Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A dynamic feedback model for partner selection in agile supply chains

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a four‐phase dynamic feedback model for supply partner selection in agile supply chains (ASCs). ASCs are commonly used as a response to increasingly dynamic markets. However, partner selection in ASCs is inherently more complex and difficult under conditions of uncertainty and ambiguity as supply chains form and re‐form.Design/methodology/approach – The model draws on both quantitative and qualitative techniques, including the Dempster‐Shafer and optimisation theories, radial basis function artificial neural networks (RBF‐ANN), analytic network process‐mixed integer multi‐objective programming (ANP‐MIMOP), Kraljic's supplier classification matrix and principles of continuous improvement. It incorporates modern computer programming techniques to overcome the information processing difficulties inherent in selecting from amongst large numbers of potential suppliers against multiple criteria in conditions of uncertainty.Findings – The model enables decision m.
Strategic Asset Allocation Of Credit Guarantors

How to manage the portfolio of credit guarantors is important in practice and public policy, but has not been investigated well in the prior literature. We empirically compare four different approaches in managing credit guarantor portfolios. The four approaches are equal weighted, minimum variance, mean variance optimization and equal risk contribution methods. In terms of risk return ratio, the mean variance optimization model performs best in out-of-sample test. This result contrasts with previous findings against mean variance optimization. Our results are robust. The results do not change as the characteristics of guarantee portfolio vary.
Measuring monetary policy shocks in the European Monetary Union

The paper tries to estimate whether a unique and centralized European monetary policy would have had similar or different effects across countries in the European Union. By estimating a vector auto-regression (VAR model), it is revealed that there are two different groups of countries with considerable differences in the response to changes in the monetary policy. Germany and the North-Central European countries would be less sensitive to these changes, whereas the Mediterranean countries (and Belgium) would be noticeably more sensitive to the mentioned variations.
The dual role of fragments in fragment‐assembly methods for de novo protein structure prediction

In fragment‐assembly techniques for protein structure prediction, models of protein structure are assembled from fragments of known protein structures. This process is typically guided by a knowledge‐based energy function and uses a heuristic optimization method. The fragments play two important roles in this process: they define the set of structural parameters available, and they also assume the role of the main variation operators that are used by the optimiser. Previous analysis has typically focused on the first of these roles. In particular, the relationship between local amino acid sequence and local protein structure has been studied by a range of authors. The correlation between the two has been shown to vary with the window length considered, and the results of these analyses have informed directly the choice of fragment length in state‐of‐the‐art prediction techniques. Here, we focus on the second role of fragments and aim to determine the effect of fragment length from an optimization perspective. We use theoretical analyses to reveal how the size and structure of the search space changes as a function of insertion length. Furthermore, empirical analyses are used to explore additional ways in which the size of the fragment insertion influences the search both in a simulation model and for the fragment‐assembly technique, Rosetta. Proteins 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organizational Identity and Strategy: An Exploratory Study of Parallelisms

The goals set by an organization and the plans, resources and people deployed to work towards these objectives have an impact on firm performance and ultimately firm survivability. An organization’s identity, what is central, enduring and distinct about a firm may also have an impact on firm performance and ultimately its survivability (Albert & Whetten, 1985). A neglected area of study, the relationship between strategy and organizational identity, will be the core focus of this exploratory study. This thesis aims to explore whether parallelisms between organizational identity and strategy exist, and whether these parallelisms may affect firm performance. Using the constructs of Organizational Identity Orientation (Brickson, 2005; Brickson, 2007) and Strategic Typology (Miles & Snow, 1978), the research questions are explored through a multimethod approach. 25 firms in the Information Technology consulting industry in Ottawa participated in this study; a top management representative from each firm participated in an interview and completed a questionnaire. Qualitative and quantitative results suggest support for some parallelisms between the constructs, such as the compatibilities shared between Relational organizational identity and Defender strategy. Limitations of study are discussed, and propositions for future research are developed and contributions to the field explored.
Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome: Behind the Genetic Scenes

Sertoli cell-only syndrome is defined by the complete absence of germ cells in testicular tissues and always results in male infertility. The aetiology often remains unknown. In this paper, we have investigated possible causes of Sertoli cell-only syndrome with a special focus on genetic causes. Our results show that, for a large part of the patients (>23% in an unselected group), the sex chromosomes are involved. The majority of patients had a Klinefelter syndrome, followed by patients with Yq microdeletions. Array comparative genomic hybridization in a selected group of “idiopathic patients” showed no known infertility related copy number variations.
Silenced and Invisible: The Work‐experience of Room‐attendants in Norwegian Hotels

There are four published studies in international journals of the work situation of accommodation service workers in hotels, and additionally three unpublished were found, spanning from the 1970s to date. As a fifth published study the present one aimed at identifying central problem factors of room‐attendants' work in the hotel business. Thirteen focus group interviews were conducted with room‐attendants in four Norwegian hotels. Research showed that problems related to social and organizational factors in the workplace considerably overshadowed poor physical working conditions. In meetings the workforce either did not voice their opinions and needs, or they were not listened to in the sense that their complaints and demands were met with adequate amendments. Communication was difficult or absent, managers unavailable or not listening, and intended empowerment did not function. Personal solutions were found to avoid obstacles to communication. Other problems at work included: time pressure, a sense of being under close and negative supervision, being undervalued at work, and not being involved in relevant decision making. Room‐attendants were not familiar with HES (Health, Environment and Safety), work contracts were not properly drawn up, and there was some confusion associated with pay and work hours. Instances of destructive leadership were indicated as was illegal working conditions. Positive aspects of the work situation were the close relationship some employees had with colleagues, and perks offered by the hotel chain.
Can We Be Satisfied With Our Football Team? Evidence From Spanish Professional Football

This article assesses the sporting performance of Spanish professional football teams at competition level, namely, League, King’s Cup, and European competitions (Champions League and Union of European Football Associations [UEFA] Cup). Then, the gap between the result obtained by a team at the end of a season and that expected according to its potential is used as a proxy of the degree of satisfaction that fans should feel: the narrower the gap the greater the level of satisfaction. Regarding methodology, Data Envelopment Analysis techniques and directional distance functions are used. Results reveal that most teams perform rather differently across competitions, the lower average performance corresponding to the King’s Cup.
Pharmacologic Influences on TMS Effects

Summary Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used increasingly to probe the physiology of the human cortex. Besides measuring directly the cortical excitability in motor and visual systems, this noninvasive method can be used to study short- and long-term cortical plasticity. One possible method to examine basic mechanisms underlying cortical excitability and plasticity in humans is the combination of TMS and pharmacologic interventions. In this review the author describes TMS paradigms used to study mechanisms of plasticity in the intact human motor system and its excitability using pharmacologic methods.
Market capture by two competitors: The pre-emptive location problem

ABSTRACT. We consider a location and allocation game for two competitor firms, A and B, that each seek to locate p facilities in a network. A market is captured by a particular firm if that market's closest facility belongs to that firm rather than a competitor. The question is as follows: Firm A wants to locate its p facilities so that B, which enters also with p facilities after Firm A has located its facilities, will capture the minimum market value possible. That is, Firm A wishes to preempt Firm B in its bid to capture market share to the maximum extent possible. A model is presented that addresses this issue, together with solution methods and computing times.
Information Disclosure, Bank Performance and Bank Stability

The purpose of this research is to identify the effects of information disclosure on commercial bank performance and stability. Specifically, the study examines the relationship between different levels of information disclosure and the subsequent impact on various measures of bank return and risk. The focus is on securitised assets and credit derivative activities, both of which were at the heart of the sub-prime mortgage crisis of 2008. Using a sample of 27 US bank holding companies (BHCs) for the period from June 2001 to December 2008, a significant relationship between the quantity and quality of information disclosure and bank performance and stability is observed. A ‘switching’ behaviour is identified, whereby performance and stability initially decrease and then improve when additional information on a bank’s securitisation and credit derivative activities are disclosed. This switching effect is possibly explained by economies-of-scale and a ‘learning curve’ effect. The results provide guidance for managing both the volume and quality of information disclosed by both bank managers and the regulatory authorities.
Institutional Choices for Local Service Contracting and Collaboration

Outsourcing local services necessitates collaborative relationships, yet we know little about local service delivery mechanism choices that formalize these relationships. Alternatives to in-house production include contracts with for-profit organizations, provision by local authorities, and intergovernmental agreements. Previous studies of service choices focus on potential “efficiency gains” from external exchange, especially the economic costs on the supplier’s side resulting from market failure or asset specificities. This study instead applies the political market framework to examine how collaborative local service arrangements are shaped by or respond to supply and demand characteristics. The empirical analysis estimates, logit and multinomial probit models of public service delivery in Georgia. Ferris and Graddy (1986) suggest that decisions reflect a two-step process, i.e., choosing whether or not to contract out and then choosing with whom to contract. This paper also follows their two-step approach. Each local government decides whether or not to collaborate (logit model) and then chooses with whom to collaborate (multinomial probit model). The findings indicate that the transaction cost of supply and demand factors defined by the political market framework affect the choices of collaborative arrangements and alternative service delivery mechanisms.
A targeting therapy strategy by aptamer-conjugated and drug-loaded droplets

In this study, an aptamer-conjugated and DOX-loaded droplet agent, comprising a core of liquid perfluoropentane (PFP) compound and lipid-based shell materials was fabricated using a sonication emulsification method. The cooperation with nucleic acid ligand, sgc8c aptamer, provided a specific affinity for CCRF-CEM cells to perform ultrasound-mediated targeting therapy. High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) sonications were used to induce targeted acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) to demonstrate the capability of integrating both mechanical and chemical therapeutic effects in just one modality. The cell viability results show 57% diminution in the viability of targeted CEM cells after the HIFU treatment which was 4.5 times stronger than those under the unconstrained ADV processes. This observation provided a whole new concept for processing the tumor therapy.
Novel mutation in sonic hedgehog in non‐syndromic colobomatous microphthalmia

Ocular (uveoretinal) colobomas occur in one in 10,000 individuals and present a substantive cause of congenital poor vision. The genetic bases of most forms of uveoretinal coloboma are elusive; mutations in PAX2 are found in only a few cases of coloboma of the retina and optic nerve that occur with renal anomalies as part of the renal‐coloboma syndrome (MIM#120330; #167409). From experimental data that upstream expression of sonic hedgehog (SHH) controls Pax2 expression in mice and zebrafish, and from clinical experience that colobomas are observed frequently in patients with holoprosencephaly, we hypothesized that SHH could be a candidate for non‐syndromic ocular colobomas (NSOC). We identified a three‐generation family in which both a proband and his mother presented with iris and uveoretinal colobomas without optic nerve involvement. A novel 24 bp deletion in the gene SHH was identified in these affected family members, and cosegregated with the phenotype. This is the first report of the association of SHH mutations and uveoretinal coloboma. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intellectual capital: Australian annual reporting practices

This study reports the results of an empirical examination of Australian annual reporting of intellectual capital. The findings suggest that the development of a model for reporting intangibles is piecemeal and not widely spread. The outcomes of our exploratory investigation are threefold. First, the key components of intellectual capital are poorly understood, inadequately identified, inefficiently managed, and not reported within a consistent framework when reported at all. Second, the main areas of intellectual capital reporting focus on human resources; technology and intellectual property rights; and organisational and workplace structure. Third, even in an Australian enterprise thought of as “best practice” in this regard, a comprehensive management framework for intellectual capital is yet to be developed, especially for collecting and reporting intellectual capital formation. In conclusion, Australian companies do not compare favourably with several European firms in their ability to measure and report their intellectual capital in the annual report.
Returning knowledge to the community: An innovative approach to sharing knowledge about drinking water practices in a peri-urban community

During previous research into drinking water quality in Peru, it was found that water was becoming contaminated in households, and there was a lack of understanding surrounding this contamination. It was felt that returning these findings to the community could build capacity, enabling people to make more informed choices about drinking water practices. Several participatory methods were explored. Ketso ® , a hands-on kit for engagement, was thought to provide the most appropriate approach, and was used to deliver several workshops in the community. Thirty-five participants explored their understanding of drinking water and factors that caused contamination. The method allowed them to explore these factors in depth and to develop several practical and simple solutions. One solution capitalized on a novel finding; participants associated the taste of chlorine with clean water, but were unaware that household bleach could be used as a cost-effective water treatment. Feedback was excellent, with Ketso seen as giving participants space to better understand and question their practices, whilst building capacity for change. This co-production of knowledge also allowed the researcher to gain a better understanding of local knowledge and perceptions. Such innovative knowledge exchange has important implications for future implementation of new water technologies and engineering projects.
pH neutralization protects against reduction in replicative lifespan following chronological aging in yeast

Chronological and replicative aging have been studied in yeast as alternative paradigms for post-mitotic and mitotic aging, respectively. It has been known for more than a decade that cells of the S288C background aged chronologically in rich medium have reduced replicative lifespan relative to chronologically young cells. Here we report replication of this observation in the diploid BY4743 strain background. We further show that the reduction in replicative lifespan from chronological aging is accelerated when cells are chronologically aged under standard conditions in synthetic complete medium rather than rich medium. The loss of replicative potential with chronological age is attenuated by buffering the pH of the chronological aging medium to 6.0, an intervention that we have previously shown can extend chronological lifespan. These data demonstrate that extracellular acidification of the culture medium can cause intracellular damage in the chronologically aging population that is asymmetrically segregated by the mother cell to limit subsequent replicative lifespan.
‘The Problem with the Locals’: Partnership and Participation in Ethiopia

This article examines the proliferation of development discourses about participation and partnership, focusing on natural resources management policy in Ethiopia. It argues that relationships between the state and donors and between donors themselves are contested and negotiated. The generation of policy is a value-laden process. However, because these institutions are not monolithic, the agency and positioning of those individuals charged with implementing participatory policy influence both practice and interpretation. This may go some way towards explaining the frequent gaps between policy and practice.
Analysis of Performance Resulting from the Design of Selected Hand-Held Input Control Devices and Visual Displays

Abstract : Since the introduction of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), input control devices have become an integral part of desktop computing. When interfacing with GUIs, these input control devices have become the human's primary means of communicating with the computer. Although there have been a number of experiments conducted on pointing devices for desktop machine, there is little research on pointing devices for wearable computer technology. This is surprising because pointing devices are a major component of a wearable computer system. allowing the wearer to select and manipulate objects on the screen. The design of these pointing devices will have a major impact on the ease with which the operator can interact with information being displayed (Card, English, & Burr, 1978). As a result, this research is the first in a series to investigate design considerations for pointing devices and visual displays that will support wearable computer users. Twenty soldiers participated in an experiment using target acquisition software with five pointing devices and two visual displays. The findings of the research strongly support the use of a relative mode-pointing device with rotational characteristics (i.e., trackball or thumbwheel) over other designs. Furthermore, the results also suggest that there is little difference between pointing devices operated with the thumb and index finger for target acquisition tasks. This study has also showed that there were few differences in pointing and homing time for pointing devices across the two visual displays. Finally, the study demonstrated that the Fitts law model could be applied to hand-operated pointing devices for wearable computers. This is important because it allows the future development of pointing devices to be compared with the devices tested in this research using the Fitts Law index of Performance calculations.
Understanding Associations and Their Conference Decision-Making Processes

Abstract A critical question for organizations and businesses involved in destination marketing and the provision of services for conferences and meetings is how associations decide where to hold their conferences and meetings. An understanding of these decision-making processes could provide valuable insights into how a destination can best promote themselves to this sector. The aims of the study presented in this paper were to identify the decision processes of association conference planners and to explore the attributes that they consider important when organizing a conference. The study used in-depth interviews with association conference organizers who had either planned an event in a regional Australian center during 2003 or who were currently in the process of planning for a future event to be held in that destination. The interviews revealed that while similar attributes were important to all planners, their importance differed between different types of associations. Major findings from the study included the importance of the bid process and the use of committees for the planning and organizing of tasks. Budget constraints were also a major component of the decision-process, as a majority of the associations studied were non-profit organizations. The venue was the most important attribute regarding the decision of host destination. The study concludes with an expanded model for convention planner decision processes based on Crouch and Ritchie's 1998 model.
Plasma clearance of 99Tcm-MAG3: Accuracy of five single-sample methods

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of five single-injection, single-sample methods for the assessment of plasma clearance of 99Tcm-MAG3 in adults. In 51 patients, a reference plasma clearance was determined on the basis of 16 blood samples. It ranged from 13 to 313 ml·min−1. In patients with a plasma clearance less than 75 ml·min−1, there was a large difference between the clearance obtained by a single-sample method and the reference method. Thus single-sample methods should not be used with these patients. In patients with a plasma clearance higher than 75 ml·min−1, the relative difference was (mean±s): 6.07±9.96% (Russell et al., 1989), 14.22±8.08% (Müller-Suur et al., 1991), 7.29±6.21% (Bubeck et al., 1992), 6.64±7.71% (Russell et al., 1996) and 17.39±7.39% (Piera et al., 1997). Reference clearance was overestimated by all five single-sample methods, especially by the methods of Müller-Suur et al. and Piera et al. The smallest standard deviation was obtained using the method of Bubeck et al. This method is recommended for use in patients with a plasma clearance greater than 75 ml·min−1.