Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extension of a Fast GLRT Algorithm to 5D SAR Tomography of Urban Areas

This paper analyzes a method for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Tomographic (TomoSAR) imaging, allowing the detection of multiple scatterers that can exhibit time deformation and thermal dilation by using a CFAR (Constant False Alarm Rate) approach. In the last decade, several methods for TomoSAR have been proposed. The objective of this paper is to present the results obtained on high resolution tomographic SAR data of urban areas, by using a statistical test for detecting multiple scatterers that takes into account phase variations due to possible deformations and/or thermal dilation. The test can be evaluated in terms of probability of detection (PD) and probability of false alarm (PFA), and is based on an approximation of a Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test (GLRT), denoted as Fast-Sup-GLRT. It was already applied and validated by the authors in the 3D case, while here it is extended and experimented in the 5D case. Numerical experiments on simulated and on StripMap TerraSAR-X (TSX) data have been carried out. The presented results show that the adopted method allows the detection of a large number of scatterers and the estimation of their position with a good accuracy, and that the consideration of the thermal dilation and surface deformation helps in recovering more single and double scatterers, with respect to the case in which these contributions are not taken into account. Moreover, the capability of method to provide reliable estimates of the deformations in urban structure suggests its use in structure stress monitoring.
An Analysis of Majority Owner-Managed Companies in the UK

This paper investigates the characteristics of 73 UK companies in which managers have an ownership stake of greater than 50 per cent. We find that majority owner-managed companies make less use of alternative corporate control systems and are less likely to remove their chief executive officer or other board members following poor performance. However, our sample firms actually outperform diffusely held companies of similar size in the same industry. The determinants of majority control appear more closely related to the characteristics of the controlling shareholders rather than the firm's operating environment. Changes in the ownership structure of our sample companies owe more to changes in owner-specific characteristics and security issuance than they are related to changes in the company's operating environment or company performance. We conclude that despite the obvious agency costs of managerial entrenchment for closely held companies, for the present sample at least the incentive alignment benefits of large director shareholdings are beneficial to outside shareholders.
Strategic Management in Public Services Organizations: Concepts, Schools and Contemporary Issues

Strategic Management and Public Service Organizations sets out to connect two traditionally disparate academic literatures: those on strategic management and on public management reforming. This is an important gap which is filled by this strongly research-connected text. The authors argue that the strategic management field is of increasing importance to public managers internationally, given continuing and important reforms in the public sector. This initial observation has important consequences for the requisite work practices, skills and knowledge bases of current public managers, as they will be increasingly asked to act as strategic as well as operational managers. The book critically discusses long run public management reform processes including the New Public Management reform wave but also further and relevant non- or post-NPM reform processes and how they increase the ‘strategic space’ in which decentralised public sector organisations that influence policy or deliver key services now operate.
Skewness Preference and Measurement of Abnormal Returns: A Comparative Evaluation of Current vs Proposed Event Study Paradigm

This study investigates the implications of recognizing skewness preference in the computation of abnormal returns. Replicating the Fama, Fisher, Jensen and Roll study on stock split on a recent data set with a few distinct event study techniques, this study finds that recognition of skewness preference as defined by Kraus and Litzenberger (1976) in the computation of the abnormal returns significantly changes the results in comparison to the results that have been obtained without recognizing skewness.
Social capital in entrepreneurial family businesses: the role of trust

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical insights to understanding trust as a relational form of social capital, and its effects on entrepreneurial processes, in small- and medium-sized family businesses. Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts a qualitative case-study approach, with data from fieldwork interviews, observations, and secondary sources analysed by using interpretative methods. Findings – Although multiple types of trust exist concurrently in small- and medium-sized Chinese family businesses, it is interpersonal trust on the basis of goodwill and competence that prevails, while contractual trust is weak and marginal. Three patterns of trusting relationships are identified, each of which has both positive and negative effects on entrepreneurship and innovation in family businesses. There is a potential “dark side” of trust, which incurs extra cost and commitment to small- and medium-sized family businesses in their entrepreneurial processes. Research limitations/imp.
The dynamics of bond yields and the stock index - with an application to the UK stock and bond market

The dynamics of nominal bond yields and the stock index are modelled within a continuous-time general equilibrium economy. Closed-form solutions are provided for both the term structure of nominal interest rates and the equilibrium value of the stock index where the value of the stock index is determined as the present value of future aggregate dividends. Preferences towards risk have crucial implications for the comovements of the stock index and bond yields since the degree of risk aversion determines whether the stock index is positively or negatively related to the real interest rate. As an application, the model is calibrated based on monthly data from the UK in the period from January 1979 to October 1996 in order to facilitate an analysis of what drives the movements of the term structure of nominal interest rates and what drives the (negative) correlation between the stock index and bond yields.
Tumor location is a risk factor for lymph node metastasis in superficial Barrett’s adenocarcinoma

Abstract Background and study aims Endoscopic treatment is indicated for superficial Barrett’s adenocarcinoma (BA) with a negligible risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). However, risk factors associated with LNM in superficial BA are still not well characterized. The aim of the current study was to clarify risk factors for LNM of superficial BA. Patients and methods A retrospective study was conducted in 87 consecutive patients with BA that was resected at National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan between 1990 and 2013. We assessed tumor size, macroscopic type, histological type, tumor depth of invasion, lymphovascular invasion and tumor location to analyze factors associated with LNM. Tumor location was classified into following 2 groups according to Siewert classification: 1) BA of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ-BA) as those having their center within 1 cm proximal from the EGJ; and 2) Esophageal-BA as those having their center at 1 cm or more proximal to the EGJ. EGJ was defined as distal end of the palisade vessels. Results LNM was detected in 10 (11 %) patients. Univariable analysis revealed that tumor size, tumor depth of invasion, histological type of mixed differentiated and undifferentiated-type adenocarcinoma, lymphovascular invasion and tumor location of esophageal-BA were significantly associated with LNM. Multivariable analysis revealed that tumor location of esophageal-BA [odds ratio 7.8 (95 %CI: 1.3 – 48.1)] was a potential risk factor for LNM. Conclusions The current study demonstrated that tumor location is a potential risk factor for LNM in BA. Therefore, indications for endoscopic treatment of esophageal-BA and EGJ-BA could be different.
The economics of plastic bag legislation in South Africa

In May 2003 South Africa introduced legislation intended to decrease plastic bag litter. It combined standards and price-based economic tools in an attempt to reduce the public's demand for plastic bags. This paper analyses the short term effects of the legislation on bag demand. It also provides a background to these regulations and a theoretical overview. The assessment uses bag consumption data from four retailers, each representing a different consumer market. These are analysed, and respective price elasticities calculated. The results suggest that plastic bag demand is relatively price inelastic and imply that instruments utilising price alone, would have limited efficacy. However, the combination of standards and pricing successfully curbed plastic bag use in the short run. Further analysis suggests that the effectiveness of the legislation may be declining over time. Copyright (c) 2007 The Authors. Journal compilation (c) 2007 Economic Society of South Africa.
Relationship Between Osteoporosis and Marginal Bone Loss in Osseointegrated Implants: A 2-Year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND Fitting implants in osteoporotic patients has traditionally been controversial, and there is little scientific evidence relating osteoporosis to marginal bone loss (MBL). The aims of this study are as follows: 1) to evaluate the possibility of a correlation between osteoporosis, as measured by the mandibular cortical index (MCI), and MBL and 2) to assess how various systemic diseases, periodontitis, and placement of implants in regenerated bone are correlated with MBL and MCI. METHODS This retrospective study examines 212 implants inserted in 67 patients. To take a possible cluster failure into account, an implant for each patient was selected (n = 67 implants). MBL was assessed. Osteoporosis was evaluated using the MCI. Both MBL and MCI were assessed from panoramic radiographs. χ(2) test was performed (Haberman post hoc test). Significance was P <0.05. RESULTS When the total sample implant (N = 212) was evaluated, a significant association was found between the presence of osteoporosis and MCI (P <0.001) and between the presence of diabetes mellitus and MCI (P <0.01). Significant associations were also found between MBL and placement of implants in regenerated sites (P <0.001) and between MBL and a previous history of periodontitis (P <0.05). When the sample is evaluated only in selected implants (one per patient, n = 67), significant differences appear to relate only to the MBL with the placement of implants in regenerated bone sites (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS Osteoporosis (as evaluated by MCI) does not pose a risk for the development of greater MBL. Parameters adversely affecting the development of increased MBL are a previous history of periodontitis and especially the placement of implants at sites of bone regeneration.
Alumni Associations at Swiss Hospitality Schools: Alumni's Expectations and Satisfaction

Alumni associations are vital to U.S. universities. Swiss hospitality schools recently started alumni associations, and this study investigates graduates’ expectations of and satisfaction with their schools’ alumni associations. A self-developed questionnaire was sent to 7,500 hospitality employees. In total 312 alumni of hospitality schools responded. Responses show high participation (68%) in schools’ alumni associations. Students expect alumni networks to maintain contacts with and among alumni and most important to provide employment opportunities. Expectation scores are higher than satisfaction scores, suggesting that Swiss hospitality schools can still improve their offerings.
Robust Partial-State Feedback Prescribed Performance Control of Cascade Systems With Unknown Nonlinearities

A universal controller is designed for cascade systems, involving dynamic uncertainty, unknown nonlinearities, exogenous disturbances and/or time-varying parameters, capable of guaranteeing prescribed performance for the output tracking error, as well as uniformly bounded signals in the closed loop. By prescribed performance we mean that the output tracking error should converge to a predefined arbitrarily small residual set, with convergence rate no less than a certain prespecified value, exhibiting maximum overshoot less than a sufficiently small preassigned constant. The proposed control scheme is of low complexity, utilizes partial state feedback and requires reduced levels of a priori system knowledge. The results can be easily extended to systems affected by bounded state measurement errors, as well as to MIMO nonlinear systems in block triangular form. Simulations clarify and verify the approach.
10 Years Later: Where in the World is Equal Weight Indexing Now?

Often the most powerful investment ideas are simple. The S&P 500 EWI 10 years ago pioneered the simple concept of equal weighted indexing. It has now expanded in the U.S. into the S&P 100, a MegaCap index, S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600®. The equal weighting idea has also been applied to international equities, as well as in other asset classes such as fixed income indices and commodity indices. It has become one of the most popular alternatively-weighted ideas. While the headline cause of asset flows has been outperformance over market-cap indices, sophisticated investors have realized that equal weighting creates a different set of risk factor exposures than market cap weighting that seem to have worked over the long-term as noted in the paper. Furthermore, the concept randomizes factor mispricings in the market, and it can serve as a performance benchmark for alternative-weighted indices.
International Student Adaptation to a U.S. College: A Mixed Methods Exploration of the Impact of a Specialized First-Year Course at a Large Midwestern Institution

This mixed methods study assessed a first-year course for international students, entitled the U.S. Education and Culture, at a large Midwestern public institution. The quantitative results indicated that participation in the course improved students’ academic skills, psychosocial development, understanding of social diversity in the U.S., use of university resources, and academic and social engagement. The qualitative analysis identified challenges faced by participants, their sources of motivation, the acculturation process, psychosocial development, and strategies for success.
INFORMATION ASYMMETRY, DIVIDEND STATUS, AND SEO ANNOUNCEMENT‐DAY RETURNS

We analyze the relation between the dividend-paying status of a firm and the seasoned equity offering (SEO) announcement-day return. Asymmetric information theory suggests there should be a positive relation: the larger the disagreement, particularly between managers and shareholders, the larger the price drop on the SEO announcement day. However, this theoretical result has not been supported by prior empirical research. In this article we reconcile the gap between the theory and extant empirical results by identifying a structural change in the way the stock market treats dividend-paying firms. Since the mid-1980s the difference in information asymmetry between dividend- and non-dividend-paying firms has increased sharply. As a result, before the mid-1980s the market did not differentiate strongly between them, but subsequently the market has reacted less negatively to announcements by dividend payers.
Psychoanalysis: the common ground.

This paper carries further the theme I developed in my presidential address in Montreal, 'One psychoanalysis or many? ' where I discussed the issue of what holds us together as psychoanalysts sharing a common discipline and science despite our increasing theoretical diversity. My response was that our common ground rested in our shared clinical enterprise in our consulting rooms where we relate comparably to the immediacy of the transference-countertransference interplay with our patients. In this paper I reconsider these perspectives in the light of the specific responses to them, including in the six pre-published statements for the Rome Congress which was dedicated to this theme of exploring our common ground; and I then apply these conceptions in my own comparative assessment of the three plenary clinical presentations of the Rome Congress, drawn from the three major world regions of psychoanalytic activity and presented by adherents of three of the major metapsychological perspectives in our field, the ego psychological, the Kleinian, and the object relational.
Software Project Management in Distributed Software Development Context

Distributed software development (DSD) became a reality in project development involving geographically dispersed teams and brings challenges regarding to software project management (SPM). So, aspects such as infrastructure problems, local organizational culture, time zone and others become part of the concerns of software project management. This paper presents a proposition to manage software projects in DSD context including planning and controlling aspects. Particularly it deals with human resources management, risks and cost’s estimations as well as control of activities, fulfillment of deadlines and resources allocation.
Hebbian modification of a hippocampal population pattern in the rat

1 The study of the physiological role of long‐term potentiation (LTP) is often hampered by the challenge of finding a physiological event that can be used to assess synaptic strength. We explored the possibility of utilising a naturally occurring event, the hippocampal sharp wave (SPW), for the assessment of synaptic strength and the induction of LTP in vivo. 2 We used two methods in which hippocampal cells were either recorded intracellularly or extracellularly in vivo. In both cases, a linear association between the magnitude of the SPW and cellular responsiveness was observed. 3 LTP was induced by depolarising cells during SPWs by either direct intracellular current injection or extracellular microstimulation adjacent to the cell body. Both of these approaches led to an increase in the slope of the linear association between SPWs and cellular responsiveness. 4 This change was achieved without a rise in overall cell excitability, implying that the synapses providing input to CA1 cells during sharp waves had undergone potentiation. 5 Our findings show that the Hebbian pairing of cellular activation with spontaneous, naturally occurring synaptic events is capable of inducing LTP.
The impact of cross‐listings on the UK and the German stock markets

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine volatility transmissions between portfolios of cross-listed equities and exchange rate differences and also the volatility persistence for home, foreign equities, and exchange rate differences in the UK and German markets. Design/methodology/approach - A primary focus of this paper is to see if there is an impact first on the volatility persistence for foreign equities that are listed in the UK and German markets, second on the respective home portfolios of cross-listed equities, and third on the exchange rate differences. In addition, whether there are any bilateral spillovers between the following equity portfolios: foreign cross-listed equities, home cross-listed equities, and also local or global exchange rate differences are investigated. Findings - The paper finds that the volatility persistence is more prominent than error persistence from cross-listed equities, foreign or home, and the exchange rate differences. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism indicates a bilateral integration process in some of the cases that were examined. Based on these results, it is concluded that in the UK market the foreign cross-listings affect less the domestic equities compared to the German market. Originality/value - This paper examines the interdependence of portfolios of home and foreign equities for cross-listings that belong to the same stock exchange with two exchange rates, a local and a global one in order to provide more evidence in this area of literature.
Forces of excellence in Kanji’s Business Excellence Model

Forces of Excellence is transforming the way we work with low cost opportunities to quickly expand markets globally and deliver better, more personalized customer service. The challenge for Business Excellence today is to turn the organization's vision into reality. The task is to build a highly and well integrated Total Quality Management base in order to utilize the critical success factors of the organization. Organizations that have achieved a higher level of Business Excellence have demonstrated very high growth in their customer base, thus improving overall profitability and stakeholders values. Whatever the size of the organization, the time has come for them to make real sense of Business Excellence. Here, the Business Excellence approach will depend on its competitive landscape, strategy, objectives and resources. The Forces of Excellence will guide them in the right direction to achieve excellence. In this paper, the author discusses Kanji's Business Excellence Model as an index and provides the route to Business Excellence through Total Quality Management Framework.
Outcomes After Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Generator Replacement for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death

Background—The effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention of sudden death in patients with an ejection fraction (EF) ⩽35% and clinical heart failure is well established. However, outcomes after replacement of the ICD generator in patients with recovery of EF to >35% and no previous therapies are not well characterized. Methods and Results—Between 2001 and 2011, generator replacement was performed at 2 tertiary medical centers in 253 patients (mean age, 68.3±12.7 years; 82% men) who had previously undergone ICD placement for primary prevention but subsequently never received appropriate ICD therapy. EF had recovered to >35% in 72 of 253 (28%) patients at generator replacement. During median (quartiles) follow-up of 3.3 (1.8–5.3) years after generator replacement, 68 of 253 (27%) experienced appropriate ICD therapy. Patients with EF ⩽35% were more likely to experience ICD therapy compared with those with EF >35% (12% versus 5% per year; hazard ratio, 3.57; P=0.001). On multivariable analysis, low EF predicted appropriate ICD therapy after generator replacement (hazard ratio, 1.96 [1.35–2.87] per 10% decrement; P=0.001). Death occurred in 25% of patients 5 years after generator replacement. Mortality was similar in patients with EF ⩽35% and >35% (7% versus 5% per year; hazard ratio, 1.10; P=0.68). Atrial fibrillation (3.24 [1.63–6.43]; P<0.001) and higher blood urea nitrogen (1.28 [1.14–1.45] per increase of 10 mg/dL; P<0.001) were associated with mortality. Conclusions—Although approximately one fourth of patients with a primary prevention ICD and no previous therapy have EF >35% at the time of generator replacement, these patients continue to be at significant risk for appropriate ICD therapy (5% per year). These data may inform decisions on ICD replacement.
Historic Districts and Land Values

We measure the net effect of historic districting on the value of federally certified historic sites. The impact could be either positive or negative depending on the tension between positive externality effects and the constraints on property rights. Since federally certified historic parcels are not severely encumbered by regulations, we expect positive externality effects to dominate any negative effects of constraining rights. We find that the net effect of historic districting on land values is significantly positive. We also find that while residential parcels within historic districts attract a huge price premium of 131%, the premium associated with nonresidential parcels within historic districts is statistically insignificant.