Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of human resource management in international joint ventures: a study of Australian-Indian joint ventures

Little has been reported to date on human resource aspects of international joint ventures (IJVs) between Australia and India. On the basis of nine case studies, this paper examines the influence of HR practices on selecting the IJV as an entry strategy to invest in India and the role of efficient HR management in ensuring IJV success. The case findings suggest that there is a very moderate HR-related influence on the entry mode decision, whereas HR management plays a significant role in IJV success. The paper also identifies several HR issues in relation to Australian-Indian joint ventures which emerged during the study.
Household Portfolio Risk

We exploit the US Survey of Consumer Finances from 1998 to 2010 to study households’ portfolio risk. We compare alternative measures of ex-ante risk, based on a financial portfolio including deposits, bonds, and stocks, or a broader portfolio also including real estate, business wealth, and related debt. The measures provide different rankings of portfolio risk, but they all show a skewed distribution with many households bearing limited risk. Large wealth holdings lead to more aggressive risk positions. Moreover, risk falls at the beginning of the sample period and rises at the end, together with the business cycle.
Regulation of Postsynaptic Structure and Function by an A-Kinase Anchoring Protein–Membrane-Associated Guanylate Kinase Scaffolding Complex

A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP) 79/150 is a scaffold protein found in dendritic spines that recruits the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and protein phosphatase 2B–calcineurin (CaN) to membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK)-linked AMPA receptors (AMPARs) to control receptor phosphorylation and synaptic plasticity. However, AKAP79/150 may also coordinate regulation of AMPAR activity with spine structure directly through MAGUK binding and membrane-cytoskeletal interactions of its N-terminal targeting domain. In cultured hippocampal neurons, we observed that rat AKAP150 expression was low early in development but then increased coincident with spine formation and maturation. Overexpression of human AKAP79 in immature or mature neurons increased the number of dendritic filopodia and spines and enlarged spine area. However, RNA interference knockdown of AKAP150 decreased dendritic spine area only in mature neurons. Importantly, AKAP79 overexpression in immature neurons increased AMPAR postsynaptic localization and activity. Neither the AKAP79 PKA nor CaN anchoring domain was required for increasing dendritic protrusion numbers, spine area, or AMPAR synaptic localization; however, an internal region identified as the MAGUK binding domain was found to be essential as shown by expression of a MAGUK binding mutant that formed mainly filopodia and decreased AMPAR synaptic localization and activity. Expression of the AKAP79 N-terminal targeting domain alone also increased filopodia numbers but not spine area. Overall, these results demonstrate a novel structural role for AKAP79/150 in which the N-terminal targeting domain induces dendritic filopodia and binding to MAGUKs promotes spine enlargement and AMPAR recruitment.
Reflections on the Natural Rate Hypothesis

Does the deviation of unemployment from some natural rate provide a robust and useful way to predict changes in the inflation rate? Can economists explain why the NAIRU changes over time? Is the NAIRU a useful way to frame policy discussions despite the uncertainty surrounding its precise level? The NAIRU hypothesis passes all three tests. Recent research shows that the NAIRU has fallen dramatically in the last decade. This paper refutes the need for a highly restrictive bias in macroeconomic policy because small deviations from the NAIRU will lead to only small, possibly easily correctable, changes in the inflation rate.
Commercial Counterurbanisation: An Emerging Force in Rural Economic Development

After rapid urban growth and industrialisation, the postwar era has seen counterurbanisation become a dominant demographic trend in the UK. Much has been written about the residential patterns of counterurbanisation, but the associated growth of rural business has attracted less attention. The author proposes the term ‘commercial counterurbanisation’ to describe the growth of rural economies stimulated by inward migration. In the North East of England, in-migrants own over half of rural microbusinesses, they are more growth-oriented, and they are responsible for considerably more employment than the whole of the agriculture sector. In arguing that commercial counterurbanisation is more than just a spatial decentralisation of business activity, the author explores the social as well as the economic motivations of ‘counterurbanising’ business owners. Commercial counterurbanisation can be a two-stage process, as the decision to work in a rural area or run a rural business may occur several years after a residential move. Where this time lag exists, in-migrant business owners will be influenced by different factors in different locations. In the context of neoendogenous development, the balance of local and extralocal forces is particularly significant. This leads to the conclusion that in-migrant business owners need to become embedded into the rural community for the wider rural economy to realise the maximum benefits from commercial counterurbanisation.
Moral Responsibility: A Relational Way of Being

This article reports a study exploring the meaning of the complex phenomenon of moral responsibility in nursing practice. Each of three focus groups with a total of 14 student nurses were conducted twice to gather their views on moral responsibility in nursing practice. The data were analysed by qualitative thematic content analysis. Moral responsibility was interpreted as a relational way of being, which involved guidance by one’s inner compass composed of ideals, values and knowledge that translate into a striving to do good. It was concluded that, if student nurses are to continue striving to do good in a way that respects themselves and other people, it is important that they do not feel forced to compromise their values. Instead they should be given space and encouragement in their endeavours to do good in a relational way that advances nursing as a moral practice.
Characterization of Neural Breathing Pattern in Spontaneously Breathing Preterm Infants

The aim was to characterize the neural breathing pattern in nonintubated preterm infants. The diaphragm electrical activity (EAdi) and heart rate were simultaneously measured repeatedly for 1 h over several days using a modified feeding tube equipped with miniaturized sensors. The EAdi waveform was quantified for phasic and tonic activity, neural timings, and prevalence of recurring patterns, including central apnea. Ten infants with mean age 7 d (range, 3–13 d) were studied. Their birth weight was 1512 g (1158–1800 g) and GA at birth 31 wk (28–36 wk). Neural inspiratory and expiratory times were 278 ms (195–450 ms) and 867 ms (668–1436 ms) and correlated with GA (p < 0.001). Tonic EAdi represented 29.5% of phasic EAdi (16–40%) and was related to GA (r = 0.61, p < 0.001). For the group, 68% of the time was regular phasic breathing (without tonic activity) and 29% of the time with elevated tonic activity. Central apneas >5 s occurred on average 10 times per hour (2–29). Heart rate reductions were correlated to central apnea duration. In conclusion, esophageal recordings of the EAdi waveform demonstrate that neural breathing pattern is variable, with regards to timing, amplitude, and pattern with a distinct amount of tonic diaphragm activity.
Temporal video quality assessment method involving structural similarity index

In this paper, a video quality assessment (VQA) that focuses on temporal part is being proposed. It is based on Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) and the work of previous researchers where differences of the frames are being measured. The proposed VQA possesses lower computational complexity and acceptable performance compared to state-of-the-art VQA methods.
Examining the contradiction in ‘sustainable urban growth’: an example of groundwater sustainability

The environmental planning literature proposes a set of ‘best management practices’ for urban development that assumes improvement in environmental quality as a result of specific urban patterns. These best management practices, however, often do not recognise finite biophysical limits and social impacts that urban patterns alone cannot overcome. To shed light on this debate, we explore the effects of different degrees of urban clustering on groundwater levels using a coupled land-use change and groundwater-flow model. Our simulations show that specific urban forms only slow down the impact on groundwater. As population increases, the pattern in which it is accommodated ceases to matter, and widespread depletion ensues. These results are predictable, yet current planning practice tends to take growth for granted and is reluctant to envision either no-growth scenarios or the prospect of depletion. We propose to use simulations such as those presented here to aid in policy discussions that allow decision makers to question the assumption of sustainable growth and suggest alternative forms of development.
Why Do People Attend Events: A Comparative Analysis of Visitor Motivations at Four South Island Events

The comparative analysis of the motivations of visitors at four South Island, New Zealand, events—two food and beverage festivals, an air show, and a country and music festival—highlights the diversity in motives that are to be found from event to event. Event-specific factors are especially important; there is little evidence yet of generic event motivations. In contrast to earlier case studies, the comparative approach employed here gives more weight and greater visibility to events per se as a distinctive phenomenon.
Interest rates, income distribution, and monetary policy dominance: Post Keynesians and the "fair rate" of interest

In light of the growing interest in "new consensus" models, this paper examines Post Keynesian alternatives to the Taylor rule. It identifies two distinctive approaches to Post Keynesian interest rate policy, which we label the activist and the parking-it rules. The first approach advocates the use of nominal (or real) interest rates as a tool of aggregate demand fine-tuning, whereas the second approach moves away from reaction functions, claiming that monetary policy has become too dominant in economic discourse. It proposes, instead, an interest rate policy whereby the central bank "parks" the interest rate (real or nominal) according to a specific rule. Three possible parking rules are examined—the Smithin rule, the Kansas City rule, and the Pasinetti fair rate rule. The paper then explores the macroeconomic consequences of a genuine Post Keynesian alternative to new consensus monetary policy along the lines of the fair rate rule.
An Evolutionary Perspective on the Management of Stability and Change

In this paper, we argue that the trade off between stability and change in social and cultural systems can be linked to systemic theories of ecology and evolutionary change. The growing uncertainty in our globalizing environment requires increased organizational flexibility and the ability to adapt. We argue that economics and business can learn from ecology and evolutionary theories in this domain. To do so, we briefly introduce some essential perspectives from biological evolution, sociology and social psychology, innovation and globalization with respect to management issues. Subsequently, we discuss the implications for management and derive suggestions for the strategic management of international businesses in the area of cultural systems and innovation. We argue that managers need to consider the trade-off between homogenization aiming at the realization of economies of scale and scope and differentiation and various needs for integration by different sets of customers. As a result, we sketch a framework of thought that increases their ability to steer their companies through global social change.
Multinational firms and political actors: the issue of corruption and transparency

Globalisation and increasing availability of information frequently face multinational firms with the serious issue of transparent business activities and avoidance of corrupt behaviour. The question addressed is how MNCs handle these issues. Based on business network theory, the article presents an analytical view on business and political actors' relationship, with emphasis on transparent and corrupt behaviours. The analytical view holds the relationship elements of knowledge and legitimate/illegitimate commitment and this is illustrated with cases showing two European MNCs and their behaviours in foreign markets. By adding elements from behavioural theory, the study contributes new knowledge on: a) analytical tools for studying both transparent and corruptive behaviour; b) embeddedness of transparency and corrupt behaviour in a network of business and political relationships; c) the impact of the transparent and corrupt behaviour of the firms both locally and in foreign countries.
An evaluation of forecasting using leading indicators

We consider the use of indices of leading indicators in forecasting and macro-economic modelling. The procedures used to select the components and construct the indices are examined, noting that the composition of indicator systems gets altered frequently. Cointegration within the indices, and between their components and macro-economic variables are considered as well as the role of co-breaking to mitigate regime shifts. Issues of model choice and data-based restrictions are investigated. A framework is proposed for index analysis and selecting indices, and applied to the UK longer-leading indicator. The effects of adding leading indicators to macro models are considered theoretically and for UK data.
A comparative study of the PIFA and printed monopole antenna EM absorption

Abstract This paper represents a comparative study on electromagnetic (EM) absorption in the human head between a printed monopole antenna and a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA). The specific absorption rate (SAR) values and total absorbed power in the human head phantom are used to evaluate EM absorption for both antennae. Moreover, antenna performances in terms of return loss, radiation efficiency, and gain are also investigated in this study. The finite integration technique (FIT) based on CST Microwave studio and SAM head phantom are used in this study. The antenna performances are measured in an anechoic chamber and the SAR is tested using COMOSAR measurement system. The obtained results indicate that the printed monopole antenna lead to higher EM absorption in the human head as compared to PIFA for both GSM frequencies.
A Critical Histidine Residue Within LIMP‐2 Mediates pH Sensitive Binding to Its Ligand β‐Glucocerebrosidase

The lysosomal membrane protein type 2 is a novel identified lysosomal sorting receptor for β‐glucocerebrosidase (GC). Mutations in both genes underlie human pathologies causing action myoclonus‐renal failure syndrome (AMRF) and Gaucher disease (GD), respectively. We now demonstrate that the lumenal acidification mediated by the vacuolar (H+)‐ATPase triggers the dissociation of LIMP‐2 and GC in late endosomal/lysosomal compartments. Moreover, we identified a single histidine residue in LIMP‐2 that is necessary for LIMP‐2 and GC binding. This residue is in close proximity to a proposed coiled‐coil domain, which determines the binding to GC and may function as a critical pH sensor.
The Use of English: Language, Law, and Political Culture in Fourteenth-Century England

In 1362 the government of Edward III issued a statute that is one of the best-known, but least-understood, statements on the use of the vernacular in medieval England. The legislation required that English, rather than French, should be the compulsory language of oral communication in all royal and seignorial courts in the land. This article attempts a new evaluation of the place of the statute of 1362 in later medieval legal and political culture. It falls into five parts. The first discusses the text of the statute; the second analyzes the political context in which the legislation was issued; the third explores what the statute may tell us about the royal judicial system operating in the 1360s; the fourth attempts a reevaluation of the more general use of French and English in law, government, and politics during the later fourteenth century, within the context provided by the Hundred Years War and the Anglo-French peace of 1360; and the fifth attempts to reposition the statute and its implications in relation to Henry V's much-vaunted promotion of English as a language of record in the early fifteenth century.
Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Polymerase Exhibits Distinct Nucleotide Requirements for Initiation and Elongation*

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B protein is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) essential for replication of the viral RNA genome. Purified NS5B has been reported to exhibit multiple activities in vitro. Using a synthetic heteropolymeric RNA template with dideoxycytidine at its 3′-end, we examined de novo initiation and primer extension in a system devoid of self-priming and terminal nucleotide transferase activities. Products predominantly of template size and its multiples were detected. High concentrations of nucleoside triphosphates (Kappm ∼ 100–400 μm) corresponding to the first three incorporated nucleotides were found to be required for efficient de novo RNA synthesis. In the presence of initiating di- or trinucleotides, however, the amount of NTP needed to achieve maximal activity dropped 103- to 104-fold, revealing a much reduced nucleotide requirement for elongation (Kappm ∼ 0.03–0.09 μm). Accordingly, single round extension from an exogenous primer following preincubation of the enzyme with template and primer could also be supported by <0.1 μm levels of NTP. De novo synthesis at high NTP concentrations was shown to be preferred over primer extension. On a dideoxycytidine-blocked synthetic RNA template derived from the 3′-end of the HCV(–)UTR, the addition of the corresponding initiating trinucleotide also dramatically reduced the NTP levels needed to achieve efficient RNA synthesis. Thus, distinct nucleotide requirements exist for initiation and elongation steps catalyzed by the HCV NS5B polymerase.
The impact of temperature on the inactivation of enteric viruses in food and water: a review

Temperature is considered as the major factor determining virus inactivation in the environment. Food industries, therefore, widely apply temperature as virus inactivating parameter. This review encompasses an overview of viral inactivation and virus genome degradation data from published literature as well as a statistical analysis and the development of empirical formulae to predict virus inactivation. A total of 658 data (time to obtain a first log10 reduction) were collected from 76 published studies with 563 data on virus infectivity and 95 data on genome degradation. Linear model fitting was applied to analyse the effects of temperature, virus species, detection method (cell culture or molecular methods), matrix (simple or complex) and temperature category (<50 and ≥50°C). As expected, virus inactivation was found to be faster at temperatures ≥50°C than at temperatures <50°C, but there was also a significant temperature–matrix effect. Virus inactivation appeared to occur faster in complex than in simple matrices. In general, bacteriophages PRD1 and PhiX174 appeared to be highly persistent whatever the matrix or the temperature, which makes them useful indicators for virus inactivation studies. The virus genome was shown to be more resistant than infectious virus. Simple empirical formulas were developed that can be used to predict virus inactivation and genome degradation for untested temperatures, time points or even virus strains.
Welfare Impacts of Electricity Storage and the Implications of Ownership Structure

Increases in electricity price volatility have raised interest in electricity storage and its potential arbitrage value. Large utility-scale electricity storage can decrease the value of energy arbitrage by smoothing differences in prices on- and off-peak, however this price-smoothing effect can result in significant external welfare gains by reducing consumer energy costs and generator profits. As such, the incentives of merchant storage operators, consumers, and generators may not be properly aligned to ensure socially-optimal storage use. We examine storage use incentives for these different agent types and show that under most reasonable market structures a combination of merchant and consumer ownership of storage maximizes potential welfare gains from storage use.
Susceptibility of Three Laboratory Strains of Anopheles albimanus (Diptera: Culicidae) to Coindigenous Plasmodium vivax Circumsporozoite Protein Phenotypes in Southern Mexico

Abstract The susceptibility to two coindigenous Plasmodium vivax Grassi & Feletti phenotypes VK210 and VK247 of three colonized Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann strains (white-striped, green and brown) from southern Mexico was investigated. Mosquitoes of the three strains were simultaneously fed with P. vivax-infected patient blood and examined 1 wk later for the presence of oocysts. The circumsporozoite protein phenotype type (VK210 and VK247) was determined by immunoflorescence of salivary gland sporozoites using monoclonal antibodies. The proportions of specimens infected and the number of oocyst per mosquito indicated that all mosquito strains were more susceptible to the phenotype VK210 than to VK247, but the white-striped strain was more susceptible to both parasite phenotypes than the other two strains.
Patterns of knowledge use in ‘low-tech’ industries

The innovativeness of low- and medium-technology (LMT) manufacturing firms in advanced economies has been the research focus of a growing body of literature since the beginning of the last decade. This paper reviews the main research findings and highlights the largely unresolved problem in LMT research of the contradiction between the presumed homogeneity of LMT sectors because of the formal category of ‘low R&D intensity’, and the heterogeneity of the same firms in LMT sectors. To overcome this problem, the paper proposes an empirical taxonomy of innovative LMT firms based on the dimension of knowledge. To sketch out this knowledge-oriented taxonomy, the paper uses the concept of the ‘distributed knowledge base’. In this approach, four different patterns of knowledge use in LMT firms can be identified. This conceptual perspective has consequences for understanding the sources and directions of innovation strategies in LMT firms and the perspectives of LMT sectors pertaining in advanced economies, such as the EU. Additionally, specific recommendations on innovation policy can be inferred from these considerations that go beyond the current state of the art. Overall, this paper sums up some of the findings of past low-tech research, and reinterprets its central findings.
Prerequisites to guarantee life-long employability

Can employees in possession of a high degree of professional expertise look forward to unlimited mobility and employability? Are they able to cope easily with new job assignments and re-employment in different fields? These thought-provoking questions and others are well worthwhile further investigation. In view of improvements in human resource management, it would seem of importance to find out to what extent their career performance is exemplary and whether it should be imitated. For this reason, this article discusses the relationship between five dimensions of professional expertise and the degree of future employability of 406 higher level employees. The central position is that the possession of expertise is necessary to guarantee employability throughout the career.