Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Stochastic Geometry Analyses of Cellular Networks With  $\alpha$ -Stable Self-Similarity

To understand the spatial deployment of base stations (BSs) is the first step to analyze the performance of cellular networks and further design efficient networking protocols. Poisson point process (PPP), which has been widely adopted to characterize the deployment of BSs and established the reputation to give tractable results in the stochastic geometry analyses, usually assumes a static BS deployment density in homogeneous PPP (HPPP) models or delicately designed location-dependent density functions in in-homogeneous PPP models. However, the simultaneous existence of attractiveness and repulsiveness among BSs practically deployed in a large-scale area defies such an assumption, and the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\alpha $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-stable distribution, one kind of heavy-tailed distributions, has recently demonstrated superior accuracy to statistically model the varying BS density in different areas. In this paper, we start with these new findings and investigate the intrinsic feature (i.e., the spatial self-similarity) embedded in the BSs. Afterwards, we refer to a generalized PPP setup with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\alpha $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-stable distributed density and theoretically derive the related coverage probability. In particular, we give an upper bound of the derived coverage probability for high signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio thresholds and show the monotonically decreasing property of this bound with respect to the variance of BS density. Besides, we prove that our model could reduce to the single-tier HPPP for some special cases and demonstrate the superior accuracy of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\alpha $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-stable model to approach the real environment.
Percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)--which is the appropriate therapy of coronary artery disease in uraemic patients?

CABG and PTCA in the non-renal patientSince Favaloro introduced coronary artery bypassgrafting (CABG) in 1969, it has become establishedas a standard procedure in the treatment of coronaryartery disease [1]. In 1977 Gruntzig introducedpercutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) as an alternative or complementaryrevascularization modality [2]. PTCA was initiallyused only to dilate short, non-calcified stenoses of theproximal segments of coronary arteries. Withincreased operator skill, improvement of cathetersystems and of peri-interventional management, theindication for PTCA has been extended to patientswith higher procedural risk, such as patients withmultivessel disease, poor ventricular function, orthose with complex stenoses [3]. Is there controlled evidence of efficacy of theseprocedures? In recent years prospective randomized studies havebeen conducted to compare these two revascularizationtechniques PTCA and CABG in non-renal patients.The aim of these studies was to characterize benefitsand risks, specifically with regard to prevention ofangina pectoris, maintenance of left ventricular func-tion and incidence of myocardial infarction or rein-tervention respectively. The RITA (randomizedintervention treatment of angina) study comparedPTCA and CABG, covering more than 1000 patientswith multiple coronary vessel disease. A comparableincidence of death or heart attack was observed duringa 2-year follow-up period in the two interventiongroups [4]. Compared to surgical revascularization,patients with PTCA had a higher incidence of anginapectoris and a higher requirement for antianginal med-ication or intervention [4], These results were con-firmed in other studie [5,6]s Despit. e the higher rateof re-interventions, PTCA proved to be superior with
Relationship Between Job Characteristics And Job Performance Of Agricultural Extension Agents In Imo And Rivers State, Nigeria

The agricultural extension agent is a key stakeholder in extension systems. The nature of their work is so important that it has overriding effect on their job performance. This study investigates the relationship between job characteristics and job performance of agricultural extension agents in Imo and Rivers States, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to 193 extension agents made up of 98 and 95 from Imo and Rivers States respectively. Findings revealed that feedback and task identity significantly affected job performance of extension agents. It was recommended that role clarity can be boosted by allowing agents participation in task assignments. Keywords : job characteristics, job performance, agricultural extension agents Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 56-60
A Comparative Analysis of Event Attendees' Spending Behaviors, Satisfaction, and Information Search Patterns By Event Types at a Midwestern College Town

The purpose of this study is to compare differences on information search patterns, spending behaviors, and satisfaction levels among visitors attending three event types. The existing literature has by and large addressed visitor behaviors based on visitor characteristics. This study, however, takes an approach from the supply side and distinguishes visitor behaviors against three event types at the same destination. The study was conducted in a Midwestern college town where 536 usable surveys were collected through onsite interceptions. One-way ANOVA test were employed to test the behavioral differences at three experiences stages (preevents, during, and postevents). The ANOVA test indicate that festival attendees relied heavily on past experiences and had the highest satisfaction level among all event attendees. Conferences attendees tended to stay the longest and sporting event goers spent the most during the event. Implications and future directions of research are provided on this topic.
Legal Competencies Essential for Golf Directors

Although a number of publications has described legal aspects as one of the requisite management competencies in a variety of recreational sport contexts, there have been few research efforts to specify and clarify the legal knowledge essential for golf directors.The purpose of this study was: (1) to identify the requisite foundation of knowledge in relation to legal liability, the law, and risk management that assists golf course directors; (2) to examine a profile of legal competencies that golf directors actually need to possess; and (3) to provide information that could be used to structure a curriculum focusing on legal aspects. A total of 390 PGA certified golf course directors participated in this study. The result of factor analysis on legal competencies of golf directors indicated the presence of a 6-factor model, which consisted of 37 observed competencies. The results made it possible identify a number of opportunities for discussion and potential areas for research.
Effects of examinee gender, standardized‐patient gender, and their interaction on standardized patients' ratings of examinees' interpersonal and communication skills

PURPOSE. To assess the effects of examinee gender, standardized-patient (SP) gender, and, in particular, their interaction on ratings made by SPs of examinees' interpersonal and communication skills in a performance-based examination of clinical competence. METHOD. The examination was administered to four classes of senior medical students (about 70 per class) at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 1988–1991. The skill dimensions tested were clarity of communication, thoroughness of explanation, professional manner, personal manner, and overall patient satisfaction. Split-plot analyses of variance were used. RESULTS. There was no interaction of examinee gender and SP gender for any of the five rating scales. There was no main effect of examinee gender for four of the five scales; however, for personal manner, women students were rated slightly higher than men students. There was a main effect of SP gender, but the effect was not consistent from rating scale to rating scale or from class to class. Nevertheless, differences in ratings given by men and women SPs should not be of psychometric concern, since the ratings of men and women examinees are necessarily affected alike. CONCLUSIONS. Except for the women examinee's higher performance in personal manner, the men and women examinees generally performed equally well with respect to interpersonal and communication skills, and they performed equally well regardless of the gender of the SP.
Relationships of Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Financial Performance in Islamic Banks: a Meta-analysis

Relationships between corporate governance mechanisms and the financial performance of Islamic banks have been researched extensively in prior empirical research. However, the results are mixed, mainly due to the heterogeneity of the samples used for the empirical investigations. This paper reports the results of a meta-analysis of the existing literature on governance mechanisms from which a framework was developed to guide the constructions of governance indices. The results showed that Islamic banks banks tend to have better financial performance if there was (1) a higher proportion of independent directors on the board; (2) the Shari”ah Supervisory Board was large and consisted of top scholars; (3)numerous directors; (4) the CEO was chairman; (5) auditing was enforced and (6) ownership structure was dispersed, reducing shareholding of directors, foreigners and institutional investors, while increasing family and governments’ shareholding. Managers’ shareholding was insignificant.
The Existence of Blockholders and Corporate Governance. Empirical Evidence from U.S.

This paper investigates the role of blockholders within a firm. It studies the relationship between the number of blockholders and the share volatility of US listed firms. Controlling for potential endogeneity problems, it results that the number of blockholders affects positively share price volatility, but the reverse is not true. Furthermore, the largest blockholders differs from the one of the other blockholders. The largest blockholder limits the agency problems within a firm, while the number of blockholders affects volatility. Finally, firms with multiple blockholders show peculiar characteristics which show that multiple blockholders firm are not simply a mid-point between single blockholder firms and widely held firms indicating that multiple blockholders’ firms should be considered as a specific type.
Sorting by the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Amyloid Precursor Protein Binding Receptor SorLA

ABSTRACT SorLA/LR11 (250 kDa) is the largest and most composite member of the Vps10p-domain receptors, a family of type 1 proteins preferentially expressed in neuronal tissue. SorLA binds several ligands, including neurotensin, platelet-derived growth factor-bb, and lipoprotein lipase, and via complex-formation with the amyloid precursor protein it downregulates generation of Alzheimer's disease-associated Aβ-peptide. The receptor is mainly located in vesicles, suggesting a function in protein sorting and transport. Here we examined SorLA's trafficking using full-length and chimeric receptors and find that its cytoplasmic tail mediates efficient Golgi body-endosome transport, as well as AP-2 complex-dependent endocytosis. Functional sorting sites were mapped to an acidic cluster-dileucine-like motif and to a GGA binding site in the C terminus. Experiments in permanently or transiently AP-1 μ1-chain-deficient cells established that the AP-1 adaptor complex is essential to SorLA's transport between Golgi membranes and endosomes. Our results further implicate the GGA proteins in SorLA trafficking and provide evidence that SNX1 and Vps35, as parts of the retromer complex or possibly in a separate context, are engaged in retraction of the receptor from endosomes.
The Effect Of Conference Call Initiations On Analyst Coverage And Institutional Ownership

The study empirically examines changes in institutional ownership and analyst coverage in the years following conference call initiations. We find significant increases in both variables in the years following initiations of conference calls after controlling for confounding factors. These results complement prior research on the benefits of disclosures and suggest that expanded disclosures create additional institutional and analyst interest in stocks.
Improved ESOP-based Synthesis of Reversible Logic

This paper presents an improved ESOP-based reversible logic synthesis which utilizes cubes shared by multiple outputs and ensures that the implementation of each cube requires just one Toffoli gate. Thus it has the potential of minimizing the gate count and quantum cost. Experimental results show that this technique can reduce the quantum cost up to 75%, compared to the existing algorithm.
Wood pallet suppliers' reaction to online reverse auctions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively assess wood pallet suppliers' reaction to online reverse auctions and its impact on their business policies and practices.Design/methodology/approach – Survey method was used to determine how pallet suppliers react to online reverse auctions.Findings – Determines that pallet suppliers do not realize the benefits claimed by online reverse auction service providers. Identifies new sources of costs which accrue to buyers and are not accounted for in so‐called “total cost” request for quotes including: retaliatory pricing practices, less cooperative relationships, and sourcing work back to the original supplier. The qualitative benefits identified for suppliers by third‐party online reverse auction service providers are overstated or false.Research limitations/implications – The present work can be extended to other commodity categories to identify similarities and differences in how suppliers react to online reverse auctions, understand the domain of s.
Overpricing: Evidence from Earnings Announcements

In the days before earnings announcements we find an average price increase of almost 1 percent for stocks that are likely to be overpriced already - stocks with low institutional ownership combined with high market-to-book ratios, turnover, volatility, or analyst forecast dispersion. However, in the days after earnings announcements these same stocks generate negative abnormal returns of more than 3 percent. Together, these results indicate a significant net correction following earnings announcements for stocks that are prone to be overpriced. These results are consistent with the optimism bias hypothesized in Miller (1977), and with recent evidence that cross-sectional return predictability is concentrated among stocks with low institutional ownership.
Why Do Some Adolescents Encounter Everyday Events That Increase Their Civic Interest Whereas Others Do Not?

Using a longitudinal design, we asked 2 age cohorts of adolescents (15- and 18-year-olds) whether they, during the last year, had experienced events that had increased their civic interest and about details of their experiences. Based on self-determination theory, we predicted that the adolescents who reported having experienced events of this kind had already been more interested and had had more positive feelings about politics much earlier in time, and that this original interest would have increased more over time, than that of other adolescents. Second, we proposed that the adolescents who had encountered events that triggered their civic interest would have been engaged in behaviors that reflected their needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence, much earlier in time, and that, over time, they would have increased these behaviors more than other adolescents. These 2 predictions were largely confirmed. As for the content of the events the adolescents reported, many of them concerned national and international issues experienced as threatening, and that challenged the adolescents’ beliefs and morality. Overall, a previous interest in politics and engagement in exploratory behaviors that reflect the adolescents’ psychological needs seem to play crucial roles in understanding why adolescents in their everyday life encounter events that trigger their civic interest. Further, the findings show that having had everyday experiences that trigger the adolescents’ civic interests are associated with a later increase in political interest more broadly.
Alliance form: a test of the contractual and competence perspectives

This paper analyzes factors that influence firms' choice of the organizational form of strategic alliances. I consider arguments suggested by both the contractual and the competence perspectives. In order to distinguish empirically between them, I devote special attention to the role played by the similarity of partner firms' technological specialization. In the empirical section I consider a sample composed of 271 equity joint ventures, non-equity bilateral and unilateral agreements established between each other in the period 1983–86 by 67 North American, European, and Japanese enterprises from the world's largest firms in information technology industries. I examine the effects on the choice of alliance form of a measure of firms' technological proximity based on patents count, while controlling for other variables that are usually considered in the empirical literature. The estimates of binomial and multinomial logit models support the competence-based argument that in technological alliances divergence in partners' technological specialization results in a higher propensity to use equity forms. Overall, the findings suggest that both the contractual and competence perspectives provide valuable complementary insights into the determinants of alliance form. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endothelial Dysfunction, Vascular Disease and Stroke: The ARTICO Study

Endothelial dysfunction is a fundamental step in the atherosclerotic disease process. Its presence is a risk factor for the development of clinical events, and may represent a marker of atherothrombotic burden. Also, endothelial dysfunction contributes to enhanced plaque vulnerability, may trigger plaque rupture, and favors thrombus formation. The assessment of endothelial vasomotion is a useful marker of atherosclerotic vascular disease. There are different methods to assess endothelial function: endothelium-dependent vasodilatation brachial flow-mediated dilation, cerebrovascular reactivity to L-arginine, and the determination of some biomarkers such as microalbuminuria, platelet function, and C-reactive protein. Endothelial dysfunction has been observed in stroke patients and has been related to stroke physiopathology, stroke subtypes, clinical severity and outcome. Resting ankle-brachial index (ABI) is also considered an indicator of generalized atherosclerosis, and a low ABI is associated with an increase in stroke incidence in the elderly. Despite all these data, there are no studies analyzing the predictive value of ABI for new cardiovascular events in patients after suffering an acute ischemic stroke. ARTICO is an ongoing prospective, observational, multicenter study being performed in 50 Spanish hospitals. The aim of the ARTICO study is to evaluate the prognostic value of a pathological ABI (≤0.9) in the presence of a major cardiovascular event during a 1-year follow-up after first-ever ischemic stroke. Secondary objectives include the evaluation of the predictive value for major cardiovascular events of the carotid intima-media thickness, carotid duplex findings, and certain biomarkers. Data from the ARTICO study will increase the knowledge of patient outcome after ischemic stroke and may help to improve our ability to detect patients at high risk of stroke recurrence or major cardiovascular events.
The Impact of Process Recovery Communication on Customer Satisfaction, Repurchase Intentions, and Word-of-Mouth Intentions

Complaint management should not be restricted to a firm’s efforts to fix the problem and restore customer satisfaction after a service failure (i.e., customer recovery [CR]). Rather, firms should learn from customer complaints and improve their processes to prevent similar failures (i.e., process recovery [PR]). PR communication, or the feedback to customers that describes how an organization has executed complaint-based process improvements, thus may be critical. Four studies investigate the impact of PR communication on customer outcomes for customers (1) who experienced a failure, complained, and received satisfactory CR; (2) who experienced a failure, complained, and received unsatisfactory CR; (3) who experienced a failure but did not complain; and (4) who did not experience a failure. PR communication positively affects customers' overall satisfaction, repurchase intentions, and word-of-mouth intentions through higher perceptions of the firm’s relationship investment and overall justice. In addition, such communication is most effective for the second and third types of customers; the effects for the first and fourth types are less pronounced. Managers who want to maximize the return on their complaint-handling efforts should communicate process recoveries to customers.
Risk factors for invasive pneumococcal disease in HIV-infected adults in France in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era

Invasive pneumococcal diseases remain frequent and severe in HIV-infected subjects. To identify opportunities for prevention, we assessed risk factors of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) in HIV-infected patients over a 10-year period in France. We performed a retrospective case-control study in a reference centre of HIV management in Paris. All HIV-infected patients having suffered from IPD between 2000 and 2011 were included. Control subjects were HIV-infected with no history of IPD or pneumonia, matched by date of diagnosis of HIV with controls. Two controls were randomly selected for each subject. In all, 42 HIV-infected patients presented 44 IPD episodes during the study period and were compared to 84 controls. In the multivariate analysis, patients with IPD were more likely than controls to have a Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥2 (adjusted OR = 7.07, 95% CI 1.99–25.1, p = 0.003), CD4-cell count <200/cells/µL (aOR = 6.93, 95% CI 1.80–26.7, p = 0.005), HIV-RNA viral load >400 copies/mL (aOR = 5.56, 95% CI 1.58–19.5, p = 0.007) and a non-European origin (aOR = 4.26, 95% CI 1.02–17.9, p = 0.047). HIV-infected patients with a higher burden of comorbidities, uncontrolled HIV replication, low CD4-cell counts and/or of non-European origin are at higher risk of developing IPD. Better screening for and management of HIV infection is necessary to reduce the risk of IPD.
The Establishment of BP Neural Networks Model for Financial Crisis Prediction of Listed Companies and Its Application

In this paper,the method of BP artificial neural networks is applied to financial crisis prediction of listed companies to develop prediction model on financial crisis.This model can not only find out the risks of the company and whether the company management deviating from the orbit,and then caution the executives to adopt management countermeasures,but also offer scientific means and reliable basis to make these creditors,include large investors and banks,judge listed companies′ quality and manage achievement.As a new way of Financial crisis prediction,this model is proved effective and feasible.
Lost in Transition: Generalized Trust and CEO Succession

This study examines whether cultural elements, such as generalized trust, impede the proper working of the market place. Results suggest that generalized trust influences the size of the in-groups from which a firm’s CEO is chosen and the length of the succession process. The effect of generalized trust on CEO succession is causal. Furthermore, the negative impact of a family CEO on firm performance is more prevalent when generalized trust is low. In summary, lack of generalized trust impedes the proper working of the managerial labor market, which leads to inefficient economic outcomes at the firm level.