Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Promoting Innovation and Learning Through Change Laboratory : An Example from Finnish Health Care

The objective of this article is to introduce Change Laboratory as a new method for promoting innovation and learning in organizations and at work. Change Laboratory® represents an example of the social process of inno- vation during which new ideas are developed and put into action within an or- ganization. We suggest that successful social processes of innovation can be promoted through expansive learning in Change Laboratories. Change Labora- tory is based on cultural-historical activity theory and provides a set of instru- ments for innovating through expansive learning. In this article, we illustrate a process of learning on a case example from Finnish health care. The case shows how Change Laboratory was applied to develop a surgical unit of a university hospital in Northern Finland. The social process of innovation involved the devel- opment of a new organizational and leadership model. In conclusion, we suggest that organizations can improve their capacity to innovate through expansive learning in Change Laboratory interventions. In order to understand the process of innovation the contradictions and their transformations need to be understood in the scrutinized activity.
Long‐term environmental policy under corporatist institutions

Case studies in waste management are reviewed to assess how successfully long-term considerations have been included in the design and implementation of environmental policy in two European countries with corporatist decision-making institutions, Finland and the Netherlands. Although corporatism, or the institutionalized integration of conflicting interests in social decision-making, has been linked with good long-term industrial and economic performance, this study indicates that the corporatist structure of environmental institutions prevents important conflicts of interest from entering the political conflict resolution agenda. The central recommendation of the study is the administrative and procedural separation of conflicting environmental policy interests and the backing of sustainable goals with appropriate institutions. This would promote an open political debate and settlement of long-term environmental policy issues. The designers of common European environmental policy should be aware of environmental corporatism, because corporatist institutions within the European Union lack the transparency required to settle the multidimensional long-term issues of a transnational environment.
Tourism firms’ environmental rankings and financial performance: a multidimensional scaling approach

The relationship between firms' environmental initiatives and financial performance continues to generate considerable interest. Despite the progress made in the study of this relationship, there is a paucity of research addressing tourism sector firms’ simultaneous environmental and financial performance. This research sheds light on the link between tourism-related firms’ environmental and financial performance. Results indicate that firms that performed well financially ranked higher on environmental initiatives. This suggests that firms’ financial performance may influence environmental performance since firms with good financial performance are better able to allocate more resources to support environmental initiatives. However, since investments in environmental initiatives require financial and manpower resources, firms should only invest in such initiatives if resources are not diverted from core functions, since such actions could affect overall firm viability. Results also indicated that firms that have adopted green initiatives can be classified into four clearly defined categories: progressive firms, which includes firms that simultaneously excel on green initiatives and financial performance; repressive firms or those that perform poorly on both; aggressive firms or those that perform admirably financially but poorly on environmental initiatives; and green firms or firms that perform admirably on green initiatives but poorly financially.
Altered distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal in Hirschsprung disease.

CONTEXT Constipation or recurrent intestinal dysmotility problems are common after definitive surgical treatment in Hirschsprung disease (HD). c-Kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) play a key role in the motility function and development of the gastrointestinal tract. Interstitial cells of Cajal that carry the tyrosine kinase receptor (c-Kit) develop as either myenteric ICCs or muscular ICCs under the influence of the kit ligand, which can be provided by neuronal and nonneuronal cells, for example, smooth muscle cells. OBJECTIVE To investigate the distribution of myenteric and muscular ICCs in different parts of the colon in HD. METHODS Resected bowel specimens from 8 patients with rectosigmoid HD were investigated using combined staining with c-Kit enzyme and fluorescence immunohistochemistry and acetylcholinesterase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) histochemistry in whole-mount preparations and conventional frozen sections. RESULTS In the normal bowel, ICCs formed a dense network surrounding the myenteric plexus and at the innermost part of the circular muscle. Myenteric ICCs were absent or sparse in the aganglionic bowel and sparse in the transitional zone. The expression of myenteric ICCs in the ganglionic bowel in HD was reduced compared to that in the normal bowel, and they formed only sparse networks. Muscular ICCs were found in the aganglionic bowel, transitional zone, and normoganglionic bowel of HD in a reduced density compared to the normal bowel. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates altered distribution of ICCs in the entire resected bowel of HD patients. This finding suggests that persistent dysmotility problems after pull-through operation in HD may be due to altered distribution and impaired function of ICCs.
Corporate social responsibility, ethics, and corporate governance

Purpose - This inquiry into companies listed on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HOSE) in Vietnam seeks to discern whether such constructs as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethics act as antecedents for corporate governance. Design/methodology/approach - Three hundred and seventeen responses returned from self-administered structured questionnaires relayed to 1,173 middle level managers were analyzed via ANOVAs and structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings - From the results an interplay emerged between the ethics of justice and legal CSR/economic CSR. The ethics of care, on the other hand, tend to cultivate ethical CSR, which in turn positively influences corporate governance. Originality/value - From the results of the research, insight into the linkage pattern of corporate governance and its antecedents highlights the magnitude of the ethics training program as well as CSR initiatives in reinforcing corporate governance in listed companies in Vietnam.
Effect of Flaxseed and Wheat Bran on Serum Hormones and Lignan Excretion in Premenopausal Women

Objective: To examine the effects of flaxseed consumption (a lignan-rich plant food) alone and in combination with wheat bran on serum hormones and urinary lignan excretion in premenopausal women. Methods: Sixteen subjects were studied for four feeding treatments lasting two menstrual cycles each in a randomized, crossover design. During each treatment, subjects consumed their habitual diets supplemented with baked goods containing no flaxseed or wheat bran, 10 g of flaxseed, 28 g of wheat bran, or 10 g of flaxseed plus 28 g of wheat bran/day. Serum samples collected during the mid-luteal phase of the second menstrual cycle of each diet treatment were analyzed for serum hormones and sex hormone binding globulin. Urine samples collected during the same time period were analyzed for urinary lignan excretion. Results: There were no changes in serum hormone concentrations or sex hormone binding globulin on any of the treatments. Urinary lignan excretion significantly increased on diet treatments that included flaxseed, but inclusion of wheat bran did not significantly alter lignan excretion. Conclusions: Urinary lignan excretion increased with flaxseed consumption, but serum hormones did not change in this group of premenopausal women. Consumption of wheat bran with flaxseed did not alter urinary lignan excretion associated with flaxseed consumption.
Is Post-War Economic Growth Exponential?

In this article, we argue that there are strong reasons for using linear instead of exponential models when analysing post-war economic growth. Incorrect model specifications will lead to misinterpretations of the underlying economic reality and to erroneous economic forecasts. Our argument is based on an empirical investigation of real GDP per capita growth in 25 OECD countries (and three country aggregates) during the post-war period using the Box-Cox transformation method. The conclusion is that per capita growth is generally (more or less) linear (and definitely not exponential) for the level of economic development represented by these countries. Based on this we argue that analyses of growth should use linear instead of exponential models. This change of model could give new insights into problems connected with economic growth.
What Has 20 Years of Public–Private Pay Gap Literature Told Us? Eastern European Transitioning vs. Developed Economies

This paper surveys the literature on public–private sector pay differentials based on 20 years of research in transitioning countries of Eastern Europe (EE) and compares the results with estimates obtained from developed market economies. The majority of empirical studies from EE economies found evidence of public sector pay penalties during the period of economic transition from a communist to market-based economy. In developed economies, however, the average differential is usually around zero or positive. The public sector pay inequality reducing effect relative to the private sector is greater in transitioning economies than in developed economies. Nevertheless, there is evidence that the sign of the public sector pay gap as well as the relative public sector pay distribution change with the progress of economic transition towards those usually observed in developed economies. Different pay-setting arrangements between private and public sectors and competition for workers seem to be major arguments for the existence of systematic pay differences between the two sectors.
Pathogenic mechanisms induced by microbial proteases in microbial infections.

Most bacterial and fungal proteases excreted into infected hosts exhibit a wide range of pathogenic potentials ranging from pain, edema or even shock to translocation of bacteria from the site of infection into systemic circulation, thus resulting in septicemia. The basic mechanism or principle common to all these phenomena is explained by kinin generation, either directly from high- and/or low-molecular weight kininogens or indirectly via activation of the bradykinin generating cascade: i.e. Hageman factor-->activated Hageman factor-->prekallikrein-->kallikrein-->high-molecular weight kininogen-->bradykinin. Some bacterial proteases are also involved in activation of other host protease zymogens such as plasminogen, procollagenase (matrix metallo proteases) and proenzymes of the clotting system. Furthermore, most bacterial proteases are not only resistant to plasma protease inhibitors of the hosts, most of which belong to a group of serine protease inhibitors called serpins (serine protease inhibitors), but they also quickly inactivate serpins. Some bacterial proteases may also activate bacterial toxins thus rendering toxigenic pathogenesis. They are also capable of degrading immunoglobulins and components of the complement system and facilitate propagation of micro organisms. All in all, microbial proteases are very critical in enhancing pathogenesis of severe diseases. It is also noteworthy that bacterial cell wall components themselves, i.e. endotoxin (or lipopolysaccharide) of gram negative bacteria and teichoic/lipoteichoic acid of gram positive bacteria, are also able to activate the bradykinin generating cascade-involving activation of Hageman factor as mentioned above.
Extended evidence on the use of technical analysis in foreign exchange

This work extends earlier survey studies on the use of technical analysis by considering flow analysis as a third form of information production. Moreover, the survey covers FX dealers and also the rising fund managers. Technical analysis has gained importance over time and is now the most equally spread kind of analysis. It has by far the greatest importance in FX dealing and is second in fund management. Charts are used for shorter-term forecasting horizons while flows dominate at the shortest-term and fundamentals at longer horizons. Preferred users of each kind of analysis exhibit different views about market frictions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Joint Energy Flow and Time Duration Optimization for Harvested Energy Driven WPCN

This paper studies a harvested energy driven wireless powered communication network (WPCN), where ambient energy such as solar energy and wind energy can be harvested by the hybrid access point (HAP) and then transmitted to multiple users through wireless channels to transfer users' own information respectively. An energy flow and information transfer time duration allocation joint optimization problem under the energy causality constraints for maximizing the multiple slots sum-rate is investigated. By decomposing the optimal problem into two subproblems, information transfer time duration allocation and energy flow with sum energy constraint subproblem, and taking advantage of the characteristics of subproblems, the optimal proportional time duration allocation scheme and the directional energy flow algorithm is proposed. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm can deliver a significant sum-rate gain compared with greedy energy flow and average information time duration allocation when HAP is energy limited, i.e., under a low energy arrival rate.
Common Patterns of Behavior and Communication in Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions

This study of common patterns of communication and behavior in mergers and acquisitions relied on a survey of twenty-one managers and professionals in acquired organizations in three separate mergers or acquisitions (M/A). The survey used focused interviews to construct three cases. Common patterns are identified and a syndrome is specified connecting communication variables with rumor mills, employee turnover, and employee commitment to the new organization.
Functional Characterization of pGKT2, a 182-Kilobase Plasmid Containing the xplAB Genes, Which Are Involved in the Degradation of Hexahydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-Triazine by Gordonia sp. Strain KTR9

ABSTRACT Several microorganisms have been isolated that can transform hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), a cyclic nitramine explosive. To better characterize the microbial genes that facilitate this transformation, we sequenced and annotated a 182-kb plasmid, pGKT2, from the RDX-degrading strain Gordonia sp. KTR9. This plasmid carries xplA, encoding a protein sharing up to 99% amino acid sequence identity with characterized RDX-degrading cytochromes P450. Other genes that cluster with xplA are predicted to encode a glutamine synthase-XplB fusion protein, a second cytochrome P450, Cyp151C, and XplR, a GntR-type regulator. Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 expressing xplA from KTR9 degraded RDX but did not utilize RDX as a nitrogen source. Moreover, an Escherichia coli strain producing XplA degraded RDX but a strain producing Cyp151C did not. KTR9 strains cured of pGKT2 did not transform RDX. Physiological studies examining the effects of exogenous nitrogen sources on RDX degradation in strain KTR9 revealed that ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate each inhibited RDX degradation by up to 79%. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of glnA-xplB, xplA, and xplR showed that transcript levels were 3.7-fold higher during growth on RDX than during growth on ammonium and that this upregulation was repressed in the presence of various inorganic nitrogen sources. Overall, the results indicate that RDX degradation by KTR9 is integrated with central nitrogen metabolism and that the uptake of RDX by bacterial cells does not require a dedicated transporter.
Cash Transfers, Children and the Crisis: Protecting Current and Future Investments

Developing countries have responded to the multiple shocks from the food, fuel and finance crises of 2008-2009 with a mix of responses aimed at both mitigating the immediate impacts of the crises on households (and particularly children), and protecting future investments in human capital. While some countries have introduced new safety net programs, others have modified and/or expanded existing ones. Since many countries have introduced conditional cash transfers (CCTs) in recent years, these programs have been used as an important starting point for a response. This paper aims to describe how conditional cash transfers have been used by different countries to respond to the crises (e.g. by expanding coverage and/or increasing benefit amounts), distill lessons about their effectiveness as crisis-response programs, identify design features that can facilitate their ability to respond to transient poverty shocks, and assess how they can complement other safety net programs.
Student debt among University of Latvia graduates: Repayment prospects under income-contingent student loan scheme

Abstract This study examines the relationship between student debt and income by gender and field of study among University of Latvia graduates of 2009. Data analysis in the paper is also framed by suggestions for an income-contingent student loan scheme in Latvia, modeled after the Australian example of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme. This research models a possible student loan payment pattern in Latvia under an income-contingent student loan plan. Data analysis shows that in the current mortgage-type student loan system, graduates of both genders in all fields of study and income groups have similar student debt levels, on average. At the same time, the largest portion of student debt is held by graduates in lower income groups. In the context of an income-contingent student loan payment scheme, analysis reveals that women and graduates in the field of humanities, pedagogy and psychology would be likely to belong to the low payment group. Consistent with findings in other studies, this research finds that female higher education graduates have lower income than men, on average, while graduates in the field of economics and business management tend to have higher income than graduates in other fields of study.
Effect of Inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense on Development and Yielding of Maize (Zea mays ssp. Saccharata L.) under Different Cultivation Conditions

The influence of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense strain, two levels of nitrogen fertilizer, and seed treatment with fungicidal seed dressing on the development and yield of maize were determined in field experiments. In these studies nitrogenase activity, chlorophyll content in plants, yield size and quality were used as control parameters. It has been found that inoculation of maize crops with an active strain of Azospirillum brasilense has a beneficial effect on maize vigour and yield under the climatic and soil conditions of the Wielkopolska region.
The Impact of Security Analysts' Monitoring and Marketing Functions on the Market Value of Firms

Abstract In this study, we examine the impact of security analysts' monitoring and marketing functions on firms' market value. We postulate that security analysts' monitoring of corporate performance helps motivate managers, thus reducing the agency costs associated with the separation of ownership and control. We also argue that the information intermediary function provided by security analysts helps expand the breadth of investor cognizance. Consistent with these conjectures, this study finds that analyst following exerts a significant and positive impact on firms' market value. We also find evidence that security analysts have a stronger incentive to follow stocks of high quality companies, since such stocks arc easier to market. Hence, the security analysis activities appear to be determined, in part, by the marketing considerations of brokerage companies.
Exploring enhancements for remote mixed reality collaboration

In this paper, we explore techniques for enhancing remote Mixed Reality (MR) collaboration in terms of communication and interaction. We created CoVAR, a MR system for remote collaboration between an Augmented Reality (AR) and Augmented Virtuality (AV) users. Awareness cues and AV-Snap-to-AR interface were proposed for enhancing communication. Collaborative natural interaction, and AV-User-Body-Scaling were implemented for enhancing interaction. We conducted an exploratory study examining the awareness cues and the collaborative gaze, and the results showed the benefits of the proposed techniques for enhancing communication and interaction.
Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome. An American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement. Executive summary.

This Executive Summary is a synopsis of the full scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is intended to provide up to date guidance for professionals on the diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome in adults. The metabolic syndrome has received increased attention in the past few years. It consists of multiple, interrelated risk factors of metabolic origin that appear to directly promote the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This constellation of metabolic risk factors is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus or the risk for this condition. The metabolic risk factors consist of atherogenic dyslipidemia (elevated triglycerides and apolipoprotein B, small LDL particles, and low HDL cholesterol [HDL-C] concentrations), elevated blood pressure, elevated plasma glucose, a prothrombotic state, and a proinflammatory state. At present, it is not clear whether the metabolic syndrome has a single cause, and it appears that it can be precipitated by multiple underlying risk factors. The most important of these underlying risk factors are abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Other associated conditions include physical inactivity, aging, hormonal imbalance, and genetic or ethnic predisposition. Prospective population studies show that the metabolic syndrome confers an &2-fold increase in relative risk for ASCVD events, and in individuals without established type 2 diabetes mellitus, an &5-fold increase in risk for developing diabetes as compared with people without the syndrome. This finding implies that the metabolic syndrome imparts a relatively high long-term risk for both ASCVD and diabetes. In the absence of diabetes, the absolute short-term (10-year) risk for major coronary heart disease (CHD) events is not necessarily high. In the Framingham Heart Study data, the 10-year risk for CHD depends on other risk factors in addition to the metabolic syndrome components contained in Framingham scoring …