Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Workforce and inventory management under uncertain demand

This thesis studies the problem of production and inventory planning for an organization facing uncertainty in demand. Specifically, we examine the problem of assigning workers to tasks, seeking to maximize profits, while taking in consideration learning through experience and stochasticity in demand. As quantitative descriptions of human learning are nonlinear, we employ a reformulation technique that uses binary and continuous variables and linear constraints. Similarly, as demand is not assumed to be known with certainty, we embed this mixed integer representation of how experience translates to productivity in a stochastic workforce assignment model. We further present a matheuristic solution technique and a Markov decision process formulation with a one-step lookahead that allows for the problem to be solved in stages in time as demand information becomes available. With an extensive computational study, we demonstrate the advantages of the matheuristic approach over an off-the-shelf solver and derive managerial insights about task assignment, workforce capacity development, and inventory management. We show that cross training increases as demand uncertainty increases, worker practice increases as inventory holding costs increase, and workers with less initial experience receive more practice than workers with higher initial experience. We further observe that the proposed lookahead MDP model outperforms similar myopic models by producing both increased profit and decreased lost sales and is especially valuable when expecting high demand variation. By recognizing individual differences in
Digital Strategies in Local Government: Private Sector and Early Adopters Lessons Learned

Digital Strategies represent an integration of business and technology plans in an organization. The private sector has been using these strategies to gain efficiencies and competitive advantage in their operations. The Public sector can study private sector digital strategy development and implementation and apply aspects of these fusion strategies to improve service delivery, increase operational efficiencies and stimulate cultural change. The academic literature is light on content for public sector digital strategies, however, anecdotal and industry publications provide a value source of practitioner-based information. Examining private sector digital strategies uncovers success criteria that are equally applicable in the public sector. Strong and supportive leadership, comprehensive understanding, inclusive communication and collaboration, buy-in from the business areas, greater organizational connectivity and a technology infrastructure that creates value for the organization are essential components in digital strategy success. Case studies for southern Ontario local government early adopters support the private sector lessons and further indicate there is little consistency in approach, methodology or stage of digital strategy implementation within the public sector. Research also indicates that Canada has been slow to move forward on digital transformation in general. Digital Strategies will require cultural change in the public sector. This will be a positive experience that better positions local governments to meet changing public service demands and to recruit and retain talent to support the evolving digital landscape now and in the future.
No effect of brain blood flow on ventilatory depression during sustained hypoxia.

Minute ventilation (VE) during sustained hypoxia is not constant but begins to decline within 10-25 min in adult humans. The decrease in brain tissue PCO2 may be related to this decline in VE, because hypoxia causes an increase in brain blood flow, thus resulting in enhanced clearance of CO2 from the brain tissue. To examine the validity of this hypothesis, we measured VE and arterial and internal jugular venous blood gases simultaneously and repeatedly in 15 healthy male volunteers during progressive and subsequent sustained isocapnic hypoxia (arterial PO2 = 45 Torr) for 20 min. It was assumed that jugular venous PCO2 was an index of brain tissue PCO2. Mean VE declined significantly from the initial (16.5 l/min) to the final phase (14.1 l/min) of sustained hypoxia (P less than 0.05). Compared with the control (50.9 Torr), jugular venous PCO2 significantly decreased to 47.4 Torr at the initial phase of hypoxia but did not differ among the phases of hypoxia (47.2 Torr for the intermediate phase and 47.7 Torr for the final phase). We classified the subjects into two groups by hypoxic ventilatory response during progressive hypoxia at the mean value. The decrease in VE during sustained hypoxia was significant in the low responders (n = 9) [13.2 (initial phase) to 9.3 l/min (final phase of hypoxia), P less than 0.01], but not in the high responders (n = 6) (20.9-21.3 l/min, NS). This finding could not be explained by the change of arterial or jugular venous gases, which did not significantly change during sustained hypoxia in either group. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Studies on adrenocortical and psychological response to stress in man.

Introduction Methods Metabolic Statistical Psychologic Metabolic Observations Eosinophile level Urinary total 17-hydroxycorticoid excretion Urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion Uropepsin excretion Correlations between 17-hydroxycorticoids, 17-ketosteroids, and uropepsin values Complementary studies Long-distance running Studies on 17-hydroxycorticoid excretion in sweat "Utilization" studies Metabolic Interpretations Adrenocortical secretory response to the race "Increased utilization" Eosinophile levels and 17-hydroxycorticoid excretion Physical exercise vs. psychological stress Psychological Observations Group Rorschach Thematic Apperception Test Personal interviews Psychological Interpretation Summary of psychological findings on the crew Supplementary studies of psychologic stress and adrenal cortical activation Metabolic and Psychological Correlation Conclusions References INTRODUCTION Evaluation of the role of the adrenal cortex in the response of man to stressful situations continues to be a problem of major interest to medical investigators. Earlier studies suggested that the adrenal cortex responds actively and promptly to many, but not all, psychic and physical stresses. 1 In many of the studies, changes in the level of circulating
The Economics of Privacy

The value and regulation of information assets have been some of the most important focuses of economic research since Hayek (1945)’s treatise on the use of knowledge in society. Contributions to what has become known as the field of information economics have been among the most influential, insightful, and intriguing in the profession. Seminal studies have investigated the informative role of prices in market economies (Stigler, 1961); the creation of knowledge and the incentives to innovate (Arrow, 1962); the prevalence of asymmetric information and adverse selection (Akerlof, 1970); the transmission of private information through signaling activity (Spence, 1973); and voluntary disclosures (Grossman, 1981; Milgrom, 1981). It may be proper, however, to think of information economics not as a single field, but as an amalgam of many related sub-fields. One such sub-field currently receiving growing attention by economists is the subject of this survey: the study of privacy. Privacy is difficult to define. It means different things to different people (Solove, 2006). It has been described as the protection of someone’s personal space and their right to be left alone (Warren and Brandeis, 1890); as the control over and safeguard of personal information (Westin, 1967); or as an aspect of dignity, autonomy, and ultimately human freedom (Schoeman, 1992). While seemingly different, all of these definitions relate to the boundaries between the self and the others, between private and public. As individuals and as consumers, we constantly navigate those boundaries, and the decisions we make about them determine tangible and intangible benefits and costs, for ourselves and for society. Thus, at its core, the economics of privacy concerns the tradeoffs associated with the balancing of public and private spheres between individuals, organizations, and governments. Within this broad scope, economists’ interest in privacy has primarily focused on its informational dimension: the trade-offs arising from the protection or sharing of personal data. Other sub-fields of information economics therefore also relate, in a sense, to the topic of this review, because they pertain to the trade-offs arising from the public or private status of information. For instance, an auction may be structured in a way that its participants will reveal their true costs or valuations, or a tax mechanism may be designed so that the agents will truthfully reveal their ∗Heinz College, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA; acquisti@andrew.cmu. edu †Economics Department, Duke University, Durham, NC; crtaylor@econ.duke. edu ‡Stuart School of Business, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL; lwagman@stuart.iit. edu
The effect of certain N-tritylated phenylalanine conjugates of amino-adenosine-3’,5’-cyclic monophosphate on Moloney murine leukaemia virus reverse transcriptase activity

Moloney murine leukaemia virus (M-MuLV) is a member of the retrovirus family. Its cloned reverse transcriptase (RT), similarly to HIV type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT), exhibits DNA-polymerase and ribonuclease H (RNase H) activities capable of converting the single-stranded retroviral RNA genome into double-stranded DNA. The latter is then integrated into the host chromosome during viral infection. M-MuLV RT is, therefore, an attractive enzyme to help understand mutations in HIV1 RT and its use in inhibition studies can help facilitate new drug designs. In this study, conjugates consisting of N-trityl derivatives of p-fluoro, p-nitro and p-iodo-DL-phenylalanine were coupled to 8-(6-aminohexyl) amino-adenosine-3’,5’-cyclic monophosphate and examined for their effect on DNA synthesis by M-MuLV RT. Synthesis was studied in a system containing poly (rA). oligo d(pT) 15 as a template-primer with [ 3 H] dTTP. The iodo-derivative, N-trityl-p-iodo-DL-phenylalanine-8-(6aminohexyl) amino-adenosine-3’,5’-cyclic monophosphate was found to be a very active inhibitor of the RT enzyme (IC 50 = 1 µM), while the p-nitro (IC 50 = 45 µM) and p-fluoro (IC 50 = 65 µM) were weak inhibitors. Further work will be aimed at determining the mode of binding of the N-tritylated conjugates and also of various substituted amino acids and short peptides to M-MuLV RT to elucidate the mechanisms of inhibition.
THE EFFECT OF PACKAGING, SATISFACTION AND IMAGE ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY OF THE EL RAYHAN COMPANY

This study is aimed at investigating the effect of packaging, satisfaction, and image on customer loyalty to The El Rayhan Company, Libya. The questionnaires are employed to collect the data. The resultreveals that packaging has a positive effect on customer loyalty. Moreover, satisfaction and image affect directly on customer loyalty. However, the highest effect in this study is the packaging effect on customer loyalty.
Determinants of Implementation of Strategic Information Systems in Small and Medium Firms

Firms want their information systems (IS) to not just work but to be effective and efficient. Thus firms need to manage their IS. Thus, it is crucial for SMEs to adopt information system to enhance their business operations capability and efficiency. Nevertheless, SMEs limited resources to implement information systems have been one of the critical barriers that hindered the adoption of information systems. Moreover, unlike large firms, small and medium-sized (SME) firms are faced with many challenges in implementations of IS. Previous IS studies have given more attention to large firms without much effort to small firms. Therefore, this study is to investigate the determinants of strategic information system on firm performance of Kenyan SMEs. The study was conducted in SME in Nairobi County. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentage, means and inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and multiple regression models. The findings are of relevance for SME successful implementation of IS particularly when we consider that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya has been targeted as a mechanism in generating domestic-led investment to stimulate economic development. Keywords: SME, information systems, IT capability, Managerial competence
Different doses of steroid injection in elderly patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: a triple-blind, randomized, controlled trial

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is commonly seen in elderly populations, in part due to increased presence of predisposing comorbidities as well as physiological changes. We aimed at comparing the effectiveness of different doses of steroid using the ultrasound-guided hydrodissection method in elderly patients with CTS. Methods We conducted a prospective, triple-blind, randomized, controlled trial in elderly patients with CTS. Patients were allocated to one of three groups by simplified randomization. Groups I–III received 80 mg triamcinolone (2 mL) and 1 mL of 2% lidocaine; 40 mg triamcinolone (1 mL), 1 mL of 2% lidocaine, and 1 mL normal saline; and 1 mL of 2% lidocaine and 2 mL normal saline, respectively to make up to 3 mL volume. A wrist splint was then applied for support. Outcome measures included the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, and median motor and sensory nerve conduction and its sonographic inlet cross-sectional area were used as objective measures. All data were recorded at baseline and 2, 12, and 24 weeks after injection. The investigators, patients, and statistician were blinded to the treatment assignment. Results In total, 161 patients were recruited without statistically significant demographic differences between the three groups. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in any outcome, with the exception of the median distal motor latency, which was greater in Group II at all three follow-up visits, and significant baseline VAS difference between Groups I and III. Conclusion Hydrodissection with lidocaine and normal saline is as effective as hydrodissection with low- and high-dose steroid medication in elderly patients with CTS in this study, but further studies with matched baseline measures and also a sham group are suggested for definitive recommendation.
Managed Volatility Funds By Morningstar Investment Management

The book provides information over the asset management industry and over the mechanisms of mutual funds. It also gives a detailed explanation of the Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) by Markowitz, of its development with the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) by Sharpe and of the main risk and performance indices. It describes in detail the strategy and techniques of investment of three portfolios of funds managed following the target volatility approach by Morningstar Investment Management for Clerical Medical. Finally, it makes use of the main risk and performance indices to conduct a comparison analysis between the Morningstar portfolio and a comparison static portfolio.
Dendritic Cells, Indoleamine 2,3 Dioxygenase and Acquired Immune Privilege

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized to stimulate T cell immunity. Paradoxically, some DCs suppress T cell responses and activate regulatory T cells. In this review, we focus on a potent counter-regulatory pathway mediated by plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) expressing the immunosuppressive enzyme indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO). IDO-expressing pDCs inhibit effector T cell responses, activate regulatory T cells, and attenuate pro-inflammatory responses in settings of chronic inflammation that manifest in clinical syndromes, such as infectious, allergic, and autoimmune diseases; cancer; and transplantation. Thus, IDO-expressing pDCs create immune privilege and provide novel opportunities to improve immunotherapy in multiple disease syndromes.
Sports related maxillofacial injuries: the first maxillofacial trauma database in Switzerland

Background: With the increase in the amount of medical data handled by emergency units, advances in computerisation have become necessary. New computer technology should have a major influence on accident analysis and prevention and the quality of research in the future. Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of sports related maxillofacial injuries using a newly installed relational database. To establish the first sports trauma database in Switzerland. Methods: The Qualicare databank was used to prospectively review 57 248 case histories of patients treated in the Department of Emergency Medicine between January 2000 and December 2002. Pre-defined key words were used to collect data on sports related maxillofacial injuries. Results: A total of 750 patients with maxillofacial injuries were identified. Ninety (12%) were sports related maxillofacial fractures. Most (27%) were sustained during skiing and snowboarding, 22% during team sports such as soccer or ice hockey, and 21% were from cycling accidents. Sixty eight per cent of the cyclists, 50% of the ice hockey players and soccer players, and 48% of the skiers and snowboarders had isolated fractures of the midface. Fractures of the mandible were noted predominantly in contact sports. Conclusions: Computerisation of trauma and emergency units and the introduction of customised software can significantly reduce the workload of researchers and doctors. The effective use of new computer technology should have a considerable influence on research and the quality of future prospective and retrospective studies.
Lack of evidence for ribavirin‐induced bone loss

The GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV), a newly identified human RNA virus, belongs to the Flaviviridae family. In humans persistent GBV-C/HGV infection is common, and genetically divergent isolates have been identified in different parts of the world. GBV-C/ HGV with an extremely low mutation rate does not have a real pathogenic role in liver disease. It was suggested1,2 that infection with the GB virus C improves survival in patients infected with HIV by directly influencing HIV replication. The investigators speculated about a possible role of GBV-C infection to treat HIV. The effect of coinfection with various HCV genotypes in HIV-positive patients remains controversial.3 Some investigators4,5 consider it “premature” to treat HIV infection by intentional infection of persons with GBV-C.5 One cannot be critical about ultra caution regarding new strategies proposed in the absence of any other option being available. Then, one cannot go wrong. Nonetheless, cautious pilot studies are needed for improving therapy. It would be a great pity to discourage serious attempts at doing so. The avian infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) of the Birnaviridae family, despite its worldwide distribution in domestic fowl, is not known to be a hazard in transmitting to other species. Zoonotic diseases, of course, continue to be of concern. While remaining cautious, we believe that this may not be a risk to humans. Efficacy and safety of IBDV superinfection therapy were reported in 42 acute hepatitis patients (HBV and HCV) in a phase II clinical trial.6 The encouraging evidence was that progression to chronic infection was marginally better in IBDV-treated patients than in the controls. Significantly, IBDV therapy was also effective in 3 decompensated chronic hepatitis patients (2 HBV, 1 HCV), who went into long-lasting remission or were stabilized with significant clinical improvement.7 Recently, we reported8 on an HCV patient who had exhausted the conventional interferon, ribavirin, and thymosin treatment, developed a decompensated chronic viral hepatitis, and received disability status. IBDV therapy improved ALT, AST, and viral RNA levels. Evidence that supports an inhibitory effect of the avian infection on the hepatitis B or C viral replication is, however, not available yet. The efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action of IBDV therapy in chronic hepatitis must be evaluated systematically in randomized clinical trials.
Effect of Talent Management Practices on Employee Morale: A Case of Kenya Commercial Bank Limited

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . v DEDICATION . vi CHAPTER ONE . 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background of the Study . 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem . 5 1.3 Purpose of the Study . 7 1.4 Research Questions . 7 1.5 Significance of the Study . 7 1.6 Scope of the Study . 8 1.7 Definitions of Terms . 8 1.8Chapter Summary . 9 CHAPTER TWO . 10 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 10 2.
A Novel Syntaxin 6‐Interacting Protein, SHIP164, Regulates Syntaxin 6‐Dependent Sorting from Early Endosomes

Membrane fusion is dependent on the function of SNAREs and their α‐helical SNARE motifs that form SNARE complexes. The Habc domains at the N‐termini of some SNAREs can interact with their associated SNARE motif, Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins, tethering proteins or adaptor proteins, suggesting that they play an important regulatory function. We screened for proteins that interact with the Habc domain of Syntaxin 6, and isolated an uncharacterized 164‐kDa protein that we named SHIP164. SHIP164 is part of a large (∼700 kDa) complex, and interacts with components of the Golgi‐associated retrograde protein (GARP) tethering complex. Depletion of GARP subunits or overexpression of Syntaxin 6 results in a redistribution of soluble SHIP164 to endosomal structures. Co‐overexpression of Syntaxin 6 and SHIP164 produced excessive tubulation of endosomes, and perturbed the transport of cation‐independent mannose‐6‐phosphate receptor (CI‐MPR) and transferrin receptor. Thus, we propose that SHIP164 functions in trafficking through the early/recycling endosomal system.
Oxycodone Versus Codeine for Triage Pain in Children With Suspected Forearm Fracture: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare the efficacy of pain reduction of triage oxycodone (O) versus codeine (C) to children with suspected forearm fractures. Design/Methods: Children, aged 4 to 17 years, were randomized to receive O (0.2 mg/kg; maximum, 15 mg) or C (2 mg/kg; maximum, 120 mg) if isolated forearm fracture was suspected by the emergency department (ED) triage nurse. All other ED staff were blinded to the assignment. The primary outcome measure was a 5-point facial scale (0 = no pain, 4 = severe) completed by subjects to assess pain at baseline then at 30-minute intervals until ED discharge or procedural sedation for fractures requiring reduction. Ten adverse effects were assessed at baseline and the succeeding intervals. Identification of the most painful part of the visit was assessed at discharge. Efficacy and adverse effects of O versus C were compared using generalized estimate equation modeling. Results: One hundred seven subjects (mean age, 10.4 years; African American, 55%; males, 56%) were randomized to O (n = 51) or C (n= 56). Subjects taking O reported a pain score significantly lower than subjects taking C (0.4 faces, P = 0.01). Minor adverse effects occurred in both groups, but itching occurred less in O subjects (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.99). The most painful part of the visit was radiography (O = 41%, C = 38%) followed by extremity examination (O = 16%, C = 13%) then casting (O = 8%, C = 13%). Conclusions: Triage-administered O tended toward greater pain reduction compared with C in children with suspected forearm fractures. Although minor adverse effects occurred in both groups, itching occurred more in C. Identification of radiography as the most painful part of fracture evaluation underscores the need for early triage administration of analgesia for suspected fractures.