Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selling new products

ion. Based on insights developed the managers may be better able to coach staff to perform ambidextrous sales tasks. In addition, sales managers can be involved more in the strategy development of companies, thereby making them 126 Chapter 5 more aware of the value of the company‘s complete product portfolio (i.e., new and established products). Another solution is to recruit ambidextrous managers that have a proven track record in hosting contradictions, multitasking, and continuously refining and renewing their knowledge, skills, and expertise. People who ―have been there, and done that‖ may be better able to explain and also convince others to act in an ambidextrous way for selling new and existing products. 2. Complement sales manager efforts with the installation of a well-designed frontline mechanism, considering task autonomy, team composition, salesperson traits, and outcome feedback. The directive and motivating efforts of a sales manager will be most effective when the work setting is well aligned with the manager‘s efforts. For example, sales managers should understand that they have to direct their older and experienced salesperson to the concurrent sale of new and established products. However, to do so effectively managers should complement effort by granting high task autonomy and restricting their outcome feedback. This ensures that these salespeople stay motivated and successfully utilize their extended knowledge base. In contrast, more novice salespeople should be directed towards the more difficult and non-routine task of sale of new products. For novices mastering the selling of existing products is hard and may take too much time and attention away from selling new products. By drawing attention to this task some balance is accomplished and the learning process towards a more complete sales person activated. In doing so, sales managers should closely monitor the novices‘ selling activities (i.e., low task autonomy) and provide them with sufficient outcome feedback. Finally, also team composition deserves careful attention. By composing a well-balanced team i.e., one with a few (but not too many) experienced members, the experienced salesperson will take the responsibility to help the novices by showing them how to be more effective on the job. This reduces the role of the sales manager, who then can pay more attention to strategic matters and optimizing the sales force.
Obtaining IT Competencies for Curricular Development using Q-technique

The purpose of this study is to explore a method to acquire the competency requirements of IT enterprises to serve as the basis for developing IT curriculum. The Q-technique and survey research were used. For this study, 24 Taiwan experts in ICT stock-listed companies were consulted to acquire competency statements that are universally required; a Q-technique was then applied. The study surveyed regional IT enterprises and collected 236 valid questionnaires to establish regional IT competencies. The study has found that IT competencies are structured along the dimensions of information ability, fault tolerance, execution ability, problem solving, learning ability, and innovation ability. The contribution of the Q-technique is it located the competency for universal need and regional need of the IT industry. Q-technique could be a method for curriculum development.
Human Resource Management Practices: Influence of recruitment and selection, and training and development on the organizational performance of the Jordanian Public University

This study examines the impact of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices as well as the factors that affect recruitment and selection as well as training and development onthe organization performance of the Jordanian Public University in the Kingdom of Jordan. The sample comprises staff and lecturers of the university. To achieve the study objectives, the researchers developed a questionnaire, which was administered in a survey. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS. The analysis of the descriptive statistics and correlations indicated that recruitment and selection as well as training and development significantly correlated with the organizational performance of the Jordanian Public University. The study also recommended the steps to improve HRM practices in the university.
Design of Linear-to-Circular Polarization Transformers Made of Long Densely Packed Metallic Helices

In this work, we study the realization of realistic polarization transformers formed by long metallic helices. To this end, we propose a new homogenization model to characterize the propagation of electromagnetic waves in a medium formed by infinitely long helices. We derive approximate analytical expressions for the effective permittivity, effective permeability and the magnetoelectric tensor of the composite material, taking into account the effects of spatial dispersion. We apply the new homogenization model to characterize novel linear-to-circular polarization transformers. Our results show that the metamaterial screen may be designed in such a way that an incoming linearly polarized wave may be transformed into a circularly polarized transmitted wave, and that the transmission efficiency of such polarization transformer may be as high as 95%.
Free fatty acid binding protein-4 and retinol binding protein-4 in polycystic ovary syndrome: response to simvastatin and metformin therapies

Abstract Free fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) and retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4) contribute to metabolic syndrome. We investigated serum FABP4 and RBP4 responses to insulin sensitizing and lipid lowering therapies in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Sixty-two healthy, untreated women with PCOS (age 25.1 ± 3.6 years, BMI: 24.0 ± 4.7 kg/m2) were randomized to metformin (n = 24), simvastatin (n = 20) or metformin plus simvastatin (n = 18) for 3 months. Anthropometric measures, fasting blood tests and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were obtained at the baseline and the end. At the baseline serum FABP4 correlated with obesity (BMI: r = 0.63, p < 0.001), insulin resistance (fasting insulin: r = 0.44, p = 0.0002; QUICKI: r = −0.30, p = 0.02; OGTT-insulin sensitivity index: r = −0.27, p = 0.04), dyslipidemia (HDL: r = −0.26, p = 0.03) and hyperandrogenemia (free-testosterone: r = 0.23, p = 0.03; SHBG: r = −0.28, p = 0.03); while RBP4 correlated with total-cholesterol (r = 0.33, p = 0.009). Multiple regression analysis indicated that t best predictors of serum FABP4 and RBP4 were BMI (β = 1.02, p = 0.0003) and total cholesterol (β = 2326, p = 0.01), respectively. Simvastatin, alone or with metformin did not affect serum FABP4 or RBP4. Serum FABP4 related to the obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation while RBP4 related to lipids. Insulin sensitizing and lipid lowering therapies did not affect FABP4 or RBP4 levels in PCOS.
The dynamic nature of caregiver communication networks and spatialised work processes in hospital wards

This paper presents an empirical study of four hospital wards in two UK hospitals. Of interest are caregiver communication networks and behaviours because they form an important part of care provision. Space syntax research argues that the spatial configuration of buildings has an effect on social behaviours. However, only few notable studies investigate how inpatient wards influence work processes and relationships amongst caregivers. The dynamic nature of this work environment is particularly challenging to observe. Therefore, this study focuses on spatial layouts and dynamically evolving communication networks and behaviours adopting a set of complimentary methods to disentangle the complex and dynamic social processes in hospital wards. The two case studies are situated in London and were specifically selected to contrast in their setup and spatial organisation. Two corresponding inpatient departments in each hospital were chosen for a comparison – the intensive care unit and one medical ward. Space syntax was used alongside a staff survey including social network analysis to assess communication networks amongst caregivers. The survey was carried out for four consecutive days and asked about communication partners on each particular day to capture snapshots of everyday communication that could explain the dynamics of social networks. Sociometric sensors developed at MIT were run for eight consecutive days and provided information about frequency and duration of conversations. The dynamic nature of the workflow was captured by shadowing caregivers and recording digitally type and durations of sequential activities and locations. The study offers several contributions by bringing together spatial analysis, observational data, self-reported surveys and sensor data. Results indicate that the structure of communication networks of doctors and nurses became less hierarchical to keep the network stable when a key role was missing. It was also shown that distance influence the frequency and duration of conversations in the intensive care unit assuming that caregivers are fixed to their assigned beds. However, for the general nursing ward, a different methodology to model distance is required as one caregiver takes care of several physically dispersed patients. Finally, it was shown that nurses spent a great proportion of their time in various activities in different locations pointing towards the dynamic nature of the workplace. The outcome of this study generates insights into everyday life in hospital wards and how spatial practices play out.
SPECIAL TOPIC FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: INTRODUCTION AND REFLECTIONS ON THE ROLE OF PURCHASING MANAGEMENT*

This paper introduces a special topic forum on “Sustainable Supply Chain Management. ” Before introducing the papers included in the forum, the authors provide thoughts on the direction and future of sustainability research, particularly in the context of purchasing and supply chain management. The underlying premise that structures our discussion is straightforward: a company is no more sustainable than its supply chain. As such the purchasing function becomes central in a company's sustainability effort. In doing so, we reflect on the relationship between purchasing management and sustainable development by drawing from Kraljic's seminal article on how “Purchasing Must Become Supply Management. ”
White matter hyperintensities on MRI in high-altitude U-2 pilots

McGuire et al.1 presented interesting data on the prevalence and location of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in MRI scans of high-altitude pilots. The authors demonstrated that WMHs differ between the pilot group and a matched group of healthy controls. They concluded that these differences may …
Repellency and Toxicity of Mint Oil to American and German Cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattidae and Blattellidae) 1

The repellency and toxicity of mint oil to American, Periplan- eta americana (L.), and German, Blattella germanica (L.), cockroaches were evaluated in a series of laboratory experiments. In topical application experi- ments, mint oil was toxic to both species with toxicities (LD50s) of 2.57 (1.98- 4.20) in 10 l and 3.83 (2.35-7.34)% in 2 l for American and German cock- roaches, respectively. In continuous exposure experiments, Mortality (LT50) values for American cockroaches ranged from 246.8 min with 3% mint oil to 64.2 min with 100% mint oil. LT50 values for German cockroaches ranged from 318 to 5.6 min for 3% and 30% mint oil, respectively. American and German cockroaches had knockdown (KT50) values of ≈7.4 and 9.2 h, respectively, when fumigated with 50 l of 100% mint oil; 100% of both species were killed after 24 h. Mint oil deposits were ≈100% repellent in Ebeling choice boxes to both species during each day of the 14-d experiment. Mint oil-based formulations could provide another integrated pest management tool for cockroach manage- ment, especially in situations in which conventional insecticides would be in- appropriate.
Experience Marketing: An Empirical Investigation

Customer experience theory, research, and practice represent an evolving area of study within the marketing discipline. Despite its importance, the customer experience concept remains vague and lacks a thorough theoretical foundation. This study addresses this gap in the literature and examines the antecedents and consequences of customer experience from customer perspectives. The study provides a conceptual framework building from a qualitative study and the existing literature. This article includes a formal test of the framework using a large-scale survey to examine the experience of British customers with resort hotel brands. The results show that price perception, core services, and word of mouth have a direct impact on how customers interpret their experiences with resort hotel brands; perceived service quality plays a mediatory role in the relationship between servicescape, core service, and customer experience. Measuring the validation strength of customer experience upon brand loyalty by best fit in combination with cross-sample predictive validity models is a valuable contribution of this study.
Contribution of femoral and proximal sciatic nerve branches to the sensory innervation of hindlimb digits in the rat

The present study was performed to investigate the possibility of “aberrant” innervation of the tips of the hindlimb digits in the rat, i.e., from other sources than the femoral and the main sciatic branches (tibial, peroneal, sural). Cutaneous injections of fluorescent tracers in the digits were combined with either selective nerve transections to restrict afferent routes followed by detection of labeled neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), or by a delayed application of a second tracer to afferent nerves under study to detect double labeled neurons in DRGs. The results show that the tips of the digits were represented in DRGs L3–6. The femoral nerve afferents from digits 1 and 2 projected primarily to DRG L3 and to a smaller extent to DRG L4. A small number of neurons from primarily medial digits 1 and 2, but also from lateral digits 3‐5, were found to project to DRGs L4 and L5 via a proximal branch that leaves the sciatic nerve near the sciatic notch and runs distally in the posterior part of the thigh, here called the musculocutaneous nerve of the hindlimb. We also have some evidence indicating innervation of the tips of the digits from the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh. Aberrant innervation such as that described here might contribute to remaining and perhaps abnormal sensibility after nerve injury and is of interest for the interpretation of results in experimental studies of collateral and regenerative sprouting after such injury. Anat Rec 260:180–188, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Advertising and promotion budgeting during volatile economic conditions

This paper provides a perspective on traditional budgeting approaches and managerial processes in the midst of the severe economic downturn during May 2009, in the United States. Specifically, it examines the extent to which various company, brand and organisational factors are related to the level of decentralisation in the budgeting for advertising and promotion. Also, the influences of the level of decentralisation in the budgeting on the marketing budget size and the advertising-to-promotion ratio were examined. It appeared that the company size, company profitability, brand equity, brand price, brand type and the influences of the marketing and the finance departments were associated with the level of decentralisation in the budgeting, which, in turn, had significant impact on the actual budget size and allocation.
The effects of unemployment rate fluctuations on private health insurance coverage in New Zealand

In this paper, we estimate the effect of changes in the unemployment rate on private health insurance coverage of New Zealanders using quarterly national data from 1999 to 2009. A 1 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate is associated with a decrease of 9843 lives covered by private health insurance or a 0.32 percentage point decrease in the coverage rate of the total New Zealand population – representing a change of 0.7%–1.0% from the baseline. We also find some evidence of a stronger effect on men and the elderly and of an asymmetric effect on new insurance contracts vs. terminations.
Switching oxide traps as the missing link between negative bias temperature instability and random telegraph noise

Due to the ongoing reduction in device geometries, the statistical properties of a few defects can significantly alter and degrade the electrical behavior of nano-scale devices. These statistical alterations have commonly been studied in the form of random telegraph noise (RTN). Here we show that a switching trap model previously suggested for the recoverable component of the negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) can more accurately describe the bias and temperature dependence of RTN than established models. We demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally, that the recovery following bias temperature stress can be considered the non-equilibrium incarnation of RTN, caused by similar defects. We furthermore demonstrate that the recoverable component is solely constituted by individual and uncorrelated discharging of defects and that no diffusive component exists. Finally it is highlighted that the capture and emission times of these defects are uncorrelated.
Attitude towards savings, cooperative loans and monetary investment as predictors of psychological well-being among university non-academic staff

The study explored attitude towards savings, loans and monetary investment in predicting psychological well-being of non-academic university employees. A sample of 230 that comprised 122 male (53%) and 108 females (47%) were the respondents. Their age ranged between 21 and 55 years, with a mean of 38 (SD=10.4). Participants were administered psychological well-being, attitude towards savings, attitude towards cooperative loan and attitude towards monetary investment scales. Attitude towards savings, co-operative loan and investments significantly predicted psychological well being (R2 =.226; F (3,225)=23.17; P<. 01). Attitude towards co-operative loan and attitude toward savings significantly predicted psychological well-being independently (t= 6.04; β=.358; P<.05 and t=3.24; β=.210; P<.05 respectively). Attitude towards savings and cooperative loans play significant role in university employees’ psychological well being. It implied that having big savings and access to credit facility do enhance the psychological well-being of employees, whereas monetary investments may not. This might be attributed to the instability of capital markets where investment remain fluid and uncertain. Therefore, public institutions are encouraged to emphasise training and sensitization programmes where employees can learn more about attitude toward personal financial management because of the role in their psychological well-being. Key words: Attitude, cooperative loans, monetary investment, psychological well-being, savings.
Minimally invasive treatment of cholecysto-choledochal lithiasis - "Rendez-vous" technique.

INTRODUCTION In our paper we present the results of a study that was meant to provide a complex answer to the question:"Which is the most appropriate, most correct and least expensive treatment for mixt cholecysto-choledochal lithiasis(MCCL)? " MATERIAL AND METHODS Based on a five year experience (2008-2012), analysed retrospectively, during which 143 patients with MCCL were treated, we are trying to find answers to some of the questions that we have asked ourselves from the very beginning of this period. The answers were guided by alternative therapeutic options, for a pathology that does not have a "gold standard", with respect to the solutions available. RESULTS Given the fact that the period during which the study was conducted was chosen randomly and that the patients were included consecutively, the representativeness of the results is ensured for any other patient diagnosed with this pathology and admitted to a clinic with the same specialty, dimensions and equipment as the one presented. CONCLUSIONS This paper compares the results of our study to those of others, in terms of different or similar approach therapeutic options, developed in other minimally invasive surgery centres in the world, the final conclusions being encouraging for the therapeutic sequence that we practice.
Changes in the prevalence of cerebral palsy for children born very prematurely within a population-based program over 30 years.

CONTEXT Although cerebral palsy (CP) among extremely premature infants has been reported as a major morbidity outcome, there are difficulties comparing published CP rates from many sites over various birth years. OBJECTIVE To assess the changes in population-based, gestational age-specific prevalence rates of CP among extremely premature infants over 30 years. DESIGN Prospective population-based longitudinal outcome study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS In Northern Alberta, 2318 infants 20 to 27 weeks' gestational age with birth weights of 500 to 1249 g were liveborn from 1974 through 2003. By 2 years of age, 1437 (62%) had died, 23 (1%) were lost to follow-up, and 858 (37%) had received multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Population-based prevalence rates of CP were determined. Logistic regression with linear spline was used to assess changes in CP prevalence over time. RESULTS At age 2 years, 122 (14.2%) of 858 survivors had CP. This diagnosis was confirmed for each child by age 3 years or older. Among those whose gestational age was 20 to 25 weeks, population-based survival increased from 4% to 31% (P<.001), while CP prevalence per 1000 live births increased monotonically from 0 to 110 until the years 1992-1994 (P<.001) and decreased thereafter to 22 in the years 2001-2003 (P<.001). Among those whose gestational age was 26 to 27 weeks, population-based survival increased from 23% to between 75% and 80% (P<.001), while CP prevalence per 1000 live births increased monotonically from 15 to 155 until the years 1992-1994 (P<.001) and then decreased to 16 in the years 2001-2003 (P<.001). For all survivors born in the years 2001-2003, CP prevalence was 19 per 1000 live births. CONCLUSION Population-based CP prevalence rates for children whose gestational age was 20 to 27 weeks and whose birth weight ranged from 500 to 1249 g show steady reductions in the last decade with stable or reducing mortality, reversing trends prior to 1992-1994.
Pathogenic role of myeloperoxidase in acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND Myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been implicated in promoting tissue damage in various inflammatory diseases. However, MPO blood levels in relation to the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) and its time-course have not been studied. The present study aimed to determine the role of MPO in AP. METHODS We studied 86 patients with AP (48 patients with mild and 38 with severe pancreatitis) and 18 controls (volunteers). The relations of serum MPO levels to cytokine level, severity, and time-course of pancreatitis were studied. The serum level of MPO and cytokines were measured by MPO-EIA and cytokines ELISA, respectively. RESULTS The highest level of MPO was noted at the first day in patients with severe AP. A decrease of MPO blood level occurred during the first three days in all patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. The development of pancreatitis-associated lung injury and purulent complications was accompanied by increased MPO levels. Administration of pentoxifylline significantly reduced the MPO blood level, which was clearly correlated with the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the two groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study showed the MPO blood level is dependent on the severity of AP and on cytokine blood levels. Pentoxifylline in the complex management of severe AP may improve the results of treatment.