Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Notice of Retraction Implementation of BRT system in developing countries as the best option in reducing emission the case study of Dart system in Dar es Salaam

Climate change is rapidly becoming known as a tangible issue that must be addressed to avoid major environmental consequences in the future. Recent change in public opinion has been caused by the physical signs of climate change-melting glaciers, rising sea levels, more severe storm and drought events, and hotter average global temperatures annually. Transportation is a major contributor of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, accounting for approximately 14 percent of total anthropogenic emissions globally. Fortunately, transportation technologies and strategies are emerging that can help to meet the climate challenge. These include automotive and fuel technologies, Implementation of Bus Rapid Transit - BRT, and mobility management strategies that can reduce the demand for private vehicles. It can be concluded from this study that the introduction of a BRT system in Dar es Salaam has numerous evident gains in terms of improving the current public transport supply. Nevertheless, some shortcomings have been identified that limit the contribution of the system in its endeavor towards creating a sustainable urban mobility system in the city. These shortcomings are the inequitable distribution of services across population groups; the need to limit the growth in the number of cars; the lack of involvement of the current public transport operators in the planning process and the heedless handling of their fates. Targeting enriching the planning of the proposed system.
Laparoscopic repair of rectal prolapse: a prospective study evaluating surgical outcome and changes in symptoms and bowel function.

BACKGROUND There have been few large series that have focused on the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach for rectal prolapse. This single-institution study prospectively examines the surgical outcome and changes in symptoms and bowel function following the laparoscopic repair of rectal prolapse. METHODS In a selected group of 34 patients (total prolapse, 28; intussusception, six), 17 patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted resection rectopexy and 17 patients received a laparoscopic sutured rectopexy. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation at 3, 6, and 12 months included assessment of the severity of anal incontinence, constipation, changes in constipation-related symptoms, and colonic transit time. RESULTS Median operation time was 255 min (range, 180-360) in the resection rectopexy group and 150 min (range, 90-295) in the rectopexy alone group. Median postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (range, 3-15) and median time off work was 14 days (range, 12-21) in both groups. There were no deaths. Postoperative morbidity was 24%. Incontinence improved significantly regardless of which method was used. The main determinant of constipation was excessive straining at defecation. Constipation was cured in 70% of the patients in the rectopexy group and 64% in the resection rectopexy group. Symptoms of difficult evacuation improved, but the changes were significant only after resection rectopexy. Two patients (7%) developed recurrent total prolapse during a median follow-up of 2 years (range 12-60 months). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic-sutured rectopexy and laparoscopic-assisted resection rectopexy are feasible and carry an acceptable morbidity rate. They eliminate prolapse and cure incontinence in the great majority of patients. Constipation and symptoms of difficult evacuation are alleviated.
Strategic Resources and Family Firm Performance

Most companies in the Netherlands can be labeled as family firms (according to the GEEF definition (Mandle, 2008; Floren et al., 2010). The family firm can be regarded as an open system model comprising three overlapping, interacting, and interdependent subsystems: owners, family, and managers (Moores, 2008). This is known as the three-circle model. Tagiuri and Davis (1996) stipulate that family firms have unique resources that create positive and negative outcomes for the firm. This notion has more recently been referred to as the “familiness” of the firm (Sirmon et al., 2003). In this dissertation, the resource-based view (RBV) is adopted as the theoretical foundation for understanding the distinct attributes of a family firm (Habbershon & Williams, 1999). With the RBV as the primary theoretical framework, this dissertation looks at strategic resources in private firms and how those resources are influenced by family involvement. The focus is on the development of tacit knowledge and social capital, as the literature indicates that family involvement may have a strong and positive influence on these components of strategic resources (Arregle et al., 2007a). The need for more empirical research in the field of social capital and tacit knowledge within the context of private firms is made clear by a review of extant empirical research. This review also reveals specific topics of interest: the role of owners, the influence of the family on the development of social capital, the diverse links among the various dimension of social capital, the transfer of tacit knowledge during business successions, and the construct of the tacit knowledge climate. Therefore, the primary research question addressed in this dissertation is: How does family involvement influence the development of components of social capital and tacit knowledge in privately held firms, and to what extent does the development of these strategic resources have an impact on firm performance? The research question is answered on the basis of empirical research presented in this dissertation. All studies rely on a quantitative research method. Chapter 2 examines ownership social capital. The study focuses on a random sample of 708 privately held family and non-family firms with multiple owners. Chapter 3 investigates the relation between ownership social capital and product innovation. Chapter 4 looks at the impact of spousal social capital on the financial performance of copreneurial businesses. Chapter 5 explores the relation between the transfer of tacit knowledge and post-succession continuity
Outsourcing v insourcing: Analyse the business proposition in the case of Chester Racecourse's catering contract

This research paper looks at the strategic business process of sourcing and how it has evolved within theory and practice. The main aim of the paper is to comment on and provide recommendations for Chester Racecourse’s decision as to whether it takes its catering operation in-house or remains with an external supplier. Based on the study of Chester Racecourse’s current situation and a review of the literature, the paper proposes the best fit strategic framework for the sourcing decision and its implementation. This framework is developed using both the existing theories from the literature and also through a qualitative research method. This process uses interviews with key executives both within Chester Racecourse and also in other organisations of different scale and scope that have made similar decisions. The paper then proposes and develops a framework which best suits the specific needs of Chester Racecourse. The sourcing decision-making, implementation and resulting impact on an organisation involve a complex and dynamic process. There are suggested existing frameworks in the literature, although most of these centre on the outsourcing decision as opposed to the insourcing equivalent. The paper concludes that Chester’s best decision is to in-source this function, as it is so closely aligned with its core product and revenue streams, as well as its strategic aims going forward. There are, however, considerable risks associated with this and the paper puts forward methods by which these can be mitigated.
A critical function of toll‐like receptor‐3 in the induction of anti‐human immunodeficiency virus activities in macrophages

Toll‐like receptor‐3 (TLR‐3) recognizes double‐stranded RNA and induces multiple intracellular events responsible for innate anti‐viral immunity against a number of viral infections. Activation of TLR‐3 inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, but the mechanism(s) underlying the action of TLR‐3 activation on HIV are largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that treatment of monocyte‐derived macrophages with poly I:C, a synthetic ligand for TLR‐3, significantly inhibited HIV infection and replication. Investigation of the mechanisms showed that TLR‐3 activation resulted in the induction of type I interferon inducible antiviral factors, including APOBEC3G and tetherin, the newly identified anti‐HIV cellular proteins. In addition, poly I:C‐treated macrophages expressed increased levels of CC chemokines, the ligands for CCR5. Furthermore, TLR‐3 activation in macrophages induced the expression of cellular microRNAs (miRNA‐28, ‐125b, ‐150, ‐223 and ‐382), the newly identified intracellular HIV restriction factors. These findings indicate that TLR‐3‐mediated induction of multiple anti‐HIV factors should be beneficial for the treatment of HIV disease where innate immune responses are compromised by the virus.
Scottish country of origin : its role and value in the identities of Scottish premium/luxury brands

The focus of this study is the role and function of country of origin (COO) in the creation and communication of the brand identities of Scottish premium/luxury brands. It applies the identity concept which is well developed in the branding literature to the COO literature where the focus on the consumer perspective of country image has resulted in the area of origin management being underdeveloped. Recognising the paucity of COO literature which examines the mechanisms and processes used by luxury brands to communicate COO, these are also analysed. The study uses an innovative two stage sequential mixed methods research design. In the first stage, the macro perspective is gained from the analysis of a database of companies compiled specifically for the study covering six categories of Scottish premium/luxury brands. Additionally a postal survey and analysis of company web pages gather a mix of qualitative and quantitative data to examine the role of COO. The second stage gains strategic insights from semi structured interviews with business elites achieving in depth understanding of the decision making process regarding the strategic advantages of COO in brand identities. The value of the study lies in the contribution to knowledge from frameworks which identify: the characteristics which differentiate companies within and across luxury sectors and organisational structure models which reflect the dominant ownership structures in the Scottish food and beverage, textiles/cashmere and whisky sectors; the dimensions of Scottish premium/luxury brands across a range of product categories; the motivations and drivers for adopting a COO identity; the criteria which distinguish COO brands; the COO communication process. The importance of COO as a key differentiating device which conveys competitive advantage is developed using the metaphor of COO as the anchor which locates the brand in a place which evokes symbolic, emotional and psychological associations and provides the brand with protection and security.
All-Cause Mortality after Tracheostomy at a Tertiary Care Hospital over a 10-Month Period

Objective. To evaluate perioperative mortality after tracheostomy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing routine tracheostomy over a 10-month period. Study Design. Case series with planned data collection. Setting. Tertiary care hospital. Subjects. Mechanically ventilated patients. Methods. Prospective analysis of ICU patients undergoing tracheostomy placement over 10 months was performed. Variables evaluated were demographics, pretracheostomy length of stay, time on ventilator, time to death, preoperative comorbidities, and cause of death. Results. There were 129 consultations resulting in 115 tracheostomies, of which 100 were included for study. The overall 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 25%, including palliative care deaths. Cause of death in all cases was due to a preexisting condition and not from tracheostomy. Patients who died within the 30-day postoperative period were found to have significant differences in age, pretracheostomy length of stay, location of tracheostomy, and preoperative comorbidity scores. No significant difference was found in time on ventilator, sex, or race/ethnicity. Mean time from consultation to tracheostomy was 2.5 days (range, 0-12 days). Conclusion. High rates of mortality after tracheostomy can possibly affect hospital quality ratings for surgical services. There were no deaths directly related to surgery. Despite this, the mortality rate in this population was quite high. This illustrates the significant disease burden in these patients and the need to stratify postoperative mortality as well as to consider comorbidity and age when evaluating patients for tracheostomy.
Firm-Level Evidence on Productivity Differentials, Turnover, and Exports in Taiwanese Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector in Taiwan has a market structure composed of large numbers of small firms, a focus on less capital-intensive industries, and a dense network of firms specializing in subcontracting and trading services. It has been argued that these features lower the start-up costs of new manufacturing firms. Recent theoretical models of market evolution show that low sunk entry and exit costs act to speed firm turnover by facilitating entry and increasing the pressure on inefficient firms to exit. As a result, low cost entry and exit may help improve aggregate productivity by allowing for the rapid transfer of resources from less to more efficient producers within an industry. Using comprehensive firm-level panel data from the Taiwanese Census of Manufactures for 1981, 1986, and 1991, we measure differences in total factor productivity among entering, exiting, and continuing firms, and quantify the contribution of firm turnover to industry productivity improvements. We find notable differences in productivity across manufacturing firms that are reflected in turnover patterns in both the domestic and export market. Cohorts of new firms have lower average productivity than incumbents but are also a heterogeneous group. The more productive members of the group survive and in many cases their productivity converges to the productivity level of incumbents. Exiting firms are less productive than survivors. Exporters, including firms that recently left the export market, are more productive than nonexporters. These patterns are consistent with the view that both the domestic and export market sort out high productivity from low productivity firms and that the export market is a tougher screen.
Assessment of the mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon unit by supersonic shear wave imaging elastography: a review

This review aimed to describe the state of the art in muscle-tendon unit (MTU) assessment by supersonic shear wave imaging (SSI) elastography in states of muscle contraction and stretching, during aging, and in response to injury and therapeutic interventions. A consensus exists that MTU elasticity increases during passive stretching or contraction, and decreases after static stretching, electrostimulation, massage, and dry needling. There is currently no agreement regarding changes in the MTU due to aging and injury. Currently, the application of SSI for the purpose of diagnosis, rehabilitation, and physical training remains limited by a number of issues, including the lack of normative value ranges, the lack of consensus regarding the appropriate terminology, and an inadequate understanding of the main technical limitations of this novel technology.
Have the Media Made the Greek Crisis Worse? An Inquiry into the Credit Crisis of the State

Developments over the course of 2009 and early 2010 have demonstrated that industrialized nations are not immune to credit crises that can threaten their solvency. Dislocations in sovereign credit markets could have triggered a default of countries like Greece, Spain, Italy or Portugal if it had not been for the action by other eurozone members. While it seems obvious that high leverage (that is, the degree to which states rely on credit2) to fund their activities has been at the root of the problems, the Greek case suggests that fundamentals alone cannot explain the timing and the dynamic of recent developments. To understand what caused the evaporation of trust visa-vis Greek sovereign debt titles, one has to analyze what determined the perception of bond investors. The paper argues that the media contributed to the downward spiral in the level of confidence by investors through its intensified and overly valueladen coverage of the Greek case. To explain what fosters media bias and how it translates into bond markets dynamics the paper looks at institutional features of the media business and the functional relationship between media organizations and financial markets. The role of the media has been subject to much scholarly scrutiny, but has thus far not been in the realm of sovereign credit. This paper aims to fill this gap and, by doing so, tries to shed light on the recent credit crisis of the state.
Biased Selection and Regression toward the Mean in Three Medicare HMO Demonstrations: A Survival Analysis of Enrollees and Disenrollees

Mortality of aged Medicare enrollees in three demonstration health maintenance organizations (HMOs) was compared with that of three cohorts of local fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries as a measure of group differences in health status. Mortality of the HMO and FFS cohorts was tracked via life-table analysis for 6 years after enrollment to measure the persistence of health status differences existing at enrollment. After adjustment for age, sex, Medicaid-eligibility, and institutional status, HMO enrollee mortality was lower than FFS at all three plans in the first year after enrollment. Enrollee mortality at two plans increased to near FFS levels in year 2 and remained relatively stable thereafter. Enrollee mortality at the third plan increased toward FFS levels more gradually and was significantly below FFS levels for the first 5 years of follow-up. Mortality of disenrollees in the 2 years after disenrollment was significantly higher than that of the continuously enrolled in one plan and marginally significantly higher in a second. These findings suggest a pattern of favorable selection at enrollment, followed by different rates of decay in the favorable health status of enrollees. Other health status measures may exhibit different patterns, however. Selection effects may cause payments based on Medicare's AAFCC to be too high or low, in some cases for several years after enrollment.
Prospective Associations Between Prosocial Behavior and Social Dominance in Early Childhood: Are Sharers the Best Leaders?

ABSTRACT A short-term longitudinal study during early childhood (N = 96; M = 42.80; SD = 7.57) investigated the concurrent and prospective association between prosocial behavior and social dominance. Time-intensive school-based focal child sampling with continuous recording observations of prosocial behavior to peers were conducted and teacher-reports of social dominance were collected. The study documents significant prospective links between prosocial behavior to peers and increases in social dominance over time. Social dominance was not associated with changes in prosocial behavior. The findings extend past empirical work in early childhood and future directions are discussed.
Equity Compensation and the Pricing of Syndicated Loans

Drawing on theoretical research, I provide empirical evidence on the effect of managerial equity compensation on the pricing and ownership structure of syndicated bank loans. Equity compensation motivates managers to expropriate lenders' wealth and engage in aggressive investment behaviour. I hypothesize that bank syndicates anticipate these managerial actions when negotiating lending agreements and find evidence consistent with my predictions. Managerial equity compensation is associated with larger risk premiums in syndicated loan spreads after controlling for relevant loan and firm characteristics. In addition, loan agreements are structured to facilitate better bank monitoring ex post. Loan contracts require more restrictive covenants and the lead arranging banks retain larger shares in the loans.
SOIL TEST INFORMATION IN COTTON PRODUCTION: ADOPTION, USE, AND VALUE IN POTASSIUM MANAGEMENT

Precision soil sampling helps farmers identify nutrient variability within fields to optimize input management. Anecdotal evidence suggests that soil test information has a useful life of 3 to 4 years before information needs to be updated. However, perceptions about the perceived usefulness of soil test information over time may depend on a variety of factors, including field variability, farmer experience and education, farm size, Extension recommendations, and other factors indirectly related to input management. In 2009, a survey of cotton farmers in 12 Southern states collected information about the use of precision soil sampling technologies. A regression model including farm operator and business characteristics, use of precision agriculture technologies, and information sources analyzed (1) the adoption of soil testing technologies by cotton farmers and (2) the number of years adopters perceived soil test information to be useful. A number of farm operator and business characteristics were associated with the length of time producers perceived the information they obtained from soil tests to be useful, including farmer experience, land ownership, and the use of other information gathering technologies such as Greenseeker® and electroconductivity.
DETERMINANTS OF M-COMMERCE ADOPTION: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH

Given the proliferation of mobile devices, m-commerce is expected to experience a substantial growth. However, most m-commerce applications except for few, have failed to meet expectations. In this study, we examine specific factors pertaining to the adoption of mobile commerce within a comprehensive framework integrating well established theories of technology adoption, i.e., the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). More specifically, we re-conceptualize perceived usefulness to enhance the specificity of these theories to mobile commerce. The resulting model is empirically tested with mobile device users who have not adopted mobile commerce yet. The empirical results provide strong support for the integrative approach, shedding light on the significance and relative importance of specific technological characteristics. The theoretical and empirical implications of these results are discussed. Keywords: M-commerce, Technology Acceptance Model; Theory of Planned Behavior, IT Adoption.