Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Massive Wormian Bone at the Cranial Apex: Identification, Correction and Outcome

We present the case of a three-month old African American female who presented with abnormal head shape and alopecia areata in the overlying skin. The patient underwent a subtotal cranial vault reconstruction at ten months of age. At surgery, a 7cm by 8cm Wormian bone was found at the cranial apex involving the coronal and sagittal sutures, obliterating the anterior fontanelle. In its center was an epidermoid cyst projecting intracranially between the cerebral hemispheres, which was also safely removed. At this time she has reached her developmental milestones without deficiency at three years of age.
Effects of transformational and transactional leadership on employees' creative behaviour: mediating effects of work motivation and job satisfaction

Innovation has emerged as an important business issue and facilitating employee creativity is considered a necessity for any organization interested in achieving and maintaining a competitive advantage in a world characterized by rapid technological change. This paper examines the direct and indirect effects of transformational and transactional leadership on employees' creative behaviour in South Korea by considering work motivation and job satisfaction as two mediating variables. The results of a cross-sectional survey and structural equation modelling indicate that (a) transformational and transactional leadership had no direct effects on employees' creative behaviour (implying that the relationship between leadership and employee creativity should not be seen as straightforwardly causal); (b) transformational leadership worked through employees' work motivation to ultimately influence their creative behaviour; and (c) transformational and transactional leadership had indirect positive effects on employees' creative behaviour through job satisfaction. The results have practical and meaningful implications for managers interested in fostering employee creativity through leadership, work motivation, and job satisfaction.
Foreign direct investment and the SME sector

Purpose – Although foreign direct investment and entrepreneurship are potential routes to recovery (Girma and Wakelin, 2001; Lyon et al., 2002), existing literature is divided on the relationship between the two. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of foreign investment on the local SME sector after the 2008 financial crisis. Design/methodology/approach – Local authority district data from Great Britain is used to examine the influence of foreign firm employment on the size of the local SME sector as a proportion of all firms, and foreign firm influence on firm births in the locality. In order to control for local geographical, infrastructural and economic conditions regression analysis is used to examine the relationship between foreign business employment and indigenous business activities. Findings – The potential for technological spillovers and spinout activities appears to dominate with firm birth rates higher where there is greater foreign firm employment. However, there is also e.
Pairs trading and selection methods: is cointegration superior?

Pairs trading is a popular dollar-neutral trading strategy. This article, using the components of the S&P 500 index, explores the performance of a pairs trading system based on various pairs selection methods. Whereas large empirical applications in the literature focus on the distance method, this article also deals with well-known statistical and econometric techniques such as stationarity and cointegration which make the trading system much more demanding from a computational point of view. Trades are initiated when stocks deviate from their equilibrium. Our results confirm, after controlling for risk and transaction costs, that the distance method generates insignificant excess returns. While a pairs selection following the stationarity criterion leads to a weak performance, this article reveals that cointegration provides a high, stable and robust return.
LQ Dynamic Optimization and Differential Games

Preface. Notation and symbols. 1 Introduction. 1.1 Historical perspective. 1.2 How to use this book. 1.3 Outline of this book. 1.4 Notes and references. 2 Linear algebra. 2.1 Basic concepts in linear algebra. 2.2 Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. 2.3 Complex eigenvalues. 2.4 Cayley-Hamilton theorem. 2.5 Invariant subspaces and Jordan canonical form. 2.6 Semi-definite matrices. 2.7 Algebraic Riccati equations. 2.8 Notes and references. 2.9 Exercises. 2.10 Appendix. 3 Dynamical systems. 3.1 Description of linear dynamical systems. 3.2 Existence-uniqueness results for differential equations. 3.2.1 General case. 3.2.2 Control theoretic extensions. 3.3 Stability theory: general case. 3.4 Stability theory of planar systems. 3.5 Geometric concepts. 3.6 Performance specifications. 3.7 Examples of differential games. 3.8 Information, commitment and strategies. 3.9 Notes and references. 3.10 Exercises. 3.11 Appendix. 4 Optimization techniques. 4.1 Optimization of functions. 4.2 The Euler-Lagrange equation. 4.3 Pontryagin's maximum principle. 4.4 Dynamic programming principle. 4.5 Solving optimal control problems. 4.6 Notes and references. 4.7 Exercises. 4.8 Appendix. 5 Regular linear quadratic optimal control. 5.1 Problem statement. 5.2 Finite-planning horizon. 5.3 Riccati differential equations. 5.4 Infinite-planning horizon. 5.5 Convergence results. 5.6 Notes and references. 5.7 Exercises. 5.8 Appendix. 6 Cooperative games. 6.1 Pareto solutions. 6.2 Bargaining concepts. 6.3 Nash bargaining solution. 6.4 Numerical solution. 6.5 Notes and references. 6.6 Exercises. 6.7 Appendix. 7 Non-cooperative open-loop information games. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Finite-planning horizon. 7.3 Open-loop Nash algebraic Riccati equations. 7.4 Infinite-planning horizon. 7.5 Computational aspects and illustrative examples. 7.6 Convergence results. 7.7 Scalar case. 7.8 Economics examples. 7.8.1 A simple government debt stabilization game. 7.8.2 A game on dynamic duopolistic competition. 7.9 Notes and references. 7.10 Exercises. 7.11 Appendix. 8 Non-cooperative feedback information games. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Finite-planning horizon. 8.3 Infinite-planning horizon. 8.4 Two-player scalar case. 8.5 Computational aspects. 8.5.1 Preliminaries. 8.5.2 A scalar numerical algorithm: the two-player case. 8.5.3 The N-player scalar case. 8.6 Convergence results for the two-player scalar case. 8.7 Notes and references. 8.8 Exercises. 8.9 Appendix. 9 Uncertain non-cooperative feedback information games. 9.1 Stochastic approach. 9.2 Deterministic approach: introduction. 9.3 The one-player case. 9.4 The one-player scalar case. 9.5 The two-player case. 9.6 A fishery management game. 9.7 A scalar numerical algorithm. 9.8 Stochastic interpretation. 9.9 Notes and references. 9.10 Exercises. 9.11 Appendix. References. Index.
Portfolio use for documentation of personal and professional growth gained outside academia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the issue of bridging the gap between the labour market and university through recognition of non‐academic learning.Design/methodology/approach – The purpose is achieved by proposing portfolio use for documenting adults' personal and professional growth as part of their learning outcomes gained through non‐academic learning, including informal learning, work‐based learning and non‐formal learning that occurred outside one's workplace. To gain insights into the use of the portfolio for documenting adults' personal and professional development through different learning environments qualitative/content analysis was used, with the focus on the descriptions of adults' learning outcomes according to Carter's taxonomy. The study involved 11 portfolios drafted by candidates having claims for academic credits in a management study programme at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius, Lithuania. A learning format combining a portfolio development seminar follow.
Moving From Theory to Research to Practice: Implementing an Effective Dyadic Intervention to Improve Antiretroviral Adherence for Clinic Patients

Summary:There is a dearth of evidence on the relative efficacy of intervention modalities to improve and maintain patient adherence to antiretroviral medications. Although empiric findings from research on HIV/AIDS, other diseases, and chronic medical conditions consistently demonstrate that social support plays an important role in facilitating adherence, few HIV/AIDS interventions have directly targeted this factor. Ewart's social action theory emphasizes the role of social relationships in behavior change and provides a comprehensive and useful guide to the development of interventions for adherence. We describe the development, content, and testing of SMART Couples, an effective antiretroviral adherence intervention that is grounded in social action theory and designed to enhance social support for ART adherence. Finally, we discuss some of the challenges of translating findings from the randomized clinical trial of this intervention into clinical practice and offer recommendations for integration of lessons learned into ongoing clinical care.
Using Web 2.0 and Social Media Technologies to Foster Proenvironmental Action

Research from a variety of disciplines suggests that online technologies (i.e., Web 2.0 and social media) have considerable potential for spurring proenvironmental action; however, relatively little work examines how to effectively capitalize on these communication and organization tools. This review paper describes the Technologies for Proenvironmental Action Model (TPAM), a conceptual framework that explicates how different functions of Web 2.0 and social media (i.e., informational, relational, and experiential) can generate and/or facilitate personal, social, and contextual pathways to environmentally responsible behaviors. As derived from the TPAM, the likelihood of achieving practical goals of increasing proenvironmental behaviors is enhanced when technological functions are matched to the different pathways to proenvironmental action. For example, the relational function of technologies, as exemplified by Social Networking Sites (SNSs), should be particularly effective in communicating social norms supportive of environmentally responsible behaviors. The TPAM is intended as a guide to develop novel approaches, research questions, and methodologies in leveraging Web 2.0 and social media technologies to promote proenvironmental action. Results will contribute to basic theory development and work in applied settings (e.g., local environmental organizations) in order to effectively communicate and organize with different segments of the population to increase sustainable behaviors.
Just do it? Turning sports policy into sports practice

The everyday language of sports administration in Britain implies that sports policy is something which is made at the formulation stage and subsequently translated into practice through a process of implementation. Divergence between policy and practice is regarded as failure, and often viewed as the product of weaknesses in the processes for implementing the policy as intended. This paper attempts a critical re-examination of this view, through an empirical study of the development of policy for women and sport in England, which examines what happens to policy beyond the formal stage of formulation. It argues that resistance to policy is best understood by recognizing that policy is not a fixed entity, separate from (and object of) an implementation process; it evolves beyond the formal phase of policy formulation through a process of contestation. The conceptualization of policy as 'text' contributes to this understanding, by emphasizing how arrangements for implementation are integral to what policy b.
Moral distress experienced by psychiatric nurses in Japan

This study aimed to: (1) develop and evaluate the Moral Distress Scale for Psychiatric nurses (MDS-P); (2) use the MDS-P to examine the moral distress experienced by Japanese psychiatric nurses; and (3) explore the correlation between moral distress and burnout. A questionnaire on the intensity and frequency of moral distress items (the MDS-P: 15 items grouped into three factors), a burnout scale (Maslach Burnout Inventory — General Survey) and demographic questions were administered to 391 Japanese psychiatric nurses in 2007—2008. These nurses experienced relatively low levels of moral distress despite the fact that they were commonly confronted by morally distressing situations. All the circumstances in which the participants experienced moral distress were included in the ‘low staffing’ factor, which reflects the characteristics of Japanese psychiatric care. The frequency score of the low staffing factor was a significant predictor of burnout.
Sexual dimorphism in fat patterning in a sample of 5 to 7-year-old children in Oxford

It is now well recognised that, in addition to total body fat, fat distribution is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance/diabetes in both adults and children. Traditionally, sexual dimorphism in fat patterning has been regarded as occurring at puberty. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in fat patterning in a group of children in Oxford. Anthropometric data was collected for 95 girls and 97 boys aged 5-7 years. Body mass index, percentage body fat and fat patterning indices were calculated using skinfold thickness measurements. While girls at this age had significantly larger percentage body fat and skinfolds, the fat patterning indices showed no differences between genders and no indication of greater truncal adiposity. The boys had a larger mean waist-hip ratio (0.96±0.04) compared with the girls (0.93±0.04) (P<0.001). The larger ratio in boys was the outcome of the smaller hip circumference in the boys reflecting less gluteal adiposity. This suggests that even at this young age there is clear evidence of sexual dimorphism in fat patterning, with girls showing greater subcutaneous adiposity mainly contributed by gluteal fat. The present study confirms the findings of American and European workers that sexual dimorphism of fat patterning in children is present at 5-7 years of age. Second, that these differences in fat patterning can be detected using simple anthropometric measurements such as hip circumference and skinfold thicknesses. The significance and importance of hip circumference measurements in predicting health outcome is an area that merits further investigation.
An integrative model of customers' perceptions of health care services in Taiwan

As the health care service gets more competitive, health care practitioners and academic researchers are increasingly interested in exploring how patients perceive the quality and value of their care before building up their satisfaction levels and generating behavioural intentions. Drawing some theories from marketing and health care service literature, this study tries to propose an integrative model of customers' perceptions of health care services based on the established relationship among four key constructs (service quality, perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioural intentions). Structural equation modelling is then used to validate the model. As Taiwan's universal health insurance offers every citizen equal financial access to all health care providers, Taiwan offers a good opportunity to study how the patients' perception model is structured. The findings reveal both perceived quality and value as antecedent variables in this model illustrating direct and indirect paths from perceived quality and value to patient satisfaction and behavioural intentions.
Survey measures of risk aversion and prudence

This paper utilizes a thought experiment conducted by the Bank of Italy to estimate absolute and relative risk aversion along with absolute and relative prudence for a broad cross-section of Italian households. Upper and lower bounds are calculated for each parameter, and comparisons are made across socio-demographic groups. Evidence is found of decreasing absolute risk aversion, decreasing absolute prudence, increasing relative risk aversion, and increasing relative prudence.
Comparing Fisher Interviews, Logbooks, and Catch Landings Estimates of Extraction Rates in a Small-Scale Fishery

Researchers are turning to alternative data sources (e.g., resource user knowledge) to provide information required for wildlife management. Little is known about the reliability of data elicited from resource users relative to data obtained from user-independent approaches (e.g., observations of fish catches). We test for consensus among three methods that quantify past (1996 to 2007) seahorse catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) for a small-scale, data-poor fishery in the Philippines: interviews with fishers about good, bad, and typical catch; fisher logbooks; and observations of catch landings. Interviews and logbooks indicated no trends in CPUE through time, consistent with results from the fisher-independent metric, catch landings. Although interview estimates of “typical” CPUE greatly exceeded “typical” observed catches and logbook estimates, interview estimates of “bad” CPUE were comparable. Catch landings estimates for a fisher in a particular year were uncorrelated to what he reported during retrospective interviews. Interviews should be used cautiously to inform specific catch targets (e.g., total allowable catches), although including interview questions about a range of catch experiences (e.g., good, bad and typical), may improve interview-derived data. Logbooks are particularly useful for capturing information about fishing expeditions that produce no fish, which are largely missed by other methods.
Determinants of audit fees: empirical evidence from an emerging economy

Purpose – The study investigates the structure of audit fees in an emerging economy, Jordan.Design/methodology/approach – The following regression model will be tested: ADFEES = f (SIZE, AUST, COMP, INDS, PROF, RISK, YEND, TLAG). The model is tested by running a cross‐sectional linear ordinary least squares (OLS) regression of the audit fees on corporate size, the status of the audit firm, the degree of corporate complexity, profitability, risk, corporate accounting year end and the lag between the audit report and the end of the accounting year.Findings – The results of the analysis revealed that corporate size, status of the audit firm, industry type, degree of corporate complexity and risk are the main determinants of audit fees. However, variables such as corporate profitability, corporate accounting year‐end (YEND) and time lag between YEND and the audit report date appeared to be insignificant determinants of audit fees.Research limitations/implications – In order to generalize the outcome of the st.
Approximating the Embedded M Out of N Day Soft-Call Option of a Convertible Bond: An Auxiliary Reversed Binomial Tree Method

A convertible bond (CB) with a right of m out of n day provisional call or soft-call becomes callable given that the underlying stock closes above a pre-set trigger price for any m or more days over the n consecutive trading days up to the current day. It is computationally challenge to value the contribution of this embedded option to the price of CB. This paper proposes an approximation based on the idea of an auxiliary reversed binomial (ARB) tree, and shows that the approach can be efficiently implemented under the Cox-Ross-Rubinstein parameterization. Two important insights emerge from ARB. First, the convertible bond is unconditionally callable at higher stock prices, but uniformly not callable at lower prices. Second, the effect of the soft-call is rather localized around the trigger price. Surprisingly, the simple One-Touch, or one out of one, approximation is found to yield CB prices that are very close to those from ARB, even though ARB is found to a better approximation in almost every aspect. Further numerical results suggest that in order to generate well-behaved CB prices, cautions need to be taken while designing the terms of soft-call. Being independent of the finite difference pricing grid, the proposed ARB tree can also be used in association with the tree method or Monte Carlo simulation, and could in principle be applicable to exotic derivatives with similar embedded options.
Germany and the use of force: still a 'civilian power'?

Germany's military participation in the Kosovo War against Serbia represents an evolution but not a fundamental departure in its post-war security policy as a 'civilian power'. The decision to join the air strikes even in the absence of a mandate by the UN Security Council was motivated by considerations which have long been central to Germany's foreign-policy role concept. As a result of the Kosovo experience, Germany now is moving towards restructuring its armed forces to make them smaller, more professional and more capable of intervening in crises beyond traditional NATO contingencies. But the shift will probably be slow and messy. Germany's future role in ESDP therefore is likely to be paradoxical: while providing strong political support for further advances in European security and defence integration, Germany's military contribution may continue to fall short of expectations.
The outcome of implant overdentures from a prosthodontic perspective: proposal for a classification protocol.

PURPOSE This article proposes a classification protocol for reporting the outcome of implant overdentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Review of the literature pertaining to postinsertion prosthodontic procedures for maxillary and mandibular implant overdentures revealed a wide range in the terminology used and methods of reporting outcome, usually as a result of the use of varying designs among different implant systems. A need for comparative evaluation of the prosthodontic success of implant overdentures was identified. RESULTS An existing classification protocol for implant-fixed prostheses containing six objectively defined fields was modified for implant overdentures. This new protocol, which also uses the descriptive fields of success, survival, unknown, dead, and retreatment (repair or failure), provides a method whereby postinsertion prosthodontic procedures and subsequent time to retreatment can be quantified regardless of design, method of attachment, or implant system. A ratio method for identifying prosthodontic treatment cost effectiveness of implant overdentures is included. CONCLUSION This protocol could assist clinicians in their choices of implant overdenture therapy by providing accurate comparisons of varying implant overdenture systems and designs, and by identifying prosthodontic treatment cost effectiveness.
Economic Integration and the Tourism Industry of North Cyprus

As a result of non-recognition, economic embargoes and political isolation, hopes for a federal solution have diminished and the economic integration of North Cyprus with Turkey is now on the agenda. In the study discussed in this paper, academics and top managers in the private and public sectors were interviewed to ascertain their expectations concerning the possible impacts on the tourism industry of North Cyprus of such economic integration. The consensus was that economic integration would improve marketing and promotion, transportation, and investments in the tourism industry. However, the success of the industry depends heavily on increasing the competitiveness of the North Cyprus tourism product in terms of price, quality and marketing, and on the successful establishment of joint ventures with Turkish entrepreneurs.