Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Information Sharing and Firm Performance in Japan

North American firms have begun to show greater interest in sharing private business information with unions and employees, a labor relations practice widely institutionalized in Japan. This study uses a survey of Japanese joint consultation committees and publicly available business data to examine the effects of information sharing on a firm's profitability, productivity, and labor cost. The results generally show a positive association of information sharing with profitability and productivity and a negative association with labor cost.
STRIPPING MEMBRANES IN INDUCTION OF LABOUR

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of membranes stripping in induction of labour in lowrisk patients at term pregnancy (38-40 gestational weeks) Methods: This prospective study included 140 antenatal women who were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a stripping of the membranes group (n=70) and a no stripping control group (n=70). The primary outcome measure was the proportion of women who entered spontaneous labor within 1 week of entry into the study. Secondary outcome measures included mode of delivery and maternal and fetal complications. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding maternal age, parity or Bishop score. The proportion of subjects who entered spontaneous labour before 41 weeks of gestation was significantly different between the two groups (p<0, 0001). The mode of delivery was significantly different between the groups and there was no statistically significant difference in maternal or fetal complications. Conclusions: Stripping of membranes is a safe method to reduce the length of term in pregnancy and the incidence of prolonged gestation. There is no evidence that stripping the membranes increases the risk of maternal or neonatal adverse outcomes.
Multichannel auditory brainstem implant: update on performance in 61 patients.

OBJECT Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) has typically resulted in deafness after surgical removal of bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VSs). Cochlear implants are generally ineffective for this kind of deafness because of the loss of continuity in the auditory nerve after tumor removal. The first auditory brainstem implant (ABI) in such a patient was performed in 1979 at the House Ear Institute, and this individual continues to benefit from electrical stimulation of the cochlear nucleus complex. In 1992, an advanced multichannel ABI was developed and a series of patients with NF2 received this implant to study the safety and efficacy of the device. METHODS At the time of first- or second-side VS removal, patients received an eight-electrode array applied to the surface of the cochlear nucleus within the confines of the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle. The device was activated approximately 6 weeks after implantation. and patients were tested every 3 months for the 1st year after the initial stimulation, and annually thereafter. The protocol included a comprehensive battery of psychophysical and speech perception tests. CONCLUSIONS The multichannel ABI proved to be effective and safe in providing useful auditory sensations in most patients with NF2. The ABI improved patients' ability to communicate compared with the lipreading-only condition, it allowed the detection and recognition of many environmental sounds, and in some cases it provided significant ability to understand speech by using just the sound from the ABI (with no lipreading cues). Its performance in most patients has continued to improve for up to 8 years after implantation.
PCR detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin genes in Staphylococcus spp. strains isolated from meat and dairy products. Evidence for new variants of seG and seI in S. aureus AB‐8802

Aims: Evaluation of the occurrence of most known staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes, egc (enterotoxin gene cluster) and TSST1 (toxic shock syndrome toxin 1) gene in both coagulase‐positive (CPS) and coagulase‐negative (CNS) staphylococcal strains isolated from meat and dairy products.
A Cross‐Validation Analysis of Neural Network Out‐of‐Sample Performance in Exchange Rate Forecasting

Econometric methods used in foreign exchange rate forecasting have produced inferior out-of-sample results compared to a random walk model. Applications of neural networks have shown mixed findings. In this paper, we investigate the potentials of neural network models by employing two cross-validation schemes. The effects of different in-sample time periods and sample sizes are examined. Out-of-sample performance evaluated with four criteria across three forecasting horizons shows that neural networks are a more robust forecasting method than the random walk model. Moreover, neural network predictions are quite accurate even when the sample size is relatively small.
Future Directions in Research on Racism-Related Stress and Racial-Ethnic Protective Factors for Black Youth

Research on racism-related stress and racial-ethnic protective factors represents an important enterprise for optimizing the mental health of African American and other racial and ethnic minority youth. However, there has been a relative dearth of work on these factors in the clinical psychology research literature, and more work is needed in outlets such as these. To this end, the current article adopts a developmental psychopathology framework and uses recent empirical findings to outline our current understanding of racism-related stress and racial-ethnic protective factors (i.e., racial identity, racial socialization, Africentric worldview) for African American youth. We then provide nine recommendations—across basic, applied, and broader/cross-cutting research lines—that we prioritize as essential to advancing the future scientific investigation of this crucial research agenda. Within and across these recommendations, we issue a charge to researchers and clinicians alike, with the ultimate goal of alleviating the negative mental health impact that racism-related stress can have on the well-being and mental health of African American and other racial and ethnic minority youth.
Is There a Fiscal Crisis in Western European Local Government?

Taking as a point of departure the recently discussed fiscal crisis of the state, the question of whether there is a similar crisis of local governments in industrial countries is addressed. The countries surveyed indicate that there is such a crisis in some countries but not in others. What comes out of a cross-national analysis of local governments is that fiscal strain emerges with the stagflation of 1973; that countries whose local governments have sources of revenue that are elastic with inflation (income tax) do not have a fiscal crisis; and those whose tax basis is inelastic, do.
Managing "green" product innovation in small firms

The growing social and regulatory concern for the environment is leading an increasing number of companies to considering ‘green’ issues as a major source of strategic change. In particular, this trend has major and complex implications on the technological strategy of a company and on its product innovations. Indeed, most authors acknowledge that eco-efficiency will be one of the major challenges for R&D practice and theory in the next decade. Unfortunately, studies usually focus on large corporations. There is a debate as to whether this factor will affect R&D practices and product innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). A superficial glimpse at the problem could lead one to think that SMEs will not be major green innovators, especially as far as product technologies are concerned, and that they will simply try to comply with environmental regulations (mainly on production processes). This paper shows that ‘green’ product innovation may occur and may also have strategic implications in SMEs. Starting from the analysis of four selected case studies and using a Precursors Events methodology, this paper illustrates why ‘green’ product innovation cannot be considered a marginal issue for most SMEs, even for those that are not directly affected by environmental regulations. Hence, the paper suggests a contingent framework to support SMEs in the analysis of the drivers of ‘green’ product innovation and in the choice of a proper R&D strategy that explicitly accounts for the eco-efficiency of product technologies.
INCLUSION AND INTERSECTION RELATIONS BETWEEN FUNDAMENTAL CLASSES OF DISCRETE CONVEX FUNCTIONS

In discrete convex analysis, various convexity concepts are considered for discrete functions such as separable convexity, L-convexity, M-convexity, integral convexity, and multimodularity. These concepts of discrete convex functions are not mutually independent. For example, M-natural-convexity is a special case of integral convexity, and the combination of L-natural-convexity and M-natural-convexity coincides with separable convexity. This paper aims at a fairly comprehensive analysis of the inclusion and intersection relations for various classes of discrete convex functions. Emphasis is put on the analysis of multimodularity in relation to L-natural-convexity and M-natural-convexity.
Categorical crystals for quantum affine algebras

Abstract In this paper, a new categorical crystal structure for the quantum affine algebras is presented. We introduce the notion of extended crystals B ^ 𝔤 ⁢ ( ∞ ) {\widehat{B}_{{\mathfrak{g}}}(\infty)} for an arbitrary quantum group U q ⁢ ( 𝔤 ) {U_{q}({\mathfrak{g}})} , which is the product of infinite copies of the crystal B ⁢ ( ∞ ) {B(\infty)} . For a complete duality datum 𝒟 {{\mathcal{D}}} in the Hernandez–Leclerc category 𝒞 𝔤 0 {{\mathscr{C}_{\mathfrak{g}}^{0}}} of a quantum affine algebra U q ′ ⁢ ( 𝔤 ) {U_{q}^{\prime}({\mathfrak{g}})} , we prove that the set ℬ 𝒟 ⁢ ( 𝔤 ) {\mathcal{B}_{{\mathcal{D}}}({\mathfrak{g}})} of the isomorphism classes of simple modules in 𝒞 𝔤 0 {{\mathscr{C}_{\mathfrak{g}}^{0}}} has an extended crystal structure isomorphic to B ^ 𝔤 fin ⁢ ( ∞ ) {\widehat{B}_{{{\mathfrak{g}}_{\mathrm{fin}}}}(\infty)} . An explicit combinatorial description of the extended crystal ℬ 𝒟 ⁢ ( 𝔤 ) {\mathcal{B}_{{\mathcal{D}}}({\mathfrak{g}})} for affine type A n ( 1 ) {A_{n}^{(1)}} is given in terms of affine highest weights.
Risk‐minimizing approach to bid‐cutting limit determination

Intense price competition is quite common in the construction industry. In many markets, contractors have to cut their bids to compete, giving priority to winning enough contracts to sustain normal operation, and it is common to see a winning bid close to the expected project cost. While cutting bids not only gives up profits but also undoubtedly increases the risk of making a loss, the behaviour of contractors in intense competition is difficult to explain by existing academic bidding models. An approach to determining the lower limit of the bid for a project is proposed based on minimization of the overall loss risk defined by a probabilistic model. The approach can be used to prevent arbitrary over‐cuts in final bid decision where price competition is intense. Factors influencing the suggested bid‐cutting limit for a project are analysed. An illustrative example using real case data is provided.
The Hidden Value of Narrative Comments for Assessment: A Quantitative Reliability Analysis of Qualitative Data

Purpose In-training evaluation reports (ITERs) are ubiquitous in internal medicine (IM) residency. Written comments can provide a rich data source, yet are often overlooked. This study determined the reliability of using variable amounts of commentary to discriminate between residents. Method ITER comments from two cohorts of PGY-1s in IM at the University of Toronto (graduating 2010 and 2011; n = 46–48) were put into sets containing 15 to 16 residents. Parallel sets were created: one with comments from the full year and one with comments from only the first three assessments. Each set was rank-ordered by four internists external to the program between April 2014 and May 2015 (n = 24). Generalizability analyses and a decision study were performed. Results For the full year of comments, reliability coefficients averaged across four rankers were G = 0.85 and G = 0.91 for the two cohorts. For a single ranker, G = 0.60 and G = 0.73. Using only the first three assessments, reliabilities remained high at G = 0.66 and G = 0.60 for a single ranker. In a decision study, if two internists ranked the first three assessments, reliability would be G = 0.80 and G = 0.75 for the two cohorts. Conclusions Using written comments to discriminate between residents can be extremely reliable even after only several reports are collected. This suggests a way to identify residents early on who may require attention. These findings contribute evidence to support the validity argument for using qualitative data for assessment.
Nonlinear simulation techniques for the optimized design of push-push oscillators

In the push-push oscillator, the circuit symmetry enables, through a suitable choice of terminating impedances, an output frequency that is twice the oscillation fundamental frequency. The main difficulty is the complexity of the design, for which there is a lack of specific simulation tools. Here, a harmonic-balance technique is presented, allowing the circuit optimization for prefixed oscillation frequency and maximum output power at the second harmonic component. The oscillator dynamics is analyzed through the envelope transient approach, making use of a new initialization technique of the circuit variables. For a realistic prediction of the first-harmonic cancellation, a sensitivity analysis is performed. A continuation technique is applied to obtain the variation of the output power and frequency versus inequalities in significant circuit parameters. The circuit phase noise is analyzed through the envelope transient approach. The techniques have been applied to a 18 GHz push-push oscillator, with very good agreement with the experimental results.
Event Studies Concerning the Effects of the Thirty-Fifth Article of the Patent Law and the Employee-Invention System in Japan

Recently, inventors of research and development (R&D) firms have filed lawsuits for "reasonable remuneration" against the firms. Firms have begun to revise their reward systems to better reward researchers and preempt litigation. In the Olympus case, the court judged that inventors have an ex post right to claim rewards from inventions no matter what the contract ex ante. By using event studies, we examine whether court judgments and system revisions gave inventors an improved incentive to conduct research or discouraged firms from undertaking R&D investments. We find that the judgments and system revisions significantly increased the value of firms.
Socioeconomic causes of child labor in urban Nigeria

Drawing on interviews with 1,535 children (aged 8–14 years) in urban Nigeria, this study introduces two new measures of child labor—child's ownership of business and control over earnings—to supplement the conventional use of a child's hours of work and to create a wider understanding of child labor. It examines the causes of child labor and how these measures vary by parental socioeconomic status. Study of this relationship is important for a deeper understanding of the varying patterns of child labor, as well as for clarifying the cultural and economic socialization of children. Our findings show that children of parents with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to own businesses rather than assist parents. These children are also more likely to keep and spend their work earnings. Our results also offer strong support of the poverty hypothesis and the socialization theory, which are often used to explain child labor in developing societies. Furthermore, our results indicate that children of parents with higher levels of socioeconomic status work fewer hours. These findings have implications for regulating child labor and for alleviating its consequences.
Freight Transport Time Savings and Organizational Performance: A Systemic Approach

This paper investigates the effect of freight transport time savings (FTTS) on the performance of transport consuming companies. In the first part existing methods on FTTS valuation are critically discussed and their limitations are identified. Following, a conceptual model is built introducing an alternative approach for the valuation of FTTS that is based on the system perspective of firms, integrating the disciplines of systems thinking, performance measurement, transport and logistics decision making. Evidence from a Systems Dynamics' simulation experiment on a retailer suggests that the effect of FTTS on performance depends highly on the structure of the firm's transport related processes and decision making process. Through the development and simulation of several scenarios concerning the reaction of the firm to the FTTS, it is concluded that the value of FTTS is sensitive to the type of the reaction and its time profile.
The nature of online social good networks and their impact on non- profit organisations and users

Social good networks are online networks that connect non-profit organisations and causes with the public. A term coined by the researchers, social good networks have recently emerged as part of a larger ephilanthropy trend. With scant research on this specific area of e-philanthropy, little is known about social good networks and their potential as relationship-building tools. Using a mixed methods approach, this study examines the features and functions of social good networks, the uses and gratifications of network users, and the potential impact on non-profit organisations. The study concludes that social good networks are a viable tool for building broader, long-term relationships, but may not have a significant impact on short-term fundraising goals.
Effectiveness of geographic information systems in local planning

Abstract Geographic information systems have the potential to aid planning functions in both data processing and decision making. Because the incorporation of GIS technology into local government is at an early stage, knowledge about GIS implementation and its impact on planning activities is scarce. Using a survey of local governments in four southeastern states, this paper explores how the new technology affects planning and whether it meets the expectations of the planning agencies using it. Most of the agencies surveyed report improvements in communication of information, data accessibility, and data accuracy. They report that more current data are available, and they have confidence in analyses performed with GIS technology. Political support, staffing, length of experience with GIS technology, system sharing, data-base contents, and number and type of GIS applications all exert some influence on either planning operations or decision making. While experience with GIS emerged as the most significant .
Geometric structures of thin films: Pt on Pd(110) and NiO on Ni(100)

This thesis is divided into 3 papers: dynamical low-energy electron- diffraction investigation of lateral displacements in topmost layer of Pd(110); determination of (1{times}1) and (1{times}2) structures of Pt thin films on Pd(110) by dynamical low-energy electron-diffraction analysis; and structural determination of a NiO(111) film on Ni(100) by dynamical low-energy electron-diffraction analysis.
Heart Rate Variability: An Index of the Brain-Heart Interaction

The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in a wide range of visceral-somatic and mental diseases. Cardiac parameters, particularly heart rate as a physiological measure, are extremely sensitive to autonomic influences. Normally, the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system are in dynamic balance indicating healthy and flexible physiological system. The autonomic imbalance – low parasympathetic activity and/or sympathetic overactivity resulting in tachycardia – is common to a broad range of maladaptive conditions and it is associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular adverse outcomes (Friedman, 2007; Porges, 2007; Thayer & Sternberg, 2006).
Anything but a story foretold: multiple politics of resistance to the agrarian extractivist project in Guatemala

Sugarcane and oil palm agribusinesses are in the vanguard of an emergent project of agrarian capitalism in Guatemala, which is defined here as a financialized and flexible type of agrarian extractivism. Meanwhile, Maya-Q´eqchi´ residents of the northern lowlands believe that the changes in the labor regime, land relations and the agro-ecosystem that the expansion of these agribusinesses has brought threaten their subsistence in multiple and unfamiliar ways. Indeed, growing difficulties in dealing with (vital) grievances is leading many, even those who initially welcomed the corporate sugarcane and oil palm plantations, to transform their unrest into a practice of resistance. Elaborating on what is presented here as a multiple politics perspective, this contribution discusses the nature and character of such contemporary political dynamics of agrarian change. The forms, strategies and practices of the two main and most antagonistic repertoires of contention are explored here: the one in ‘defense of territory’ and the one in the promotion of the ‘agrarian extractivist project’. The tensions across and within multiple corporate, state and social actors who are pushing for, resisting, complying with or operating at the most violent margins of the agrarian extractivist project are also examined. By assessing continuities and ruptures between current and previous cycles of contention around the control of land, water and other natural resources, this paper stresses the often forgotten lesson about trajectories of agrarian change not being a story foretold, but the product of multiple and dynamic politics.
Evaluating S&P 500 Sector ETFs Using Risk-Adjusted Performance Measures

This study examines the nature and performance of S&P 500 Sector Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with a view to providing empirical documentation which can be used as input in decision making by stock market investors. The performance evaluation techniques used in the study utilize state of the art statistical measures grounded in modern portfolio theory. Returns are adjusted for the degree of total risk and systematic risk inherent in each ETF, and the securities are then ranked on the basis of risk-adjusted performance. A relatively new evaluation metric, the Modigliani measure, is used for ranking these ETFs. The study also demonstrates how financial leverage can be used to lower the risk of a sector ETF and maintain a desired rate of return. The results of the study should be of interest to business academicians, investors, bankers, and investment fund managers.
Multi‐factor productivity measurement model for service organisation

Purpose – To discuss the concept of productivity in the service sector and to present a multifactor productivity measurement model for a service organisation.Design/methodology/approach – Employs a case study approach, featuring a service organisation which provides a range of engineering services to different industries. The model focuses on objectives of the organization and overall results rather than the individual departmental activities.Findings – The case study shows how different factors of static, dynamic and development parameters can be taken into account to calculate the total productivity of an organisation.Research limitations/implications – The case study organization represents only one industry sector. However, it is claimed that the generic model for productivity measurement described may be used by any type of service organisation. Warns that it is not always possible to assess the nature and extent of bias introduced by the measures selected and the weightages assigned to these measure.