Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Queueing models for large scale call centers

To my parents and grandparents. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to many people for their help and support during my graduate studies. This thesis would not have been possible without them. First and foremost, I would like to thank my advisors Jim Dai and Amy Ward. I would like to thank Dr. Ward for serving as my principal advisor for the first half of my Ph.D. studies. Dr. Ward provided me with a solid foundation in the field of heavy traffic theory and I am thankful to her for the devotion and support which she showed me as her student. I would next like to thank Dr. Dai for assuming responsibility as my principal advisor for the second half of my studies. I am especially thankful to him for his insistence on always finding the proper and most elegant proof of a result. This is something which I will always carry with me as I continue on in my work. to serve on my thesis committee. I would especially like to thank Marty Reiman for taking the time to fly to Atlanta for my defense. The head of our graduate studies program, Dr. Gary Parker, performed many small miracles for me over the past several years without which I would not have completed this thesis and I will always be grateful to him for the encouragement he has given me. The ARCS Foundation deserves special mention for their generous financial support throughout my graduate studies. There are many other Professors who have been very influential in my thesis work. I would like to thank Erica Plambeck for hiring me as her research assistant for a year. I would also like to thank Ward Whitt for his extremely helpful comments and suggestions on Chapter II of this thesis. His work has provided much of the inspiration for this thesis. I am also very appreciative of the unwavering support my friends and family back home iv in Miami had for me throughout this work. Finally, I would like to thank my friends, without whom this work would not have been nearly as enjoyable. There are so many of them to thank that I cannot list them all. I will simply say that the details of many of them could perhaps fill up yet another volume of this thesis. 1 A comparison of the simulated mean queue-length and abandonment probability for a GI/GI/1-GI …
OUTCOMES OF TRAUMA EXPOSURE AMONG ADOLESCENTS OF PAKISTAN: ROLE OF PTSD AND SOCIAL SUPPORT

Objective: To examine the outcomes such as delinquency, pro-sociality and future orientation as a consequence of trauma exposure in traumatized adolescents with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) along with examining the mediating role of PTSD. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: International Islamic University, Islamabad, from Jun to Sep 2018. Material and Methods: A total of 600 adolescents (boys=391; girls=209) of age ranged from 12-18 years including traumatized (n=300) and non-traumatized adolescents (n=300) were randomly selected from different regions of Pakistan. The data was collected by using self report delinquency scale, prosocial personality battery, children’s future orientation scale, multidimensional scale of perceived social support and UCLA PTSD RI (DSM 5). Results: Analysis showed that traumatized adolescents were higher on PTSD and delinquency whereas were lower on social support, future orientation and prosociality than non-traumatized adolescents. Females scored higher on social support, prosociality and PTSD whereas males were found higher on future orientation and delinquency. Conclusion: The study revealed the mediating role of PTSD between the predictor traumatic exposure and outcomes future orientation, prosociality and delinquency in addition to the moderating role of social support. This study indicates the urge for the timely management of the outcomes as a consequence of exposure to traumatic events.
Does the Wagner’s Law exist in a strategic national area? An evidence from Kedungsepur - Indonesia

The Kedungsepur National Strategic Area was formed to realize urban areas as the center of national and international economic activities. In order to realize this goal, government expenditure and economic growth are important variables in the development process. Empirically, the study was conducted to analyze the relationship between government expenditure and economic growth from the perspective of Wagner's Law in 6 regencies or cities in the Kedungsepur National Strategic Area during 2012 to 2017. Methodically, this study used Panel Granger Causality and Panel Data Regression to explain the short-term relationship between both variables. The results showed that there was a negative one-way relationship from economic growth to government expenditure. The increase in economic growth in the previous year would reduce the government expenditure in the short term, resulting the Wegner's Law inapplicable in the Kedungsepur National Strategic Area. This was due to the ineffectiveness of institutions, differences in regional expenditure structures towards state expenditures and the lack of government work programs in the productive sector. Thus, a good and coordinative institutional environment was needed to realize the cooperation in crucial sectors, as well as the distribution of regional expenditures on more productive expenditures based on priority interests, aiming at the welfare of the community.
Improvement of dynamic range and repeatability in a refractive-index-sensing optical comb by combining saturable-absorber-mirror mode-locking with an intracavity multimode interference fiber sensor

A mode-locked fiber comb equipped with a multimode interference fiber sensor functions as a high-precision refractive-index (RI) sensor benefitting from precise RF measurement. However, its dynamic range and repeatability are hampered by the inherent characteristics of nonlinear-polarization-rotation mode-locking oscillation. In this article, we introduce saturable-absorber-mirror mode-locking for RI sensing with a wide dynamic range and high repeatability. While the RI dynamic range was expanded to 41.4 dB due to high robustness against cavity disturbance, the self-starting capability without the need for polarization control improves the RI sensing repeatability to 1.10 × 10−8 for each mode-locking activation. The improved dynamic range and repeatability will be useful for enhancing the performance of RI sensing.
Evaluation of Tissue Factor -603 A/G Promoter Gene Polymorphism in Thrombotic Processes in Patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome

DOI: 10.26650/experimed.2019. 19006 Objective : Major clinical manifestations of Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are trombosis and thrombosis related complications. Tissue factor (TF) serves primary initiatory of the in vivo coagulation. TF gene expression may be induced in endothelial cells to initiate thrombus formation. In this study, we investigated the frequency of TF 603A/G promoter gene polymorphism in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and its effects on TF expression and thrombotic events. Materials and Methods : This study included 64 patients with APS (APS patient with thrombosis arterial and venous (n=38), antiphospholipid antibody-positive patients without thrombosis (n=26) and 44 healthy controls (HCs). Plasma TF levels and antiphospholipid antibodies were measured by ELISA method. Lupus anticoagulant was measured by activated partial thromboplastin time and kaolin clotting time. TF-603 A/G polymorphism was investigated by PCR method. Results : Our results have showed that patients with APS, TF levels were found in patients significantly higher than the healthy control group (p: 0.006, p<0.001, respectively). Compared between the two patient groups, TF level was significantly higher in the patient with thrombosis group compared to the patient without thrombosis group (p: 0.027). Conclusion : In this study, we suggest that thrombotic complications observed in patients with APS are associated with increased TF expression. Cite this article as : Kahraman R, Hancer V, Ergen A, Cakmakoglu B, Diz Kucukkaya R. Evaluation of tissue factor -603 A/G promoter gene polymorphism in thrombotic processes in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. Experimed 2019; 9(1): 1-6.
Immunization of Mice with Plasmid DNA Encoding Hepatitis B Virus Core Antigen (HBcAg)

The aim of this study was to investigate the antibody response following immunization with plasmid vector DNA containing the hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg) gene of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolated from a patient in Turkey. A HBcAg gene fragment was cloned into a pcDNA 3 eukaryotic expression vector. After confirmation of the cloning of the HBcAg gene, the expressing vector based HBcAg was used in DNA immunization experiments. Four- to 6-week-old Balb/c mice were immunized with HBcAg expressing plasmids and the anti- HBcAg antibody responses of the mice were evaluated by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The results of this study indicated that HBcAg expressed from pcDNA 3 based eukaryotic expression vector induced an anti-HBcAg response when introduced intramuscularly into Balb/c mice.
Impact of Environmental Vibration on Inertial Sensors ’ Output 1

The paper is dealing with an environmental strong-vibration impact on inertial sensors’ output. In our case we measured data on the ultra-light aircraft ATEC 321, which did not have damped cockpit panel, and we recorded the data for post-processing. The main contribution of this paper is in frequency spectrum analyses of measured data, their validation, and filtering to ensure acceptable behavior of navigation systems relying on these data. The data suffered from strong vibration, which had big impact and thus it had to be removed before estimation of navigation parameters was performed. One example of navigation systems is an artificial horizon. Generally, it performs the aircraft attitude estimation just based on accelerometers and angular rate sensors data, and therefore the correctness and efficiency of data filtering as well as consecutive data processing plays a key role. Copyright © 2013 IFSA.
Dividend Policy as Determinant of Stock Prices Volatility: Comparative Analysis of Financial Sectors in Pakistan

The aim of current study is to inspect the link between dividend policy and stock price volatility by using the data of commercial banks of Pakistan and further compare different financial sectors to find out their stock prices’ behavior towards dividend policy. Panel data techniques are utilized for estimating the models in order to investigate the association between dividend policy and stock price volatility. We found a positive and statistically significant impact of dividend policy on stock price volatility in the case of commercial banks. For the Modaraba’s companies, the study found a negative and significant relationship between dividend policy and stock prices volatility. In the case of Insurance companies, the findings of the study are mixed. A positive and significant relationship was observed between dividend yield and stock prices volatility while the relationship between dividend payout ratio and stock prices volatility was found be insignificant. Further, for Mutual Funds, the study found a positive and significant relationship between dividend payout ratio and stock price volatility. Lastly, an insignificant impact is observed that dividend yield has on stock prices volatility. The paper found that the behavior of dividend policy is different among the different financial sectors in determining the stock prices. The authors have compared different financial sectors to find out the responses of dividend policy in terms of stock price volatility and hence the results of the study would be useful for different stakeholders in the financial sector.Keywords - Dividend policy, Financial sectors, Share price volatility
THE EFFECT OF WORKLOADS AND COMPENSATION ON WORK MOTIVATION IN SASMITA JAYA FOUNDATION

The complexity of motivational problems has always been an obstacle to employee performance. Therefore, it is important to do research on the causal factors. To answer this problem, quantitative approaches and regression analysis are used. The population in this study were 70 employees of Sasmita Jaya Foundation and the sample technique used was census. The results prove that workload has a significant effect on work motivation with a regression coefficient of 0.569. Compensation has a significant effect on work motivation with a regression coefficient of 0.478. Simultaneous analysis prove that workload and compensation have a significant effect on work motivation with a determination coefficient of 72.5%, while the remaining 27.5% is explained by other variables outside of this study
Combinatorial and Computational Investigations of Neighbor-Joining Bias

The Neighbor-Joining algorithm is a popular distance-based phylogenetic method that computes a tree metric from a dissimilarity map arising from biological data. Realizing dissimilarity maps as points in Euclidean space, the algorithm partitions the input space into polyhedral regions indexed by the combinatorial type of the trees returned. A full combinatorial description of these regions has not been found yet; different sequences of Neighbor-Joining agglomeration events can produce the same combinatorial tree, therefore associating multiple geometric regions to the same algorithmic output. We resolve this confusion by defining agglomeration orders on trees, leading to a bijection between distinct regions of the output space and weighted Motzkin paths. As a result, we give a formula for the number of polyhedral regions depending only on the number of taxa. We conclude with a computational comparison between these polyhedral regions, to unveil biases introduced in any implementation of the algorithm.
The prevalence of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and perceived stress, and their relationships with mental toughness, individual differences and number of self-care actions in a UK police force

ABSTRACT Police personnel are likely to be affected by stress and compassion fatigue, which may have important consequences for health, well-being and job performance. There are certain individual differences which may protect against compassion fatigue, for example mental toughness, personality and self-care behaviours. However, there is little research examining all of these constructs in combination with policing. The current study aimed to gather information regarding the prevalence of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and perceived stress within a large UK police force, and their relationships with personality, mental toughness and self-care activities. A questionnaire was completed by 605 police employees within a UK police force. The results demonstrated that 20% of personnel suffered from negative psychological outcomes and that these outcomes were predicted by individual differences and self-care activities. The requirement for shift work, and mental toughness scores, significantly predicted compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue and perceived stress. The analyses also revealed a role for gender, tenure, personality and self-care in several aspects of well-being. The implications of these findings are discussed, considering the current contexts in which policing operates, with the aim of improving the psychological well-being of police officers and staff.
Yield and Chemical Composition of Essential oil of Piperaceae in one Segment of the Semideciduous Forest of Paraná State, Brazil, in Seasonal Samplings

Essential oils are composed of a complex mixture of various classes of substances; among them are phenylpropanoid, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, belonging to the secondary metabolism of plants. However, these compounds can be influenced by seasonal factors, among others. The objective of this study is to realize the prospect of obtaining Piperaceae with aromatic potential from a segment of the semideciduous forest of the Atlantic Forest Biome in the northwester region of Paraná State. The aim is to assess the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of its essential oil in the collection during the winter and summer seasons of year 2016. The statistical design was internally randomized in a factorial of 4 (species) x 3 (replicates). The species studied were Piper mosenii C. DC. , Piper xylopioides Kunth, Piper diospyrifolium (Kunth) Kunth ex C. DC. , and Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth. A total of 78 compounds were identified, 68 in winter and 71 in summer. The species presented a variation in the yield and composition of essential oils, both in winter and summer. The predominant chemical composition was sesquiterpenes followed by monoterpenes, with prominence of (E)-caryophyllene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, α-pinene and βpinene. Keywords— Bioprospecting, genus Piper, protected areas, secondary metabolism, species aromatics.
Task Conflict and Employee Creativity: The Critical Roles of Learning Orientation and Goal Congruence

We add to human resource literature by investigating how the contribution of task conflict to employee creativity depends on employees’ learning orientation and their goal congruence with organizational peers. We postulate a positive relationship between task conflict and employee creativity and predict that this relationship is augmented by learning orientation but attenuated by goal congruence. We also argue that the mitigating effect of goal congruence is more salient among employees who exhibit a low learning orientation. Our results, captured from employees and their supervisors in a large, Mexican-based organization, confirm these hypotheses. The findings have important implications for human resource managers who seek to foster creativity among employees. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new concave reformulation and its application in solving DC programming globally under uncertain environment

In this paper, a new concave reformulation is proposed on a convex hull of some given points. Based on its properties, we attempt to solve DC Programming problems globally under uncertain environment by using Robust optimization method and CVaR method. A global optimization algorithm is developed for the Robust counterpart and CVaR model with two kinds of special convex hulls: simplex set and box set. The global solution is obtained by solving a sequence of convex relaxation programming on the original constraint sets or divided subsets with branch and bound method. Finally, numerical experiments are given for DC programs under uncertain environment with two kinds of constraints: simplex and box sets. Simulation results show the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed global optimization algorithm.
Let’s Talk About Sex

Sweden, Canada, and the State of Nevada (USA) have significantly different policies surrounding prostitution. Sweden’s attempt to criminalize prostitution influenced countries around the world, including Canada, while Nevada took the opposite approach by legalizing brothels. This paper explores and compares the policies of these three countries, with the hope of conceptualizing a more inclusive policy that incorporates the voices of those who work within the sex industry.
Stroke and Mortality Risk in Patients With Various Patterns of Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 Trial (Effective Anticoagulation With Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 48)

Background— Whether the pattern of atrial fibrillation (AF) modifies the risk/benefit of anticoagulation is controversial. In ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial (Effective Anticoagulation with Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 48), the factor Xa inhibitor edoxaban was noninferior to warfarin in preventing stroke or systemic embolic events and significantly reduced bleeding and cardiovascular mortality. However, detailed analyses by AF pattern have not been reported. Methods and Results— The 21 105 patients were categorized as having paroxysmal (<7 days duration), persistent (≥7 days but <1 year), or permanent (≥1 year or failed cardioversion) AF patterns at randomization. Efficacy and safety outcomes were evaluated during the 2.8 years median follow-up and compared by AF pattern. The primary end point of stroke/systemic embolic event was lower in those patients with paroxysmal AF (1.49%/year), compared with persistent (1.83%/year; P-adj =0.015) and permanent AF (1.95%/year; P-adj =0.004). Overall, all-cause mortality also was lower with paroxysmal (3.0%/year) compared with persistent (4.4%/year; P-adj <0.001) and permanent AF (4.4%/year; P-adj <0.001). Annualized major bleeding rates were similar across AF patterns (2.86% versus 2.65% versus 2.73%). There was no effect modification by treatment assignment. Conclusions— In ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial, patients with paroxysmal AF suffered fewer thromboembolic events and deaths compared with those with persistent and permanent AF. The efficacy and safety profile of edoxaban as compared with warfarin was consistent across the 3 patterns of AF. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00781391.
Selective internalization of sodium channels in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons infected with herpes simplex virus-1

The neurotropic virus, herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1), inhibits the excitability of peripheral mammalian neurons, but the molecular mechanism of this effect has not been identified. Here, we use voltage-clamp measurement of ionic currents and an antibody against sodium channels to show that loss of excitability results from the selective, precipitous, and complete internalization of voltage-activated sodium channel proteins from the plasma membrane of neurons dissociated from rat dorsal root ganglion. The internalization process requires viral protein synthesis but not viral encapsulation, and does not alter the density of voltage-activated calcium or potassium channels. However, internalization is blocked completely when viruses lack the neurovirulence factor, infected cell protein 34.5, or when endocytosis is inhibited with bafilomycin A1 or chloroquine. Although it has been recognized for many years that viruses cause cell pathology by interfering with signal transduction pathways, this is the first example of viral pathology resulting from selective internalization of an integral membrane protein. In studying the HSV-induced redistribution of sodium channels, we have uncovered a previously unknown pathway for the rapid and dynamic control of excitability in sensory neurons by internalization of sodium channels.
Political Connection Impairs Enterprise Innovation: An Empirical Study Based on Chinese Private Listed Enterprises

Based on various data of the private listed companies in China, this paper stuides the impact of political connections on corporate innovation capabilities. Political connection can improve corporate value, bring financing convenience, tax benefits as well as government subsidy to affiliated enterprises. On the other hand, political connection helps affiliated enterprises enter the monopoly industries, which weakens their willingness to engage in innovative activities. The empirical studies reveal that political connection has a negative innovation effect, due to it raises the entry level of entering barrier industry in affiliated enterprises.