Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compelled to go abroad? Motives and outcomes of international assignments

This article examines the motives of expatriates and repatriates to accept international assignments and how these motives relate to individuals' perceptions of expatriation outcomes. Issues of adjustment, satisfaction, withdrawal intentions, willingness to relocate again in the future, and recommendation of an assignment to others were considered as outcomes. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews of 30 Portuguese expatriates and repatriates. The results indicate that a considerable number of participants relocated because they felt compelled to do so by their employing companies. Moreover, the extent to which organizations persuade these originally unwilling expatriates seems to have negative implications in terms of their perceptions of the adjustment process, general satisfaction with the assignment, and withdrawal intentions. Compelling behaviour also has career implications and impacts individual receptiveness to relocate in the future. Suggestions for further research and implications for organizations and prospective expatriates are also presented.
Optimal positioning in the detection of inferior wall infarct size with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy: prone vs. supine.

OBJECTIVE The prone position is commonly utilized to reduce false positive perfusion defects because this position overcomes the diaphragmatic inferior wall attenuation in single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) studies. We investigated whether the prone position had an important advantage over the supine position in determining the severity and extent of infarct in patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS Twenty-nine male patients (mean age 61 ± 10 years) with acute inferior MI were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. After injection of thallium-201 (201Tl) under resting conditions, redistribution SPECT imaging was twicely performed in each subject, in both the supine and prone positions, consecutively. The extent and severity scores of the perfusion defects were calculated from the sum of individual segment scores. Myocardial infarction size was also evaluated using peak cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels. Wilcoxon rank and Spearman's rank correlation tests were used for statistical analyses of data. RESULTS For the supine vs. prone positions, the median defect severity scores were 8 (4-13) vs. 5 (0.5-8.5) and the defect extent scores were 4 (3-5.5) vs. 3 (0.5-4.5), respectively. Both perfusion defect scores in the prone position were significantly lower than those in the supine position (p=0.001). The mean peak cTnT level during hospitalization was 7.2 ± 3.9 µg/l. Peak cTnT levels were correlated with all SPECT parameters. However, the correlation was greater in the prone position (defect severity: r=0.712, p=0.001) (defect extent: r=0.790, p=0.001) than in the supine position (defect severity: r=0.495, p=0.01) (defect extent: r=0.481, p=0.01). CONCLUSION In patients with inferior MI, the SPECT results revealed a significant difference between the supine and prone images. The perfusion extent and severity scores of SPECT in the inferior wall with prone imaging correlates better with the peak troponin compared to the supine position. Comparative studies that use advanced imaging tools are needed to verify our present findings.
Fixed Prices and Regulatory Discretion as Triggers for Contingent Capital Conversion: An Experimental Examination

An unresolved issue regarding the implementation of 'contingent capital' bonds regards identifying the best mechanism for triggering the conversion of debt into equity. This paper reports a laboratory experiment that builds on previous work to evaluate the relative desirability of two leading candidate mechanisms: a price informed regulator and a mechanistic fixed-price trigger. We find that the conversion rule in effect determines the desirability of these two mechanisms. When the conversion increases incumbent equity value, a fixed trigger is preferable, but when the conversion decreases value, the reverse holds. Two modifications for improving the regulator mechanism, creating regulator bias (e.g., giving a regulator asymmetric rewards over intervention) and probabilistically providing a regulator with non-market information, only enhance this result.
CoCo Bonds with Extension Risk

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the pricing and structuring of contingent convertibles (CoCos) with extension risk. Under the new regulatory Basel III framework, CoCo bonds can be categorised as either belonging to the Additional Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital category. The Tier 1 CoCo bonds have cancellable coupons and do not have a predefined maturity. In addition, they contain no incentive, such as a coupon step-up, for the issuer to redeem at the first call date. This is in sharp contrast with the old-style hybrid bonds issued by financial institution before the 2008 financial crisis. At that time, banks issued callable bonds with a coupon-step up after the first call date. These bonds were categorised as additional Tier 1 and their step-up feature reduced the probability that the bank skipped the call and kept the bond alive. The existence of the coupon step up was considered by a lot of practitioners as a justification to categorise those bonds as fixed maturity bonds that expire on the first call date. The fact that coupon step-ups are no longer allowed in the new regulatory framework, forces us to think differently when dealing with Tier 1 bonds. We explain how to integrate this extension risk into a valuation method for CoCo bonds.
Regulators and Competition Spurring or Retarding Innovation in the Telecommunications Sector

Tutkimus selvittaa aineistoanalyysin avulla teknologiapolitiikan vaikutuksia innovaatiokayttaytymiseen telekommunikaatiosektorilla. Empiirisen analyysin tavoitteena on valaista seuraavia ajankohtaisia kysymyksia: (I) Kannustaako kotimaisten markkinoiden avaaminen kilpailulle innovaatiotoimintaa? , (ii) Onko riippumattoman saantelyviranomaisen lasnaololla vaikutusta teleoperaattoreiden innovaatiokayttaytymiseen? , (iii) Mika on Granger-kausaalisuuden suunta innovaatioiden kehittamisen ja teknologioiden leviamisen valilla viestintasektorilla? Tutkimuksessa kehitetaan ekonometrinen malli, joka ottaa huomioon innovaatioprosessin dynaamisen, epalineaarisen luonteen seka keskinaisen riippuvuuden yritysten patentointia, TK teknologioiden leviaminen ; televiestinta ; teknologiapolitiikka
Nte1p-mediated Deacylation of Phosphatidylcholine Functionally Interacts with Sec14p*

Deciphering the function of the essential yeast Sec14p protein has revealed a regulatory interface between cargo secretion from Golgi and lipid homeostasis. Abrogation of the CDP-choline (CDP-Cho) pathway for phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis allows for life in the absence of the otherwise essential Sec14p. Nte1p, the product of open reading frame YML059c, is an integral membrane phospholipase against CDP-Cho-derived PC producing intracellular glycerophosphocholine (GPCho) and free fatty acids. We monitored Nte1p activity through in vivo PC turnover measurements and observed that intracellular GPCho accumulation is decreased in a sec14ts strain shifted to 37 °C in 10 mm choline (Cho)-containing medium compared with a Sec14p-proficient strain. Overexpression of two Sec14p homologs Sfh2p and Sfh4p in sec14ts cells restored secretion and growth at the restrictive temperature but did not restore GPCho accumulation. Instead, newly synthesized PC was degraded by phospholipase D (Spo14p). Similar analysis performed in a sec14Δ background confirmed these observations. These results imply that the ability of Sfh2p and Sfh4p to restore secretion and growth is not through a shared function with Sec14p in the regulation of PC turnover via Nte1p. Furthermore, our analyses revealed a profound alteration of PC metabolism triggered by the absence of Sec14p: Nte1p unresponsiveness, Spo14p activation, and deregulation of Pct1p. Sfh2p- and Sfh4p-overexpressing cells coped with the absence of Sec14p by controlling the rate of phosphocholine formation, limiting the amount of Cho available for this reaction, and actively excreting Cho from the cell. Increased Sfh4p also significantly reduced the uptake of exogenous Cho. Beyond the new PC metabolic control features we ascribe to Sfh2p and Sfh4p we also describe a second role for Sec14p in mediating PC homeostasis. Sec14p acts as a positive regulator of Nte1p-mediated PC deacylation with the functional consequence of increased Nte1p activity increasing the permissive temperature for the growth of sec14ts cells.
Maltese seafaring in mediaeval and post-mediaeval times

Despite a dearth of material evidence, excellent historical detective work, especially that by a dedicated local school of Maltese historians, invites a survey of Maltese economic and political developments from a Mediterranean maritime perspective. In the economic sphere, cotton, shipped to Sicilian ports where it was traded for grain, eventually proved to be mediaeval Malta's chief cash crop. A pattern of non-diversified trade led to the politicization of the economy in the fourteenth century and its militarization thereafter. In naval affairs, Malta played a small but important role for almost 1,000 years as a frontier garrison. During the period of Angevin hegemony, a tiny squadron was based at the Seaside Castle in Birgu. The Grand Harbour witnessed battles between Catalan and Angevin galleys in 1283 and between Ottoman besiegers and Knight defenders in 1565. Throughout mediaeval and post-mediaeval times, piracy and privateering supplied essential support for the functioning of the maritime system, and Maltese seafaring developed most vigorously in proportion to the intensity of the islands' contacts with North Africa.
An application of human capital theory to salary differentials in the accounting profession

One of the justifications offered by neo‐classical economics for gender‐based wage differentials is the far greater probability that females will not be in continuous employment. This paper uses a model that estimates the extent to which salary differentials between male and female accountants can be explained by intermittent employment. The results show that about one‐third of the observed differentials arises from female career breaks and that the wage discrimination observed in the accountancy profession is more likely to be a sociological than an economic phenomenon.
The evolution of farming networks in a fragile institutional environment: the case of Argentina

In Argentina, farming traditionally took place in small and medium-sized family farms, mostly by means of their own land, labour, capital (financial, machinery, etc.) and entrepreneurship. Farmers owned enough equipment to cope with all the activities required for the production cycle. This traditional family farm model is the dominant organisational form in agriculture in almost every country. However, the way of managing, contracting and organising agriculture in Argentina has changed since the 1990s as a result of several institutional innovations. Even though the 2002 economic crisis created a highly uncertain scenario, farm production continued to expand and new organisational forms appeared. Since 2007, institutional changes (more related to Government intervention) had a negative impact on production and organisational forms. These different periods and scenarios enable us to explore the dynamics and interrelationships of the different institutional, organisational and technological environments. T.
The Impact of Service Recovery Processes on Consumer Trust and Loyalty in Car Repair Services

ABSTRACT Although researchers and managers are increasingly paying attention to customer satisfaction, trust, loyalty and service recovery, not much is known about how these constructs interrelate with one another. Previous research has examined the interrelationships among subsets of these constructs. The authors extend this previous research by developing and testing a conceptual framework, considering all of these constructs (complaint encounter-specific evaluations and relational constructs) within a business/consumer environment. The findings show that distributive and interactional justice perceptions of the service recovery impact the satisfaction with the way the complaint is handled, which, in turn, influences the consumer's level of trust. Finally, consumer loyalty is affected by satisfaction, trust and perceived value. RESUMEN. A pesar del creciente interés demostrado por los investigadores y gerentes en la satisfacción, confianza lealtad y recuperación del servicio del cliente, es poco lo que se conoce sobre cómo estas condiciones se interrelacionan entre sí. Investigaciones anteriores examinaron la interrelación entre los subgrupos de estos elementos. Los autores ampliaron la investigación anterior, desarrollando y poniendo a prueba un marco conceptual, considerando todos estos elementos (las quejas tienen evaluaciones específicas y elementos relacionales) dentro del entorno negocio - consumidor. Los hallazgos muestras que las percepciones de la justicia distributiva e interreaccional de la recuperación del servicio, impactan la satisfacción debido a la forma en que se manipula la queja que, a su vez, influye sobre el nivel de confiabilidad del consumidor. Finalmente, la lealtad del consumidor también se ven afectados por el grado de satisfacción, confianza y el valor que ellos le atribuyen. RESUMO. Embora pesquisadores e gerentes venham prestando cada vez mais atenção à satisfação, confiança e fidelidade dos clientes e à recuperação de serviço (Service Recovery), pouco se sabe sobre como esses construtos se inter-relacionam. Pesquisas anteriores examinaram as inter-relações entre subconjuntos desses construtos. Os autores estendem essas pesquisas anteriores, desenvolvendo e testando uma estrutura conceitual, considerando todos esses construtos (avaliações de reclamações específicas aos encontros e construtos relacionais) dentro de um ambiente empresa/consumidor. As descobertas mostram que as percepções da justiça distributiva e interacional da recuperação de serviço impactam a satisfação com a forma como a reclamação é manuseada, o que, por sua vez, influencia o nível de confiança do consumidor. Finalmente, a fidelidade dos consumidores é afetada pela satisfação, confiança e valor percebido.
A Performance Evaluation Model for Global Macro Funds

The paper concentrates on value and size effects in country portfolios. It contributes to academic literature threefold. First, I provide fresh evidence that the value and size effects may be useful in explaining the cross-sectional variation in country returns. The computations are based on a broad sample of 66 countries in years 2000-2013. Second, I document that the country-level value and size effects are indifferent to currency conversions. Finally, I introduce an alternative macro-level Fama-French model, which, contrary to its prototype, employs country-based factors. I show that applying this modification makes the model more successful in evaluation of funds with global investment mandate than the standard CAPM and FF models.
Serial representation of items during working memory maintenance at letter-selective cortical sites

We used intracranial recordings to study brain oscillations during a working memory task. To analyze sites involved in working memory, we focused on sites at which the elevation of the broadband gamma signal depended on which letter was presented. During the encoding and maintenance periods of the task, gamma and theta power were affected, but in opposing ways. Nevertheless, cross-frequency coupling (CFC) was present during both periods, suggesting that CFC is fundamental to the task. We tested a previously proposed model according to which different items are active at different phases of the theta cycle (in different gamma cycles within the theta cycle). Consistent with this model, the theta phase of letter-induced gamma elevation during maintenance reflected the order of letter presentation. These results suggest that working memory is organized by a theta-gamma code and provide strong support for the serial representation of items held in working memory.
Municipal Environmental Policy in Norway: From 'mainstream' policy to 'real' Agenda 21?

The Brundtland report and Agenda 21 focus on the global environment and development problems. Though Norway is usually considered a pioneer with respect to sustainable development, analyses have shown that this has not been the case with respect to Local Agenda 21. Still, Norwegian municipalities have strengthened their institutional capacity on environmental policy, and have thereby strengthened their ability to follow up the recommendations in Agenda 21. Through the high-profile government-financed reform programme, Environment in the Municipalities, which ran from 1988 to 1996, a great majority of the municipalities have employed their own environmental officers, and environmental considerations have gradually obtained a footing in municipal planning. So far, however, it is the local environmental problems that have received most attention rather than global environmental and development problems. By the start of the 21st century a crucial question is, therefore, whether the growing number of Local Agenda 21 initiatives in Norway will in fact adopt the global perspectives outlined by the Brundtland report and Agenda 21, or just keep on with a 'business as usual' environmental policy approach. So far national environmental policy in Norway seems to be reluctant to face the global problems, leaving the municipalities with the great challenge of being the 'engine' in steaming up Norwegian environmental politics.
Modeling Expected Loss with Unobservable Heterogeneity

In this paper we model the expected loss over multi-year horizons. Investors usually have only incomplete information about the true state of a firm. To model this form of unobservable heterogeneity, we introduce a latent non-negative random variable into the model specification of the probability of default and the recovery rate. To estimate the expected loss over arbitrary horizons, we estimate the coefficients for the stochastic processes describing the covariates for the probability of default for each obligor and the loss given default. We provide an analysis of both in and out of sample performance of our estimates of the probability of default and the loss given default.
Integration of quality and environmental management systems

Discusses quality and environmental management systems integration. Concepts of a system and a “system of systems” are addressed, followed by a description of different management systems, and their interrelations and integration. Subsequently, strategies for integration of the quality system based on the ISO 9001 standard and the ISO 14001 environmental management system are presented. The harmonization of related audit sub‐systems, namely ISO 10011 and ISO 14010/11/12 is also addressed. Finally, a discussion on the development of a generic performance management system is provided.
Evolution of quality management: British Benefit Enquiry Line

Crosby suggested that “quality is free”. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the argument that, although it is not free, it can reduce costs. The UK’s Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) for people with disabilities is used to illustrate this. The evolution of quality management systems implemented by BEL is examined. These include Charter Mark, Service First, Investors in People, the Business Excellence Framework and the EFQM Excellence Model. A comparative analysis is undertaken between the findings of the authors and those of other academic writers. Conclusions are drawn as to the appropriateness of these quality initiatives in facilitating continuous improvement at minimal cost.
Politics of Language: The Struggle for Power in Schools in Mali and Burkina Faso

Power can be equated to the possession of a particular language used to navigate the world. In Mali and Burkina Faso, two former colonies of France, language choice for instruction in mainstream primary schools remains a struggle between the powerful and the powerless. Fifty years after independence from France, both countries continue to recognize French as the official language and as the medium of instruction in primary schools. With low literacy rates and high dropout rates in both countries, attention must be given to the effects French language has on these two post-colonial societies. First-acquired language instruction has been shown to increase positive cultural identity, literacy rates, and community involvement in the schools. Yet communities continue to strive for French language aptitude in their children with the hope that this ability will provide social mobility. The reality is that 80% of children follow the occupations of their parents and become subsistence farmers (Lavoie, 2008). Experimental first acquired language schools are funded by the government, outside agencies, and other nations seeking to promote literacy in Mali and Burkina Faso. These schools have shown mixed results, as the citizens of the communities involved have serious concerns that their children will not be provided with the same education as children who attend the French language schools. Due to increased literacy rates associated with a community focused education, more research in experimental schools using first acquired language instruction is necessary to ascertain the factors that must be considered in providing literacy opportunities for children.
Production lot sizing with machine breakdowns

Economic lot sizing and batching models often assume reliable manufacturing facilities. In this research, we focus on the effects of machine breakdowns and corrective maintenance on the economic lot sizing decisions. Two production control policies are proposed for coping with these stochastic interferences. The first policy assumes that production of the interrupted lots is not resumed after a breakdown. Instead, the on-hand inventory is depleted before a new cycle is initiated. Under the second policy studied here, production is immediately resumed after a breakdown, if the current on-hand inventory is below a certain threshold level. It is shown that this control structure is optimal among all stationary policies. We show that under both policies the optimal lot sizes will always be bigger than the ones in a corresponding deterministic case, and that the optimal lot size increases with the failure rate. We also provide exact optimal and closed form approximate lot sizing formulas and derive tight bounds on the average cost per unit time for the approximations. In addition, we present various structural properties for these policies and operational insights relevant to such management decisions as machine replacement or maintenance schedules.