Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study into the international competitiveness of low and high intensity Tanzanian exporting SMEs

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine whether differences exist between low and high export intensity Tanzanian internationalising small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in respect of their perceived competitiveness in overseas markets. In this study, export intensity, i.e. the percentage exports make towards total turnover, is viewed as a representation of firms' commitment to serving overseas markets.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology employed a quantitative phase involving a questionnaire completed by 205 Tanzanian SMEs; 112 low intensity (exporting less than 50 per cent of their sales) in comparison with 93 high intensity exporting firms (exporting 50 per cent or more of their sales); also a qualitative phase of interviews with international entrepreneurs in 23 firms.Findings – The findings provide an initial understanding of the two types of firms' patterns of internationalisation and, more specifically, statistically significant issues are identified in respect of items perc.
Regional changes in hormone therapy use and breast cancer incidence in California from 2001 to 2004.

PURPOSE Recently, an unprecedented 1-year 7% decrease in the overall incidence of invasive female breast cancer in the United States was reported. It has been suggested that the decrease resulted from the mass cessation of estrogen-progestin hormone therapy (EPHT) in 2002. We took advantage of California's unique population-based cancer surveillance resources to assess whether regional changes in breast cancer incidence observed between 2001 and 2004 correlated with regional changes in EPHT use between 2001 and 2003. METHODS We obtained statewide cancer registry and California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) EPHT data for almost 3 million non-Hispanic white women age 45 to 74 years, residing in California's 58 counties. We examined trends in the age-adjusted incidence of invasive female breast cancer and compared these with trends in the use of EPHT, after grouping all California counties into three groups based on EPHT use in 2001. We also examined CHIS data on trends in screening mammography. Results In 2001, there were large regional differences in EPHT use and breast cancer incidence. From 2001 to 2004, incidence declined by 8.8% in the counties with the smallest EPHT reductions, by 13.9% in those with intermediate reductions, and by 22.6% in counties with the largest EPHT reductions. Between 2001 and 2003, CHIS data did not show any significant change in the proportion of women who reported having a mammogram in the previous 2 years. CONCLUSION These data support the hypothesis that changes in EPHT use in 2002 may be responsible for significant declines in breast cancer incidence between 2002 and 2003 and sustained through 2004.
Notice of RetractionInvestigation of the ways of developing entrepreneurship in Islamic Azad University from view of members of scientific commission of eight regions in Islamic Azad University

The aim of this research is investigation the ways of developing entrepreneurship in Azad Islamic university from the view of the members of scientific commission of eight region of Islamic Azad University. The research was functional and the describing-gauging method has been used. In order to collecting data the researcher made questionnaire has been used including 39 closed answer questions based on Likert five degrees range. The reliability index of questionnaire is estimated based on Kranbakh Alfa Factor 89%. Statistical sample is included 258 members of scientific commission that has been selected through systematic accidental sampling. The results gain from statistical tests of T & Freedman show that the factors of educational & curriculum planning, educational researches, while serving educations & humanity force training, are among the effective factors in developing entrepreneurship in Islamic Azad universities.
On the dynamics of tracking indices by exchange traded funds in the presence of high volatility

Purpose - The purpose is of this paper is to investigate whether the tracking ability of exchange traded funds (ETFs) is lower in highly volatile periods, and to shed more light on the factors behind the tracking error. Design/methodology/approach - The authors apply the Error Correction Model that incorporates a short-run adjustment mechanism on domestic US ETFs that follow industrial indices. Findings - It was found that tracking errors attained pronounced levels during 2008 compared to 2006 and 2007, mainly in ETFs from the real estate and banking and finance sectors. In addition, tracking error is positively correlated with the daily volatility of the ETF, while trading volume has a limited effect on reducing tracking errors. Practical implications - The paper sheds more light on the relationship between securities and their fundamentals, and contributes to the literature on the information transmission mechanism for dually-listed securities. Originality/value - The paper uses the co-integration tests and the error correction model (ECM) to test the long-run relationship between returns on domestic exchange trade funds (ETFs) and the returns on the underlying indices. In particular, the ECM is used for ETFs for the first time.
Management of Sino-Sino Joint Ventures

Abstract Since China's implementation of its open-door policy in 1979, the most effective way to obtain a foothold has proved to be to create joint ventures (JV) with a Chinese business partner. The foreign partner provides the transfer of technology, management skills, financing and access to international markets, whilst the Chinese partner contributes a production base with cheap land and labor, contacts with central and local government officials and access to the domestic Chinese market. The Chinese economy has benefited to a large extent from the creation of joint ventures in the past two decades. Hong Kong firms have used China as a production base for many years, usually with great success and to the mutual benefit of both. However, although Hong Kong firms had considerable experiences in running business and manufacturing operations in China, several have suffered substantially from their investment in joint ventures with Chinese partners. This paper evaluates various issues relating to the performance of equity joint ventures in China. The evaluation is based on a case study of four Sino-Hong Kong joint venture manufacturing firms in the electronics industry, and the findings of this paper indicate that there are number of important factors affecting the stability of joint ventures in China. Foreign investors' experiences in other areas may not be applicable to their investment in China because the operation of a joint venture in China is inevitably faced with a variety of problems that the foreign firms may not have encountered before.
Furthering export participation in less performing developing countries: The effects of entrepreneurial orientation and managerial capacity factors

This paper reports relevant evidence regarding the importance of decision makers’ background and experiential factors in promoting export entrepreneurship among less performing developing country firms. Subsequent discussion reveals the consistency of the findings with the balance of previous empirical literature, and underlines the need for international success‐seeking LPDC firms to prioritise the acquisition of requisitely qualified managerial staff. The central thesis of the paper is that with the right quality of decision makers, smaller LPDC firms could be properly led to procure and develop other advantage‐creating competencies that might enable them overcome external internationalisation barriers. The implications of the foregoing for enhancing LPDC firms’ access to global markets, as envisioned under the Millennium Development Declaration, are discussed.
Access to climate policy-making in the European Union and in Norway

Business and environmental organisations' perceived access to climate policy-making is compared in the multi-level, pluralist system of the EU and in Norway, a parliamentary system with strong corporatist traditions. The extent to which the interest groups consider gaining access to climate policy-making to be demanding of resources is compared in two different political systems. It is concluded that business organisations consider their access to climate policy-making both at the EU level and in Norway as better than environmental organisations do, and that interest groups at the EU level consider it to be more resource-demanding to gain access than interest groups seeking access in Norway do.
Design of CMOS chopper amplifiers for thermal sensor interfacing

An analytical approach to the design of compact CMOS chopper amplifiers for integrated thermoelectric sensors is presented. The impact of the high resistance and low signal bandwidth of thermopile sources on the design is illustrated. The proposed approach, regarding the precision vs noise tradeoff, is applied to the design of a practical prototype, using a commercial process. Accurate electrical simulations are provided to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed design methodology.
Role of phospholipase C and D signalling pathways in vasopressin‐dependent myogenic differentiation

Arg8‐vasopressin (AVP) is a potent inducer of myogenic differentiation stimulating the expression of myogenic regulatory factors. To understand the mechanism of its effect on myogenesis, we investigated the early signals induced by AVP in myogenic target cells. In the rat skeletal muscle cell line L6, AVP selectively stimulates phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) breakdown, through the activation of phospholipases C and D (PLC, PLD), as shown by the generation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and phosphatidylethanol (PtdEtOH), respectively. AVP induces the biphasic increase of sn‐1,2‐diacylglycerol (DAG) consisting in a rapid peak followed by a sustained phase, and the monophasic generation of phosphatidic acid (PA). Propranolol (a PA phosphatase inhibitor) and Zn2+ (a PLD inhibitor), abolish the sustained phase of DAG generation. Our data indicate that PtdIns‐PLC activity is mainly responsible for the rapid phase of AVP‐dependent DAG generation, whereas the sustained phase is dependent upon PtdCho‐PLD activity and PA dephosphorylation, ruling out any significant role of DAG kinase. Modifications of PA level correlate with parallel changes of PLC activity, indicating a possible cross‐talk between the two signal transduction pathways in the intact cell. PLD activation is elicited at AVP concentrations two orders of magnitude lower than those required for PLC activation. The differentiation of L6 myoblasts into multinucleated fibers is stimulated significantly by AVP at concentrations at which PLD, but not PLC, is activated. These data provide the first evidence for an important role of PLD in the mechanism of AVP‐induced muscle differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 171:34–42, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Including production in female fertility evaluations

Milk production and reproductive performance are major factors with respect to overall efficiency and profitability of the dairy industry. For many years, dairy cattle research breeding programs were mainly oriented towards yield traits in most countries. Exceptions were the Scandinavian countries, whose selection indices also included health and reproduction, and North American countries, whose selection indices included conformation together with production. Functional traits, such as fertility, longevity, and health traits, are of increased interest to producers in order to improve herd profitability. Various reports indicated that breeding for increased production in dairy cattle has negative side effects on health and fertility traits (Pryce et al., 2004; Washburn et al., 2002 and de Jong, 2006, Melendez., P and P. Pinedo. 2007; Sewalem et al., 2008). In a review of national selection indices, Miglior et al. (2005) indicated that the importance of reproduction traits in dairy cattle breeding programs has dramatically increased in the last five years. Several countries have included fertility traits in their national breeding objectives. However, direct selection for fertility traits may be inefficient because these traits have low heritability values (Jamrozik et al., 2005, and others) resulting in low accuracy of estimated breeding values, especially for cows and young bulls under testing when they get their first proofs. Therefore, decisions that would be made on early selection for these traits are associated with uncertainty. Moreover, selection for milk production has been carried out intensively for a long time and hence genetic evaluation of fertility traits might be biased by not accounting for selection decisions made on correlated traits. Walter and Mao (1985) reported that selection bias in genetic parameter estimates of traits undergoing sequential selection can be reduced if these traits are analyzed simultaneously with traits that did not undergo selection. Therefore, accounting for milk production in the genetic evaluation for fertility traits may avoid the bias on estimated genetic parameters and may also increase the accuracy of selection. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of including either milk production or heifer non-return rate as a correlated trait on the genetic evaluation of fertility traits in Canadian.
Interleukin-1 beta: a putative mediator of HPA axis hyperactivity in major depression?

OBJECTIVE There is extensive evidence that major depression, and particularly melancholia, is characterized by hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity as well as systemic immune activation, which may be accompanied by increased interleukin-1 beta production. Interleukin-1 beta is known to enhance HPA axis activity during an immune response. This study investigated whether interleukin-1 beta production is related to HPA axis activity in depressed subjects. METHOD The subjects were 28 inpatients with major or minor depression and 10 normal comparison subjects. The authors measured 1) the subjects' cortisol levels after an overnight 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and 2) mitogen-stimulated supernatant interleukin-1 beta production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS Statistically significant positive correlations between interleukin-1 beta production and post-DST cortisol values were found in the study group as a whole and in the depressed and normal subgroups separately. CONCLUSIONS It is suggested that constituents of the immune response (such as interleukin-1 beta) in major depression may contribute to HPA axis hyperfunction in that illness.
Regulation, Capital, and the Evolution of Organizational Form in US Life Insurance

This paper studies the association between regulation and the organizational form of new life insurers between 1900 and 1949. The mutual form was popular in states with low initial capital requirements for mutual companies and differentially higher requirements for stock companies, but was rarely used elsewhere. This suggests that entrepreneurs took a "path of least resistance" when choosing organizational form and that the mutual's disadvantage in raising capital contributed to its decline–a decline that accelerated as states raised requirements and eliminated the aforementioned differentials. Contrary to previous analysis, the paper finds little evidence connecting other regulations to mutual decline. (JEL G21, L51, N21, N22)
Book Review: Wade, T., and S. Sommer, eds. 2006. A to Z GIS: An illustrated dictionary of geographic information systems. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press. 288 pp. $24.95 paperback, ISBN 1-5894-8140-2

interest to specialists already familiar with European planning and policy. Readers not familiar with this context might find the discussion too technical. Nevertheless, this volume will also be of interest to scholars and planners engaged in (mega)regional planning, economic development, and sustainability. The debates around territorial cohesion and the European model of society as well as their effectiveness are still very much in progress. A key contribution of this book and the ASDP initiative is that they inspire further debate on this important topic.
James M. Buchanan's Contributions to Economics

This survey of James M. Buchanan's contributions to economics is divided into eig ht main categories: the influence of Knut Wicksell and the pure theory of govern ment finance; the Italian tradition and the burden of national debt; the calculu s of consent; application of the public choice approach; application to public f inance; public goods and clubs; fiscal constitutions; and the reason of rules. A bibliography of Buchanan's publications, 1949 to 1986, concludes the survey. Copyright 1987 by The editors of the Scandinavian Journal of Economics.
Economic Incentives for Dietary Improvement Among Food Stamp Recipients

Most Americans need to consume more fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. This need is particularly acute among low-income individuals. This study examines the cost-effectiveness of two economic policies that use alternative policy levers available within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamp Program) to increase consumption of these under-consumed foods. Data from three nationally representative surveys are used to estimate demand elasticities, marginal propensity to spend on food out of food stamp benefits, and consumption amount of and spending on under-consumed foods among food stamp recipients. Results suggest that a 10% price subsidy would curtail consumption deficiencies by 4%–7% at an estimated cost of $734 million a year. When the same $734 million is used to finance food stamp benefits, consumption deficiencies are predicted to narrow by only 0.35%–0.40%.
The Impacts of Online Lightweight Interactions as Signals

This study proposes a model to investigate ‘friends’ and ‘likes’ on social networking sites (SNSs) as signals of product quality and the moderating effects of product risk and product familiarity. The results indicate that ‘friends’ and ‘likes’ influence consumers’ perceptions of product quality, which subsequently affect purchase intentions. Product risk and product familiarity moderate the effect of ‘friends’ on consumers’ perceptions of product quality. Considering high product risk and low product familiarity, recommendations provided by friends are more influential than recommendations provided by friends of friends (derived friends). However, considering low product risk and high product familiarity, recommendations provided by friends or derived friends are similarly influential. In addition, the influences of the total number of ‘likes’ on product quality was similar for different levels of product risk or product familiarity.
Amyopathic dermatomyositis associated with an endometrial adenocarcinoma

A 65-year-old Asian woman presented with a heliotrope rash, red marks, pain and swelling of the face, neck and upper chest with an accompanying periorbital swelling (Fig. 1). The patient fully moved her neck and did not complain of muscle pain or reduced strength. Past medical history was unrevealing, she was not taking any medications, and there was no family history of allergy or muscle, skin, and connective tissue disorders. Physical examination was otherwise normal with no weakness in any muscle groups. Blood muscle enzyme levels and the other laboratory findings were within normal limits and an autoimmune screening was negative. A clinical diagnosis of DM was done. We considered the possibility of a paraneoplastic syndrome so we performed a total-body computed tomography that revealed an intrauterine 4 x 5 cm contrast-enhanced mass. Histopathological examination confirmed it was an endometrial adenocarcinoma. Surgical resection was planned, however the patient did not consent to surgery and was lost to follow-up.
RECORDINGS OF APPLANATING FORCE AT CONSTANT INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE

Oscillatory changes in the intraocular volume of lower frequency than pulse and breathing have been observed. They were sizeable under the experimental conditions of the present study. The oscillatory waves are suggested to be due to vasomotor innervation, as found in muscles, but it was not possible to affect them by retrobulbar anesthesia nor by blockade of the stellate ganglion. Following inhalation of 7 % CO2 (carbogen gas) there was an almost immediate decrease in displaced volume (average 10 i(m1) considered to be due to an increase in blood content of the eye. There was a negligible effect following inhalation of pure oxygen.
The first five years of the EU Impact Assessment system: a risk economics perspective on gaps between rationale and practice

In 2003, the European Commission (EC) started using Impact Assessment (IA) as the main empirical basis for its major policy proposals. The aim was to systematically assess ex ante the economic, social and environmental impacts of European Union (EU) policy proposals. In parallel, research proliferated in search for theoretical grounds for IAs and in an attempt to evaluate empirically the performance of the first sets of IAs produced by the EC. This paper combines conceptual and evaluative studies carried out in the first five years of EU IAs. It concludes that the great discrepancy between rationale and practice calls for a different theoretical focus and a higher emphasis on evaluating empirically crucial risk economics aspects of IAs, such as the value of statistical life, price of carbon, the integration of macroeconomic modelling and scenario analysis.
The dimensions of international hotel employee service attitude and their managerial implications

The purpose of this paper is to determine the dimensions of international hotel employee service attitude and the differences in customer satisfaction with these dimensions among guests from the USA, Japan, and Taiwan, and the resulting practical managerial implications in the area of international hotel operation. Using exploratory factor analysis, service attitude is divided into four dimensions: problem solving, empathic feeling, enthusiastic service, and friendliness. The results of the study reveal that there are significant differences in satisfaction with customer service among three national sets of tourists by the use of ANOVA. These findings are followed by a discussion of their implications for hotel management in the areas of employee recruitment, training, and motivation, with suggestions on how to improve the various dimensions of hotel employee service attitude and thereby, the corresponding customer satisfaction.