Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of quantile regression as alternative to ordinary least squares

In this article, an alternative to ordinary least squares (OLS) regression based on analytical solution in the Statgraphics software is considered, and this alternative is no other than quantile regression (QR) model. We also present goodness of fit statistic as well as approximate distributions of the associated test statistics for the parameters. Furthermore, we suggest a goodness of fit statistic called the least absolute deviation (LAD) coefficient of determination. The procedure is well presented, illustrated and validated by a numerical example based on publicly available dataset on fuel consumption in miles per gallon in highway driving.
Decisions under Uncertainty in Decentralized Online Markets: Empirical Studies of Peer-to-Peer Lending and Outsourcing

I study the online market for peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, in which individuals bid on unsecured microloans sought by other individual borrowers. Using a large sample of consummated and failed listings from the largest online P2P lending marketplace – Prosper.com, I test whether a borrower's online social networks can help mitigate information asymmetry between borrowers and lenders, focusing on the distinction between the structural and relational aspects of networks. While the structural aspects have limited to no significance, the relational aspects are consistently significant predictors of lending outcomes, with a striking gradation based on the verifiability and visibility of a borrower's social capital. Stronger and more verifiable relational network measures are associated with a higher likelihood of a loan being funded and lower interest rates for the borrowers, and lower risks of default for lenders. I discuss the implications of my findings for the disintermediation of financial markets and the design of decentralized electronic markets. 1 An earlier version of this study was published in the Proceedings of the 30 International Conference on Information Systems (Lin, Prabhala & Viswanathan 2009).
Factors in the causation of persistent ductus arteriosus

Little is known about the reasons why children are born with congenital heart disease. Polani & Campbell (1955) studied the families of 384 such children but, though most had Fallot’s tetralogy, the group was not homogeneous. We are, therefore, applying the same methods to some homogeneous groups and first, in this paper, to the families of 261 patients with persistent ductus arteriosus (P.D.A.). Normally, the ductus remains open until shortly after birth, while a malformation like Fallot’s tetralogy is established by the second or third month of intra-uterine life, so that a P.D. A. might seem more likely to be caused by some condition at the time of birth or just after: this, however, is not the whole explanation, since, for oxample, uncomplicated P.D. A. may follow maternal rubella during the early weeks of pregnancy. Our material consists of 261 patients with uncomplicated P.D. A. , of whom 123 were seen by Dr Campbell at Guy’s Hospital and 138 by Dr Bonham-Carter at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street (o.o.s.). Only patients in whom there was any doubt about the diagnosis and those with a reversed shunt (five patients) or with other cardiac malformations in addition to P.D. A. were excluded. The diagnosis was proved by operation in 98 of the 123 Guy’s patients and in 124 of the 138 G.O. S. patients. The two examining cardiologists were in no doubt as to the diagnosis in the others which was backed by the results of special investigation. A questionnaire was sent to 150 Guy’s patients and of these 123 (82 yo) replied fully. It was designed to supply information about the birth date, weight at birth, paternal and maternal age, sibs (their sex, age, birth weight and health), the presence of consanguinity, the presence of cardiac or other malformations in sibs or other relatives, and data about the pregnancy, labour and delivery. For the 138 O.O. S. patients, the special form in use at the cardiac clinic generally gave full information about the date of birth, sex, weight at birth, consanguinity of parents, infections in pregnancy, and cardiac and other malformations in sibs. Only some of this information was available for six adopted children, and some older Guy’s patients could not fdl in details about the pregnancy and labour.
Very Small Enterprises as Professional Customers: a Qualitative Study

This paper discusses the findings of a qualitative study carried out in the French automotive, building-trade and hairdressing sectors about relationship expectations and behaviors of very small enterprises (VSE). While VSE represent more than 90% of European enterprises, little research has been done on these business customers. Defining VSE characteristics and the interest of relationship marketing to study this target, this research sheds lights on VSE buying behavior. The results of the qualitative study allow us to propose a relationship marketing model for the VSE of each sector and to identify relationships key components for this target (interpersonal, brand and offer). The paper concludes with a cross-sector model insisting on the necessity to develop our knowledge of individual characteristics of the VSE owner/manager as an area of future research.
The prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus in Scotland

SUMMARY The prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus in 1152 serum samples from adult cattle in 114 dairy and beef herds in different regions of Scotland was 12%. In the Grampian region, the number of seropositive cattle in the self-contained herds was significantly less (P < 0·01) than in the ‘other’ herds. Holstein cattle had been introduced into five of these ‘other’ herds, and significantly more (P < 0·01) of the samples from these five herds were seropositive compared with the samples from the rest of the ‘other’ herds in the same region into which recently purchased cattle had been introduced. The introduction of Holstein cattle was also a major factor in the association between the prevalence of antibodies and herd size in the Grampian region. The prevalence of serum neutralizing antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus was significantly greater (P < 0·001) in this survey than in those previously undertaken in the United Kingdom.
Preliminary antimicrobial susceptibility interpretive criteria for cefetamet (Ro 15-8074) and cefteram (Ro 19-5247) disk tests

Preliminary interpretive zone criteria were calculated for cefetamet (Ro 15-8074) and cefteram (Ro 19-5247) by using 10- and 30-micrograms disks and three possible MIC susceptibility breakpoints. Absolute interpretive agreement between MICs and zone size criteria ranged from 91.8 to 97.2%. Very major errors (false susceptibility) were less than or equal to 1.2% for both cephalosporin disk tests. Morganella morganii strains appeared to produce the highest rates of very major interpretive errors with cefetamet disks.
Trauma experiences, posttraumatic stress, dissociation, and depression in Cambodian refugees.

OBJECTIVE The authors' goal was to determine the levels of trauma and psychiatric symptoms in a randomly selected group of Cambodian refugees and to determine the relationship between the amount of trauma experienced and subsequent psychiatric symptoms. METHOD Data on traumatic experiences and symptoms of posttraumatic stress, dissociation, depression, and anxiety were collected on 50 randomly selected Cambodian refugees who had resettled in the United States. RESULTS Subjects experienced multiple and severe traumas and showed high levels of all symptoms measured. Forty-three (86%) of the subjects met DSM-III-R criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder, 48 (96%) had high dissociation scores, and 40 (80%) could be classified as suffering from clinical depression. Correlations between trauma scores and symptom scores and among symptom scores were moderate to large. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that a high proportion of Cambodian refugees who are not psychiatric patients suffer from severe psychiatric symptoms and that there is a relationship between the amount of trauma they experienced and the severity of these symptoms.
Successful and Unsuccessful Exporters from Developing Countries: : Some Preliminary Findings

Past research has identified several organizational, managerial, relationship‐related and external variables as playing a role in determining the success or failure of a firm′s export marketing activities. However, most of this research has been conducted using samples from the developed world. Attempts to differentiate between successful and unsuccessful exporters from a developing country. Findings indicate that characteristics of the industry, nature of the product (industrial/consumer), destination of exports and managerial variables are significant discriminators of success in a developing‐country context.
Model of a Putative Pore: The Pentameric α-Helical Bundle of SARS Coronavirus E Protein in Lipid Bilayers

Abstract The coronavirus responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome contains a small envelope protein, E, with putative involvement in host apoptosis and virus morphogenesis. To perform these functions, it has been suggested that protein E can form a membrane destabilizing transmembrane (TM) hairpin, or homooligomerize to form a TM pore. Indeed, in a recent study we reported that the α-helical putative transmembrane domain of E protein (ETM) forms several SDS-resistant TM interactions: a dimer, a trimer, and two pentameric forms. Further, these interactions were found to be evolutionarily conserved. Herein, we have studied multiple isotopically labeled ETM peptides reconstituted in model lipid bilayers, using the orientational parameters derived from infrared dichroic data. We show that the topology of ETM is consistent with a regular TM α-helix. Further, the orientational parameters obtained unequivocally correspond to a homopentameric model, by comparison with previous predictions. We have independently confirmed that the full polypeptide of E protein can also aggregate as pentamers after expression in Escherichia coli. This interaction must be stabilized, at least partially, at the TM domain. The model we report for this pentameric α-helical bundle may explain some of the permabilizing properties of protein E, and should be the basis of mutagenesis efforts in future functional studies.
Reliable Human Fall Prediction Utilizing Robot Fall Prediction Algorithm

The increasingly aging population has inspired a great deal of research in the prevention of fall injuries. A pragmatic and accurate technique to predict fall incidence, along with a corresponding mobile phone app, is proposed in this paper. The technique aims to integrate the benefits of traditional medical history based paradigm and non-historical paradigm and overcome the disadvantage on both paradigms, i.e. too long alert time of the history based paradigm and too short alert time for the non-historical approach. The breakthrough comes from the application of robot fall prediction algorithm to the human subjects. In our previous paper, a similar mobile app analyzes single leg motion to predict the fall of the carrying individual with a little too short alert time. Hence our previous method falls more on the side of non-historical paradigm, not a real hybrid or midway technique. The technique given in this paper represents the real solution, though the human side data is not presented. The missing data will be provided in our next paper.
NFC based service innovation in retail: An explorative study

Enterprises are facing a challenging dilemma. In order to be able to accommodate peak loads on their IT systems, they must maintain large computing clusters, which lie idle most of the time. At the same time, IT departments are under constant pressure to cut down on hardand software expenses. Grid technology offers a promising way out of this dilemma by allowing the dynamic sharing both within enterprises as well as across organizational boundaries. This sharing approach, however, requires proper economic incentives. This paper is concerned with the determination of dynamic market-based prices. Due to their simplicity, so-called pay-as-bid mechanisms have become popular. This paper is novel as we provide an in-depth analysis of two such pay-as-bid mechanisms – Proportional Share and a discriminatory pay-as-bid mechanism – for the case of three users, thus extending previous work by Sanghavi and Hajek (2004) and Stoser et al. (2008). This analysis is important as we show that the nice results for two users cannot be retained once three or more users are present. Even worse, we show that these results can even be reversed if we move to games with more than two players.
An investigation of the effects of SFAS No.121 on asset impairment reporting and stock returns

Prior to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.121 (SFAS No.121): Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, managers had substantial discretion concerning the amount and timing of reporting writedowns of long-lived assets. Moreover, the frequency and dollar amount of asset writedown announcements that led to a large “surprise” caused the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to consider the need for a new standard to guide the recording of impairment of long-lived assets. This study has two primary objectives. First, it investigates the effects of SFAS No.121 on asset impairment reporting, examining whether SFAS No.121 reduces the magnitude and restricts the timing of reporting asset writedowns. Second, the study compares the information content (surprise element) of the asset impairment loss announcement as measured by cumulative abnormal returns (CAR) before and after the issuance of SFAS No.121. The findings provide support for the hypothesis that the FASB's new accounting standard does not affect the magnitude of asset writedown losses. The findings also provide support for the hypothesis that SFAS No. 121 does not affect the management choice of the timing for reporting asset writedowns. In addition, the findings suggest that the market evaluates the asset writedown losses after the issuance of SFAS No. 121 as good news for “big bath” firms, while, for “income smoothing” firms, the market does not respond to the announcements of asset writedown losses either before or after the issuance of SFAS No. 121. The findings also suggest that, for “big bath” firms, the market perceives the announcement of asset impairment losses after the adoption of SFAS No. 121 as more credible relative to that before its issuance. This could be because the practice of reporting asset writedowns after the issuance of SFAS No. 121 is under the FASB's authoritative guidance, which brings consistency and comparability in asset impairment reporting.
Mutual Fund Size, Fund Family Size and Mutual Fund Performance: The Role of Selective Disclosure and Regulation FD

Using Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD) as a point of structural change in the flow of selective information between firms and mutual funds, we examine whether the positive association between fund performance and fund family size is a result of selective access to information. Using two different research designs, we find that while fund family size was positively associated with fund performance in the period prior to Reg FD, this advantage has waned in the period subsequent to the regulation. We find that in the pre-Reg FD period funds that belonged to larger fund families displayed greater stock picking ability which disappeared subsequent to the regulation. This evidence suggests that the previously documented superior return of large fund families was the result of favored access rather than greater analytical skill or cost economies of scale. We also find that larger funds have poorer stock picking ability which suggests that the previously documented underperformance of large funds compared small funds could be attributable at least in part to a lower ability to pick the right stock. This evidence supports the liquidity hypothesis which suggests that large funds have to delve deeper to into the reservoir of ideas thereby generating lower returns.
Critical success factors in the personal selling process: An empirical investigation of Ecuadorian salespeople in the banking industry

This article identifies the selling techniques that are critical success factors (CSFs) for salespeople who sell banking products and services in Ecuador. The study examines the selling techniques that differentiate top and bottom sales performers in the Ecuadorian banking industry. Both self‐reported and supervisor ratings are used to measure salesperson performance. The results suggest that differences in performance between top and bottom performing salespeople relate to the use of five selling techniques: examining records at the prospecting stage of the selling process; approaching prospects using statements about the salesperson, the bank, or the names of persons who referred the prospect; using customer friendly language during the sales presentation; being knowledgeable of the benefits of the banks’ products and being able to clarify the products’ benefits; and ensuring post‐purchase satisfaction of existing customers.
Inhibitors of Cyclooxygenases produce Amnesia for a Passive Avoidance Task in the Chick

Arachidonic acid is a putative messenger in synaptic transmission which presumably plays a role in learning and memory. Previous experiments showed that inhibitors of phospholipase A2‐dependent release of arachidonic acid cause amnesia in a one‐trial passive avoidance task in the chick. To test if arachidonic acid is metabolized to other messengers, the effects of inhibitors of enzymes which metabolize arachidonic acid were tested in the same task. The cyclooxygenase inhibitors indomethacin, naproxen and ibuprofen caused amnestic effects at all concentrations tested when injected intracerebrally before training. Injections were 5 μl of 5–20 mmolar solutions per hemisphere. The onset of amnestic effects was always 2 h after training, independently of drug type, concentration, and injection time before training. The delay of 2 h after training suggests that the drugs prevent induction of cyclooxygenase synthesis. Post‐training injections had no effect. Control tests showed little effect of the drugs on motor control and motivation. Caffeic acid and esculetin, inhibitors of lipoxygenases, and sodium furegrelate, a thromboxane synthase inhibitor, had no effect on performance of chicks in the task at all concentrations or time points tested. The results indicate that cyclooxygenase products, but not lipoxygenase or thromboxane synthase products, play a role in memory consolidation in the chick when learning this task.
Screening utility of umbilical artery Doppler indices in patients with preeclampsia

Background: Doppler indices of umbilical artery are used as indicator of fetal well being. Objective: To compare Doppler parameters of umbilical artery including pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) in patients with preeclampsia with those of normal pregnancies and to evaluate the diagnostic characteristics of these parameters in preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: In a case control study, umbilical artery pulsatility and resistance indices were calculated at a free loop of umbilical cord in 25 preeclamptic patients and 75 uneventful pregnancies. Measurements were compared and diagnostic characteristics of the indices were determined. Results: Mean of pulsatility and resistance index were significantly higher in preeclampsia patients than the control group. Besides, patients with severe preeclampsia showed significantly higher values of PI and RI in comparison to those with mild preeclampsia. For PI, the cut-off of ≥0.98 yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity. Also, RI of 0.64 acquired a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 44%. Conclusion: Umbilical artery pulsatility index and resistance index increase in preeclampsia and these changes tend to be greater in severe preeclampsia. Umbilical artery PI and RI seem to be more appropriate in excluding preeclampsia rather than confirming it, and we propose the cut-off values of 0.98 for PI and/or 0.64 for RI, to rule-out the disease.
The processing of single words studied with positron emission tomography.

Language, the most profoundly human of all abilities, has been a focus of study in many disciplines. Cognitive psychological studies of normals have been used to describe language-related information processing. The correlation of language-related behavioral deficits with the site of nervous system injury has been used to relate language processing to brain function. Over the past decade, there has been an explosion in the use of imaging technology, including positron emission tomography (PET), to study the structure and function of the human brain. This article explores how functional imaging with PET has been applied to the study of language, particularly the study of the processing of single words (lexical processing). To understand how PET is used in the study of lexical processing, one has to have some understanding of the technology of PET, a framework in which to explore the processing of words, and knowledge of the ques­ tions that can be addressed by the specific application of PET studies to issues in lexical processing. This paper follows that path with a brief general introduction to PET, an outline of some aspects of lexical processing, and a presentation of selected PET studies that have addressed issues in lexical processing.
IPO Underpricing: A Liquidity Based Explanation

The underpricing of initial public offerings (IPOs) is a deeply investigated phenomenon, commonly explained with asymmetric information and risk. Ellul and Pagano (2006) first linked the underpricing with liquidity proxies like liquidity risk and effective spread. In this paper I propose a different liquidity based framework which compares an IPO to a large sell-initiated block trade, and the underpricing to the price pressure effect of the trade itself, which means the price for the liquidity “bought” by the seller. As a result, we should expect this price to be lower (higher) for more (il)liquid stocks. The framework is supported by empirical results for a sample of Italian IPOs, where underpricing is negatively related with several liquidity measures after controlling for the oversubscription level and other usual explanatory variables in IPO studies.
WOMAN IN BUSINESS: DETERMINANTS FOR VENTURING IN MALAYSIANS SMEs

Motivational conflict toward the involvement of women entrepreneur in SMEs is getting the capital but the inner psychological drive that mobilized their energy to venture becoming more prominent. Thus this paper attempts to empirically discuss the effect of environmental, financial and psychological factors in encouraging women to be in business. With the understanding that traditionally, women in Asia are not encouraged to work but the trend of their involvement becoming more serious and relevant. Is it due to rising cost of living? Is it due to the nature of industries requiring them to be in the business? Is it just to pass the leisure time? Despite the decision to start one’s own business has long been regarded as a high-risk decision to make but facts and figures indicates that, women nowadays are involving in business twice as fast as men. Previous studies demonstrate various implications for motivation to be in business. The finding of the study technically demonstrate that psychological and environmental factors are very relevant, whereas the possibilities of financial factors may be very limited across the region. While it is possible that the entrepreneurship venturing always relate to male but the impact of the women entrepreneur on the development and subsequent success in new venturing has been demonstrated in certain business sectors which reflects their strength, limitation, commitment and best practices