Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is the practice of equal opportunities management keeping pace with theory? Management of sex equality in the financial services sector in Britain and Turkey

This paper examines the theoretical works on management of sex equality and the findings of a cross-country comparative study between Turkey and Britain, revealing discrepancies between the espoused theoretical formulations and the practice of sex equality in the financial services sector in both countries. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted and documentary evidence was collected from seven financial organizations in Britain and three financial institutions in Turkey. The field-work, which was conducted in 1996 in Turkey and in 1997 in Britain, generated forty-five interviews (twenty-five of which were in Britain and twenty in Turkey) and 362 completed questionnaires (fifty of which were in Britain and 312 in Turkey) with female and male staff of the financial services organizations in both countries. Three ideological approaches to managing sex equality at work were identified in literature: liberal, radical and transformational change approaches. Based on the framework of these three main approaches, the findings of the field research indicated that there were different approaches to managing equal opportunities in the financial services sector in both countries, and that the organizational approaches to sex equality in both countries lagged behind progressive theoretical formulations in literature.
Theory and Empirical Evidence on Corporate Governance from Banking Sector of Pakistan

Economic system appears to be best if they provide according to what people want. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of corporate governance on financial efficiency of banks in Pakistan. The time period of this study is 2007 to 2012, and sample of 17 listed banks are selected and data is taken from their financial reports from their websites and Lahore Stock Exchange. Financial efficiency is measured by fix& random effects model techniques, for the measurement of dependent variable financial efficiency two proxies return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) are used. The independent variable includes Board size, Board meeting, Non-Executive directors, Bank size and leverage. The result of this research is consistent with the research conducted on corporate governance that shows significant positive impact on the financial efficiency of the bank. This study is contributed to the literature towards the corporate governance effect on financial performance of banks. Corporate governance provides rules & regulations to monitor and manage bank affairs, and it provide guidelines to board of directors how to run the affairs and how to increase shareholder values and increase bank efficiency. For the calculation of results STATA is used.
Checking Models for Activity Recognition

Model checking is well established in system design and business process modelling. Model checking ensures and automatically proves safety and soundness of models used in day-to-day systems. However, the need for model checking in activity recognition has not been realised. Models for activity recognition can be built by prior knowledge. They can encode typical behaviour patterns and allow causal reasoning. As these models are manually designed they suffer from modelling errors. To address the problem, we discuss different classes of sensible properties and evaluate three different models for activity recognition. In all cases, modelling errors and inconsistencies have been found.
YscU, a Yersinia enterocolitica inner membrane protein involved in Yop secretion

Pathogenic yersiniae secrete antihost Yop proteins by a recently discovered secretion pathway which is also encountered in several animal and plant pathogens. The components of the export machinery are encoded by the virA (lcrA), virB (lcrB), and virC (lcrC) loci of the 70-kb pYV plasmid. In the present paper we describe yscU, the last gene of the virB locus. We determined the DNA sequence and mutated the gene on the pYV plasmid. After inactivation of yscU, the mutant strain was unable to secrete Yop proteins. The topology of YscU was investigated by the analysis of YscU-PhoA translational fusions generated by TnphoA transposition. This showed that the 40.3-kDa yscU product contains four transmembrane segments anchoring a large cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal domain to the inner membrane. YscU is related to Spa40 from Shigella flexneri, to SpaS from Salmonella typhimurium, to FlhB from Bacillus subtilis, and to HrpN from Pseudomonas solanacearum.
Operating strategies of banks in China: Analysis of operational and profitability efficiency

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of banks operating in China using a two-stage model, which evaluates their operational efficiency (OE) and profitability efficiency (PE). The study period spanned through 2004 to 2006 and data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used in the study’s analysis. The results showed that large and older banks are generally more efficient than small and new ones in operational efficiency. However, while small efficient banks are easily used as benchmarks, large efficient banks are deemed as competitive niche players. This means that the large banks have better competitive power than the small ones. Key words: Data envelopment analysis, bank efficiency, two-stage, operational efficiency, profitability efficiency.
Incidence of a new sex–ratio–distorting endosymbiotic bacterium among arthropods

Many intracellular micro–organisms are now known to cause reproductive abnormalities and other phenomena in their hosts. The endosymbiont Wolbachia is the best known of these reproductive manipulators owing to its extremely high incidence among arthropods and the diverse host effects it has been implicated as causing. However, recent evidence suggests that another intracellular bacterium, a Cytophaga–like organism (CLO), may also induce several reproductive effects in its hosts. Here, we present the first survey of arthropod hosts for infection by the CLO. We use a sensitive hemi–nested polymerase chain reaction method to screen 223 species from 20 arthropod orders for infection by the CLO and Wolbachia. The results indicate that, although not as prevalent as Wolbachia, the CLO infects a significant number of arthropod hosts (ca. 7.2%). In addition, double infections of the CLO and Wolbachia were found in individuals of seven arthropod species. Sequencing analysis of the 16S rDNA region of the CLO indicates evidence for horizontal transmission of the CLO strains. We discuss these results with reference to future studies on host effects induced by intracellular micro–organisms.
The Economic Cost of Firearms Accidents in New Zealand

The objective of this paper is to study trends in accidental deaths from firearms and estimate the incidence and economic cost of firearms accidents in New Zealand. Accidental firearms deaths between 1960 and 2003 were compared with total population and imports of cartridges. Costs were estimated from a societal perspective in 2004 NZ dollars. Multiple linear regression and Monte Carlo methods were used to conduct sensitivity analysis on the estimates of costs. Annually there are on average 9 firearms accidents, 3 are treated in the community, 3 are treated in hospital and 3 die. Between the five years ending 1964 and the five years ending 2003 accidental firearms deaths have reduced by 72% from 11 (0.43 per 100,000 population) to 3 (0.08 per 100,000). Over the same period all firearms accidents fell from 33 to 9 a decline of 24 incidents. Annual total cost amounted to $1,304,696 ($144,645 per incident). New Zealand’s accidental firearms death rate is lower than the US and is similar to rates recorded in Australia and Sweden. If the decline in the number of firearms accidents had not occurred, there would have been annually 8 more deaths and 24 more accidents (8 more deaths and 16 more accidents requiring medical treatment) and societal costs would be 267% higher. Society would be justified in allocating an additional $144,645 of resources to reduce firearm accidents by one. Total costs reported in this paper should be regarded as conservative because a conservative value for human life was used.
Public Equity Issues and the Scope for Market Timing

This paper tests whether and how market timing explains public equity offerings and consequently firm leverage. Prior research has subsumed two mechanisms under the market timing terminology. One is a mispricing mechanism with irrational investors or managers, the other is due to fluctuations in adverse selection costs. Using a comprehensive sample of SEO and IPO firms I find no support for the mispricing mechanism, but evidence consistent with the adverse selection mechanism. When asymmetric information is low, firms rationally issue equity to finance future investment. Moreover, equity is not mispriced when issued. Inconsistent with both market timing arguments however, issuing firms releverage through increased debt issues and within three years eliminate the impact of market timing on leverage.
Open innovation strategies in SMEs: development of a business model

Open innovation in entrepreneurships already finds its acceptance at all levels of the business industry for adding value to the business. The value could be in the form of economic gain or enhancement of knowledge leading to a sustained financial base. Open innovation adopts various strategies to accomplish the task for enhancing the value gain. Varying by size, nature, pattern, or characteristics of the firm various strategies are being adopted by enterprises. Though largely known to be familiar in corporate business houses, in recent years open innovation is also becoming increasingly familiar in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the trend is rapidly increasing. However, despite the potency of open innovation strategies, most of the enterprises are yet to find a sustained business model, especially for the SMEs working at the periphery of that value chain. This forms the basis of the current study. This chapter is trying to formulate a business model incorporating partnership approach from academia, research houses, intermediaries, and other stakeholders.
Anatomic Location of PET-Positive Aortocaval Nodes in Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Implications for Surgical Staging

Objective Pathologic evaluation of aortocaval nodes in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer in an effort to better tailor radiotherapy has gained popularity. We sought to determine which aortocaval nodes should be sampled during surgical staging procedures. Methods From 2004 to 2011, 246 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer underwent positron emission tomography (PET) before definitive chemoradiation. We reviewed the imaging studies to determine the location of PET-positive aortocaval nodes in relationship to the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). Results Forty-two patients (17%) had PET images suggesting aortocaval metastasis. Ten patients had stage IB, 1 had stage IIA, 13 had stage IIB, 13 had stage IIIB, and 5 had stage IV disease. Of these 42 patients, 39 (93%) had FDG-avid pelvic nodes, 1 (2%) had PET-negative pelvic nodes but FDG-avid common iliac nodes, and 2 (5%) had direct spread to the aortocaval nodes. Three patients (7%) had FDG-avid aortocaval nodes above the IMA without FDG-avid nodes between the aortic bifurcation and IMA. All 3 of these patients also had FDG-avid nodes in the pelvis. Nineteen patients (45%) had FDG-avid nodes above and below the IMA, and 20 (48%) had FDG-avid nodes below the IMA only. Conclusions This hypothesis-generating study revealed that a small number of patients have PET-positive aortocaval nodes above the IMA only. For patients undergoing surgical staging for locally advanced cervical cancer, dissection to the renal vessels may be necessary. A future international, randomized study will prospectively evaluate the locations of pathologically positive aortocaval lymph nodes.
Kloosterman sheaves for reductive groups

Deligne constructed a remarkable local system on P 1 f 0;1g attached to a family of Kloosterman sums. Katz calculated its monodromy and asked whether there are Kloosterman sheaves for general reductive groups and which automorphic forms should be attached to these local systems under the Langlands correspondence. Motivated by work of Gross and Frenkel-Gross we nd an explicit family of such automorphic forms and even a simple family of automorphic sheaves in the framework of the geometric Langlands program. We use these automorphic sheaves to construct ‘-adic Kloosterman sheaves for any reductive group in a uniform way, and describe the local and global monodromy of these Kloosterman sheaves. In particular, they give motivic Galois representations with exceptional monodromy groups G2;F4;E7 and E8. This also gives an example of the geometric Langlands correspondence with wild ramication for any reductive group.
Strength Training in Endurance Runners

This study examined effects of periodized maximal versus explosive strength training and reduced strength training, combined with endurance training, on neuromuscular and endurance performance in recreational endurance runners. Subjects first completed 6 weeks of preparatory strength training. Then, groups of maximal strength (MAX, n=11), explosive strength (EXP, n=10) and circuit training (C, n=7) completed an 8-week strength training intervention, followed by 14 weeks of reduced strength training. Maximal strength (1RM) and muscle activation (EMG) of leg extensors, countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2MAX)), velocity at VO(2MAX) (vVO(2MAX)) running economy (RE) and basal serum hormones were measured. 1RM and CMJ improved (p<0.05) in all groups accompanied by increased EMG in MAX and EXP (p<0.05) during strength training. Minor changes occurred in VO(2MAX), but vVO(2MAX) improved in all groups (p<0.05) and RE in EXP (p<0.05). During reduced strength training 1RM and EMG decreased in MAX (p<0.05) while vVO(2MAX) in MAX and EXP (p<0.05) and RE in MAX (p<0.01) improved. Serum testosterone and cortisol remained unaltered. Maximal or explosive strength training performed concurrently with endurance training was more effective in improving strength and neuromuscular performance and in enhancing vVO (2MAX) and RE in recreational endurance runners than concurrent circuit and endurance training.
Comparison of RAPD marker patterns to morphological and physiological data in the classification of Opuntia accessions

An analysis of morphological, physiological, and molecular data from five cactus fruit varieties from Mexico and Chile, two ornamental Texas accessions, and one vegetable accession from Mexico are presented. Molecular analysis was performed using the RAPD (random amplification of polymorphic DNA) method. Phenotypic and molecular analyses distinguished ornamental, vegetative, and fruit market accessions of Opuntia ellisiana, O. lindheimerii, O. cochinellifera, O. hyptiacantha, and O. ficus-indica from each other, and suggested significant differences among accessions of different market classes. Differences among fruit cultivars were smaller, and, in conjunction with the previously reported cross-compatibility among them, suggests that species designations may need to be reconsidered. The results demonstrate the feasibility of DNA fingerprinting in Opuntia.
Using optimal interpolation to assimilate surface measurements and satellite AOD for ozone and PM2.5: A case study for July 2011

We employed an optimal interpolation (OI) method to assimilate AIRNow ozone/PM2.5 and MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) aerosol optical depth (AOD) data into the Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) model to improve the ozone and total aerosol concentration for the CMAQ simulation over the contiguous United States (CONUS). AIRNow data assimilation was applied to the boundary layer, and MODIS AOD data were used to adjust total column aerosol. Four OI cases were designed to examine the effects of uncertainty setting and assimilation time; two of these cases used uncertainties that varied in time and location, or “dynamic uncertainties. ” More frequent assimilation and higher model uncertainties pushed the modeled results closer to the observation. Our comparison over a 24-hr period showed that ozone and PM2.5 mean biases could be reduced from 2.54 ppbV to 1.06 ppbV and from –7.14 µg/m3 to –0.11 µg/m3, respectively, over CONUS, while their correlations were also improved. Comparison to DISCOVER-AQ 2011 aircraft measurement showed that surface ozone assimilation applied to the CMAQ simulation improves regional low-altitude (below 2 km) ozone simulation. Implications: This paper described an application of using optimal interpolation method to improve the model’s ozone and PM2.5 estimation using surface measurement and satellite AOD. It highlights the usage of the operational AIRNow data set, which is available in near real time, and the MODIS AOD. With a similar method, we can also use other satellite products, such as the latest VIIRS products, to improve PM2.5 prediction.
A multilayer dual-band coupler based on composite right/left-handed folded substrate integrated waveguide

A multilayer dual-band coupler, based on the composite right/left-handed (CRLH) folded substrate integrated waveguide (FSIW) transmission line (TL), is proposed and investigated. The characterization of the CRLH FSIW and the coupling method are performed to realize a 3 dB coupler with compact size. For verification, a dual-band coupler operating at 2.4 GHz/3.8 GHz is designed, fabricated and measured. The simulated and measured results are shown reasonable agreements.
Automatic Fraud Detection — Does it Work?

ABSTRACT The aim of automatic fraud detection is to assist claims handlers by selecting claims which are potentially fraudulent. Such methods must be based on information routinely available. The present paper makes use of logistic regression and the validity of these models as demonstrated on fresh data from household and motor insurance. A second contribution is a strategy for selecting claims that should receive further attention.
Investigating of Brand Equity on Hospital Image

This study identifies five factors that influence the creation of brand equity through successful customer relationships: trust, customer satisfaction, relationship commitment, brand loyalty and brand awareness. An empirical test of the relationships among these factors suggests that hospitals can be successful in creating image and positive brand equity if they can manage their customer relationships well. The subjects were 318 customers of hospitals in Tehran area. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Lisrel software was used for the data analysis. Results from the research hypothesis testing suggest the following information. First, the study found that trust, customer satisfaction and relationship commitment all had a positive influence on brand loyalty and brand awareness. And brand equity, trust, customer satisfaction and relationship commitment also had a significant positive influence on hospital image. All of hypothesis is supported.
How far can we push sceptical reflexivity? An analysis of marketing ethics and the certification of poverty

This paper seeks to explore how far we can push sceptical reflexivity to open up new avenues of exploration in the field of marketing, through a study of ethics in Fair Trade clothing. The paper addresses three issues in contemporary studies of marketing. First, ethics are used as a focus for investigating the practices of marketing. Second, attempts to standardise ethics into marketable products are explored. Third, the possibilities offered by a reflexive take on marketing ethics are analysed. The paper addresses these three issues by drawing together and interrogating ideas from Science and Technology Studies (STS) and marketing. A thorough-going reflexive scepticism is adopted which leaves nothing taken for granted, addressing the nature of what might be meant by, for example, products and marketing and the world to which they aspire. Furthermore, an STS-inspired inversion is performed on marketing. In place of a conventional notion that marketing involves "launching" products into the world, comes a notion that marketing could be considered as "launching" a version of the world into the product. This opens up opportunities for exploring possible tensions between reflexive scepticism and ethics. The conclusion of the paper assesses the utility of this sceptical inversion for opening up new questions and new ideas for marketing and for STS.
Relationships among Anxiety, Defensiveness, Sex, Task Difficulty, and Performance on Various Neuropsychological Tasks

The relationships between sex, personality differences, task difficulty, and the performance on neuropsychological tests were investigated. On the basis of trait anxiety and defensiveness, 120 college students were divided into three groups by coping style: high anxious, true low anxious, and repressor groups. As predicted, women obtained significantly higher scores than men on Digit Symbol and word fluency tests, while the opposite sex difference was found for Block Design and Finger Tapping tests. Performance did not vary with trait anxiety. However, on Block Design and one-word fluency test, rated by subjects as the most difficult tests, high state anxiety was associated with significantly poorer performance.
Modelling optical network components: A network simulator-based approach

The paper describes the design goals and methodology in creating a new model of optical telecommunication network. The model is implemented by discrete-event network simulator ns-3. The advantages of using the existing simulator core infrastructure provided by ns-3 are analyzed and compared to building own simulator from scratch, or selecting a tool among other existing simulators such as ns-2, OMNeT++, and OPNET. The requirements for feature functionality are outlined and high-level overview of the model architecture and its components are provided. Finally, the possibilities for extending the model in future research and development work are described.
Pro-environmental behaviour, locus of control and willingness to pay for environmental friendly products

Purpose – Marketers have realized the importance of assessing consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) before introducing green products across different target audience. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative influence of consumers’ pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) and environmental locus of control (ELOC) on their WTP for green products. Design/methodology/approach – The study sample consisted of 256 Indian consumers which were recruited with the help of convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire was administered with scales that were well established and that have been used in previous research. Data were analysed with the help of CFA and structural equation modelling to test the relationship of ELOC and PEB anon WTP. Second, clustering respondents according to their PEB and ELOC has been done to find its differential effect on WTP with the help of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Findings – Findings of the study highlight that WTP for green products is significantly predic.
Design of IIR filters in the complex domain

The IIR (infinite-impulse response) filter design problem in the complex domain is formulated such that the existence of a best approximation is guaranteed. A modified Ellacott-Williams algorithm (1976) is proposed to solve the design problem. The proposed algorithm uses a complex linear approximation utilized for FIR (finite-impulse response) filter design and it usually converges in several iterations. Design examples are included. <<ETX>>