Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence Maximization in Social Networks : A Competitive Perspective

Social Network Analysis has today fast developed into one of the most important tools used for the study of relations by incorporating network theory. By representing the nodes of the network as the actors (people, countries, goods etc.) and the links between them as the relationships, researchers have been able to develop and study ties between the entities such as friendship, rivalry, organizational position, economic competition etc. Of particular interest in the recent past has been the study of how information or ‘influence’ contained within a particular node (which can be a person, organization etc.) spreads through a network. The primary goal of this Reaction Paper will be to study influence maximization from a competitive perspective and to identify possible extensions to studies conducted so far so as to mimic real-world scenarios efficiently. The broad idea in this paper is the attempt at maximizing influence from a game theoretic approach such that it is not necessary that one node be dedicated towards one side. This could be put to use to a variety of applications which involve third party brokers or mediators who prefer not to side with either party which is attempting to maximize the influence of its product. Moreover, dynamism needs to be incorporated by modeling the decay of the spread of ‘activation levels’ over time. Two examples of online bloggers and of viral marketing strategies are mentioned later on in this paper. This paper will be organized into the following sections.
Determinants of Demand for Sweet Potatoes at the Farm, Retail and Wholesale Markets in Kenya

Despite the potential of sweet potato in helping to meet Kenya's food needs and poverty reduction through income generation, detailed information on sweet potato demand relations is unavailable to enable the traders plan their production and marketing activities. Thus, the study examined determinants of demand for sweet potatoes in Kenya with specific reference to Rachuonyo south district and its key market outlets. Out of 166 commercial farmers, fifty five wholesalers and an infinite number of retailers, one hundred and sixteen commercial farmers were selected using simple random sampling technique while 384 retailers were purposively selected. The 55 wholesalers were also included in the sample. Primary data were collected using questionnaires while secondary data were from respondents' records. ANOVA indicated that demand for sweet potatoes varied significantly across the markets (F = 133.261, p = 0.000), due to differences in magnitude of effects of the independent factors on demand. The study results suggest the need for market segmentation by retailers and directing part of retail purchases to the markets dominated by low income groups, attitude change through awareness creation, financial empowerment of the sellers and selling varieties of sweet potatoes particularly those that are highly preferred by the final consumers.
Home sewers' satisfaction with fit of apparel patterns

Purpose – The paper seeks to explore home sewers' satisfaction with the fit of garments made from home sewing patterns and to provide useful information to the home sewing industry to improve products and services for the target consumer.Design/methodology/approach – Home sewers attending home sewing expos in the states of Minnesota and Washington were surveyed to determine satisfaction with fit of home sewing patterns and to determine factors that may affect satisfaction with the patterns.Findings – The results clearly indicate that these respondents were frustrated with the fit of home sewing patterns and that their efforts to adjust patterns for better fit were typically not successful.Research limitations/implications – The limited sample does not allow generalization, but may lend some insight into problems the home sewing pattern industry may have in attracting and maintaining customer loyalty.Originality/value – Although there are many studies demonstrating consumer dissatisfaction with the fit of .
Internet Café Entrepreneurs

Internet cafés represent a potential means of bridging the information gap between social groups and geographical areas This study examines the spread of Internet cafés in Indonesia The main objectives are to identify characteristics of Internet café entrepreneurs and to enhance the understanding of preconditions for the provision of Internet access by small-scale private enterprises. A survey methodology is used and the data reveal clear statistical associations between entrepreneurial adaptations, such as connection types and service variety, and success variables. The authors' policy recommendations include government intervention, primarily in infrastructure development and awareness creation, for a more equitable spread of access to information through the Internet.
Validation of a Machine Learning Approach for Venous Thromboembolism Risk Prediction in Oncology

Using kernel machine learning (ML) and random optimization (RO) techniques, we recently developed a set of venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk predictors, which could be useful to devise a web interface for VTE risk stratification in chemotherapy-treated cancer patients. This study was designed to validate a model incorporating the two best predictors and to compare their combined performance with that of the currently recommended Khorana score (KS). Age, sex, tumor site/stage, hematological attributes, blood lipids, glycemic indexes, liver and kidney function, BMI, performance status, and supportive and anticancer drugs of 608 cancer outpatients were all entered in the model, with numerical attributes analyzed as continuous values. VTE rate was 7.1%. The VTE risk prediction performance of the combined model resulted in 2.30 positive likelihood ratio (+LR), 0.46 negative LR (−LR), and 4.88 HR (95% CI: 2.54–9.37), with a significant improvement over the KS [HR 1.73 (95% CI: 0.47–6.37)]. These results confirm that a ML approach might be of clinical value for VTE risk stratification in chemotherapy-treated cancer outpatients and suggest that the ML-RO model proposed could be useful to design a web service able to provide physicians with a graphical interface helping in the critical phase of decision making.
Defining Marketing: A Market‐Oriented Approach

Traditionally marketing as it is perceived all over the Western world is based on definitions agreed on in the US by the American Marketing Association and presented in American textbooks. This definition is, however, based on American conditions and, moreover, mainly geared to the customer relationships of manufacturers of consumer packaged goods and durables. More recent research in Europe on service marketing and industrial marketing suggests a somewhat different approach to defining marketing. Long‐term customer relationships are considered as the cornerstone of marketing, and a definition of marketing which is geared to this notion is suggested.
THE EFFECT OF HUMAN AND FINANCIAL CAPITAL ON THE ENTREPRENEURIAL PROCESS: AN URBAN-RURAL COMPARISON OF ENTREPRENEURS IN INDIANA

Entrepreneurship is a crucial ingredient of economic growth and job creation. Small business start-ups are currently of great interest to many state and local governments including Indiana. With the growing need to stimulate small business development, it is necessary to understand the obstacles faced by entrepreneurs as they attempt to start a business. The results have implications for small business development and university related centers and how they design programs to effectively meet the needs of entrepreneurs participating in small business start-ups. More explicitly, the results show that targeting educational programs by socio-economic and demographic segments would have lead to a better chance of programming success
The role of stress in syllable monitoring

In a syllable monitoring experiment, Greek and English speakers (N = 20 per language) monitored for [ma] embedded in Greek real and nonce words; [ma] was word-initial, word-medial or word-final, and stressed, unstressed or rhythmically stressed. Both groups spotted stressed [ma] faster than unstressed [ma]; unstressed [ma] was spotted faster by Greek than English participants. Rhythmically stressed [ma] patterned with unstressed [ma] for both groups. Word category (real or nonce) did not affect latencies. These results show that stress played an important role whether participants were responding to unfamiliar (nonce) stimuli (Greeks) or processing in an altogether unfamiliar language with different stress requirements (English). The importance of stress did not depend on rhythm class, as has sometimes been argued, though familiarity with language did affect responses. The results do not support the view that processing is related to rhythm class and confirm that Greek makes only a binary stress distinction.
Liquidity and Capital Structure: Case of Malaysian Top 100 Public Listed Companies

Recently, capital structure and its determinants have been considered as one of the most critical research areas in the field of corporate finance. Researchers try to recognize new predictors of capital structure to find new missing pieces of the capital structure puzzle. One of the most important requirements of conducting research in this area is to have access to a wide and rich source of data, and it’s the reason why the number of such researches in developed countries like the United States is much more than in developing countries. On the other hand, earlier researches have proved that results of these kinds of studies specifically belong to the original environments of the research. In other words, it is not possible to use results of a study on capital structure determinants in one country, on another country. Liquidity, as one of the most important determinants of capital structure, absorbed the attention of many scholars in this field. According to the prior studies, firms with more liquid stock have lower cost of equity and prefer equity to debt as a source of finance. This study investigates the linkage between liquidity and capital structure among the top 100 Malaysian public listed companies from 2006 to 2010 fiscal years. The statistical method employed by this research is multiple regressions to examine the proposed linkages between the variables. Liquidity of a firm, which is the independent variable of this research, has been measured by three different ratios which are: Amihud’s (2002) illiquidity ratio, Modified turnover and modified liquidity ratio. These ratios are chosen to capture different aspects of this characteristics following prior researches and considering data availability criteria. Results of this research show that there is a significant relationship between two of three proposed liquidity ratios and leverage. This relationship is consistent with the findings of prior researches in developing and developed countries like the United States and Thailand. According to the results, Malaysian firms with more liquid stocks prefer equity to enjoy lower cost of capital.
Reply: Is Endobronchial Ultrasound Influenced by Sedation Strategy? Comparing Apples to Apples.

1. Casal RF, Lazarus DR, Kuhl K, Nogueras-González G, Perusich S, Green LK, Ost DE, Sarkiss M, Jimenez CA, Eapen GA, et al. Randomized trial of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration under general anesthesia versus moderate sedation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2015;191:796–803. 2. Greene CJ, Morland LA, Durkalski VL, Frueh BC. Noninferiority and equivalence designs: issues and implications for mental health research. J Trauma Stress 2008;21:433–439. 3. Ost DE, Ernst A, Lei X, Feller-Kopman D, Eapen GA, Kovitz KL, Herth FJ, Simoff M; AQuIRE Bronchoscopy Registry. Diagnostic yield of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: results of the AQuIRE Bronchoscopy Registry. Chest 2011;140: 1557–1566. 4. DePew ZS, Edell ES, Midthun DE, Mullon JJ, Bungum AO, Decker PA, Maldonado F; Mayo Pulmonary Procedural Group. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: determinants of sampling adequacy. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol 2012;19:271–276.
DE-PLACING LOCAL AT THE FARMERS' MARKET: CONSUMER CONCEPTIONS OF LOCAL FOODS

Demand for local foods is typically explained using traditional product attributes like price, freshness, and taste. However, these factors fail to address more socially-based motivations or barriers to purchases. We administered a survey at two farmers’ markets (FMs) in Florida. The survey included: (1) respondents’ local produce purchases; (2) perceived cost and difficulty in accessing those products; (3) a Likert scale that measured attitudes toward local food; (4) a willingness to pay measure; (5) a definition of local by distance and ownership; and (6) frequency of produce purchases from traditional and alternative venues. A two-stage cluster analysis revealed three distinct groups of FM shoppers, and highlighted important characteristics that influence demand for local foods. These purchases are driven more by accessibility and attitudes than by traditional demand factors such as cost and willingness to pay. The results provide insight for future research on local foods, and help illustrate the complex forces driving local food purchases. Extant research has identified the importance of understanding consumer behavior and preferences for alternative foods. Analysts have paid particular attention to consumers’ willingness to pay for, and perceptions of, organic foods as an alternative to conventionally-grown produce and processed items. Economic studies have confirmed that organic food consumers are motivated by concerns for the environment, health and safety, and traditional product attributes such as price, taste, appearance, and freshness (Adams and Salois 2010). However, comparatively less research has examined consumers’ attitudes, experiences, and impressions of local foods as empirically separate from organic. As organic foods are increasingly becoming associated with large, corporate agribusinesses (Sligh and Christman 2003), many consumers interested in supporting small, family-owned farms are turning to localized food sources such as farmers’ markets, cooperatives, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs as a source of fresh produce. To gain a better understanding of this growing consumer base in the United States, it is crucial that we examine the complex forces driving local food purchases. We already know that consumers are willing to pay higher prices for local foods (Darby et al. 2008), and that many people would prefer buying local versus non-local
Using standardized patients and standardized physicians to improve patient-care quality: results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND We conducted evaluation research with a sample of registered professional staff nurses in a large, inner-city, tertiary medical center for a pilot study of videotaped case scenarios using standardized patients and standardized physicians to enhance nurses' communication and collaboration skills. METHOD Change scores from pre-test to post-test on a self-reported rating scale to assess nurse-physician-patient interactions and communications for 28 nurses were compared with a control group of 38 nurses who did not participate in the videotaped sessions. RESULTS Repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) detected no statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups. However, positive changes were noted in some aspects of nurse-physician and nurse-patient interactions in the intervention group. Immediate feedback from the videotaped scenarios heightened nurses' awareness of the impact of their body language. CONCLUSIONS Nurses must continuously practice and enhance their collaborative and communication skills. This pilot study suggests that it is beneficial to use videotaping with standardized patients and standardized physicians to enhance such nurses' skills.
Spreading The Word: Capital Market Consequences of Business Press Coverage of Management Earnings Guidance

This study investigates the role of the business press in disseminating management earnings guidance news to capital market participants. Using a unique sample of over 55,000 business press articles that relate specifically to management guidance, I find that 48 percent of all guidance receives coverage in the business press, with substantial within-firm variation. I then identify firm and guidance characteristics that are associated with the likelihood that guidance receives press coverage. Controlling for the endogeneity of press coverage, I find that dissemination in the press has a significant impact on the investor and analyst reactions to guidance news, and these effects are economically large. This study is the first to provide evidence that there is systematic variation in the extent to which guidance information is disseminated, and that this variation has a significant effect on the market consequences of guidance.
Assessing the Evaluative Content of Personality Questionnaires Using Bifactor Models

ABSTRACT Exploratory bifactor models with keying factors were applied to item response data for the NEO–FFI–3 and HEXACO–PI–R questionnaires. Loadings on a general factor and positive and negative keying factors correlated with independent estimates of item valence, suggesting that item valence influences responses to these questionnaires. Correlations between personality domain scores and measures of self-esteem, depression, and positive and negative affect were all reduced significantly when the influence of evaluative content represented by the general and keying factors was removed. Findings support the need to model personality inventories in ways that capture reactions to evaluative item content.
Weakening of IP Enforcement: Post-eBay Patenting and Licensing in US IP-intensive Industries

This study examines the impact of intellectual property (IP) enforcement on firms? incentives to patent and out-license. Following the pro-patent shift in 1982, the US IP system has been regarded as strong in terms of both IP rights and enforcement. However, in 2006, a precedential US Supreme Court decision has altered the strength of IP enforcement. Exploiting this shift in IP enforcement in the US in comparison to the European context which experienced no change in the IP system during that period, it is shown that upon the diminution in IP enforcement, US firms have decreased their patenting and out-licensing activities. Although the number of patent applications has decreased regardless of firm size, the decline in out-licensing activities is more pronounced for small and medium sized firms. Moreover, the reduction in the number of patent applications is at the same level for upstream technology providers and downstream manufacturers, while technology providers have faced a sharper decline in out-licensing activities. Interestingly, European firms ? heavily patenting in the US? before the Supreme Court? s eBay decision are affected similarly. And lastly, the adverse impact of weakened IP strength on out-licensing is mediated by patenting activities. The study contributes new insights to the innovation and market for technology literatures by depicting how much the patent holders are compensated by the current IP system, and discusses possible IP policy implications.
A cross-culture study on older adults' information technology acceptance

This study investigated cultural differences in older adults' information technology needs and its perceived usability. Experiments were conducted in the USA, Korea and China, including 24 American, 23 Korean and 21 Chinese older adults. Main findings include: Chinese and Korean participants exhibited significantly higher degrees of interest, intention and self-estimated frequency of using information technology to connect with others than the US participants; the US participants showed more interest in and intent to use information technology to access information than to connect with others. The results suggest that older adults' cultural backgrounds are important in the design of IT products.
“Mothers of invention”: maternal empowerment and convenience consumption

Purpose – The paper explores how the complex relationship between consumption and production evolves as women enact their roles as mothers, and reconstruct their self‐identity through their use or avoidance of convenience products.Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative, individual interviews are used to allow an in‐depth analysis of the life stories of the group of respondents. An interpretive analysis reveals the purpose, patterns and rules followed by these individuals in their actions.Findings – Convenience consumption empowers these “mothers of invention” to instrumental and emotional autonomy through their rejection of unnecessary drudgery, and enables them to negotiate the role of caretaker within the family.Research limitations/implications – The implications of the study suggest that there is a role for marketing to remove any vestiges of guilt in convenience consumption by addressing the issues of sustainability, nutrition, quality and value in convenience products. Future research should inve.
Rapid, inexpensive, actionable concept generation and optimization: the use and promise of self‐authoring conjoint analysis for the food service industry

This paper presents the background thinking, needs identification, technology, and user issues that have led to the creation of a self-authoring system for conjoint measurement appropriate to the food service industry. Self-authoring systems allow the user to create the study, deploy it on the Internet, and collect the data, without the help of a professional researcher or programming expert. The technology uses conjoint measurement, and is embodied in an Internet ASP system (application service provider) called IdeaMap®. Net. The technology empowers the user to do conjoint analysis studies rapidly and cost-effectively, and to solicit new ideas from the same respondents who participate. This paper demonstrates IdeaMap®. Net for food service issues, but the applications transcend particular issues and problems, finding applicability in a broad range of topics.
THE EFFECT OF CASH FLOWS, ACCOUNTING PROFIT, AND NET PROFIT MARGIN ON SHARE RETURN: A STUDY AT TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES LISTED IN INDONESIA STOCK EXCHANGE 2009-2014

This study aimed to determine whether there was significant effect changes of cash flows, accounting profit, and net profit margin toward share return. This study used a sample of five telecommunication companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI), which were selected using purposive sampling technique . The data used in this research was secondary data obtained from annual financial statements published in the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2009-2014. The results revealed that accounting profit have significant effect on share returns partially. Meanwhile, cash flow, and net profit margin do not have a significant effect on share return partially. The results also showed that the cash flows, accounting profit, and net profit margin simultaneously have a significant effect on share returns. Keywords: Cash Flow, Accounting Profit, Net Profit Margin, Share Return, Investment Decision
A survey of how British obstetric anaesthetists test regional anaesthesia before Caesarean section

We surveyed members of the Obstetric Anaesthetists Association asking how they tested regional blocks prior to Caesarean section. A large proportion of these anaesthetists appear to test their blocks inadequately. Temperature sensation was the most common sensory modality tested (64%) and 79% of those who tested for temperature sensation used an ethyl chloride spray.