at failure dramatically but can increase the mechanical properties in elastic region. The final areas of the fractured samples, used for the calculation of Johnson-Cook damage parameters, were measured by an optical microscope. The Johnson-Cook damage parameters of aluminium 7075-T651 alloy for different applications were computed by Levenberg-Marquardt optimization method. Collectively, this study opens the venue for accurate damage simulations of aluminium 7075-T651 along the rolling direction and perpendicular to the rolling direction for different applications.
Isotopic heterogeneity and cycling of organic nitrogen in the oligotrophic ocean

We measured the nitrogen (N) isotopic composition (δ15N) of a large set (n = 38) of high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) samples isolated from the tropical and subtropical North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The δ15N signature of surface HMW DON is relatively invariable in both oligotrophic basins (4.1 ± 0.6‰ in the Atlantic; 5.4 ± 0.8‰ in the Pacific) and shows little correlation with sources or concentrations of N supporting new production in the euphotic zone. While large variations in δ15N of bulk HMW DON are not apparent, δ15N of proteins isolated from sites with relatively high rates of N2 fixation (>80 µmol N m−2 d−1) were consistently depleted in 15N relative to bulk HMW DON and to proteins isolated from sites where N2 fixation does not routinely occur. This small component of HMW DON appears to be cycling more rapidly than bulk HMW DON and may be indicative of fresh DON contributed by organisms in the surface ocean. Furthermore, δ15N of DNA extracted from the bacterial size fraction (0.2‐0.5 µm) revealed that free‐living bacteria may be an important sink for isotopically depleted N produced during N2 fixation. We suggest that there exists a tight coupling between the production and uptake of DON contributed by diazotrophs (N2 fixers) in regions where N2 fixation provides a major input of new nitrogen.
Cognitive Functioning among Elders with Symptoms of Depression: The Case of Two Selected Institutionalized Care Centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Objectives: Old age is accompanied by different forms of physical and psychological problems. This study aimed to investigate cognitive functioning among elders with symptoms of depression. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive survey. In this study, 116 participants were purposefully selected out of 148 elders from two institutionalized care centers in Addis Ababa with inclusive criteria. The instruments of data collection were GDS-15 and MMSE. Mean, Standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient were used as methods of data analysis. Results: This study showed that the elders had high rate of depression (68.1%). In addition, 87.1% of elders had declined cognitive functioning. Similarly, the study indicated that there was statistically significant inverse relationship between depression and cognitive functioning (r=-0.48, p<0.01). Elders without partners had manifested higher symptoms of depression. Conclusion: The finding revealed that depression and cognitive decline were higher among the elders. Females had lower cognitive functioning compared to their male counterparts. An increased age and lower level of literacy were associated with lower cognitive functioning and higher symptoms of depression and the married elders had higher score in MMSE compared to others. We suggest that further research is needed to be conducted on non-institutionalized elders.
Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth: Some Evidence From Across The World

This study is concerned about foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth across the world for the period of 1991-2001. This article produces fresh empirical evidence on the relation between FDI and economic growth obtained from single-equation and simultaneous equation estimates for 140 countries using macro economic variables. The results indicate that a positive and statistically significant estimate of coefficient of FDI is obtained from single equation ordinary least squares method for real per-capita GDP regressions in all but one case. There exists a positive and statistically significant relation between the real per-capita GDP and FDI in the case of many countries but correlation coefficient between exports-GDP ratio and percentage FDI is found to be insignificant. Country risk rating and the telecommunications variables are significant in all the relevant regressions and correlation estimates.
Inferring ecosystem parameters from observation of vegetation patterns

Spatial organization of vegetation into periodic, coherent patterns arises from the interaction of positive and negative ecological feedbacks. Naturally, the patterns reflect the characteristics of the ecological processes that underlie their formation. Direct inference of the parameters describing these ecological processes from observations of vegetation spatial patterns has not been attempted. If successful, such inference can facilitate the parameterization and predictive use of vegetation pattern models. An inference technique based on nonlinear filtering is proposed here and applied to estimate the parameters of a single‐equation phenomenological model of vegetation biomass patterning. Results derived from modeled biomass data indicate that for sufficiently accurate biomass observations (signal‐to‐noise ratios >4), and spatial resolution of better than 10% of the pattern wavelength, nonlinear filtering techniques recovered model parameters with high fidelity. When applied to real‐world imagery, reasonable parameters within the pattern‐forming regime were inferred. The study demonstrates, for the first time, the feasibility of inferring quantitative ecological information from spatial observations of vegetation distributions.
Investigation of simulated annealing method and its application to optimal design of die mold for orientation of magnetic powder

Factors affecting the convergence characteristics and results obtained by the optimal design method using the finite element method and simulated annealing are investigated systematically, and the optimal parameters for simulated annealing method are obtained. The optimal shape of the die mold for orientation of the magnetic powder (nonlinear magnetostatic problem) is obtained using finite elements and simulated annealing. The experimental verification is also carried out.