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Using data from companies in Taiwan's electronics industry, this study examines the effect of corporate ownership on firm innovation efficiency and performance. We use a network-typed data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach to calculate firm-level innovation efficiency, which is composed of the R&D efficiency and the commercialization efficiency, respectively. We find that overall innovation efficiency is positively correlated with institutional ownership and directors' ownership. In addition, R&D efficiency is positively associated with ROA and commercialization efficiency positively correlates with Tobin's Q. R&D efficiency partially mediates the relationship between ownership-control deviation and ROA. However, commercialization efficiency plays a mediating role for institutional ownership on a firm's Tobin's Q. Our findings point to a bright side of the role of corporate governance in terms of its effects on corporate innovation and the effects of such innovation, in turn, on firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, biomass of rice straw (RS) and wood (WD) and their torrefied biomass (RST and WDT) were used as solid biofuel (SBF) for co-firing individually with coal in a commercial continuous chain-grate steam boiler system, which was conducted at fixed input rate of heating value of mixture of SBF and coal and at fixed airflow rate. The effects of key system parameters on the gaseous and particulate pollutions and ash were examined. These include SBF type and blending ratio (RBL) of biomass (i.e., SBF) in the mixture of coal and biomass based on heating values for co-firing. The results indicated that wood, which possesses high heating value while less amount of ash, is more suitable for co-firing with coal than rice straw. Torrefaction can increase the heating value of biomass and homogenize its property, being beneficial to co-firing. Also, torrefaction can decompose the hydroxyl group of biomass, which makes biomass tending to possess hydrophobicity. This, in turn, helps the storage and transportation of biomass. Generally, adding the RS (with RBL = 5-10%), WD (2-15%), RST (2-10%) and WDT (2-20%), respectively, with coal decreases the emissions of NOx and SO2, but increases that of CO (except RST). The emission of HCl is little. The addition of biomass also increases the emission of fine particulate matters (PM) especially PM2.5 in the flue gases, raising PM2.5/PM100 from 34.87 to 78.35 wt.% (Case 50%WDT). These emissions for the Cases tested satisfy with Taiwanese emission standards of stationary sources which set limitations of NOx, SO2, CO and HCl < 350, 300, 2000 and 80 ppmv, while PM < 50 mg/m3, respectively. The results support the use of RS, WD, RST and WDT for co-firing with coal. Implications: This study examined the suitability of using solid bio-fuels to co-fire with coal in an industrial chain-grate steam boiler system with a capacity of 100 kW, in order to achieve carbon-free emissions. Both biomass and torrefied biomass of solid bio-fuel were tested. The findings would be useful for proper design and rational operation of solid bio-fuel/coal co-firing combustion matching the appeal of sustainable material management and circular economy of biomass, and of adaptation of global warming induced by greenhouse gases. It also provides information for policy-makers to promote the co-firing application of biomass and related bio-waste materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, social games such as 'Farmville' and 'Pokémon Go' have become a major game type in the gaming industry. This study examines the importance of different factors in social games using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and DEMATEL. The result shows 'social norm' as the most important factor overall. It is also found that 'pleasure' and 'sociability' are the most important aspects in 'perceived enjoyment'. Regarding key aspects in each factor, 'flow experience' is crucial in 'perceived attractiveness', 'game fairness' largely influential in 'social norm', and 'reputation of platform and service provider' a decisive aspect in 'platform service and corporate image'. These findings and analyses are apt references for social game providers to improve their services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), with production of abundant capsular polysaccharide (CPS), is capable of causing invasive syndrome. Environmental glucose stimuli may increase CPS biosynthesis. We aimed to investigate the relationship between glycemic control and KP-mediated invasive syndrome in diabetic patients and the effect of glucose on CPS biosynthesis. Diabetic patients with community-acquired KP bacteremia were included to study the risk factors of invasive syndrome. KP-M1, a serotype-K1 KP clinical isolate, was used to examine the CPS biosynthesis and cps gene expression, and the effect of exogenous glucose on bacterial phagocytosis and killing. We found that invasive syndrome was significantly more common in diabetic patients who were infected with strains expressing the K1 serotype (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 8.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56×44.24; pD0.01), and had poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥9%; AOR, 5.66; 95% CI, 2.01-15.92; p<0.01). Pre-incubation of KP-M1 in media containing different gradient glucose concentrations enhanced CPS biosynthesis and cps gene expression in high glucose (0.5%) concentration, which leads to increasing bacterial resistance to phagocytosis and killing. High glucose levels reflected by poor glycemic control may stimulate CPS biosynthesis and cps gene expression of highly virulent KP, which increase resistance to phagocytosis and contribute to development of invasive syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the issue of ambidextrous innovation (AI) is receiving increasing attention, its antecedents, moderators, and consequences remain largely unexplored. The goals of this study are therefore not only to investigate the performance effects of such innovation, but also to identify the possible antecedents and moderators. This study used a sample of 1595 firm-year observations for manufacturing firms in the S&P 500, spanning the period 2001–2013, to test the proposed hypotheses. The results show that a higher level of AI leads to better performance. A firm with a diversified technological portfolio (TP) is thus likely to achieve higher degrees of AI as well as see better firm performance. The empirical findings also reveal that AI plays a mediating role in the relationship between TP and performance. Furthermore, absorptive capacity is found to strengthen the relationship between TP and AI. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this study, vinyl chloride (VC), the primary material for manufacturing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is decomposed via catalytic oxidation (C-OX) using Pt/γ-Al2O3catalyst. The effects of related major factors such as reaction temperature (T) and gas hourly space velocity on the conversion of VC (X) were examined. The values of T for achieving conversions of 50% and 90% are 504 and 580 K with C-OX, respectively, whereas those without Pt/γ-Al2O3(i.e., thermal oxidation, T-OX) are 900 and 983 K, respectively, thus indicating that C-OX significantly reduces T for effective oxidation of VC to form CO2, HCl, and Cl2when compared with T-OX. The mineralizations of carbon in VC to form CO2are 75.5% and 38% for C-OX and T-OX, respectively, at 90% X. The conversions of chlorine atom in 1,2-dichloroenane (DCEA) to Cl in HCl and Cl2are approximately 42% and 50.8% for C-OX and T-OX, respectively, at 90% X. These results indicate that the Pt/γ-Al2O3catalyst exhibits remarkable performance for the mineralizations to form CO2even though a proportion of chlorine atoms are adsorbed on the Pt surface. The Eley–Rideal model can be used to describe the experimental results, thus yielding activation energy and frequency factor values of 49.0 kJ mol−1and 1.77 × 106s−1, respectively. The obtained information and kinetic parameters are useful for the rational design and operation of C-OX process for the abatement of VC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hedonic and utilitarian bidding motivations have seldom been studied in the context of consumer-to-consumer (C2C) online auctions. Drawing on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework, this study establishes a structural equation model to examine how competition and time pressure (stimulus) influence bidders' hedonic and utilitarian motivations (organism) and how these motivations further affect impulse bidding and satisfaction with the bidding process (responses). Our results show that time pressure is a significant predictor of utilitarian motivation but is not significantly related to hedonic motivation. Moreover, hedonic motivation tends to increase impulse bidding, whereas utilitarian motivation discourages it. Finally, this study finds the relationship between impulse bidding and satisfaction to be significant. Our findings contribute to theory by describing the roles that bidders' hedonic and utilitarian motivations play in C2C online auctions and elucidating the important implications for practice in attracting individuals to bid in such auctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) with the hypermucoviscosity (hV) phenotype has abundant capsular polysaccharides (cPs) and usually causes an invasive syndrome. sialic acid (sia), a component of cPs in KP strains with the hV phenotype, may be anti-phagocytic. sia-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-9 (siglec-9) act as an Mhc class-I receptor on neutrophils that recognizes sia and sends a signal to dampen inflammatory response. Three clinical KP strains with KP-M1 (hV-positive, capsular serotype K1), KP-14 (hV-negative, capsular serotype non-K1/K2), and DT-X (hV-negative, capsular serotype K1) were studied. We assessed total sia in cPs extracts using enzymatic methods and phagocytosis by neutrophils of neuraminidase-treated bacteria using flow cytometry. Neutrophil killing was evaluated in the presence and absence of antibodies against siglec-9. The concentration of sia was significantly higher in the cPs extract of KP-M1 (56.75 ± 6.75 µmole/109 cfu) than in the cPs extract of KP-14 (0.02 ± 0.01 µmole/109 cfu) and DT-X (a negligible value). The KP-M1 (compared with the KP-14 and DT-X) was more resistant to neutrophil phagocytosis. Both the hV phenotype and resistance to phagocytosis of KP-M1 were significantly decreased after sia removal with neuraminidase treatment. Fluorescence microscopy with an antibody against human siglec-9 showed attachment of KP-M1 (but were absent of KP-14 and DT-X) to the surface of neutrophils and colocalization with human siglec-9. engagement of siglec-9 via sia enhanced neutrophils killing of KP-M1 by ex vivo human neutrophils bactericidal activity assay. The result showed that sia might be a constituent of KP-M1 cPs responsible for hV, thereby contributing to anti-phagocytic activity of this pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-tech companies encounter intense competition in today's global economy. With rapid changes in working environments, high-tech employees must learn quickly and effectively to solve difficult problems and increase their productivity. Many large high-tech companies have recently implemented electronic learning (e-learning) for employee training. However, e-learning systems are expensive and often underutilised. Therefore, understanding the factors associated with acceptance to e-learning are of priority concern. By integrating locus of control, computer self-efficacy and technology acceptance model (TAM) into one model, this study examines the feasibility of the extended TAM to explain employee acceptance of e-learning systems. Data were collected from 223 employees at five high-tech companies located in the Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan. Analytical results indicate that locus of control had significant direct effects on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Computer self-efficacy had significant direct effects on perceived ease of use and behavioural intention to use. Overall, analytical results provide strong support for using the extended TAM to explain user acceptance of e-learning systems. The research and practical implications of findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to test the applicability of the Coase theorem to the allocation of players within. According to the Coase theorem, a player's final allocation would be the same no matter who has ownership of his playing rights if there are no transaction costs. What ownership affects is just the allocation of wealth. Using data from the National Basketball Association (NBA), this article argues that player mobility is likely to be affected by player ownership due to transaction cost imposed by the institution. It is also concluded that performance indicators used for value estimation vary by position and that this also affects player transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterizes ambient air particulate mass and ionic species near industrial zones and the Taiwan Strait in central Taiwan. Analysis results indicated that average particulate mass concentration at the sampling site for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5 - 10) particles were 40.1 ± 21.1 (μ g/m3) and 26.7 ± 14.3 (μ g/m3), respectively. Analysis of the average component percentage of various kinds of ionic species showed that the major components of PM2.5 were SO42 -, NO3,- and NH4+. Their possible origin is from the combustion of fossil fuels for power and transportation, as well as from manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the major components of PM2.5 - 10 were NO3-, Na+, Ca2 +, SO42- and Cl-. Their possible origin is from vehicle emissions, crustal materials, secondary aerosols, biomass burning, industrial emissions, and marine spray. Nevertheless, the emission source for the SO42 -, NO3-, and NH4+ was situated close to a roadway (approximately 10 m away). And the emission source for the Cl-, Na+ and Ca2 + was situated close to seaboard (approximately 2 km away). Moreover, the emission source for SO42 - had originated from the Taichung power plant, which was approximately 2 km away from the sampling site. As presented in a previous study, the Taichung power plant was responsible for the high concentration of SO42- in this region (Fang et al., 1999; Fang et al., 2006). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient air particulate concentrations were sampled using an RP2300 Sampler (RP 2300, Rupprecht and Patashnick, CO, USA) from March 4 to April 2, 2006, at a sampling site near highway traffic. However particles that have an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 μm (0.01 mm) are called respiratory particulates or particulate matter (PM10). PM2.5 denotes fine particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (Ohlstrom et al., 2000). Analysis results indicated that the average mass concentrations of fine particles (PM2.5) and inhalable particles (PM10) were 64.43 and 109.20 μ g/m3, respectively, during the day. The average mass concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were 69.45 and 110.46 μ g/m3 during the night. Average concentrations of major ionic species, NO2-, NO3-, SO42 -, and NH4+ during the day were 2.37, 9.16, 13.72, and 7.70 μ g/m3 in PM2.5 and 3.72, 16.42, 16.90, and 8.91 μ g/m3 in PM10. The corresponding values at night were 3.29, 11.77, 11.55, and 8.03 μ g/m3 in PM2.5 and 3.87, 18.13, 14.27, and 9.98 μ g/m3 in PM10. However, t-test results revealed that the concentrations of ionic species (Cl-, NO2-, NH4+, Mg2 +, and Ca2 +) in PM2.5 during the day did not differ significantly from those at night. T-test results revealed that the ionic species (NO3-, SO42 -, Na+, and K+) concentrations in PM2.5 during the day differ, significantly from those at night. The concentrations of ionic species (Cl-, NO2-, NO3-, and NH4+) in PM10 during the day did not differ significantly from those at night. The concentrations of ionic species (SO42 -, Na+, K+, Mg2 +, and Ca2 +) in PM10 during the day differed significantly from those at night. The concentration of Cl- in PM2.5 is negatively correlated (r = -0.62) with the temperature during the day at this site close to highway traffic. Furthermore, a comparison with previous results (Fang et al., 1999a) revealed that the average concentration of NO3- increased by 32% and 46% in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, during the day. Average concentrations of NO3- were increased by 72% and 65% in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, during the night. Average concentrations of SO42 - were decreased by 10% and 7% in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, during the day. Finally, average concentrations of SO42 - were decreased by 72% and 62% in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, during the night. This monitoring data may be helpful to establish baseline or background concentrations, which is essential for forensic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors have been identified as having an impact on salespeople's work outcomes. Although a plethora of empirical research has determined that organizational justice influences employees' job-related responses. minimal attention has been given to the effects of organizational justice in a selling context. The nature of the sales position, as well as the fact that organizational justice is managerially controllable, suggests that this variable warrants research attention. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the concept of organizational justice and develop propositions regarding linkages among components of this variable and salespeople's performance, job satisfaction, extra-role behavior, organizational commitment, and intention to quit. Implications for sales managers and researchers are also offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]