Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Managers’ CSR Decisions: A Research Framework

Although numerous studies have investigated the role of managers in making CSR decisions, not many offer findings on factors affecting managers’ decisions in engaging with CSR activities. Some studies discuss CSR practices by highlighting factors that directly influence CSR implementation in the organization but do not focus on managers as individuals playing a vital role in deciding CSR. Other than that, no study was found using Upper Echelons Theory and Model of Strategic Decision-Making Effectiveness to examine such factors. Thus, this study aims to fill the gap in the literature by identifying factors affecting managers’ CSR decisions based on respected theory and model. The findings should help future researchers to study in greater depth on influence of managers’ characteristics and their psychological makeup, organizational characteristics and also external characteristics on managers’ CSR decisions. HRD practitioners also can consider the contributing variables when plan strategies for CSR implementation for the organization.
Postponement and Supply Chain Structure.

CHAUDHRY, HASSAN RAUF. Postponement and Supply Chain Structure. (Under the direction of Dr. George Hodge). The purpose of this research was to develop a decision support model for aligning supply chain strategies with regards to postponement applications in the US textile and apparel industry. A case study based approach was used for this research to understand the impact of interaction among supply chain partners upon the adoption of postponement strategies. Leading organizations in the NAICS code of 424320 and 424330 (men’s/boys’ and women’s/child clothing and accessory merchant wholesalers) in North Carolina were approached to study their supply chain practices. Four case studies, using structured interviews, were developed for this research. It was found that different types of postponement strategies were adopted in the industry. Lack of informational linkage was cited as the biggest barrier towards the adoption of a postponement strategy. The research found that commodity type products are supported by adopting manufacturing and logistics postponement strategies in combination which require the value chain to have access to the latest sales data and trends. Products which have new design elements in addition to some elements being repeated from a prior season are better managed with manufacturing postponement requiring information and data sharing across the value chain. In such kinds of products access to sales data would not add much unless the value chain partners operate at a higher level of relationship and integration with shared designing and operational responsibilities. For products which are highly seasonal and have a short life cycle are better supported by adopting purchasing postponement strategy requiring relational linkage among the partners. Postponement and Supply Chain Structure by Hassan Rauf Chaudhry A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Textile Technology Management Raleigh, North Carolina 2010
Anaemia Prevalence More Than Doubles in an Academic Year in a Cohort of Tertiary Students: A Repeated-Measure Study in Cape Coast, Ghana

Background The stress of academic life may predispose young adults to poor dietary habits, which could potentially precipitate nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency. This study evaluated factors predictive of optimal iron stores as well as changes in haematological parameters over the course of an academic year in a cohort of tertiary students. Materials and Methods The repeated-measure cohort study recruited 117 undergraduate students from September 2018 to May 2019. Venous blood samples were drawn for full blood count estimation, qualitative glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) status, haemoglobin variants, and blood group determination during the first 2 weeks of semester 1. However, anthropometric parameters as well as full blood counts were determined for each participant during the first week and last week of semesters 1 and 2. Additionally, semistructured questionnaires were used to capture sociodemographic data. Also, serum ferritin was estimated for each participant using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Overall, 23.1% and 15.5% of participants inherited G6PD defect (G6PDd) or haemoglobin variants, respectively. However, group O (68/117; 58.1%) was the predominant ABO blood group and an overwhelming 90.6% (106/117) inherited Rh D antigen. The prevalence of anaemia increased from 20% at the beginning of the first semester to 45.1% at the latter part of the second semester. G6PDd participants had significantly higher median serum ferritin than G6PD normal participants (p = 0.003). Also, a significantly higher proportion of females were iron depleted (25% vs. 2.3%) or iron deficient (14.3% vs. 9.3%) compared to males. Moreover, being male, G6PD deficient, or 21–25 years was associated with increased odds of participants having optimal serum ferritin levels. Conclusion The progression of anaemia prevalence from mild to severe public health problem over the course of one academic year should urgently be addressed.
A theoretical investigation into the effect of a homogeneous catalyst on combustion characteristics of single droplets of diesel and biodiesel

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a ferrous picrate based catalyst on combustion characteristics of single droplets of diesel and biodiesel through mathematical modelling. The ferrous picrate based catalyst was doped into diesel and biodiesel and the single droplets were suspended at the tip of a quartz fibre undergoing heating, ignition and subsequent combustion in a hot stagnation environment. A comprehensive mathematical model was formulated incorporating the effects of fibre conduction, liquid-phase conduction, gas phase reaction and flame radiation. The model was solved by assuming a quasi-steady combustion process and uniform and constant atmospheric pressure. Methyl oleate was used as model fuel of the biodiesel. For the droplet size variation and burning rate, good agreement was found between the modelling results and experimental data. The model predicted higher burning rates of both diesel and biodiesel droplets with the use of the catalyst, which was mainly attributed to the increased flame temperature. The modelling results showed that the surface temperature of droplets of both diesel and biodiesel reached the decomposition temperature of the ferrous picrate (523K) after ignition. This validated our postulation that the ferrous picrate decomposed during the combustion process of single droplets of diesel and biodiesel to release iron atoms into the flame region, which in turn enhanced the reaction rate and therefore increased the flame temperature.
Allowance Transactions in the EU ETS – Evidence from Austrian Companies

Emission trading has been the key instrument in the EU's climate policy since its introduction in 2005. According to economic literature, emissions trading should ensure the achievement of a given reduction target at the lowest possible costs, by equalising marginal abatement costs of the installations covered. According to previous studies, however, only a limited number of companies have engaged in trading pointing at a limited economic efficiency of the scheme. This paper contributes to the growing body of empirical literature on allowance transactions by providing an analysis for Austria. For this purpose, two approaches are combined – a quantitative analysis of data on allowance transactions from the EUTL and a survey among Austrian firms in the EU ETS on their trading behaviour, motivations, and strategies. Our results show that allowance transactions have increased over time and that Austrian companies in the EU ETS tend to mainly acquire allowances in the market. The majority of Austrian companies reported compliance as the main motive for purchasing allowances. However, they stated that the time horizon of buying allowances for compliance purposes has been rather short so far, but some Austrian ETS participants intend to emphasise earlier purchases and consider a longer period in their purchasing strategy. Moreover, our analysis shows that it is a limited number of large companies (trading companies and large energy suppliers) that is very active in the market. Market actors have gotten accustomed to this new market for emissions over the past 16 years which is illustrated by increasing quantities and volumes traded. Nevertheless, for Austrian companies there is some potential for adapting their trading strategies in order to incorporate the future challenges, primarily for those companies not used to trading on international energy or resource markets. E-mail: claudia.kettner-marx@wifo.ac.at, daniela.kletzan-slamanig@wifo.ac.at 2022/1/W/5819 © 2022 Österreichisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung Medieninhaber (Verleger), Hersteller: Österreichisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung 1030 Wien, Arsenal, Objekt 20 | Tel. (43 1) 798 26 01-0 | https://www.wifo.ac.at Verlagsund Herstellungsort: Wien WIFO Working Papers are not peer reviewed and are not necessarily based on a coordinated position of WIFO. The authors were informed about the Guidelines for Good Scientific Practice of the Austrian Agency for Research Integrity (ÖAWI), in particular with regard to the documentation of all elements necessary for the replicability of the results. Kostenloser Download: https://www.wifo.ac.at/wwa/pubid/69256 Allowance Transactions in the EU ETS – Evidence from Austrian Companies Claudia Kettner, Daniela Kletzan-Slamanig
SUPERVISION AND INSPECTION FOR EFFECTIVE PRIMARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT

Primary Education is very crucial to the attainment of National development. This opinion necessitated this paper, as regards to the concept of supervision and inspection, challenges of school inspection and supervision and proffered strategies for improving supervision and inspection for effective primary education delivery in Nigeria. In conclusion, it was made clear that supervision/inspection should be taken into consideration for effective teaching and learning. Recommendations were made for ensuring effective supervision and inspection at the primary education level in Nigeria.
The improvement of inflammatory markers and disease progression among moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19 patients: a cross-sectional study from two second referral hospitals in Surabaya, Indonesia

Background: To date, coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) has no definitive treatment. Thrombosis and hypercoagulation may occur in the advanced stage. Further study on how to use anticoagulants is still required to promote the best prognosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 110 moderate, 140 severe, and 81 critical patients receiving unfractioned heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and fondaparinux was conducted. Data were collected from March 15th to August 31st 2020 at Universitas Airlangga and Husada Utama Hospital. A comparative study of white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), c-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, all-cause mortality rate, length of stay, and days of death among three severities of COVID-19 was done. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the correlation between inflammatory state after anti-coagulant with patients’ mortality. Results: Two deaths occurred in moderate cases, 36 deaths in severe cases, and 70 deaths in critical cases on ventilators. On day 13, moderate and severe groups showed decreased WBC, neutrophils, NLR, CRP, and D-dimer (p < 0.05). NLR, CRP, and D-dimer (p<0.05) in critically ill and ventilated patients decreased. Day-13 evaluation revealed 32.73% decrease of inflammatory markers in moderate group; 32.86% in severe patients; and 16.05% in critically ill, ventilated patients. A significant correlation between day 13 inflammatory status with mortality was seen in moderate and critical cases with a ventilator (r=0.337; p< 0.05 and r=0.25; p 0.05). Inflammatory profile on day 6 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.36; p < 0.05) and day 13 ([aOR] = 4.15; p < 0.05) was associated with patients’ mortality. Conclusions: Anticoagulants in COVID-19 patients lower inflammation markers. Evaluating inflammatory status is essential to predict the mortality. Inflammatory markers on day 13, based on the severity of COVID-19 and comorbidities, were associated with mortality in moderate and critical cases.
Special Educat or Self -Ef f icacy: The Im pact of Training and Exper ience

Across the United States, a teacher shortage plagues special education. The shortage dates from the end of the previous century (Fideler et al., 2000; Müller & Markowitz, 2003) and continues to the present (Sutcher et al., 2016). In 2010, the national attrit ion rate for special educators reached 13.5%, 9% of whom exited the profession within their first year of teaching (Fish & Stephens, 2010). In California, 13.4% of special educators left the profession or state between the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years (Ondrasek et al., 2020). Attempts to stem and reverse the shortage of special educators in California have manifested as providing extra support, increasing salaries, improving job satisfaction, fostering job commitment, enhancing educator motivation, outlining alternate certification pathways, and increasing self-efficacy of teachers (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing [CCTC], 2015; Canrinus et al., 2012; Fall, 2010; Thornton et al., 2007). Special educators? burnout and their resulting departure from the profession result from many factors, with stress representing a Abst ract
Spectrum-Effect Relationship Between Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction: An Identification Method of Active Substances With Endothelial Cell Protective Effect

Banxia Baizhu Tianma decoction (BBTD), a six-herb Chinese medicine formula first described approximately 1732 AD, is commonly prescribed for Hypertension with Phlegm-dampness Stagnation (HPDS) as an adjuvant therapy in China. Obesity is an important risk factor for the increasing prevalence of hypertension year by year in China. In Traditional Chinese medicine, obesity is often differentiated as the syndrome of excessive phlegm-dampness.Vascular endothelial cell injury plays an important role in the development and occurrence of HPDS. In this study, the protective effects of 18 batches of BBTD samples from different origins on HUVEC cells were evaluated, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was used to establish fingerprints, and combined with pharmacodynamic indexes, the protective components of BBTD on endothelial cells were analyzed. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by ROS and Hs-CRP models, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Bivariate correlation analysis (BCA) were used to investigate the potential correlation between chemical components and endothelial cell protection. The results indicated that BBTD could reduce ROS and hs-CRP levels in HUVEC cells, and the pharmacological activities in 18 batches of BBTD samples were significantly different. The results of BCA indicated that Gastrodin, Liquiritin, Hesperidin, Isoliquiritin, Hesperetin, and Isoliquiritigenin might be the active constituents to activate ROS and suppress hs-CRP as determined by spectrum-effect relationships. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the 6 components at different concentration were verified, and the results showed that all of them had good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in a concentration-dependent manner. This study showed that activity determination and spectral correlation can be used to search for active substances in Chinese medicine formula and provide data support for quality control of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Modelling of tsunami-induced bore and structure interaction

A series of three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and finite-element (FE) models, with a domain in the form of a water tank, were undertaken to simulate tsunami-induced bore impact on a discrete onshore structure on a dry bed. The fluid motion was simulated using the SPH-based software DualSPHysics. The tsunami-like waves were represented by solitary waves with different characteristics generated by the numerical paddle wavemaker. Numerical probes were uniformly distributed on the structure's vertical surface providing detailed measures of the pressure distribution across the structure. The peak impact locations on the structure's surface were specifically determined and the associated peak pressures then compared with the prediction of existing commonly used design equations. Using the pressure–time histories from the SPH model, FE analysis was conducted with Abaqus to model the dynamic response of a representative timber structure. The results show that the equations used to estimate t.
The PDE4 Inhibitor Tanimilast Blunts Proinflammatory Dendritic Cell Activation by SARS-CoV-2 ssRNAs

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are immunomodulatory drugs approved to treat diseases associated with chronic inflammatory conditions, such as COPD, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Tanimilast (international non-proprietary name of CHF6001) is a novel, potent and selective inhaled PDE4 inhibitor in advanced clinical development for the treatment of COPD. To begin testing its potential in limiting hyperinflammation and immune dysregulation associated to SARS-CoV-2 infection, we took advantage of an in vitro model of dendritic cell (DC) activation by SARS-CoV-2 genomic ssRNA (SCV2-RNA). In this context, Tanimilast decreased the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), chemokines (CCL3, CXCL9, and CXCL10) and of Th1-polarizing cytokines (IL-12, type I IFNs). In contrast to β-methasone, a reference steroid anti-inflammatory drug, Tanimilast did not impair the acquisition of the maturation markers CD83, CD86 and MHC-II, nor that of the lymph node homing receptor CCR7. Consistent with this, Tanimilast did not reduce the capability of SCV2-RNA-stimulated DCs to activate CD4+ T cells but skewed their polarization towards a Th2 phenotype. Both Tanimilast and β-methasone blocked the increase of MHC-I molecules in SCV2-RNA-activated DCs and restrained the proliferation and activation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Our results indicate that Tanimilast can modulate the SCV2-RNA-induced pro-inflammatory and Th1-polarizing potential of DCs, crucial regulators of both the inflammatory and immune response. Given also the remarkable safety demonstrated by Tanimilast, up to now, in clinical studies, we propose this inhaled PDE4 inhibitor as a promising immunomodulatory drug in the scenario of COVID-19.
Fractional Order Model of Broadband Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters

This paper presents a factional model for broadband piezoelectric energy harvesting systems. Piezoelectric materials pay a significant role in harvesting ambient vibration energy. Due to their inherent characteristics and electromechanical interaction effect, piezoelectric energy harvesting exhibits the hysteresis characteristic under sweeping environmental vibration. Fractional order model of piezoelectric energy harvesting could capture the hysteresis characteristics. Simulation and experimental results show that fractional model of piezoelectric energy harvesting is more effective in describing the system dynamic.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
THE EFFECT OF LEVERAGE, FIRM SIZE, EARNINGS GROWTH, AND EARNING PERSISTENCE ON EARNING RESPONSE COEFFICIENT

This study aims to investigate the effect of leverage, firm size, earnings growth, and earning persistence on earnings response coefficient. The population used in this study are all manufacturing companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2015 until 2019 and had positive earnings before tax. Consequently, the samples in this research are 68 manufacturing companies so that the observations are 340. For examining data, this research uses a panel data regression model. After running the chow test and Lagrange multiplier test, the most suitable method for the regression model is the common effect model. This research shows that leverage and firm size do not influence earning response coefficient. Meanwhile, earnings growth and earnings persistence have a positive effect on the earnings response coefficient.
Do the effects of RD tax credits vary across industries? A meta-regression analysis

This paper presents a survey of the micro-econometric literature on the effects of R&D tax credits on firms’ innovation activities. We focus on one specific aspect that has not received sufficient attention in previous research: the sectoral dimension. Our meta-regression analysis (MRA) sets up a new database collecting a large number of firm-level studies on the effects of R&D tax credits and investigates the factors that may explain differences in the estimated effects that are reported in the literature. The main result of the MRA analysis is indeed that sectors matter. Micro-econometric studies that have focused on a sub-sample of high-tech industries have on average obtained a smaller estimated effect of R&D tax credits. The paper proposes a simple framework to investigate why the effects of R&D tax credits vary across sectors and points out new directions and hypotheses for future research. JEL codes: H25, H32, O32, O38
Zróżnicowanie jakości plonu ziemniaków uprawianych w systemie ekologicznym i integrowanym w zależności od odmiany i warunków glebowo-klimatycznych. Część I. Udział wad zewnętrznych i wewnętrznych bulw

W latach 2008–2010 przeprowadzono badania dotyczące jakości plonu bulw ziemniaków uprawianych w dwóch systemach produkcji — ekologicznym i integrowanym, w dwóch miejscowościach — Jadwisin (Polska centralna i Osiny Polska południowo-wschodnia). Badano wpływ takich czynników jak: system produkcji, miejsce uprawy (jakość gleby), odmiana i lata badań na udział wad zewnętrznych i wewnętrznych bulw. Stwierdzono, że największy wpływ na udział wad bulw miały warunki klimatyczne, panujące w okresie wegetacji i genotyp. Sam system produkcji i miejsce uprawy miały mniejsze znaczenie.