Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adoption and persistence of TQM programmes – case studies of five New Zealand organizations

Abstract Despite the widespread popularity of quality management principles, a majority of organizations implementing these programmes do not persist with them, resulting in a high failure rate. A variety of explanations have been suggested to explain the short life cycles of these programmes. This paper is based on a qualitative case study of five organizations in New Zealand that introduced a quality management programme in the early 1990s. The purpose of the study was to explore the factors that influenced the success and continuity of these programmes. At the time of the study, only two out of the five organizations had persisted with their quality programmes. In the remaining three organizations, the programmes did not continue. Our study suggests a number of factors seem to influence persistence of quality programmes. Some of these factors are: compulsions for change; core philosophy; commitment of senior management; capability, experience and fit of TQM champion; collateral changes; and continuity of leadership.
Testing Choice Experiment for Benefit Transfer with Preference Heterogeneity

Benefit transfer is a cost-effective method for estimating the value of environmental goods that relies on information obtained in previous studies. The multiattribute approach of choice experiments should provide advantages in terms of benefit transfer, allowing differences in environmental improvements between sites as well as differences in socioeconomic and attitude characteristics between respondent populations. This article investigates the capability of choice experiment method to be used in environmental benefit transfer when a random parameters approach is used to allow for preference heterogeneity: we find that the inclusion of respondents' taste heterogeneity reduces the magnitude of the transfer error.
Recall-driven Product Tracing and Supply Chain Tracking using Answer Set Programming

Incomplete information and the inability to trace the movement of contaminated products across the food chain has hindered our ability to locate and remove contaminated products once a food recall has been announced. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that was signed into law in 2011, however, supports traceability by both expanding the registration requirements for companies that are involved in food production and, in the event of a food recall, requiring companies to provide information about their immediate suppliers and customers—what is referred to as “one step forward” and “one step backward” traceability. In this paper we implement the logic-based approach called answer set programming that uses inference rules to determine the set of all companies that may be linked to a contaminated product. Unlike other approaches, we do not depend on the availability of common standards or unique identifiers. Rather, the proposed approach utilizes information about the company’s primary suppliers and customers along with their products—consistent with the “one step forward” and “one step backward” required under FMSA as noted above. We demonstrate this approach using the example of a food recall involving pork products.
Ensuring good governance in Singapore

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to attribute Singapore's good governance to the effective policies implemented by the People's Action Party (PAP) government and contend that it will be difficult to transfer Singapore's experience to other countries because of Singapore's unique circumstances and favourable policy context.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses four policies initiated by the PAP government: comprehensive reform of the Singapore Civil Service; anti‐corruption measures; decentralization of the Public Service Commission; and payment of competitive salaries to attract and retain the best candidates to the government. The effectiveness of these policies is assessed by referring to Singapore's performance on eight governance indicators.Findings – The four policies are effective, as reflected in Singapore's superior rankings and scores on eight indicators: Global Competitiveness Report's (GCR's) competence of public officials; World Bank's indicator on government effectiveness; Po.
What Does Crypto-currency Look Like? Gaining Insight into Bitcoin Phenomenon

The present paper seeks to effectively address the following question: What Bitcoin looks like? To do so, we regress Bitcoin price on a number of variables (Bitcoin fundamentals recorded in the literature) by applying an ARDL Bounds Testing approach for daily data covering the period from December 2010 to June 2014. Our findings highlight the speculative nature of Bitcoin. We also provide insightful evidence that Bitcoin may be used for economic reasons but there is any sign of being a safe haven. By considering the Chinese trading bankruptcy and the closing of Road Silk by FBI, the contribution of users’ interest stills sharply dominant, indicating the robustness of our results.
Stability and robustness of systems with synchronization errors

This paper addresses the problem of synchronization errors in distributed dynamical systems. In particular, it focuses on the question of stability for the case where all subsystems have the same sampling frequency, but different switching times. In contrast to previous work, the approach taken here models the set of system matrices that arise using a polytopic uncertainty approach, where a polytope vertex corresponds to a possible state matrix of the overall system. System stabilization is then approached through state feedback and LMI techniques are used to generate the control law matrices. A method to handle the combinatorial explosion of the number of polytope vertices is developed and illustrated using an example from swarm system navigation.
Assessing Trade‐offs among Multiple Objectives for Humanitarian Aid Delivery Using Expert Preferences

Humanitarian aid agencies deliver emergency supplies and services to people affected by disasters. Scholars and practitioners have developed modeling approaches to support aid delivery planning, but they have used objective functions with little validation as to the trade‐offs among the multiple goals of aid delivery. We develop a method to value the performance of aid delivery plans based on expert preferences over five key attributes: the amount of cargo delivered, the prioritization of aid by commodity type, the prioritization of aid by delivery location, the speed of delivery, and the operational cost. Through a conjoint analysis survey, we measure the preferences of 18 experienced humanitarian logisticians. The survey results quantify the importance of each attribute and enable the development of a piecewise linear utility function that can be used as an objective function in optimization models. The results show that the amount of cargo delivered is the most valued objective and cost the least important. In addition, experts prioritize more vulnerable communities and more critical commodities, but not to the exclusion of others. With these insights and the experts’ utility functions, better humanitarian objective functions can be developed to enable better aid delivery in emergency response.
RNA-Seq-Based Transcriptome Analysis of Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in Response to Water Activity

Aspergillus flavus is one of the most important producers of carcinogenic aflatoxins in crops, and the effect of water activity (aw) on growth and aflatoxin production of A. flavus has been previously studied. Here we found the strains under 0.93 aw exhibited decreased conidiation and aflatoxin biosynthesis compared to that under 0.99 aw. When RNA-Seq was used to delineate gene expression profile under different water activities, 23,320 non-redundant unigenes, with an average length of 1297 bp, were yielded. By database comparisons, 19,838 unigenes were matched well (e-value < 10−5) with known gene sequences, and another 6767 novel unigenes were obtained by comparison to the current genome annotation of A. flavus. Based on the RPKM equation, 5362 differentially expressed unigenes (with |log2Ratio| ≥ 1) were identified between 0.99 aw and 0.93 aw treatments, including 3156 up-regulated and 2206 down-regulated unigenes, suggesting that A. flavus underwent an extensive transcriptome response during water activity variation. Furthermore, we found that the expression of 16 aflatoxin producing-related genes decreased obviously when water activity decreased, and the expression of 11 development-related genes increased after 0.99 aw treatment. Our data corroborate a model where water activity affects aflatoxin biosynthesis through increasing the expression of aflatoxin producing-related genes and regulating development-related genes.
mtDB: Human Mitochondrial Genome Database, a resource for population genetics and medical sciences

The mitochondrial genome, contained in the subcellular mitochondrial network, encodes a small number of peptides pivotal for cellular energy production. Mitochondrial genes are highly polymorphic and cataloguing existing variation is of interest for medical scientists involved in the identification of mutations causing mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as for population genetics studies. Human Mitochondrial Genome Database (mtDB) () has provided a comprehensive database of complete human mitochondrial genomes since early 2000. At this time, owing to an increase in the number of published complete human mitochondrial genome sequences, it became necessary to provide a web-based database of human whole genome and complete coding region sequences. As of August 2005 this database contains 2104 sequences (1544 complete genome and 560 coding region) available to download or search for specific polymorphisms. Of special interest to medical researchers and population geneticists evaluating specific positions is a complete list of (currently 3311) mitochondrial polymorphisms among these sequences. Recent expansions in the capabilities of mtDB include a haplotype search function and the ability to identify and download sequences carrying particular variants.
Genome-Wide Screen for Genes Involved in Caenorhabditis elegans Developmentally Timed Sleep

In Caenorhabditis elegans, Notch signaling regulates developmentally timed sleep during the transition from L4 larval stage to adulthood (L4/A) . To identify core sleep pathways and to find genes acting downstream of Notch signaling, we undertook the first genome-wide, classical genetic screen focused on C. elegans developmentally timed sleep. To increase screen efficiency, we first looked for mutations that suppressed inappropriate anachronistic sleep in adult hsp::osm-11 animals overexpressing the Notch coligand OSM-11 after heat shock. We retained suppressor lines that also had defects in L4/A developmentally timed sleep, without heat shock overexpression of the Notch coligand. Sixteen suppressor lines with defects in developmentally timed sleep were identified. One line carried a new allele of goa-1; loss of GOA-1 Gαo decreased C. elegans sleep. Another line carried a new allele of gpb-2, encoding a Gβ5 protein; Gβ5 proteins have not been previously implicated in sleep. In other scenarios, Gβ5 GPB-2 acts with regulators of G protein signaling (RGS proteins) EAT-16 and EGL-10 to terminate either EGL-30 Gαq signaling or GOA-1 Gαo signaling, respectively. We found that loss of Gβ5 GPB-2 or RGS EAT-16 decreased L4/A sleep. By contrast, EGL-10 loss had no impact. Instead, loss of RGS-1 and RGS-2 increased sleep. Combined, our results suggest that, in the context of L4/A sleep, GPB-2 predominantly acts with EAT-16 RGS to inhibit EGL-30 Gαq signaling. These results confirm the importance of G protein signaling in sleep and demonstrate that these core sleep pathways function genetically downstream of the Notch signaling events promoting sleep.
Awareness and impact of business excellence in Asia

The primary objective of this research was to investigate the use of business excellence (BE) in Asian organisations. The study examines the drivers of implementation of BE, levels of awareness of BE in Asian organisations as well as the impact of its adoption. A questionnaire survey of 74 organisations in five Asian countries was carried out and, furthermore, qualitative data were collected from 21 discussion groups held in all five countries and from 13 interviews held with senior executives of organisations that had won BE awards. The study indicated that the drivers of adoption were primarily linked to their competitive priorities. In addition, while organisations that have implemented BE had found it to be beneficial, more needs to be done to improve awareness, particularly among small-to-medium enterprises. The implications for more mature BE organisations is to play a more active role in promoting BE in their supply chain while BE custodians need to facilitate more sharing of best practices.
Towards a New Theory on Market Timing

We extend the widely used Merton (1981) market-timing model with a more realistic assumption on the information structure of the fund manager. Using a theoretically derived logistic smooth transition market (LSTM) model that incorporates duration dependence of market conditions in the transition variable to represent the fund managers' information structure, we have shown that Merton's (1981) model suffers from an oversimplification of information processing due to the simple dichotomization of market conditions. Applying our model to Australian superannuation wholesale and retail funds data we find some interesting results. First, we found that the yield spread based LSTM model fit the data best and that the behavior implied by the parameter estimates was consistent with that of a good market timer. However since yield spread fails to accurately forecast the excess market return, fund managers fail to time the market as evidenced by the fact that when fund performance was tested using the excess market return based LSTM model we found evidence contradicting the results based on the Henriksson-Merton (1981) model. Second, to investigate the extent to which the fund manager responds to yield spread we estimated the spread based LSTM model using the passive industry portfolio data provided by (SIRCA) and found that the passive industry portfolio betas are unresponsive to movements in yield spread. This lends further support to the notion that the behavior of fund managers is well represented by the spread based LSTM model. Third, we have shown that fund managers rebalance their portfolios often, not waiting for simple changes in the sign of market indicators. Finally, our model allows us to measure fund performance in terms of the speed of adjustment of beta in response to market conditions.
Computational Methods for Option Pricing (Frontiers in Applied Mathematics) (Frontiers in Applied Mathematics 30)

Preface 1. Option pricing 2. Black-Scholes equation mathematical analysis 3. Finite differences 4. The finite element method 5. Adaptive mesh refinement 6. American options 7. Sensitivities and calibration 8. Calibration of local volatility with European options 9. Calibration of local volatility with American options Bibliography Index.
Gene expression profile of early in vitro biofilms of Streptococcus pneumoniae

In this study, the gene expression profile of early in vitro Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilm with respect to planktonic cells in cDNA microarray analysis is reported. Microarray analysis with respect to planktonic cells was performed on total RNA extracted from biofilms grown in 24‐well microtiter plates. To validate the microarray results, real‐time RT‐PCR was performed on 13 differentially expressed genes and one constitutively expressed gene. The cDNA‐microarray analyses identified 89 genes that were significantly differentially expressed in biofilm and planktonic cells. Genes involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis, cell wall biosynthesis, translation and purine and pyrimidine nucleotide metabolic pathways were exclusively expressed in the biofilms, whereas transcription regulator genes were exclusively expressed in planktonic cells. The real‐time RT‐PCR results of 13 differentially regulated genes were completely in agreement with the microarray data. The exclusive up regulation in biofilms of genes involved in the mevalonate pathway, cell wall biosynthesis, translation and purine and pyrimidine nucleotide metabolic pathways suggests that expression of these genes may be required for initial biofilm formation, and growth and survival of bacteria in biofilms. The up regulation of related genes suggests that cells in biofilms may be under stress conditions and possibly actively involved in the protein synthesis required to adapt to a new environment.
Transaction Cost and Resource-Based Explanations of Joint Ventures: A Comparison and Synthesis

Transaction cost theory has been the dominant theoretical lens used in the study of joint ventures. The purpose of this paper is to explain the formation of joint ventures from the resource-based perspective and to compare this perspective with transaction cost theory. By focusing on the cost aspect of a transaction, the transaction cost logic explains joint ventures in terms of market failure for intermediate inputs, asset specificity, and high uncertainty over specifying and monitoring performance. Putting more emphasis on the benefit side of a transaction, resource-based theory regards joint ventures as a means of exploiting and developing a firm's resources. The transaction cost and resource-based explanations are, to a certain extent, complementary. Taking the stance of theoretical pluralism, an attempt is made to synthesize the two theories into a more comprehensive perspective which takes both costs and benefits into account.
Repair of tears of the subscapularis.

BACKGROUND Rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis are less common than those involving the superior aspect of the rotator cuff. The purpose of the present study was to report the results of repair of isolated tears of the subscapularis. METHODS The records on eighty-four shoulders that had undergone open repair of the subscapularis tendon were reviewed. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 53.2 years. The mean interval from the onset of symptoms to the time of surgery was 12.5 months. Fifty-seven tears were traumatic, and twenty-seven were degenerative. Twenty-three tears involved the superior one-third of the subscapularis tendon, forty-one tears involved the superior two-thirds, and twenty tears were complete. Fifty-four shoulders had a dislocation or subluxation of the long head of the biceps tendon, and ten shoulders had a rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon. Forty-eight shoulders underwent concomitant biceps tenodesis, thirteen shoulders underwent concomitant biceps tenotomy, and four shoulders underwent concomitant recentering of the biceps. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean of forty-five months (range, twenty-four to 132 months) postoperatively. RESULTS The mean Constant score increased from 55.0 points preoperatively to 79.5 points postoperatively. Seventy-five patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the result. Preoperatively, four shoulders had mild glenohumeral arthritis. Postoperatively, twenty-five shoulders had mild glenohumeral arthritis and two shoulders had moderate glenohumeral arthritis. Tenodesis or tenotomy of the biceps tendon at the time of subscapularis repair was associated with improved subjective and objective results, independent of the preoperative condition of the biceps tendon. CONCLUSIONS Repair of isolated subscapularis tears yields acceptable improvement in shoulder function in selected patients. Additionally, the results of the present study support routine tenodesis or tenotomy of the long head of the biceps tendon at the time of subscapularis repair.
High-Quality Cost-Effective Compound Management Support for HTS

Four years ago, the first acoustic droplet ejectors (ADEs) were launched on the market, providing a new generation of high-throughput noncontact liquid handlers that outclassed traditional contact instruments in almost every respect. This introduction of noncontact dispensing has triggered radical changes to the screening/compound management interface. Higher quality is achieved through greater accuracy and precision, whereas lower sample volumes can be used, and 1536 plate formats have become a reliable reality. Prior to the ADE instrument launch, 1536 assay-ready plate preparation was a high-effort enterprise requiring users to spend time developing liquid-handling methods along with daily fine-tuning of instruments to reach the desired level of performance. By overcoming the nanoliter dispensing hurdle and successfully transferring assays to high-density formats, a new dimension for cutting costs has emerged. Once the screening customer has adapted to this new world, the rules of supply can also change, with the traditional automated plate store no longer being necessary when the compound library can be stored in 1536 plates. Processing efficiency recently has been further supported by innovative new automation-friendly solutions such as plate desealers, prolonging the life span of working plate copies. Both cost and waste control have never had a higher profile, and noncontact dispensing contributes to these important areas. In some processes (e.g., when piercing septa), contact dispensing remains the best option, but cost control is still essential, and an innovative solution to minimize DMSO consumption from tip washing has had a big impact on consumable budget without compromising quality. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2009:509-514)