Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Repertory Grid for Use in Modeling Knowledge

The extrapolation of theories of cognitive modeling from psychological contexts to the domain of information systems design has raised empirical questions regarding the validity and reliability of these techniques in the new applications environment. Kelly's (1955) theory of personal construct psychology (PCP) is one such theory which, together with the repertory grid technique of cognitive modeling, is being explored for use in systems development. Since the repertory grid constitutes a mechanism for both the elicitation and the representation of cognitive models, it has been suggested for incorporation into intelligent front‐end interfaces for information storage and retrieval systems (ISRS). Previous applications of the grid have emphasized the personal and ideographic characteristics of personal construct systems. New applications in information systems design require verification of the grid's utility and reliability for rendering faithful representations of impersonal and communal knowledge. The research presented here provides a test of the repertory grid for representing commonality of construing among members of a homogenous group of subjects. Commonality of construing is demonstrated on two sets of constructs. Some differences are observed between constructs generated by the subjects and those provided for them by an “expert. ” Implications of this effect for the application of PCP to ISRS design are discussed. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Investigating Management Turnover in Italian Cooperative Banks

Management turnover is a common tool for disciplining top managers both in corporations and in financial intermediaries. This paper examines the turnover of top managers in Italian banks. By applying a survival analysis to a dataset covering all Italian banks, the study tests the hypothesis that management turnover differs according to different types of banks; and, specifically, it attempts to assess whether top managers in non-commercial banks are more likely to stay on in their managerial position longer than those in commercial banks. Results confirm that the juridical form of banks is significantly related to management turnover as top managers in cooperative banks show a higher survival probability. Similarly, banks’ history and institutional legacy have a significant influence on both management turnover and on the disciplinary mechanisms for top managers. Managers in cooperative banks tend to survive longer even when bank performance, measured as return on assets, is below average.
Managing in Developing Countries

Managing in Developing Countries explores fundamental management approaches through the lenses of the historical, political, and institutional challenges found in developing countries. The course will explore the role of globalization and the changing dynamics of international business and how the emergence of new players and institutions affects institutions and investors. Specifically, the course will review the role of public and private institutions, infrastructure and human capital development, health and education, the role of the Diaspora, political risk (governance, corruption, legal & regulatory issues, contract enforcement etc.), and cultural norms in managing investments in developing countries.
ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION, COLLABORA TIVE NETWORKS, AND NONPROFIT PERFORMANCE

OF DISSERTATION ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION, COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS, AND NONPROFIT PERFORMANCE In this mixed-method study, I explore the idea that an entrepreneurial orientation serves as a key driver of nonprofit organizational performance, and that a focal nonprofit’s set of collaborative ties moderates that relationship. I theorize that for nonprofits operating in an environment characterized by resource scarcity, possessing an EO is vital. More specifically, I theorize that organizations with smaller and less heterogeneous sets of collaborative ties benefit more from an EO than those with larger and more heterogeneous sets. I also explore the possibility that a focal nonprofit’s pattern of collaborative ties may be a function of that nonprofit’s EO. These ideas are tested using an original data set collected from a sample of the estimated 200 economic development organizations operating in eastern Kentucky. This is an area where economic growth has been particularly elusive, and where a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial and collaborative practices of nonprofits might be especially valuable. The results reveal some significant empirical support for these ideas, and point to a promising research program aiming to uncover the interactive effects of EO, collaborative networks, and nonprofit performance across a range of organizational contexts.
THE PHOTOPHYSICS OF MEROCYANINE 540. A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN ETHANOL AND IN LIPOSOMES

Abstract— Absorption and fluorescence emission spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, fluorescence quantum yields, photoisomerization quantum yields and triplet quantum yields were measured for Merocyanine 540 (MC540) in ethanol and in large unilamellar dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The major differences in the photophysics between the two media are the increase of the fluorescence quantum yield from 0.15 in ethanol to 0.6 in vesicles at 25° C, and the appearance of a second fluorescence decay with a lifetime of 1.87 ns in the latter medium. Upper and lower limits for the photoisomerization quantum yields were determined by combining the data from laser flash photolysis and optoacoustic spectroscopy. The decrease in photoisomerization quantum yield upon incorporation of the dye into the lipid bilayer by a factor 2 suggests that this process competes directly with fluorescence. The temperature dependence of the fluorescence and photoisomerization quantum yields in solution supports this model. In both media MC540 has a very low triplet quantum yield with values 0.002 > (> øT > 0.02 in ethanol and 0.01 > øT‐ > 0.09 in liposomes Our data are consistent with the model whereby the dye is incorporated into the lipid bilayer as a monomer with two different orientations and this model is adopted on the basis of the biexponential behaviour of the fluorescence and photoisomer decay.
Evaluation of thermal resistance and efficiency of palm olein and canola oils in frying of potato chips

Frying is a popular way for food processing. Selection of suitable oil is an important factor that affects the quality of fried foods. This study was carried out in order to optimize the blend of palm olein and canola oils as frying oil. At first, various compositions of these oils were prepared and their heat resistance was evaluated in 120°C using rancimat method. The oil blends were used for frying of potato in order to evaluate their frying performance. Frying was carried out for 5 successive days in 180°C and changes in total polar compounds (TPC), acidity and peroxide values of oils were determined. Results were shown that TPC, acidity and peroxide value increased during frying. Increase in canola ratio increased the peroxide value of used oil. In fact, a blend of palm olein and canola oils with ratio of 9:1 was chosen as a best formula. It had highest induction time (18.72h) in rancimat method and it's TPC after frying (17.72%) was lowest.
A Rural Tale: A Cautionary Allegory for IS Researchers

We present a fragment of text which describes the introduction of a water delivery system to a rural village that is comprehensively rejected by a group of women. We use the story allegorically, examining the contributions from different research traditions to make sense of the rural tale and apply the lessons to the study of Information Systems. We briefly examine how hermeneutics, management change theories, a more critical approach and information systems studies can individually help us to make sense of the text. This shows that no one research tradition gives any more than a partial view of the events in the text but that some are more insightful than others. We discuss the findings including a sideways look at several IS issues (such as the complexity of success and failure, and escalation of commitment).
Skeletal muscle mass recovery from atrophy in IL‐6 knockout mice

Aim: Skeletal muscle interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) expression is induced by continuous contraction, overload‐induced hypertrophy and during muscle regeneration. The loss of IL‐6 can alter skeletal muscle’s growth and extracellular matrix remodelling response to overload‐induced hypertrophy. Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) gene expression and related signalling through Akt/mTOR is a critical regulator of muscle mass. The significance of IL‐6 expression during the recovery from muscle atrophy is unclear. This study’s purpose was to determine the effect of IL‐6 loss on mouse gastrocnemius (GAS) muscle mass during recovery from hindlimb suspension (HS)‐induced atrophy.
New Product Scenarios: Prospects for Success

New product development and launch is a critical but high risk corporate endeavor. This article examines almost 200 industrial new product introductions in order to identify the ingredients of new product success. A categorization scheme, involving scenarios of new products, is developed from the data, and proves useful in assessing the merits and dangers of various types of new product projects.
PRAKTIK TATA KELOLA PERUSAHAAN (CORPORATE GOVERNANCE) DAN USEFULNESS INFORMASI AKUNTANSI (Telaah Teoritis Dan Empiris)

Accounting researchs on corporate governance and earnings management refers to the positive accounting theory and agency theory. Most of the result empirical studies showed that implementing of good corporate governance (GCG) negatively affect to earnings management. Excessive earnings management practices will affect the credibility of the financial statements in the user’s perception namely investors, creditors and other stakeholders. Corporate governance and earnings management associated with behavioral problems, therefore qualitative research method as an alternative to explore further of the behavioral problems.
Public‒private partnerships from sustainability perspective – a critical analysis of the Indian case

Public‒private partnerships have become one of the preferred routes for governments to develop infrastructure, in view of the budgetary constraints faced by them and the efficiency gains provided by the private sector. Since the private sector is driven by profit-generation motives to enter a PPP arrangement, there are criticisms against PPPs for focusing on economic goals and financial targets while giving less emphasis to attainment of social objectives. As a result, infrastructure development through PPP will fail to promote sustainable development goals. The paper discusses the findings from a detailed review of Indian PPP procurement focusing on the shortcomings of infrastructure development through PPP in promoting sustainable development. A qualitative content analysis method was used to answer the research question ‘Why have the key deliverables of the PPP procurement process failed to promote sustainable development goals? ’ The policy-makers and advisors of PPP projects could incorporate the key findings from the analysis in formulating new strategies for developing more sustainable PPP projects.
KUALITAS PELAPORAN KEUANGAN: BERBAGAI FAKTOR PENENTU DAN KONSEKUENSI EKONOMIS

The research aimed to discuss the determining factors and the economic consequences o f financial reporting quality in Indonesian capital market. Those determining factors are innate, performance, company risk and industry risk. The financial reporting quality was measured on the following attributes: relevance, timeliness, and conservatism, whereas the economic consequence was measured on the asymmetric information. The research employed three steps o f test: (1) test whether the attributes o f financial reporting quality are different with each other; (2) analyze the determining factors offinancial reporting quality; (3) test the effect o f financial reporting quality in the stock market, in terms o f the relationship between asymmetric information and the financial reporting quality. The result o f the first test showed that all o f the attributes o f financial reporting quality are different with each other. The analysis o f determining factors showed that sales volatility, firm performance, and classification o f the industry had a significant relationship with the attributes o f financial reporting quality. The other variables, such as operation cycle, firm size, company risk, liquidity, and leverage, had no significant relationship with the attributes o f financial reporting quality. The economic consequence test resulted that the attributes o f financial reporting quality had a significant relationship with the asymmetric information.
Support mechanisms in international retail franchise networks

Purpose – International retail companies, and fashion retailers in particular, are increasingly moving into international markets through the franchise mode of operation. Supporting franchisees is a fundamental aspect of the international retail franchise process and is crucial to its success, yet it remains significantly under‐researched. The current work aims to address this research gap.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative case study analysis of UK‐based fashion retailers' international franchise support mechanisms is provided.Findings – The paper determines that international retail franchise support mechanisms can be classified on two levels, that is, strategic franchise management support and operational franchise support. The franchise manual, development plans and the monitoring of financial data are identified as the main strategic level support mechanisms, with operational support mechanisms identified as support for initial store opening, visits, merchandise range reviews, marketing and .
Eastern Pacific and central Pacific types of ENSO

Abstract Surface observations and subsurface ocean assimilation datasets are examined to contrast two distinct types of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the tropical Pacific: an eastern-Pacific (EP) type and a central-Pacific (CP) type. An analysis method combining empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis and linear regression is used to separate these two types. Correlation and composite analyses based on the principal components of the EOF were performed to examine the structure, evolution, and teleconnection of these two ENSO types. The EP type of ENSO is found to have its SST anomaly center located in the eastern equatorial Pacific attached to the coast of South America. This type of ENSO is associated with basinwide thermocline and surface wind variations and shows a strong teleconnection with the tropical Indian Ocean. In contrast, the CP type of ENSO has most of its surface wind, SST, and subsurface anomalies confined in the central Pacific and tends to onset, develop, and decay in situ.
Benchmarking innovation best practice

Notes the heightening pressure towards innovation and the current patchy understanding of ideal practices in this area. Considers factors affecting innovation and reports on a study aimed at identifying best practice including firms from a range of sectors. Points to some key characteristics of best practice such as corporate philosophy, clarity of goals and cross‐functional interaction. Identifies the need to excel both in terms of hard and soft innovation, the former relating to structures and the latter relating to the management of such structures.
The effect of acute nutritional change on follicle wave turnover, gonadotropin, and steroid concentration in beef heifers.

The effects of acute nutritional change on endocrine and ovarian characteristics were studied in cyclic (intact; n = 20) and long-term ovariectomized (ovx; n = 18) heifers being fed 1.2 x maintenance (1.2M). On d 7 of an 8-d progesterone and estradiol treatment, intact and ovx heifers were randomly allocated to diets providing . 4, 1.2, or 2.0M until emergence of the second follicular wave after ovulation in intact heifers. In intact heifers, two of eight fed . 4M failed to ovulate. In the other six, growth rate and maximum diameter (1.1+/-.09 mm/d and 10.1+/-.7 mm, respectively) of the first dominant follicle (DF) postovulation were less (P<.05) than in heifers fed either 1.2 (1.6+/-.18 mm/d; 12.9+/-.44 mm) or 2.0M (1.6+/-.08 mm/d; 12.7+/-.7 mm). In intact heifers, LH pulse frequency and amplitude were not affected by diet (P>.10). In ovx heifers, the frequency of LH pulses was unaffected by diet (P>.10), but heifers fed . 4M had a greater pulse amplitude (P<.05) and mean concentration of LH (P<.001) than those fed 1.2 or 2.0M. Plasma concentrations of FSH were greater (P<.05) in ovx heifers fed . 4M than in those fed 1.2 or 2.0M and increased linearly with time (P<.01). The FSH concentrations in heifers fed 1.2 and 2.0M were similar (P>.10) and decreased linearly with time (P<.001). In intact heifers, concentrations of FSH preceding follicle wave emergence were greater in heifers fed . 4M (P<.001), but basal concentrations were not affected (P>.10). Concentrations of progesterone and estradiol were unaffected by diet (P>.10). Significant diet x ovarian status interactions in plasma IGF-I concentrations existed. Plasma concentrations of insulin increased as the level of nutrition increased, whereas concentrations of NEFA decreased. In conclusion, growth rate and maximum diameter of the DF were decreased by acute nutritional restriction, without affecting the concentration of LH. The magnitude of the FSH increase preceding new follicle wave emergence increased following dietary restriction, but concentrations of FSH were unaffected during the other stages of DF growth. The results of this study may have important implications for the feeding strategies adapted for high-yielding dairy cows in the early postpartum period when feed intake is often physiologically restricted.
DETERMINANTS OF U.S. FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS IN FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY: EVIDENCE FROM DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

This paper analyzes the determinants of foreign direct investments by the U.S. food processing industry in developed and developing countries. We find that market size, per capita income, openness of the economy, inflation rate, and exchange rate significantly affect U.S. food processing firms' decisions to invest abroad, but their influence differs between developed and developing countries. Per capita income, which is an indicator of economic development, is positively associated with FDI in developing countries, but negatively associated with FDI in developed countries. Foreign affiliate sales and exports are generally found to be substitutes in developed countries and complements in developing countries.
Chromosomally mediated antibiotic resistance in non-typhoidal Salmonellae isolated from HIV patients in Lagos.

cillin (5 ug), chloramphenicol (30 ug), gentamycin (10 ug), nalixidic acid (30 ug), amikacin (30 ug), septrin (25 ug) piperacillin traxobactam (P-100ug, Tz-10 ug), tetracycline (30 ug), cefotaxime (30 ug), ampicillin (10 ug), cefuroxin (30 ug), ectazidin (30 ug) and augmentin (30 ug). Plasmid analysis was done using the Birnboin and Doly procedure (11) followed by gel-electrophoresis. Six non-typhoid Salmonella isolates (3%) comprising four Salmonella typhimurium and two Salmonella enteritidis were recovered from 201 blood samples while there were three Salmonella typhimurium (6.2%) and two Shigella flexneri (4.1%) grew in the 48 stool samples. Nine (100%) of the NTS isolates were resistant to ampicillin, eight (88.9%) to chloramphenicol, eight (88.9%) to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and 7 (77.7%) to tetracycline. Subsequent agarose gel electrophoresis showed no plasmid DNA band in gel indicating that observed resistance was chromosomally gene-mediated. From our observation, the apparent low NTS carriage in HIV subjects in this report was due to the fact that about half (48.5%) of them were on antiretrovivals. Also the antimicrobial resistance patterns and failure to detect plasmid DNA in the isolates suggest that they may belong to the chromosomally mediated multi-resistant strain of phage type 104 (DT104). In resource poor countries including Nigeria, such drug resistant Salmonella infections may become effectively untreatable.
Well posedness of piecewise-linear systems with multiple modes and multiple criteria

The results of a previous paper (Imura and van der Schaft, 2000)are generalized to obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the well posedness of piecewise-linear systems with multiple modes and multiple criteria. To check the necessary and sufficient conditions, we present algorithmic procedures by making use of the Fourier-Motzkin elimination technique.
Residual analysis of UTCI predictions on outdoor thermal sensation survey data

The Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI assesses the interaction of ambient temperature, wind, humidity and radiant fluxes on human physiology in outdoor environments on an equivalent temperature scale. It is based on the UTCI-Fiala model of human thermoregulation and thus also allows for thermal comfort prediction. Comparing UTCI predictions to thermal sensation votes recorded on the 7-unit ASHRAE scale in outdoor comfort surveys with 1685 respondents in Curitiba and 567 in Glasgow, respectively, yielded negligible bias and less than one unit root-mean squared error (rmse) for Curitiba, but a noticeable underestimation of actual thermal sensation votes (bias=-0.73) with increased rmse=1.44 in Glasgow. Residual analyses revealed that the factors age, gender, body composition, site morphology (open space, street canyon), climatic state (comfort/discomfort) and clothing behaviour only explained a small portion of the error variance, which was dominated to over 95% by residual inter-individual variability. Adding historical weather information from the previous day to the Glasgow data gave superior information compared to longer time lags and helped to reduce the residual variance to 89%. Those numbers underpin current limitations in individual thermal comfort prediction, while UTCI performance appears reasonable at the population level.
Octreotide versus hydrocortisone versus placebo in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Octreotide is a potent inhibitor of pancreatic secretion, and corticosteroids suppress humoral and cellular activity. Both agents may reduce the frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of octreotide and hydrocortisone in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis. METHODS Three hundred fifty-four patients were entered in to a multicenter randomized controlled trial of 100 microg subcutaneous octreotide (Group 1) versus 100 mg intravenous hydrocortisone (Group 2) versus normal saline solution as placebo (Group 3). All medications were administered approximately 30 minutes before the procedure. Patients were assessed clinically and serum amylase was also measured before the procedure and 3, 12, and 24 hours after the procedure. RESULTS Three hundred forty patients were included in the analysis. Pancreatitis was observed in 11 of 112 patients (9.8%) in Group 1, 8 of 113 (7.1%) patients in Group 2, and in 15 of 115 (13.0%) patients in Group 3 (p = 0.32). The mean length of hospitalization in days was similar in all 3 groups: mean (SD) for Groups 1, 2, and 3 were, respectively, 3.6 (1.6) versus 2.9 (0.6) versus 4.3 (1.8) (p = 0.13). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that number of pancreatic injections, suspicion of sphincter dysfunction, therapeutic procedure, and age were risk factors for pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS The results of this trial indicate that octreotide and hydrocortisone do not prevent ERCP-induced pancreatitis.