Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Financial Sector and Sustainable Development

The Financial Sector and Sustainable Development Growing load and deterioration of the environment can be interpreted as a result of some external effects interventions. While the positive externalities influence the positive productional and utilizational functions of other subjects, the negative externalities influence the negative ones. Both types of external effects can act as parcial or global externalities. Linking the environmental issues to economy and finance is an important sphere. Coimplementation of both marketing and environmental audits is an important element of this sphere too.
Patient-specific modeling and quantification of the heart valves from multimodal cardiac images

As decisions in cardiology increasingly rely on non-invasive methods, fast and precise image analysis tools have become a crucial component of the clinical workflow. Especially when dealing with complex cardiovascular disorders, such as valvular heart disease, advanced imaging techniques have the potential to significantly improve treatment outcome as well as to reduce procedure risks and correlated costs. This thesis concentrates on three aspects: physiological heart valve modeling, algorithms for patient-specific parameter estimation from multimodal images and advanced applications for clinical management of heart valve disease. In particular, a novel physiological model of the complete valvular apparatus is introduced, which captures a large spectrum of morphologic, dynamic and pathologic variations. A robust learning-based framework is proposed to estimate the patient-specific model parameters from cardiac medical scans, mainly transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. This original model-driven approach enables a multitude of advanced clinical applications including quantitative valvular analysis, shape-based diagnosis and patient selection as well as computational decision support for valve replacement and repair procedures. In comparison to the gold standard methods, which manually process 2D images, the automatic 4D model-based concept provides fast, precise, reproducible and comprehensive valve quantification. Moreover, in case of emerging percutaneous and minimal invasive valve interventions, cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists can substantially benefit from the automated patient selection and virtual valve implantation approaches presented in this thesis. The algorithms proposed in this thesis are validated through extensive quantitative and clinical experiments involving over 476 patients treated in leading medical centers around the world.
Customer satisfaction and the marketing‐quality interface

Despite long‐standing interest in the quality movement by marketing scholars, marketing managers have not seized opportunities to provide leadership as the quality movement has centered attention on customer satisfaction. Significant corporate investments in quality programs suggest that the recent revision of the ISO 9000 standards to focus on collection and use of customer satisfaction data may provide marketing managers an invitation to meaningfully enter the quality dialogue. Collaboration between marketing and quality management is problematic because the two functions are highly differentiated. This article draws on work in organizational learning and organizational behavior to identify criteria for successful collaboration between marketing and quality management and to propose a process for meeting the new ISO 9000 requirements.
Evidence of Contrasting Patterns for Suppression and Reappraisal Emotion Regulation Strategies in Alexithymia

Abstract Alexithymia generally refers to difficulties in identifying and describing emotions. In this paper, two studies explored whether the emotion deficits observed in alexithymia may be related to the use of emotion regulation strategies. Relations with various sociodemographic variables were also explored. In the first study, 255 students completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale–20. For the second study, 1107 participants from the general population completed the ERQ and the Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire. Results demonstrated that alexithymia was related to the use of a suppression strategy and in particular to difficulties verbalizing emotions, suggesting that the capacity to communicate and name one's emotion is a central aspect in alexithymia. Concerning sociodemographic variables, alexithymia and the use of a suppression strategy were found to be related to age and to be higher in males. The results of these studies and their clinical implications for treatment are discussed.
Pengaruh Kualitas Produk Terhadap Kepuasan, Reputasi Merek Dan Loyalitas Konsumen Jamu Tolak Angin Pt. Sido Muncul

One of the key factor that PT Sido Muncul concerns about its Jamu Tolak Angin is the customer loyalty. The increase number of loyal customers can be considered as the success of the company’s product amidst the competition. This research is conducted to find out whether the product’s quality influences the customer loyalty through customer satisfaction and brand reputation of the PT Sido Muncul’s Jamu Tolak Angin brand. This research is conducted to retest the model proposed by Fred Selnes (1993), by using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The sample of this research is 200 persons, collected by judgment sampling. The result of this research shows that customer loyalty is influenced by product quality, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation. Product quality influences customer loyalty through customer satisfaction and brand reputation. The model’s test of this research shows Chi-Square=65.81 (P=0.00026), RMSEA=0.071, GFI=0.94, dan AGFI=0.90. Product quality influences customer loyalty through customer satisfaction and brand reputation by 0.26 and it influences customer loyalty through brand reputation by 0.46. This research shows that good quality product will lead to the increase of customer loyalty and brand reputation of the PT Sido Muncul’s Jamu Tolak Angin brand. Loyal customers are directly influenced by PT Sido Muncul’s Jamu brand, while customer satisfaction doesn’t directly influence customer loyalty. When choosing which jamu product to consume, the customers don’t necessarily choose the product based on the satisfaction of past use but on the brand reputation. Customers think that the jamu brand that has good reputation is suitable for continuous use. This is because customers view jamu as traditional medicine, so the selection should be based on those products who have reliable brand reputation. This result shows that the PT Sido Muncul’s Jamu Tolak Angin brand reputation that has been formed may strengthen the product quality’s influence on creating customer loyalty.
Frailty in HIV-Infected Adults in South Africa

Objectives:Some evidence suggests that HIV infection is associated with premature frailty—a syndrome typically viewed as being related to ageing. We determined the prevalence and predictors of frailty in a population of HIV-infected individuals in South Africa. Design:Case-control study of 504 adults more than the age of 30 years, composed of 248 HIV-infected adults and 256 age- and gender-matched, frequency-matched HIV-seronegative individuals. Methods:Frailty was defined by standardized assessment comprised of ≥3 of weight loss, low physical activity, exhaustion, weak grip strength, and slow walking time. Independent predictors of frailty were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Results:The mean ages of the HIV-infected and HIV-seronegative groups were 41.1 ± 7.9 years and 42.6 ± 9.6 years, respectively. Of the HIV-infected adults, 87.1% were receiving antiretroviral treatment (median duration, 58 months), their median CD4 count was 468 cells/&mgr;L (interquartile range = 325–607 cells/&mgr;L) and 84.3% had undetectable plasma viral load. HIV-infected adults were more likely to be frail than HIV-seronegative individuals (19.4% vs. 13.3%; P = 0.07), and this association persisted after adjustment for confounding variables [adjusted OR = 2.14; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.16–3.92, P = 0.01]. Among HIV-infected individuals, older age was a strong predictor of frailty, especially among women (women: OR = 2.55 per 10-year age increase; men: OR = 1.29 per 10-year age increase, P-interaction = 0.01). Lower current CD4 count (<500 cells/&mgr;L) was also independently associated with frailty (OR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.02 –7.92, P = 0.04). Conclusions:HIV infection is associated with premature development of frailty, especially in women. Since higher CD4 counts were associated with lower risk of frailty, earlier initiation of antiretroviral treatment may be protective.
Myoelectric and Body‐Powered Prostheses

One hundred twenty below-elbow child amputees compared cosmetically identical myoelectric (MYO) and body-powered (BP) hands after wearing each for 3 months; 78% chose the MYO and 22% chose the BP. However, at 2-year follow-up, only 44% wore the MYO, 33% used a BP hand or hook, and 23% became nonwearers (NW). Eighty percent of children aged ≥8 years used active prosthetic prehension for both the MYO and BP prostheses. Comparatively, only 30% aged <8 years and 0% aged <5 years demonstrated any active prosthetic prehension. Active BP wearers were clearly most pleased with the features of their prostheses.
The Long-Term Irrelevance of Trust in Outsourcing Decisions for New Technologies: Insights from an Agent-Based Model

Significant empirical data from the fields of management and business strategy suggest that it is a good idea for a company to make in-house the components and processes underpinning a new technology. Other evidence suggests exactly the opposite, saying that firms would be better off buying components and processes from outside suppliers. One possible explanation for this lack of convergence is that earlier research in this area has overlooked two important aspects of the problem: reputation and trust. To gain insight into how these variables may impact make-buy decisions throughout the innovation process, the Sporas algorithm for measuring reputation was added to an existing agent- based model of how firms interact with each other throughout the development of new technologies. The model’s results suggest that reputation and trust do not play a significant role in the long-term fortunes of an individual firm as it contends with technological change in the marketplace. Accordingly, this model serves as a cue for management researchers to investigate more thoroughly the temporal limitations and contingencies that determine how the trust between firms may affect the R&D process.
Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Alberta, Canada

Abstract Systematic review data demonstrate that 5% of ALS cases are familial (FALS). Causative superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) mutations are identified in 10−20% of FALS. Few reports of FALS epidemiology exist in Canada. We completed a retrospective review of all FALS cases within the province of Alberta between 2002 and 2011. Descriptive summaries of genotypes identified and calculation of prevalences were performed. We reviewed 946 clinic database records and 49 subjects with FALS were identified (5.2%). Clinic charts for 47/49 were available and reviewed. Causative SOD1 mutations were observed in 17/47 (36%). The SOD1 I113T mutation was identified in 11/47 unrelated patients and was associated with a less variable survival than previously reported. The period and point prevalences of FALS in Alberta are approximately 2.05 per 100,000 (95% CI 1.51−2.73) and 4.68 per 1,000,000 (95% CI 2.42−8.18), respectively. In conclusion, we report 47 cases of FALS in Alberta over the past decade. The proportion of SOD1-positive FALS cases is higher than reported elsewhere. The high proportion of I113T mutations is comparable to that previously observed in the adjacent province of British Columbia.
Employment Dynamics of Married Women in Europe 1

We use longitudinal data from the European Community Household Panel (1994-2001) to analyze the intertemporal labor supply behavior of married women in seven European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and United Kingdom) We find that North-South differences in Europe have little to do with different employment penalties to motherhood. Although such effects vary considerably across countries and are weakly consistent with prevailing childcare institutions in Northern countries, North-South differences in employment are most pronounced among low-skill females irrespective of the presence of children. Co-movements in regional employment and wages in Southern Europe (Spain and Italy) suggest that weak demand (few opportunities), low wages and social norms hostile to female employment are more likely to explain low female labor force participation of married women in those countries.
The effects of demographics and pet ownership on attachment towards and opinion about owned and unowned free-roaming cats

The Effects of Demographics and Pet Ownership on Attachment towards and Opinion about Owned and Unowned Free-roaming Cats. (August 2006) Melanie Elaine Ramon, B.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Margaret Slater A telephone questionnaire was developed to collect information on pet owners, cat ownership patterns, and people’s opinions about homeless pets. A 7-day observation log was also developed to gather information about free-roaming cats in Caldwell, TX. The objectives of this research were: (1) to evaluate the reliability of the telephone questionnaire, (2) to assess general cat ownership patterns, (3) to evaluate attachment level of pet owners to their pets, (4) to determine general opinions about free-roaming cats, (5) to determine if demographics were associated with opinions about free-roaming cat and dog problems and (6) to investigate free-roaming cat activity in a community. Telephone questionnaire information collected from 100 subjects was tested for reliability. Reliability was fair to good for cat level questions (sex, age, breed, length of time owned, indoor/outdoor status, litter, number of vet visits, vaccinated). Reliability was good for questions concerning subjects’ knowledge of cat and dog behavior and levels of attachment to their pets. Reliability was excellent for all household level (demographic) variables. Reliability was moderate for questions regarding subjects’ opinions about homeless animals.
Adoption of Online Social Networks to Communicate with Financial Institutions

ABSTRACT Spain's financial sector is not in a healthy state, and the problems that some financial institutions currently face perpetuate the widespread perception of risk across the entire sector. Moreover, the online social networks (OSN) that emerged a decade ago are suddenly at the very heart of digital society. In this study we develop a predictive model to determine that the motivational factors that influence Spanish users' intention to use OSN to communicate with financial institutions are quality management, availability of information, external conditions, trust, perceived compatibility, perceived usefulness, attitude, and intention. Data were collected from 335 Spanish OSN users through an online survey. The results suggest that quality management has a highly significant and positive effect on perceived usefulness and that perceived usefulness has a positive and significant effect on the intention to use social networks to communicate with financial institutions.
Diffusion of account planning in Indian ad agencies

Account planning is recognised as a best practice in British and American advertising. Despite reports of its global growth, information on its use around the world is limited. This study focuses on account planning in India, a region of considerable importance to international advertisers and advertising agencies. Using a two-stage organisational innovation diffusion framework, it examines planning initiation and assimilation in the Indian ad industry. It also investigates the impact of organisational factors on its diffusion. Results from the web survey (154 respondents from 101 agencies) indicate that, while initiation is widely reported in India, planning assimilation in agency activities is limited. Size and global agency affiliation (structural variables) affect initiation; leadership commitment and agency innovativeness (managerial and cultural variables) impact both initiation and assimilation. Similarities and differences with account planning use in UK and US agencies are discussed.
Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Mapping

ABC Fax + 41 61 306 12 34 E-mail karger@karger.ch www.karger. com © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel 0301–0171/01/0952–0064$17.50/0 Accessible online at: www.karger. com/journals/ccg Abstract. Simple sequence length polymorphisms (SSLPs) are a widely used tool for genetic studies in humans and model animals. Experimental crosses among closely related strains that differ primarily in the trait that is to be mapped carry the advantage of avoiding co-segregation of potentially confounding traits. However, their realization is encumbered by the limited availability of newly arisen informative SSLPs among such strains. Here we report the establishment of a genome-wide SSLP panel for the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and its close relative, the stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP), consisting of a total of 273 polymorphic markers that were found among 2,734 rat SSLPs screened. In addition to limitations in numbers, we also found the distribution of informative markers to be heterogeneous, with clustering and paucity of informative markers, respectively, in particular regions. Notably, the majority of regions thus identified was also seen when we examined an unrelated set of strains from the literature, indicating, on a more generic level, the presence of mutagenically more and less stable genomic regions.
Relevance of Procalcitonin Levels in Comparison to Other Markers of Inflammation in Hemodialysis Patients

Purpose. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in hemodialysis (HD) patients and its correlation to other traditional inflammatory markers. Methods. We measured plasma PCT levels in 120 patients on maintenance HD. PCT levels were compared with C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), prealbumin, and albumin. We also examined the above parameters subgroups, especially in diabetics and the elderly. Relations between parameters were studied by Spearman's correlation. Results. PCT concentrations were higher than the upper normal limit of 0.5 ng/mL in 38% of the patients. All patients with increased CRP had PCT concentrations higher than the upper normal limit. Plasma CRP concentrations were positively correlated to IL-6 (r = 0.304). Prealbumin was negatively correlated with CRP (r = 0.259) and with IL-6 (r = 0.388). Conclusions. The combination of elevated IL-6 and CRP levels was associated with an altered nutritional status. The concomitant elevations in PCT, CRP, and IL-6 could be more sensitive in the evaluation of inflammation.
Perceptions of innovativeness among Iranian hotel managers

Purpose – Despite the undisputed importance of organizational innovation and decades of academic research on the subject, there is surprisingly little agreement on what innovativeness is or how to achieve successful innovation in practice. Furthermore, the difference between the theory and practice is often interpreted in an ad hoc manner, which limits the potential for innovation to provide a competitive advantage. This research aims to explore perceptions of innovativeness from the perspective of senior managers in the hotel industry from a sample of 11 high-class hotels located in the developing country of Iran. Design/methodology/approach – A stratified purposeful sampling method will be employed, in which in-depth interviews with top managers and owners will be carried out over a five-month period. Meaning units (MUs) will be extracted, which are compared and discussed with the interviewees until a basic agreement of terms can be made. Findings – The findings relate to themes such as Leavitt's diamon.
Convective lofting links Indian Ocean air pollution to paradoxical South Atlantic ozone maxima

We describe a broad resolution of the “Atlantic Parado” concerning the seasonal and geographic distribution of tropical tropospheric ozone. We highlight periods of significant maximum tropospheric O3 for Jan.–April, 1999, exploiting satellite estimates and SHADOZ (Southern Hemisphere Additional Ozonesondes). Trajectory analyses connecting sondes and Total Tropospheric Ozone (TTO) maps suggest a complex influence from the Indian Ocean: beginning with mixed combustion sources, then low level transport, cumulonimbus venting, possible stratospheric input, and finally high‐level transport to the west, with possible mixing over Africa. For the Jan.–March highest column‐O3 periods in the Atlantic, distinct sounding peaks trace to specific NO sources, especially lightning, while in the same episodes, recurring every 20–50 days, more diffuse buildups of Indian‐to‐Atlantic pollution make important contributions.
Modeling and Analysis of Coverage in 3-D Cellular Networks

Cellular networks are usually modeled by the point process theory and stochastic geometry with mobile users either scattered randomly or deterministically set. These models are used widely in a 2-D space but are not suitable for dense urban environment in which a large number of small cells are distributed to satisfy the rapid increase in mobile subscribers as well as the traffic demand. In this paper, a new general model based on a 3-D space for a cellular network is proposed. Under general assumptions, the coverage probability of downlink cellular networks can be obtained by fast integral calculation and in some special cases can be simplified to an analytical form. Compared with the 2-D space model and actual small cells deployment, the proposed 3-D space model is more accurate and provides a closer bound of coverage probability. In addition to being more tractable, the model proposed in this paper can better capture the increasingly opportunistic and dense small cells deployment in future heterogeneous cellular networks.
History and sensitivity comparison of two standard whole-sediment toxicity tests with crustaceans: the amphipod Hyalella azteca and the ostracod Heterocypris incongruens microbiotest

The review first details the development of the test procedures with Hyalella azteca which historically emerged as one of the recommended test species for whole-sediment assays and its gradual standardization and endorsement by national and international organizations. The sensitivity and precision of the H. azteca test for application on chemicals and on real world sediments is discussed. The review subsequently addresses the development of the whole sediment microbiotest with the ostracod crustacean Heterocypris incongruens with larvae of this test species hatched from dormant eggs (cysts), rendering this assay stock culture/maintenance free. The application of the 6-day ostracod microbiotest on sediments in Canada and in Belgium is discussed, as well as its endorsement by the ISO subsequent to an extensive international interlaboratory ring test. The sensitivity of the amphipod and ostracod tests is compared by data from studies in which both assays were applied in parallel. A comparison of more than 1000 ostracod/amphipod data pairs of a 12-year river sediment monitoring study in Flanders/Belgium confirmed that both whole-sediment assays have a similar sensitivity and that the 6-day ostracod microbiotest is a valuable and cost-effective alternative to the 10−14 day amphipod test for evaluation of the toxic hazard of polluted sediments.