Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technological Innovations in Crime Prevention and Policing. A Review of the Research on Implementation and Impact

New technological innovations have been developed to prevent crime and to improve the performance of the police, but we know remarkably little about how and why certain innovations are adopted, and the consequences –both intended and unintended—of technology-driven solutions to the problem of crime. This article provides an examination of a wide range of new technological innovations that have applications in the areas of crime prevention generally, and crime control (by police) in particular. We provide a description of recent technological innovations, summarize the available research on the extent of adoption in the United States, and then review the available research on the impact – both intended and unintended – of each form of new technology on crime prevention and police performance. We also discuss three key issues – (1) militarization of crime prevention and policing, (2) coercive vs. non-coercive technology, (3) public vs. private sector control over crime prevention and policing – raised by both proponents and critics of what has come to be known as the second technology revolution.
Equity returns of financial institutions and the pricing of interest rate risk

This study investigates the issue of whether financial intermediaries’ common stock returns incorporate a risk premium for their inherent exposure to unexpected changes in interest rates. A wide range of financial institutions is employed to test the hypothesis that the interest rate risk is priced by capital markets. In addition, the above sample is extended by incorporating firms from the non-financial sector. A two-factor model with the market portfolio and the changes in market yields, as exogenously specified risk variables, is employed. The model is estimated via a seemingly unrelated regression estimation (SURE) framework with both cross-equation restrictions and within equation nonlinear constraints on the parameters. The findings indicate that financial institutions’ equity returns incorporate a risk premium for their exposure to market yields’ surprises. The return generating function of the insurance business could be further explained by an additional factor such as currency movements. It is also empirically supported that the market premium drops out from the estimation process. When commercial and industrial firms are included in the estimation process, the findings unveil a reduction in the magnitude of the interest rate risk premium.
Non-audit services and the value relevance of accounting information: a case study

To increase revenues, audit firms often try to persuade their audit clients to purchase their non-audit services. Listed firms in Taiwan have to disclose their audit/non-audit fees under some conditions. It provides a context for examining whether providing non-audit services by the client's auditor influences the value relevance of accounting information in Taiwan. The empirical results indicate that the value relevance of earnings (discretionary accruals) decreases in contrast with the value relevance increase of book value for the firms with higher non-audit fee ratio. It supports that providing non-audit service by the firmâ€™s auditor harms earnings quality.
Antecedents of brand loyalty: an empirical study in mobile telecom sector

Telecom market is one of the most competitive, dynamic and fiercely battled arena worldwide and India is no exception to it. A lot of money is being spent on technologies to stop the defection and churn; still marketers have an extremely important role in creating and retaining loyal set of customers. The new competitive landscape is characterised by increased complexity and dynamism. Traditionally, customer satisfaction has been understood to be the key to have loyal set of customers. However, there are several variables apart from the customer satisfaction which directly or indirectly affect the brand loyalty. This study aims at identifying the variables other than customer satisfaction to arrive at a testable model. The relationship between the identified constructs is analysed by using structural equation modelling to unearth these complex relationships. The results provide important insights for creating brand loyalty for practitioners as well as implications to stimulate the future research in this exciting battle ground.
Microtubules Are Associated with Intracellular Movement and Spread of the Periodontopathogen Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

ABSTRACT Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans SUNY 465, the invasion prototype strain, enters epithelial cells by an actin-dependent mechanism, escapes from the host cell vacuole, and spreads intracellularly and to adjacent epithelial cells via intercellular protrusions. Internalized organisms also egress from host cells into the assay medium via protrusions that are associated with just a single epithelial cell. Here we demonstrate that agents which inhibit microtubule polymerization (e.g., colchicine) and those which stabilize polymerized microtubules (e.g., taxol) both increase markedly the number of intracellular A. actinomycetemcomitansorganisms. Furthermore, both colchicine and taxol prevented the egression of A. actinomycetemcomitans from host cells into the assay medium. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that protrusions that mediate the bacterial spread contain microtubules.A. actinomycetemcomitans SUNY 465 and 652, strains that are both invasive and egressive, interacted specifically with the plus ends (growing ends) of the filaments of microtubule asters in a KB cell extract. By contrast, neither A. actinomycetemcomitans 523, a strain that is invasive but not egressive, nor Haemophilus aphrophilus, a noninvasive oral bacterium with characteristics similar to those of A. actinomycetemcomitans, bound to microtubules. Together these data suggest that microtubules function in the spread and movement of A. actinomycetemcomitans and provide the first evidence that host cell dispersion of an invasive bacterium may involve the usurption of host cell microtubules.
Effects of special drill bits on drilling-induced delamination of composite materials

Drilling is the most frequently employed operation of secondary machining for fiber-reinforced materials owing to the need for joining structures. Delamination is among the serious concerns during drilling. Practical experience proves the advantage of using such special drills as saw drill, candle stick drill, core drill and step drill. The experimental investigation described in this paper examines the theoretical predictions of critical thrust force at the onset of delamination, and compares the effects of these different drill bits. The results confirm the analytical findings and are consistent with the industrial experience. Ultrasonic scanning is used to evaluate the extent of drilling-induced delamination. The advantage of these special drills is illustrated mathematically as well as experimentally, that their thrust force is distributed toward the drill periphery instead of being concentrated at the center. The allowable feed rate without causing delamination is also increased. The analysis can be extended to examine the effects of other future innovative drill bits. r 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Maternal and obstetrical factors associated with a successful trial of vaginal birth after cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE To detect the maternal and obstetrical factors associated with successful trial of vaginal birth among women with a previous cesarean delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 122 women who were eligible for a trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) according to departmental protocol were included in this comparative prospective study. After informed consent, the women included in this study were subjected to a thorough history to detect maternal and obstetric characteristics and a standard examination to estimate fetal weight, engagement of the fetal head, intra-partum features of fetal membranes, and cervical dilatation. After delivery, data on duration of labor, labor augmentation, mode of delivery, birth outcome, and neonatal intensive care (NICU) admission were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS Trial of labor after cesarean section was successful in 72.13% and was unsuccessful in 27.87%. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower in the successful TOLAC group compared to the unsuccessful group (23.8±0.03 versus 26.2±0.02 kg/m(2)), and the number of women with BMI >25 kg/m(2) was significantly high in the unsuccessful group; also, mean gestational age was significantly lower in the successful TOLAC group compared to the unsuccessful group (37.5±0.04 versus 38.5±0.03 weeks), and the number of women admitted in labor with gestation ≥40 weeks was significantly high in the unsuccessful group. The number of women admitted with >2/5 of fetal head palpable abdominally and fetal head station ≥-2 was significantly high in the unsuccessful TOLAC group. CONCLUSION In carefully selected cases, TOLAC is safe and often successful. Presence of BMI >25 kg/m(2), gestation ≥40 weeks, and vertex station ≥-2 were risk factors for unsuccessful TOLAC.
A Case Study Examining the Influence of Conference Food Function on Attendee Satisfaction and Return Intention at a Corporate Conference

For many conferences and events, increased attendee registration leads to increased profits for the hosting organization. Food functions, in particular, can be an effective tool to satisfy attendees and build attendance, as it empowers an attendee's sensory memory of an event. Nutritiously balanced food can enhance an attendee's learning ability. The purpose of this research was to identify factors that impact the attendee's satisfaction with conference food functions, and further, to understand an attendee's return intention based on the satisfaction level at a corporate conference. It is concluded that the quality of food content is the leading determinant of an attendee's satisfaction with the food function performance and that food function predicts an attendee's intention to return. This research provides insights into how important food functions are to conference attendees’ intent to return to future conferences.
Vesicant extravasation part I: Mechanisms, pathogenesis, and nursing care to reduce risk.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To review the literature regarding the incidence, current practice, guideline recommendations, nursing management, and knowledge gaps relevant to vesicant extravasation. DATA SOURCES Published research articles, books, case reports, and national guidelines. DATA SYNTHESIS Vesicant extravasation is a relatively rare but significant complication of chemotherapy administration. Extravasation may have a range of consequences that can cause serious physical and quality-of-life effects. Knowledge of risk factors and preventive measures can reduce patient risk. Data-based and empirical management strategies such as immediate local measures (agent withdrawal, comfort measures, and medical interventions) may minimize risk for extravasation, as well as lead to timely recognition and management and decreased morbidity should extravasation occur. CONCLUSIONS Vesicant extravasation and sequelae constitute a complex patient problem that clinicians should strive to prevent or to minimize injury should it occur. To this end, clinicians must demonstrate awareness of risks and use specialized knowledge while administering vesicant agents. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Only nurses knowledgeable about extravasation and skilled in associated techniques should assume responsibility for vesicant administration.
Adaptation of Periurban Cattle Production Systems to Environmental Changes: Feeding Strategies of Herdsmen in Southern Benin

We undertook a survey of 112 cattle farms in the periphery of Cotonou in Benin, with the aim to characterize the diversity of the production systems and to better understand herders’ feeding strategies and perspectives. We used the categorical component analysis and two-step clustering techniques to classify the farms into homogeneous groups. The adaptive strategy of a given farm was predicted through logistic regression analysis technique. Four distinct farm types were identified as follows: large integrated agro-silvopastoral (17%), small agro-silvopastoral (28%), pastoral (30%), and silvopastoral (25%). Irrespective of farm type, low availability, and difficult access to pasture due to increased crop/vegetable farming, climate variability and urbanization were commonly reported by all herders. Current coping strategies included the use of lowlands pastoral resources and exploring new grazing routes. Future strategies included moving animals towards rural locations and significantly (p < 0.001) depended on farm type and its proximity to urban centers.
The Economics of Internal Labor Markets

Our essay focuses on the economics of long-term contractual relationships between a firm and its employees, referred to as the internal labor market. We review the economics literature on match-specific investments, risk aversion, asymmetric information, and transaction costs. We argue that an integrated treatment of all four factors is needed in order to apply implicit contract theoy to internal labor markets. Integrating the topics also highlights the tradeoffs created among these factors. Our discussion stresses contract enforcement mechanisms, including self-enforcing contracts and third-party enforcement.
Multipath Multiplexing for Capacity Enhancement in SIMO Wireless Systems

This paper proposes a novel and simple orthogonal faster than Nyquist (OFTN) data transmission and detection approach for a single input multiple output system. It is assumed that the signal having a bandwidth <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$B$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is transmitted through a wireless channel with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L$ </tex-math></inline-formula> multipath components. Under this assumption, this paper provides a novel and simple OFTN transmission and symbol-by-symbol detection approach that exploits the multiplexing gain obtained by the multipath characteristic of wideband wireless channels. It is shown that the proposed design can achieve a higher transmission rate than the existing one [i.e., orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)]. Furthermore, the achievable rate gap between the proposed approach and that of the OFDM increases as the number of receiver antennas increases for a fixed value of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. This implies that the performance gain of the proposed approach can be very significant for a large-scale multi-antenna wireless system. The superiority of the proposed approach is shown theoretically and confirmed via numerical simulations. Specifically, we have found upper-bound average rates of 15 and 28 bps/Hz with the OFDM and proposed approaches, respectively, in a Rayleigh fading channel with 32 receive antennas and signal-to-noise ratio of 15.3 dB. The extension of the proposed approach for different system setups and associated research problems is also discussed.
Linking job insecurity to well-being and organizational attitudes in Belgian workers: the role of security expectations and fairness

The aim of this study was to investigate how perceptions of job insecurity and fairness associate with individual well-being (job satisfaction and general health) and organizational attitudes (organizational commitment and turnover intention), under the condition that the psychological contract as perceived by the employee includes a promise on job security, or not. More specifically, we suggest that (H1) job insecurity is negatively related to individual well-being and organizational commitment and positively related to turnover intentions when job security is expected as part of the psychological contract, (H2) that job insecurity is negatively related to fairness perceptions when job security is expected as part of the psychological contract, (H3) that fairness associates positively with individual well-being and organizational commitment and negatively with turnover intentions and (H4) that the association between job insecurity, individual well-being and organizational outcomes is mediated by fairness under the condition that job security is expected as part of the psychological contract. Thus, we propose a model of mediated moderation. Results based on a sample of Belgian employees (N = 559) supported our hypotheses for organizational outcomes. For individual well-being, the mediation framework was not conditional upon a perceived promise of job security as part of the psychological contract. We conclude that employees' perceptions of job insecurity and fairness are important factors in employees' well-being and their attitudes towards the organization. More importantly, these perceptions can in part be shaped by organizational agents such as managers and supervisors. Additionally, the active utilization of the psychological contract in management strategies seems to have favourable results for the fostering of pro-organizational attitudes among employees.
Ultra low-voltage, rail-to-rail input/output stage Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA) with high linearity and its application in a Gm-C filter

This paper presents an ultra low-voltage, rail-to-rail input/output stage Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA) which uses quasi floating gate input transistors. This OTA works with ±0.3v and consumes 57µw. It has near zero variation in small/large-signal behavior (i.e. transconductance and slew rate) in whole range of the common mode voltage of input signals. Using source degeneration technique for linearity improvement, make it possible to obtain −42.7 dB, HD3 for 0.6vP-P sine wave input signal with the frequency of 1MHz. The used feedback amplifier in input stage also enhances common mode rejection ratio (CMRR), such that in DC, CMRR is 146 dB. OTA is used for implementation of a wide-tunable third-order elliptic filter with 237 KHz–2.18 MHz cutoff frequencies. Proposed OTA and filter have been simulated in 0. 18µm TSMC CMOS technology with Hspice.
Durable-Goods Monopoly with Stochastic Values

I analyze a durable-goods model that allows consumers' values to vary over time. The optimal mechanism for a monopolist is computed and compared to both the sales and leasing equilibria. I show that sales may implement the optimal strategy, and that the dominance of leasing over sales is not necessarily true. This implication is consistent with the prevalence of simple sales contracts in many markets. Copyright 2001 by the RAND Corporation.
Development, reliability, and validity of a dissociation scale.

Dissociation is a lack of the normal integration of thoughts, feelings, and experiences into the stream of consciousness and memory. Dissociation occurs to some degree in normal individuals and is thought to be more prevalent in persons with major mental illnesses. The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) has been developed to offer a means of reliably measuring dissociation in normal and clinical populations. Scale items were developed using clinical data and interviews, scales involving memory loss, and consultations with experts in dissociation. Pilot testing was performed to refine the wording and format of the scale. The scale is a 28-item self-report questionnaire. Subjects were asked to make slashes on 100-mm lines to indicate where they fall on a continuum for each question. In addition, demographic information (age, sex, occupation, and level of education) was collected so that the connection between these variables and scale scores could be examined. The mean of all item scores ranges from 0 to 100 and is called the DES score. The scale was administered to between 10 and 39 subjects in each of the following populations: normal adults, late adolescent college students, and persons suffering from alcoholism, agoraphobia, phobic-anxious disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and multiple personality disorder. Reliability testing of the scale showed that the scale had good test-retest and good split-half reliability. Item-scale score correlations were all significant, indicating good internal consistency and construct validity. A Kruskal-Wallis test and post hoc comparisons of the scores of the eight populations provided evidence of the scale's criterion-referenced validity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Probabilistic Security-Constrained Unit Commitment With Generation and Transmission Contingencies

System operators maintain sufficient reserve in power systems in order to respond to generation and transmission contingencies. Traditionally, the reserve requirements have been determined using deterministic criteria (e.g., N - 1). These amounts of reserve allocate sufficient spare generation capacity and transmission margins to protect the system against any contingency of magnitude lower or equal to the chosen criterion. However, these criteria ignore the probability of individual contingencies as well as energy redistribution and transmission limitations in post-contingency states. In this paper, we propose to optimize the amount, location, and chronological procurement of the reserve in a given power system using probabilistic criteria. The proposed approach factors the probability of individual contingencies in a cost/benefit analysis, which balances the pre-contingency operating costs against the post-contingency cost of interruptions. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated using a modified IEEE Reliability Test System.
Egypt's High Aswan Dam

Abstract History tells us that Egypt's fertile land is the gift of the Nile. However,for the first time in history, full control of the Nile water was achieved in 1970 after the construction of the High Aswan Dam (HAD). The HAD is a multipurpose project for sustainable irrigation development,hydropower,navigation improvement etc. Different schools of thought appeared before and after the HAD project-optimistic,pessimistic and neutral. However, the anticipated benefits and side-effects have provided clear and obvious facts in response to the different ideas after more than 25 years of operation.The HAD saved Egypt twice during the project's life (a) from a dangerousflood series which occurred in the late 1970s,and (b) from severe droughtsin the mid-1980s.As with other large projects, some side-effects have occurred, as anticipated, but the benefits far exceed these side-effects. There is no doubt that the HAD is the cornerstone for Egypt's sustainable agricultural plans and many other developments.In this .
Making total quality work: Aligning organizational processes, performance measures, and stakeholders

Total quality is increasingly used by companies as an organization-wide system to achieve fully satisfied customers through the delivery of the highest quality in products and services. The goals of total quality can be achieved only if organizations entirely reform their cultures. Traditional management, operations, finance and accounting systems are reviewed against changes that are needed in organizational processes, measurement systems, and the values and behaviors of key stakeholders to overpower the status quo and shift to a total quality culture that permeates every facet of the organization. Specific company illustrations are drawn upon to show the inadequacies of these traditional areas under the new imperatives for total quality.