Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of organizational culture on corporate financial performance: a review

The effect of organizational culture on corporate financial performance has been an interesting field of research over the years. The jury is still out on whether the organizational culture affects the corporate financial performance, or not. Organizational culture has been found to be a major factor for organizational success. The purpose of this paper is to review the impact of organizational culture on corporate financial performance. Empirical studies were reviewed and summarized. This review concludes that the relationship between organizational culture and corporate financial performance is inconclusive. In consequence, further investigations are necessary.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Risk for Nurses after Trivalent Vaccination

To the Editor: We report results of the effect of inactivated seasonal influenza vaccination on risk of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in a cohort of nurses in Canada who participated in a recent randomized controlled trial that compared the effectiveness of surgical masks with that of N95 respirators in preventing influenza (1). From September 23, 2008, through December 8, 2008, a total of 446 nurses from 8 hospitals in the province of Ontario were enrolled. They were then randomly assigned an intervention; 225 were assigned to wear surgical masks, and 221 were assigned to wear the N95 respirator. The mean age of participants was 36.2 years; 94% were women. A total of 128 (30.3%) received the trivalent influenza vaccine. Vaccination status was similar between the groups: 68 (30.2%) persons in the surgical mask group and 62 (28.1%) persons in the N95 respirator group had received the 2008–2009 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. The nurses were monitored from January 12, 2009, through April 23, 2009. Blood specimens for serologic analysis were obtained before enrollment and at the end of the follow-up period. End-of-study serum samples were collected from April 23 through May 15, 2009. Serologic infection was defined by a >4-fold increase in influenza-specific hemagglutinin inhibition assay titer between baseline and convalescent-phase serum samples by using turkey erythrocytes and A/TN/1560/2009(H1N1), a representative pandemic influenza virus. Of the 422 nurses included in the analysis, 42 (10.0%) showed seroconversion to pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Of 128 nurses who received the trivalent influenza vaccine, 9 (7.0%) showed seroconversion vs. 33 (11.2%) of those that did not (relative risk 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.31–1.27, p = 0.19). Although the point estimate was protective, the confidence interval is wide and does not exclude an increase in risk. Our sample size limits inferences that can be drawn. Heterotypic antibodies may have contributed to the relatively high rate of seroconversion. A rise in antibody titer is considered by some as an outcome associated with bias, unlike virus identification. Nevertheless, these data suggest a possible positive effect of seasonal influenza vaccine reducing risk of infection with pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Inhibition of hedgehog signaling attenuates carcinogenesis in vitro and increases necrosis of cholangiocellular carcinoma

The Hedgehog signaling pathway plays a pivotal role during embryonic development, stem cell maintenance, and wound healing. Hedgehog signaling also is deregulated in many cancers. However, the role of this signaling pathway in the carcinogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of Hedgehog inhibition by cyclopamine and 5E1 in cultured human CCC cell lines and in vivo using a xenograft mouse model. We also investigated the involvement of Hedgehog in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and CCC tumor growth. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) ligand was highly expressed in 89% of human CCC tissues and in CCC cell lines. Cyclopamine and 5E1 treatments effectively inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by down‐regulating the Hedgehog target genes glioblastoma 1 and glioblastoma 2. In vitro and in vivo, we detected an increase in epithelial marker, E‐cadherin, after Hedgehog inhibition. In addition, we saw an increase in necrotic areas and a decrease in mitotic figures in cyclopamine and 5E1‐treated CCC xenograft tumors. Conclusion: This study supports the presence of autocrine Hedgehog signaling in human CCC, where CCC cells produce and respond to Shh ligand. Blocking the Hedgehog pathway inhibited EMT and decreased the viability of CCC cells. In addition, cyclopamine and 5E1 inhibited the growth of CCC xenograft tumors. (HEPATOLOGY 2013)
Preparedness for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): a case study of Malaysian SME manufacturing sector

Purpose The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) initiative poses both significant opportunities and difficult challenges to the Malaysian SME communities. This study aims to investigate the preparedness of the local SMEs to compete and exploit opportunities in a post-AEC era. The aim is to contribute to existing literature and knowledge base on SMEs’ practices in the ASEAN region. The manufacturing sector has been selected for study, and the research efforts focus on procurement competencies. SME procurement practices in the two largest manufacturing sub-sectors in Malaysia – resource-based (RB) and electrical and electronics (E&E) – are explored. Design/methodology/approach Preparedness for AEC is gauged from four key performance areas summarized from literature review. Six key research activities are also identified for each performance area from the findings of previous works. Data were collected using a survey instrument and face-to-face interviews. Research methodology is primarily qualitative with quantitative data for robustness check. Findings The findings reveal peculiar procurement practices in Malaysian SME manufacturers that have significant implications on their preparedness to compete effectively post-AEC. The findings also highlighted the key influences that have contributed to variations in Malaysian SMEs’ attitude toward trade liberalization challenges and business process improvements in comparison with practices in foreign firms and more advanced economies. Originality/value Theoretical models have been adopted across business settings and environments by managers. This study reveals managerial practices in Malaysian SME manufacturers run counter to developed theories. The peculiarities and business attitudes of this resilient economic sector can be an important input to managerial decision-making when analyzing business activities in the region.
Skin Hydration Assessment through Modern Non-Invasive Bioengineering Technologies.

ABSTRACT Non-invasive bioengineering technologies continuously discovered and developed in recent decades provide a significant input to research development and remarkably contribute to the improvement of medical education and care to our patients. AIM Assessing skin hydration by using the capacitance method for a group of patients with allergic contact dermatitis versus healthy subjects, before and after applying a moisturiser (assessing the immediate and long-term effectiveness of hydration). RESULTS For both groups, but especially for the patients with dry skin, there was a clear improvement of hydration, statistically significant after applying the moisturiser. In the case of the patients with allergic contact dermatitis, hydration was at a maximum immediately after the first application, and then maintained an increased level after 7 and 28 days, respectively. In the healthy subjects, the increase in hydration was lower, but progressive. The moisturiser determined an increase in hydration for all age groups, but those who showed the most obvious effect were the young adults (18-29 years old) with an increase of 19.9%. The maintenance effect of hydration lasted for 28 days, while the improvement was important for allergic skin (17.1%) and significant for healthy skin (10.9%). CONCLUSION The assessment of epidermal hydration performed by using the corneometer showed very good hydration of the stratum corneum for both groups studied, with immediate and long-term effect. This study also showed that the degree of skin hydration was inversely proportional with age. The corneometer is easy to use, efficient and widely utilised in international studies for measurements in healthy or pathological conditions, for quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of various preparations intended for application to the skin surface, under well-controlled and standardised conditions.
Landscape level analysis of mountain pine beetle in British Columbia, Canada: spatiotemporal development and spatial synchrony within the present outbreak

Aukema, B. H. , Carroll, A. L. , Zhu, J., Raffa, K. F. , Sickley, T. A. and Taylor, S. W. 2006. Landscape level analysis of mountain pine beetle in British Columbia, Canada: spatiotemporal developments and spatial synchrony within the present outbreak. � Ecography 29: 427 � 441. Eruptive herbivores can exert profound landscape level influences. For example, the ongoing mountain pine beetle outbreak in British Columbia, Canada, has resulted in mortality of mature lodgepole pine over � /7 million ha. Analysis of the spatiotemporal pattern of spread can lend insights into the processes initiating and/or sustaining such phenomena. We present a landscape level analysis of the development of the current outbreak. Aerial survey assessments of tree mortality, projected onto discrete 12� /12 km cells, were used as a proxy for insect population density. We examined whether the outbreak potentially originated from an epicenter and spread, or whether multiple localized populations erupted simultaneously at spatially disjunct locations. An aspatial cluster analysis of time series from 1990 to 2003 revealed four distinct time series patterns. Each time series demonstrated a general progression of increasing mountain pine beetle populations. Plotting the geographical locations of each temporal pattern revealed that the outbreak occurred first in an area of westcentral British Columbia, and then in an area to the east. The plot further revealed many localized infestations erupted in geographically disjunct areas, especially in the southern portion of the province. Autologistic regression analyses indicated a significant, positive association between areas where the outbreak first occurred and conservation lands. For example, the delineated area of west-central British Columbia is comprised of three conservation parks and adjacent working forest. We further examined how population synchrony declines with distance at different population levels. Examination of the spatial dependence of temporal synchrony in population fluctuations during early, incipient years (i.e. 1990 � 1996) suggested that outbreaking mountain pine beetle populations are largely independent at scales � /200 km during non-epidemic periods. However, during epidemic years (i.e. 1999 � 2003), populations were clearly synchronous across the entire province, even at distances of up to 900 km. The epicentral pattern of population development can be used to identify and prioritize adjacent landscape units for both reactive and proactive management strategies intended to minimize mountain pine beetle impacts.
Sensitivity for self-discrepancy predicts alcohol consumption in alcohol- dependent inpatients with high self-consciousness

Background: A specific sense of self and sensitivity to self-threatening situations among alcohol-dependent (AD) individuals has often been reported by clinicians. Unpleasant self-awareness of situations of personal failure may lead to relapse, especially for AD individuals with high self-consciousness. However, the implication of Higgins’ self-discrepancy theory for alcohol-dependence has not yet been empirically investigated. This study tested the relation between self-discrepancies evaluated by the Self-Discrepancy Questionnaire and different self-related dimensions (i.e., self-consciousness, depression, emotional regulations strategies) in alcohol-dependence. Methods: Forty-four AD inpatients (28 men) presenting with an Axis-1 diagnosis of alcohol-dependence (DSMIV) and recruited during detoxification process completed Self-Discrepancy Questionnaire and others self-related questionnaires. Results: High self-discrepancies and associated distress were related to more negative affect, depression, abstract-analytical ruminations, and to lower adaptive emotion regulation strategies and higher alcohol craving and alcohol intake. Self-discrepancies and associated distress predicted alcohol intake but only in high selfconsciousness AD population. Conclusion: Self-discrepancies lead to discomfort and to emotional distress, which may results of more nonadaptive ruminations and less adaptive emotion regulation strategies. This unpleasant awareness of self-discrepancy predicted higher alcohol craving and alcohol intake. Two subpopulations were distinguished by the sensitivity to selfdiscrepancy according to their level of self-consciousness.
Melanoma and vitiligo are associated with antibody responses to similar antigens on pigment cells.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN Several clinical observations suggest that there is a link between vitiligo and melanoma. We examined whether an immune response to similar antigens on pigment cells could account for this association. We tested 30 patients with melanoma, 29 patients with vitiligo, and 28 patients with unrelated conditions for antibodies to human melanocyte antigens using an immunoprecipitation sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis assay. RESULTS Antibodies to melanocytes were present in 24 (80%) patients from the melanoma group, 24 (83%) patients from the vitiligo group, and in two (7%) patients from the control group. The antibodies in patients with melanoma or vitiligo were directed to similar antigens with molecular weights of approximately 40 to 45, 75, and 90 kd. The frequency of antibody responses to each of these antigens was similar in both diseases. By sequential immunodepletion, the antigens defined by antibodies in both diseases were similar. These antigens were also expressed on melanoma cells. CONCLUSIONS Most patients with melanoma or with vitiligo develop antibodies to similar antigens that are present both on melanocytes and on melanoma cells. These findings support the hypothesis that the clinical link between the two diseases results from immune responses to antigens shared by normal and malignant pigment cells.
Realisation of linear time-varying systems

ABSTRACT In this paper, the realisation problem of linear multi-input multi-output, time-varying systems is studied. The approach, based on the theory of non-commutative polynomial rings, yields explicit and simple formulas for computation of the state coordinates as well as for state equations in observable canonical form. The formulas are based on (left) Euclidean polynomial division.
Retrospective analysis of the approach to nasal fractures at Unicamp Clinical Hospital

Introduction: Nasal fractures are common injuries, frequently considered to be minor. Nevertheless, they may cause significant damage, from both a functional and aesthetic perspective. Methods: Medical records of 144 patients admitted for nasal fracture treatment between February 2002 and October 2008 to the Plastic Surgery Area of the Unicamp Clinical Hospital were analyzed. Results: Patients were predominantly male (75.7%), with a male to female ratio of 3.1:1. The most number of cases was observed in 21 to 30 year olds, and the majority of fractures (31.8%) were caused by physical aggression. Closed reductions were performed on all patients under local and topical anesthesia after an average of 8 days. Among the studied patients, 31 experienced residual deformity. Conclusions: Patients typically affected by nasal fractures are young male adults. Closed reduction surgical treatment yields acceptable results, with correct injury evaluation and treatment timing.
Exploratory Innovation, Exploitative Innovation and Peformance: Effects of Organizational Antecedents and Environmental Moderators

Research on exploration and exploitation is burgeoning, yet our understanding of the antecedents and consequences of both activities remains rather unclear. We advance the growing body of literature by focusing on the apparent differences of exploration and exploitation and examining implications for using formal (i.e., centralization and formalization) and informal (i.e., connectedness) coordination mechanisms. This study further examines how environmental aspects (i.e., dynamism and competitiveness) moderate the effectiveness of exploratory and exploitative innovation. Results indicate that centralization negatively affects exploratory innovation, whereas formalization positively influences exploitative innovation. Interestingly, connectedness within units appears to be an important antecedent of both exploratory and exploitative innovation. Furthermore, our findings reveal that pursuing exploratory innovation is more effective in dynamic environments, whereas pursuing exploitative innovation is more beneficial to a unit's financial performance in more competitive environments. Through this richer explanation and empirical assessment, we contribute to a greater clarity and better understanding of how ambidextrous organizations coordinate the development of exploratory and exploitative innovation in organizational units and successfully respond to multiple environmental conditions.
Prevalence of genital human papillomavirus among men in Europe: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the commonest sexually transmitted infection worldwide and causes substantial morbidity in both sexes. Most European countries offer HPV vaccination for girls, but vaccine recommendations for boys are warranted. AIMS The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of genital HPV, identify parameters that affect the prevalence, and describe the type-specific prevalence among men in Europe. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature in PubMed and Embase. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Genital HPV prevalence and factors influencing prevalence in general and high-risk male populations in Europe. RESULTS We included 31 articles that gave the prevalence of genital HPV DNA among men in northern, southern and western Europe; no studies from eastern Europe were identified. The pooled HPV prevalence among 1,863 men representing the general population (nine studies) was 12.4%, with large heterogeneity between studies (I(2) = 96.3%, P < 0.0001). The pooled HPV prevalence among 6,428 men in the high-risk population (22 studies) was 30.9%, also with substantial heterogeneity (I(2) = 95.6%, P < 0.0001). In unadjusted meta-regression analysis, the HPV prevalence in the general population was significantly higher in studies published after 2000 (28.5%) than in earlier studies (8.8%) (P = 0.0179). In the meta-regression analysis adjusted by publication year, the heterogeneity in the two population groups could not be explained by geographical region, anatomical sampling site, or HPV detection method. HPV16 was the most prevalent high-risk type in both populations. CONCLUSIONS HPV prevalence differs in male general and high-risk populations, but HPV16 and HPV18 are among the most common HPV types detected in both groups. Our findings contribute knowledge that may be useful as a baseline measure before the introduction of HPV vaccination for boys in Europe, and add to understanding of the epidemiology of HPV infection in men.
Women’s Response to Intimate Partner Violence

The responses of women to a situation of abuse by their partner has hardly been addressed in the literature. Using a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire, 400 women attending three practices in a primary health care center in Granada (Spain) were studied. The women’s response to abuse was used as a dependent variable. Sociodemographics, intensity, duration, and combination of the types of abuse were used as independent variables. Lifetime prevalence of any type of partner abuse was 22.8%. Of abused women, 68% showed an active response, attempting to resolve the situation mainly through separation (58.2%). The factors independently associated with a woman’s active response were being separated, widowed, or divorced; reporting a greater intensity of abuse; and being younger than age 35 years. The results of this study show that a large majority of abused women in Spain try to resolve their situation, and that they are not passive victims.
Word Discrimination in Noise: Effect of Different Speakers

This study reports some significant differences in listeners' performance when different speakers administer a test of speech intelligibility in noise in a manner that purportedly would yield equivalent test results. Six speakers, three female and three male, each recorded list 4 of the CID W-22 discrimination test. The recordings were mixed with speech noise at speech-to-noise ratios of +5, +1, and -3 dB. Three groups of 14 normal-hearing subjects were used. Each group heard the six speakers at one of the three speech-to-noise conditions. Equivalence between speakers was considered to have been achieved when means were not different and correlations were high. Results suggest that the assumption of interspeaker equivalence may not be valid when speech discrimination is measured in a background of noise.
Examining the use of core terms in a records appraisal context – two Swedish examples

Records appraisal in the digital environment becomes a multi-professional enterprise, undertaken in the line of business, in which non-archivists play a vital role, but appraisal practices are not adjusted to this electronic reality. One aspect of this problem is the use and understanding of terminology. This paper presents a study on the usage of records-related terms in steering documents that affect records appraisal in Sweden. It uses a structured model for the analysis of steering documents. Used data sources are authoritative term databases and terminology report and steering documents from the three levels of regulations, i.e. Legislation and Regulations, Policy decisions and Instructions and Retention decisions steering documents from the Swedish National Archives and Stockholm City Archives, both archival authorities within their jurisdictions. The steering documents represents levels of hierarchical impact and are the foundations upon which appraisal is done and effectuated. Analysis of term frequency show change in vocabulary at level of hierarchy as well as development in time. Analysis of focus, characteristics and common features in definitions of terms show a variety of possible interpretations of the included terms, a result that affects appraisal and underpins a need for common corporate understanding in areas with multi-professional influences. The paper concludes that legal terms have impact on term use at regulation level, which lessens at lower levels, where vocabulary broadens. Difference is found between the two archival institutions studied, especially at decision level. Analysis of focus, characteristics and common features in definitions of terms show a variety of possible interpretations of the included terms, a result that affects appraisal and underpins a need for common corporate understanding in areas with multi-professional influences. An action suggested to mitigate risk is to form Communities of Practice for the task of records appraisal. One part of the task for these communities should be to agree upon shared concepts on used terminology that support electronic records appraisal. This would be a step where everyone involved develop a solid ground for the setting of the scope of appraisal. The idea of introducing Communities of Practice for the records and archives appraisal task is wider than the subject of this article, and should be further developed.