Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality management practices in the US homebuilding industry

Purpose – Limited research has been conducted on quality management practices in the US homebuilding industry. The purpose of this paper is to establish which practices are actually applied, to what extent and to discuss how quality management can be best advanced in the industry.Design/methodology/approach – A literature review is conducted on the application of quality in the construction and US homebuilding industry, followed by the analysis of 22 case studies of US homebuilders to provide details of quality implementation.Findings – While quality management continues to expand and be adopted by industries globally, its application in the homebuilding industry is limited and immature. While quality management systems and quality award criteria are making an impact, the key focus is still being heavily placed on inspection processes, with limited use of structured and advanced quality approaches. Senior managers still see quality as a peripheral issue and are not convinced of its value. There is a need .
Protection against apoptosis by the vaccinia virus SPI-2 (B13R) gene product

Vaccinia virus contains a gene, termed SPI-2 or B13R, that is closely related in its sequence to a potent inhibitor of apoptosis from cowpox virus (crmA). Infection by vaccinia virus protects HeLa cells against apoptosis that is induced by an immunoglobulin M antibody against the fas receptor or by tumor necrosis factor alpha. This effect is profoundly reduced when the SPI-2 gene is deleted. The SPI-2 gene, when transiently expressed in these cells, can also protect against apoptosis mediated by these agents. Given the similarity to crmA, it seems likely that SPI-2 functions in an analogous fashion, inhibiting the activity of ICE protease family members and blocking the onset of apoptosis.
Changes in College Skills and the Rise in the College Wage Premium

The college wage premium for new labor market entrants rose sharply during the 1980s. We ask how much of this change arose from changes in the skill level of the typical college graduate. We find that skills attained prior to college, as measured by standardized test scores and high school grades, had no effect on the change in the college wage premium for men. In contrast, the returns to math ability rose considerably for women; failing to account for math skills thus substantially overstates the growth in the female college wage premium. Skills acquired in college, as reflected in the distribution of students across majors, had important effects on the relative wages of men. The trend away from low-skill subjects such as education and toward high-skill subjects such as engineering accounts for one-fourth of the rise in the male college wage premium.
The Changing Relationship between Earnings Expectations and Earnings for Value and Growth Stocks During Reg FD

Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD) altered the voluntary disclosure practices of firms with publicly traded securities, thereby affecting relationships between value and growth stock expectations and actual earnings. The results show that earnings forecasts for both stock groups are biased but that bias is less after the introduction of Reg FD. In fact, the difference in pre/post FD forecast bias is larger for growth stocks, suggesting that before Reg FD, analysts did not just misinterpret news but consciously tried to maintain relationships with growth firm managers. However, Reg FD limited these relationships severing the monetary advantage that might be gained from manipulating forecasts.
Pricing in the New Issue Convertible Debt Market

Introduction Recent research on the efficiency of the common stock market has generally concluded that not only is the after-market efficient, but that underpricing of new issues also exists. For example, Ibbotson [4] and McDonald and Fisher [7] found that early positive price activity of unseasoned equity issues did not parallel longer term performance, leading to the conclusion that the after-market was efficient and that these new issues were initially underpriced. Stoll [9] found similar underpricing of secondary common stock offerings as evidenced by consistent price declines prior to the offering dates. Finally, in a study of the new issue convertible debt market, Vinson [11] suggested that there was underpricing. His analysis was limited, however, by no explicit comparison of the risk-adjusted price performance of the convertible debentures with that of the underlying common stocks.
Attributes of Corporate Risk Disclosure: An International Investigation in the Manufacturing Sector

ABSTRACT: This paper is the first multi-country investigation of comprehensive corporate risk disclosure. Based on a detailed content analysis of 160 annual reports, we analyze the attributes and the quantity of risk disclosure and its association with the level of firm risk in the U.S., Canadian, U.K., and German settings. We find a consistent pattern where risk disclosure is most prevalent in management reports, concentrates on financial risk categories, and comprises little quantitative and forward-looking disclosure across sample countries. In terms of risk disclosure quantity, U.S. firms generally dominate, followed by German firms. Cross-country variation in risk disclosure attributes can only partly be linked to domestic disclosure regulation, suggesting that risk disclosure incentives play an important role. While risk disclosure quantity appears to be positively associated with proxies of firm risk in the North American settings, we find a negative association with leverage for Germany. This coin.
Does the Bonding Effect Matter in a More Integrated Capital Market World?

This paper examines the bonding effect of cross-listing before and after the stock market liberalization reforms in China. Consistent with the bonding hypothesis, we find that Chinese firms with foreign listings attain higher valuations than firms without foreign listings. We also find that they manage earnings less than comparable purely domestic-listed firms and have more informative stock prices. Further investigation indicates that the divergence in earnings quality between cross-listed and non–cross-listed firms shrinks dramatically after the Chinese stock market liberalization reforms in 2001 and 2002. Overall, the results suggest that the bonding effect is mitigated in an increasingly integrated capital market world.
Fragility of the Centromeric Region of Chromosome 1 Associated with Combined Immunodeficiency in Siblings A Recessively Inherited Entity?

ABSTRACT. Instability of the centromeric region of chromosome 1, and multibranched configurations formed by the short and long arms were seen in a brother and sister with facial dysmorphism, mental retardation and recurrent infections. No chromosomal abnormalities were seen in the parents, who were first cousins. The fragility of chromosome 1 was identified in amniotic fluid cells of the sister. A combined immunodeficiency characterized by a lack of immunoglobulin production, low numbers of T cells and a lack of cells with NK cell markers was diagnosed. This is the first report of familial occurrence of this unique chromosomal aberration. The cause may be an autosomal recessive gene defect.
Informative Nature and Nonlinearity of Lagged Poincaré Plots Indices in Analysis of Heart Rate Variability

Lagged Poincare plots have been successful in characterizing abnormal cardiac function. However, the current research practices do not favour any specific lag of Poincare plots, thus complicating the comparison of results of different researchers in their analysis of heart rate of healthy subjects and patients. We researched the informative nature of lagged Poincare plots in different states of the autonomic nervous system. It was tested in three models: different age groups, groups with different balance of autonomous regulation, and in hypertensive patients. Correlation analysis shows that for lag l = 6, SD1/SD2 has weak (r = 0.33) correlation with linear parameters of heart rate variability (HRV). For l more than 6 it displays even less correlation with linear parameters, but the changes in SD1/SD2 become statistically insignificant. Secondly, surrogate data tests show that the real SD1/SD2 is statistically different from its surrogate value and the conclusion could be made that the heart rhythm has nonlinear properties. Thirdly, the three models showed that for different functional states of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), SD1/SD2 ratio varied only for lags l = 5 and 6. All of this allow to us to give cautious recommendation to use SD1/SD2 with lags 5 and 6 as a nonlinear characteristic of HRV. The received data could be used as the basis for continuing the research in standardisation of nonlinear analytic methods.
Global Scenarios for Biofuels: Impacts and Implications

Rising world fuel prices, the growing demand for energy, and concerns about global warming are the key factors driving the interest in renewable energy sources and in bioenergy, in particular. Within a global context, fossil fuel consumption still dominates the world energy market (figure 1). However, the uncertainty in future supply, currently unsustainable patterns of energy consumption, and the costs of expanding proven reserves of fossil fuels have lead many energy analysts and managers around the world to seek alternatives from other more renewable resources, such as bioenergy. The rapid increase in oil prices since the late 1990s (figure 2) strengthens the rationale for seeking cheaper supply alternatives. With oil prices well above the U.S. $60-70 per barrel level, biofuels have become competitive with petroleum in many countries even with existing technologies. Major agricultural commodity prices have increased significantly since 2002, showing increased correlation with oil prices in recent years (figure 2). In addition to potentially reducing the reliance of energy-driven economies on limited fossil fuel sources, bioenergy has continued to receive increasing attention from those concerned with promoting agricultural and environmental sustainability through the reduction of carbon emissions, which is an important component of climate change mitigation. Bioenergy is also considered by some to be a potentially significant contributor toward the economic development of rural areas, and a means of reducing poverty through the creation of employment and improving the quality of lives-leading closer to the achievement of important Millennium Development Goals (FAO). Globally, bioethanol production is mostly concentrated in Brazil and the United States, which together accounted for nearly 90% of bioethanol
The tails of survival curves

This article focuses on the occasional individuals of many species that live longer than is usual for their populations – here called longevity outliers. They appear to be exceptions to the usual patterns of mortality rates that increase with age. There is no model of survivorship that accommodates all of these individuals. They are less vulnerable to the usual causes of death than most in their populations. There are hints of genetically based mechanisms in the form of life‐prolonging genes in invertebrates and genetic resistance to fatal diseases in higher organisms. The reasons why longevity outliers ultimately die are not known. Based on well‐established trends, I predict that there will be many more humans reaching very old ages in the next century.
Oral and Jaw Lymphoma in an Iranian Population

Introduction: Lymphoma is the second most common malignancy of head and neck. Many studies have been carried out in different population groups to detect the subtypes of oral and jaw lymphoma, but such research has not been conducted in Iran. The purpose of this study was to determine the subtypes of oral and jaw lymphoma by immunohistochemistry. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 paraffin-embedded blocks (25 males and 11 females) with primary diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma were studied by immunohistochemical markers according to cellular morphology. Results: The frequencies were diffuse large B-cell (41.1%), low-grade B-cell (35.2%), peripheral T-cell (11.7%), Burkitt (5.8%), and Hodgkin lymphomas (5.8%). The involved sites were salivary gland (26.4%), maxillary bone (23.5%), mandibular soft tissues (17.6%), maxillary sinus (14.7%), mandibular bone (8.8%), tonsils and tongue (5.7%), and lip and vestibule (2.9%), and 2 cases (5.5%) turned out to be undifferentiated carcinomas. The most common lymphomas in male and females were diffuse large B-cell and low-grade B-cell lymphomas, respectively. Conclusions: The epidemiology of different types of oral lymphoma in a sample of Iranian population was not similar with other populations of the world. Immunohistochemistry and molecular methods are required to prove the diagnosis in addition to typing of lymphoma.
An alternative methodology for formulating an operations strategy: the case of BTC‐Egypt

Purpose – This study seeks to present a structured methodology that can be used to develop an operations strategy for the IT service sector in developing countries that would in turn help to increase strategic fit.Design/methodology/approach – In this constructive case study for BTC‐Egypt – an IT service provider, the previous success of the company's sales operations is examined with the prioritized operational strategy during their previous sales to determine the discriminating competitive priorities. Account managers used an AHP model to measure the relative importance ratings given to a comprehensive set of competitive priorities derived from the accumulated literature. Qualitative analysis for individual operations and quantitative analysis including logistic regression and correlations were used to analyze the data.Findings – The proposed structured approach is shown to assist BTC‐Egypt in determining its differentiating competitive priorities and identify the various market segments. Results of the.
Beyond ‘Listening’ to the Student Voice: The Undergraduate Researcher’s Contribution to the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning

This paper introduces a novel focus of undergraduate research of which there have been few similar reports. Examples of staff-student research partnerships in teaching and learning are starting to appear in the literature but pedagogic research conducted entirely by undergraduate students is exceptional. The Undergraduate Learning and Teaching Research Internship Scheme (ULTRIS) was conceived at The University of Western Australia (UWA) to introduce undergraduate students to authentic research outside their chosen discipline. By focusing their research on a teaching and learning issue of identified priority for the University, students were able to make significant contributions to the understanding of the problem and provide insights to inform future changes in policy and practice. Beyond the benefits to the institution and the individual students, the model of undergraduate research described in this paper heralds an opportunity for research into teaching and learning to gain acceptance and interest amongst a new and previously uninvolved cohort of investigators.
Real-time volume imaging using a crossed electrode array

This paper describes a unique crossed electrode array for real-time volume ultrasound imaging. By placing orthogonal linear array electrode patterns on the opposite sides of a hemispherically shaped composite transducer substrate, a 2D array can be fabricated using a small fraction of the elements required for a traditional 2D array. The performance of the array is investigated using a computer simulation of the radiation pattern. We show that by using a 288-element crossed electrode pattern it is possible to collect large field of view volume images (60deg times 60degsector) at real-time frame rates (>20 volume images/s), with image contrast and resolution comparable to what can be obtained using a conventional 128-element linear phased array.
Memories of Holocaust-related traumatic experiences, sense of coherence, and survivors' subjective well-being in late life: some puzzling findings

Background and Objectives: This study explores the nexus of relationships between memories of Holocaust-related early traumatic events, survivors’ sense of coherence (SOC), and subjective well-being (SWB) in late life. Design: The basic design of this study, based 106 survivors (54% female), was cross-sectional. Methods: Participants underwent an extensive in-depth clinical interview relating to their Holocaust experiences and responded to measures of SOC and SWB. Results: These data provided no evidence for the moderating or “buffering” effect of SOC but showed support for indirect effects of SOC in the relationship between memory traces of specific traumatic experiences and adaptive outcomes. Conclusions: The results of the present study provide support for Antonovsky’s salutogenic perspective. It is highly plausible that survivors who underwent severe experiences during the Holocaust period were forced to call upon all their inner strengths and coping resources,and that their success in doing so and also surviving this horrendous period, might have contributed to the development of a stronger sense of meaning and coherence, which, in turn lead to a better sense of mental health as they approach the final season of their lives.
Spontaneous and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis in lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients undergoing highly active anti-retroviral therapy

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate susceptibility to spontaneous or anti-Fas-induced apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-positive patients before and during highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). DesignA longitudinal study was performed on 12 evaluable patients on HAART. This cohort was analysed prior to and at week 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 after beginning HAART. Variations in CD4 and CD8 cells, viral load, susceptibility to spontaneous or anti-Fas-induced apoptosis in the presence of IL-2, IL-4 or IL-12 were studied. Expression of Fas and Bcl-2 were also assessed. MethodsLevels of HIV RNA were determined by a quantitative reverse transcription–PCR assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by staining isolated nuclei with propidium iodide followed by multiparameter flow cytometry analysis. ResultsSpontaneous apoptosis of PBMC was promptly inhibited after the start of treatment. Similarly, anti-Fas-induced apoptosis diminished greatly during treatment. Expression of Fas decreased significantly, while that of Bcl-2 remained statistically unchanged during the first 24 weeks of therapy. Levels of apoptosis correlated inversely to CD4 cell counts and directly to viral load in a highly significant way. Expression of Fas was directly correlated to apoptosis. Interleukin (IL)-2, but not IL-4 or IL-12, protected PBMC of HIV-positive individuals from spontaneous or anti-Fas-induced apoptosis before and during HAART. ConclusionThese results suggest that regulation of apoptosis and of Fas expression are involved in immunoreconstitution during HAART.
Control for discrete-time fuzzy Markov jump systems with mode-dependent antecedent parts

This paper is concerned with the control problem for a class of discrete-time fuzzy Markov jump systems (MJSs). Unlike the common assumption in the existing literature, the antecedent parts of fuzzy rules are mode-dependent, i.e., the premise variables and/or their fuzzy partitions can be different in different modes. Based on a fuzzy-basis-dependent and mode-dependent Lyapunov function, the existence conditions of the desired mode-dependent state feedback controller are derived such that the closed-loop system is stochastically stable and achieves a guaranteed performance in the H∞ sense. Two examples, including a practical example of robot arm, are used to demonstrate the applicability of the obtained theoretical results.
Typhoid carriers among patients with gallstones are at increased risk for carcinoma of the gallbladder

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for carcinoma of the gallbladder (CaGB) among patients with gallstones (GS) with special reference to role of chronic Salmonella typhi carrier state.METHODS:A prospective case-control study was conducted in a tertiary care center in India. Cases were defined as consecutive patients with CaGB and GS, whereas controls were patients with GS alone. All were assessed clinically and their demographic data, diet, and smoking history recorded. Patients were detected to be typhoid carriers on the basis of Vi serology by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Cases (n = 37) and controls (n = 80) were compared by univariate and logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:The mean age of the cases and the controls were 53.4 ± 11 yr and 43.5 ± 14 yr, respectively. Among the cases, six (16%) patients were detected to be typhoid carriers, in contrast to two (2.5%) among controls (p = 0.01). Compared to controls, cases were more often older (p = 0.0002), of a lower socioeconomic status (p = 0.0005), and smokers (p = 0.0002). Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified typhoid carrier state (OR = 14; CI 2–92), age ≥47 yr (OR = 5; CI 2–14) and smoking (OR = 11; CI 2–71) as the three independent risk factors for development of CaGB among patients with GS.CONCLUSION:Chronic typhoid carrier state was the most important risk factor among patients with CaGB and gallstones.
Factors that Affect Women Participation in Leadership and Decision Making Position

This study aimed to identify status of women in Bedele town administration, as well point out factors hindering women from the participating in public and forward some possible recommendations for solving the problems identified through study. Primarily, the study is of descriptive in nature and survey method was used in data gathering. Data used in this paper is mainly primary but to some extent secondary data as well, quantitative and qualitative types was incorporated. In doing this research paper, of total employees existing in Bedele Town administration, 108 (30% of total population) sample respondents were selected using systematic random sampling method, and were placed questionnaires containing open ended and closed ended nature questions personally, 103 (95.37%) of them had filled and returned the questionnaire. In addition, a mayor of the town and Women Affair office head were addressed through interview using interview guide. In way of analyzing data, techniques such as tabulation, percentages, chart and the like has been employed. Study revealed that, in public institutions existed in Bedele Town, the majority of women were having an educational status of diploma and lower, holding lower non decision making and leadership positions, and observed major barriers hindering women from public leadership and decision-making positions include: Socio-cultural attitudes and lack of acquisition of the necessary experience for taking part in public decision-making, Over burden of domestic responsibilities continuation of the negative attitudes regarding women‟s ability to lead and govern, Lack of role models of women leaders for young women and girls, and the like can be stated. Finally, the researcher has forwarded some possible ways in which women could appear in public decision making and leadership.