Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A strategic assessment of six sigma

Six Sigma as a quality improvement framework has been gaining considerable attention in recent years. The hyperbole that often accompanied the presentation and adoption of Six Sigma in industry could lead to unrealistic expectations as to what Six Sigma is truly capable of achieving. In this paper, some strategic perspectives on the subject are presented, highlighting the potential and possible limitations of Six Sigma applications particularly in a knowledge‐based environment. Without delving into the mechanics of the subject in detail, the points raised could be useful to those deliberating on the appropriateness of Six Sigma to their respective organizations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Equity valuation using accounting numbers in high and low market cap companies

I I CONTENTS II II LIST OF TABLES IV III NOTATION AND ABBREVIATIONS V INTRODUCTION 1 REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON EQUITY VALUATION USING ACCOUNTING NUMBERS 3 2.1. INFORMATIONAL CONTENT AND USEFULNESS OF ACCOUNTING NUMBERS 3 2.2. VALUATION MODELS 4 2.2.1. Stock-Based Valuation 5 2.2.2. Flow-Based Valuation 7 2.2. 3. Empirical Evidence on Model Performance 12 LARGE SAMPLE ANALYSIS 14 3.1. RESEARCH QUESTION AND BRIEF REVIEW ON RELEVANT LITERATURE 14 3.2. VALUATION MODELS USED 15 3.3. RESEARCH DESIGN 15 3.3.1. Data 15 3.3.2. Model Implementation 17 3.4. EMPIRICAL RESULTS 18 3.4. 1. Descriptive Statistics 18 3.4. 2. Intra-Sample Analysis 21 3.4. 3. Cross-Sample Analysis 22 3.4. 4. Univariate Regressions and Explanatory Power of the Models 24 3.4. 5. Robustness Test 26 3.5. CONCLUDING REMARKS 27 SMALL SAMPLE ANALYSIS 29 4.
Genetic Characterization of a Novel, Naturally Occurring Recombinant Human G6P[6] Rotavirus

ABSTRACT A binary classification system has been established for group A rotaviruses, with the viral capsid protein VP7 defining G types and VP4 defining P types. At least 15 G types and 21 P types have been isolated globally with various G and P combinations. Most of the currently circulating human rotaviruses belong to G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], and G4P[8]. We report a human rotavirus strain (B1711) with a novel genotypic VP7/VP4 combination of G6P[6]. This unique rotavirus was isolated from a 13-month-old human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- negative child of an HIV-seropositive Malian mother that was hospitalized with severe diarrhea in Belgium after returning from a trip to Mali. The VP7 and VP4 genes of the rotavirus strain were sequenced, and phylogenetic trees were constructed. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparisons with 15 known G genotypes indicated that the VP7 sequence of strain B1711 was most closely related to an American (Se584) and an Italian (PA151) human G6 strain (95 to 96% nucleotide and 98% amino acid identity). Comparison of the VP4 sequence with 21 P types showed the closest similarity to P[6] genotypes, with greatest similarity to a G8P[6] Malawi strain (mw131) (97% nucleotide and 98% amino acid identity). The B1711 strain is the first reported rotavirus isolate with a G6P[6] genotypic combination. The discovery and surveillance of novel human and nonhuman rotavirus G or P types or of novel G/P combinations is essential for the design of future rotavirus vaccines and for our understanding of rotavirus diversity and evolution.
The impact of CEO turnover on the share price performance of South African listed companies

International research into the impact of CEO turnover on organisational share price performance has yielded inconsistent results. This research aims to study the impact of CEO turnover on the South African environment, and in particular on South African listed companies. The study is conducted looking at both the impact at the date of the announcement of the CEO change, and examines the impact of forced versus voluntary turnover, as well as internal versus external CEO replacement. There were 74 turnover events between 2001 and 2003, which were included in the study at announcement date. Only 28 of these resulted in the CEO remaining in office for a period of at least three years, and this smaller sample was used to examine the effect of CEO turnover over the three years after appointment. Event study methodology was used in the research. The research observed a statistically significant negative impact on share prices at the date of announcement of CEO turnover, but this was negated by statistically significant positive returns when looking at the day prior to the announcement. No statistically significant results were observed for internal versus external CEO replacement. Forced CEO turnover had a negative effect on share price performance when compare to voluntary turnover, but this was not statistically significant. No significant results were observed for the three years post the appointment of the new CEO. The conclusion of the research is that the impact of CEO turnover is not significant at announcement date or over time.
The impact of gender diversity on turnover: The moderating effect of HR policies and practices

Demography theory suggests that high gender diversity leads to high turnover. As turnover is costly for organizations, we examined whether HR policies and practices influence the expected gender diversity-turnover relationship. Survey data were collected from 198 HR decision makers at publicly listed organizations. We found that HR policies and practices that are supportive of diversity moderate the gender diversity-turnover relationship, such that high gender diversity leads to low turnover in organizations with many diversity supportive policies and practices. Results suggest that organizations can avoid the negative consequences of high gender diversity by implementing diversity supportive HR polices and practices.
What is Six and One? An Analysis of Re-Priced Stock Options

This paper examines the incentives surrounding re-priced options and the favorable timing of option awards. To avoid expense recognition of re-priced options, some firms set a replacement strike price six months plus one day after the cancellation of existing options. The six-plus-one strategy makes the grant date completely predictable. Abnormal stock returns are negative (positive) during the six-month period prior to the replacement date for grants that include (exclude) officers or directors. Positive abnormal returns occur after the replacement date for firms covered by a smaller number of analysts and for grants that exclude officers and directors. Earnings surprises and volatility reflect efforts to produce the favorable abnormal return pattern.
Spectral and decomposition tracking for rendering heterogeneous volumes

We present two novel unbiased techniques for sampling free paths in heterogeneous participating media. Our decomposition tracking accelerates free-path construction by splitting the medium into a control component and a residual component and sampling each of them separately. To minimize expensive evaluations of spatially varying collision coefficients, we define the control component to allow constructing free paths in closed form. The residual heterogeneous component is then homogenized by adding a fictitious medium and handled using weighted delta tracking, which removes the need for computing strict bounds of the extinction function. Our second contribution, spectral tracking, enables efficient light transport simulation in chromatic media. We modify free-path distributions to minimize the fluctuation of path throughputs and thereby reduce the estimation variance. To demonstrate the correctness of our algorithms, we derive them directly from the radiative transfer equation by extending the integral formulation of null-collision algorithms recently developed in reactor physics. This mathematical framework, which we thoroughly review, encompasses existing trackers and postulates an entire family of new estimators for solving transport problems; our algorithms are examples of such. We analyze the proposed methods in canonical settings and on production scenes, and compare to the current state of the art in simulating light transport in heterogeneous participating media.
Serum Thyrotropin and Phase of the Menstrual Cycle

About one-fifth of patients treated with levothyroxine have serum thyrotropin (TSH) above target concentrations but, in approximately 15% of them, the cause of this TSH insufficient normalization remains unknown. We report the cases of two regularly menstruating women with known thyroid disease who had TSH levels consistently >3 mU/L (and sometimes above target levels) during mid-cycle, but consistently lower serum levels during the follicular and luteal phases of menstrual cycle. A major TSH release by the thyrotrophs in response to high circulating levels of estradiol (E2) at mid-cycle may increase levels of TSH compared to other phases of the cycle. The increased TSH can be misinterpreted as refractory hypothyroidism if the woman is under L-T4 replacement therapy or as subclinical hypothyroidism if the woman is not. Our findings might have important implications for diagnosis and management of thyroid disease, suggesting to request serum TSH measurements outside of the periovulatory days.
Shared Modes of Compensation and Firm Performance: UK Evidence

This paper examines the use and consequences of shared compensation plans (profit sharing, profit related pay, SAYE schemes and company stock option plans) in a sample of UK workplaces and firms in the 1990s. The use of these plans has increased over time, in part in response to government programs. The evidence shows that companies and workplaces adopting shared compensation practices have had higher productivity than other firms, but the effects vary among programs, suggesting that the particulars matter a lot in aligning shared compensation and work place activities. Consistent with incentive theory, the evidence also shows that firms and workplaces with shared compensation practices have a higher incidence of shared decision-making / information sharing practices.
Return Autocorrelation Anomalies in Two European Stock Markets

The autocorrelation in stock returns is one of the most important anomalies in financial markets worldwide. In this paper, we have investigated differences in return autocorrelation on a day-to-day basis in the Spanish and French stock markets. Our research provides strong evidence of the importance of non-trading periods, not only weekends and holidays but also overnight closings, to explain return autocorrelation anomalies. While close-to-close stock returns are highly autocorrelated, specially on Mondays, when we compute daily returns on an open-to-close basis they do not exhibit a significant level of autocorrelation.
Multifactorial analysis of long-term follow-up (more than 5 years) of primary extremity sarcoma.

BACKGROUND The majority of survival studies in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma have focused on early recurrence and mortality. There are few data addressing long-term follow-up and survival. OBJECTIVE To analyze survival and recurrence in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma who survive for more than 5 years. METHODS Patients who underwent treatment for primary tumors (July 1982 to July 1994) and were followed up for more than 5 years were the subject of study. Disease-specific and disease-free survival were determined actuarially. Significance was evaluated using log-rank testing for univariate analysis and Cox model stepwise regression for multivariate analysis. RESULTS A total of 495 patients with primary extremity tumors were treated before July 1989 and eligible for 5-year follow-up. Of these, 282 have been followed up for more than 5 years (median follow-up, 84.4 months). Actuarial disease-specific survival of patients who survive for longer than 5 years was 79%+/-7% (+/-SEM) at 10 years, and of those who were metastasis free at 5 years was 91%+/-4% at 10 years. On univariate analysis, post-5-year disease-specific survival was influenced by positive microscopic margin and initial tumor size of 5 cm or greater. On multivariate analysis, post-5-year disease-specific survival was influenced only by positive margins. CONCLUSIONS Based on these analyses, 21% of patients with primary extremity sarcoma who survive for 5 years will die of disease within 5 years. Even of those who are metastasis free at 5 years, 9% will die of disease within 5 years. In contrast to early mortality, tumor grade has no influence on post-5-year prognosis. Patients with positive microscopic margins are at risk for post-5-year disease-specific mortality and therefore require long-term follow-up and consideration for investigational therapy.
Chemical Composition of Some Commercial Tannins Produced in Turkey

This study was aimed to investigate the chemical composition of commercial tannins produced in Turkey mostly used by leatherworking. Tannin samples from pine bark, valonia, and gall nuts as well as ground sumac leaves were provided from the plant. It is well known that valonia, gall nuts, and sumac tannins compose of hydrolysable tannin whereas pine bark tannin consists of condensed tannins. Therefore methods of hydrolyzed and condensed tannins were applied in commercial samples. The methanolwater solubility of tannin samples was determined, after that total phenol content was assayed by spectrometrically in aqueous phase and ether phase. Amount of condensed tannin in the samples was determined by spectroscopical acid-butanol methods as well as stiasny number method gravimetrically. Content of gallotannin in samples was determined with Rhodanine Method; amount of ellagtannins was assayed with Nitrous Acid method. Functional group analysis of the tannin samples were investigated by FTIR instrument after compressing KBr pellets.
Invasive lobular carcinoma classic type: response to primary chemotherapy and survival outcomes.

PURPOSE To investigate the impact of histologic type invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) versus invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) on response to primary chemotherapy (PC) and long-term outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 1,034 patients with stage II and III breast cancer who participated in six clinical trials of PC at our institution between 1985 and 2002. One hundred twenty-two patients (12%) had ILC and 912 (88%) had IDC. All patients received anthracycline-based PC, and 346 patients (33.5%) also received a taxane as part of PC. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was defined as no evidence of invasive disease in the breast and axillary lymph nodes. RESULTS The median patient age was 48 years (range, 18 to 79 years). Patients with ILC tended to be older (median age, 53 years v 47 years for patients with IDC) and have more hormone-receptor-positive tumors (92% v 62%; P < .001), lower nuclear grade (nuclear grade 3, 16% v 56%; P < .001), and higher stage at diagnosis (10% v 0% with stage IIIB or IIIC disease; P < .001). Patients with ILC were less likely to have a pCR (3% v 15%; P < .001) and had a larger number of involved axillary lymph nodes (41% v 26% had > 3 involved nodes; P = .001). At a median follow-up time of 70 months, ILC patients tended to have longer recurrence-free survival (P = .004) and overall survival (P = .001). CONCLUSION ILC is characterized by lower rates of pathologic response to PC but better long-term outcomes compared to IDC. pCR might not be a prognostic indicator for this group of patients.
Fundamental differences of the PD measurement according to IEC 60270 and in UHF range

PD measurements in the UHF frequency range are an important tool for diagnostic at GIS. A general correlation between the measurement according to IEC standard 60270 and measurements in the UHF range is not possible. By the use of a ldquosensitivity checkrdquo the quality of the UHF measuring system is verified at GIS. In this contribution the usual procedure is pointed out and the boundary conditions and simplifications are shown. The knowledge of this is important for the interpretation of the result of the sensitivity check.
Self-Assessment: The Disconnect between Research and Rhetoric.

PURPOSE Physical therapists are expected to engage in self-assessment in order to ensure competent practice and to identify appropriate professional development activities. SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS This paper reviews the current literature on the accuracy and role of self-assessment in physical therapy. Current literature indicating that self-assessment cannot be conducted with any degree of accuracy is discussed, and a proposed reformulation of the concept of self-assessment is presented. RECOMMENDATIONS Practical strategies are offered for clinicians to improve the potential for obtaining reliable and valid information about their own clinical performance to guide the selection of appropriate professional development activities and to promote the provision of competent patient care.
Does Internationalization of The Electronic Industries in The US Make Financing and Dividend Different

This paper analyzes the debt ratio and the scale of cash dividend among the internationalized and domestic electronic industries in the US from 1999 to 2008 as the reference for financing strategies and decision. The evidence shows that the debt ratio and the payout cash dividend ratio in the internationalized electronic firms are lower than those in domestic electronic firms. Due to the uniqueness and the high profit ability of the internationalized electronic firms in the US, they have more earnings and inside capital so that the debt ratio is lower. Also, the internationalized electronic industries in the US have higher internationalization level with higher system risk level but their payout cash dividend ratio is less in that they tend to keep the cash against any incident.
UK/US GAAP comparison

This comprehensive financial reporting handbook compares and contrasts the requirements of UK and US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Now in its fifth edition, the book has been fully updated to take account of the changes in these fast-moving regimes. It gives a detailed side-by-side comparison of the main differences between UK and US GAAP on a topic by topic basis, complete with references to the primary sources in the respective countries and provides a practical source of reference for: preparers of accounts subject to dual-reporting requirements; the auditors of such companies; investors who maintain an international portfolio; analysts who wish to compare the performance of UK and US companies; and students of financial reporting.
The Michigan State University Twin Registry (MSUTR): An Update

The primary aim of the Michigan State University Twin Registry (MSUTR) is on understanding developmental changes in genetic, environmental, and neurobiological influences on internalizing and externalizing disorders, with antisocial behavior and disordered eating representing our particular areas of interest. The MSUTR has two broad components: a large-scale, population-based registry of child, adolescent, and adult twins and their families (current N ~20,000) and a series of more focused and in-depth studies drawn from the registry (current N ~4,000). Participants in the population-based registry complete a family health and demographic questionnaire via mail. Families are then recruited for one or more of the intensive, in-person studies from the population-based registry based on their answers to relevant items in the registry questionnaire. These in-person assessments target a variety of biological, genetic, and environmental phenotypes, including multi-informant measures of psychiatric and behavioral phenotypes, census and neighborhood informant reports of twin neighborhood characteristics, buccal swab and salivary DNA samples, assays of adolescent and adult steroid hormone levels, and/or videotaped interactions of child twin families. This article provides an overview of the MSUTR and describes current and future research directions.
Short Sale Constraints, Overvaluation, and the Introduction of Options

We investigate whether the existence of traded options represents an economically important relaxation of short sale constraints. Our analysis has three prongs. First, to the extent that option listing relaxes a binding constraint, we would expect to see investors taking synthetic short positions in the newly-listed options. Contrary to this hypothesis, we find that the volume of newly-listed options tends to be very low, and, if anything, signed volume is more bullish that bearish during the first week of trading. Moreover, we find no significant relation between signed option volume and abnormal stock returns surrounding option listing. Second, if options help relax binding short-sale constraints, we might expect bearish option volume to be positively related to proxies for short sale constraints, divergence of opinion, and/or overvaluation. We examine nine different proxies and combinations of proxies, and in each case find either no relation, or a significant negative relation. Third, we demonstrate that prior results in the literature reporting a negative price reaction surrounding option listing are not robust to alternative methodological assumptions. All our evidence suggests that options do not reduce short sale constraints in an economically meaningful way.
Strengthening the reporting of observational epidemiology (STROBE) in sexual health

Observational studies occupy a prominent place in clinical and public health research. Cohort, case-control and other observational studies regularly contribute key aetiological, clinical and public health knowledge, and most research papers published in medical journals describe observational studies.1 Sexually transmitted infections are no exception. For example, in the early 1980s, before the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was discovered, a case-control study identified a higher number of sexual partners as a risk factor for Kaposi sarcoma in men who have sex with men.2 Later, a cohort study of female sex workers in Kinshasa showed that gonorrhoea and genital Chlamydia infection were strongly associated with HIV-1 transmission.3 A possible protective effect of male circumcision on the risk of HIV infection was first suggested in 1986, based on biological reasoning.4 Over subsequent years, the association between male circumcision and HIV infection was examined in a large number of observational studies, including ecological, cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies, which taken together showed a substantial reduction in risk, similar to that observed in the recent randomised trials.5 The reputation of observational epidemiology is nevertheless mixed: it is not uncommon for observational research to produce contradictory, or even spurious, findings.6 7 Conflicting results from epidemiological studies, often of exposures related to diet or other life style factors, provide a constant source of anxiety for the public.8 The credibility of observational study (and any other research) depends on its …
A Study of the Influencing Factors on the User Acceptance of Music File Sharing Technology

File sharing technology is the most popular methodology through which consumers gain music from online. However, music file sharing and free downloads of music have caused terrible recession of traditional music industry. The purpose of this paper is to develop the underlying theory for understanding the acceptance of music file sharing technology and empirically test our theoretical model. We develop extended TAM model and explore the influencing factors on the user acceptance of music file sharing technology. Our study delivers a better understanding on consumers’ attitudes towards music downloads. By understanding the fundamental characteristics of technology that makes consumers enthusiastic, traditional music industry will gain managerial implications.