Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a technical innovation audit

Measuring performance is helpful, but it's only part of the story. To learn from our past successes and failures, we need to understand how they came about. To continually improve, we must examine not only our innovation performance, but the processes with which we develop and exploit these innovations. Vittorio Chiesa, Paul Coughlan, and Chris Voss present a framework for auditing technical innovation management. Their auditing methodology goes beyond performance measurement by highlighting problems and needs, and providing information that can be used in developing action plans for improving performance. The foundation of their audit methodology is a process model of technical innovation. The model addresses the managerial processes and the organizational mechanisms through which innovation is performed. Underlying this method is the notion that success in innovation is related to good practice in the relevant management processes. The model identifies four core processes: concept generation, product development, process innovation, and technology acquisition. Supporting these core processes are three enabling processes: the deployment of human and financial resources, the effective use of appropriate systems and tools, and senior management leadership and direction. The outcome from these core and enabling processes is performance in terms of innovation and the resulting competitiveness in the marketplace. This model provides the basis for a detailed audit of current innovation practice and performance. The audit has two dimensions: the process audit assesses whether the processes necessary for innovation are in place and the degree to which best practice is used; and the performance audit focuses on the outcomes of each core and enabling process and of the overall process of technological innovation and its effect on competitiveness. The performance audit helps identify needs and problems, but it doesn't explain why gaps exist between current and required performance and it doesn't provide an action plan for closing these gaps. The process audit meets these needs. The audit methodology uses a two-level approach: a rapid assessment based on innovation scorecards and an in-depth audit. These scorecards provide an overview of the company's strengths and weaknesses with regard to technical innovation management, highlighting those areas that require in-depth examination. The in-depth audit identifies not only the processes, but the areas within each requiring attention.
International Harmonization of Economic Regulation

With the advancing globalization of the world economy, domestic economic regulations are becoming more and more subject to efforts at international harmonization. This book presents an analysis of this worldwide phenomenon from both a legal and a politico-economic perspective by focusing on (1) the backgrounds and objectives of international harmonization, (2) the negotiating processes involved, and (3) the impact of harmonization on domestic laws and their administration. International harmonization is discussed in a wide range of cases including trade-related regulations, technical standards and food safety standards, intellectual property rights, labour standards, competition law and policy, financial regulations, and regulations concerning transnational economic crime. Drawing on a wide range of materials and applying a unified analytical framework based on theoretical as well as practical observations, the book surveys this much debated topic in a comprehensive and accessible way. It thus contributes to a better understanding of both the chances and the challenges of globalization and global governance today.
Impact of brain natriuretic peptide reduction on the worsening renal function in patients with acute heart failure

Aims The prognostic impact of worsening renal function (WRF) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) remains under debate. Successful decongestion might offset the negative impact of WRF, but little is known about indicators of successful decongestion in the very acute phase of AHF. We hypothesized that decongestion as evaluated by the percent reduction in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) could identify relevant prognostic implications of WRF in the very acute phase of AHF. Methods and results Data on 907 consecutive hospitalized patients with AHF in the REALITY-AHF study (age: 78±12 years; 55.1% male) were analyzed. Creatinine and BNP were measured at baseline and 48 hours from admission. WRF was defined as an increase in creatinine >0.3 mg at 48 hours from admission. The primary endpoint was 1-year all-cause mortality. Patients were divided into four groups according to the presence/absence of WRF and a BNP reduction higher/lower than the median: no-WRF/higher-BNP-reduction (n = 390), no-WRF/lower-BNP-reduction (n = 397), WRF/higher-BNP-reduction (n = 63), and WRF/lower-BNP-reduction groups (n = 57). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that the WRF/lower-BNP-reduction group had a worse prognosis than the other groups. In a Cox regression analysis, only the WRF/lower-BNP-reduction group had higher mortality compared to the no-WRF/higher-BNP-reduction group (hazard ratio: 3.34, p<0.001). Conclusion In the very acute phase of AHF, BNP reduction may aid in identifying relevant prognostic significance of WRF.
CPD and KT: Models Used and Opportunities for Synergy

&NA; The two fields of continuing professional development (CPD) and knowledge translation (KT) within the health care sector, and their related research have developed as somewhat parallel paths with limited points of overlap or intersection. This is slowly beginning to change. The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare the dominant conceptual models informing each field with the view of increasing understanding and appreciation of the two fields, how they are similar and where they differ, and the current and potential points of intersection. The models include the “knowledge‐to‐action” (KTA) cycle informing KT, models informing CPD curriculum design and individual self‐directed learning, and the Kirkpatrick model for evaluating educational outcomes. When compared through the perspectives of conceptual designs, processes, and outcomes, the models overlap. We also identify shared gaps in both fields (eg, the need to explore the influence of the context in which CPD and KT interventions take place) and suggest opportunities for synergies and for moving forward.
Wikipedia at university: what faculty think and do about it

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate university faculty perceptions and practices of using Wikipedia as a teaching resource. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on a large survey to all faculty members in two large public universities. A total of 913 valid responses were collected through an online questionnaire with 9 control variables and 41 Likert-scaled questions. Findings – The results do not support an overwhelming sceptical attitude among faculty towards Wikipedia. The overall quality of Wikipedia articles is highly valued and most faculty are regular users, just as students are. Though most faculty show a positive view on the teaching usefulness of Wikipedia, few of them actually use it for teaching purposes. A certain conflict has been detected between standard academic procedures of knowledge building and the open collaborative model on which Wikipedia rests. In the end, two important factors play a role in shaping faculty views: their colleagues’ perceived opinion.
The Success Factors of Food Events: The Case Study of Umbrian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Abstract Gastronomic events are an important part of the “Made in Italy” and a vital tool for rural development. The aim of the study is to identify the complexity of the factors that determine the success of a food event. The authors, after state-of-the-art analysis of the event marketing, formulate the hypothesis of a causal model and form a data collection during the “open oil mills” in the Umbria region. Through in-depth interviews the participants were asked to express themselves about the importance and interest attributed to some aspects directly related to the theme of the event, and finally to indicate the degree of satisfaction and the likelihood of some of their future behavior. Statistical analysis based on structural equation models allowed the authors to highlight which aspects are significant in order to confirm the assumptions made. Results provide guidance for management decisions and organization of food and wine.
Evaluation of product development partners using an integrated AHP-VIKOR model

Purpose – Today, customers are generally perceived to be demanding higher quality and better performing products, in shorter and more predictable development cycle-times and at a lower cost. These market pressures drive firms to collaborate with possible partners in product development (PD) processes. However, the selection of a suitable partner for an effective PD is not an easy decision and is associated with complexity. The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach to effectively evaluate PD partners. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed evaluation procedure consists of several steps. First, based on a literature review and expert validation, the strategic main and sub-criteria of the PD partner selection process that companies consider the most important are identified. After constructing the evaluation criteria hierarchy, the criteria weights are calculated by applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The VIKOR (a compromise ran.
Accurate Packet Timestamping on Linux Platforms for Precise Capacity Estimation - An Implementation of a Highly Accurate Timestamping System Embedded in the Linux Kernel and its Application to Capacity Estimation

In this work, a tool based on packet-dispersion techniques for remotely measuring link capacities is presented. For implementing these techniques, a highly accurate packet timestamping system is presented. This system is fully integrated in the Linux kernel which makes possible to measure extremely exact packet-arrival times. The logic of the measurement system is integrated into a GUI, which reduces the comlexity of using the tool. Finally, the results of a measurement experiment for testing the developed tool are shown, and the lines of future work are exposed.
Privacy and Security Problems in Using Health Information Application in Smart National Identity Card (SNIC)

This study discovers privacy and security problems in using health information application in SNIC. Many countries introduced smart national identity card with various applications such as health information application embedded inside it. The need for avoiding a long queue at hospitals, airports and shopping mall etc. has led to the introduction of smart cards. These smart national identity cards are resulting uncontrollable troubles with confidentiality attack, illegal accessing of database, fraud, planned crime and untrustworthiness of biometric identification. Studies on the general acceptability of the various SNIC’s applications have been conducted but the privacy and security problems in using them have yet to be investigated. Hence, this research investigates the privacy and security problems in using health information application in SNIC and extends better understanding on the relevant factors that the government and the application providers would need to consider in predicting citizens’ technology usage in the future. Survey questionnaires on the privacy and security problems in using health information application were distributed to public and private hospitals. The study discovered that there are privacy and security problems in using health information application in SNIC.
Human endothelial cells regulate polymorphonuclear leukocyte degranulation

Neutrophil degranulation is an important event in inflammatory responses. We examined the regulation of neutrophil (PMN) degranulation by resting and activated human endothelial cells. Whereas PMNs adherent to endothelial cells that were stimulated to express P‐selectin and platelet‐activating factor did not release the specific granule marker lactoferrin or the primary granule enzyme, elastase, PMNs adherent to endothelial cells stimulated with interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) or tumor necrosis factor secreted both. PMN degranulation was dependent on the time of incubation of endothelial cells with the cytokine, its concentration, and the time of incubation of the PMNs with endothelial cells. Degranulation of PMNs and their adhesion to stimulated endothelial cells are correlated events, but they could be dissociated by blocking the tethering molecules used by the endothelial cells and neutrophils under these conditions. This suggested that paracrine signaling molecules that induce PMN degranulation are produced by cytokine‐stimulated endothelial cells. We found that endothelial cells stimulated with IL‐1 release newly synthesized degranulating factors that require transcription and translation. IL‐8 was synthesized, released, and signaled granular secretion by PMNs. However, experiments with blocking antibodies indicated the presence of an additional degranulating factor not accounted for by IL‐8. These experiments demonstrate that human endothelial cells regulate degranulation of neutrophils by generating signaling factors that are expressed differentially depending on the endothelial agonist and other features. Active modification of neutrophil granular secretion by endothelial cells can influence physiologic acute inflammatory responses but may also contribute to pathologic vascular and tissue damage. —Topham, M. K. , Carveth, H. J., Mcintyre, T. M. , Prescott, S. M. , Zimmerman, G. A. Human endothelial cells regulate polymorphonuclear leukocyte degranulation. FASEB J. 12, 733–746 (1998)
The urgent need for universally applicable simple screening procedures and diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus – lessons from projects funded by the World Diabetes Foundation

Background : To address the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes and future type 2 diabetes associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), its early detection and timely treatment is essential. In the absence of an international consensus, multiple different guidelines on screening and diagnosis of GDM have existed for a long time. This may be changing with the publication of the recommendations by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups. However, none of these guidelines take into account evidence from or ground realities of resource-poor settings. Objective : This study aimed to investigate whether GDM projects supported by the World Diabetes Foundation in developing countries utilize any of the internationally recommended guidelines for screening and diagnosis of GDM, explore experiences on applicability and usefulness of the guidelines and barriers if any, in implementing the guidelines. These projects have reached out to thousands of pregnant women through capacity building and improvement of access to GDM screening and diagnosis in the developing world and therefore provide a rich field experience on the applicability of the guidelines in resource-poor settings. Design : A mixed methods approach using questionnaires and interviews was utilised to review 11 GDM projects. Two projects were conducted by the same partner; interviews were conducted in person or via phone by the first author with nine project partners and one responded via email. The interviews were analysed using content analysis. Results : The projects use seven different screening procedures and diagnostic criteria and many do not completely adhere to one guideline alone. Various challenges in adhering to the recommendations emerged in the interviews, including problems with screening women during the recommended time period, applicability of some of the listed risk factors used for (pre-)screening, difficulties with reaching women for testing in the fasting state, time consuming nature of the tests, intolerance to high glucose load due to nausea, need for repeat tests, issues with scarcity of test consumables and lack of equipment making some procedures impossible to follow. Conclusion : Though an international consensus on screening and diagnosis for GDM is welcome, it should ensure that the recommendations take into account feasibility and applicability in low resource settings to ensure wider usage. We need to move away from purely academic discussions focusing on sensitivity and specificity to also include what can actually be done at the basic care level.
A Research on Social Capital, Absorptive Capacity and Technological Innovation Performance

Based on pointed literature studies, the paper brings forward the integrated analytical framework about social capital, absorptive capacity and technological innovation performance in order to supply corresponding theory support. Through questionnaire survey to 94 companies in Guangdong province, the studies have found that social capital and absorptive capacity show positive influence to technological innovation performance remarkably, while absorptive capacity significantly moderates the relationship between social capital and technological innovation performance.
Use of conventional smears versus liquid‐based preparations for fine‐needle aspirate specimens: The time has not come to abandon your conventional smears!

There is a longstanding controversy about the use of conventional smears (CSs) versus liquid-based preparations (LBPs) for thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens, and recently, there has been the suggestion that LBPs alone might be a good strategy for all FNAs. This is an unfortunate, and in my opinion, very misguided proposal on multiple levels. Although LBPs have certain redeeming qualities such as reducing the number of slides that the cytologist and cytotechnologist need to evaluate, when used alone for FNA evaluation, they can also reduce the overall amount of cytomorphologic information readily available to the cytopathologist to make a well-informed diagnosis. Use of an LB-only approach, in many instances, is analogous to reading Cliffs Notes instead of the full novel: certainly, it is less material to review but useful information may be missing! A lack of quality FNA sample procurement secondary to poor FNA technique, and a lack of good smear preparation skills, should not be the rationale for adoption of an LB-only approach and abandonment of CSs, but unfortunately, in many cases, it is. The earliest LBPs were developed in the form of the ThinPrep, which was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the evaluation of FNA specimens in 1991. Proponents of LBPs list as their advantages the ease of preparation without learning smearing techniques and the reduction in background blood and debris. I will mention that the Cytopathology Division where I practice uses CSs sometimes in combination with a single LBP from the rinsings for many of our FNA specimens, but we avoid using LBPs alone for FNAs. I consider myself fortunate to have this advantage at my institution. Having ample experience with both CSs and with LBPs, I view the LB-only strategy to FNA as a significant diagnostic disadvantage. Even laboratories that use only LBPs for thyroid FNAs, typically do not carry this approach over to other FNA specimens. Conventional smears, either alcohol-fixed and Papanicolaou-stained or air-dried and Romanowsky stained, have been the mainstay of FNA evaluation for many decades, and it is for good reason that they have withstood the test of time. In FNAs from various anatomic sites including the thyroid gland, salivary glands, breast, lung, and soft tissues, advantages of CSs include the maintenance of the relative cellularity of the specimen and maintenance of the quantitities of background material such as colloid, mucin, matrix, stromal elements, or necrotic debris. CSs also preserve the cytoarchitectural integrity of the tissue as reflected in the arrangement of cells in mediumto large-size groups. These are all features which are irrefutably key to the
Confirmatory Factor Analyses of the Full and Short Versions of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale

Abstract Over the years, researchers have developed various short versions of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (D. P. Crowne & D. Marlowe, 1960). The authors used confirmatory factor analyses (J. L. Arbuckle, 1997) as well as item and scale analyses to evaluate the adequacy of the full version and various short versions. Overall, the results from 232 Canadian undergraduates showed (a) that all the short versions in the present study are a significant improvement in fit over the 33-item full scale and (b) that W. M. Reynolds's (1982) Forms A and B are the best fitting short versions. No gender differences were found for the full scale or any of the short versions. The results show that the full scale could be improved psychometrically and that the psychometrically sound short versions should be available because they require less administration time than the full scale.
Performance Evaluation of Corporate Governance Index in Turkey

Corporate governance is a considerably modern managerial approach in all over the world. Capital Markets Board of Turkey (CMB) has formed the Corporate Governance Principles in Turkey. After the regulations of CMB Corporate Governance Principles in Turkey, Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) has also started to calculate “Corporate Governance Index” by rating the compliance of the corporate governance principles to support the application of these principles in publicly held companies listed in ISE. The aim of the paper is to evaluate 2007 September-2009 November period corporate governance index in terms of risk-return in Turkey. In the paper, commonly used Sharpe, Treynor and Jensen performance indexes are ranked. According to each three performances index, the most successful index is ISE 30 Index; Corporate Governance Index is at the middle ranks.
Manager responses to internal transfer attempts

Internal job transfers are an understudied human resource practice. This paper addresses various antecedents of managerial action or inaction in response to an attempted transfer by a current employee. We integrate human and social capital theories with managerial agency, stewardship, and servant perspectives to reconcile inconsistencies involving human capital predictions in an internal-transfer context. Whereas a positive relationship between human capital and transfer likelihood is typically thought to exist, we argue that when internal transfers are considered, managerial orientation (agent, steward, or servant), managerial social capital (internal or external social capital), and the perception held by the manager regarding benefits or detriments of the transfer to the manager, organization, or workgroup members combine to affect managerial responses to transfer attempts (assisting, hindering, or refraining from interceding in the transfer attempts).
Towards an IE and IR System Dealing with Spatial Information in Digital Libraries - Evaluation Case Study

This paper deals with spatial Information Extraction (IE) and Retrieval (IR) in Digital Libraries environments. The proposed approach (implemented within PIV(1) prototype) is based on a linguistic and semantic analysis of digital corpora and free text queries. First, we present requirements and a methodology of semantic annotation for automatic indexing and geo-referencing of text documents. Then we report on a case study where the spatial-based IR process is evaluated and compared to classical (statistical-based) IR approaches using first pure spatial queries and then more general ones dealing with both spatial and thematic scopes. The main result in these first experiments shows that combining a spatial approach with a classical (statistical-based) IR one improves in a significant way retrieval accuracy, namely in the case of general queries.