Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Facing a Calibration Committee: The Impact on Costly Information Collection and Subjective Performance Evaluation

Recently, many organizations have installed calibration committees to review and correct subjective performance evaluations of supervisors about their employees. This study uses an experimental setting to examine the impact of calibration committees on supervisor evaluation behavior. We predict and find that a calibration committee instigates supervisors to collect additional costly information that helps to better explain the performance of their employees. We also find that the presence of a calibration committee leads to better differentiated performance evaluations through supervisors’ collection of additional costly information. We also study two different types of calibration committees; those consisting of only supervisors compared to those with both supervisors and a third party in the form of a HR-manager. Our results reveal that the presence of a third party (i.e. HR-manager) in the calibration committee leads to better information transfer during discussion in the calibration committee such that supervisors are more likely to consider other supervisors’ information about employees to reach a consensus about their evaluations. Our study opens the black box of calibration committees by eliciting behavioral mechanisms that instigate supervisors to make more thorough evaluations.
What is the use of a single-case study in management research?

The purpose of this article is to present a defense of the use of single case studies in management research. The defense is necessary because this type of research has been relegated to a secondary role, or even rejected, by many researchers, who consider it unscientific. Evidence of this low status is the fact that most reputable academic journals in management publish few articles based on single-case studies. In this paper, we examine in detail the objections to the use of such cases in management research. We show the efforts made by some researchers to answer these objections and we show quality criteria for research that are alternatives to the criteria used in the so-called “scientific method. ” Our analysis suggests that a better understanding – by researchers with different methodological preferen ces – of the arguments for each particular use of the single-case study as a research method would allow a better dialogue between researchers and benefit management research as a whole.
Efficacy and safety of enoxaparin in unselected patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Summary In randomized clinical trials the low-molecular-weight heparin enoxaparin has been shown to reduce ischemic complications in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with fibrinolysis. Little is known about the use and efficacy of enoxaparin in unselected patients with STEMI in clinical practice. In a retrospective analysis of the prospective ACOS registry we compared the outcomes of patients with STEMI treated with enoxaparin or unfractionated heparin. A total of 6,299 patients with STEMI < 12 hours were included in this analysis, 609 (10%) were treated with enoxaparin and 5,690 (90%) with unfractionated heparin. In the multivariable propensity score analysis enoxaparin was associated with a reduction in the combined endpoint of death and non-fatal reinfarction in the entire group (odds ratio 0.59; 95% CI 0.43–0.80) and the subgroups of patients treated without early reperfusion (odds ratio 0.65, 95% CI 0.43–0.97), fibrinolysis (odds ratio 0.64; 95% CI 0.33–1.26) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (odds ratio 0.33;95% CI 0.15–0.72). There was no significant increase in severe bleeding complications with enoxaparin (6.5% versus 5.5%, p=0.4). In clinical practice in unselected patients with STEMI treated with or without early reperfusion therapy early treatment with enoxaparin compared to unfractionated heparin is associated with a significant reduction of the combined endpoint of inhospital death and reinfarction without a significant increase in severe bleeding complications.
Determinants of the capital structure of U.S. public finance infrastructural enterprises: evidence from not-for-profit water, power and transportation enterprises

OF THE DISSERTATION . ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iv TABLE OF CONTENTS . v LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES . xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Problem Statement and Significance of the Study . 4 1.3 Purposes of the Study. 6 1.4 Research Questions . 7 1.5 Organization of the Study . 8 CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND AND LITERATURE REVIEW . 9 2.
e-Integration in the Supply Chain: Barriers and Performance

Current opinion holds that Internet-based supply chain integration with upstream suppliers and downstream customers (called “e-integration” in this paper) is superior to traditional ways of doing business. This proposition remains untested, however, and similarly we know little about what are the upstream, internal, and downstream barriers to implementing e-integration. This paper empirically addressed these questions using data from a large single nation study, and found (1) a positive link between e-integration and performance, and (2) that internal barriers impeded e-integration more than either upstream supplier barriers or downstream customer barriers. Findings from this study contribute to our theoretical understanding of implementing change in contemporary supply chains, and have important implications for manufacturers interested in improving their supply chain's performance using the Internet.
Customer behavioral intention: Influence of service delivery failures and perceived values in Malay restaurants / Zulhan Othman, Salleh Mohd Radzi and Mohd Hafiz Mohd Hanafiah

Undeniable that to be successful, restaurant industry must have the ability to deliver satisfying experiences to customers. Most successful restaurants compete on the basis of their ability to delivery superior and unexceptional service. Nevertheless, even in the luxurious restaurant with the best customer-oriented strategic plans, immaculate service delivery cannot be assured. Service delivery failures, in fact, can make restaurants out of business by neglecting the cause of failure. Apart from that, it is contended that customers who had a bad experience will still revisit and remain loyal to the restaurants that have positive perceived values. Thus, this study empirically investigates the influence of service delivery failures, perceived values and customer behavioral intention in Malay restaurants. It is structured according to a quantitative investigation among restaurant customers who had visited and experienced service delivery failures when dining at pre-identified Malay restaurants in Klang Valley.
Chapter 3 Pb ( Mg 1 / 3 Nb 2 / 3 ) O 3 ( PMN ) Relaxor : Dipole Glass or Nano-Domain Ferroelectric ?

In sharp contrast to normal ferroelectric (for example BaTiO3), relaxors show unusually large dielectric constant over a large temperature range (~100 K) (Fig. 1 (a)) [1,2]. Such large dielectric response is strongly dependent on the frequency. Its origin has been the focus of interest in the solid-state physics. Unlike the dielectric anomaly in BaTiO3, which is associat‐ ed with a ferroelectric phase transition, the maximum of dielectric response in relaxor does not indicate the occurrence of a ferroelectric phase transition. Such huge dielectric response suggests that local polarization might occur in the crystal. This was envisioned by Burns and Dacol from the deviation from linearity of refractive index n(T) (Fig. 1(c)) around the socalled Burns temperature (TBurns) [3] because the deviation Δn is proportional to polarization Ps. The local polarization is suggested to occur in a nano-region, and is generally called as polar nano-region (PNR). The existence of PNR in relaxor is well confirmed from the neu‐ tron scattering measurements [4] and transition electron microscopy (TEM) observation. However, it is still unknown how PNRs contribute to the large dielectric response. More re‐ cently, it is also suggested that a strong coupling between zone-center and zone-boundary soft-modes may play a key role in understanding the relaxor behaviors [5]. Clearly, the question “what is the origin of the giant dielectric constant over a broad temperature range? ”is still unclear [6,7].
Thiolation and 2-methylthio- modification of Bacillus subtilis transfer ribonucleic acids

Six thionucleosides found in Bacillus subtilis transfer ribonucleic acids were investigated: N6-(delta 2-isopentenyl)-2-methylthioadenosine, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, 4-thiouridine, 2-methylthioadenosine, N-[(9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2-methylthiopurin-6-yl)carbamoyl]threonine, and one unknown (X1). The presence of N-[(9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2-methylthiopurin-6-yl)carbamoyl]threonine was demonstrated based on the affinity of the transfer ribonucleic acid containing it for an immunoadsorbent made with the antibody directed toward N-[9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purin-6-ylcarbamoyl]-L-threonine. The existance of N-[(9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2-methylthiopurin-6-yl)carbamoyl]threonine in two species of lysine transfer ribonucleic acids was also confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Four of these thionucleosides--N6-(delta 2-isopenenyl)-2-methylthioadenosine, 2-methylthioadenosine, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, and the unknown designated X1--occurred only in specific areas in the elution profile of an RPC-5 column and probably affect the chromatographic properties of the transfer ribonucleic acids containing them. In contrast with Escherichia coli, where 4-thiouridine is the most frequent type of sulfur-containing modification, approximately one-third of the sulfur groups in B. subtilis transfer ribonucleic acid are present as thiomethyl groups on the 2 position of an adenosine or modified adenosine residue.
Community sports clubs: are they only about playing sport, or do they have broader health promotion and social responsibilities?

ABSTRACT Community sport organisations face increasing pressure from stakeholders to devote resources to activities that help them appear as being socially responsible actors in society. This study extends the concept of social responsibility from the corporate sport domain to investigate the relative importance of social responsibilities for community sport clubs. Items were developed from the Global Reporting Initiative and International Standards Organisation guidance on socially responsible organisations. A three-wave Delphi study was conducted internationally with 33 sport management academics and 23 national sport organisation managers. This study found that community sport clubs are primarily responsible for enhancing sport participation, creating a safe and inclusive environment, and ensuring the club is economically and legally sound. It is concluded that for sport clubs to be socially responsible organisations, their focus should be on fulfilling obligations that meaningfully impact their community, before devoting scarce resources to activities beyond their immediate capacity.
Unequal representation of the temporal and nasal retina in an anomalous projection to the lateral thalamus

Study of an anomalously regenerated, nontopographically organized retinal projection in the frog olfactory cortex revealed that the temporal retina is the main source of this projection, suggesting the existence of specific temporal fiber‐directed attractant or trophic influences. In the present study, we examined the organization of an anomalous retinal projection that forms in the frog thalamus after ablation of the optic tectum. The projections from different sectors of the retina were studied by means of the anterograde transport of biotinylated dextran‐amine (BDA) delivered to incisions made across the nerve fiber layer in frogs surviving ablation of the contralateral tectal hemisphere for 13–46 weeks. The projections from nasal retinal sectors were always lightly constructed in the aberrant terminal field, whereas their projections to the lateral geniculate complex remained reasonably strong. In contrast, the projections from temporal retinal sectors, though also weak initially, in time became robust and filled the aberrant field over most of its extent. The specific amplification of the temporal fiber projection now observed in two foreign targets provides further evidence for the existence of target‐based, attractant/trophic molecules with functional specificity for temporal retinal fibers. That such agents can exist or be inducible in a foreign area would suggest that they belong to a family of molecules having natural biological activity in normal development or regeneration. However, the possibility that the augmented role of the temporal retina in these projections is a result of experience‐based plasticity is also discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 416:213–223, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effectiveness of varenicline as an aid to smoking cessation: results of an inter-European observational study

Abstract Background: Varenicline tartrate, a selective partial agonist of the α4β2 nicotinic receptor, has been shown to be an effective smoking cessation aid with an acceptable safety profile in a number of randomized, controlled trials. The aim of the CHOICES (Champix Observational Investigation in the Cessation of Smoking) study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of varenicline in real-world clinical practice. Methods: The CHOICES study was a 12-week, prospective, observational, non-comparative study of varenicline conducted in four European countries (Belgium, Greece, Hungary, and Slovenia) between November 21, 2007 and August 3, 2009. Participants were prescribed varenicline according to the recommendations on the European Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Smoking abstinence rates in the 7 days between week 11 and 12 were determined based on verbal reporting using a nicotine use inventory. The safety profile of varenicline was also assessed. Results: Of 566 participants enrolled in this study, 551 received varenicline and were evaluated for effectiveness and safety. At baseline, the overall study population had a mean age of 45.5 years; a mean history of smoking of 27.0 years; and a mean score on the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) of 6.1. Overall, 64.6% (95% CI 60.1, 68.3) of participants successfully quit smoking by the end of the treatment phase at week 12. The most frequent treatment-emergent (all causality) adverse events were nausea (8.9%), insomnia (2.9%), and sleep disorder (2.2%) of mostly mild or moderate intensity. Discontinuations from the study due to treatment-related adverse events occurred in 3.4% of participants. Limitations: Abstinence rates were not validated by carbon monoxide measurements, as this is not a practice uniformly used in European countries. Conclusions: The CHOICES study shows that in a real-world clinical practice setting outside a clinical trial environment, varenicline is an effective smoking cessation aid with an acceptable safety profile. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00669240.
Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) to Finance New Ventures

In an initial coin offering (ICO), new ventures raise capital by selling tokens to a crowd of investors. Often, this token is a cryptocurrency, a digital medium of value exchange based on the distributed ledger technology. Both the number of ICOs and the amount of capital raised have exploded since 2017. Despite attracting significant attention from ventures, investors, and policy makers, little is known about the dynamics of ICOs. This initial study therefore assesses the determinants of the amount raised in 423 ICOs. Drawing on signaling theory, the study explores the role of signaling ventures' technological capabilities in ICOs. The results show that technical white papers and high-quality source codes increase the amount raised, while patents are not associated with increased amounts of funding. Exploring further determinants of the amount raised, the results indicate that some of the underlying mechanisms in ICOs resemble those found in prior research into entrepreneurial finance, while others are unique to the ICO context. The study's implications are multifold and discussed in detail. Importantly, the results enable investors to more accurately understand crucial determinants of the amount raised (e.g., technical white papers, source code quality, token supply, Ethereum-standard). This reduces the considerable uncertainty that investors face when investing in ICOs and enables more informed decision-making.
Causes of Ill Health among a Random Sample of Old and Very Old People: Possibilities for Prevention

comes, or more accurate targeting of services may all have a role in the prevention of handicap [1]. Such prevention relies heavily on an understanding of the causes of disease derived from studies of people of working age [2-4], It is likely that relationships between risk factors and disease will alter amongst the old and very old. It is essential that the associations between potentially alterable risk factors and disease occurrence are measured before attempts are made to reduce handicap. This will help decide what potential benefits (if any) might be produced by specific activities and may indicate
Informed Trading in the Norwegian Options Market

This study investigates if informed trading occur in the Norwegian options market prior to quarterly earnings announcements and if firm characteristics like high stock price level and investments in R&D e↵ect the extent of such trading. Prior research suggests that informed traders may cause option prices to systematically deviate from the put-call parity by imposing price pressure on certain options. Price pressures materialize through an implied volatility spread which has been found to predict equity returns, especially during major information events. The implied volatility spread is investigated and results indicate that informed investors use the options market to act on their private information, but only when they expect a favorable market reaction to the earnings disclosure. High stock price level and investments in R&D are not found to e↵ect the extent of informed trading ex-ante.
EVIDENCE FOR TWO TYPES OF EXCITATORY RECEPTOR FOR 5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE IN DOG ISOLATED VASCULATURE

1 As part of an investigation into the mode of action of anti‐migraine drugs, a study of the excitatory receptors for 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) has been carried out in a range of isolated vascular preparations from the dog. 2 5‐HT contracted the dog isolated femoral artery and saphenous vein over the concentration‐range 1.0 × 10−8to 5.0 × 10−6mol/l. 3 In the femoral artery methysergide and cyproheptadine were potent, competitive and specific antagonists of the contractile responses to 5‐HT, with pA2 values of 8.52 and 8.55 respectively. 4 In the saphenous vein, methysergide was only a weak antagonist of 5‐HT. In addition, it was an agonist over the concentration‐range 5.0 × 10−8to 1.0 × 10−5mol/l. Cyproheptadine was a weak and unsurmountable antagonist of contractile responses to 5‐HT and methysergide. 5 Contractile responses to 5‐HT and methysergide in the saphenous vein were not antagonized by morphine (3.0 × 10−5mol/l), indomethacin (5.0 × 10−5mol/l), phentolamine (5.0 × 10−7mol/l), propranolol (1.0 × 10−6mol/l), atropine (1.0 × 10−6mol/l), mepyramine (1.0 × 10−6mol/l) or cimetidine (1.0 × 10−5mol/l). 6 In the external carotid and lingual arteries the pattern of activity obtained with methysergide and cyproheptadine was the same as that in the femoral artery, while in the auricular artery the pattern of activity was the same as that in the saphenous vein. 7 The results are consistent with the hypothesis that there are two types of receptor mediating 5‐HT‐induced vasoconstriction in dog vasculature. One type, characterized by the pattern of activity obtained in the femoral artery, is like the previously described ‘D‐receptor’. The other type, characterized by the pattern of activity obtained in the saphenous vein, has not been described before. The verification of this hypothesis requires the identification of a specific antagonist of 5‐HT and methysergide in the saphenous vein.
Low intensity laser irradiation in the treatment of recalcitrant radiation ulcers in patients with breast cancer – long‐term results of 3 cases

Radiotherapy can be followed by recalcitrant skin ulcers. As low intensity laser irradiation has been demonstrated to have a beneficial effect on impaired wound healing, we investigated its efficacy and safety in three patients with chronic radiation ulcers. The three patients, previously mastectomized due to breast cancer, with recalcitrant radiation ulcers of the skin were treated with a 30 mW helium‐neon laser (wavelength: 632.8 nm, intensity: 3 mW/cm2, dose: 30 J/cm2) three times weekly. In all patients, complete wound closure was achieved within a period of 7, 5, and 8 weeks. One patient died 6 weeks after laser treatment due to tumor cachexia. Neither of the other patients showed recurrence of radiation ulcers or neoplasm during a follow‐up of 36 months. Low intensity helium‐neon laser irradiation has been shown to be effective in the induction of wound healing in radiotherapy‐induced ulcers in three patients with breast cancer.
The effect of teacher involvement in the decision making on their performance in Harare Primary Schools

The continued low pass rates by Harare Primary schools at grade seven level despite the number of training workshops held by the Civil Service Commission, who is the employer made the researcher want to find out what could be the contributory factors. The researchers investigated teacher involvement in decision making and the effect this had on their performance. Fifty primary school trained teachers and 10primary school heads were randomly selected for the research. The descriptive survey research method was used for this study. Closed-ended questionnaires and structured interviews were used in order to get credible data. The closed-ended questionnaires were used to collect data from teachers and the structured interviews were conducted with heads. The data were presented in tables and pie charts. From the study, it was noticed that teachers were not involved in key decision areas. When involved it would be on issues concerning the classroom. Teachers indicated the need to be involved in matters concerning the school as they are part of the school system. The findings of the study showed that involving teachers in decision making made teachers go an extra mile in their performance. The researchers recommend training workshops to be conducted were current information on the importance of teacher involvement in decision making processes is given. The training workshops should involve officials in the education ministry, heads, teachers and other stakeholders. School heads should better understand that trained teachers of today hold professional qualifications that qualifies them for leadership positions. Heads should thus tap on this knowledge. Further research needs to be carried out to determine the correlation between high teacher involvement in school decision making processes and high pass rates.