Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring service climate and employee performance in multicultural service settings

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new conceptual model that incorporates internal service quality as a mediator between service climate and employee performance and two personal cultural orientations (independence and interdependence) as the moderators of these relationships. Design/methodology/approach An online survey of 353 employees representing 19 different nationalities, working in 18 branches and offices of a multinational business-to-business (B2B) civil engineering services firm, spread across 14 countries. Findings All the hypotheses are supported. Specifically, internal service quality mediates the influence of service climate on employee performance and these relationships are stronger for employees with interdependent (vs independent) cultural orientations. Research limitations/implications This paper uses data collected from the employees in a single B2B firm in one industry (Civil Engineering Services) and focuses on a few key variables, which may restrict the generalizability of its findings. Practical implications The findings of this paper highlight the importance of cultural factors in building a service climate in multinational service organizations to help their employees work more effectively and efficiently with their colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. Originality/value This paper clarifies the relationships among service climate, internal service quality and employee performance, by showing that internal service quality mediates the influence of service climate on employee performance.
Coronary artery calcium scoring is a better predictor of cardiac risk in subclinical hypothyroidism patients with low-risk Framingham score

Context: Overt hypothyroidism accelerates the cardiovascular disease. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), being considered as a preclinical state, impacts on cardiovascular status is not clear. Aims: This study was aimed at assessing cardiac risk stratification by Framingham risk scoring (FRS) and coronary coronary artery calcium score (CACS) by noncontrast cardiac computed tomography in SCH. Study Design: Observational study. Subjects and Methods: We enrolled thirty treatment-naive SCH patients (aged 30–60 years with no serious concurrent medical conditions), thirty euthyroid (age, sex, and body mass index-matched) controls, and ten healthy controls. All cases were evaluated for coronary artery calcium scoring and Framingham risk score. Statistical Analysis: Qualitative data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. In addition, demographics and CACS are summarized graphically or in a table. Results: SCH cases had higher thyroglobulin, while there was a trend toward an increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL, and decrease in HDL levels. All participants had low-risk FRS (10-year FRS < 10%). The mean CACS in SCH was significantly higher than simple obese and healthy controls (47.17 vs. 2.67 vs. 0.00). Conclusion: This study suggests that SCH is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease in apparently healthy controls. The risk of occult coronary artery disease is increased in SCH cases.
Cash Transfers and Child and Adolescent Development

Poverty has significant, detrimental, and long-ranging effects on child development (Walker and others 2011). Programs and policies around the world have attempted to address poverty to improve outcomes for children and adolescents, and one popular approach is to use cash transfer (CT) programs (Engle and others 2011). CT programs support vulnerable populations by distributing transfers to low-income households to prevent shocks; protect the chronically poor; promote capabilities and opportunities for vulnerable households; and transform systems of power that exclude certain marginalized groups, such as women or children (Devereux and Sabates-Wheeler 2004). The economic rationale for CT programs is that they can be an equitable and efficient way to address market failures and reach the most vulnerable populations (Fiszbein and others 2009). When the provision of CTs is tied to mandatory behavioral requirements, they are conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs, which operate by giving cash payments to families only if they comply with a set of requirements (the “conditions” of the cash transfer), usually related to health and education (de Janvry and Sadoulet 2006). For example, many CCT programs distribute benefits conditional on the use of preventive health care services, attendance at health and nutrition education sessions designed to promote positive behavioral changes, or school attendance for school-age children (Barrientos and DeJong 2006; Lagarde, Haines, and Palmer 2007). Definitions of age groupings and age-specific terminology used in this volume can be found in chapter 1 (Bundy and others 2017). Unconditional cash transfer (UCT) programs are those in which families receive cash benefits because the household falls below a certain income cutoff or lives within a geographically targeted region; however, no conditions are tied to the transfer (Barrientos and DeJong 2006). Given that UCTs do not monitor the behavior of households or require visits to health clinics, these programs are operationally less complex and easier for governments to implement because they do not require a well-functioning health care sector. Thus, administrative costs are often substantially lower for UCTs than for CCTs. School feeding is an example of a noncash transfer and is discussed in chapter 12 of this volume (Drake and others 2017). Both CCTs and UCTs assume that parents are income constrained, and thus do not have the money to spend to meet the most pressing needs of their families (for example, nutritious food, medical treatment). Providing greater purchasing power allows parents to choose what goods to buy and in what quantity and of what quality. The economic rationale for conditioning transfers on certain behaviors is that individuals or households do not always behave rationally because they have imperfect information, they behave myopically, or there are conflicts of interest between parents and children (Fiszbein and others 2009). In addition, conditioning transfers on human capital creates positive externalities and usually
Prospect Theory, Liquidation, and the Disposition Effect

There is a well-known intuition linking prospect theory with the disposition effect, the tendency of investors to sell assets that have risen in value rather than fallen. Recently, several authors have studied rigorous models in an attempt to formalize the intuition. However, some have found it difficult to predict a disposition effect while others produce a more extreme prediction where investors never voluntarily sell at a loss. We solve a model of asset liquidation where investors realize utility over gains and losses, and utility is concave over gains and convex over losses. Under the preferences of Tversky and Kahneman (Tversky, A., D. Kahneman. 1992. Advances in prospect theory: Cumulative representation of uncertainty. J. Risk Uncertainty5(4) 297--323) and lognormal asset prices, investors exhibit a disposition effect as gains are realized at a greater rate than losses. Nonetheless, in contrast to the extant literature, we find that the investor will “give up” and sell at a loss when the asset has a sufficiently low Sharpe ratio. This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, Teck Ho, and Terrance Odean, special issue editors.
WLC17-3: Performance of IEEE802.16 Random Access Protocol - Transient Queueing Analysis

In this paper, we consider the transient queueing response of IEEE802.16 random access protocol with piggyback and automatic repeat request. The random access protocol of IEEE 802.16 is physically based on orthogonal frequency- division-multiple-access (OFDMA)-code-division-multiple-access (CDMA) with time division duplexing (TDD) mode. In medium access control (MAC) layer, the protocol is a type of demand- assigned multiple access (DAMA) with piggyback, in which a bandwidth request can be allowed either before transmitting data or at the end of data transmission. The model of our interest is an M/G/l type queue with set-up times and exhaustive service, which is solved by a generating function approach. In the analysis, we obtain the time dependent mean queue length, the time dependent empty probability of the queue and the time dependent busy period. The random access success probability is derived from the system equilibrium. Retransmission probability is also derived by including a binary exponential backoff algorithm.
Equator Principles reporting: factors influencing the quality of reports

This study analyses the reporting of Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFI). The Equator Principles are a voluntary code of conduct, providing guidelines for assessing, managing, and reporting environmental and social impacts in project finance. The objective of the study is: 1) to understand, whether EPFIs follow the Equator Principles reporting guidelines; 2) to assess the quality of the mandatory reports of the EPFIs; 3) to analyse causes for differences in reporting. Because the Equator Principles are a voluntary code of conduct, or a so-called soft law, the research has been based on institutional theory. Our results suggest that though EPFIs follow the reporting guidelines, only about 5% disclose all the information required by the guidelines and consequently achieve the highest score with respect to their reporting quality. Furthermore, differences in reporting quality are mainly caused by the size of the EPFIs. The larger the EPFI with respect to its total assets the higher is the reporting quality. We conclude that further mechanisms, such as standardisation and assurance, are needed to guarantee transparent reporting of environmental and social project risks.
Dietary Selenium for the Mitigation of Radiation Injury: Effects of Selenium Dose Escalation and Timing of Supplementation

We recently reported that daily dietary supplementation with 100 µg selenium (a dose exceeding a rat's nutritional requirement by about 33-fold) initiated immediately after total-body irradiation (TBI) and maintained for 21 weeks mitigates radiation nephropathy in a rat model as indicated by blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and histopathological criteria (Radiat Res. 2009; 17:368–73). In this follow-up study, we explored the risks and benefits of delaying the onset of supplementation, shortening periods of supplementation, and escalating selenium supplementation beyond 100 µg/day. Supplementation with 200 µg selenium/day (as selenite or seleno-l-methionine) substantially improved the mitigation of radiation nephropathy by lowering BUN levels at 4 months after TBI from 115 to as low as 34 mg/dl and by proportionally lowering the incidence of histopathological abnormalities. Shortening the period of supplementation to 3 or 2 months did not compromise efficacy. Delaying the onset of supplementation for 1 week reduced but did not abrogate the mitigation of radiation nephropathy. Supplementation with 300 µg/day mitigated radiation nephropathy less effectively than 200 µg and was poorly tolerated. Rats that had been given 10 Gy of TBI were less tolerant of high-dose selenium than nonirradiated rats. This reduced tolerance of high-dose selenium would need to be taken into consideration when selenium is used for the mitigation of radiation injury in victims of nuclear accidents or acts of radiological terrorism. The high dose requirements, the pronounced threshold effect, and the superior performance of selenite suggest that the mitigation of radiation nephropathy involves mechanisms that go beyond the induction of selenoproteins.
Facing the Challenge – Towards a Better Understanding of Barriers to Innovation in Irish, Swedish, Finnish and Belgian SMEs

The purpose of the extended summary is to develop the understanding of the existence and reasons behind barriers to growth and development in small firms. More specifically, four questions are addressed: (1) What do we know about the term barrier, how can it be defined? (2) What types of barriers to growth and development have been identified? (3) How can barriers to growth and development be addressed in a framework? and (4) How do the results of the appended papers (Papers I-V) contribute to the research field of barriers to growth and development? A literature review was undertaken to answer the first two questions. The literature review was conducted in two phases. The conceptual and operational definition of barriers was addressed in the first phase. The results reveal diverse ways of focusing on barriers, which made it necessary to address similar terms, such as problem and causes of business failure in the second phase of the literature review. The different terms used in the papers of the literature review are discussed in order to determine whether or not the understanding of their content is coherent and conceptual. Based on the conceptual understanding and definition of barriers, the different aspects focused on in the literature were discussed, which led to the second question, What are the various aspects of barriers to growth and development? The knowledge gained from the literature review and the development of the understanding of the barrier concept led to the third question, Can barriers to growth and development be addressed in a framework? The discussion takes its starting point in the studies identified in the literature review and is related to some of the appended papers (Papers I and II). Similarities and differences between frameworks used in the papers identified in the literature review are discussed and, based on this knowledge, a framework for barriers to growth and development in small firms is presented. The framework distinguishes two types of barriers, namely internal/external barriers and tangible/intangible barriers.The knowledge available in the reviewed papers within the field of barriers to growth and development in small firms in combination with the results from the appended papers (Papers I-V) resulted in the fourth question. Part of the contribution of the appended papers concerns the operational definition, for example that barriers to innovation should be categorised as either occurring or preventing firms from innovating (Paper II), while other contributions concern specific types of barriers, for example the importance of managerial skills (Paper V). Overall, the contribution focuses on conditional factors, such as strategy and planning, organisation and management, and institution and policy factors, in relation to growth and development.
[Simultaneous determination and optimization of extraction process of catalpol and acteoside from rehmanniae radix].

OBJECTIVE To establish a method for simultaneously quantification of the Catalpol and Acteoside from Rehmanniae Radix and optimize the extraction process from Rehmanniae Radix by response surface methodology (RSM) using central composite design (CCD). METHODS The effect of ethanol concentration and the solvent-material ratio of the extraction were investigated on the overall extraction efficiency. Design Expert was used for regression analysis and determination coefficient of the regression equation. RESULTS A good linear relationship was obtained from 0.047 - 3.00 microg and 0.016 - 1.00 microg for Catalpol and Acteoside, respectively. The optimal condition of extraction process was as follows: raw material was extracted with 19.3 mL/g solvent-material ratio of 38.0% ethanol. The R-Squared of binomial fitting of the complex model was 0.7498 (P < 0.05). The experimental values were accordance with values obtained from model prediction. CONCLUSION The accuracy and precision of the developed HPLC protocol is adequate for simultaneous quantification of Catalpol and Acteoside in Rehmanniae Radix. The optimized extraction condition could be obtained by RSM using CCD.
Periodic Long-Memory GARCH Models

A distinguishing feature of the intraday time-varying volatility of financial time series is given by the presence of long-range dependence of periodic type, due mainly to time-of-the-day phenomena. In this work, we introduce a model able to describe the empirical evidence given by this periodic long-memory behaviour. The model, named PLM-GARCH (Periodic Long-Memory GARCH), represents a natural extension of the FIGARCH model proposed for modelling long-range persistence of volatility. Periodic long memory versions of EGARCH (PLM-EGARCH) and of Log-GARCH (PLM-LGARCH) models are also examined. Some properties and characteristics of the models are given and finite sample performance of quasi-maximum likelihood estimation are studied with Monte Carlo simulations. Further possible extensions of the model to take into account multiple sources of periodic long-memory behaviour are proposed. Two empirical applications on intra-day financial time series are also provided.
Family firms in the global economy: Toward a deeper understanding of internationalization determinants, processes, and outcomes

Research on the internationalization of family firms has flourished in recent years, yet the mechanisms through which family involvement shapes the determinants, processes, and outcomes of internationalization remain little understood and largely undertheorized. We contribute to research at the intersection of international business and family business by examining the roles of different sources of family firm heterogeneity and the context in shaping the determinants, processes, and outcomes of business internationalization. Drawing on this analysis, we summarize the articles published in this special issue and set out an agenda for further research aimed at advancing a more fine-grained and contextualized understanding of internationalization in family firms.
Hearing Impairment and its Predictors in Childhood Bacterial Meningitis in Angola

Hearing was evaluated in 244 ears of 124 children in Angola by auditory brainstem response audiometry 3 months after bacterial meningitis. Of all ears, 81% recovered without impairment. Of all children, 74% recovered without impairment, 5% had unilateral and 11% bilateral impairment. Seizures before or during hospital stay and disease severity were the best predictors of ≥80 dB impairment.
The Effect of Trifluoperazine on the Induction of Sex‐Linked Recessive Lethals by Cyclophosphamide in Drosophila melanogaster

The effects of trifluoperazine on the mutagenicity of cyclophosphamide were examined in the progenies of Drosophila melanogaster males injected with 2 µl of 5.0 mM cyclophosphamide and/or 0.1 mM trifluoperazine. The Muller‐5 method was used to study the induction of sex‐linked recessive lethals in five successive broods representing the different stages of spermatogenesis. Results showed that both cyclophosphamide and trifluoperazine were proportionally toxic to the injected males. While cyclophosphamide was less toxic than trifluoperazine, it increased the frequencies of induced complete and mosaic lethals significantly (5% level) in all stages of spermatogenesis contrary to trifluoperazine which was non mutagenic and had only an additive effect over the toxicity of cyclophosphamide. The sizes of the mutated gonad tissue in the F1 mosaic female progenies of the males treated with cyclophosphamide alone ranged from 14% to 17% and of those treated with cyclophosphamide in association with trifluoperazine varied between 18% and 19%. Both complete and mosaic sex‐linked lethals induced by cyclophosphamide treatments alone and in association with trifluoperazine were detected in singles and clusters.
The impact of employee’s perception of implementing green supply chain management on hotel’s economic and operational performance

Purpose This study aims to quantify the associations among employees’ perception of implementing green supply chain management (i.e. through seven variables, namely, internal environmental management, green information systems, green purchasing, tourist perceptions, environmentally friendly activity, employee emotional behavior and environmental legislation) with hotel’s economic and operational performance. Design/methodology/approach A survey instrument is used to examine the relationships in the proposed model by using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. An analysis of the primary data (n = 150) collected from employees in Aqaba hotels located in Jordan is conducted to test the relationship between exogenous and endogenous constructs expressed in the proposed structural model. Findings The findings revealed that while green information systems, employee emotional behavior and environmental legislation affected hotels’ economic performance, internal environmental management, green purchasing, tourist perceptions and environment-friendly activity did not. Also, hotels’ economic performance positively impacted hotels’ operational performance. However, as the coefficient of determination (R²) for the endogenous research variables for economic performance and operational performance was 0.16 and 0.17, respectively, the relationships between the exogenous and endogenous constructs were not supported. Practical implications This study will contribute towards a better understanding of employee perceptions of implementing green supply chain management and hotel performance in Aqaba City. Originality/value This is the first study that adequately covers the associations among employee perception of implementing green supply chain management on hotel’s economic and operational performance in the Middle East.
Now You See Me, But You Don't Know: Consumer Processing of Native Advertisements in Online News Sites

ABSTRACT Native advertising has become a growing trend in news outlets to break through the clutter of advertisements to reach consumers. This exploratory study investigates consumers' cognitive processing of native advertisements in U.S. online news sites. Using think aloud techniques, 30 interviews revealed that two-thirds of participants saw native ads in the provided online news sites, but less than half of them were aware of the persuasive intent of the native ads. For those who recognized native advertisements in the news sites, brand elements, and ad disclosures were the most commonly reported identifiers. Furthermore, native advertising does not always generate negative perceptions. Practical and policy implications and future research directions are discussed.