Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mining user behavior in location-based social networks

VALVERDE-REBAZA, J. C. Mining user behavior in location-based social networks. 2017. 221 p. Tese (Doutorado em Ciências – Ciências de Computação e Matemática Computacional) – Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos – SP, 2017. Online social networks (OSNs) are Web platforms providing different services to facilitate social interaction among their users. A particular kind of OSNs is the location-based social network (LBSN), which adds services based on location. One of the most important challenges in LBSNs is the link prediction problem. Link prediction problem aims to estimate the likelihood of the existence of future friendships among user pairs. Most of the existing studies in link prediction focus on the use of a single information source to perform predictions, i.e. only social information (e.g. social neighborhood) or only location information (e.g. common visited places). However, some researches have shown that the combination of different information sources can lead to more accurate predictions. In this sense, in this thesis we propose different link prediction methods based on the use of different information sources naturally existing in these networks. Thus, we propose seven new link prediction methods using the information related to user membership in social overlapping groups: common neighbors within and outside of common groups (WOCG), common neighbors of groups (CNG), common neighbors with total and partial overlapping of groups (TPOG), group naïve Bayes (GNB), group naïve Bayes of common neighbors (GNB-CN), group naïve Bayes of Adamic-Adar (GNB-AA) and group naïve Bayes of Resource Allocation (GNB-RA). Due to that social groups exist naturally in networks, our proposals can be used in any type of OSN. We also propose new eight link prediction methods combining location and social information: Check-in Observation (ChO), Check-in Allocation (ChA), Within and Outside of Common Places (WOCP), Common Neighbors of Places (CNP), Total and Partial Overlapping of Places (TPOP), Friend Allocation Within Common Places (FAW), Common Neighbors of Nearby Places (CNNP) and Nearby Distance Allocation (NDA). These eight methods are exclusively for work in LBSNs. Obtained results indicate that our proposals are as competitive as state-of-the-art methods, or better than they in certain scenarios. Moreover, since our proposals tend to be computationally more efficient, they are more suitable for real-world applications.
Analyst Report Readability

This paper studies three research questions: (1) whether readability of analyst reports affects investment decisions; (2) whether the way analysts explain the reasoning of their research relates to accuracy of earnings forecasts; and (3) whether readability of analyst reports relates to the underlying characteristics of the analysts. We find that the market reacts more favorably to reports with upward revisions and are easier to read. Upward revisions have smaller forecast errors in relatively more readable reports. We also find that upward revision reports issued by analysts from smaller brokerage houses and analysts having better records of forecast accuracy are more readable.
Children with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and increasing mixed chimaerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation have a poor outcome which can be improved by pre‐emptive immunotherapy

We recently reported that virtually all children with acute leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who develop the phenotype of increasing mixed chimaerism (MC) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) will relapse. We therefore performed a prospective, multi‐centre study focused on children with MDS (n = 65; advanced MDS = 44, refractory cytopenia = 21) after allo‐SCT in order to determine to what extent relapse can be prevented by pre‐emptive immunotherapy on the basis of increasing MC. Analyses of chimaerism in 44 patients with advanced MDS revealed 31 cases with complete chimaerism (CC)/low‐level MC/transient MC, 11 cases with increasing MC and two cases with decreasing MC. The same analyses in 21 MDS patients with refractory cytopenia revealed 17 cases with CC/low‐level MC, one case with increasing MC and three cases with decreasing MC. Pre‐emptive immunotherapy performed on each patient that showed increasing MC improved event‐free survival from 0%, as seen in prior studies, to 50%. We therefore conclude that pre‐emptive immunotherapy is an effective treatment option to prevent impending relapse in children with MDS after allo‐SCT.
Oversight of audit quality in the UK: insights into audit committee conduct

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the conduct of the audit committee (AC) in terms of its oversight role of audit quality in the UK. Design/methodology/approach This study uses semi-structured interviews with 11 AC members and 11 audit partners. Findings The findings show that the conduct of the AC in relation to audit quality involves the assessment of the contents of the reports prepared by the external auditors for the AC. Furthermore, the oversight of audit quality by the AC involves a thorough assessment of the presentation of the external auditors during the interaction and communication between the two parties. This illustrates the AC’s role as an effective monitoring mechanism when overseeing the audit quality. However, the conduct of the AC in overseeing four major areas (independence, appointment, remuneration and effectiveness of audit process) related to audit quality, as recommended by the UK Code of Corporate Governance, provides mixed results. The findings highlight the ceremonial role of the AC in those areas, which demonstrates the limited supporting role of the AC in enhancing audit quality. Furthermore, it is suggested that the effectiveness of the oversight role is influenced by the quality of the chairman of the AC and the quality of the relationship between the AC and the external auditors. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by providing additional insights into the conduct of the AC in overseeing audit quality as well as additional evidence concerning the role and effect of the AC in relation to audit quality as prescribed by the UK Code of Corporate Governance.
An Analysis of Personal Financial Literacy among Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates

This study investigates 389 expatriates in the UAE to examine their financial literacy level, relationship between the financial literacy and demographic characteristics. A questionnaire was used to study the financial literacy of expatriates from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The findings reveal that the financial literacy of expatriates is low, with an average answering only 52 per cent of the questions correctly. The low level of knowledge would limit their ability to make informed decisions. The study finds age, marital status, gender, country of origin, income, experience, education, employment status, work place activity, and household situation influence financial literacy and hence calls for initiatives to improve financial literacy among expatriates and for further research in this direction.
Dynamic Characteristics of Dielectric Barrier Columnar Discharge During Its Decay

This paper pays particular attention to the dynamic characteristics of dielectric barrier columnar discharge after it starts to decay based on a 2-D fluid model. Waveforms of the gas gap voltage, discharge current, and 2-D distributions of the electron density and the equipotential lines were calculated for the steady state of dielectric barrier columnar discharges in atmospheric helium. The evolution process of the discharge during its decay can be divided into four phases: phase (i), in which new discharges occur at nondischarge-column locations after the extinction of the discharge columns; phase (ii), in which the new discharges are extinguished; phase (iii), in which the axial electric field begins to reverse in the gap; and phase (iv), in which Townsend discharges occur at the discharge column locations before entering into the next columnar discharges. Via an analysis of the time evolution of the axial electron density, we show that new discharges occurred at nondischarge-column locations are Townsend discharges. An in-depth study of the reversion process of the axial electric fields at different locations shows that nonuniform accumulated surface charges play a key role in determining the spatiotemporal discharge characteristics. These results contribute toward gaining a comprehensive understanding of columnar discharges.
A double‐blind comparison of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray, terfenadine tablets and placebo in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis to grass pollen

Fluticasone Propionate Aqueous Nasal Spray (FPANS) contains a topically active glucocorticoid fluticasone propionate which has been used successfully for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. This multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, placebo‐controlled, parallel group study was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of FPANS with terfenadine tablets or placebo in controlling the symptoms of allergic rhinitis to grass pollen. Two hundred and fourteen patients were treated for 6 weeks during the grass pollen season with either FPANS 200 μg once daily, terfenadine tablets (60 mg) twice daily or placebo. Efficacy was evaluated by the analysis of symptom‐free days and median symptom scores. Patients receiving FPANS had significantly more days free of nasal blockage on waking (P = 0·012) and during the day (P = 0·01) and of rhinorrhoea (P = 0·027) than those receiving terfenadine. Additionally, in terms of absolute efficacy, patients receiving FPANS demonstrated significantly more days free of the above symptoms (P = 0·017, P = 0·028, P = 0·004, respectively) and of sneezing (P < 0·001) than those receiving placebo. There were no significant differences in symptoms of nasal itching, eye symptoms, of symptoms of drowsiness between the three treatment groups. Patients in the FPANS group had significantly lower median symptom scores for nasal blockage on waking (P < 0·001) and during the day (P < 0·018) than those in the terfenadine group and significantly lower scores for nasal blockage on waking (P < 0·001), sneezing (P < 0·013) and rhinorrhoea (P = 0·005) than those in the placebo group. The use of rescue medication was similar in all three treatment groups. Adverse events were similar in nature and frequency in all three treatment groups, most were mild and considered by the investigator at each centre unlikely to be related or unrelated to the study treatment. There were very few clinically significant laboratory abnormalities observed in any group. It is concluded that FPANS (200 μg once daily) is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis and is significantly more effective than terfenadine (60 mg twice daily) in controlling nasal blockage at all times of the day and rhinorrhoea.
Uncoupling of growth plate maturation and bone formation in mice lacking both Schnurri-2 and Schnurri-3

Formation and remodeling of the skeleton relies on precise temporal and spatial regulation of genes expressed in cartilage and bone cells. Debilitating diseases of the skeletal system occur when mutations arise that disrupt these intricate genetic regulatory programs. Here, we report that mice bearing parallel null mutations in the adapter proteins Schnurri2 (Shn2) and Schnurri3 (Shn3) exhibit defects in patterning of the axial skeleton during embryogenesis. Postnatally, these compound mutant mice develop a unique osteochondrodysplasia. The deletion of Shn2 and Shn3 impairs growth plate maturation during endochondral ossification but simultaneously results in massively elevated trabecular bone formation. Hence, growth plate maturation and bone formation can be uncoupled under certain circumstances. These unexpected findings demonstrate that both unique and redundant functions reside in the Schnurri protein family that are required for proper skeletal patterning and remodeling.
Are you Back for Good or Still Shopping Around? Investigating Customers' Repeat Churn Behavior

Service firms develop win-back strategies to rectify issues that cause customer churn and rebuild relationships with lost customers. To better support retention, it is important to understand how the revived relationship evolves and possibly ends again. To examine customers' repeat churn behavior, we develop a “mixture cure-competing risks” model, jointly estimating the duration of second lifetimes, multiple reasons for churn, and heterogeneity of customers in exhibiting a related churn reason. The proposed model is tested using a data set from a large telecommunications provider including information on customer behavior and marketing activities during customers' first and second lifetimes. We find support for the existence of a “cured” group of returning customers, defined as those who are not susceptible to churn for the same reason they churned previously. Our findings suggest that mitigating repeat churn behavior can extend customers' second lifetime tenure and increase profitability by $150,000 over the lifetime of the customers in the sample (leading to gains of over $15 million for deferring second-lifetime churn in a million returning customers), depending on the type of churn.
VEGF is deposited in the subepithelial matrix at the leading edge of branching airways and stimulates neovascularization in the murine embryonic lung

We used whole lung cultures as a model to study blood vessel formation in vitro and to examine the role that epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions play during embryonic pulmonary vascular development. Mouse lungs were isolated at embryonic day 11.5 (E11.5) and cultured for up to 4 days prior to blood vessel analysis. Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM/CD31) and thrombomodulin (TM/CD141) immunolocalization demonstrate that vascular development occurs in lung cultures. The vascular structures identified in lung cultures first appear as a loosely associated plexus of capillary‐like structures that with time surround the airways. To investigate the potential role of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) during pulmonary neovascularization, we immunolocalized VEGF in embryonic lungs. Our data demonstrate that VEGF is uniformly present in the airway epithelium and the subepithelial matrix of E11.5 lungs. At later time points, E13.5 and E15.5, VEGF is no longer detected in the proximal airways, but is restricted to the branching tips of airways in the distal lung. RT‐PCR analysis reveals that VEGF164 is the predominant isoform expressed in lung cultures. Grafting heparin‐bound VEGF164 beads onto lung explants locally stimulates a marked neovascular response within 48 hr in culture. Semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR reveals an 18% increase in PECAM mRNA in VEGF164‐treated whole lung cultures as compared with untreated cultures. The restricted temporal and spatial expression of VEGF suggests that matrix‐associated VEGF links airway branching with blood vessel formation by stimulating neovascularization at the leading edge of branching airways. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Easy Approach to Requirements Syntax (EARS)

The development of complex systems frequently in-valves extensive work to elicit, document and review stakeholder requirements. Stakeholder requirements are usually written in unconstrained natural language, which is inherently imprecise. During system development, problems in stakeholder requirements inevitably propagate to lower levels. This creates unnecessary volatility and risk, which impact programme schedule and cost. Some experts advocate the use of other notations to in-crease precision and minimise problems such as ambiguity. However, use of non-textual notations requires translation of the source requirements, which can introduce further errors. There is also a training overhead associated with the introduction of new notations. A small set of structural rules was developed to address eight common requirement problems including ambiguity, complexity and vagueness. The ruleset allows all natural language requirements to be expressed in one of five simple tem-plates. The ruleset was applied whilst extracting aero engine control system requirements from an airworthiness regulation document. The results of this case study show qualitative and quantitative improvements compared with a conventional textual requirements specification.
The Effect of Export Promotion Programs on Chilean Firms' Export Activity: A Longitudinal Study on Trade Shows and Trade Missions

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of government sponsored Export Promotion Programs, specifically trade fairs and trade missions as they seek to encourage a firm's export competitiveness. Adopting a longitudinal methodology combined with a Difference-in-Difference estimator, data from 641 Chilean exporters between 2011 and 2015 are analyzed to study the impact of using these two programs on firms' export variation rate. Results show that trade fairs favor firms' export sales growth, but not trade missions; while the former is an adequate instrument known internationally, the latter program was only useful for non-experienced exporters.
Investigation of Beam Performance Parameters in a Pierce-Type Electron Gun

In the present work, an investigation has been made for the ext raction characteristics and beam diagnosis for a Pierce-type electron gun with spherical anode to acquire an electron beam suitable for different applications. The acceleration voltage increases the electron beam currents up to 250 mA at Accelerat ion voltage 75kV and decreases the beam perveance, beam waist and beam emittance. The min imu m beam radius could be found at the min imu m beam perveance and maximu m convergence angle. Also the increase of the accelerating voltage affects the increase of the beam fluence rate up to 1.3 x 10 18 e/min.cm 2 , due to the increase of the extracted current. Tracing the electron beam profile by X-Y p robe scanner along the beam line at two different places reveals that the spherical anode affects the beam to be convergent. The electron beam could be suited for the two suggested experiments in our lab, p lasma acceleration and surface modifications of poly mers.
Italian Public Sector Accounting Reform: A Step Towards European Public Sector Accounting Harmonisation

Abstract This paper discusses post-New Public Management (NPM) approaches to current patterns of public management reforms as a path-dependent phenomenon and as proposing corrective solutions to unintended shortcomings of NPM-inspired reforms. Public sector accounting reforms are seen as developing coherently with general public managerial reforms, and as showing a shift in the prioritised purposes assigned to public accounts in line with the overall design of projected reform-making. EU public sector accounting harmonisation is interpreted in this framework, and the Italian experience of public sector accounting reform is discussed in the light of EU membership. Particular emphasis is given to the likely overlap between national and government accounting due to increasingly shared purposes, whereby the former acquires a functional supportive role to the latter. Considerations on the drivers, as well as on the technical solutions of the new Italian public sector accounting system, suggest that Italian public sector accounting has taken a step in the direction of European public sector accounting harmonisation. Finally, the Italian case provides evidence of post-NPM-like accounting reform, contributing to the scanty empirical research on this topic.
Change management in practice: an ethnographic study of changes to contract requirements on a hospital project

Changes to client requirements are inevitable during construction. Industry discourse is concerned with minimizing and controlling changes. However, accounts of practices involved in making changes are rare. In response to calls for more research into working practices, an ethnographic study of a live hospital project was undertaken to explore how changes are made. A vignette of a meeting exploring the investigation of changes illustrates the issues. This represents an example from the ethnographic fieldwork, which produced many observations. There was a strong emphasis on using change management procedures contained within the contract to investigate changes, even when it was known that the change was not required. For the practitioners, this was a way of demonstrating best practice, transparent and accountable decision-making regarding changes. Hence, concerns for following procedures sometimes overshadowed considerations about whether or not a change was required to improve the functionality of the building. However, the procedures acted as boundary objects between the communities of practice involved on the project by coordinating the work of managing changes. Insights suggest how contract procedures facilitate and impede the making of changes, which can inform policy guidance and contract drafting.
Work-Life Balance in China: Sources of Conflicts and Coping Strategies

This paper outlines major sources of work-life conflicts encountered by workers in China against a context of marketisation of the economy, the rapid growth of the private sector and a trend of work intensification across occupational groups. The study shows that Chinese organisational leaders and workers tend to accept work-life conflict as a fact of life. Individuals adopt various coping strategies on their own. Whilst organisations are more likely to introduce HR initiatives to cushion the negative effect of long working hours on their key employees and their family, managers are far less sympathetic towards employees’ childcare needs and are unwilling to introduce policy to accommodate family commitments. Many of the HR initiatives adopted by organisations to help employees enhance their work-life balance are of collective nature. The attitude of Chinese managers and employees towards work-life balance reflects the Chinese traditional value as well as its current stage of economic development.
Impact Of Customer Relationship Management On Indian Banking Sector

Globalization and technology improvements have exposed companies to a situation with tough competition. In this new era, companies are focusing on managing customer relationships in order to efficiently maximize revenues. Today marketing is not just developing, delivering and selling, it is moving towards developing and maintaining long term relationships with customers. Relationship marketing is becoming important in financial services. CRM is an opportunity that banks can avail to rise above minor advantages by developing actual relationships with their customers. Key Words: impact, customer relationship, CRM, customer relationship management, Indian banking Policy