Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Human Resource Practices on Actual and Perceived Organizational Performance in a Middle Eastern Emerging Market

This is a study centred on the impact of the specific set of HRM practices on organisational performance (OP) within an emerging market setting. It seeks to explore which HR practices are most closely associated with better OP within the financial services industry in Jordan based on a survey of managers and the annual reports of the companies encompassed by the study. It was found that the only HR practice seen to consistently impact on OP was training; in other words, we did not encounter any recognisable ‘bundle’ of HR practices that optimised OP across the sector. We argue that this reflects the weaker and more partially coupled nature of institutions in many emerging markets, which makes it difficult to generate the type of complementarities associated between regulation and practice in mature markets. It also reflects the limited transferability of perceived best practice models in the context of emerging market settings. Although belied by objective firm performance data, many respondents believed that it was not only training but also the extensive usage of extrinsic incentives (pay and promotion) that would translate into superior results. This highlights the limitations of relying on managerial reported performance data in exploring the consequences of specific HR practices.
A new GIS-based technique using an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system for land subsidence susceptibility mapping

ABSTRACT In this study, we evaluated the predictive performance of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with six different membership functions (MFs). Using a geographic information system (GIS), we applied ANFIS to land subsidence susceptibility mapping (LSSM) in the study area of Amol County, northern Iran. As a novelty, we derived a land subsidence inventory from the differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry (DInSAR) of two Sentinel-1 images. We used 70% of surface subsidence deformation areas for training, while 30% were reserved for testing and validation. We then investigated regions that are susceptible to subsidence via the ANFIS method and evaluated the resulting prediction maps using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. Out of the six different versions, the most accurate map was generated with a Gaussian membership function, yielding an accuracy of 84%.
Environmentalism as a Stakeholder Issue and a Research for the Environmental Awareness of University Students

The basic aim of this paper is to investigate the awareness to environmental issue by conducting a research on 484 university students of Giresun University, Turkey. A total of 484 participants were reached, however only 466 were found to be valid for the data analysis process. The participants were mainly the 2nd and 4th year-undergraduates studying at the departments of Economics, Business Management and International Relations, and took part in the questionnaire on a voluntary basis. Data obtained from those 466 questionnaires analyzed through the SPSS statistical package program, and 21 possible relations were tested. The analysis of the data indicates that, the populations of cities residence before their university education, their attitudes to environmental issues, and the information about purchased goods have hazardous effects against the environment, purchasing behavior to a firm which gives harm to environment, and the participants thought on environmental issues are statistically significantly associated. And also, the participants experiences about environmental issues and their gender is positively linked.
Social value creation: outline and first application of a resource management approach to innovation

This paper presents a resource management based concept of social value creation applicable to any innovation context within, as well as beyond, classic organisational borders. As such, it is being tested as an evaluation tool to measure the success of two thematically identical innovation projects: an intra-organisational and an extra-organisational idea contest. Results are being presented along with a critical assessment of the concept.
Halogen Bonding in 2,5-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone: Insights from Experimental and Theoretical Charge Density Analysis

Experimental charge density distribution in 2, 5-dichloro-1, 4-benzoquinone has been carried out using high resolution X-ray diffraction data at 90 K to quantitatively evaluate the nature of C−Cl···O═C halogen bond in molecular crystals. Additionally, the halogen bond is studied from geometrical point of view and the same has been visualized using Hirshfeld surface analysis. The obtained results from experimental charge density analysis are compared with periodic quantum calculations using B3LYP 6-31G(d,p) level of theory. The topological values at bond critical point, three-dimensional static deformation density features and electrostatic potential isosurfaces unequivocally establish the attractive nature of C−Cl···O═C halogen bond in crystalline lattice.
Scenario-based numerical modelling and the palaeo-historic record of tsunamis in Wallis and Futuna, Southwest Pacific

We investigated the tsunami hazard in the remote French territory of Wallis and Futuna, Southwest Pacific, using the Gerris flow solver to produce numerical models of tsunami generation, propagation and inundation. Wallis consists of the inhabited volcanic island of Uvea that is surrounded by a lagoon delimited by a barrier reef. Futuna and the island of Alofi form the Horn Archipelago located ca. 240 km east of Wallis. They are surrounded by a narrow fringing reef. Futuna and Alofi emerge from the North Fiji Transform Fault that marks the seismically active Pacific-Australia plate boundary. We generated 15 tsunami scenarios. For each, we calculated maximum wave elevation (MWE), inundation distance and expected time of arrival (ETA). The tsunami sources were local, regional and distant earthquake faults located along the Pacific Rim. In Wallis, the outer reef may experience 6.8 m-high MWE. Uvea is protected by the barrier reef and the lagoon, but inundation depths of 2–3 m occur in several coastal areas. In Futuna, flow depths exceeding 2 m are modelled in several populated areas, and have been confirmed by a post-September 2009 South Pacific tsunami survey. The channel between the islands of Futuna and Alofi amplified the 2009 tsunami, which resulted in inundation distance of almost 100 m and MWE of 4.4 m. This first ever tsunami hazard modelling study of Wallis and Futuna compares well with palaeotsunamis recognised on both islands and observation of the impact of the 2009 South Pacific tsunami. The study provides evidence for the mitigating effect of barrier and fringing reefs from tsunamis.
Sustainable behavior and time perspective: present, past, and future orientations and their relationship with water conservation behavior

Three hundred individuals at a Mexican city responded to Zimbardo’s Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), and self-reported how frequently they engaged in water conservation practices. The ZTPI assesses individual differences in terms of attitudes believed to identify orientations towards a positive or negative past, hedonistic or fatalistic present, and future orientations. Results were processed within two structural equation models, which showed that present orientation negatively affected water conservation. Water conservation did not correlate with past orientation. Yet, that pro-environmental behavior significantly and positively was influenced by Future Orientation. Women reported a higher involvement in water conservation practices, whereas adult individuals (> 18 years old) and those with higher schooling levels presented a higher Future Orientation. Proposals considering these results are discussed aimed at developing sustainable attitudes and behaviors.
Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Menthae piperitae L.

The subject of this study was the examination of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of peppermint oil (Menthae piperitae L.), that was produced from the plant collected from the plantation in the city of Banja Luka. To examine the chemical composition of the Mentha piperita essential oil we used the GC-FID method. On it’s chromatogram it was clearly shown that the main components of the oil were menthole with the content of 43.66%, menthone 20.02%, iso-menthone 7.73%, following by 1,8-cineole with a percentage of 6.49% and menthil-acetate with 3.31%. The content of the previously mentioned components were all in accordance with the suggestions made by Ph.Eur 8.0. For the purpose of examination antimicrobial activity of the peppermint oil we used agar diffusion method. The results have shown that etheric oil of Menthae piperitae reflects very good antimicrobial activity on all bacterial cultures that we used in this study. The inhibiton zones moved from 12 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa to 37.66 mm for Staphylococcus aureus. Such an outcome of our study, and many others from all around the world, indicates the future potential use of peppermint oil in the treatment of bacterial infections, maybe even lowering the use of antibiotics.
Radical Right-Wing Populist Parties in Western Europe : Into the Mainstream?

Radical right-wing populist parties, such as Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom, Marine Le Pen’s National Front or Nigel Farage’s UKIP, are becoming increasingly influential in Western European democracies. Their electoral support is growing, their impact on policy-making is substantial, and in recent years several radical right-wing populist parties have assumed office or supported minority governments. Are these developments the cause and/or consequence of the mainstreaming of radical right-wing populist parties? Have radical right-wing populist parties expanded their issue profiles, moderated their policy positions, toned down their anti-establishment rhetoric and shed their extreme right reputations to attract more voters and/or become coalition partners? This timely book answers these questions on the basis of both comparative research and a wide range of case studies, covering Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The Influence of Material Type, Preparation Design, and Tooth Substrate on Fracture Resistance of Molar Onlays

Tooth colored all ceramic restorations have been the treatment preference of many patients for esthetics and biocompatibility. This study aimed to test the fracture resistance of posterior ceramic onlays milled with computer-aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) machines.The effects of material type, preparation design, and tooth substrate were evaluated using a full-block design. Ninety teeth were tested. Three different CAD/CAM ceramic onlay material types were included: a lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (IPS-e max CAD), a nano-filled resin-composite (Lava Ultimate), and a feldspathic porcelain (CEREC Blocs C). Three different preparation designs were included: an anatomical occlusal onlay preparation, a concave occlusal onlay preparation, and a flat occlusal onlay preparation. Two different tooth substrates were used: all in enamel, or in dentin with enamel peripheries. All teeth were restored and artificially aged. A load-to-failure test was used to measure the resistance to catastrophic fracture.Three-way ANOVA determined that of all the simple main effects, and all of their possible interactions, the only significant effect on failure load was that of material type (p 0.05). A glass-ceramic restoration, and a concave preparation design were associated with increased incidences of tooth fracture.Resistance to catastrophic failure is desirable, as is a failure mode that avoids vertical tooth fracture, but these results showed that these goals might be mutually exclusive.
Assessment of Napropamide Dissipation and its Effect on Soil Enzymatic Activity

This paper assesses the dissipation of napropamide and its impact on the activity of dehydrogenases, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and urease in sandy clay loam. The experiment was carried out on soil samples with organic carbon content of 12.08 g·kg-1, total nitrogen content of 0.97 g·kg-1, and pH 5.24 with the following variable factors: (a) dose of Devrinol 450 SC formation (containing 450 g of napropamide in dm3): 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16-fold hold of field dose; (b) day of experiment: 1, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 112. The half-life of napropamide ranged from 33.50 to 71.42 days. The use of napropamide at the dose recommended by the manufacturer and at the dose reduced by half appeared to exhibit low toxicity in relation to enzymes determined. In contrast, the application of elevated napropamide doses decreased the values of biochemical parameters of the soil in most cases. The Pearson’s correlation coefficients showed statistically significant negative correlation between the content of napropamide residues and the enzymatic activity of the soil.
The Influence of Streambed Heterogeneity on Hyporheic The Influence of Streambed Heterogeneity on Hyporheic Exchange in Gravelly Rivers Exchange in Gravelly Rivers

Hyporheic exchange can be influenced by channel meanders, by streambed topography, and by the heterogeneity within subsurface sediments. Fluvial systems with streambed sediments composed of sandy gravel can be heterogeneous and contain open-framework gravel stratasets that comprise roughly one-third of the sedimentary deposit by volume. The open-framework gravel stratasets have an average lateral length scale on the order of 10 m, average thickness on the order of a decimeter, and an average dip on the order of 10 degrees downstream. The hydraulic conductivity of open-framework gravel stratasets is on the order of 10 -1 m/s, and for the larger volume of sandy gravel it is on the order of 10 -3 m/s. Connected open-framework gravel stratasets form tortuous higher-permeability pathways throughout the sub-streambed sediment. The results of modeling show that the heterogeneity within the sub-streambed sediment influences the location and magnitude of the interfacial flow (flow across the streambed) more than the effect of meanders, and more than the effect of streambed topography. The heterogeneity gives rise to regions of positive and negative interfacial flow (flow over areas on the order of 50 m by 50 m) scattered across the streambed surface, which are not present in an equivalent but homogeneous system. The heterogeneity also gives rise to interfacial fluxes that are more than an order of magnitude higher than would occur in an equivalent but homogeneous
Effect of Earnings Management on Economic Value Added: A China Study

Earnings management is the judgement exercised by managers in financial reporting, which can be used to mislead stakeholders about reported accounting numbers. Economic value added (EVA) is used to obtain the real value of shareholder wealth; however, EVA is based on financial statements and is used to measure the value of competing companies, which likely motivates managers to engage in earnings management regarding EVA. This paper thus addresses the association between earnings management and EVA in China and investigates whether earnings management influences a firm’s EVA regarding capital cost, providing investors with a method of determining the true value of enterprises. An analysis of earnings management is also presented based on data from 2003 to 2013 (excluding 2008). A significant positive relationship exists between earnings management through discretionary accruals (DAs) (Jones model, discretionary working capital accruals) and unadjusted EVA, a significant inverse relationship exists between earnings management through DAs (Jones model, current DAs, discretionary working capital accruals) and adjusted EVA (join adjusted items), a significant positive relationship exists between earnings management through DAs (current DAs) and adjusted EVA (join adjusted items and economic deprecation adjusted items), and a significant inverse relationship exists between earnings management through DAs (Jones model, discretionary working capital accruals) and adjusted EVA (join adjusted items and economic deprecation adjusted items).
Exchange-rate pass-through to import prices: nonlinearities and exchange rate and inflationary regimes

This paper investigates the relationship between exchange rate pass-through and exchange rate appreciations/depreciations and inflation by estimating nonlinear time series models. Motivated by theoretical and empirical results in the literature, the paper proposes new econometric models that can characterize nonlinear and asymmetric dynamics between import prices and exchange rate changes in a parsimonious fashion. Findings show the presence of complete and incomplete pass-through regimes depending upon the magnitude of appreciations of a currency and inflation rates both in the short-run and in the long-run. Results also reveal threshold effects and asymmetry in the pass-through relationship over appreciations/depreciations as well as inflationary and disinflationary periods. Findings have important macroeconomic policy implications.
Vitamin K 2 , a Naturally Occurring Menaquinone , Exerts Therapeutic Effects on Both Hormone-Dependent and Hormone-Independent Prostate Cancer Cells

In recent years, several studies have shown that vitamin k2 (VK2) has anticancer activity in a variety of cancer cells. The antitumor effects of VK2 in prostate cancer are currently not known. In the present study, we sought to characterize the anticancer potential of VK2 in both androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancer cells. Our investigations show that VK2 is able to suppress viability of androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells via caspase-3 and -8 dependent apoptosis. We also show that VK2 treatment reduces androgen receptor expression and PSA secretion in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells. Our results also implicate VK2 as a potential anti-inflammatory agent, as several inflammatory genes are downregulated in prostate cancer cells following treatment with VK2. Additionally, AKT and NF-kB levels in prostate cancer cells are reduced significantly when treated with VK2. These findings correlated with the results of the Boyden chamber and angiogenesis assay, as VK2 treatment reduced cell migration and angiogenesis potential of prostate cancer cells. Finally, in a nude mice model, VK2 administration resulted in significant inhibition of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent tumor growth. Overall, our results suggest that VK2 may be a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of prostate cancer.
A contemplation on the secondary origin of green algal and plant plastids

A single origin of plastids and the monophyly of three “primary” plastid-containing groups – the Chloroplastida (or Viridiplantae; green algae+land plants), Rhodophyta, and Glaucophyta – are widely accepted, mainstream hypotheses that form the basis for many comparative evolutionary studies. This “Archaeplastida” hypothesis, however, thus far has not been unambiguously confirmed by phylogenetic studies based on nucleocytoplasmic markers. In view of this as well as other lines of evidence, we suggest the testing of an alternate hypothesis that plastids of the Chloroplastida are of secondary origin. The new hypothesis is in agreement with, or perhaps better explains, existing data, including both the plastidal and nucleocytoplasmic characteristics of the Chloroplastida in comparison to those of other groups.
Designing dialogue: argumentation as conflict management in social interaction

The escalation of disagreement into overt conflict in social interaction can be avoided, if disagreement is managed through argumentative dialogue. This paper explores the characteristics of argumentative dialogue and presents the role of third parties who design spaces for others' dialogue. After discussing the prototypical example of dispute mediators, this contribution considers other informal third parties who have a similar role. This opens up a new perspective on informal third parties who work as designers of dialogue and build spaces to manage disagreement in social interaction.
Corporate Governance and Financial Performance in Nepal

This paper analyzes the factors that affect corporate governance and influence on financial performance of Nepalese firms for theperiod of fiscal year 2009/10 to 2015/16 using descriptive and causal comparative research design. The profit margin and return on assets are dependent variables usedto measure financial performance and corporate governance and firm related variables such as corporate governance index, age of firms, size of assets, debt ratio, market to book ratio and ownership concentration are considered as explanatory variables. The result of this paper reveals thatprofit margin and return on assets of firms are positively related with age, market to book ratio and overall corporate governance index which implies that higher age, market to book ratio and corporate governance increase financial performance of Nepalese firms. Further, the regression result of the study shows that size of assets and debt ratio have negative effect and ownership concentration has no relationship with firms’ financial performance. Finally, result of this paper concludes that corporate governance, market to book value ratio, age, size of assets and debt ratio have strong explaining power of financial performance of Nepalese firms.NCC JournalVol. 3, No. 1, 2018, Page: 108-120
Compositions, Morphological and Thermal Properties of Green Banana Flour and Starch

flour (F) was used for starch isolation by using 0.05N NaOH. The KHF, HTF and NWF had yielded 48.12%, 56.50%, and 54.50% (based on whole fresh fruit), respectively. Banana flour had yielded starch (S) as followed, 30.37% (KHS; AA group), 29.67% (HTS; AAA group) and 33.18% (NWS; ABB group) (p>0.05) respectively. The chemical compositions of flours (protein, fat, and ash) were higher than those of starches as well as they were varied among cultivars. Morphology of banana starches, determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), had smooth surface and irregular in size and shape (round, long and oblong). The pasting curves obtained by RVA of green banana flours were lower than those of green banana starches of the same varieties. The gelatinization temperature ranges obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were 73.96-86.18°C and 70.70-81.50°C for flours and starches