Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Editorial: Researching HRM and employment relations in a global context: choosing appropriate methodologies

The emergence of globalization as a key issue has enhanced the importance of comparative research in human resource management (HRM) and related fields. Strauss (1998) has noted, in reference to comparative industrial relations, that increased interest is due to ‘the growing interdependence of economies resulting from globalisation’. Broadly speaking, two contrasting arguments have been advanced in the literature concerning the effects of globalization on HRM and employment relations. First, it is argued that the socio-economic and technological impacts of internationalization and globalization lead to similar outcomes in different countries and result in uniformity of practices in areas such as HRM and employment relations (e.g. Ohmae, 1995). The contrary position, however, holds that institutional and cultural factors embedded in each society, and reflected in their social and legal traditions, mean that there are different outcomes despite common influences from globalization (e.g. Katz and Darbishire, 2000). Yet it may also be the case that a diversity of outcomes results from the interaction of both global and local influences on HRM and employment relations practices (Lansbury et al., 2003). The debate concerning these issues has not only spawned a considerable amount of research but has also focused attention on the variety of methodologies used by researchers. The outcome of research is potentially open to influence from the type of methodology adopted. As noted by Wailes (1999), ‘methodological choices have significant consequences for the types of explanations generated by comparative [studies]’. Hence, it is important to consider the issues related to the choice of methodology when researching HRM and employment relations in a comparative or international setting. The papers in this issue of the journal were selected from presentations at a workshop, held at the European Regional Congress of the International Industrial Relations Research Association (IIRA) in Oslo, on the subject of ‘Researching Across Cultures: Choosing Methodologies’. The aim of the workshop was to assist doctoral candidates and other researchers undertaking comparative projects on employment relations, HRM and related fields. Each paper, therefore, not only outlines the main issues covered by the research but also the strengths and limitations of the methodologies which were chosen. The workshop followed a previous workshop in Bologna, from which selected papers were published in this journal (Lansbury and Wailes, 1999). The collection of papers in the symposium reflects the variety of topics undertaken by researchers interested in comparative studies of HRM and employment relations, as well as the different methodologies used. The contributors generally adopted an interdisciplinary approach to their research involving a blend of social sciences such
Consumers’ Emotional Responses and Emotion Regulation Strategies During Multistage Waiting in Restaurants

Service consumption often involves waiting during the different stages of the delivery process. This research examines the effect of multistage waiting on consumers’ emotional responses and emotion regulation strategies. The study is conducted at a virtual restaurant in Second Life, an online simulation website. The results show that there is a significant interaction effect between consumption stage and the type of emotional responses. Although both anxiety and anger are the most intense emotions felt during preprocess waiting, anxiety is the strongest emotion felt during in-process waiting, and anger is the most salient emotional reaction during postprocess waiting. Results also indicate that there is a significant interaction effect between consumption stage and the type of emotion regulation strategies used by consumers. Attentional deployment and reappraisal are dominant emotion regulation strategies used by consumers during preprocess waiting; in addition, reappraisal and attentional deployment are the predominant strategies used during in-process waiting and postprocess waiting, respectively. The theoretical, methodological, and managerial contributions of the results are also discussed.
Management factors associated with veterinary usage by organic and conventional dairy farms.

OBJECTIVE To identify management factors associated with veterinary usage by organic and conventional dairy farms. DESIGN Prospective case-control study. SAMPLE 292 farms. PROCEDURES Organic farms in New York, Oregon, and Wisconsin were matched to conventional farms on the basis of location and herd size. During a single herd visit, a questionnaire was administered, information about animal disease incidence and number of veterinarian visits in the preceding 60 days was collected, and forms to record similar information during the 60 days after the visit were left for the herd manager to complete. For analysis, conventional herds were classified as either grazing or nongrazing. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to assess relationships among management factors and selected outcomes for frequency of veterinary usage. RESULTS Intensive management practices were closely associated with frequent veterinary usage. Generally, organic management practices were associated with less frequent veterinary usage than were conventional management practices. Conventional grazing practices were associated with intermediate veterinary usage (more than organic practices but less than intensive practices), whereas conventional nongrazing practices were associated with frequent veterinary usage. Cost of routinely scheduled veterinarian visits/45 kg (100 lb) of milk produced/y was greater for small farms than that for large farms. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that management intensiveness was more closely associated with frequency of veterinary usage than was organic status; therefore, veterinarians should characterize farms by factors other than organic status when investigating which farms are most likely to use their services. Economic factors substantially affected routine veterinary usage on small farms.
Smoothed analysis in Nash equilibria and the Price of Anarchy

15 RESUMO . 17
Evaluation of international case studies within 'Live.Learn.Laugh.': a unique global public-private partnership to promote oral health.

UNLABELLED The partnership between the Féderation Dentaire International (FDI), and Unilever Oral Care, aims to raise awareness of oral health globally; to enable FDI member associations to promote oral health; and to increase the visibility of the FDI and authority of Unilever oral care brands worldwide. Country Projects between National Dental Associations (NDAs), the member associations of FDI, and Unilever Oral Care local companies have been established as a key strand of the partnership. AIM This paper reports on the evaluation of an in-depth sample of Country Projects (n=5) to determine their potential to impact on oral health. METHOD Five country sites were selected as being indicative of different programme delivery types. Each site received a two-day visit during Spring-Summer 2009, which enabled the evaluators to audit what was delivered in practice compared with the original written project briefs and to undertake interviews of study site staff. RESULTS 39 projects in 36 countries have been initiated. In those examined by site visits, clear evidence was found of capacity building to deliver oral health. In some countries, widespread population reach had been prioritised. Effectiveness of partnership working varied depending on the strength of the relationship between the NDA and local Unilever Oral Care representatives and alignment with national marketing strategy. The quality of internal evaluation varied considerably. CONCLUSIONS Over a million people had been reached directly by Country Projects and this public-private partnership has made a successful start. To move towards improving oral health rather than only awareness raising; future Country Projects would benefit from being limited to certain evidence-based intervention designs, and using an agreed core indicator set in order to allow cross-country comparison of intervention outcomes.
Uso De Las Cópulas De Supervivencia En La Estimación De Un Modelo De Riesgo Financiero (Use of Survival Copulas for the Estimation of a Model of Credit Risk)

This paper presents a model of credit risk by estimating the joint probability distribution of default and prepayment by using survival copulas. We extend the model of George et al (2001) taking into account the censorship, the use of covariates, the Cook-Johnson-Clayton copula and Weibull marginal. We illustrate the use of credit risk model extended by calculating the probability of default for 700 individuals in a lending institution of the Colombian cooperative sector.
No difference in kinetics of tau or histone phosphorylation by CDK5/p25 versus CDK5/p35 in vitro

CDK5/p35 is a cyclin-dependent kinase essential for normal neuron function. Proteolysis of the p35 subunit in vivo results in CDK5/p25 that causes neurotoxicity associated with a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Whereas the mechanism by which conversion of p35 to p25 leads to toxicity is unknown, there is common belief that CDK5/p25 is catalytically hyperactive compared to CDK5/p35. Here, we have compared the steady-state kinetic parameters of CDK5/p35 and CDK5/p25 towards both histone H1, the best known substrate for both enzymes, and the microtubule-associated protein, tau, a physiological substrate whose in vivo phosphorylation is relevant to Alzheimer’s disease. We show that the kinetics of both enzymes are the same towards either substrate in vitro. Furthermore, both enzymes display virtually identical kinetics towards individual phosphorylation sites in tau monitored by NMR. We conclude that conversion of p35 to p25 does not alter the catalytic efficiency of the CDK5 catalytic subunit by using histone H1 or tau as substrates, and that neurotoxicity associated with CDK5/p25 is unlikely attributable to CDK5 hyperactivation, as measured in vitro.
Measuring financial development in India: A PCA approach

Financial development is a multidimensional concept and its measurement is thorny for the researchers. A good measurement of financial development is decisive in evaluating the progress of financial sector development and understanding the corresponding impact on economic growth and poverty reduction. The study makes use of the PCA (Principal components analysis) to construct a financial depth index (IFD) that serves as a proxy variable of financial development position of the country. This paper used Indian time series data covering a period from 1980 to 2011(Index-1) and 1990-2011(Index-2) for measurement of two separate financial development index. This study gives insight for understanding various financial sector proxies as well as to enhance the knowledge of financial position of the country. The proposed index is easy to compute and comparable across countries.
Neurodevelopmental Study of Writing Disorders in Middle Childhood

This study investigated patterns of neurodevelopmental dysfunction in children with writing disorders (WD). Records of children, ages 9 to 15 years, referred to a school problems clinic were examined. Using teacher questionnaire information, including ratings of writing legibility, mechanics, rate, linguistic sophistication, and spelling, 99 cases of WD were found. Sixty-three children without WD served as clinic controls. A cluster analysis revealed four discrete subtypes of WD and two non-WD control clusters. The four WD clusters were found to have different patterns of writing and reading characteristics. Neurodevelopmental tests discriminated among the clusters (F = 2.8, p < .0001), and an examination of neurodevelopmental performance characteristics among the clusters showed different patterns of strengths and weaknesses. An empirically derived subtyping of WD is proposed: WD with fine motor and linguistic deficits, WD with visualspatial deficits, WD with attention and memory deficits, and WD with sequencing deficits. This subtyping, if confirmed in a population study, may have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications. J Dev Behav Pediatr 13:17–23, 1992. Index terms: learning disorders, written language, dysgraphia, spelling, subtypes.
Fertility Preservation Success Subsequent to Concurrent Aromatase Inhibitor Treatment and Ovarian Stimulation in Women With Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE We have previously reported an approach to ovarian stimulation for the purpose of fertility preservation (FP) in women with breast cancer via embryo freezing with the concurrent use of letrozole. The aim of this study was to provide the pregnancy and FP outcomes when embryos generated with the same protocol are used. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 131 women with stage ≤ 3 breast cancer underwent ovarian stimulation and received concurrent letrozole 5 mg per day before receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and cryopreserving embryos. RESULTS Thirty-three of the 131 women underwent 40 attempts to transfer embryos to their own uterus (n = 18) or via the use of a gestational carrier (n = 22) at a mean age of 41.5 ± 4.3 years with a median 5.25 years after embryo cryopreservation. The overall live birth rate per embryo transfer was similar to the US national mean among infertile women of a similar age undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (45.0 v 38.2; P = .2). Seven (38.8%) of the 18 pregnancies were twins with no higher-order pregnancies being encountered. No fetal anomalies or malformations were reported in 25 children after a mean follow-up of 40.4 ± 26.4 months. Seventeen of the 33 women attempting pregnancy had at least one child, translating into an FP rate of 51.5% per attempting woman. CONCLUSION Embryo cryopreservation after ovarian stimulation with the letrozole and follicle-stimulating hormone protocol preserves fertility in women with breast cancer and results in pregnancy rates comparable to those expected in a noncancer population undergoing in vitro fertilization.
Detection of myocardial microvascular disease using contrast echocardiography during adenosine stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Prospective comparison with single-photon emission computed tomography

Purrpose: To evaluate myocardial microvascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and to report on its diagnostic accuracy using single photon emission tomography (SPECT) as reference test. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 79 patients (25 DM; 66±11 years) who underwent simultaneous SPECT and MCE with contrast agent during adenosine stress. MCE and SPECT were visually analyzed using 17 segments. Quantitative MCE parameters were derived from replenishment curves. Microbubble velocity (β min−1), absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF ml/min/g), and reserve values were calculated. Diagnostic accuracy and area under curve (AUC) was reported. Results: Patients with DM had higher BMI vs non DM (33±7 vs 28±5kg/m2 P=0 .007), with more prior myocardial infarction (40 vs 15% P=.01). Visual MCE was abnormal in 40 (51%) patients (60% in DM vs 46% in non DM P=0.04). SPECT was abnormal in 38 (48%) patients [60% in DM vs 42% non DM, P=0.01]. Reserve parameters were lower in DM vs. non DM patients: (β 1.77±1.12 vs 2.20±1.4, P<0.001 and MBF 2.86± 2.62 vs. 3.67±2.84, P<0.001). DM patients without CAD on SPECT had significantly lower β, and MBF reserve compared to non DM patients without CAD. Compared to SPECT, β reserve cutoff 1.6 had AUC 0.817, sensitivity 81%, and specificity 66% while MBF reserve cutoff 1.9 had AUC 0.760, sensitivity 79%, and specificity 63% in DM patients. Conclusion: Diabetes is associated with myocardial microvascular abnormalities as evidenced by abnormal myocardial perfusion on visual and quantitative MCE.
A New Approach to Compute the Semantic Similarity of Chinese Question Sentence

The sentence similarity computation plays an important role in each field of Chinese information processing. A new approach to compute the Chinese question semantic similarity is presented, which is divided into two steps: the first step is to extract the question semantic representation from the question, and the second step is to compute the question semantic similarity based on the question semantic representation. This paper uses the method of question semantic model matching to extract the question semantic representation from the question. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm worked more reasonable in the real calculation. In addition, our approach is of great value for many potential applications in the future.
Implementation of Perfectly Matched Layer Boundary Condition for Finite-Difference Time-Domain Simulation Truncated With Gain Medium

Boundary condition for the finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) photonic simulation truncated with a gain medium is studied. Reflection occurs when applying the perfectly matched layer (PML) due to the impedance mismatch. The implementation of PML for the simulation truncated with gain medium is presented including both the un-split and split-field formulation, respectively. Numerical validation through simulating the light propagating in an active semiconductor waveguide containing gain medium indicates that the boundary formulation derived can effectively absorb the out-going light under different carrier densities.
Peroxisomes and sexual development in fungi

Peroxisomes are versatile and dynamic organelles that are essential for the development of most eukaryotic organisms. In fungi, many developmental processes, such as sexual development, require the activity of peroxisomes. Sexual reproduction in fungi involves the formation of meiotic-derived sexual spores, often takes place inside multicellular fruiting bodies and requires precise coordination between the differentiation of multiple cell types and the progression of karyogamy and meiosis. Different peroxisomal functions contribute to the orchestration of this complex developmental process. Peroxisomes are required to sustain the formation of fruiting bodies and the maturation and germination of sexual spores. They facilitate the mobilization of reserve compounds via fatty acid β-oxidation and the glyoxylate cycle, allowing the generation of energy and biosynthetic precursors. Additionally, peroxisomes are implicated in the progression of meiotic development. During meiotic development in Podospora anserina, there is a precise modulation of peroxisome assembly and dynamics. This modulation includes changes in peroxisome size, number and localization, and involves a differential activity of the protein-machinery that drives the import of proteins into peroxisomes. Furthermore, karyogamy, entry into meiosis and sorting of meiotic-derived nuclei into sexual spores all require the activity of peroxisomes. These processes rely on different peroxisomal functions and likely depend on different pathways for peroxisome assembly. Indeed, emerging studies support the existence of distinct import channels for peroxisomal proteins that contribute to different developmental stages.
Hog1: 20 years of discovery and impact

The yeast osmotic stress signaling network has provided fundamental insight into eukaryotic stress signaling and environmental adaptation. All living cells must sense and adapt to their external environment to survive and to grow. Cells rapidly respond to increases in external osmolarity to avoid harmful cellular dehydration. These adaptive responses are signaled through a complex signaling network with the protein kinase Hog1 at its center and involve the regulation of cellular metabolism and changes in gene expression. This Review with 3 figures and 119 references examines both the original discovery of Hog1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the subsequent key discoveries related to osmotic stress adaptation. Highlighted are surprising moments of discovery in the characterization of Hog1 and the centrality of this gene product and its homologs in multicellular organisms to the regulation of a diverse array of cellular processes. The protein kinase Hog1 (high osmolarity glycerol 1) was discovered 20 years ago, being revealed as a central signaling mediator during osmoregulation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Homologs of Hog1 exist in all evaluated eukaryotic organisms, and this kinase plays a central role in cellular responses to external stresses and stimuli. Here, we highlight the mechanism by which cells sense changes in extracellular osmolarity, the method by which Hog1 regulates cellular adaptation, and the impacts of the Hog1 pathway upon cellular growth and morphology. Studies that have addressed these issues reveal the influence of the Hog1 signaling pathway on diverse cellular processes.
Oral immunotherapy in children with IgE-mediated wheat allergy: outcome and molecular changes.

BACKGROUND IgE-mediated wheat allergy affects around 0.5% of the population, and current management is based on avoidance. We propose an active intervention to promote tolerance in wheat-allergic children. OBJECTIVES To investigate the efficacy and safety of an oral immunotherapy (OIT) protocol with wheat to treat IgE-mediated wheat-allergic children. METHODS Six wheat allergic patients assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) underwent wheat OIT with an up-dosing phase until 100 g of wheat was tolerated, followed by a 6-month maintenance phase. Tolerance to rye and oat was evaluated, as were specific IgE (sIgE) to wheat and other cereals and sIgE, slgG4, and sIgG1 to a panel of wheat proteins (alpha-amylase and trypsin inhibitors, wheat lipid transfer proteins, gliadins, and glutenins). RESULTS Threshold doses in the wheat DBPCFC ranged from 6.6 g to 96.6 g. Five out of 6 (83%) patients successfully finished the up-dosing phase in 3 to 24 days; after a 6-month maintenance phase, all the patients maintained good tolerance of 100 g of wheat daily. Only 6.25% of doses in the up-dosing phase elicited mild adverse reactions. All 5 patients who successfully finished the up-dosing phase tolerated rye after OIT, and all but 1 tolerated oat as well. The median baseline wheat sIgE was 47.5 kU(A)/L, increasing to 84.55 kU(A)/L after up-dosing and decreasing to 28.75 kU(A)/L after 6 months of follow-up. None of the patients showed sIgE to 5-omega-gliadin, but alpha-amylase inhibitors were recognized by all patients. Specific IgG4 and sIgG1 increased in all patients. CONCLUSIONS Our wheat OIT protocol was safe, efficient, and rapid. In our population, alpha-amylase was the major allergen.
Preoperative CEA, NSE, SCC, TPA and CYFRA 21.1 Serum Levels as Prognostic Indicators in Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

In 62 patients affected by resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) submitted to radical surgery we evaluated the prognostic significance of CEA, NSE, SCC, TPA and CYFRA 21.1 serum levels at diagnosis, as well as the predictive ability of these tumor markers with respect to histological type and pathological stage. The group was composed of 56 male and 6 female patients; the median age was 62 years (range 29–73 years). Thirty-four patients had a histological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and 28 of squamous cell carcinoma; with regard to pathological stage, 32 patients had stage I, 4 patients stage II and 23 patients stage IIIA disease. A good predictive ability with respect to histological type was obtained with SCC serum levels; as for pathological stage, TPA and CYFRA 21.1 were found to have moderate predictive ability. In this series of patients, at a median follow-up of 55 months after surgery, we found that both TPA and CYFRA 21.1 serum levels at diagnosis were reliable predictors of overall survival, high values of these markers being associated with a worse prognosis.