Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Firm-specific factors and financial performance of firms in the Czech Republic

CHANDRAPALA PATHIRAWASAM, KNAPKOVA ADRIANA: Firm-specifi c factors and fi nancial performance of fi rms in the Czech Republic. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 2013, LXI, No. 7, pp. 2183–2190 The objective of this study is to investigate the role of internal factors in generating fi nancial performance of fi rms in the Czech Republic. The paper examines the impact of fi rm specifi c factors on company fi nancial performance of 974 fi rms in the Czech Republic over the period 2005 to 2008, using data in the Albertina database. Pooled and panel cross-sectional time series techniques are used for the data analysis. Return on Assets (ROA) is the dependent variable of the model and eight fi rm specifi c factors are introduced as the explanatory variables. Using Return on Assets as the dependent variable, it is established that the fi rm size, sales growth and capital turnover are having signifi cant positive impact on fi nancial performance of fi rms. At the same time, debt ratio and inventory refl ect signifi cant negative impact on fi nancial performance of fi rms. Overall explanatory powers of the two models are low and further research is necessary to increase the statistical power of the model. The results from the present study may be very encouraging and useful for managers as well as investors to plan investment and operational activities to achieve profi tability objectives more effi ciently and eff ectively. The fi ndings have important managerial implications. fi nancial performance, Czech Republic, return on assets (ROA), fi rm specifi c factors
Isolation and characterization of multiflagellate mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Multitrichously polar flagellated mutants were isolated from a monotrichously flagellated strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ability of the mutant cells to swarm in semisolid media at given gel strengths was increased by the multiflagellation. Observations of the mutant cells by electron microscopy revealed that the number of flagella produced per cell cycle was increased. F116 phage-mediated transduction showed that the multiflagellation occurred by a single mutation and that the mutation sites were linked to a fla cluster of this organism.
[Optimal time interval for position change for ICU patients using foam mattress against pressure ulcer risk].

PURPOSE This study was done to identify the time interval to pressure ulcer and to determine the optimal time interval for position change depending on pressure ulcer risk in patients using foam mattress in intensive care units. METHODS The Braden scale score, occurrence of pressure ulcers and position change intervals were assessed with 56 patients admitted to an intensive care unit from April to November, 2011. The time to pressure ulcer occurrence by Braden scale risk group was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log rank test. Then, the optimal time interval for position change was calculated with ROC curve. RESULTS The median time to pressure ulcer occurrence was 5 hours at mild or moderate risk, 3.5 hours at high risk and 3 hours at very high risk on the Braden scale. The optimal time interval for position change was 3 hours at mild and moderate risk, 2 hours at high and very high risk of Braden scale. CONCLUSION When foam mattresses are used a slight extension of the time interval for position change can be considered for the patients with mild or moderate pressure ulcer risk but not for patients with high or very high pressure ulcer risk by Braden scale.
Physicians' Attitudes Toward Post-MI Aspirin Prophylaxis: Findings from an Online Questionnaire in Europe and Latin America

Abstract Few surveys have assessed physicians' attitudes toward preventive treatment in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients, although these patients have a high risk of recurrence. A newly developed online survey, which aimed to determine physicians' attitudes toward aspirin prophylaxis post-MI, was sent to physicians in 18 countries. This report describes findings from 7 European (n = 2842 respondents) and 2 Latin American (n = 149 respondents) countries. Although low-dose aspirin therapy was recommended by most physicians (> 90%), compliance was suboptimal; 29% of patients in Europe and 35% in Latin America were partially or totally noncompliant, and 18% of physicians in Europe and 20% in Latin America had lost contact with their patients. Low-dose aspirin monotherapy or combination therapy, dosage, and physician contact all had a significant effect on compliance (P < 0.00001). Shared decision making by the physician and patient was rated as the most effective measure to improve compliance, which clearly indicates the need for a change in management.
Identifying Effective Mechanisms to Assist the Marketing Integration Process for Malaysian Acquirers

Marketing integration in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) is an important means of ensuring the survival of the combined firm. This can be achieved by streamlining and redeploying all marketing resources from both sides: the acquirer and the acquired firm. Marketing integration could be referred to as the backbone of the firm combining process because of its potential to generate higher revenues for the newly-combined firm. However, existing studies have not clearly investigated the mechanisms that contribute to the marketing integration process in cross-border M&As. The purpose of this study was to fill this gap by exploring effective mechanisms that can improve this process. Specifically, marketer collaboration, interaction, marketing synergy, and the redeployment of marketing resources were proposed as key mechanisms that influence marketing integration in this context. The results indicated that marketing synergy and the redeployment of marketing resources have a strong and significant impact on the extent of integration. Meanwhile, there is a striking negative and significant result that pertains to the relationship between interaction and speed of integration.
Speech-in-noise screening tests by internet, Part 3: Test sensitivity for uncontrolled parameters in domestic usage

Abstract Objective: The online speech-in-noise test ‘Earcheck’ is sensitive for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This study investigates effects of uncontrollable parameters in domestic self-screening, such as presentation level and transducer type, on speech reception thresholds (SRTs) obtained with Earcheck. Design: Subjects performed 26 Earchecks that differed regarding presentation level (65, 71, and 77 dBA), presentation mode (monotic or diotic), and masking noise (two different low-pass filtered noises) in the lab. To investigate effects of test environment, participants conducted eight additional Earchecks at home using different transducer types (headphones or loudspeakers). Study sample: Thirty noise-exposed workers, either normal-hearing (n = 10), or with different degrees of NIHL (n = 20), participated. Results: There was a minor effect of presentation levels exceeding 65 dBA in severely impaired listeners. Diotic presentation mode yielded lower SRTs compared to monotic presentation mode. Normal-hearing test results at home were poorer than in the laboratory, whereas hearing-impaired subjects performed better in domestic testing. Using loudspeakers deteriorated SRTs significantly in comparison to headphones, but only in hearing-impaired subjects. Conclusions: A monotic presentation mode using headphones is recommended for domestic screening. Since domestic testing affects SRT results, a follow up study using a large study population should assess Earcheck's validity when performed at home.
Autonomous WLAN heading and position for smartphones

In recent years, indoor positioning systems have become important and WiFi positioning based on fingerprinting has been gaining a lot of attention in this field. However, surveying for the WiFi fingerprints in a specific area is a labor and time consuming process. In this work, an innovative method is proposed to automatically generate geo-referenced radio maps for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN). The Trusted Portable Navigator (T-PN) was used to provide an integrated navigation solution using inertial sensors and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), when GNSS is available. The T-PN provided positions were used to automatically build a radio map when the solution was reliable. Building a radio map by using this method alleviates the cost of expensive surveys and does not require additional time or manual labor. After the radio map is built, it is used for typical fingerprinting-based WiFi positioning. The experimental results show that reasonable positioning accuracy can be obtained with this automatic fingerprint collection method in indoor environments. Nevertheless, the positions calculated in this manner are not accurate enough to calculate a useful heading of the user. In this paper, we propose another innovative method that estimates user heading based on WLAN signals. This estimation technique is based on the mathematical relationship between the rate of change of RSS for the different access points (APs) and the user velocities, and consequently the user heading.
Combined Dwyer and Harrington Instrumentation and Fusion in the Treatment of Selected Patients With Painful Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis

Five patients with painful adult idiopathic scoliosis and double structural curve patterns were treated by combined Dwyer and Harrington instrumentation and fusion. The goal of treatment, achieved in all 5 cases, was elimination of pain, stabilization of the spine, and restoration of torso balance. The thoracic curve was corrected an average of 24%, and the lumbar curve, 46%. The loss of correction was only 5° at followup. There were no pseudoarthroses and no complications.
Spin-orbit physics of j =1/2 Mott insulators on the triangular lattice

The physics of spin-orbital entanglement in effective $j=\frac{1}{2}$ Mott insulators, which have been experimentally observed for various $5d$ transition-metal oxides, has sparked an interest in Heisenberg-Kitaev (HK) models thought to capture their essential microscopic interactions. Here, we argue that the recently synthesized ${\mathrm{Ba}}_{3}{\mathrm{IrTi}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{9}$ is a prime candidate for a microscopic realization of the triangular HK model, a conceptually interesting model for its interplay of geometric and exchange frustration. We establish that an infinitesimal Kitaev exchange destabilizes the ${120}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ order of the quantum Heisenberg model. This results in the formation of an extended ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$-vortex crystal phase in the parameter regime most likely relevant to the real material, which can be experimentally identified with spherical neutron polarimetry. Moreover, using a combination of analytical and numerical techniques, we map out the entire phase diagram of the model, which further includes various ordered phases as well as an extended nematic phase around the antiferromagnetic Kitaev point.
X rays from 80‐cm long sparks in air

New data on X‐ray production by laboratory sparks in air are reported. The total deposited energy ranged from about 30 keV to a few MeV. X‐ray signals were observed both before and during the collapse of voltage across the gap. The earlier signal is likely associated with processes involving runaway electron breakdown in streamer tips and the later signal with the attachment (final jump) process.
Descartes and the Possibility of Enlightened Freedom

Descartes’s scattered remarks on the nature of human freedom are individually intriguing and collectively confusing. Several seemingly divergent patterns of thought are present in his writings, creating ample fodder for scholarly debate. Reactions range from allegations of incoherence to inconsistency to change over time. Although I don’t think any of these charges stick, I won’t be directly engaging with each controversy in the expansive literature. Instead, I’ll outline an interpretation that promises to vindicate the coherence, consistency, and stability of Descartes’s view—a view of considerable philosophical (and not just historical) interest. This is just what we should expect from someone who is not only highly intelligent and attentive to detail, but also prone to systematicity. After some preliminary remarks (in §II), I set the stage for my preferred interpretation by canvassing Descartes’s central commitments concerning human freedom and showing how they give rise to an important puzzle, one that is presented in a particularly precise and perspicuous way by what I call the “Anti-Enlightened Freedom Argument” (in §III). I then briefly examine two potential solutions to the puzzle (in §IV), both of which appeal to an ambiguity in Descartes’s talk of ability. The first follows Campbell (1999) in interpreting Descartes along traditional compatibilist lines; the second follows Ragland (2016) in interpreting Descartes as a limited libertarian—i.e. as someone who accepts the reality of freedom but denies it is compatible with nearly all forms of determinism. I then provide an alternative interpretation of Descartes that shares similarities with those of Campbell and Ragland, but enjoys additional benefits besides (in §V). I do so by appealing to the important but regularly overlooked distinction between possessing a power, exercising a power, and being in a position to exercise a power. The goal of this paper is thus to articulate a novel interpretation of Descartes that resolves an important tension at the heart of his view.
Quality of Life for Diverse Older Adults in Assisted Living: The Centrality of Control

ABSTRACT This pilot project asked: How do ethnically diverse older adult residents of assisted living (AL) facilities in British Columbia (BC) experience quality of life? And, what role, if any, do organizational and physical environmental features play in influencing how quality of life is experienced? The study was conducted at three AL sites in BC: two ethnoculturally targeted and one nontargeted. Environmental audits at each site captured descriptive data on policies, fees, rules, staffing, meals, and activities, and the built environment of the AL building and neighborhood. Using a framework that understands the quality of life of older adults to be contingent on their capability to pursue 5 conceptual attributes—attachment, role, enjoyment, security, and control—we conducted 3 focus groups with residents (1 per site) and 6 interviews with staff (2 per site). Attributes were linked to the environmental features captured in the audits. All dimensions of the environment, especially organizational, influence tenants’ capability to attain the attributes of quality of life, most importantly control. Although many tenants accept the trade-off between increased safety and diminished control that accompanies a move into AL, more could be done to minimize that loss. Social workers can advocate for the necessary multi-sectoral changes.
A 65 nm Programmable ANalog Device Array (PANDA) for Analog Circuit Emulation

Reconfigurable analog/mixed signal (AMS) platforms in scaled CMOS technology nodes are gaining importance due to the increased design cost, effort and shrinking time-to-market. Similar to field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) for digital designs, a Programmable ANalog Device Array (PANDA) provides a flexible and versatile solution with transistor-level granularity and reconfiguration capability for rapid prototyping and validation of analog circuits. This paper presents design and synthesis methodology of a PANDA design on 65 nm CMOS technology, consisting of a 24 × 25 cell array, reconfigurable interconnect, configuration memory and serial programming interface. To implement AMS circuits on the PANDA platform, this paper further proposes a CAD tool for technology mapping, placement, routing and configuration bit-stream generation. Several representative building blocks of AMS circuits, such as amplifiers, voltage and current references, filters, are successfully implemented on the PANDA platform. Dynamic reconfiguration capability of PANDA is demonstrated through input offset cancellation of an operational amplifier using an FPGA in a closed loop. Initial measurement results of PANDA implemented circuits demonstrate the potential of the methodology for rapid prototyping and hardware validation of analog circuits.
Soft Surfaces for Reducing Mutual Coupling Between Loaded PIFA Antennas

The use of planar soft surfaces to reduce mutual coupling in a new type of planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) is demonstrated in this work. The proposed antenna is dual-band, single-port, and quite compact, especially for the low frequency of operation. At that frequency band, the mutual coupling is more critical. With the purpose of decreasing this coupling, a solution based on soft surfaces made of simple printed strips with grounded vias is presented, achieving a simultaneous reduction on the mutual coupling level at the two bands of operation of the antenna. In this particular example, only two strips are used and a reduction on the coupling of more than 6 dB is experimentally verified for these two bands and for different distances between elements. The use of a multilayer substrate is a key aspect in the proposed design.
Shortages Occur At The End Of The Cycle ( Model 1 ) : 4 . 1

In the literature of inventory after the development of classical economic order quantity (EOQ) model researchers extensively studied several aspects of inventory modeling by assuming constant demand rate. But in a real market demand of a product is always dynamic state due to the variability of time, price or even of the instantaneous level of inventory displayed in retail shop. This impressed researchers and marketing practitioners to think about the variability of demand rate.
Transforaminal versus interlaminar approaches to epidural steroid injections: a systematic review of comparative studies for lumbosacral radicular pain.

BACKGROUND The superiority of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) vs. interlaminar epidural steroid injections (ILESI) for treating unilateral lumbosacral radicular pain (LSRP) is unproven. OBJECTIVE To assess studies comparing TFESI to ILESI for unilateral LSRP for pain relief and functional improvement. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review of comparative studies. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Scopus databases for trials reported in English. Studies meeting the Cochrane Review criteria for randomized trials and the AHCQ criteria for observational studies were included. Evidence was graded using the USPSTF classification. RESULTS Five (prospective) and 3 (retrospective) studies were included assessing 506 patients. Statistical analysis was calculated only utilizing the 5 prospective studies and consisted of 249 patients with an average of 3.2 months follow-up. In the short-term (2 weeks), there was a 15% difference favoring TFESI vs. ILESI for pain relief. There was no efficacy difference at one or 6 months. Combined pain improvements in all 5 prospective studies revealed < 20% difference between TFESI and ILESI (54.1% vs. 42.7%). There was slightly better functional improvement in ILESI groups (56.4%) vs. TFESI groups (49.4%) at 2 weeks. Combined data showed slight differences (TFESI 40.1% and ILESI 44.8%). LIMITATIONS The limitations of this systematic review include the relative paucity of comparative studies. CONCLUSIONS The findings show that both TFESI and ILESI are effective in reducing pain and improving functional scores in unilateral LSRP. In the treatment of pain, TFESI demonstrated non-clinically significant superiority to ILESI only at the 2-week follow-up. Based on 2 studies, ILESI demonstrated non-clinically significant superiority to TFESI in functional improvement.
Extent of cement polymerization along dowel space as a function of the interaction between adhesive and cement in fiber post cementation.

PURPOSE To assess whether the polymerization extent of cement is influenced by curing mode of the adhesive and/or by photoactivation of the cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred five root segments were prepared from endodontically treated teeth. After post space preparation, the root segments were randomly divided into 7 groups, based on the cementation procedure to lute RelyX Fiber Posts (3M ESPE): 1. Variolink II (V, Ivoclar Vivadent); 2. V light-cured (LC); 3. Excite LC (ELC, Ivoclar Vivadent)/V; 4. ELC/V LC; 5. ELC-V LC (One Shot); 6. Excite DSC (EDSC)/V; 7. EDSC-V LC (One Shot). Each root segment was submitted to the acetone shake test to remove the unpolymerized resin and then cut longitudinally. On each half, the extent of cure of the cement was measured with image analysis software. RESULTS The deepest and basically complete polymerization was obtained with EDSC (groups 6 and 7), regardless of whether light curing was performed. The extent of polymerization was most limited when adhesive was not applied (groups 1 and 2), or when ELC was only light cured, while V was allowed to auto-cure (group 3). With the one-shot polymerization of ELC and V (group 5), the extent of polymerization was similar to the procedure involving separate irradiation of adhesive and cement (group 4). The one-shot technique was significantly more effective if EDSC was used (group 6). CONCLUSION The use of a self-activating dual-curing adhesive system in combination with a dual-curing cement enables effective luting of FRC posts regardless of the amount of light transmitted through the post.
Complementing anatomy education using three‐dimensional anatomy mobile software applications on tablet computers

Anatomy has traditionally been a cornerstone of medical education, which has been taught via dissection and didactic lectures. The rising prevalence of mobile tablet technology means medical software applications (“apps”) play an increasingly important role in medical education. The applications highlighted in this article will aid anatomical educators to identify which are the most useful in clinical, academic, and educational environments. These have been systematically identified by downloading all applications with keywords related to anatomy and then carrying out qualitative assessment. Novel anatomy applications from developers such as Visible Body, 3D4Medical, and Pocket Anatomy allow students to visualize and manipulate complex anatomical structures using detailed 3D models. They often contain additional content including clinical correlations and a range of media from instructional videos to interactive quiz functions. The strength of tablet technology lies in its ability to consolidate and present anatomical information to the user in the most appropriate manner for their learning style. The only question mark remains over the level of detail and accuracy of these applications. Innovative medical educators who embrace tablet technology will find that anatomy applications serve as a useful learning tool when used in conjunction with existing teaching setups. Clin. Anat. 27:313–320, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.