Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Distributed Scheme Based on Minimum Camera Actuation Employing Concentric Hexagonal Scalar Premier Selection for Data Redundancy Minimization

This article reports a novel algorithm inspired byscalar premier determination considering reduced cameraactivation while contributing enhanced coverage of the occurringevent zone. The proposed scheme chooses the scalar premiers in ahexagonal fashion, which operate as representatives of the scalarswithin whose sensing ranges the scalar premiers are located. Theselection of the scalar premiers is accomplished in such a mannerthat on any occasion of prevailing event in the monitored region, the scalar premiers appraise their respective camera sensorsregarding the event occurrence. The scalar premiers execute asthe messengers for event information communication to theircorresponding cameras, thereby, averting the redundant datatransmission by all the scalars. Further, the numerical resultsestablished from the experimental inspection and comparativeperformance estimates in terms of minimal camera activation, reduced redundancy ratio as well as maximized coverage ratiocorroborate the superiority of our proposed approach over threeother recently preferred methods in literature.
Helicobacter pylori in the drinking water in Peru.

BACKGROUND & AIMS An association between water sources and the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Peruvian children was shown previously. The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of H. pylori in drinking water in the same community. METHODS Forty-eight drinking water samples from different locations in pueblo jovenes (new towns) near Lima were collected. Samples were frozen until technology advanced to the point to the point at which H. pylori might be reliably detected. Immunomagnetic beads coated with anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin Gs were used to concentrate H. pylori, and two polymerase chain reaction assays based on different H. pylori genes were used. One was a polymerase chain reaction for the detection of the H. pylori adhesin subunit encoding gene, and the second was a previously validated H. pylori 16S ribosomal RNA reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The expected 375-base pair fragment from the adhesin gene was amplified from 24 water samples. The expected 500-base pair fragment of the 16S ribosomal RNA and the 375-base pair fragment of the adhesin gene were amplified from 11 of the samples. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm the presence of H. pylori in drinking water in Peru and are consistent with conclusions from a previous epidemiological study of the same population. This provides additional evidence for waterborne transmission of H. pylori in some environments.
Agency Problems in Entrepreneurial Firms

Researchers have long been interested in understanding how top managers may affect firm performance and value. They paid particular attention to the differences in performance of firms with owner-managers and those with hired managers, with the principal-agent problem being a core explanation for the observed variations. However, this stream of research has largely overlooked young entrepreneurial and family firms, where the principal-agent problem was assumed to be nonexistent or minimal. In this paper, we challenge this assumption. We examine whether the principal-agent conflict affects the performance of young entrepreneurial ventures with hired managers and determine whether their performance is more sensitive to the monitoring costs or effort incentives of hired managers. We find that, similar to established corporations, young entrepreneurial ventures also suffer from the principal-agent problem. However, unlike corporations, entrepreneurial ventures are much more sensitive to the hired managers’ in.
Octreotide inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

AIM To study the effect of octreotide on cell proliferation and apoptosis in different hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and hepatocytes. METHODS The proliferation of HCC cells (HepG2, SMMC-7721) and hepatocytes (L-02) was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected either by fluorescent staining, transmission electron microscopy or flow cytometry. The content of AFP in the supernatant of cultured HCC cells was determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The expression of SSTR subtypes was identified by RT-PCR. RESULTS The proliferation of HCC cells and L-02 cells was inhibited significantly by octreotide (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/L). However, the apoptosis of HCC cells markedly increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Both the apoptosis index and the percentage of apoptotic cells in L-02 cells were significantly lower than those of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells. The content of AFP in the supernatant of cultured HepG2 cells treated with octreotide was also statistically reduced. Furthermore, SSTR2 and SSTR4 were positive in both the hepatocellular carcinoma cells and in the L-02 cells. SSTR3 was only expressed in the two heptatocellular carcinoma cells, and SSTR5 was found in the SMMC-7721 cells. No SSTR1 was detected either in HCC cells or L-02 cells. CONCLUSIONS Apoptosis induction is a major mechanism of octreotide inhibition on hepatocellular cells. SSTR3 is expressed in the HCC cells, but not in the L-02 cells, which suggests a molecular basis for the HCC-selective effects of octreotide.
Orthodontic Bonding Adhesives

In a previous Orthodontics Materials Update published in 1981-! , Brown described the classes of adhesives and cements developed specifically to meet the requirements of Orthodontics. However, in recent years there has been an exponential increase in the variety of adhesives available as illustrated by a recent Products Update (Harper, 1993), which catalogued the wide range of adhesives now manufactured. In particular, concern amongst the Profession about decalcification during treatment has led to the development of a number of materials claiming to reduce this problem.
Gaining from vertical partnerships : Knowledge transfer, relationship duration and supplier performance improvement in the U.S. and Japanese automotive industries

We study sources of operational performance improvement in supplier partnerships. We argue that supplier performance will benefit most where time-bound relational assets have developed between a buyer and supplier and the firms exploit the resulting communication efficiency by transferring productive knowledge. We examine the effects of two forms of knowledge exchange together with the prior duration of the buyer–supplier relationship. We find similar interaction patterns in two survey samples of Japanese and U.S. automotive suppliers. The effect of ordinary technical exchanges on supplier performance improvement does not vary with relationship duration. The effect of higher-level technology transfer, however, grows more positive as relationship duration increases. Other results show relevant contrasts consistent with heterogeneous sourcing behavior between the two countries. The findings highlight the role of relational assets and show that it is important to distinguish between simple techniques and higher-level technological capabilities when studying interfirm relationships. This research extends the literatures on knowledge transfer, buyer–supplier partnerships, and the performance dynamics of interfirm and intrafirm relationships in general. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Impact of Pension Systems on Financial Development: An Empirical Study

The impact of pension assets on financial development is both quantitatively and qualitatively. On quantitatively, pension funds increase capital supply to financial market. On qualitatively, pension funds as institutional investors could promote corporate governance, information disclosure and transaction efficiency. Based on regression results of 55 countries and regions, we find that different pension systems formed different size of pension fund; every 1% increase of the pension funds’ assets could bring about 0.15%-0.23% increase of the market value, which could explain cross-countries difference of financial development. Based on panel data analysis, we find that the impact of pension fund on financial development is very significant especially in civil law and underdeveloped countries. By using co-integration analysis and vector auto regression model（VAR）with time series data of Chile, we find positive relationship between pension funds and financial development again. The empirical results indicate that legal origin, endowment and pension fund views are not exclusive but compatible. A country cannot change its legal origin and endowment, but it can change pension policies and reform social security system. A funded pension system with accumulates pension assets could promote a country’s financial development and economic growth.
Does relationship matter? – Customers’ response to service failure

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how service failure affects customers’ negative response and how service recovery affects perceived justice in the context of different relationship norms. Design/methodology/approach – It includes four studies that examine how relationships influence customer reactions to service failures. In study 1, the paper examines how service failures affect customers’ negative reaction. In study 2, the paper examines how service recoveries influence perceived justice. Study 3 and study 4 test the robustness of the results of study 1 and study 2. All studies have a 2×2 between-subjects design. Findings – The results show that individuals in exchange relationships experience a stronger feeling of betrayal than those in communal relationships during service failures. Further, individuals feel more betrayed and show greater negative responses during process failures. They perceive greater justice when offered physical recoveries, which, in turn, contributes to higher s.
A Wallet Full of Calories: The Effect of Financial Dissatisfaction on the Desire for Food Energy

This study shows that people experiencing financial dissatisfaction may choose and consume food for its energy value. Because money and food are closely related, exchangeable resources, financially dissatisfied people may be motivated to replenish their need for financial resources by consuming caloric resources or food energy. Five experiments provide support for this hypothesis across various measures of caloric desire and actual eating behavior. The findings have notable implications for marketing and public policy. Whereas marketing researchers have increasingly investigated the interplay of taste and health considerations in food consumption, this research demonstrates the importance of investigating food energy considerations.
Characteristics of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Young Children before the Introduction of PCV13 in Lombardy, Italy

An active surveillance system of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) started on September 2008 in Lombardy, Italy, among children aged less than 60 months and admitted for suspicion of IPD at emergency room of ten hospitals. This study examined the clinical characteristics of children enrolled up to December 2010, that is just before the introduction in this region of voluntary mass vaccination, free of charge, based on the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Two hundred fifty one children were suspected and 20 were confirmed as having IPD, based on isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from blood. Thirty-nine percent of children had received pneumococcal vaccination previously, and full vaccination with three doses of hepta-valent vaccine (PCV7) had been administered in 21.4%. Co-morbidity conditions were more frequent in children with confirmed than non-confirmed IPD (10.0% vs. 0.9%). The annual incidence rate of confirmed IPD was 28.6/100,000 (binomial 95% confidence interval, 18.6 to 44.1/100,000). Among confirmed IPD children, 11 exhibited pneumonia with bacteremia, 6 bacteremia without focus, 2 septicemia, 1 meningitis. Seventeen (85%) isolates were identified, and nine serotypes. The overall serotype coverage was 29.4% for PCV7 and 82.3% for PCV13. In non-vaccinated children, the coverage of PCV7 and PCV13 was 41.7% and 75.0%, respecttively. Non-vaccine serotypes 12B, 15C, and 23B were identified. Antibiotic resistance was found in seven children, that is against penicillin (serotype 15C), erythromycin (14, 19A, 19F), tetracycline (15C, 19F), chloramphenicol (23F), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (23F). Two of these children had received antibiotic therapy (penicillin or azithromycin) during the week before hospital admission. The coverage vaccination rate in Lombardy was relatively low during the surveillance period and serotype distribution widespread. The introduction of PCV13 and a mass vaccination program in young children might impact positively on invasive pneumococcal disease in this surveilled population. Active long-term surveillance of non-vaccine serotypes is required wordwide.
Self-Care Agency in Two Groups of Pregnant Women

Self-care agency, a multidimensional concept in Orem's self-care deficit nursing theory, includes motivation, decision-making, energy, and knowledge necessary to perform self-care actions. Basic conditioning factors affect individuals' development and exercise of self-care agency. Secondary analysis of Appraisal of Self-Care Agency (ASA) scores in two groups of pregnant women, (1) a childbirth education group (n = 119) and (2) a clinic group (n = 127) was completed. Group 2 had significantly higher ASA scores. Several basic conditioning factors influenced ASA scores. Results offer implications for Orem's theory and maternity nursing practice.
Variation in the use of do-not-resuscitate orders in patients with stroke.

OBJECTIVES To identify sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with the use of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders in hospitalized patients with stroke. To examine whether the use of DNR orders varies across hospitals. METHODS This observational cohort study used data collected for 13337 consecutive eligible patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke. These patients were discharged in 1991 through 1994 from 30 hospitals in a large metropolitan area. Study data were abstracted from patients' hospital records using standard forms. Admission severity of illness was measured using a validated multivariable model. Sociodemographic and clinical factors independently associated with the use of DNR orders were identified using stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS Do-not-resuscitate orders were written for 2898 patients (22%). Patient characteristics independently (P < .01) associated with increased use of DNR orders included increasing age (odds ratio [OR], 1.06 per year); admission from a skilled nursing facility (OR, 2.44) or through the emergency department (OR, 1.49); cancer (OR, 2.73), intracerebral hemorrhage (OR, 2.12), coma (OR, 7.47), or lethargy or stupor on admission neurological assessment (OR, 3.38); and increasing admission severity (OR; 1.29 per decile). In contrast, African American race was associated with lower use of DNR orders (OR, 0.54). Although substantial variation in the use of DNR orders was observed across hospitals, with rates ranging from 12% to 32%, adjusting for the above patient characteristics eliminated much of this variation, including differences between major teaching and other hospitals and between hospitals with and without religious affiliations. CONCLUSIONS In our community-based analysis of patients with stroke, the use of DNR orders was common and was strongly related to several patient characteristics. These factors explained much of the variation across hospitals. While our analysis did not account for differences in patient preferences for treatment, the differences we observed in the use of DNR orders across sociodemographic groups are suggestive of variations in care and may have important implications for the cost and quality of hospital care.
From Symbolic to Substantive Documents: When Business Codes of Ethics Impact Unethical Behavior in the Workplace

A business code of ethics is widely regarded as an important instrument to curb unethical behavior in the workplace. However, little is empirically known about the factors that determine the impact of a code on unethical behavior. Besides the existence of a code, this study proposes five determining factors: the content of the code, the frequency of communication activities surrounding the code, the quality of the communication activities, and the embedment of the code in the organization by senior as well as local management. The full model explains 30.4% of unethical behavior while the explanatory value of a code alone is very modest.
Neuronal dysplasia: A controversial pathological correlate of intestinal pseudo‐obstruction

The infant or child with intestinal pseudo‐obstruction poses many challenges for geneticists and other specialists. Although a well‐defined anatomic diagnosis (e.g., Hirschsprung disease) can be established for a subset of patients, the pathological correlates for many patients are non‐existent or controversial. Intestinal neuronal dysplasia (IND) is frequently considered in the differential diagnosis, despite the fact that existence and significance of the abnormal histopathological features that characterize IND are hotly debated. This review highlights some of the concerns regarding this diagnosis including problems with the diagnostic criteria, the manner in which these criteria are applied in contemporary pathology practices, and the likelihood that many of the pathological findings are secondary consequences of impaired motility with no other clear clinical significance. Possible genetic and developmental bases for IND are also discussed. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SPRU Electronic Working Paper Number 193

The paper accounts for the determinants of sectoral specialisation in business services across the EU-27 regions as determined by: (1) agglomeration economies (2) the region-specific structure of intermediate linkages (3) technological innovation and knowledge intensity and (4) the presence of these factors in neighbouring regions. The empirical analysis draws upon the REGIO panel database over the period 1999-2003. By estimating a Spatial Durbin Model, we find that urbanisation economies, intermediate linkages and innovation, in particular Information and Communication Technologies, are important determinants of specialisation in business services. We also find significant spatial effects in explaining regional specialisation in business services, which supports the argument of the literature on agglomeration economies.
Market response and firms' operating performance surrounding actual share repurchases: evidence from Hong Kong

Share repurchases have become a popular payout method to distribute cash flows to shareholders not only in the U.S. but also other countries. This study examines the firms’ share price and operating performance surrounding actual share repurchases and the motivations behind share repurchases in the Hong Kong stock market. The empirical results show that, on average, firms engage in share repurchases when their stocks are under-valued and repurchases are followed by abnormal positive returns. Among repurchases, the stock price performance varies across firms’ size and market-to-book ratios. The market responds most favourably to repurchases that are made by small and “value” firms. This suggests that smaller firms are usually less analysed and more likely to be undervalued, hence the market reacts more favourably when they repurchase.
A Serious Game for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation Using Biofeedback and Mirror-Neurons Based Training

Upper limb stroke rehabilitation requires early, intensive and repetitive practice to be effective. Consequently, it is often difficult to keep patients committed to their rehabilitation regimen. In addition to direct measures of rehabilitation achievable through targeted assessments, other factors can indirectly lead to rehabilitation. Current levels of integration between commodity graphics software, hardware, and body-tracking devices have provided a reliable tool to build what are referred to as serious games, focusing on the rehabilitation paradigm. More specifically, serious games can captivate and engage players for a specific purpose such as developing new knowledge or skills. This paper discusses a serious game application with a focus on upper limb rehabilitation in patients with hemiplegia or hemiparesis. The game makes use of biofeedback and mirror-neurons to enhance the patient's engagement. Results from the application of a quantitative self-report instrument to assess in-game engagement suggest that the serious game is a viable instructional approach rather than an entertaining novelty and, furthermore, demonstrates the future potential for dual action therapy-focused games.
Treatment patterns among colorectal cancer patients in South Australia: a demonstration of the utility of population-based data linkage.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Population level data on colorectal cancer (CRC) management in Australia are lacking. This study assessed broad level patterns of care and concordance with guidelines for CRC management at the population level using linked administrative data from both the private and public health sectors across South Australia. Disparities in CRC treatment were also explored. METHOD Linking information from the South Australian Cancer Registry, hospital separations, radiotherapy services and hospital-based cancer registry systems provided data on the socio-demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics for 4641 CRC patients, aged 50-79 years, diagnosed from 2003 to 2008. Factors associated with receiving site/stage-specific treatments (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) and overall concordance with treatment guidelines were identified using Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS About 83% of colon and 56% of rectal cancer patients received recommended treatment. Provision of neo-adjuvant/adjuvant therapies may be less than optimal. Radiotherapy was less likely among older patients (prevalence ratio 0.7, 95% confidence interval 0.5-0.8). Chemotherapy was less likely among older patients (0.7, 0.6-0.8), those with severe or multiple co-morbidities (0.8, 0.7-0.9), and those from rural areas (0.9, 0.8-1.0). Overall discordance with treatment guidelines was more likely among rectal cancer patients (3.0, 2.7-3.3), older patients (1.6, 1.4-1.8), those with multiple co-morbid conditions (1.3, 1.1-1.4), and those living in rural areas (1.2, 1.0-1.3). CONCLUSIONS Greater emphasis should be given to ensure CRC patients who may benefit from neo-adjuvant/adjuvant therapies have access to these treatments.