Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The stochastic single resource service‐provision problem

The service‐provision problem described in this paper comes from an application of distributed processing in telecommunications networks. The objective is to maximize a service provider's profit from offering computational‐based services to customers. The service provider has limited capacity and must choose which of a set of software applications he would like to offer. This can be done dynamically, taking into consideration that demand for the different services is uncertain. The problem is examined in the framework of stochastic integer programming. Approximations and complexity are examined for the case when demand is described by a discrete probability distribution. For the deterministic counterpart, a fully polynomial approximation scheme is known S. Dye, L. Stougie, and A. Tomasgard, Approximation algorithms and relaxations for a service provision problem on a telecommunication network, Working Paper #2‐98, Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, 1998, Discrete Appl Math, to appear . We show that introduction of stochasticity makes the problem strongly NP‐hard, implying that the existence of such a scheme for the stochastic problem is highly unlikely. For the general case a heuristic with a worst‐case performance ratio that increases in the number of scenarios is presented. Restricting the class of problem instances in a way that many reasonable practical problem instances satisfy allows for the derivation of a heuristic with a constant worst‐case performance ratio. Worst‐case performance analysis of approximation algorithms is classical in the field of combinatorial optimization, but in stochastic programming the authors are not aware of any previous results in this direction. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2003
Diagnostic value of plain abdominal radiographs in acute appendicitis in children.

OBJECTIVE The plain film of the abdomen (PAX) is still utilised in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (Aap). Aim of this study was to evaluate the value of PAX in the diagnosis of Aap in children, since it continues to be a controversial subject. DESIGN A retrospective study. SETTING Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gazi University Medical School. PATIENTS The histopathological diagnoses and PAX of 213 children (mean age 9-6 years) operated for acute right-lower quadrant pain were evaluated retrospectively. There were 181 patients with Aap and 32 with normal appendix. METHODS The rate of detection of overall thirteen roentgenographic criteria defined in various reports in medical literature as indicating appendicitis were noted and compared with histopathological diagnoses. The PAX which revealed one or more of these signs in combination was considered to be positive for Aap. Data was analysed statistically and sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of PAX in the diagnosis of Aap were determined. RESULTS Roentgenographic sign(s) were detected in 170 (79%) cases, 18 without Aap. The most frequent were lumbar scoliosis with left-sided convexity (50%) and small intestinal air-fluid levels (32%). In 39 cases, 25 with Aap, no sign(s) was detected. In all of the perforated cases, at least one of the determined criteria was seen. The percentage of roentgenographic signs found in cases with and without appendicitis was different significantly (p<0.01). The negative predictive value of PAX in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was 32.5% and positive predictive value was 89%. CONCLUSION PAX could he helpful in diagnosis in children with suspected acute appendicitis.
Analysis of Household Food Security among Agropastoralists in North Central Zone of Nigeria

This study presents the findings of research on rural household security among Agropastoralists. The study based on a sample of 87 Agropastoralists food households, shows that majority of the Agropastoralists households in the study area are food-secured. The probability that an Agropastoralist household will be food-secured increases as crop enterprises are farther diversified and decreases as ltousehold-size increases. Food insecurity among the Agropastoralists is povertytriggered and not as a result of low crop outputs.
Shareholder Types, Their Concentration and Its Effects on Demutualized Exchanges' Operating and Financial Results - An Empirical Study

Scholars are divided over whether listing the shares of stock exchanges improves their financial performance. Applying simple OLS regressions, I test the hypothesis that exchanges’ post-IPO owners are value maximizers. However, recently demutualized exchanges have a high proportion of shareholders with conflicts of interest. Therefore, I also test whether different types of shareholders have different effects on performance. I find that investment managers behave like true value maximizers. The results also show that a higher fragmentation of share ownership is associated with lower performance. The proportion of brokers, who are the most conflicted shareholders in exchanges (since they are large customers as well as owners), is too small to have a measurable effect on performance. Most interestingly I find, by way of an inductive approach to shareholding structure, that strategic shareholders, a wide array of investors with various agendas, are on balance detrimental to shareholder value. This chapter is the first in a trilogy of articles that make up my Ph.D. dissertation. It is followed by an in-depth study of the shareholding structure of individual stock exchanges, notably in order to understand more clearly who these strategic investors are and what effects they have on exchanges.
Performance analysis of adaptive limited feedback coordinated zero‐forcing multicell systems in time‐varying channels: A practical approach

In this paper, coordinated limited feedback zero‐forcing beamforming multicell system in time‐varying channel is studied. In time‐varying channels, the actual rate loss arising from error in channel quantization of both interuser and intercell inferences is quantified in this work. Using the actual degradation of rate loss, a limited feedback bit allocation is proposed to reduce interuser and intercell interference simultaneously with feedback update period as one of the parameters. Furthermore, the scaling law of bits required to maintain a constant rate loss is formulated in varying channel conditions for a given feedback update period. Simulation results demonstrated the practical feedback requirement in multicell systems in the presence of both intercell and interuser interference over conventional schemes to maintain a constant rate offset. The key finding from the proposed feedback allocation is that practically much higher allocation of feedback bits and feedback scaling are required in time‐varying channels to reduce throughput degradation.
Surfactant Protein A Associated with Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Korean Preterm Infants: Evidence of Ethnic Difference

Background: Insufficiency of the pulmonary surfactant system is the primary cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. Genetic factors, including specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the genetic components of surfactant protein A (SP-A1 and SP-A2), affect protein structure and function, as well as risk of RDS. Objective: We investigated the association between variations in SP-A genotypes and RDS within the genetically homogeneous Korean population. Methods: We used TaqMan® real-time polymerase chain reaction technology to assess nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms of SP-A in 261 full-term and 152 preterm infants. Among the preterm infants, 76 infants with RDS were matched with 76 control infants with respect to gestation, use of antenatal steroids and gender. Results: The SP-A2 1A⁰ variant and the homozygous 1A⁰/1A⁰ genotype were associated with protection from RDS (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13–0.78). In addition, the 1A1 carrier genotype (containing one copy of the 1A1 variant) was associated with increased risk of RDS (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.06–5.52). The significance of these results is that the association of patterns with RDS was opposite to the findings of previous research with Finnish and North American study populations. Conclusions: We have identified associations between specific variants of the SP-A genes and RDS risk in the Korean preterm study population. Our data strongly support SP-A as a candidate gene for susceptibility to RDS, and reveal the dissimilarity of the associated risk/protective genetic variants between different ethnic study populations.
Investment Reputation Index: Family Firms Vs. Non-Family Firms in the UK

Family firm researchers have found a host of characteristics that are unique to family firms. These familial attributes are often taken as plausible explanations for governance and operational differences between family firms and their non-family competitors. We use these familial characteristics as well as a host of 'non-family' specific provisions to build an Investment Reputation Index that measures the reputation of a family firm as an investment opportunity. The results of an empirical study of 199 'quoted' family firms supported the hypothesis that the investment reputation of a family firm has a positive impact on its performance. However, a similar empirical analysis using a measure of the Investment Reputation Index without the familial attributes, showed a stronger impact on performance, signifying a negative association with recognising the familial characteristics of the firm. An empirical analysis on a matched sample of 304 family- and non-family firms revealed that the investment reputation of a family firm can only be brought into comparable terms with the reputation of a non-family firm if the familial attributes are included in the analysis. Understanding 'How family is the family firm? ' is important from an investor's point of view as it highlights the good practices of some family firms. An investor instead of grouping all family firms into one category can now differentiate between 'good' and 'bad' family firms with the help of the Investment Reputation Index.
Small Molecule Inducers of Heat-Shock Response Reduce polyQ-Mediated Huntingtin Aggregation

Enhancing cellular defense mechanisms against different kinds of stress may be an attractive therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, inducing the expression of molecular chaperones might reduce the formation of misfolded proteins and toxic aggregates that occur in polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders such as Huntington’s disease. Geldanamycin, a natural substance that modulates Hsp90 function, was previously shown to induce a heat-shock response and to reduce polyQ aggregation in mammalian cells. However, because of toxic and unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties, geldanamycin is not suitable for clinical use. In this study we evaluated the effects of the pharmacologically improved geldanamycin derivatives 17-DMAG and 17-AAG on polyQ aggregation in mammalian cells. Quantitative RT-PCR and SDS-PAGE experiments revealed that 17-DMAG induces expression of the molecular chaperones Hsp40, Hsp70, and Hsp105 in mammalian cells and inhibits the formation of mutant huntingtin aggregates with higher efficiency than 17-AAG or geldanamycin itself. Induction of a heat-shock response and inhibition of polyQ aggregation occurred at nanomolar concentrations. We suggest that geldanamycin derivatives such as 17-DMAG should be considered for the development of a drug treatment for polyQ disorders and other neurodegenerative diseases involving protein aggregation.
Shareholders’ Wealth Effects of International Cross-Listings

This study evaluates shareholders’ wealth effects of international cross-listings and the joint significance of different theories in explaining American, British, and European cross-listing benefits. Moreover, it evaluates the time variation in shareholders’ wealth effects of cross-listings with a particular focus on the impact of significant developments in capital markets, such as adoption of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the US and single currency euro in Europe. The findings confirm that the impact of a cross-listing on shareholders’ wealth depends on the destination market and the time when it takes place. Changes in listing environment not only alter the wealth effects of cross-listings but also affect the sources of value creation around cross-listings. Overall, the findings provide insights into the nature of the motivations and the benefits of cross-listings across different host markets and over time.
Tail Dependence in the US Banking Sector and Measures of Systemic Risk

Tail dependence among international stock markets is widely studied using measures of extremal dependence. In this study, we investigate the extremal dependence among stock prices of US bank holding companies. We find they exhibit strong dependence even in their limiting joint extremes. Motivated by this result, we derive extremal dependence-based systemic risk measures. The proposed systemic risk measures capture downturns in US stock markets, and in particular the financial industry, very well. We also develop another set of extremal dependence-based measures to rank financial institutions based on their systemic interconnectedness. By means of regression analysis we show that interconnectedness measures can be used as indicators of vulnerability to financial crisis. Finally, we identify drivers of extremal dependence in the US banking industry. Similarity between banks on key financial variables increases the likelihood of banks being asymptotically dependent, and increases the strength of asymptotic dependence. We believe the proposed measures have the potential to inform the prudential supervision of systemically important firms which is an area of interest to supervisory policy makers.
A genetically clamped renin transgene for the induction of hypertension

Experimental analysis of the effects of individual components of complex mammalian systems is frequently impeded by compensatory adjustments that animals make to achieve homeostasis. We here introduce a genetic procedure for eliminating this type of impediment, by using as an example the development and testing of a transgene for “genetically clamping” the expression of renin, the major homeostatically responding component of the renin–angiotensin system, one of the most important regulators of blood pressure. To obtain a renin transgene whose expression is genetically clamped at a constant level, we have used single-copy chosen-site gene targeting to insert into a liver-specific locus a single copy of a modified mouse renin transgene driven by a liver-specific promoter/enhancer. The resulting transgene expresses renin ectopically at a constant high level in the liver and leads to elevated plasma levels of prorenin and active renin. The transgenic mice display high blood pressure, enhanced thirst, high urine output, proteinuria, and kidney damage. Treatment with the angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist, losartan, reduces the hypertension, albuminuria, and kidney damage, but does not affect expression of the transgene. This genetically clamped renin transgene can be used in models in which hypertension and its complications need to be investigated in a high prorenin/renin environment that is not subject to homeostatic compensations by the animal when other factors are changed.
Voluntary fluid intake and core temperature responses in adolescent tennis players: sports beverage versus water

Objective: To examine differences in ad libitum fluid intake, comparing a 6% carbohydrate/electrolyte drink (CHO-E) and water, and associated differences in core temperature and other selected physiological and perceptual responses in adolescent athletes during tennis training in the heat. Methods: Fourteen healthy, fit, young tennis players (nine male; five female; mean (SD) age 15.1 (1.4) years; weight 60.6 (8.3) kg; height 172.8 (8.6) cm) completed two 120 minute tennis specific training sessions on separate days (randomised, crossover design) in a warm environment (wet bulb globe temperature: CHO-E, 79.3 (2.6) °F; water, 79.9 (2.2) °F; p>0.05). Results: There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the trials with respect to fluid intake, urine volume, fluid retention, sweat loss, perceived exertion, thirst, or gastrointestinal discomfort. However, there was a difference (p<0.05) in the percentage body weight change after training (CHO-E, −0.5 (0.7)%; water, −0.9 (0.6)%). Urine specific gravity before training (CHO-E, 1.024 (0.006); water, 1.025 (0.005)) did not correlate significantly (p>0.05) with any of these measurements or with core body temperature. In examining the main effect for trial, the CHO-E trial showed a significantly lower (p<0.001) mean body temperature (irrespective of measurement time) than the water trial. However, the mean body temperature in each trial was not associated (p>0.05) with fluid intake, fluid retention, sweat loss, or percentage body weight change. Conclusion: Ad libitum consumption of a CHO-E drink may be more effective than water in minimising fluid deficits and mean core temperature responses during tennis and other similar training in adolescent athletes.
Managing clinical integration: a comparative case study in a merged university hospital.

PURPOSE This paper seeks to explore critical factors that may obstruct or advance integration efforts initiated by the clinical management following a hospital merger. The aim is to increase the understanding of why clinical integration succeeds or fails. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The authors compare two cases of clinical integration efforts following the Karolinska University Hospital merger in Sweden. Each case represents two merged clinical departments of the same specialty from each hospital site. In total, 53 interviews were conducted with individuals representing various staff categories and documents were collected to check data consistency. FINDINGS The study identifies three critical factors that seem to be instrumental for the process and outcome of integration efforts and these are clinical management's interpretation of the mandate; design of the management constellation; and approach to integration. Obstructive factors are: a sole focus on the formal assignment from the top; individual leadership; and the use of a classic, planned, top-down management approach. Supportive factors are: paying attention to multiple stakeholders; shared leadership; and the use of an emergent, bottom-up management approach within planned boundaries. These findings are basically consistent with the literature's prescriptions for managing professional organisations. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Managers need to understand that public healthcare organisations are based on competing institutional logics that need to be handled in a balanced way if clinical integration is to be achieved--especially the tension between managerialism and professionalism. ORIGINALITY/VALUE By focusing on the merger consequences for clinical units, this paper addresses an important gap in the healthcare merger literature.
Perceptual and motor inhibition in adolescents/young adults with childhood-diagnosed ADHD.

OBJECTIVE This study examined perceptual and motor inhibition in a longitudinal sample of adolescents/young adults who were diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, and as a function of the relative persistence of ADHD. METHOD Ninety-eight participants diagnosed with ADHD in childhood were reevaluated approximately 10 years later. Eighty-five never-ADHD controls similar in age, IQ, sociodemographic background, and gender distribution served as a comparison group. Participants were administered a psychiatric interview and the Stimulus and Response Conflict Tasks (Nassauer & Halperin, 2003). RESULTS Participants with childhood ADHD demonstrated slower and less accurate responses to both control and conflict conditions relative to the comparison group, as well as more variable responses in both conditions of the motor inhibition task; there was no specific effect of childhood ADHD on perceptual or motor inhibition. ADHD persisters and partial remitters did not differ in overall accuracy, speed or variability in responding, but relative to partial remitters, persisters demonstrated greater slowing in response to perceptual conflict. CONCLUSIONS These findings are consistent with theories positing state regulation, but not inhibitory control deficits in the etiology of ADHD, and suggest that improved perceptual inhibition may be associated with better outcome for ADHD.
Two Genetic Loci Produce Distinct Carbohydrate-Rich Structural Components of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Matrix

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms biofilms, which are cellular aggregates encased in an extracellular matrix. Molecular genetics studies of three common autoaggregative phenotypes, namely wrinkled colonies, pellicles, and solid-surface-associated biofilms, led to the identification of two loci, pel and psl, that are involved in the production of carbohydrate-rich components of the biofilm matrix. The pel gene cluster is involved in the production of a glucose-rich matrix material in P. aeruginosa strain PA14 (L. Friedman and R. Kolter, Mol. Microbiol. 51:675-690, 2004). Here we investigate the role of the pel gene cluster in P. aeruginosa strain ZK2870 and identify a second genetic locus, termed psl, involved in the production of a mannose-rich matrix material. The 11 predicted protein products of the psl genes are homologous to proteins involved in carbohydrate processing. P. aeruginosa is thus able to produce two distinct carbohydrate-rich matrix materials. Either carbohydrate-rich matrix component appears to be sufficient for mature biofilm formation, and at least one of them is required for mature biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa strains PA14 and ZK2870.
Local Allergic Nasal Reactions Convert to Classic Systemic Allergic Reactions: A Long-Term Follow-Up

Background: There is poor knowledge about the evolution of the negative skin test in local allergy over time. Does the negative skin test of patients with local allergies remain negative permanently or does it become positive? Methods: We describe our long-term observation concerning the evolution of the negative skin test over time. This is a retrospective, follow-up study using data from the medical records of a group of patients with local allergy. A total of 42 patients aged between 3 and 70 years (median age: 31.5 years) were studied. The duration of follow-up varied from 1 to 27 years. Skin tests were performed using the skin-prick test and intracutaneous techniques for pollen, molds, mites, feathers (goose and duck) and animal danders. Nasal provocation tests were conducted with the same allergens. Additionally, specific IgE in 17 patients was measured by enzyme allergosorbent test. Results: During the period of observation, the negative skin test reactions converted into positive reactions in 17 patients (40%). In addition to the negative skin reactions, 55% of the patients also presented positive skin reactions. The conversion rate was higher in children and adolescents than in adults. In 4 patients, conversions occurred >7 years after the initial examination. Specific IgE was negative in all but 2 patients, in whom the conversion in the skin test was accompanied by a switch from negative to positive specific IgE. Conclusion: Conversions from local to classic systemic respiratory allergic reactions appear to be a common phenomenon.