Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vital Welfare Enterprises of Rural Areas

The aim of this study is to introduce the vitality of rural welfare service enterprises and evoke the discussion about the rural location as a strength. The concept “vitality” could be understood, such as, competitiveness, success or continuity. The vitality is an essential element for enterprise's operations, but often it has not been knowingly observed at all. This paper introduces the theoretical context of enterprise's vitality and especially in the field of rural welfare service enterprises in North Karelia. Rural areas of Finland have a real contribution to the competitiveness of nation since about 90 percent of all are sparsely inhabited rural areas. Despite of the consequential scale of rural areas, these areas have special difficulties such as a notable unemployment, aging and difficulties with the transportation and logistic. The vital entrepreneurship of sparsely inhabited areas maintains the diversity and efficiency of areas and its industries, and sustain the satisfaction and employment of its population. This study has been carried out with mixed methods. The background data were collected from quantitative questionnaires addressed to all welfare service entrepreneurs in eastern and north-eastern Finland. This questionnaire also included open-ended questions, which have been analyzed by qualitative methods. Limited company as the form of business seems to be one factor that enhances functions of enterprises. It brings more orderliness to company’s every day functions and helps to get over challenges of business. Moreover, the entrepreneurs valued their rural location and the location has been chosen due to various reasons, such as, practical, economic and personal reasons. Moreover, the location has been also understood as a vitality element. Other notable vitality elements were professional skills, entrepreneurial attitude, and personnel. The entrepreneurs were satisfied with their enterprises and developed them with the patient and deep involvement. The paper in hand will contribute to the small business research by reviewing the concept “the vitality of enterprises” in rural areas and introducing the strengths of rural enterprises.
Anomaly detection in banking operations

This paper presents an overview of anomaly detection algorithms and methodology, focusing on the context of banking operations applications. The main principles of anomaly detection are first presented, followed by listing some of the areas in banking that can benefit from anomaly detection. We then discuss traditional nearest-neighbor and clustering-based approaches. Time series and other sequential data analysis approaches are described. The problems posed by categorical data are also discussed, along with the methods proposed in the literature to address the same. The ensemble methods are presented, followed by mathematical perspectives on anomaly detection.
Proximal coronary artery stenosis: Three‐dimensional MRI with fat saturation and navigator echo

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of MR angiography (MRA) with conventional contrast angiography in coronary artery disease. Thirty‐five patients underwent MRA and coronary angiography within 4 hours. Of these, three patients were investigated twice: once before and once after balloon angioplasty. The pulse sequence was a cardiac‐triggered, single‐slab, three‐dimensional gradient‐echo sequence, employing a spin‐echo navigator echo measurement to track the variation of the diaphragm during the scan. The following segments of the coronary arteries were included in this prospective study: left main coronary artery, proximal and middle left anterior descending, proximal and middle left circumflex, proximal and middle right coronary artery, and intermediate branch, if present. In total, 176 segments were classified as normal or having a stenosis of less than 50% and as having a stenosis of more than 50%. Five patients were excluded because of lack of cooperation. Over all, 45 of 54 stenoses were detected and interpretable by MRA. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of MRA for detecting significant stenoses were 83%, 94%, 87%, and 93%, respectively. MRA identified significant stenoses within the major coronary arteries with a high degree of accuracy. Sensitivity and specificity are higher compared with exercise tests or scintigraphy or top of the precise localization.
Gaussian Process based Model Predictive Control for Linear Time Varying systems

Two main issues associated with Model Predictive Control (MPC) are learning the unknown dynamics of the system and handling model uncertainties. In this paper, unknown Linear Time-Varying (LTV) system with external noise is represented by using probabilistic Gaussian Process (GP) models. In this way, we can explicitly evaluate model uncertainties as variances. As a result, it is possible to directly take obtained variances into account when planing the policy. In addition, through using analytical gradients that are available during the GP modelling process, the optimization problem in GP based MPC can be solved faster. The performance of proposed approach is demonstrated by simulations on trajectory tracking problem of a LTV system.
Cultural Adequecy of the Care Dependency Scale for Older Persons in Egypt

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the cultural adequateness of the Arabic version of the Care Dependency Scale (CDS), an internationally used instrument to measure care needs by either self-reports or external assessment. Method: A Delphi study in two rounds about the Arabic version was performed with 37 panelists in Cairo. Acceptance of CDS items was rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale. Results: Agreement among panelists in the second round was found for 11 CDS items, but 2 items had decreased acceptance after rephrasing and 2 were rejected. Discussion: Rejected items seem to reflect a heterogeneous perception in the target population. Despite some limitations, the CDS is a promising instrument to detect care needs among older Egyptians.
Generalized economic model, risk analysis framework and decision support system for the analysis and evaluation of capital investment projects

The goal of this thesis is to contribute to the knowledge base for making high quality decisions about capital investment projects. To achieve this goal, a generalized economic model, risk analysis framework, and decision support system for the evaluation and risk analysis of capital investment projects are developed. A detailed investigation of the characteristics of capital investment projects for which the economic model, risk analysis framework and decision support system are to be built is made. A framework called "requirement structure" is introduced in order to investigate the characteristics of a project during its life cycle. A number of infrastructure transportation projects developed under alternative procurement modes in the U.S., U.K., and Canada are used in this study. Capital investment projects are a feature of several industries, markets and business sectors. These markets and business sectors have different characteristics and require the use of a variety of methods in preparing estimates and forecasts. An objective of the thesis deals with modeling such diversity. To achieve this objective, a generalized economic model is developed with a multipurpose hierarchical network-based time function structure. One concept behind the generalized model is that of cash flow classification. A classification represents a domain, e.g. maintenance or finance, and possesses the properties and methods of that domain. This allows a cash flow of a classification type to inherit its domain's properties and methods. Another concept behind the generalized model is shape functions, which allows the variables of the generalized model to change over time according to a selected pattern. More importantly, shape functions serve in converting an estimate into an expenditure flow. The model structure is organized in four components reflecting four classification domains in capital investment projects namely, capital expenditure, revenue, operation and maintenance, and project financing. The basic elements in a component are called constructs. Each construct represents a cash flow that has the same classification type of the component and consequently inherits its properties and methods. With the generalized economic model, a project economic structure can be formulated with any required properties and methods. The generalized model embraces a broad range of periodic and cumulative cash flows and performance measures such as net present value, internal rate of return, total costs (e.g. total construction cost), life cycle cost, total revenues, debt service coverage ratio, loan life cover ratio, and benefit cost ratios.
Reference node selection for cooperative positioning using coalition formation games

Selective choice of cooperating nodes leads to decrease of error propagation while reducing power consumption at the same time. Our approach to the node selection problem consists in modeling the localization process as a cooperative game. From the localization accuracy point of view, observations may be highly correlated in space domain. In that sense, we propose a node selection scheme to avoid collection of redundant information and thereby reduce the number of necessary measurements.
Trends in Australian non-metropolitan housing markets, 1991-2001

This final report aims to quantify the nature and extent of changes in the decade 1991-2001 within nonmetropolitan housing markets in Australia and, integral to achieving this first goal, to construct the first national non-metropolitan housing market database to hold empirical information on population, housing and labour markets for the census years 1991, 1996 and 2001.
The Policies of Designing Differentially Private Mechanisms: Utility First vs. Privacy First

Sensitivity-based methods are extensively used to construct differentially private mechanisms. In this paper, we realize that designing a differentially private mechanism can be considered as finding a randomized mapping between two metric spaces. The metric in the first metric space can be considered as a metric about privacy and the metric in the second metric space can be considered as a metric about utility. We find that the sensitivity-based methods are those just using the metric about utility to construct mechanisms. By the observation, we design mechanisms based on the metric about privacy. Furthermore, we design mechanisms based on the composition of the two metrics. Moreover, we find that most mechanisms, such as the global sensitivity mechanism [1], the Staircase mechanism [2,3], the Ladder mechanism [4] and the K-norm mechanism [5,6], can be considered as special cases of our mechanisms. Finally, we analyze these mechanisms and apply them to the subgraph counting problem and the linear query problem. The experiments show that our mechanisms (in most cases) have more accurate results than the state of the art mechanisms.
Quality of life in Swedish patients with post-polio syndrome with a focus on age and sex

To investigate the health-related quality of life (QOL) in Swedish patients with post-polio syndrome (PPS), with a focus on sex and age. A total of 364 patients were recruited from five Swedish post-polio clinics. Analysis was carried out using SF-36 and data were compared with those of a normal population. QOL was significantly lower in PPS patients for all eight subdomains and the two main scores (physical compound score and mental compound score) when compared with the controls. Male patients had a significantly higher QOL than female patients for all subdomains and also for mental compound score and physical compound score, a phenomenon also observed in the normal population. There was a decrease in QOL in the physical domains and an increase in vitality with age. PPS decreases health-related QOL in both sexes, more in female patients. QOL for physical domains decreases whereas vitality increases with age in both sexes.
Type 1 IFN inhibits the growth factor deprived apoptosis of cultured human aortic endothelial cells and protects the cells from chemically induced oxidative cytotoxicity

It has been shown that the genesis of atherosclerotic lesions is resulted from the injury of vascular endothelial cells and the cell damage is triggered by oxygen radicals generated from various tissues. Human vascular endothelial cells can survive and proliferate depending on growth factors such as VEGF or basic FGF and are induced apoptosis by the deprivation of growth factor or serum. It was found that type 1 IFN inhibits the growth factor deprived cell death of human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) and protects the cells from chemically induced oxidative cytotoxicity. The anti‐apoptotic effects of type 1 IFN were certified by flow cytometry using annexin‐V‐FITC/PI double staining and cell cycle analysis, fluorescence microscopy using Hoechst33342 and PI, colorimetric assay for caspase‐3 activity, p53 and bax mRNA expressions, and cell counts. It was considered that IFN‐β inhibits the executive late stage apoptosis from the results of annexin‐V‐FITC/PI double staining and the inhibition of caspase‐3 activity, and that the anti‐apoptotic effect might be owing to the direct inhibition of the apoptotic pathway mediated by p53 from the transient down‐regulation of bax mRNA expression. Whereas, type 1 IFN protected the cells from the oxidative cytotoxicity induced by tertiary butylhydroperoxide (TBH) under the presence of Ca2+. The effects of IFN‐β is more potent inhibitor of cell death than IFN‐α. These results indicate that type 1 IFN, especially IFN‐β may be useful for the diseases with vascular endothelium damage such as atherosclerosis or restenosis after angioplasty as a medical treatment or a prophylactic. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3823–3834, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DETERMINANTS OF NETSOURCING: AN EMPIRICA L E V ALU A TION

Among the broad range of outsourcing offerings, netsourcing presents an emerging opportunity in the e-business context. Netsourcing allow s com panies to s electively s ource s oftw are applications from external providers via the Internet. External providers claim cost advantages over in-house development and operations of s oftw are applications. Several research streams on strategy how ever list a num ber of arguments from different angles against outsourcing. We apply a research framew ork based on tw o theoretical approaches, s trategic management and transaction cost economics, w hich both have prominently been applied to full I T outsourcing. Surveying the 500 largest com panies nationw ide, w e find an application's com petitive relevance, s trategic vulnerability, technical s pecificity, human capital s pecificity, transaction frequency, and transaction uncertainty to im pact a com pany's decision for or against netsourcing. We conclude w ith lessons learned, their managerial im plications and some topics for further research.
An Analysis of the Predictors of Business Performance in Small Tourism and Hospitality Firms

The data from a national survey into small tourism and hospitality firms were analysed to provide a deeper understanding of small business performance. The analysis used logistic regression to determine the model that best predicts the performance of these firms. The model identifies those organizational variables that greatly influence performance, as well as identifying the business activities that have little or no effect on performance. The practical implications of the findings are discussed, resulting in recommendations for improving the performance of small firms in the tourism and hospitality sector.
The effects of biopsy and cryopreservation by vitrification on the in vitro development of eight-cell mouse embryos

In vitro and in vivo development of cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved biopsied 8-cell mouse embryos were examined in this study. It was observed that intact and biopsied em-bryos could successfully be cryopreserved by using the blastomere biopsy and vitrification procedure. However, in vitro survivability of the embryos declined steadily with advancing developmental stages, irrespective of the treatments used. Overall, one-blastomere biopsy without cryopreservation yielded the highest rate of development to morula (96.1%), expanded blastocyst (84.3%) and hatched blastocyst (74.5%), respectively. When the effect of cryopreservation was taken into account, two-blastomere biopsy did not differ significantly from that of the one-blastomere biopsy in terms of development to the expanded and hatched blastocyst stages. The results of our study suggest that the two-blastomere biopsy with cryopreservation is a better option in the current setup.
Prophylactic chorioretinectomy for eye injuries with high proliferative‐vitreoretinopathy risk

With its incidence exceeding 60%, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) remains the most important pathology responsible for loss of vision, even the eyeball, after certain types of severe trauma. In this article, we present results obtained using our novel surgical technique, prophylactic chorioretinectomy (PCR), to prevent the development of PVR. Data on severely injured eyes at high risk for PVR [rupture, posterior laceration, deep‐impact intraocular foreign body (IOFB) trauma, perforating injury] were collected prospectively. All eyes underwent vitrectomy (PPV) by PCR within 100 hr of the trauma. Eyes were excluded if they presented with endophthalmitis or if the reconstructive surgery was performed outside this time frame. Forty eyes of 40 consecutive patients were analyzed; full follow‐up information was obtained for all of them. The injury was rupture in 27%, penetrating in 15%, (deep‐impact) IOFB in 35%, and perforating in 23%. PPV‐PCR was performed during primary (wound closure) surgery in 59% of cases. All eyes had at least minimal vitreous hemorrhage, and none had a true posterior vitreous detachment. At the time of PPV, 30% of the eyes had a retinal detachment. Sixteen percent developed PVR, but none from the site of the PCR procedure. In 20%, silicone oil remained in the eye at the last follow‐up. The visual acuity improved in 93% of eyes and worsened in none; the improvement was mostly due to surgical clearing of the media opacity. In this subgroup of eyes with severe open‐globe trauma, over 60% are expected to develop PVR. PPV/PCR performed within 100 hr reduced the PVR risk significantly, so currently it remains the best option for the surgeon. Clin. Anat. 31:28–38, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Value Relevance of Income Statement Items in an Emerging Capital Market: The Case of Iran

This paper investigates the relative and incremental value relevance of earnings and operating income in the emerging capital market of Iran. The issue is tested by regressing stock returns and stock market prices on the levels of earnings and operating income. Based on a sample of 1389 firm-years for firms listed in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), during 2003–2006 and using cross-sectional and pooled regressions, unlike prior findings in the studies on developed and mature markets, we find no strong evidence that operating income be more value relevant than earnings. Also, we find no strong evidence that Iranian investors are functionally fixated on earnings.
An empirical study of perceptions of implicit meanings in World Wide Web advertisements versus print advertisements

This article reports on the results from an experiment where the authors compared perceptions of implicit meanings between World Wide Web (WWW) advertisements and print advertisements. Even though the purpose of advertising is often to build and maintain a brand image, the communication of implicit meanings has never been investigated in the WWW medium. In comparing WWW advertisements and print advertisements, the authors found surprising results. Contrary to popular belief, WWW advertisements were comparably effective in communicating implicit meanings. The WWW advertisements outperformed the print advertisements for low‐involvement products, for consumers with a negative disposition towards the advertised brand and for light WWW users. Interestingly, these are cases when the WWW is believed to be a poor advertising medium. The WWW advertisements and print advertisements performed equally well for high‐involvement products, for consumers with a positive disposition towards the advertised brand and for heavy WWW users. The results are discussed and implications for WWW advertising and media planning are provided.
Rapid Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Diverse Clinical Specimens by the BD GeneOhm MRSA Assay and Comparison with Culture

ABSTRACT The efficacy of the BD GeneOhm methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) assay was assessed by analyzing nasal swabs and swabs from other body sites for the presence of MRSA in a low-prevalence area. From 681 patients with a high risk for MRSA carriage, 1,601 specimens were collected and transported in Amies agar. After discordant analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the BD GeneOhm MRSA assay were 84.3%, 99.2%, 88.4%, and 98.9%, respectively, compared to culture.
Servitization in Manufacturing Firms: A Systematic Literature Review

Purpose – The servitization of manufacturing is a wider and complex field of research interest. A trend in which manufacturing firms adopt service components in their offerings is defined as the servitization. The purpose of this paper is to report the literature in the servitization and related constructs.Design/methodology/approach – Authors have conducted a systematic review of the research literature in the area of servitization of manufacturing. 115 articles central and relevant to the servitization were initially selected using SSRN, JSTOR, Emerald, Taylor & Francis, Wiley online, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate based on higher citation and relevance to the study. Out of 115 articles 40 publications relevant to the key themes identified were selected to further study. Selected articles were deeply studied and Thematic Analysis was conducted. Key themes of Servitization were reported in this paper.Findings- Servitization is the strategy of service integration into the core business in manufacturing organizations in order to enhance the competitive position of the organization. Servitization of manufacturing tend to emphasize the potential to maintain business growth, customer relationship, and competitive advantage. Supply chain networking and customer relationships are closely linked to the servitization process.Practical implications – This study creates the awareness about servitization to enhance customer relationship, business growth , competitive advantage, differentiation and customer value creation in manufacturing companies through servitization.
Manufacturers’ Representative–Principal Relationship Management: A Principal Leadership Style and Support Perspective

Firms deploying a network strategy frequently adopt a relationship marketing orientation necessitating that they cultivate close relationships with independent firms performing business functions on their behalf. We consider this context by examining the influence of manufacturer conduct on satisfaction of manufacturers’ representatives contractually handling their sales function. The manufacturer, termed the principal, determines the quality of sales support and affects the nature of interactions with the representative. For that reason, principals’ support quality and leadership styles were assessed using a survey of manufacturers’ representatives. These factors and interrelationships are modeled to provide a “road map” for principals wishing to influence the satisfaction of manufacturers’ representatives.