Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Owner-manager autocracy and staff autonomy: investigating marketing decision-making in the entrepreneurial small firm using a grounded theory approach

Taking as its focus the interface between entrepreneurship and marketing, this paper considers the area of marketing decision-making in the small firm. Specifically, the way in which marketing is actually undertaken by organisational personnel, including the owner-manager, within the entrepreneurial small firm is discussed. From the expansive literature undertaken in this area, it is apparent that there has been little in-depth investigation into how small firm personnel actually carry out marketing decisions, with most studies concentrating on the role of the owner-manager as entrepreneur. Adopting a grounded theory approach, the findings from a detailed single-firm case study are discussed. It is found that a significant degree of owner-manger autocracy is counterbalanced by recognition of the importance of giving staff a degree of autonomy in the marketing decision-making process. The implications of this (somewhat contradictory) perspective for marketing decision-making and research are discussed and parallels are drawn with earlier studies undertaken in this arena.
Homologous and heterologous neutralization antibody responses after immunization with Japanese encephalitis vaccine among Taiwan children

Because 21 immunized children (13%) among the 162 confirmed Japanese encephalitis (JE) cases during 1986–1991 occurred in Taiwan, we collected 320 serum samples from Taiwan children aged 15–31 and 27–44 months immediately before the 1st dose (n = 41) and 1–3 months after the 2nd dose (n = 78, 27 pairs), and immediately before (n = 58) and 1–3 months after the 3rd dose (n = 143,44 pairs) to determine neutralization antibody (Nt Ab) against the Nakayama (N) and Beijing‐1 (B) strains and two Taiwan wild type JE viruses (JEV): CC‐27 and CH‐1392. Our Nt results showed that (1) B vaccine stimulated a better homologous Ab response than N vaccine for Nt Ab seropositivity rate (NASR), produced a higher level of Nt titer after the primary immunization [2 doses = 100% vs. 91%, geometric mean titer (GMT) = 115 vs. 22], had a greater booster effect (3 doses: 100% vs. 95%; GMT = 320 vs. 33), and showed a better capability to neutralize two local Taiwan JEV strains, particularly only after 3 doses (ave. NASR for B vs. N = 90% vs. 10%; and GMT for B vs. N = 154 vs. 1); (2) the two wild type JEV strains had different plaque morphology and antigenic variation and the CC‐27 strain was not neutralized as well as the CH‐1392 strain after 3 doses of vaccine (BBB or NNN or NNB); and (3) 30% of the children had lost JEV Nt Ab one year after the 2nd dose of N vaccine and natural infection with JE virus did occur among those children after immunization. In conclusion, (1) three doses of mouse‐brain vaccine are the minimum requirement to protect children against the local Taiwan JEV; (2) the best strain for a JE vaccine depends on level of Nt Ab it induced, the molecular epidemiology and antigenic variation of the JEV in each local area; and (3) future vaccine must produce better B‐ and T‐cell memory. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does Intra-Regional Trade Matter in Regional Stock Markets?: New Evidence from Asia-Pacific Region

We provide new evidence on the relationship between bilateral trade and stock market performance over Asia-Pacific region. Using three regional blocs in Asia-Pacific region – the Far Eastern bloc, the Chinese bloc, and the Australian bloc, we examine two main questions: whether trade linkages between countries affect stock returns of trading partners and whether stock markets of trading partners are interdependent. By incorporating two distinct dynamic properties of regime shifting and cointegration in intra-regional trade and stock market index, we employ a newly suggested multi-variable smooth transition autoregressive vector error correction model (STAR-VECM). A series of STAR-based tests reveals the evidence that bilateral trade significantly Granger-causes stock returns in Asia-Pacific region with the effect varying over regime changes. Among three blocs, Far Eastern bloc displays the most pronounced complementary relationship between trade growth and stock returns compared to other blocs. We also find evidence of stock market synchronization within each region.
Auditory performance characteristics of the Computerized Revised Token Test (CRTT).

PURPOSE To assess the Computerized Revised Token Test (CRTT) performance of individuals with normal hearing under several intensity conditions and under several spectral and temporal perturbation conditions. METHOD Sixty normal-hearing listeners were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Group 1 provided performance-intensity information about CRTT performance using uncompressed acoustic stimuli. Groups 2 and 3 completed the CRTT using temporally and spectrally compressed and expanded stimuli. CRTT performance functions were plotted for each group. RESULTS Group 1 required minimal audibility to perform maximally on this task. As expected, Groups 2 and 3 showed significant differences across subtests, regardless of distortion condition. Mean differences in performance between successive conditions for Group 2 increased beyond 40% time compressed. There was 1 significant difference for the time-expanded condition. There were no differences across frequency compressed and expanded conditions. CONCLUSION Young listeners require limited signal gain on the CRTT to achieve maximum performance. Time and frequency compression and expansion results were consistent with previous findings with varying types of speech stimuli. The results have implications for administration and interpretation of the CRTT administered to persons from other populations and will help in the development of a normative database for the CRTT.
Virtual integration as an approach to engender product innovation and accelerate product development time: A literature analysis

Global competitiveness has forced manufacturing firm, as an internal constituents, to work closer with their suppliers and customers in order to produce highly innovative product in shorter time interval. However as the business trends in manufacturing industry have evolved, centralized integration has become obsolete and no longer be efficient. Concurrent engineering methodology allows manufacturing firms to adopt a new collaboration approach called virtual integration. With the aid of computer-mediated communication, virtual integration is believed to be a promising solution to NPD collaboration issues. Therefore, this conceptual paper is aimed to seek for a new approach to engender product innovation which at the same time accelerates product development time in geographical dispersed setting through literature analysis. Some prepositions are developed to provide a preliminary understanding on this issue that would be beneficial for future research in this field.
The EC Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessment: A Much-Needed Boost for Environmental Integration

Summary: Environmental assessment has long been held to be a key tool in achieving one of the cornerstones of European Community environmental policy, that of environmental integration. However, it has taken the best part of 30 years to get to the point of implementation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive, due in 2004. Securing legislation for environmental assessment at strategic decision levels as well as project level EIA has been a symbolic milestone for environmentalists. This paper explores the background to the SEA Directive and analyses in detail its key requirements and implications for implementation. The paper also examines the relationship between the SEA Directive and the changing policy context over the period of its long gestation. It concludes that the SEA Directive has arrived at an opportune time to reinvigorate the environmental integration agenda, currently beleaguered by the much stronger social and economic agenda dominant in current EU conceptions of sustainable development. While there has been positive formalisation and strengthening of EU environmental policy over the past 30 years, arguably there has been inadequate real change in terms of the effective integration of the environment into decision-making on the ground.
Coxiella burnetii in Northern Fur Seals and Steller Sea Lions of Alaska

Coxiella burnetii, a zoonotic bacterium, has recently been identified in several marine mammal species on the Pacific Coast of North America, but little is known about the epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenesis in these species. We tested sera archived from northern fur seals (NFS, Callorhinus ursinus; n=236) and Steller sea lions (SSL, Eumetopias jubatus; n=72) sampled in Alaska for C. burnetii antibodies, and vaginal swabs from NFS (n=40) for C. burnetii by qPCR. The antibody prevalence in NFS samples from 2009 and 2011 (69%) was significantly higher than in 1994 (49%). The antibody prevalence of SSL samples from 2007 to 2011 was 59%. All NFS vaginal swabs were negative for C. burnetii, despite an 80% antibody prevalence in the matched sera. The significant increase in antibody prevalence in NFS from 1994 to 2011 suggests that the pathogen may be increasingly common or that there is marked temporal variation within the vulnerable NFS population. The high antibody prevalence in SSL suggests that this pathogen may also be significant in the endangered SSL population. These results confirm that C. burnetii is more prevalent within these populations than previously known. More research is needed to determine how this bacterium may affect individual, population, and reproductive health of marine mammals.
The DevOps Adoption Playbook: A Guide to Adopting DevOps in a Multi-Speed IT Enterprise

Rather than enjoying a fine book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, otherwise they juggled in the manner of some harmful virus inside their computer. the devops adoption playbook a guide to adopting devops in a multi speed it enterprise is easy to get to in our digital library an online entry to it is set as public consequently you can download it instantly. Our digital library saves in complex countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books behind this one. Merely said, the the devops adoption playbook a guide to adopting devops in a multi speed it enterprise is universally compatible behind any devices to read.
Bank Resolution in Europe: The Unfinished Agenda of Structural Reform

This chapter argues that the work of the European Banking Union remains incomplete in one important respect, the structural re-organization of large European financial firms that would make “resolution” of a systemically important financial firm a credible alternative to bail-out or some other sort of taxpayer assistance. A holding company structure in which the public parent holds unsecured term debt sufficient to cover losses at an operating financial subsidiary would facilitate a “Single Point of Entry” resolution procedure that would minimize knock-on effects from the failure of a systemically important financial institution. Resolution through such a structure would minimize run risk from short term creditors and minimize destructive ring-fencing by national regulators. Although structural reform in the EU could be achieved by supervisory implementation of the “living wills” requirement for effective resolution or irresistible incentives through capital charges, it would be best obtained through addition to the EU’s Proposed Structural Measures Regulation now under consideration.
An examination of the internet security and its impact on trust and adoption of online banking

The use of the Internet is growing at a remarkable rate. Web applications have become very popular for browsing through information, publishing documents, providing information, and offering goods. Today, the Internet has become a widely used tool for marketing, electronic commerce, and online banking. However, with the growing use of the Internet, security has become an important concern of users and network managers. Even though Internet banking has long been established, this study assumed that the most important factors that might be slowing the progress of this new innovation is the consumer's concern for the security of financial transactions over the Internet. Thus, with escalated Internet security incidents, the question of trust is encountered with increasing frequency. It is the intent of this research to show that trust in the electronic channel and perceived risks of online banking, due to Internet security, are the major determinants of adoption behavior. The study evaluates the adoption of online banking with respect to Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory. This study was inspired by the recognition that trust has new dimensions in financial services. The focus of this study is on trust; however, it is important to note that whenever there is trust, there is risk. Thus, trust is accepting risk. Trust, risk, security, and reliability are fundamental to online banking. This study assumed Internet security to be a major obstacle to the adoption of online banking, which made customers concerned about the safety of their online accounts and risk of fraudulent transactions. While these concerns remain legitimate, this study suggests that security risks do not appear as a real impediment to customers' adoption of online banking. The study finds that online banks are struggling to win customers' trust and it appears that trust, not technology, paces the adoption of online banking. What customers need is constant reassurance from banks. As online banking continues to grow, this study shows that the emphasis of online banking needs to shift from narrow security focus to broader risk management concerns.
A hybrid fault injection approach based on simulation and emulation co-operation

This paper presents a new fault injection approach, which is based on a co-operation between a simulator and an emulator. This hybrid approach utilizes the advantages of both simulation-based fault injection as well as physical fault injection to provide a good controllability, observability and also a high speed in the fault injection experiments. To do this, parts of a circuit are simulated while the rest parts of the circuit are emulated. A fault injection tool called FITSEC (Fault Injection Tool based on Simulation and Emulation Cooperation) is developed, which supports the entire process of a system design. This is based on both Verilog and VHDL languages and can be used to inject faults at different levels of abstraction. The experimental results show that this approach can significantly reduce the time needed for executing fault injection campaigns.
EEG Cortical Connectivity Analysis of Working Memory Reveals Topological Reorganization in Theta and Alpha Bands

Numerous studies have revealed various working memory (WM)-related brain activities that originate from various cortical regions and oscillate at different frequencies. However, multi-frequency band analysis of the brain network in WM in the cortical space remains largely unexplored. In this study, we employed a graph theoretical framework to characterize the topological properties of the brain functional network in the theta and alpha frequency bands during WM tasks. Twenty-eight subjects performed visual n-back tasks at two difficulty levels, i.e., 0-back (control task) and 2-back (WM task). After preprocessing, Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were projected into the source space and 80 cortical brain regions were selected for further analysis. Subsequently, the theta- and alpha-band networks were constructed by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficients between the power series (obtained by concatenating the power values of all epochs in each session) of all pairs of brain regions. Graph theoretical approaches were then employed to estimate the topological properties of the brain networks at different WM tasks. We found higher functional integration in the theta band and lower functional segregation in the alpha band in the WM task compared with the control task. Moreover, compared to the 0-back task, altered regional centrality was revealed in the 2-back task in various brain regions that mainly resided in the frontal, temporal and occipital lobes, with distinct presentations in the theta and alpha bands. In addition, significant negative correlations were found between the reaction time with the average path length of the theta-band network and the local clustering of the alpha-band network, which demonstrates the potential for using the brain network metrics as biomarkers for predicting the task performance during WM tasks.
Fra bakkebyråkrati til skjermbyråkrati

Denne artikkelen handler om hvordan økt digitalisering i velferdsforvaltningen påvirker mål om individuell tilpasning i tjenesteytingen. Offentlige velferdstjenester står overfor et økende press, og implementering av nye digitale verktøy presenteres ofte som løsninger som skal bidra både til effektivisering og kvalitetssikring. Det er imidlertid behov for empirisk kunnskap om de faktiske konsekvensene av digitalisering. Denne artikkelen belyser dette med utgangspunkt i en etnografisk studie som omhandler informasjonssystemenes rolle i utvikling av veilederrollen i Nav. Det argumenteres for at Nav kan ses som et «skjermbyråkrati», og i artikkelen diskuteres det hva som kjennetegner denne utviklingen.
How Different Types of Natal Experience Affect Habitat Preference

In many animals, exposure to cues in a natal habitat increases disperser preferences for those cues (natal habitat preference induction [NHPI]), but the proximate and ultimate bases for this phenomenon are obscure. We developed a Bayesian model to study how different types of experience in the natal habitat and survival to the age/stage of dispersal interact to affect a disperser’s estimate of the quality of new natal‐type habitats. The model predicts that the types of experience a disperser had before leaving its natal habitat will affect the attractiveness of cues from new natal‐type habitats and that favorable experiences will increase the level of preference for natal‐type habitats more than unfavorable experiences will decrease it. An experimental study of NHPI in Drosophila melanogaster provided with “good” and “bad” experiences in their natal habitats supports these predictions while also indicating that the effects of different types of natal experience on NHPI vary across genotypes. If habitat preferences are modulated by an individual’s experience before dispersal as described in this study, then NHPI may have stronger effects on sympatric speciation, metapopulation dynamics, conservation biology, and pest management than previously supposed.
Towards a universal intelligent infra-free system

A new framework for sustainable spaces is proposed. Proposed framework consists of a group of conceptual hardware and software design. Purpose of the work is to solve the sustainability problem for terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications, using key concepts of the computer science, robotics, thermodynamics and architecture. Related to the proposed work, a machine learning method is applied for a household simulation and a new hardware design for remote sensing and control of electric appliances is presented.
Investor Reactions to New Product Development Failure in the Biotechnology Industry

This dissertation investigates important and cutting-edge issues surrounding new product development failure and its consequences for market values of innovation-driven firms. Although a substantial body of literature demonstrates that new product development failure harms some companies more than others, this dissertation examines which factors, specific to a firm, impact this variance in investor reactions to new product development failure. Moreover, this dissertation investigates how innovative firms can foster or mitigate financial consequences when they have to announce that promising new product development projects have failed to achieve desired milestones. Using a unique dataset of publicity traded US biotechnology companies experiencing new product development failures during the period of 1994-2008, four different event studies provide insights to management scholars, firm managers, and biotech investors. The results of these studies show that investor reactions to new product development failure are more complex than many previous studies have assumed, and that firm resources and capabilities at different organizational levels interactively impact these reactions. This dissertation concludes with implications for practise and suggestions for new avenues for future research on new product development failure and their financial consequences for innovative firms.
Aerosol Optical Properties over China from RAMS-CMAQ Model Compared with CALIOP Observations

The horizontal and vertical distributions of aerosol optical properties over China in 2013–2015 were investigated using RAMS (Regional Atmospheric Modeling System)-CMAQ (Models-3 Community Multiscale Air Quality) simulations and CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) observations. To better understand the performance of the RAMS-CMAQ model over China, comparisons with the ground-based Sun photometers AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network), MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers) data and the on-board Lidar CALIOP were used for comprehensive evaluations, which could characterize the abilities of the model to simulate the spatial and vertical distributions of the AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) as well as the optical properties for four seasons. Several high value areas (e.g., the Sichuan Basin, Taklamakan Desert, North China Plain, and Yangtze River Delta) were found over China during the study period, with the maximum mean AOD (CALIOP: ~0.7; RAMS-CMAQ: >1) in the Sichuan district. Compared with AODs of AERONET, both the CALIOP and RAMS-CMAQ AODs were underestimated, but the RAMS-CMAQ data show a better correlation with AERONET (AERONET vs. RAMS-CMAQ R: 0.69, AERONET vs. CALIOP R: 0.5). The correlation coefficients between RAMS-CMAQ and CALIOP are approximately 0.6 for all four seasons. The AEC (Aerosol Extinction Coefficient) vertical profiles over major cities and their cross sections exhibit two typical features: (1) most of the AEC peaks occurred in the lowest ~0.5 km, decreasing with increasing altitude; and (2) the RAMS-CMAQ AEC underestimated the region with high AODs in the northwest of China and overestimated the region with high AODs in the east–central plain and the central basin regions. The major difference in the AEC values of RAMS-CMAQ and CALIOP is mainly caused by the level of relative humidity and the hygroscopic growth effects of water-soluble aerosols, especially, in the Sichuan district. In general, both the column and vertical RAMS-CMAQ aerosol optical properties could be supplemented efficiently when satellite observations are not available or invalid over China in the applications of climate change and air pollution.