Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The possible impact of the organisation on the effectiveness of workplace learning

This thesis explores how dimensions of workplace learning are influenced by organisational practices and the features of organisations where workplace learning is perceived to be effective. Its particular focus is higher education workplace learning programmes that are tailored to meet organisational needs. The thesis considers the literature that surrounds workplace learning and notes the breadth of definitions relating to it, including learning which is work related, learning which takes place within work or learning where the curriculum is devised around work. Key authors included in the conceptual framework are Billett (2000, 2001, 2004, 2006a, 2006b, 2008) in relation to affordances, Fuller and Unwin (2003, 2004, 2006) in relation to the expansiveness and restrictiveness of the organisation with regard to workplace learning and Eraut (2004, 2007) in relation to informal learning in the workplace. Literature examining the relationship between organisational and individual learning is also considered. The research is qualitative in nature, a social constructionist approach having a predominant influence. Two case studies are used in the research project: a multinational logistics company and a regional public sector emergency service. Managers who were undertaking higher education workplace learning programmes and representatives within their employing organisations who commissioned workplace learning programmes participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings of the research indicated that there are two major factors which impact on manager participants' perceptions of effective workplace learning: 1) Their experiences of workplace learning are closely linked to their perceptions of the time, autonomy and support they are afforded (or not) in order to engage in workplace learning activities. 2) For this particular group, effectiveness is also related to the level of synergy they feel exists between the workplace learning programme, the organisation and themselves.
Congenital malaria in a hyperendemic area: a preliminary study.

The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia was evaluated in 59 neonates admitted to the University College Hospital, Ibadan in South-western Nigeria between August and December 1991--a period spanning part of both wet and dry seasons. Peripheral parasitaemia was present in 14 (23.7%) neonates; of these, four were preterm (4/26, 15%) and ten were term babies (10/33, 30.3%). The difference in the prevalence of P. falciparum parasitaemia in the two groups was not statistically significant (chi 2 = 1.78; p = 0.10). Parasite densities in all neonates were uniformly low (< 2000 asexual forms/microliters blood), and only four of the neonates had fever within 48 hrs of birth. Infected neonates weighed 200 g more than non-infected neonates, but the difference was not statistically significant. Maternal weekly pyrimethamine prophylaxis did not appear to be effective in preventing infection as six (21.4%) of the 28 neonates whose mothers had regular prophylaxis had parasitaemia compared with seven (26.9%) of the 26 neonates whose mothers had no prophylaxis (chi 2 = 0.22; p > 0.05). These data indicate that congenital malaria is not as uncommon as was previously thought and that the recent increase in reported cases may be due to an interplay of several factors.
Explaining the Choice of Organic Produce: Cosmetic Defects, Prices, and Consumer Preferences

The choice between organic and conventional produce was estimated empirically using a two-equation probit model. Data were collected in-store on cosmetic defects, produce prices, and consumers' demographic and economic traits. Store choice displayed a significant impact on the probability of purchasing organic produce. Shoppers at the specialty grocer were sensitive to price differences between organic and conventional items. Households with children under eighteen were more likely to purchase organic produce while shoppers with graduate or professional degrees were less likely to do so. Differences in cosmetic defects had statistically significant albeit small effects on the probability of purchasing organics. Copyright 1998, Oxford University Press.
Is There a Window of Opportunity for Seasoned Equity Issuance

The aggregate volume of equity issues is used to search for periods when seasoned equity capital can be raised at favorable terms. We find that the price reaction to equity issue announcements in high equity issue volume (HOT) periods is approximately 200 basis points lower on average than in low equity issue volume (COLD) periods. The lower price reaction in hot markets is economically important and is independent of the macroeconomic characteristics of hot and cold markets. The evidence supports the existence of windows of opportunity for equity issues that result at least partially from reduced levels of asymmetric information.
The predominance of work‐based training in young graduates’ learning

This article draws upon results from an ESRC‐funded research project exploring young graduates’ attitudes to, and experiences of, further education or learning postgraduation. Respondents’ narratives indicated a strong emphasis upon job‐based learning, or training, over and above an oft‐stated desire to do further study ‘for its own sake’. Whilst the majority of graduates expressed contentment with their work‐leisure‐education balance, a significant number also marked up a desire for ‘leisure‐learning’ which was not ‘yet’ possible due to the demands of work and work‐based training. This prompts questions about how we, and the graduates, conceptualise the ‘use’ of having a degree in an era of higher education massification, exploring issues of ‘generic’ skills and personal growth. It also raises questions about the role and function of wider ‘lifelong learning’ practices for those in their twenties, as well as the status of the work‐leisure‐education balance of young professionals, and whether this encourages or discourages efforts to develop a ‘learning society’.
Response and remission rates in Chinese patients with bipolar mania treated for 4 weeks with either quetiapine or lithium: a randomized and double-blind study

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine in Chinese patients hospitalized with acute bipolar mania. Methods: This was a 4-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, lithium-controlled, parallel-group study. Secondary endpoints in the primary analysis were: response rate (≥ 50% decrease from baseline in YMRS total score) and remission rate as defined using 3 criteria: YMRS total score ≤ 12, YMRS total score ≤ 12 + MADRS total score ≤ 8, and YMRS total score ≤ 8. Other measures included: change from baseline at Day 28 in YMRS, PANSS, and MADRS total score. Adverse event (AE) data were collected throughout the study. Results: 73 (94.8%) quetiapine and 62 (80.5%) lithium patients completed the study. Mean (SD) quetiapine doses for the ITT population and responders were 648.2 (111.84) mg/dayand 637.5 (118.78) mg/day, respectively, while mean lithium concentrations for the ITT population and responders were 0.80 (0.28) mmol/L and 0.80 (0.22) mmol/L, respectively. Of patients who responded to quetiapine at Day 28, 88.3% were receiving 600–800 mg/day. At Day 28 YMRS response rate was significantly greater with quetiapine than lithium (77.9% vs. 59.7%, p = 0.0132), and remission rates using the 3 criteria were significantly greater with quetiapine than lithium: YMRS total score ≤ 12 (70.1% vs. 48.1%, p = 0.0071), YMRS ≤ 12 + MADRS ≤ 8 (70.1% vs. 48.1%; p = 0.0071), and YMRS ≤ 8 (51.9% vs. 32.5%; p = 0.0147). Significant decreases were observed in PANSS, YMRS, and MADRS total scores for both groups. The most common AEs experienced by patients receiving quetiapine were constipation, dizziness, diarrhea, alanine aminotransferase increase, palpitations, aspartate aminotransferase increase, pharyngolaryngeal pain, upper respiratory tract infection and dry mouth. In patients receiving lithium, the most common AEs were nausea (16.9%), constipation (13.0%), vomiting (13.0%), nasopharyngitis (11.7%), dizziness (6.5%), diarrhea (6.5%), and upper respiratory tract infection (6.5%). Conclusion: Quetiapine was shown to be clinically effective in patients with acute bipolar mania. There were side effects with quetiapine similar to those reported in other studies that included other ethnic populations of patients.
Volatility-Volume Relationships Among Types of Traders Considering the Investment Limitation to Foreign Investors

This paper examines the volatility–volume relationship in Taiwan stock market, using volume data categorized by type of trader. We consider before and after our event period of lifting the investment restrictions for foreign investors. We partition trading volume into expected and unexpected volume and find that the unexpected volume shocks for individual investors are more important than the expected volume shocks in explaining volatility before lifting the investment restrictions for the foreign investors. We find that the positive volatility–volume relationship is driven by the individual investors even during the period of the lifting of investment restrictions for foreign investors. However, with respect to institutional investors, before the removal of investment restrictions for foreign investors, the unexpected volume of trading of the domestic dealers exhibit positive volatility–volume relationship. Further, after the removal of investment restrictions, the unexpected volume of the foreign investors has a positive volatility–volume relationship.
Can Corporate Governance Reforms Increase Firm Market Values? Event Study Evidence from India

A central problem in conducting an event study of the valuation effects of corporate governance reforms is that most reforms affect all firms in a country. Share price changes may reflect the reforms, but could also reflect other information. We address this identification issue by studying India's adoption of major governance reforms (Clause 49). Clause 49 requires, among other things, audit committees, a minimum number of independent directors, and CEO/CFO certification of financial statements and internal controls. The reforms were sponsored by the Confederation of Indian Industry (an organization of large Indian public firms), applied initially to larger firms, and reached smaller public firms only after a several-year lag. The difference in effective dates offers a natural experiment: Large firms are the treatment group for the reforms. Small firms provide a control group for other news affecting India generally. The May 1999 announcement by Indian securities regulators of plans to adopt what became Clause 49 is accompanied by a 4% increase in the price of large firms over a two-day event window (the announcement date plus the next trading day), relative to smaller public firms; the difference grows to 7% over a five-day event window and 10% over a two-week window. Mid-sized firms had an intermediate reaction. Faster growing firms gained more than other firms, consistent with firms that need external equity capital benefiting more from governance rules. Cross-listed firms gained more than other firms, suggesting that local regulation can sometimes complement, rather than substitute for, the benefits of cross-listing. The positive reaction of large Indian firms contrasts with the mixed reaction to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (which is similar to Clause 49 in important respects), suggesting that the value of mandatory governance rules may depend on a country's prior institutional environment.
The influence of submarkets on water view house price premiums in New Zealand

Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate the impact of submarkets on water view premiums of residential properties and investigate the correlation between submarket view premium and socio‐economic status.Design/methodology/approach – Over 53,000 residential sales transactions from 2004 to 2006 are analysed using the hedonic method. The Auckland region is divided into 17 submarkets with similar water view scarcities. The region is analysed along with each individual submarket in order to determine if significant differences in view premiums exist.Findings – The empirical results indicate that the regionwide model chronically over‐ or under‐estimates view premiums, for example, the regionwide model estimates that a wide water view adds 18 per cent to a home's value while the same view amenity adds only 5 per cent in modest West Harbour but 54 per cent in posh Mission Bay.Practical implications – The study's findings can be directly applied to residential valuation practice and in particular mass appraisal syst.
Overconfidence modelling in financial institutions, emphasising credit risk and profitability

This work is aimed to provide an extension to moral hazard, which is the conventional incentive of risk taking in banks. This extension is overconfidence and stems from the area of behavioural finance. Overconfidence stipulates that bank managers take high risks not only due to moral hazard, but also because of the cognitive bias in the form of overconfidence. This bias makes them overestimate future returns, underestimate risks and falsely presume some level of control over events that are external, such as macroeconomic deteriorations. The overconfidence hypothesis is verified through a fixed effects panel data model, using financial results of 311 Western European banks from the period 1997-1H2008. The estimation shows that overconfidence has a negative effect on bank risk and profitability, with a lag of three years. In addition, banks are demonstrated to engage in income smoothing through loan loss provisions, but the underlying rationale does not imply that this is driven by prudential considerations. Creating provisions is procyclical versus the economic cycle, indicating that banks may fall short of reserves when economic conditions deteriorate. 3
Importance of a comprehensive geriatric assessment in prediction of complications following thoracic surgery in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of comorbidities and functional impairment among elderly patients may enhance the risk of operation-related complications, but the importance of these conditions in elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery remains unclear. METHODS One hundred twenty patients >/= 60 years of age who underwent thoracic surgery were registered prospectively and examined. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) that evaluated such diverse areas as functional status (ie, performance status and activities of daily living [ADLs] using the Barthel index), comorbidity, nutrition (ie, body mass index, arm-muscle circumference, albumin level, transferrin level, lymphocyte count, and cholinesterase level), and cognitive function (ie, mini-mental state examination [MMSE] and negative emotions for operation) was performed in the 2 weeks before patients underwent the operation. RESULTS The diseases of the 120 patients were as follows: lung cancer, 85 patients; mediastinal tumor, 14 patients; bullas, 12 patients; and other diseases, 9 patients. Postoperative complications developed in 20 patients (16.7%). The patients with dependence for performing the ADLs, and dementia were more likely to develop postoperative complications (p = 0.041, and p = 0.0065, respectively). The patients who experienced longer operation times (ie, >/= 300 min; p = 0.018) were more likely to have complications. The incidence of prolonged air leak in the patients with malnutrition increased seven-fold (p = 0.045) and that of postoperative infectious diseases in those patients with obesity increased 24-fold (p = 0.0013), while all patients who developed delirium had low scores in the MMSE preoperatively (p = 0.0003). Using multiple logistic regression, the best model was obtained with a combination of MMSE (p = 0.031) and the Barthel index (p = 0.04). When the operation variables were added to this model, the operation time had the strongest effect (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS Dependence for the performance of ADLs and impaired cognitive conditions are important predictors of postoperative complications, especially when the operation time is long. CGA is necessary in addition to the conventional cardiopulmonary functional assessment in elderly patients.
The Effect of Transformational Leadership on Staff Empowerment

This article mainly considers transformational management and its effect on staff empowerment in organizations. In this respect, after dealing with the concept of transformational leadership and its theorists’ viewpoints as well as the literature on empowerment, the empowered and unempowered staffs are compared and some solutions are offered to empower employees through transformational leadership.
Unravelling the impact of psychological empowerment on customer service behaviours as a consequence of ‘Leader-Member Exchange’

This study aims to investigate the cognitive process by which perceived organizational justice and leader–member exchange (LMX) are channelized into role-prescribed and extra-role customer service behaviours. It proposes the mediating role of three forms of psychological empowerment (goal internalization, perceived competence, and perceived control) in the predictor–outcome relationship, and examines this relationship from a comparative view of the role-prescribed and extra-role behaviours. Valid and reliable self-report and supervisory evaluation measures were administered to 282 nurses in Korea. The results indicate that LMX had a significantly greater effect on extra-role behaviours than on role-prescribed behaviours, and that perceived control mediated the relationship between LMX and extra-role behaviours. In terms of justice perceptions, there was no significant comparative effect on customer service behaviours. Furthermore, perceived competence mediated the relationship only between distributive justice and role-prescribed behaviours.
Effect of Policy Reforms on Market Efficiency: Evidence from Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE)

The paper tries to find evidence supporting the impact of continuous policy reforms on the market efficiency on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). Different policies formed/reformed from 1994 to 2005 were categorized in eleven groups depending on their time of issue and subject matter. To get the result, both non-parametric test (Kolmogrov-Smirnov normality test and Run test) and parametric test (Auto-correlation test, Auto-regression) has been performed. Analyses were done for each policy group, and it is found that formed/reformed policies for DSE during the study period failed to improve the market efficiency even in the weak form level
In vitro resistance of reinforced interim fixed partial dentures.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Comprehensive restorative dental treatment often necessitates the use of interim fixed partial dentures (FPDs) with high stiffness, especially in long-span restorations or areas of heavy occlusal stress. PURPOSE This in vitro study evaluated the fracture load of interim FPDs made with various materials and span lengths. MATERIAL AND METHODS Groups (n = 3) of interim FPDs were fabricated with prosthodontic resin materials on 2 abutments with 3 different pontic widths of 3 units (12 mm), 4 units (19 mm), and 5 units (30 mm). The following materials were tested: (1) a thermoplastic polymer (Promysan Star), (2) Promysan Star with a veneering composite (Vita Zeta), (3) a nonimpregnated polyethylene fiber reinforced resin (Ribbond) with a veneering composite (Sinfony), (4) an impregnated fiber reinforced composite system (Targis/Vectris), and (5) a conventional polymethyl methacrylate, Biodent K+B, (control group). After 5000 thermocycles in 2 water baths at 5 degrees and 55 degrees C, the FPDs were temporarily fixed with a provisional cement on the corresponding abutments and subjected to 3-point bending until fracture by a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis consisted of an analysis of variance (ANOVA, 1-way, 2-way) and Bonferroni-Dunn's multiple comparisons post hoc analysis for test groups (alpha = .05). RESULTS Fracture resistance (N) differed significantly for 3 (mean: 640 +/- 146 N), 4 (626 +/- 229 N), and 5 unit (658 +/- 98 N) Targis/Vectris FPDs compared with the corresponding Promysan (284 +/- 21 N to 125 +/- 73 N), Biodent K+B (247 +/- 91 N to 218 +/- 85 N), and Promysan/Vita Zeta (95 +/- 15 N to 82 +/- 6 N) groups (P < .05). Significant differences were obtained for the 4 and 5 unit Targis/Vectris FPDs compared with the Sinfony/Ribbond FPDs (281 +/- 25 N - 252 +/- 74 N) for the corresponding pontic spans. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this in vitro study the impregnated fiber reinforcement may considerably enhanced the fracture resistance of interim FPDs of different span lengths.
Potential Growth and Inflation: Estimates for Australia, the United States and Canada

Estimates of potential output growth for Australia, the United States and Canada are presented and analysed in this article. We define potential growth as that growth rate consistent with a steady (domestic component of the) inflation rate (SIRG). At around 4 per cent per annum, Australia's SIRG has been relatively stable for the past 30 years, which seems inconsistent with the view that wide-ranging microeconomic reform in the 1990s raised growth potential. However, we show that the reduction in employment growth in Australia from the 1980s to the 1990s may account for the absence of a rise in potential growth. In Canada and the United States the SIRGs are closer to 3 per cent, and we explore the reasons why potential growth estimates are higher for Australia than for North America. We also discuss why Australia's growth averaged less than its potential in the 1980s and 1990s and the possible use of our estimates for monetary policy purposes.
Sustainability and Public Access to Nature: Contesting the Right to Roam

This paper discusses the importance of cultural and institutional differences in rights of access to nature for sustainable tourism management. Drawing on the insights from the papers contained in this issue of the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, this introduction highlights two overarching themes. The first is the ambiguous/problematic role of science in establishing sustainable capacities for tourism's settings. Not only does this science rely on problematic assumptions of stable ecosystems, the idea of a science of sustainability presumes cultural and institutional capacities to regulate use and access to the commons through political/administrative power that are not uniform in international comparison. The papers illustrate the limits and alternatives to regulatory strategies for achieving sustainability. Second, recognising the dominance of cultural and institutional factors in sustainable tourism management, the papers illustrate how global forces are changing the way public access to nature is conceived and ultimately managed.
Heterogeneous Information and Appraisal Smoothing

This study examines the heterogeneous appraiser behavior and its implication on the traditional appraisal smoothing theory. We show that the partial adjustment model is consistent with the traditional appraisal smoothing argument only when all the appraisers choose the same smoothing technique. However, if appraiser behavior is heterogeneous and exhibits cross-sectional variation due to the difference in their access to, and interpretation of information, the model actually leads to a mixed outcome: The variance of the appraisal-based returns can be higher or lower than the variance of transaction-based return depending on the degree of such heterogeneity. Using data from the residential market, we find that, contrary to what the traditional appraisal smoothing theory would predict, appraisal-based indices may not suffer any â€œsmoothingâ€ bias. These findings suggest that the traditional appraisal smoothing theory, which fails to consider the heterogeneity of appraiser behaviors, exaggerates the effect of appraisal smoothing.