Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using fuzzy logic and neural networks to classify socially responsible organisations

Academics and practitioners have not yet developed an adequate method to evaluate the social performance of organisations that includes a robust and comprehensive approach of sustainability and uses the most relevant data sources. However, sustainability rating agencies are evaluating the social performance of organisations according to their own methodologies, which are not always clearly explained to stakeholders; and the evaluations they provide are being used as a reference in markets. This study contributes to research on the evaluation of social performance in organisations, by means of an innovative methodology that combines the use of neural networks and fuzzy logic for the development of expert systems suitable for classifying organisations according to their performance on Corporate Social Responsibility. The methodology has been validated in a simplified scenario and results indicate that it is suitable for replicating the classifications provided by sustainability rating agencies.
Animal and cellular models of human disease

In this eighteenth (2016) Annual Review Issue of The Journal of Pathology, we present a collection of 19 invited review articles that cover different aspects of cellular and animal models of disease. These include genetically‐engineered models, chemically‐induced models, naturally‐occurring models, and combinations thereof, with the focus on recent methodological and conceptual developments across a wide range of human diseases. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vaccine effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations among young children during the 2010-11 to 2013-14 influenza seasons in Ontario, Canada

Uncertainty remains regarding the magnitude of effectiveness of influenza vaccines for preventing serious outcomes, especially among young children. We estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations among children aged 6–59 months. We used the test-negative design in hospitalized children in Ontario, Canada during the 2010–11 to 2013–14 influenza seasons. We used logistic regression models adjusted for age, season, and time within season to calculate VE estimates by vaccination status (full vs. partial), age group, and influenza season. We also assessed VE incorporating prior history of influenza vaccination. We included specimens from 9,982 patient hospitalization episodes over four seasons, with 12.8% testing positive for influenza. We observed variation in VE by vaccination status, age group, and influenza season. For the four seasons combined, VE was 60% (95%CI, 44%-72%) for full vaccination and 39% (95%CI, 17%-56%) for partial vaccination. VE for full vaccination was 67% (95%CI, 48%-79%) for children aged 24–59 months, 48% (95%CI, 12%-69%) for children aged 6–23 months, 77% (95%CI, 47%-90%) for 2010–11, 59% (95%CI, 13%-81%) for 2011–12, 33% (95%CI, –18% to 62%) for 2012–13, and 72% (95%CI, 42%-86%) for 2013–14. VE in children aged 24–59 months appeared similar between those vaccinated in both the current and previous seasons and those vaccinated in the current season only, with the exception of 2012–13, when VE was lower for those vaccinated in the current season only. Influenza vaccination is effective in preventing pediatric laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations during most seasons.
Ranks of Genuine Associations in Whole-Genome Scans

With the recent advances in high-throughput genotyping techniques, it is now possible to perform whole-genome association studies to fine map causal polymorphisms underlying important traits that influence susceptibility to human diseases and efficacy of drugs. Once a genome scan is completed the results can be sorted by the association statistic value. What is the probability that true positives will be encountered among the first most associated markers? When a particular polymorphism is found associated with the trait, there is a chance that it represents either a “true” or a “false” association (TA vs. FA). Setting appropriate significance thresholds has been considered to provide assurance of sufficient odds that the associations found to be significant are genuine. However, the problem with genome scans involving thousands of markers is that the statistic values of FAs can reach quite extreme magnitudes. In such situations, the distributions corresponding to TAs and the most extreme FAs become comparable and significance thresholds tend to penalize TAs and FAs in a similar fashion. When sorting between true and false associations, the “typical” place (i.e., rank) of TAs among the most significant outcomes becomes important, ordered by the association statistic value. The distribution of ranks that we study here allows calculation of several useful quantities. In particular, it gives the number of most significant markers needed for a follow-up study to guarantee that a true association is included with certain probability. This can be calculated conditionally on having applied a multiple-testing correction. Effects of multilocus (e.g., haplotype association) tests and impact of linkage disequilibrium on the distribution of ranks associated with TAs are evaluated and can be taken into account.
Deep Venous Thrombosis after Total Joint Arthroplasty. The Role of Compression Ultrasonography and the Importance of the Experience of the Technician*

We evaluated the influence of the expertise of the technician on the accuracy of compression ultrasonography as a screening test to detect postoperative deep venous thrombosis in patients who had had primary or revision arthroplasty of the hip or the knee. The study was performed in two phases on two groups of patients who were evaluated with both compression ultrasonography and conventional venography. All of the patients received prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis. In the first phase of the study, adequate venograms and ultrasonograms were made for 126 extremities (121 patients). Venography demonstrated seven thrombi in the proximal veins. Only three ultrasonograms were considered positive. Ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 0 per cent because none of the seven proximal thrombi identified with venography were detected with ultrasonography. Three ultrasonograms were false-positive (that is, the ultrasonogram was positive and the venogram was negative), so the specificity was 97 per cent. The accuracy of compression ultrasonography was 92 per cent. Both tests were performed on a second group of eighty-seven extremities (eighty-four patients). Proximal clots were detected with venography in five extremities. The ultrasonogram was positive for seven extremities, including the five in which a clot had been identified with venography. There were no false-negative and two false-positive results. In this phase of the study, ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 100 per cent, a specificity of 98 per cent, and an accuracy of 98 per cent. The only difference that was identified between the two groups of patients was the experience of the ultrasonography technician. It appears that the reliability of compression ultrasonography is directly dependent on the experience of the technician.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI NILAI PERUSAHAAN

The study was conducted to analyze the effect of Return On Equity (ROE), Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR), Net Interest Margin (NIM), Price Earnings Ratio (PER) and Earning Per Share (EPS) of the company's value proxied by Price to book Value (PBV). The study object is the banking company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) in 2008- 2011 using the total sample of 25 companies per year. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression equation least squares and test hypotheses using tstatistics for testing the partial regression coefficients and Fstatistics to test the significance effect together with a significance level of 5%. During the observation period of the study showed that the data were normally distributed. Under normality test, multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity test and autocorrelation test is not found in the classical assumption variables deviate. This shows the available data has been qualified using multiple linear regression equation models. The results of this study indicate that the LDR and NIM variables showed no significant effect on firm value. Variable ROE, EPS and PER significant positive effect on firm value. Predictive ability of the five variables on firm value in this study of 34.8% while the remaining 65.2% influenced by other factors not included in the research model. Keywords: Return On Equity (ROE), Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR), Net InterestMargin (NIM), Price Earnings Ratio (PER), Earning Per Share(EPS) and the value of the Company.
Automatic Generation of Controllers for Embodied Legged Organisms: A Pareto Evolutionary Multi-Objective Approach

In this paper, we investigate the use of a self-adaptive Pareto evolutionary multi-objective optimization (EMO) approach for evolving the controllers of virtual embodied organisms. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the trade-off between quality of solutions and computational cost. We show empirically that evolving controllers using the proposed algorithm incurs significantly less computational cost when compared to a self-adaptive weighted sum EMO algorithm, a self-adaptive single-objective evolutionary algorithm (EA) and a hand-tuned Pareto EMO algorithm. The main contribution of the self-adaptive Pareto EMO approach is its ability to produce sufficiently good controllers with different locomotion capabilities in a single run, thereby reducing the evolutionary computational cost and allowing the designer to explore the space of good solutions simultaneously. Our results also show that self-adaptation was found to be highly beneficial in reducing redundancy when compared against the other algorithms. Moreover, it was also shown that genetic diversity was being maintained naturally by virtue of the system's inherent multi-objectivity.
Managing entrepreneurial opportunism and marketing discipline in firm performance: empirical application

Entrepreneurship and marketing discipline represent a combination between perceptive observation and deliberate planning. Entrepreneurial marketing requires fast, aggressive manoeuvres to capture opportunities, balanced with disciplined analysis, planning, and execution. We develop a theoretical framework that shows the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership and adaptability based on market research. We propose seven success factors for managers to monitor in entrepreneurial marketing: 1) first mover; 2) adaptability; 3) interpersonal interaction; 4) participative management; 5) process; 6) marketing tools; 7) technology. We test the framework using data collected from enterprises in the Middle East. The empirical analysis shows that first mover, adaptability, interpersonal interaction, process orientation and technology are positively related to performance. Participative management and marketing tools are found statistically insignificant. Although this data provides insight, it is bound to cultural factors. Therefore, we recommend that all seven dimensions be monitored as key success factors to combine entrepreneurial action with marketing discipline.
Excess maternal transmission of markers in TCOF1 among cleft palate case‐parent trios from three populations

Isolated cleft palate is among the most common human birth defects. The TCOF1 gene has been suggested as a candidate gene for cleft palate based on animal models. This study tests for association between markers in TCOF1 and isolated, nonsyndromic cleft palate using a case‐parent trio design considering parent‐of‐origin effects. Case‐parent trios from three populations (comprising a total of 81 case‐parent trios) were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TCOF1 gene. We used the transmission disequilibrium test and the transmission asymmetry test on individual SNPs. When all trios were combined, the odds ratio for transmission of the minor allele, OR(transmission), was significant for SNP rs15251 (OR = 2.88, P = 0.007), as well as rs2255796 and rs2569062 (OR = 2.08, P = 0.03; OR = 2.43, P = 0.041; respectively) when parent of origin was not considered. The transmission asymmetry test also revealed one SNP (rs15251) showing excess maternal transmission significant at the P = 0.005 level (OR = 6.50). Parent‐of‐origin effects were assessed using the parent‐of‐origin likelihood ratio test on both SNPs and haplotypes. While the parent‐of‐origin likelihood ratio test was only marginally significant for this SNP (P = 0.136), analysis of haplotypes of rs2255796 and rs15251 suggested excess maternal transmission. Therefore, these data suggest TCOF1 may influence risk of cleft palate through a parent‐of‐origin effect. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Case for Separating the Roles of Chairman and CEO: An Analysis of Stock Market and Accounting Data

This UK study investigates whether the stock market prefers companies to award the positions of chairman and chief executive officer to two different people instead of permitting a single individual, the ‘dual CEO', to combine them. The results suggest (a) that the market responds favourably to the separation of the two roles and unfavourably to their fusion and (b) that the accounting performance of companies which adopt a ‘dual CEO’ appears to decline subsequent to this change.
Insider Trading and Option Grant Timing in Response to Fire Sales (and Purchases) of Stocks by Mutual Funds

Mutual funds experiencing large outflows (inflows) tend to decrease (expand) their positions, creating downward (upward) price pressure in the stocks held in common by them (Coval and Stafford [2007]). This study shows that corporate insiders exploit the resulting mispricing by buying (selling) their company’s stock if it is subject to such fire sales (purchases) by funds. We also show that the likelihood of option grants is greater for stocks that are subject to mutual fund fire sales. Finally, we show that both the insider trading and the option granting activities help speed up the correction of the flow-driven mispricing. Overall, this study illustrates that insiders enhance personal benefits by trading on their personal account and influencing the timing of option grants in response to mispricing due to flow-driven fund trading. Moreover, these activities help improve the informational efficiency of stock price.
Graphical Analysis for Machine Replacement: A Case Study

Describes the advantages of combining a Windows(TM) database package and a Visual Basic(TM) program for graphical analysis of machine replacement problems. The database allows the regular and easy updating of the cost elements associated with the purchase, operation and disposal of a machine. The Visual Basic(TM) program provides a simple user interface, requiring only the use of a “mouse” for input, program control, and graphical analysis of output. The program has easy access to appropriate database, spreadsheet and word‐processing packages. Illustrates the use of the program in considering the graphical analysis of the replacement of an ambulance fleet.
The transcriptional landscape of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA during infection of soybean as defined by RNA-seq

Rhizoctonia solani Kühn infects most plant families and can cause significant agricultural yield losses worldwide; however, plant resistance to this disease is rare and short-lived, and therefore poorly understood, resulting in the use of chemical pesticides for its control. Understanding the functional responses of this pathogen during host infection can help elucidate the molecular mechanisms that are necessary for successful host invasion. Using the pathosystem model soybean-R. solani anastomosis group AG1-IA, we examined the global transcriptional responses of R. solani during early and late infection stages of soybean by applying an RNA-seq approach. Approximately, 148 million clean paired-end reads, representing 93% of R. solani AG1-IA genes, were obtained from the sequenced libraries. Analysis of R. solani AG1-IA transcripts during soybean invasion revealed that most genes were similarly expressed during early and late infection stages, and only 11% and 15% of the expressed genes were differentially expressed during early and late infection stages, respectively. Analyses of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed shifts in molecular pathways involved in antibiotics biosynthesis, amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as pathways involved in antioxidant production. Furthermore, several KEGG pathways were unique to each time point, particularly the up-regulation of genes related to toxin degradation (e.g., nicotinate and nicotinamid metabolism) at onset of necrosis, and those linked to synthesis of anti-microbial compounds and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) biosynthesis 24 h.p.o. of necrosis. These results suggest that particular genes or pathways are required for either invasion or disease development. Overall, this study provides the first insights into R. solani AG1-IA transcriptome responses to soybean invasion providing beneficial information for future targeted control methods of this successful pathogen.
ApoE Receptor 2 Mediation of Trophoblast Dysfunction and Pregnancy Complications Induced by Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Mice

Pregnancies in women with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are frequently complicated by fetal loss and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). How circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) cause pregnancy complications in APS is poorly understood. We sought to determine whether the low‐density lipoprotein receptor family member apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) mediates trophoblast dysfunction and pregnancy complications induced by aPL.
Mapping the peptide and protein immune response in the larvae of the fleshfly Sarcophaga bullata

We chose the larvae of fleshfly Sarcophaga bullata to map the peptide and protein immune response. The hemolymph of the third‐instar larvae of S. bullata was used for isolation. The larvae were injected with bacterial suspension to induce an antimicrobial response. The hemolymph was separated into crude fractions, which were subdivided by RP‐HPLC, gel electrophoresis, and free‐flow electrophoresis. In several fractions, we determined significant antimicrobial activities against the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among antimicrobially active compounds we identified dipeptide β‐alanyl‐ L‐tyrosine, protein transferrin, and two variants of peptide sapecin. We also partially characterized two novel antimicrobially active polypeptides; odorant‐binding protein 99b, and a peptide which remains unidentified. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Financial Constraints, Investment and Capital Structure: Implications from a Multi-Period Model

Intertemporal considerations have been largely ignored in the theory of capital structure. We provide a dynamic model that integrates firms' investment, financing and cash holding decisions in the presence of moral hazard. The distinguishing feature of this model is that it takes into account financially constrained firms' incentives to intertemporally allocate their liquidity between current and future projects. The incentive to intertemporally allocate liquidity comes from the concavity of a payoff function similar to that considered by Froot, Scharfstein and Stein (1993), which causes firms to behave as though they are risk averse when financially constrained. We show that once intertemporal considerations are brought in, stylized relationships that are often associated with models based on information asymmetry could be modified significantly, making it difficult to accept or reject such models empirically. Three such relationships that we examine are: (i) the relation between cash flows (or changes in liquidity) and investment, (ii) the relation between profitability and leverage, and (iii) the relation between future investment opportunities and leverage. As regards the first, we show that there is a critical level of liquid balances such that firms below this level exhibit greater cash flow sensitivity of investment than those above; however, the cash flow sensitivity of investment can be non-monotonic over a particular range of liquid balances (equivalently, firms' hurdle rates for projects can increase in the level of liquid balances). These results reconcile recent empirical evidence in Fazzari, Hubbard and Petersen (1988, 2000), Kaplan and Zingales (1995, 2000) and Cleary (1999). Second, we show that in a dynamic framework, firm's debt level could be positively related to profitability - contrary to the conventional wisdom of one-period models (but consistent with recent empirical evidence in MacKay and Phillips (2001)). Finally, an improvement in future growth opportunities can either cause the firm to increase or decrease its current leverage, depending on the nature of this improvement.
Disease related use of the internet in chronically ill adults: current and expected use

Objective: To determine discrepancies in patients’ current use and expected future use of the internet for different functions. Method: A short questionnaire was developed to assess patients’ current use of the internet for three functions: “seeking information”, “mutual support”, and “care provider contact”. This questionnaire was assessed online during 1 week. For each of the functions, scales were computed to assess frequency of use. The same items were used to assess patients’ expected future use. Differences in scale score between current use and expected use were calculated to determine discrepancies. Results: 220 patients completed the questionnaire. Patients are frequent users of the internet. The three functions are largely independent of each other and independent of the type of disease and demographics. Most often patient use the internet to find information about the disease or treatment. The discrepancy between current and expected use is largest for the function “care provider contact”. Conclusion: Based on these findings it seems that patients are most strongly interested in an increased possibility of using the internet to contact their healthcare providers.
Differences in Early Gesture Explain SES Disparities in Child Vocabulary Size at School Entry

Children from low–socioeconomic status (SES) families, on average, arrive at school with smaller vocabularies than children from high-SES families. In an effort to identify precursors to, and possible remedies for, this inequality, we videotaped 50 children from families with a range of different SES interacting with parents at 14 months and assessed their vocabulary skills at 54 months. We found that children from high-SES families frequently used gesture to communicate at 14 months, a relation that was explained by parent gesture use (with speech controlled). In turn, the fact that children from high-SES families have large vocabularies at 54 months was explained by children's gesture use at 14 months. Thus, differences in early gesture help to explain the disparities in vocabulary that children bring with them to school.