Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conflict within nursing work environments: concept analysis.

AIM The aim of this paper is to examine the concept of conflict in nursing work environments using the evolutionary approach to concept analysis. BACKGROUND In nursing work environments, conflict among nurses is becoming a significant issue resulting in job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, and turnover. Although discussed frequently in the nursing literature, nursing research has focused predominantly on conflict management without first understanding the elements, causes and effects of conflict. METHODS A literature search was conducted using CINAHL, Proquest, PsychINFO, Social Sciences Index and MEDLINE databases and the keywords conflict and work environment. Articles over the last 25 years from each of these databases were examined to identify major themes, areas of agreement and disagreement across disciplines, changes in the concept over time, and emerging trends. FINDINGS Conflict is a multidimensional construct with both detrimental and beneficial effects. Most definitions agree that conflict is a process involving two or more people, where a person perceives the opposition of the other. Antecedents stem from individual characteristics, interpersonal factors, and organizational factors. Individual effects, interpersonal relationships, and organizational effects are the main consequences of conflict. A theoretical model of the antecedents and consequences is presented, with implications for further development. CONCLUSIONS A more thorough understanding of the sources and outcomes of conflict within nursing work environments would enable the prevention of conflict. If properly understood and managed, conflict can also lead to positive outcomes for nurses and healthcare organizations.
The use of the internet as a marketing channel for Irish speciality food

Purpose – Online shopping is one of the most rapidly growing forms of shopping and provides a global shop window for producers who wish to sell and market their products. This paper seeks to investigate the internet as an alternative distribution channel for Irish producers of speciality food products.Design/methodology/approach – Primary data collection involved consumer focus groups, a producer web audit, producer depth interviews and an e‐mailed online producer survey.Findings – Consumers of speciality food appear to trade off the convenience and variety potentially available with online shopping for the sales experience associated with more traditional outlets, particularly speciality food outlets and direct sales channels. Nonetheless, the internet can be a significant sales channel for some speciality food producers with products of specific attributes, e.g. high value goods, and products with elaborate and gift‐oriented packaging and for those targeting consumers with previous purchase experience.
An Exploratory Study of the Performance of Microfinancing Institutions Using the Balanced Scorecard Approach

More than 3,000 microfinancing institutions (MFIs) in developing countries provide financial assistance to the needy poor who are denied access to institutional credit from other sources. This study’s motivation comes from the importance of MFIs and the lack of knowledge about them. Adopting the balanced scorecard (BSC) model, this exploratory study investigates the critical performance measures that MFIs need to emphasize in their performance reporting to drive high performance. The study first argues that four dimensions (sustainability, increasing the outreach, depth of outreach, and portfolio at risk) are needed to measure the performance of MFIs, and then analyzes the impact of eight performance-reporting measures on these dimensions using multipleregression analysis. Of the eight measures selected, the emphasis on “net cash flow” has a significant impact on improving two dimensions of performance: sustainability, and increasing the outreach. The latter is also affected by the emphasis placed on the “ratio of zero security loans to total loans” in performance reporting. The study also finds that the depth of outreach performance dimension is predicted by the emphasis placed on the two performance reporting measures: “ratio of operating expenses to number of loans” and “the average time to process a loan application. ”
COSMO-SkyMed mission status: Three out of four satellites in orbit

COSMO-SkyMed is a Dual-Use (Civilian and Defence) end-to-end Earth Observation System aimed at establishing a global service supplying provision of data, products and services relevant to a wide range of applications, such as Risk Management, Scientific and Commercial Applications and Defence Applications. The system consists of a constellation of four LEO mid-sized satellites, each equipped with a multimode high-resolution SAR operating at X-band. Three out of four COSMO-SkyMed satellites have been successfully launched, while the remaining satellite will be deployed within 2010. COSMO-1 and COSMO-2 completed their Commissioning phase to test, verify and qualify the overall System and from the 1st of August both satellites are in the operational phase. The third satellite is performing its commissioning and it is expected to enter in operation in the second half of 2009. In this paper will be presented the current status of the mission and future objectives.
Perceived service quality in health services employing virtual channels

Health service over a virtual channel (e.g., mobile phone , web etc.) has emerged as a viable solution to serve the pressing healthcare needs through its high reach and low cost solution. According to Sousa & Voss (2006), “A virtual channel refers to a means of communication using advanced telecommunications, information, and multimedia technologies” . In this study, we focus on mobile health services ( mHealth) , which is defined as an interactive medical service over a mobile platform ( e.g., mobile phone , PDA ) containing both virtual ( e.g., e referral, e prescription etc.) and physical service components ( e.g., treatment consultation with doctors) ( see Exhibit 1). mHealth is seen as a transformative service for shifting the care paradigm from crisis intervention to promoting wellness, prevention, and self management (Ostrom et al. 2010; Kaplan & Litewka 2008). Though mHealth is transforming healthcare delivery around the world; however, there are growing concerns about the perceived quality of such services due to lack of reliability of the system , knowledge and competence of the provider, privacy and security of information and above all, their effects on patient satisfaction . A review of the literature reveals that there is a paucity of service quality research in this domain and most of the studies are largely fragmented and anecdotal. Thus, this study fills these voids by aiming to conceptualise a perceived service quality model for health services over a virtual channel, especially in the context of mobile health services. Disciplines Business Publication Details Akter, S. , D'Ambra, J. & Ray, P. (2011). Perceived service quality in health services employing virtual channels. 40th Academy of Marketing Science Conference (pp. 1-4). Florida, USA: Academy of Marketing Science. This conference paper is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow. edu.au/buspapers/1156 Perceived Service Quality in Health Services Employing Virtual Channels
Why Do Public Firms Go Private in the UK?

This paper examines the magnitude and the sources of the expected shareholder gains in UK public to private transactions (PTPs) in the second wave from 1997-2003. Pre-transaction shareholders on average receive a premium of 40% and the share price reaction to the PTP announcement is about 30%. We test the sources of the anticipated value creation of the delisting and distinguish between: tax benefits, incentive realignment, control reasons, free cash flow reduction, transactions cost reduction, takeover defences, undervaluation and wealth transfers, The main sources of the shareholder wealth gains are undervaluation of the pre-transaction target firm, increased interest tax shields and incentive realignment. An expected reduction of free cash flows does not determine the premiums nor are PTPs a defensive reaction against a takeover.
Successful removal of intracranial air-gun bullet with stereotaxic apparatus.

T HERE have been many reports concerning the surgical treatment of an intracranial foreign body. Since the usual method of craniotomy cannot avoid some cerebral damage, deeply lodged, minimal, or asymptomatic foreign bodies have frequently been left untouched2 ,6 Recently we successfully removed an intracranial air-gun bullet using a stereotaxic method through a small burr hole, without any complication.
Non-audit services and auditor independence

The joint provision of audit and non-audit services (NAS) and its impact on auditor independence continues to attract significant interest globally from various stakeholders such as regulators and policy makers, the accounting profession, academics and students, and from the media and capital markets. Just as regulations on NAS have evolved to address potential threats to auditor independence, so too has the literature. This chapter provides an overview and synthesizes the research on the NAS and its impact on auditor independence. Implications of the research for regulators, policy makers, the accounting profession, and future research are discussed.
Requirement of Npc1 and availability of cholesterol for early embryonic cell movements in zebrafish[S]

Abstract Niemann-Pick disease, type C (NP-C), often associated with Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1) mutations, is a cholesterol-storage disorder characterized by cellular lipid accumulation, neurodegeneration, and reduced steroid production. To study NPC1 function in vivo, we cloned zebrafish npc1 and analyzed its gene expression and activity by reducing Npc1 protein with morpholino (MO)-oligonucleotides. Filipin staining in npc1-morphant cells was punctate, suggesting abnormal accumulation of cholesterol. Developmentally, reducing Npc1 did not disrupt early cell fate or survival; however, early morphogenetic movements were delayed, and the actin cytoskeleton network was abnormal. MO-induced defects were rescued with ectopic expression of mouse NPC1, demonstrating functional gene conservation, and by treatments with steroids pregnenolone or dexamethasone, suggesting that reduced steroidogenesis contributed to abnormal cell movements. Cell death was found in anterior tissues of npc1 morphants at later stages, consistent with findings in mammals. Collectively, these studies show that npc1 is required early for proper cell movement and cholesterol localization and later for cell survival.
Ultra-High Capacity Indoor Optical Wireless Communication Using 2D-Steered Pencil Beams

Free-space indoor optical communication deploying pencil beams can offer ultra-high wireless capacity individually per user device. By means of two-dimensional (2D) diffractive modules, such as a pair of crossed gratings, 2D steering of multiple beams by just tuning the wavelength of each beam can be achieved. The design aspects of an indoor system fed via an intelligent optical fiber backbone network are discussed. 2D angular beam steering over a 6° × 12° area was achieved by wavelength tuning from 1505 to 1630 nm. System experiments using PAM-4 modulation have shown a capacity of 32 Gbit/s per infrared beam. With radio-overfiber techniques and optical carrier recovery from the downstream signal, 10 Gbit/s upstream transmission of a 60 GHz radio signal has been shown using adaptive DMT modulation.
Mitigating consumer ethnocentrism via advertising and media consumption in a transitional market

Consumer ethnocentrism is considered an important barrier to consumption in the global marketplace. Although the concept of consumer ethnocentrism has been investigated over many years in developed markets, there is little research addressing the mitigation of consumer ethnocentrism in transitional economies, which are becoming increasingly important in the global marketplace. One such market, Russia, represents a major potential investment opportunity for global marketers. In this study, we undertake an exploratory study investigating consumer ethnocentrism’s negative influence on Russians’ attitudes towards foreign products and their frequency of purchase of foreign products. We also demonstrate that the influence of consumer ethnocentrism on the frequency of purchase of foreign products is moderated by consumers’ exposure to mass communication (i.e. exposure to television, exposure to foreign movies) and by marketing communication efforts (i.e. exposure to foreign product advertising, involvement with foreign product advertising). In addition to extending theoretical research to a transitional, non-Western context, the empirical results also provide implications for international advertising practitioners.
Modelling Pb bioaccessibility in soils contaminated by mining and smelting activities

This investigation was undertaken to identify the most significant parameters that can be used to model the bioaccessibility of lead in contaminated soils. Twenty-five soil samples contaminated by two distinct sources of contamination (mining and smelting areas) were investigated in this work. Edaphic soil properties were determined using the classic techniques. Speciation and solid phase distribution of Pb were determined by sequential fractionation and physical analysis (XRD and SEM-EDX). Bioaccessibility of Pb was measured using the unified BARGE protocol on each soil samples and each residue following the different steps of the sequential extraction procedure. Results showed that Pb speciation varied according to the source of contamination. Pb gastric bioaccessibility ranged from 12% to 86% in mining soils and from 40% to 95% in smelting soils. Soil edaphic properties (pH, CEC, clays content or organic matter content) cannot be used to model Pb bioaccessibility as these parameters could not be extrapolated from on site to another. The differences in Pb bioaccessibility between the 25 soils were better reflected by the nature of the Pb-bearing minerals as characterized by sequential extractions. Soluble, exchangeable and acid-soluble phases could explain from 70 to 98% of Pb bioaccessibility. Consequently, Pb bioaccessibility is extremely sensitive to the Pb-bearing phase distribution. This distribution should be thoroughly evaluated before applying any remedial techniques that would potentially affect Pb speciation in soils.
Hierarchical Assessment of Vascular Alterations in a Mouse Model for Alzheimer's Disease

Recently neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and senile dementia have been associated with vascular alterations. We are using modified vascular corrosion casting combined with micro-computed tomography to evaluate the vascular pattern in normal and pathological tissue from APP23 transgenic animals. Our newly developed hierarchical imaging framework allows for non-destructive top-down scanning of large vascular networks, resolving even smallest vessels in selected physiological regions such as cortex and hippocampus. Global morphometry may be used to evaluate the high-resolution 3D data. It is however limited in its capability to assess localized features such as microvascular infarcts. We therefore present advanced morphometry based on histogram analysis and give an outlook on novel evaluation possibilities that arise from the hierarchical imaging method. Because this approach opens new possibilities in assessing microvascular features in models of disease, it might be influential for drug discovery and drug monitoring
Dynamic Linkages and Interdependence Between Mediterranean Region EMU Markets During 2007 Financial Crisis

This paper examines the volatility spillover effects among Mediterranean equity markets and investigates the effects of the 2007 financial crisis. German, Greek, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese markets are investigated. German market is used as a benchmark market. We employ a multivariate generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (MGARCH) model to identify the direction and magnitude of volatility spillovers. By using a sample of daily data from 1994 to 2009, we find evidence that before the global crisis begins, the largest impact in Mediterranean markets had the Germany market. In post-crisis period, Spain had the higher spillover effects between the other markets, followed by Germany, Italy, Portugal and Greece. Our results have implications for investors, policy makers, entrepreneurs and academicians.
Exponentially Twisted Sampling: a Unified Approach for Centrality Analysis in Attributed Networks

In our recent works, we developed a probabilistic framework for structural analysis in undirected networks and directed networks. The key idea of that framework is to sample a network by a symmetric and asymmetric bivariate distribution and then use that bivariate distribution to formerly defining various notions, including centrality, relative centrality, community, and modularity. The main objective of this paper is to extend the probabilistic definition to attributed networks, where sampling bivariate distributions by exponentially twisted sampling. Our main finding is that we find a way to deal with the sampling of the attributed network including signed network. By using the sampling method, we define the various centralities in attributed networks. The influence centralities and trust centralities correctly show that how to identify centralities in signed network. The advertisement-specific influence centralities also perfectly define centralities when the attributed networks that have node attribute. Experimental results on real-world dataset demonstrate the different centralities with changing the temperature. Further experiments are conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of the temperature.
ACUTE EFFECTS OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-a ON TESTICULAR GERM CELL APOPTOSIS AND VASCULAR NEUTROPHIL ADHESION IN RATS

Acute effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on testicular germ cell apoptosis and vascular neutrophil adhesion were investigated in rats. Acute administration of TNF-alpha did not show a significant increase in percentage of apoptotic tubules and apoptotic germ cells. TNF-alpha administration did not enhance neutrophil adhesion score in the intertubular and subtunical vein. TNF-alpha does not acutely influence testicular germ cell apoptosis and vascular neutrophil adhesion in rats.
CAPABILITY AS ANTECEDENTS OF FIRMS ’ SUCCESS

The primary aim of this article is to identify antecedents of firm’s success in specific circumstances of the New economy. Many researchers have tried to answer the question “Why do some firms persistently outperform others? ”. One of the most dominant view on this issue is a resource based view (RBV) or resource-based theory (RBT). According to this theory, sources of competitive advantage begin with the notion that differences in performance are fundamentally due to the distinctive resources and capabilities that are valuable, rare, inimitable and non-substitutable. Information technology as a resource of the company has the increasing importance for the researches and managers. Research on the information technology (IT) value within organizations and firms’ IT capabilities have expanded over the past decade. IT capability is defined as the existence of IT infrastructure, IT knowledge and IT operations within company. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the interaction impact of IT capability and firms’ innovation on business performance. The study uses survey data from managers and structural equation modelling to assess the relationships between IT capability, firm’s innovation and business performance. This study finds that both IT capability and innovation capability play important role in achieving greater business performance. The findings indicate that managers should focus on development of the IT function within company, taking into account importance of IT investment as well as IT knowledge, and promotion of innovativeness.
The sequential effects of e-business activity on business performance: a study of manufacturing organisations

Despite the proliferation of e-business success stories, many executives feel that they have not realised the return expected from the investments in expensive cutting-edge e-business components. Businesses tend to focus on immediate financial payoffs and overlook the improvements in information capabilities and business performance. This article presents the results of a research effort designed to determine the effects of e-business activity on manufacturing organisations' information capabilities, business performance and financial performance. Findings of this study show that a manufacturing organisation's e-business activity can lead to better information capabilities. When an organisation's information capabilities are enhanced via e-business activity, business performance tends to improve. In addition, the results indicate that financial performance improvements may not be an immediate, but a long-term effect of e-business activity.
SOAR Framework as a New Model for the Strategic Planning of Sustainable Tourism

Abstract Planning of sustainable tourism development actually concerns planning of the environment preservation, and it encompasses a variety of research and analysis before making a decision on determining the direction of any development. This concept involves balanced economic, social, and cultural developments without endangering the environment, which enables the development at the same or a higher level. On the other hand, the strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results (SOAR) framework enhances strategic planning and implementation of processes by using a positive guiding approach to inquire into strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and measurable results. This study, with the aim of providing a suitable framework for sustainable tourism development, introduces the SOAR framework as a strategic model that is compatible with the different aspects of sustainable development including economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects. Finally, as a new SOAR framework compatible with tourism studies, the model provides economic, social, cultural, and environmental points of view at each level that may be postulated in a SOAR framework (i.e. strengths, opportunities, apparitions, and results).
What is Missing? Using Data Mining Techniques with Business Cycle Phases for Predicting Company Financial Crises

In the different phase of the business cycle, companies may face different financial crises with different financial attributes. In this paper we take the phases of the business cycle into consideration and use data mining as a technique to predict firms that may face a potential financial crisis. Since we hypothesize that financial crises are closely related to the business cycle, we have determined which periods show expansionary or recessionary trends. The objective of this paper is to determine important variables affecting financial crises and use this information to improve the accuracy of financial predictions. The electronic industry has been selected as the main focus, as this is a very important industry in Taiwan. Five experimental models have been designed for empirical study and an optimal model has also been established. From the results, we have discovered some important financial variables that can cause business’s financial crises in different phases of the business cycle. In considering the business cycle, the model achieved better predictive accuracy and a support vector model has a higher predictive accuracy than other data mining techniques.