Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An explorative study of applying Prediction Markets in course evaluation

Prediction Markets is a new emerging efficient method for predicting the likelihood of uncertain future events, and also it has been used successfully in various fields. Compare to traditional forecasting methods, it can provide more accurate results and reflect continuous real-time information. In this research, we focus on its application in course evaluation. This research includes a Prediction Markets-based systematic literature review, in which there are 120 articles included. They are analysed based on four main categories: description, theoretical work, organization management, and applications. The results demonstrate that few of research take Prediction Markets into consideration as an evaluation system and it has not been used for course evaluation purpose. Course evaluation in universities is quite meaningful. Traditional course evaluation methods have been proved to be low response rate, time consuming, inaccurate data and lacking interactions between teachers and students. In this research, the Prediction Markets-based course evaluation system is designed as a new solution of evaluating the course quality. We present an explorative experiment which is conducted in a real course environment with 49 students involved. The students are divided into two groups: Prediction Markets-based group and Traditional group, with the purpose of comparing the difference between Prediction Markets-based course evaluation system and traditional in use course evaluation system. In conclusion, the study confirms the feasibility of extending Prediction Markets in course evaluation use. Additionally, a possible solution of designing and implementing Prediction Markets-based course evaluation system is presented. Further studies should focus on the issues of optimizing the Prediction Markets-based course evaluation system.
The Association between Corporate Disclosure , Analysts Following and Information Asymmetry : Evidence from SET 100 Index

This study examines the importance of financial analysts as information intermediaries in an emerging capital market, Thailand. To do so, it examines the association among the information disclosure of Thai listed companies, the number of analysts following the company and information asymmetry. Corporate disclosure is measured by a disclosure index. Analysts following is measured by the number of analysts following a company. The effective relative bid-ask spread is a proxy for information asymmetry. The data were collected from all 100 listed companies appearing in the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s SET100 Index during Jul-Dec 2011. The empirical results provide evidence that the number of analysts following a company is positively related to the level of information disclosure. In their coverage, the financial analysts focus on qualitative information rather than all categories of information disclosure. The findings also provide strong evidence that more analysts following a company mitigates information asymmetry among investors and leads to improved stock market liquidity in Thailand’s emerging capital market similar to the role they have been shown to play in developed markets.
Evolution of CSR Concept in the West and China

The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has experienced five stages of evolution as ethical oriented stage, differentiation and prosperity stage, "chrysalis" stage, ethical oriented stage, and sustainable development stage in the West from 1953. Corporate social responsibility research started in the late-1980’s in China. After about 20 years of development, going through the evolution of the
Outcomes of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia on Insomnia, Depression, and Fatigue for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND This clinical case series examined outcomes of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Current literature links insomnia with higher rates of depression and fatigue in individuals with MS. However, no research to date evaluates a targeted psychotherapeutic intervention for insomnia in this population. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Eleven individuals with a diagnosis of MS and insomnia participated in individual or group-based CBT-I sessions at the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Disorders Center between 2008 and 2013. A medical record review examined these individuals' self-reported experiences of insomnia, depression, and fatigue at the preintervention and postintervention levels using the Insomnia Severity Index, nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and Fatigue Severity Scale. Total sleep time was also reported at pretreatment and posttreatment intervals. RESULTS Overall, participants reported improvements regarding insomnia, fatigue, and depression after CBT-I. Total sleep time also increased by an average of 1.5 hours. Despite overall improvement, symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, and depression persisted, at varying levels, for most participants. CONCLUSIONS These results strongly suggest that CBT-I may serve as an effective clinical intervention for individuals with MS who report symptoms of insomnia. Given the considerable overlap of experiences of insomnia, depression, and fatigue in people with MS, CBT-I may also be helpful in identifying areas that may require additional clinical intervention for persistent symptoms of depression and fatigue. Further research is necessary.
Meta-analysis: Can We Mix Apples and Oranges?

Systematic reviews are an essential part of evidence-based medicine as rigorous methodology can identify all relevant papers that address specific research questions. Clinicians often need to know if an intervention is effective and metaanalysis synthesizes the results from individual trials to provide a summary effect estimate (1). Metaanalysis has become very popular with a dramatic rise in papers using this approach over the last 15 yr (1). There is little doubt that it is appropriate to combine the results when all of the randomized controlled trials give very similar results. What is more controversial is whether metaanalysis is sensible when the results of trials give very different results. Critics feel that under these circumstances metaanalysis is an exercise in statistical alchemy (2), and it is not possible to synthesize diverse results (mix apples and oranges) (3). This paper will review the statistical techniques used to combine trial results and approaches that can be taken when studies give heterogeneous outcomes.
Usefulness of Fatty Acid Composition for Differentiation of Legionella Species

ABSTRACT Numerical analysis of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles of 199 isolates and 76 reference strains, belonging to all validly described species of the genus Legionella that can be cultured in laboratory media, was used to differentiate between the species of this genus. With the exception of the strains that autofluoresced red, it was possible to differentiate all the otherLegionella species. The strains of the speciesL. bozemanii, L. dumoffii,L. feeleii, L. gormanii,L. maceachernii, L. micdadei, andL. quinlivanii did not form single clusters, showing some degree of variability in the fatty acid compositions. The strains of the blue-white autofluorescent species had very similar fatty acid compositions and were difficult to distinguish from each other. Nine isolates had fatty acid profiles unlike those of any of the validly described species and may represent different FAME groups of known species or undescribed Legionella species. The method used in this study was useful for screening and discriminating large number of isolates of Legionella species. Moreover, the results obtained can be included in a database of fatty acid profiles, leading to a more accurate automatic identification of Legionellaisolates.
Perceptions and practices of critical success factors in benchmarking implementation in Malaysian automotive manufacturing companies

This paper presents the results from a survey conducted to measure the Malaysian automotive manufacturing companies’ top management perceptions of importance and practices of critical success factors (CSFs) with respect to benchmarking implementation. The main objective of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on whether there were significant differences in terms of perceptions of importance and actual practices of CSFs in implementing benchmarking. First, between the perception of importance and extent of practice of the overall companies; and secondly between 100% local and joint venture companies. A questionnaire with 49 items was developed by the authors based on previous studies, checked for reliability and validity by experts and practitioners, and applied to create a self-assessment measure of benchmarking practices. Analysis of the survey results showed that there were significant differences between perception of importance and actual practice of CSFs for benchmarking implementation. The paper concludes with some suggestions on how to close the gap between perceptions of importance and practices of CSFs in implementing benchmarking.
Mathematical Model for Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Endocytosis by Hepatocytes

Individuals with elevated levels of plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) are considered to be at risk of developing coronary heart disease. LDL particles are removed from the blood by a process known as receptor-mediated endocytosis, which occurs mainly in the liver. A series of classical experiments delineated the major steps in the endocytotic process; apolipoprotein B-100 present on LDL particles binds to a specific receptor (LDL receptor, LDL-R) in specialized areas of the cell surface called clathrin-coated pits. The pit comprising the LDL–LDL-R complex is internalized forming a cytoplasmic endosome. Fusion of the endosome with a lysosome leads to degradation of the LDL into its constituent parts (that is, cholesterol, fatty acids, and amino acids), which are released for reuse by the cell, or are excreted. In this paper, we formulate a mathematical model of LDL endocytosis, consisting of a system of ordinary differential equations. We validate our model against existing in vitro experimental data, and we use it to explore differences in system behavior when a single bolus of extracellular LDL is supplied to cells, compared to when a continuous supply of LDL particles is available. Whereas the former situation is common to in vitro experimental systems, the latter better reflects the in vivo situation. We use asymptotic analysis and numerical simulations to study the longtime behavior of model solutions. The implications of model-derived insights for experimental design are discussed.
Durability of peginterferon alfa‐2b treatment at 5 years in patients with hepatitis B e antigen–positive chronic hepatitis B

Approximately 30%‐40% of patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive chronic hepatitis B treated with peginterferon and/or lamivudine achieve HBeAg seroconversion 6 months after the end of treatment. The durability and long‐term effect of treatment are unknown. In this study, 85 HBeAg‐positive patients who received peginterferon alfa‐2b 1.5 μg/kg/week for 32 weeks and lamivudine 100 mg/day for 52 or 104 weeks were prospectively followed for 6.1 ± 1.7 years posttreatment. Twenty‐five (29%) patients had virologic response (HBeAg seroconversion and HBV DNA <10,000 copies/mL) at 5 years. The rate of HBeAg seroconversion rose progressively from 37% at the end of treatment to 60% at 5 years. Twenty‐seven (32%) and 11 (13%) patients had undetectable HBV DNA (<100 copies/mL) at the end of peginterferon treatment and at 5 years, respectively. Two (2.4%) patients achieved hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance at 2.6 and 84 months posttreatment. Among virologic responders at the end of treatment, 82% and 57% and sustained HBeAg seroconversion and virologic response at 5 years. End‐of‐treatment serum quantitative HBsAg was significantly lower in patients with sustained virologic response at 5 years (median 1,431 IU/mL versus 2,689 IU/mL [P = 0.041]). At the last follow‐up, the liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography was 5.8 ± 2.7 kPa. Only two patients had liver stiffness suggestive of advanced fibrosis. Week 16 HBV DNA, end‐of‐treatment HBeAg seroconversion, and undetectable HBV DNA were independent factors associated with virologic response at 5 years. The duration of concomitant lamivudine treatment had no impact on any long‐term response. Conclusion: Peginterferon has high durability in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients with end‐of‐treatment virologic response. (Hepatology 2010;)
Influence of pre-existing hemagglutination inhibition titers against historical influenza strains on antibody response to inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine in adults 50–80 years of age

Background: Concerns about influenza vaccine effectiveness in older adults and the role of influenza strains encountered earlier in life led to this study. Methods: Antibody responses against antigens in the 2011–2012 influenza vaccine at 21 days post vaccination were analyzed in 264 individuals aged 50–80 years. At Days 0 and 21, sera were tested for hemagglutination-inhibition titers against these vaccine strains and at Day 0 against a panel of 15 historical seasonal strains. Results: The proportions of participants with seroprotective titers ≥1:40 to the vaccine strains at Days 0 and 21, respectively, were 37% and 66% for A(H1N1) and 28% and 63% for A(H3N2). An increasing number of responses ≥1:40 against historical strains was associated with seroprotective responses after vaccination among participants with a titer <1:40 at Day 0 for A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) vaccine strains (P < 0.01). In multivariable regression analyses among those with Day 0 titer <1:40, after controlling for age, sex, race, site and diabetes, Day 21 titers ≥ 1:40 for the vaccine A strains were significantly more likely as the number of seroprotective responses against historical strains increased (A(H1N1) odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09–1.82 and A(H3N2) OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.07–1.62). The likelihood of seroconversion was significantly higher with an increasing number of responses to historical strains for A(H3N2) only (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.01–1.52). Seroconversion was significantly less likely as Day 0 vaccine strain titers increased. Conclusions: Seroprotective titers after influenza vaccination increased as the number of responses to historical strains increased.
When and why women might suspend PrEP use according to perceived seasons of risk: implications for PrEP-specific risk-reduction counselling

Abstract Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using the antiretroviral drug emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (Truvada) has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of HIV acquisition for women at higher risk of infection if taken daily. Understanding when and why women would intentionally stop using an efficacious oral PrEP drug within the context of their ‘normal’ daily lives is essential for delivering effective PrEP risk-reduction counselling. As part of a larger study, we conducted 60 qualitative interviews with women at higher risk of HIV in Bondo, Kenya, and Pretoria, South Africa. Participants charted their sexual contacts over the previous six months, indicated whether they would have taken PrEP if available and discussed whether and why they would have suspended PrEP use. Nearly all participants said they would have used PrEP in the previous six months; half indicated they would have suspended PrEP use at some point. Participants’ reasons for an extended break from PrEP were related to partnership dynamics (e.g., perceived low risk of a stable partner) and phases of life (e.g., trying to conceive). Life events (e.g., holidays and travel) could prompt shorter breaks in PrEP use. These circumstances may or may not correspond to actual contexts of lower risk, highlighting the importance of tailored PrEP risk-reduction counselling.
Impact of Fair Reward System on Employees Job Performance in Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited Port-Harcourt

The purpose of this research is to ascertain the impact of fair reward system on employees � job performance in Nigerian AgipOil Company limited Port-Harcourt. The research question addressed the extentat which improved employees job performance/reduced rate of industrial action is influenced by the implementation of fair reward system in Nigerian Agip oil company limited Port -Harcourt. The core aspect of the study is the use of cross sectional survey r esearch design in generating the required primary data. The place of
A Clustering Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Social Insect Colonies

A wireless sensor network comprises a number of inexpensive power constrained wireless sensor nodes which collect data from the sensing environment and transmit them toward the remote base station in a coordinated way. Employing techniques of clustering can reduce energy consumption of wireless sensor nodes and prolong the network lifetime. This paper proposes a decentralized clustering algorithm for wireless sensor networks based on the structure of social insect colonies. The clustering algorithm is evaluated assuming a first-order radio model. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm brings a consistent improvement over other decentralized and centralized clustering algorithms in terms of network lifetime and sensing coverage. Simulation results also show that the proposed algorithm can reduce delays in data collection processes.
Hybrid asexuality as a primary postzygotic barrier between nascent species: On the interconnection between asexuality, hybridization and speciation

Although sexual reproduction is ubiquitous throughout nature, the molecular machinery behind it has been repeatedly disrupted during evolution, leading to the emergence of asexual lineages in all eukaryotic phyla. Despite intensive research, little is known about what causes the switch from sexual reproduction to asexuality. Interspecific hybridization is one of the candidate explanations, but the reasons for the apparent association between hybridization and asexuality remain unclear. In this study, we combined cross‐breeding experiments with population genetic and phylogenomic approaches to reveal the history of speciation and asexuality evolution in European spined loaches (Cobitis). Contemporary species readily hybridize in hybrid zones, but produce infertile males and fertile but clonally reproducing females that cannot mediate introgressions. However, our analysis of exome data indicates that intensive gene flow between species has occurred in the past. Crossings among species with various genetic distances showed that, while distantly related species produced asexual females and sterile males, closely related species produce sexually reproducing hybrids of both sexes. Our results suggest that hybridization leads to sexual hybrids at the initial stages of speciation, but as the species diverge further, the gradual accumulation of reproductive incompatibilities between species could distort their gametogenesis towards asexuality. Interestingly, comparative analysis of published data revealed that hybrid asexuality generally evolves at lower genetic divergences than hybrid sterility or inviability. Given that hybrid asexuality effectively restricts gene flow, it may establish a primary reproductive barrier earlier during diversification than other “classical” forms of postzygotic incompatibilities. Hybrid asexuality may thus indirectly contribute to the speciation process.
Quantitation of the sweating deficiency in diabetes mellitus

This report introduces quantitative tests for the evaluation of sweating and the results obtained in 81 diabetic and 30 control subjects. The tests rely on the ability of pilocarpine, introduced into the skin by iontophoresis, to stimulate sweating from fully or partially innervated sweat glands but not from denervated glands. Many diabetic patients had a reduced number of excitable sweat glands and a low volume of sweat per square centimeter of skin. The results of the sweat tests correlated best with the clinically determined perception of pain from pinprick. The similar degree of involvement of sudomotor axons and pain‐conveying axons may be related to the known similarity in size and reinnervation patterns. There was poor correlation of the sweating deficiency with alpha motor conduction velocity and with denervation of foot muscles as determined by the evoked muscle action potential. The number of excitable sweat glands was usually normal if the muscle action potential was above 0.5 mv, and often normal even when a muscle action potential was unobtainable. Every diabetic patient with abnormal sweating and several with normal sweating had reduced heart rate fluctuation during a standard Valsalva maneuver or during slow respiration.
Relationships and technology: strategic implications

The customer relationship management (CRM) rhetoric is powerful and persuasive. The rhetoric typically positions advanced computer solutions as a way of implementing the relationship management ideal in mass consumer markets. However, this paper argues that the ethos of relationship management is a necessary cultural precursor to effective CRM. Moreover, in the absence of corporate-wide buy-in to the ethos, the implementation of suitable information systems can be fraught with political difficulty. Consequently, unless the ideal of relationship marketing is engrained within a firm or if a firm is unwilling to undergo the required cultural change, it is prudent for firms to drop the 'relationship' rhetoric and limit their focus to advanced database marketing.
Commodity products and stalemate industries: Is there a role for marketing?

This paper reviews recent literature concerning the nature of competition in markets for undifferentialed products and investigates the role and effectiveness of marketing activities in such markets. In particular, the paper seeks to explore the relationship (if any) between good marketing practice and success in the marketplace amongst companies supplying basic industrial products. The work is based on a study of the marketing activities of steel stockholders in the UK. The findings lend some support to the view that marketing can and should be used to differentiate the offerings of competing suppliers in so‐called “stalemate industries”, and that the investment of management time and effort is more important to the development of effective marketing practices than the size of the marketing budget.