Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empowerment and Performance

In the last decade the notion of empowerment has become popular in I/O psychology and management circles. Its currency among practitioners can be illustrated by the view of a CEO who stated that ‘No vision, no strategy can be achieved without able and empowered employees’ (cited in Argyris, 1998, p. 98). Concurrently, a survey based on a representative sample of 564 UK manufacturing companies (Waterson, Clegg, Bolden, Pepper, Warr, & Wall, 1999) showed that, although only 23% reported using empowerment extensively, 72% had adopted empowerment initiatives to at least some degree, had done so within the last few years, and had planned to develop them further. Similar rates of adoption have been reported in Japan, Australia and Switzerland (Clegg, Wall, Pepper, Stride, Woods, Morrison et al., 2002), and in the USA (Lawler, Mohrman, & Ledford, 1998). Evidence of the continued increase in the use of empowerment in the UK comes from a study by Wood, Stride, Wall, and Clegg (2003). They followed up on the companies in Waterson et al.’s (1999) manufacturing sample four years later, and found that the proportion using empowerment extensively had nearly doubled. They also found more use of empowerment in service organizations than in manufacturing ones. Hardy and Lieba-O’Sullivan’s (1998) verdict that ‘the popularity of this latest approach led some writers to hail the 1990s as the ‘‘empowerment era’’ ’ (p. 452) extends into the new millennium. Fenton-O’Creevy (1995) notes that ‘prior to its adoption as a management term, the word empowerment was most often used in such fields as politics, social work, feminist theory, and Third World aid . to mean providing individuals (usually disadvantaged) with the tools and resources to further their own interests’ (p. 155). Within I/O psychology and management, empowerment typically has a more restricted meaning. It is used to denote the
Commonality in News Around the World

Motivated by the pioneering study of Morck, Yeung, and Yu (2000), this paper investigates whether and how news commonality varies according to a country׳s institutional environments. Using a unique global news data set across 41 countries for the 2000–2009 period, we document three notable findings. First, firm-level news comoves more in countries with weaker institutional environments than in those with stronger institutional environments. Second, news commonality is positively associated with both stock return comovement and stock liquidity commonality. Third, the effect of news commonality on stock return and liquidity comovement is higher in countries with stronger institutions than in those with weaker institutions. These results suggest that a country׳s institutional environments affect firm-specific information production and, more importantly, support the information-efficiency view that lower price synchronicity is caused by greater capitalization of firm-specific information.
Long-term strict raw food diet is associated with favourable plasma β-carotene and low plasma lycopene concentrations in Germans

Dietary carotenoids are associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Raw food diets are predominantly plant-based diets that are practised with the intention of preventing chronic diseases by virtue of their high content of beneficial nutritive substances such as carotenoids. However, the benefit of a long-term adherence to these diets is controversial since little is known about their adequacy. Therefore, we investigated vitamin A and carotenoid status and related food sources in raw food diet adherents in Germany. Dietary vitamin A, carotenoid intake, plasma retinol and plasma carotenoids were determined in 198 (ninety-two male and 106 female) strict raw food diet adherents in a cross-sectional study. Raw food diet adherents consumed on average 95 weight% of their total food intake as raw food (approximately 1800 g/d), mainly fruits. Raw food diet adherents had an intake of 1301 retinol activity equivalents/d and 16·7 mg/d carotenoids. Plasma vitamin A status was normal in 82 % of the subjects ( ≥ 1·05 μmol/l) and 63 % had β-carotene concentrations associated with chronic disease prevention ( ≥ 0·88 μmol/l). In 77 % of subjects the lycopene status was below the reference values for average healthy populations ( < 0·45 μmol/l). Fat contained in fruits, vegetables and nuts and oil consumption was a significant dietary determinant of plasma carotenoid concentrations (β-carotene r 0·284; P < 0·05; lycopene r 0·168; P = 0·024). Long-term raw food diet adherents showed normal vitamin A status and achieve favourable plasma β-carotene concentrations as recommended for chronic disease prevention, but showed low plasma lycopene levels. Plasma carotenoids in raw food adherents are predicted mainly by fat intake.
Effects of Minimum Wage Legislation

This article explores the consequences of minimum wage legislation on small businesses, focusing specifically on the case of the equestrian sector in the UK. This was done by means of a survey of employers, rather than trying to discern impacts from existing national survey data. The survey revealed that, contrary to conventional wisdom regarding the negative effects of minimum wages on smaller firms, a sizeable proportion of respondents were favourably inclined to such measures. This would reflect the diversity of the small business sector, and highlights the need for further research in this area.
Characterization of the high‐affinity Ca2+ binding sites in the L‐type Ca2+ channel pore in rat phaeochromocytoma cells.

1. Two major types of ion‐ion interaction are demonstrated in the pore of the L‐type Ca2+ channel, the ‘lock‐in’ and the ‘enhancement’ effect. The former denotes that the ion at a certain site in the pore cannot move if the neighbouring site is occupied by the other ion. The latter denotes that the ion occupying a certain site may facilitate the exist of the other ion in the neighbouring site. 2. With inward currents carried by 300 mM external Li+, the exit rates of the blocking Ca2+ ion are decreased by approximately 4 times when the internal Li+ concentration is increased from 55 to 300 mM. With outward currents carried by 300 mM internal Li+, the exist rates of the blocking Ca2+ ion are decreased by approximately 2.5 times when the external Li+ concentration is increased from 55 to 300 mM. These findings demonstrate the ‘lock‐in’ effect. 3. When inward currents are carried in Li+ in the cell‐attached configuration, the on‐rates of the external Ca2+ are decreased in a rectangular hyperbolic fashion with increasing external Li+ concentration (apparent dissociation constant (Kd) approximately 75 mM in activity), suggesting competition between Ca2+ and Li+ for a certain site. On the other hand, the off‐rates of the blocking Ca2+ ion are increased linearly with increasing external Li+ concentration between 75 and 850 mM, and the line extrapolates to the zero point, indicating that Ca2+ exist is negligible at zero Li+. This finding demonstrates not only the existence of the enhancement effect in the channel, but also the indispensability of such an effect for Ca2+ to exit the pore. Moreover, a linear relationship up to 850 mM Li+ suggests that the affinity of Li+ to the enhancement sites is very low (apparent Kd very high) when a Ca2+ ion is present in the neighbouring site. 4. The unitary conductances of inward Ba2+ currents in the cell‐attached configuration are increased with increasing Ba2+ concentration. The apparent Kd obtained from a rectangular hyperbolic fit to the data is approximately 6 mM Ba2+ (in activity). When inward Ba2+ currents are blocked by Cd2+, the on‐rates of Cd2+ are decreased with increasing Ba2+ concentration also in a rectangular hyperbolic fashion, and the apparent Kd is approximately 5.5 mM. The similar Kd from these two different experiments suggests the high‐affinity set can accommodate no more than two Ba2+ ions. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Model for landmark highlighting in mobile web services

We introduce a model for landmark highlighting for pedestrian route guidance services for mobile devices. The model determines which landmarks are the most attractive based on their properties in the current context of user's orientation and the location on the route and highlights these landmarks on the mobile map. The attractiveness of a landmark is based on its visual, structural and semantic properties which are used for calculating the total attractiveness of a single landmark. This model was evaluated with voluntary users conducted in laboratory environment. Test subjects were shown images of street intersections from where they selected the most attractive and prominent landmarks in the route's context. We then compared these results with the landmarks selected by the model. The results show that landmarks highlighted by the model were the same ones that were selected by the participants as most salient landmarks.
In-plane pigtailing of silicon photonics device using “semi-passive” strategies

In this paper, we present two innovative solutions for the packaging of silicon photonics devices based on “semi-passive” alignment strategies using etched silicon microparts as ferrule holder. The goal is to reach lower manufacturing cost, compact devices for future multichannel optical interconnections, with high manufacturing throughputs compared to legacy technologies (e.g. active alignment). These approaches address either edge (planar) coupling or vertical coupling. In the case of edge emitters inverted tapers, we used lensed fibers beforehand attached to a silicon v-groove, so that the working distance of the lens is controlled before lateral/longitudinal alignment. It allows reliable attachment of the fiber to the chip to be achieved. In the case of Vertical Grating Coupler, we have developed multichannel silicon v-groove fiber holders, including a gold deposited mirror to redirect the light emitted from the Grating Coupler in-plane. The assembly process is achieved in two steps, using microelectronic standard flip-chip machine and pure passive pigtailing. The measured performances are promising in both configurations, as a result these two packaging platforms can be considered as smart solutions for emerging markets, when low profile dimensions and low manufacturing costs are mandatory.
Europe and the governance of global finance

The European Union (EU) has emerged as a central actor in financial governance. Hardly any corner of European financial markets remains untouched by EU rules, and key regulatory competences have been shifted from national authorities to supranational ones. At the same time, the global context has become ever more important for how and to what effect the EU regulates its financial markets. On the one hand, EU policymaking is embedded in global initiatives such as the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. On the other hand, the EU now rivals the USA in its ability to shape global rules. Scholars and practitioners cannot make sense of EU rulemaking without studying its links to global financial governance, just as to understand how global initiatives evolve they have to appreciate the rise of the EU as a global regulatory force. This book charts and analyses this centrality of the European-global link in financial governance for the first time. Its chapters, written by experts in the specific fields, cover the whole breadth of financial markets. They range from banking, auditing and accounting to derivatives trading, money laundering, and tax governance. This book offers comprehensive coverage of: how and why global and European financial governance have co-evolved over time; how global and European rules, institutions, and actors are linked today; and what this implies for future global and European financial governance. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the dynamics of either global or European financial regulation. Contributors to this volume - Andrew Baker, Queen's University of Belfast Jasper Blom, University of Amsterdam Ian Dewing, University of East Anglia Eilis Ferran, University of Cambridge Stefanie Hiss, University of Jena David Howarth, University of Luxembourg Daniel Mugge, University of Amsterdam Sebastian Nagel, University of Jena Lucia Quaglia, University of York Peter Russell, University of East Anglia Bart Stellinga, University of Amsterdam Eleni Tsingou, Copenhagen Business School Duncan Wigan, Copenhagen Business School
Current Enhancement of CdTe-Based Solar Cells

We report on the realization of CdTe solar cell photocurrent enhancement using an n-type CdSe heterojunction partner sputtered on commercial SnO2/SnO2:F coated soda-lime glass substrates. With high-temperature close-space sublimation CdTe deposition followed by CdCl2 activation, this thin-film stack allows for substantial interdiffusion at the CdSe/CdTe interface facilitating a CdSexTe1-x alloy formation. The bowing effect causes a reduced optical bandgap of the alloyed absorber layer and, therefore, leads to current enhancement in the long-wavelength region and a decrease in open-circuit voltage (VOC). To overcome the VOC loss and maintain a high short-circuit current (JSC), the CdTe cell configuration has been modified using combined CdS:O/CdSe window layers. The new device structure has demonstrated enhanced collection from both short-and long-wavelength regions as well as a VOC improvement. With an optimized synthesis process, a small-area cell using CdS:O/CdSe window layer showed an efficiency of 15.2% with a VOC of 831 mV, a JSC of 26.3 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 69.5%, measured under an AM1.5 illumination without antireflection coating. The results provide new directions for further improvement of CdTe-based solar cells.
Regional differences in structural characteristics of start-ups

In recent years new firm formation has become a major area of both research and policy. Yet, while regional differences in business start-up intensity, and their causes, have been the subject of various studies, few attempts have been made to investigate spatial variation in the structural features of start-ups. Theoretical considerations and the existing literature both suggest that agglomeration advantages and sectoral structure of regions figure prominently among the factors important in influencing start-up activity and characteristics. In the empirical analysis of start-ups in Austria we accordingly apply a regional typology based on these two factors. The data analysed were drawn from two similarly designed surveys relating to the years 1990 and 1997. It is shown that Austria displays marked regional differences in start-up activity, in terms of both intensity and characteristics. In line with the urban incubator hypothesis, tertiary centres - above all the Vienna region - displayed significantly above-average start-up rates, as well as more favourable structural characteristics of the new firms. Start-up activity in old industrial and in rural areas was substantially lower than average, structural features also being less positive there. Furthermore, the 1990 cohort displayed regional differences in business start-ups' survival period, although the Cox model indicated no significant direct influence of area type in this respect. In economic policy terms it can be concluded that, as well as a general improvement in the environment for start-ups, greater regional differentiation of financial, informational and consultancy support is desirable, since not only the conditions for new firm formation but also the intensity and characteristics of start-ups themselves vary considerably between regions.
An Empirical Study on the Dynamic Relationship between Higher Educational Investment and Economic Growth using VAR Model

Previous research has studied the relationship between higher education and economic growth, but the results are mixed. This paper analysed higher educational investment and economic growth theoretically and studied the long-term dynamic relationship between them by using Johansen test, Granger causality test, impulse response function, variance decomposition and other empirical methods based on vector autoregressive model. The result indicates a long-term stable equilibrium relationship among higher educational fund investment, human capital investment and economic growth. Specifically, higher educational fund investment and human capital investment have a significant positive impact on economic growth. Both higher educational fund investment and human capital investment are Granger causes of economic growth. Fund input is Granger cause of human input. Therefore, fund input is a major and driving impetus for higher education to promote economic growth. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation of Patient Specific Cervical Hip Fracture Surgery With a Volume Haptic Interface

The interest for surgery simulator systems with anatomical models generated from authentic patient data is growing as these systems evolve. With access to volumetric patient data, e.g., from a computer tomography scan, haptic and visual feedback can be created directly from this dataset. This opens the door for patient specific simulations. Hip fracture surgery is one area where simulator systems is useful to train new surgeons and plan operations. To simulate the drilling procedure in this type of surgery, a repositioning of the fractured bone into correct position is first needed. This requires a segmentation process in which the bone segments are identified and the position of the dislocated part is determined. The segmentation must be automatic to cope with the large amount of data from the computer tomography scan. This work presents the first steps in the development of a hip fracture surgery simulation with patient specific models. Visual and haptic feedback is generated from the computer tomography data by simulating fluoroscopic images and the drilling process. We also present an automatic segmentation method to identify the fractured bone and determine the dislocation. This segmentation method is based on nonrigid registration with the Morphon method.
Applying fuzzy and grey theory to multi-criteria decision-making model for supplier selection: A corporate social responsibility perspective

This research combined fuzzy and grey theories to develop a multi-criteria decision-making model to deal with problems regarding supplier selection. Prior research on supplier selection mainly focused on suppliers’ capabilities from the perspective of manufacturers; however, with the increasing attention paid to corporate social responsibility, in addition to capabilities, supplier’s corporate social responsibility should be taken into consideration for selection. In the process of supplier selection, the fuzzy theory was adopted to deal with assessment items which involve subjectivity and uncertainty. Moreover, manufacturers often encountered a common difficulty of information insufficiency, so they used only a limited set of criteria to conduct assessment; to tackle information shortage, we adopted grey relational analysis of the grey theory. As a result, this research utilized a combination of fuzzy and grey theories to develop an easier, fairer and more practical method for companies to decide on appropriate suppliers. This paper provided a detailed description of selection procedures and demonstrated it with a simulated case.
Prokaryote composition and predicted metagenomic content of two Cinachyrella Morphospecies and water from West Papuan Marine Lakes

ABSTRACT Certain sponge species are difficult to identify using classical taxonomic characters, and other techniques are often necessary. Here we used 454‐pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to investigate bacterial and archaeal communities of two distinct Cinachyrella morphospecies collected from two Indonesian marine lakes with differing degrees of connection to the surrounding sea. Our main goal was to assess whether these morphospecies hosted distinct bacterial and archaeal communities and to what extent these differed from those found in lake water. A recently developed bioinformatic tool (PICRUSt) was used to predict metagenomic gene content of the studied communities. Compositionally, sponge samples clustered according to morphospecies as opposed to marine lake indicating that each morphospecies hosted distinct bacterial and archaeal communities. There were, however, also differences in higher taxon abundance among lakes. In the less connected lake, for example, both Cinachyrella morphospecies had higher levels of the order Synechococcales. With respect to metabolic gene content, although there were pronounced differences in predicted enrichment between both morphospecies, both were putatively enriched for KOs involved in pathways related to stress response, energy metabolism, environmental information processing and the production of secondary metabolites compared to prokaryote communities in water. These morphospecies may thus prove to be interesting sources of novel compounds of potential pharmaceutical and/or biotechnological importance.
HUMAN CAPITAL, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION: HOW DOES THE SLICE OF PIE EXECUTIVES APPROPRIATE COMPARE TO WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE?

Title of Dissertation: HUMAN CAPITAL, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION: HOW DOES THE SLICE OF PIE EXECUTIVES APPROPRIATE COMPARE TO WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE? Dante D. Di Gregorio, Ph.D., 2004 Dissertation Directed By: Professor Ken G. Smith & Associate Professor Cynthia K. Stevens, Department of Management & Organization, Robert H. Smith School of Business Prior research has identified the manner in which human capital, social capital, and other intangible resources create value for organizations. Among such resources, those contributed by a firm’s top managers have been singled out as particularly important for the generation and preservation of competitive advantage. However, the costs incurred to gain access to these resources, which reside at the individual and relational levels rather than at the firm level, are rarely considered. In this dissertation, I focus on individual executives as the level of analysis instead of the traditional view of firms as unitary actors in order to study intra-organizational value appropriation. I focus on the most direct and economically significant form of value appropriation by top managers: executive compensation. I introduce a theoretical framework linking executive compensation to executive-level intangible resources including human capital and social capital. I distinguish between generic and firm-specific forms of capital due to differences in the causal mechanisms linking each type of resource to compensation. Generic resources convey market power and are directly appropriable by executives. Firmspecific resources have no value outside the firm and therefore do not convey market power, yet they will convey a different sort of power derived from familiarity, visibility, and legitimacy. Drawing on a sample of 71 executives from 36 publicly-traded US firms in high-technology industries, I provide empirical results that are broadly supportive of three of four hypotheses. Executive compensation is found to be positively related to generic human capital (measured by the breadth of executives’ experience across multiple industries), generic social capital (external network size, external network range) and firm-specific social capital (the strength of intra-TMT ties, internal network size, criticality of internal ties, criticality of external ties). I find no evidence linking executive compensation to firm-specific human capital. These results demonstrate the hazard of focusing on the value created by human capital and social capital without also considering the costs firms incur to access those resources.