Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managerial influence on the diffusion of innovations within intra‐organizational networks

This study analyzes the dynamics of intra-organizational innovation implementation processes based on conversion within and migration between groups. We employ a diffusion model that extends often-used epidemic models in three ways: (i) repeated acceptance and rejection decisions of adopters and non-adopters; (ii) diffusion within and across groups organized in different network structures; and (iii) management's continuous influence on the diffusion process. The model is used to identify and evaluate senior management's possibilities to steer the diffusion process. Analyses reveal that network structure influences the interplay between the self-reinforcing dynamics of conversion and the balancing dynamics of migration. Additionally, management can minimize diffusion time and invested resources by considering the proximity of groups to each other and to the network periphery. Providing structural explanations, this study offers insights into why, given various intra-organizational networks, management policies can yield different results on whether and how innovations are adopted in an organization.
Globalisation of business education – a British course or a British educational experience? Comparisons from a UK university

Globalisation of higher education (HE) is becoming increasingly significant with institutions in Europe, America and Australasia looking for new opportunities to engage with students from Asia and Africa, either by delivering in their own countries or by attracting them to study in the institution’s home country. Business and Management Studies are in increasing demand in emerging economies, and are often used as a higher education institution’s route into engagement in new markets. This paper uses case study methodology to provide four comparative cases; these show how one institution used technology enhanced learning to offer its business curriculum in a variety of contexts to different groups of students. The cases highlight two examples which use a technology enhanced approach, with faculty travelling to the student’s home institution to deliver in block‐mode supported with online material or with students travelling to the UK for weekend blocks, again supplemented online. The other two case study examples are primarily online. The cases indicate that a technology enhanced approach has been successful in terms of the students’ experiences of “British” education in a non‐traditional context. An “online only” approach has proved less successful in engaging students from different cultural backgrounds in a “British” educational experience.
Investigation into practicing healthcare librarians' understandings of information literacy and its application to their role

Background. The literature shows that whilst information literacy has a long history in academic libraries it is less well established in healthcare libraries. This is despite information literacy having a key part to play in supporting evidence based practice, which is fundamental to healthcare practitioners providing the best patient care, both in the UK and abroad. Some research has been carried out investigating how healthcare librarians provide information literacy skills training to support evidence based practice, however, it is somewhat dated.
CAPM with View Bias Adjustment Under Imperfect Information

In this paper, we extend the traditional CAPM theory by introducing a new concept of risk-reward measurement based on view bias adjustment under imperfect information. Within that general framework, people might only know the possible results of an uncertainty, they do not know the exact probabilities of each state, but just have a vague assessment. Consequently they are not view neutral anymore, but have either pessimistic or optimistic view bias. The main conclusion is that the generalized expectation of the excess rate of return can still be described in a single beta representation, except that the systematic risk is now the weighted average of exposed risk and potential risk. Meanwhile imperfect information can induce instantaneous profit by repackaging portfolios, and we name it information premium. Empirical study indicates that this new concept can help to explain the equity premium puzzle in a way that people have pessimistic view bias, when there is no perfect information in the postwar US, and it explains the momentum by the fact that view bias reciprocates from pessimism to optimism, and it might be a mean reversion process. Further more, since there is no existing econometrics method to test VCAPM (view bias based CAPM), we develop VOLS (we make this name in accordance with the mathematical model VCAPM), including resetting the assumptions, looking for new estimators, developing the appropriate asymptotic tools to do hypothesis test. At last, we try to use GMM integrated with VOLS method to do VCAPM empirical analysis. That would be another contribution of this research.
A new switching algorithm for voltage balancing of a three-level NPC in DTC drive of a three-phase IM

In this paper, a new switching-table-based direct torque control (DTC) drive algorithm is proposed for the three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter. The effect of converter switching states on the neutral point voltage is reviewed and then a new, simple and effective switching algorithm for controlling a three-phase induction motor using DTC is developed. In addition to simple implementation, the proposed algorithm is capable of restricting voltage deviation of the DC link capacitors in an acceptable range resulting in DC link voltage balancing. Simulation and experimental results demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method in controlling the neutral point voltage are provided. The proposed algorithm may lead to reduction of the size of the bulky dc link capacitors as well.
Planar Ultrawideband Antennas With Improved Realized Gain Performance

The design nuances and associated performance characteristics of two printed planar ultrawideband (UWB) antennas are reported. The designs achieve improved broadside-realized gains, particularly at the high-frequency side of the UWB band. An arc-shaped slot is etched into the radiating patch of a standard compact elliptically shaped UWB monopole antenna. The resulting parasitic element is engineered to produce its fundamental resonant mode in such a manner that a more compact overall design is realized and the broadside-realized gain in the upper UWB frequency range is improved while maintaining impedance matching without any significant changes to the original design parameters. In agreement with simulations, a 61.7% reduction in size from previous designs is demonstrated with more than a 6 dB increase in the realized gain near 10 GHz. To further improve its high-frequency characteristics, a multimode-resonator filter consisting of a single-wing element is combined with the slot-modified UWB antenna. The filter is first designed, fabricated, and measured to demonstrate that it produces the predicted appropriate transmission characteristics throughout the UWB band. The design integration of this compact filter is then presented and the resulting performance characteristics of the overall antenna system illustrate its advantages. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement. They indicate that the integrated design possesses sharp frequency cutoffs at both edges of the UWB passband, as well as strong upper stop-band attenuation. As a consequence, a 2.12 dB further increase of the broadside-realized gain values is demonstrated near 10 GHz.
A bacterial group II intron favors retrotransposition into plasmid targets

Group II introns, widely believed to be the ancestors of nuclear pre-mRNA introns, are catalytic RNAs found in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. They are mobile genetic elements that move via an RNA intermediate. They retrohome to intronless alleles and retrotranspose to ectopic sites, aided by an intron-encoded protein with reverse transcriptase, maturase, and endonuclease activities. Many group II introns identified in bacteria reside on plasmid genomes rather than bacterial chromosomes, implying that plasmids are havens for these retroelements. This study demonstrates that almost one-fourth of retrotransposition events of the Ll.LtrB intron in Lactococcus lactis are into the plasmid donor. This level is more than twice that predicted based on target size and plasmid copy number relative to the chromosome. In particular, the fraction of such plasmid targeting events was elevated to more than one-third of retrotransposition events by mutation of the intron-encoded endonuclease, a situation that may resemble most bacterial group II introns, which lack the endonuclease. Target-site sequences on the plasmid are more relaxed than those on the chromosome, likely accounting for preferred integration into plasmid replicons. Furthermore, the direction of integration relative to promoters and origins of replication is consistent with group II intron retrotransposition into single-stranded DNA at replication forks. This work provides mechanistic rationales for the prevalence of group II introns in natural plasmid populations and underscores that targeting to plasmids, which are themselves mobile elements, could promote intron spread.
New product performance through multifunctional teamwork: An analysis of the development process towards quality excellence

In this paper the influence of autonomous multifunctional teamwork for new product development is analysed according to different approaches for process activities execution (sequential versus overlapped) on new product performance (development time, development cost and product quality). Such analysis is performed on a sample of engineering consulting firms in spain. Results indicate that both autonomous multifunctional teams and execution of activities under an overlapping approach is positively related with shorter development times and higher product quality. This study emphasises the importance of new product development teams for product success in terms of development time and cost and product quality. Process activities execution with an overlapped approach can be recommended when getting to the market in a fast way with a higher quality product as the main goal.
Subtelomere deletions and translocations are frequently familial

In recent years, strategies have been developed to investigate the possible role of chromosomal subtelomere regions in genetic disorders. The present study was to determine the incidence of familial subtelomeric abnormalities among individuals with developmental delay, idiopathic mental retardation, or non‐specific congenital abnormalities. A review was conducted for patients and their relatives on whom subtelomeric DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (telo‐FISH) studies were performed. Patients were identified through a search of the Mayo Genetics System (MGS) database. Of 2,170 consecutive telo‐FISH index case studies completed in our laboratory between January 2002 and December 2003, 121 or 5.6% had abnormalities of the subtelomere region. The present report includes 18 other abnormal index cases seen prior to 2002 to yield a total of 139 abnormal index cases. This represents 71 index patients with deletions, 53 index patients with derivative chromosomes, and 15 index patients with balanced rearrangements. A familial abnormality was identified in 29 (51.8%) of 56 families in whom parents and/or sibs were available for testing. Among 28 patients with deletions, 9 (32%) had an inherited deletion, whereas 19 (68%) were de novo. Family members of 20 index patients with derivative chromosomes were tested. Of these, 13 (65%) patients inherited the abnormality from a parent (12 from a parent who had a balanced translocation and 1 from a parent with the same abnormality), while 7 (35%) apparently arose de novo. Seven (88%) of 8 with balanced translocations inherited the translocation from one parent. The most common familial abnormalities involved 8pter deletion or rearrangement. The incidence of familial subtelomeric abnormalities is significantly high making parental telo‐FISH studies an essential part of the investigation of patients with subtelomeric chromosome abnormalities. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The data mining method based on second learning

Decision tree algorithm is not only the important part of machine learning, but also the most widely used data mining tool. At present, there are many algorithms of generating decision tree, but when the database which we rely on exists noise, high quality knowledge is hard to obtain by ID3 algorithm. In this paper, we propose the data mining method based on second learning in case of ID3 algorithm, and analyze the performance of our method by a concrete database. Theory analysis and simulation indicate that this method posses the feature of strong operability, and it can improve the reliability of obtained knowledge.
Social isolation and new technology

This report adds new insights to an ongoing debate about the extent of social isolation in America. A widely-reported 2006 study argued that since 1985 Americans have become more socially isolated, the size of their discussion networks has declined, and the diversity of those people with whom they discuss important matters has decreased. In particular, the study found that Americans have fewer close ties to those from their neighborhoods and from voluntary associations. Sociologists Miller McPherson, Lynn Smith-Lovin and Matthew Brashears suggest that new technologies, such as the internet and mobile phone, may play a role in advancing this trend. Specifically, they argue that the type of social ties supported by these technologies are relatively weak and geographically dispersed, not the strong, often locally-based ties that tend to be a part of peoples’ core discussion network. They depicted the rise of internet and mobile phones as one of the major trends that pulls people away from traditional social settings, neighborhoods, voluntary associations, and public spaces that have been associated with large and diverse core networks. The survey results reported here were undertaken to explore issues that have not been probed directly in that study and other related research on social isolation: the role of the internet and mobile phone in people’s core social networks. This Pew Internet Personal Networks and Community survey finds that Americans are not as isolated as has been previously reported. People’s use of the mobile phone and the internet is associated with larger and more diverse discussion networks. And, when we examine people’s full personal network – their strong and weak ties – internet use in general and use of social networking services such as Facebook in particular are associated with more diverse social networks. Image: PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE / Flickr
Draft Genome Sequence of Tenacibaculum soleae UCD-KL19

ABSTRACT Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Tenacibaculum soleae strain UCD-KL19. The assembly contains 3,012,701 bp in 46 contigs. This strain was isolated from a seagrass leaf (Zostera marina) collected from Bodega Bay, CA, as a part of an undergraduate student research project on isolating bacteria from seagrass.
Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Polymorphisms in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

GENSINI, F. , et al.; Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Polymorphisms in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Experimental studies have shown a significant increase in angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) expression in atrial tissue of AF patients. ACE regulates the synthesis of endothelial nitric oxide (NO), which modulates autonomic nervous activity involved in the development of AF. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of ACE insertion/deletion and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) T‐786C, G894T, and 4a/4b polymorphisms in 148 patients with persistent AF, compared with 210 control subjects. ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism genotype distribution and allele frequency were significantly different between patients and controls ( P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001 , respectively). ACE DD genotype was significantly associated with the risk of AF (OR DD/ID + II = 3.24, P < 0.0001) . Analysis of eNOS polymorphisms showed no significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency between patients and controls. The results suggest a possible role of ACE DD genotype as a predisposing factor to AF and a pathophysiological mechanism of ACE inhibition in reducing the incidence of AF in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. II]:295–298)
Implementing a policy and planning process for managing state use of information technology resources

The 1983 session of the Florida Legislature passed the Florida Information and Technology Planning Act. The legislation was the culmination of an extremely ambitious two-year effort by the Florida Legislature to shape the information processing strategy of the State of Florida for the next decade. ' The legislation required a reorganization of the statewide policy and planning process for managing the use of information resources and led to the establishment of the Information Resource Commission (IRC) to serve as the focal point for the new process. This paper discusses the implementation of the Florida Information and Technology Planning Act and focuses on the major goals and objectives of the IRC. Several implementation issues that deserve considerable attention in any data processing reorganization effort are also identified and discussed.
Practices of Hong Kong building contractors in strategic asset allocation process: longitudinal approach

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to report the investigation results of current practices of strategic asset allocation process, which consists of capital budget planning, monitoring, and control of Hong Kong building contractors. The changes of the said practices are compared with the results of the two similar surveys undertaken in the past longitudinally.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 157 questionnaires were sent to about 1,000 approved Hong Kong building contractors (classified as group A, B, C in accordance with their maximum capacities). The total response rate was 30.7 per cent. Statistical techniques, a two‐dimensional contingency table, and discriminant function analysis (DA) were deployed to analyze the survey data via SPSS.Findings – Only the practice of a regular review of the minimum rate of return of major projects was popular. For monitoring aspect, 100 per cent of surveyed contractors monitor project performance once operational. The result of post‐completion audits on major.
Antibodies directed against a yeast carboxyl‐terminal peroxisomal targeting signal specifically recognize peroxisomal proteins from various yeasts

The carboxyl‐terminal tripeptide Ala‐Lys‐Ile is essential for targeting Canadida tropicalis trifunctional enzyme (hydratase‐dehydrogenase‐epimerase) to peroxisomes of both Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Aitchison, J. D., Murray, W. W. and Rachubinski, R. A. (1991). J. Biol. Chem. 266, 23197–23203). We investigated the possibility that this tripeptide may act as a general peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS) for other proteins in the yeasts C. tropicalis, C. albicans, Yarrowia lipolytica and S. cerevisiae, and in rat liver. Anti‐AKI antibodies raised against the carboxyl‐terminal 12 amino acids of trifunctional enzyme were used to search for this PTS in proteins of these yeasts and of rat liver. The anti‐AKI antibodies reacted exclusively with multiple peroxisomal proteins from the yeasts C. tropicalis, C. albicans and Y. lipolytica. There was a weak reaction of the antibodies with one peroxisomal protein from S. cerevisiae and no reaction with peroxisomal proteins from rat liver. Antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide containing a carboxyl‐terminal Ser‐Lys‐Leu PTS (Gould, S. J., Krisans, S., Keller, G.‐A. and Subramani, S. (1990). J. Cell Biol. 110, 27–34) reacted with multiple peroxisomal proteins of rat liver and with peroxisomal proteins of yeast distinct from those identified with anti‐AKI antibodies. These results provide evidence that several peroxisomal proteins of different yeasts contain a PTS antigenically similar to that of C. tropicalis trifunctional enzyme and that this signal is absent from peroxisomal proteins from at least one mammalian system, rat liver.
Development of an integrated model of a business excellence system

In the era of a new century, high utilisation of technology and the Internet has caused dramatic changes in the market environment and business management. Therefore, industries will have to adopt many management systems or tools, especially the prevailing management systems. But they often encounter many problems in the implementation of these systems individually. It is needed to integrate these systems for the organisations to energise excellent performance. The aim of this paper is to develop an integrated business excellence system that incorporates total quality management (TQM), the Six Sigma programme, and other management methods or tools. The system is based on the frameworks of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and the European Quality Award (EQA). Because the aim of implementing a business excellence system such as this is to achieve customer loyalty and excellent corporate performance, an integrated performance management system – incorporating strategic planning, Balanced Scorecard, and Hoshin management – is also developed and embedded in the integrated business excellence system presented here.
Fiscal Targets. A Guide to Forecasters?

Should rational agents take into consideration government policy announcements? A skilled agent (an econometrician) could set up a model to combine the following two pieces of information in order to anticipate the future course of fiscal policy in real-time: (i) the ex-ante path of policy as published/announced by the government; (ii) incoming, observed data on the actual degree of implementation of ongoing plans. We formulate and estimate empirical models for a number of EU countries (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) to show that government (consumption) targets convey useful information about ex-post policy developments when policy changes significantly (even if past credibility is low) and when there is limited information about the implementation of plans (e.g. at the beginning of a fiscal year). In addition, our models are instrumental in unveiling the current course of policy in real time. Our approach complements a well-established branch of the literature that finds politically motivated biases in policy targets.
Design of an MC-CDMA System That Uses Complete Complementary Orthogonal Spreading Codes

This paper presents a multicarrier code-division multiple-access (CDMA) system architecture that is based on complete complementary orthogonal spreading codes. The architecture has several advantages as compared to conventional CDMA systems. Specifically, it offers multiple-access interference-free operation in additive white Gaussian noise channels, reduces cochannel interference significantly, and has the potential of higher capacity and spectral efficiency than conventional CDMA systems. This is accomplished by using an ldquooffset stackedrdquo spreading modulation technique. To maintain good performance in the presence of fading, the offset stacked modulator is followed by a quadrature-amplitude modulation map, which is designed to optimize performance in a fading environment. This new modulation scheme also simplifies the rate-matching algorithms that are relevant for multimedia services and Internet Protocol-based applications.