Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategic Transfer of HRM Practices for Competitive Advantage: Implications for Sequential Transfer of Japanese HRM to China and Taiwan

This paper explores how performance of Japanese affiliates in China and Taiwan can be affected by HRM practices transferred from Japanese parent firms. The following four sets of HRM practices were found to constitute critical resources transferred from the Japanese parent firms: educational investment (EDUC), in-company welfare (WELF), long-term commitment incentives (COMM), and on-the-job problem solving (SOLV). Results of regression analyses based on samples of Japanese affiliates in China (n=229) and Taiwan (n= 57) revealed that the transfer of the SOLV resource had a significant and positive contribution to affiliate's financial performance. Moreover, the result of a path analysis indicated that remaining three HRM resources were working for underpinning the function of the problem solving resource. Then this set of HRM resources contributed to the formation of an integrated HRM system within foreign affiliates, which conferred economic benefits to them. Results of this study contributed to understand the mechanism of gaining competitiveness through transferring HRM resources strategically from Japanese parents to overseas affiliates based on the sequential transfer model of HRM resources by shifting the contents of transfer from the basic to instrumental resources.
Psychosocial distress and alcohol use as factors in adolescent sexual behavior among sub-Saharan African adolescents.

BACKGROUND This study examines the relationship between sexual behavior, alcohol use, and indicators of psychosocial distress (mental health) of adolescents in 6 sub-Saharan African countries using the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). METHODS The sample consisted of 22,949 adolescents from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe who participated in 2003 or 2004 GSHS surveys. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine whether sexual behaviors increased with levels of psychosocial distress and alcohol use. RESULTS Sexual behaviors (having sex or having sex with 2 or more people) were associated with both psychosocial distress and alcohol use. Odds ratios showed that both boys and girls reporting psychosocial distress and alcohol use were at higher risk for having sex. Results also indicated that the likelihood of sexual behaviors increased when there was an increase in the number of psychosocial indicators and frequency of alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION The results of this study are consistent with those conducted in the United States suggesting that sexual behavior, psychosocial distress, and substance use are interconnected. These findings highlight the need for school health education and health services in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically the efforts to reduce psychosocial distress and prevent substance use in efforts to prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections.
Prognostic Factors of Radiological Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 10-year Retrospective Study

Objective. To describe the longterm clinical and radiological outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a cohort in northwestern Greece; and to investigate predictive factors of radiological damage at the 10-year followup in patients with RA. Methods. We studied the disease course and outcome of 144 patients with RA and radiographs of the hands and wrists available at baseline and at 10 years. Baseline measurements and time-averaged measures of swollen joint count (SJC) and inflammatory markers [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were tested in univariate analysis, and then those presenting a statistically significant association with either Larsen score at 10 years or annual progression rate were included in 2 logistic regression models in order to determine relevant independent prognostic factors. Results. A significant clinical improvement was noted, associated with a decrease of inflammatory markers along the timepoints. Larsen score and the number of erosive joints were increased. In the univariate analysis, both final Larsen score at 10 years and accelerated annual radiological progression rate were significantly associated with baseline radiographic measurements (Larsen score and number of erosive joints), the presence of autoantibodies [anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor of IgA and IgM isotype], disease duration, and time-averaged measures of ESR, CRP, and SJC. In the logistic regression analysis, the baseline Larsen score, anti-CCP antibodies, and time-averaged CRP presented significant and independent associations with Larsen score at 10 years. An accelerated annual radiological progression rate was also predicted by baseline Larsen score and time-averaged measures of SJC and CRP. Conclusion. Despite clinical improvement, the radiologic progression of RA continues over time, because of the underlying inflammatory process. Baseline radiographic damage, anti-CCP antibodies, and time-averaged CRP constitute the main predictive factors of poor radiologic outcome in the long term.
Occupational Exposures and Breast Cancer Among Women Textile Workers in Shanghai

Background: Breast cancer incidence rates have been increasing in China over the past 2 decades. Most studies have focused on reproductive, dietary, and genetic risk factors. Little is known about the contribution of occupational exposures. Methods: We conducted a case-cohort study within a cohort of female textile workers who had participated in a randomized trial of breast self-examination in Shanghai, China. We compared 1709 incident breast cancer cases with an age-stratified reference subcohort (n = 3155 noncases). Cox proportional hazards modeling, adapted for the case-cohort design, was used to estimate hazard ratios for breast cancer in relation to duration of employment in various job processes and duration of exposure to several agents. We also evaluated the associations of cotton dust and endotoxin with breast cancer. Results: Cumulative exposures to cotton dust and endotoxin demonstrated strong inverse gradients with breast cancer risk when exposures were lagged by 20 years (trend P-values <0.001). We did not observe consistent associations with exposures to electromagnetic fields, solvents, or other chemicals. Conclusion: Endotoxin or other components of cotton dust exposures may have reduced risks for breast cancer in this cohort, perhaps acting at early stages of carcinogenesis. Replication of these findings in other occupational settings with similar exposures will be needed to confirm or refute any hypothesis regarding protection against breast cancer.
Special Issue: Trust in an Organizational Context: Levels of Organizational Trust in Individualist Versus Collectivist Societies: A Seven-Nation Study

Competitiveness in global industries increasingly requires the ability to develop trusting relationships. This requires organizations, and the individuals they are comprised of, to be both trustworthy and trusting. An important question is whether societal culture influences the tendency of individuals and organizations to trust. Based largely on Yamagishi's (1994, 1998a, b) theories explaining trust, commitment, and in-group bias in collectivist cultures, this study examines potential differences in levels of trust between individualist and collectivist cultures. Survey data was collected from 1,282 mid-level managers from large banks in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and the United States. We first study differences in how individuals from individualist and collectivist societies trust ingroups versus out-groups. This provides an important foundation for hypotheses regarding differences in individual propensities to trust and two measures of organizational trust: internal trust (trust within the organization) and external trust (an organization's trust for suppliers, customers, etc.). Findings show higher levels of propensity to trust and organizational external trust in the United States than in Asia.
Oral human papillomavirus infection in England and associated risk factors: a case–control study

Objectives This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and associated risk factors for infection with oral high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) in adult participants within England, and to explore any association with oral mucosal buccal epithelial cell and whole blood folate concentration. Design This was an observational study to determine oral HR-HPV prevalence in the study population. A case–control study was performed to explore the association between infection and folate status. Setting This study was conducted in Sheffield, UK, between April 2013 and August 2014. Participants Seven hundred participants, aged 18–60 years, were recruited from university students (n=179), university and hospital staff (n=163), dental hospital patients (n=13), Sexual Health Sheffield patients (n=122) and the general public (n=223). Interventions Participants completed a lifestyle and sexual behaviour questionnaire, provided an oral rinse and gargle sample for the detection of oral HR-HPV and an oral mucosal buccal epithelial cell sample for the measurement of oral mucosal buccal epithelial cell folate. A blood sample was collected for measurement of whole blood folate concentration. Outcome measures The prevalence of oral HR-HPV infection in the study population was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included associations between risk factors, folate status and infection. Results The prevalence of oral HR-HPV infection in this cohort was 2.2% (15/680) with 0.7% (5/680) positive for HPV16 or HPV18. Twenty samples were excluded due to insufficient material for HPV detection. Participants with oral HR-HPV infection were more likely to be a former smoker, and have a greater number of sexual and oral sexual partners. Folate status was not linked to likelihood of HPV infection. Conclusions The prevalence of oral infection with HR-HPV in adult men and women in Sheffield in the North of England was low. Smoking and sexual behaviour were associated with HR-HPV positivity. Trial registration number ID14106.
Declining Condom Use Among Sex Workers in Western Australia

Introduction: Since the emergence of the HIV pandemic in the 1980s, high rates of condom use for penetrative sex have been reported among sex workers in Australia. The sex industry in Australia and elsewhere has changed over the previous decade with increasing proportions of sex workers working privately and lower proportions of sex workers working in brothels. There has also been some evidence of reductions in condom use, particularly during penetrative oral sex. We therefore decided to investigate sex workers' use of condoms during penetrative sex with clients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional mixed methods study of sex workers in Western Australia. The study involved an environmental scan of the sex industry in Western Australia, visits to brothels and other sexual services premises, a survey of sex workers and in-depth interviews. Results: We surveyed 354 male, female, and transgender sex workers in Western Australia. We found unexpectedly low rates of reported condom use with clients for all forms of penetrative sex. Of respondents who reported providing this type of service, 33% reported that all clients used condoms during oral sex, 69% during vaginal sex and 59% during anal sex. High levels of client demand for condomless sex was also reported, with 42% of sex workers reporting that all or most clients requested condomless oral sex. Increasing client demand, fear of losing clients and the ability to charge more for condomless sex were reported reasons for providing this service. Conclusions: There has been an apparent increase in sex workers reporting condomless penetrative sex with clients in Western Australia compared to a previous cross-sectional study. An increase in private sex work and client demand for condomless sex together with an economic downturn leading to increased competition for clients may be important contributing factors.
Determinants of territory size of the dusky gregory

To test the effect of food abundance and intruder pressure as determinants of territory size, the dusky gregory Stegastes nigricans were used as subjects on a coral reef in southern Taiwan during November to December 2000. Adults were used as intruders to provoke aggressiveness in a conspecific territory owner. The owner's maximum distance of attack (MDA) was used to delineate the territory size. While the owner of a territory appeared to defend a single boundary against different conspecifics, size variations among territories were evident. The effect of an intruder's identity on territory-size regulation was not clear because for each territory examined, the MDA was found to be neither linked to the body size of the intruder nor to the amount of algae in the intruder's territory. Moreover, no significant differences were found between the MDAs that the owner maintained against neighbours and non-neighbours even though, when conspecifics intruded in pairs, the probability was significantly higher for the first attack to be launched on a neighbour than on a non-neighbour. Also when a neighbour and a non-neighbour appeared simultaneously near the territory, the bite rate against the neighbour was also significantly higher. An inverse relationship between the amount of algae in the defended territory and the MDA of the owner indicates that food abundance might account for variations among territories. By contrast, territory size was not linked to the body size of the owner.
FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY OF SOIL INHABITING NEMATODES IN NATURAL FORESTS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Arunachal Pradesh is one of India’s biodiversity hotspots. The present study was based on samples collected from Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh. This district is located at latitude 26°-38’N and 27°-47’N, longitude 96°-16’E and 95°-40’E, altitude 1200-1300 masl. The terrain is marked by high hills, deep ravines and valleys through which streams and rivers flow. The entire district consists mainly of tropical and subtropical evergreen forests with rich and varied fauna. Twenty soil samples were collected at random from natural forest areas. A total of 85 genera of nematodes were recorded, with predators representing the highest number (32%), followed by bacterial feeders (20%), fungal feeders (22%), herbivores (15%) and omnivores (11%). In terms of individual abundance, the fungal feeders were the most dominant group (29%), followed by predators (25%), bacterial feeders (20%), herbivores (16%) and omnivores (10%). A minimum of eleven and a maximum of 26 genera per sample were recorded with most of the samples containing fifteen-twenty genera. In terms of individual abundance, 600-1040 specimens per 100 cm3 of soil were recorded with most of the samples containing 600-800 individuals. There was high positive correlation between omnivores and bacterivores, and moderate positive correlation between omnivores and herbivores, and omnivores and predators. Some positive correlation also existed between omnivores and herbivores, and predators and bacterivores. Three-dimensional diagrams based on cp values show that genus-based diversity was higher among cp 3-5 groups than cp 1 and 2 groups. Dendrograms of cluster analysis of different indices indicated a close functional similarity in the samples of this region, except for a few samples where the enrichment index was zero or very low because bacterial feeders (Rhabditidae and Panagrolaimidae) with cp 1 were absent or few in number.
A Comparative Study between Iranian and Japanese Students` Conceptions of “Ideal English Lesson”

With the shift in language teaching towards a more learner-centered approach, there is now an emphasis on considering learners' views on what goes on in the classroom. Involving learners in selecting and evaluating classroom activities as well as listening to their voices and preferences can be helpful for teachers in planning lesson and designing materials. With this idea in mind, the present study focuses on the tertiary students' perceptions of 'ideal English lesson' in Iran and Japan. 115 Iranian students completed a questionnaire designed by Littlewood (2010). The results were compared with the Littlewood's (2010) study with Japanese students as well as students from three Asian countries (Hong Kong, Singapore, and Mainland China). The findings show that for Iranian students non-communicative activities were regarded as an 'ideal English lesson'. Japanese students expressed generally more conservative preferences than their counterparts in Iran and the three other Asian countries. The results suggest that learners' beliefs about language learning, proficiency level, and future needs may affect their current preferred classroom activities. Implications for lesson planning and curriculum development are also discussed in this paper.
An Exploratory Study of Factors Influencing Audience's Attitudes Toward Imported Television Programs in Taiwan

The diffusion of international television programs has been an important area of international communication research. In this article, we use theoretical constructs from country-of-origin and cultural proximity literatures and develop a model to explain audience's attitudes toward and willingness to watch imported television programs from China. Our study used a questionnaire survey method to collect data from 553 respondents in Taiwan. We examined television programs imported from China, a country that has tried to invade Taiwan to destroy its democracy in the past decades. Regression analyses found that, whereas cultural proximity was an important predictor, animosity turned out to be a more powerful predictor of Taiwanese audience's attitudes toward television programs from China. The results also demonstrated that if the Taiwanese audience perceived China as holding less animosity and more cultural proximity, they had more positive attitudes and were more willing to watch television programs imported from China.
Correction of TRMM 3B42V7 Based on Linear Regression Models over China

High temporal-spatial precipitation is necessary for hydrological simulation and water resource management, and remotely sensed precipitation products (RSPPs) play a key role in supporting high temporal-spatial precipitation, especially in sparse gauge regions. TRMM 3B42V7 data (TRMM precipitation) is an essential RSPP outperforming other RSPPs. Yet the utilization of TRMM precipitation is still limited by the inaccuracy and low spatial resolution at regional scale. In this paper, linear regression models (LRMs) have been constructed to correct and downscale the TRMM precipitation based on the gauge precipitation at 2257 stations over China from 1998 to 2013. Then, the corrected TRMM precipitation was validated by gauge precipitation at 839 out of 2257 stations in 2014 at station and grid scales. The results show that both monthly and annual LRMs have obviously improved the accuracy of corrected TRMM precipitation with acceptable error, and monthly LRM performs slightly better than annual LRM in Mideastern China. Although the performance of corrected TRMM precipitation from the LRMs has been increased in Northwest China and Tibetan plateau, the error of corrected TRMM precipitation is still significant due to the large deviation between TRMM precipitation and low-density gauge precipitation.
Transversal Spaces: The Intersection of Renaissance and Contemporary Art in Florence

ABSTRACT The article investigates examples of transcultural and transtemporal cultural encounters brought about by the deliberate assemblage of iconic objects in the city of Florence, and in the process interrogates issues of authenticity, identity, place-making, and transcultural and transtemporal dialogues. Specifically, Palazzo Strozzi and Piazza della Signoria will be the focus of the debate. These two sites, together with their symbolic value and works of art will be looked at at the moment in which their space is shared by works of reputed and acclaimed international contemporary artists such as Ai Weiwei, Bill Viola, Jan Fabre and Jeff Koons. The meeting of diverse artistic practises generates a debate that talks directly to issues of cultural identity, and opens up new spaces of aesthetic and ethical apperception based on intersection and transformation. The article engages issues of aesthetic validation, and invites a reflection on the ability of a whole city and community to negotiate a sense of identity and value in the face of global and international forces.
Genetic Variability and Character Association in Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott.) Under Mid-Hills of Arunachal Pradesh

An experiment was conducted to screen the superior taro genotypes and to identify the genetic divergence of quantitative characters under mid-hill conditions of Arunachal Pradesh. Fourteen taro genotypes were studied for their morphological, growth and yield characters. Taller plants were observed in APTC-1 (120.7 cm) followed by APTC-2. APTC-5 and TRC-2, which were on par in plant girth (17.8 cm) whereas greater number of suckers was seen in APTC-4 (4.5). Number of leaves (4), leaf area index (1.1-1.6), lamina length (24.8-37.2 cm) and breadth (17.8-28.6 cm) were more in APTC-2,APTC-7, APTC-1 and APTC-6 respectively. Cormel yield was significantly higher in APTC-5 (16.1 t ha - 1 ) followed by Muktakeshi (15.1 t ha -1 ), APTC-1 (15.0 t ha -1 ) and APTC-2 (14.5 t ha -1 ), which were on par. The high value of Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV) along with Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) indicated that there was more variability in the characters like plant girth, number of side suckers, number of cormels and cormel yield. The high values of genetic advance (GA) coupled with high estimates of heritability suggest that real progress in improvement through selection could be made for yield and associated traits like number of leaves, lamina length and breadth, cormel weight and cormel size. The genotypes APTC-1, 2 and 5 and TRC-2 and 3 could be used for further breeding programmes.
Revising the ‘host country standard’ principle: a step for China to align its overseas investment with the Paris Agreement

ABSTRACT China’s overseas investment flows (US$ 183 billion) and stock (US$ 4.7 trillion) reached a record peak in 2016, second only to those of the US. A major cause for concern lies in the environmental sustainability of China’s overseas investment portfolio, which is compounded by the lack of transparency of China’s main development finance arms. We intend in this paper to give an update on the magnitude of green finance in China’s overseas investment and development finance portfolio on the basis of the best available estimates, and to put these figures into a broader perspective of multilateral development banks’ commitments and practices to combat climate change. We derive practical policy recommendations that Chinese development banks could take to further align China’s overseas investment with the 2°C target of the Paris Agreement, with the first step being to revise the ‘host country standard’ principle, to ensure that Chinese development banks use the most stringent of the two environmental standards, abroad or at home. Key policy insights Chinese development banks lend, give or invest between US$ 38 billion and US$ 45 billion every year to developing countries, without either elaborating on, or integrating, the provisions of the Paris Agreement into their investment strategy. Regulations and safeguards are much more stringent for China’s domestic investment than for China’s overseas investment, and this stringency gap has been widening over recent years. As a step towards aligning Chinese overseas investment with the Paris Agreement, Chinese development banks could revise the ‘host country standard principle’. They could instead choose the highest among the two – recipient country or Chinese domestic – in terms of environmental stringency, consequently harmonizing overseas environmental regulation and safeguards with those that apply domestically.