Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internationalization and Size, Age and Profitability in the United Kingdom

Many factors contribute to a firm's level of exportactivity. This study focuses on the impact of firm size, age, and profitabilityon export activity. The data, obtained from the Financial Analyses Made Easy(FAME) database and compiled for 1999 on firms of all sizes and ages,weredisaggregated to account for sector factors that may impact on therelationships being studied. To disaggregate the data, ordinary least squaresregression, logit regressions, and arithmetic means of exporters andnon-exporters were utilized. Sections of the paper examine the impact of firm size, age, andprofitability on the export ratio and the export propensity offirms.Following the data analyses, the findings indicate that firm sizeis strongly correlated to export propensity.Older firms are more likelyto participate in international business endeavors.Although nosignificant relationship exists between profitability and sales ratio, a strongnegative link exists between export propensity and profitability. (AKP)
Design and implementation of a prototype of a single phase converter for photovoltaic systems connected to the grid

The usage of electrical energy generation with alternative sources is increasing significantly, due to the general concern about the environment and generation with nonrenewable sources. This fact encourages the development of technologies and new researches, to come up with solutions to allow the connection the new systems to the grid in a safe and trustable way. This work presents the project and construction of a prototype of 1,44[kW] monophasic converter for photovoltaic panels, considering the operation in connection with the grid (127[V], 60[Hz]). For the synchronism between the photovoltaic system and the AC grid a PLL (phase-locked loop) was implemented, carrying out the angle detection in the grid. Experimental and simulated results are presented to confirm the operation of the designed and implemented prototype.
A Monte Carlo evaluation of carbon and lithium ions dose distributions in water

Abstract Purpose: To compare dose distributions on the central- and off-axis for 12C and 7Li ion beams simulated by the codes SHIELD-HIT (Heavy Ion Transport) and FLUKA (FLUKtuierende KAskade), and compare with experimental data for 300 MeV/u 12C and 185 MeV/u 7Li ion beams. Materials and methods: The general purpose Monte Carlo codes, SHIELD-HIT10 and FLUKA 2008.3d. 1 were used for the ion dose distribution calculations. SHIELD-HIT transports hadrons and atomic nuclei of arbitrary charge and mass number in an energy range from 1 keV/u up to 1 GeV/u. Similarly, FLUKA transports charged hadrons in an energy range from 100 keV up to 20 TeV. Neutrons are transported down to thermal energies in both codes. Inelastic nuclear interactions are modelled in SHIELD-HIT by the Many Stage Dynamical Model (MSDM), whereas in FLUKA the Pre-Equilibrium Approach to Nuclear Thermalisation (PEANUT) package which includes a Generalized Intra-Nuclear Cascade model was used. Results: The dose distributions in water irradiated with 300 MeV/u 12C and 185 MeV/u 7Li ion beams were simulated with the two codes. Studies were performed of the energy deposition both on the central axis and at lateral distances up to 10 cm off-axis. The dose distributions calculated by SHIELD-HIT and FLUKA were compared with published experimental data. The dose mean lineal energy , frequency mean lineal energy , dose mean specific energy , and frequency mean specific energy were calculated with the ion track-structure code PITS99 (Positive Ion Track Structure 99), coupled with the electron code KURBUC for the primary and secondary ions average energies at 1 mm before the Bragg peak. Conclusion: The Monte Carlo codes show good agreement with experimental results for off-axis dose distributions. The disagreements in the Bragg peak region for the central-axis dose distributions imply that further improvements especially in the nuclear interaction models are required to increase the accuracy of the codes.
The Role of Real Estate Market on Asset Pricing Models: Empirical Evidence from Hong Kong

This paper explores the importance of real estate market for asset pricing models using Hong Kong data. The time-series regression approach is employed to examine the effect of a real estate factor on the Fama and French (1993) three factor model and on the Cahart (1997) four factor model. A residential price index and a total returns index based on average residential prices and average residential rents are used as proxies for real estate market. The empirical evidence demonstrates that significant positive real estate coefficients do exist in all pricing models under this study. In addition, the weighting scheme of portfolio construction (value-weighted portfolio vs. equally-weighted portfolio) has an impact on the regression results, in particular the real estate factor, for the monthly data as well as for the quarterly data.
Internet governance: Gambling on the periphery

Use of the Internet by entrepreneurs has transformed gambling. Many have notionally located their businesses away from jurisdictions with heavy taxes and intrusive regulation, to offshore centres with very low taxes and regulations intended to prove their statistics and the avoidance of money laundering. Alderney and Gibraltar have been able to generate substantial revenues by offering such terms. Antigua and Barbuda had to engage in a WTO trade dispute with the USA, which it won, but has yet to be compensated. Larger countries responded slowly, by lightening their regulations and taxes. The flows of money have attracted criminals, some of whom bribe players for spot bets or even to fix matches. Despite the centrality of the Internet to these changes, the issue of gambling has remained peripheral to Internet governance, when it could learn and when it could contribute to finding solutions.
Survey of executive information systems in well-established organizations in KwaZulu-Natal

Executive information systems (EIS) are a computer-based technology designed in response to the specific needs of executives. Web-based technologies are causing a revisit to existing information technology implementation models, including those for EIS. To survey EIS implementations in KwaZulu-Natal, the authors developed a questionnaire and report on the current EIS situation in 31 well-established organizations in KwaZulu-Natal, which successfully implemented EIS. The results are compared with EIS studies conducted in Australia, Spain and Taiwan.
Corpus Statistics in Contrastive Literary Studies

Abstract The present article seeks to establish a novel line of investigation into the rationale behind the variation in the stylistic use of language by literary translators. Despite its omnipresence in textual studies, stylistic variation, which may be construed as a special form of literary creativity in translation, seems to have been rarely explored from a quantitative linguistic point of view. This study has been pursued under the assumption that when explanations offered by closely related contextual factors, i.e. the use of certain linguistic devices in the original text or in previous translations of the same work, have failed to explain the stylistic variation detected in one's work, it is possible that the translator has resorted to other situational features of the source text, rather than relying solely upon linguistic cues, in an attempt to build a distinctive stylistic profile of his or her work. The substantiation of such hypothesis has been achieved through the application of categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA), which is widely used in social or behaviour sciences, within the context of corpus-based textual analysis.
Development of a Strategic Positioning Matrix for the Internet-Enabled Real-Estate Industry: An Australian Perspective

Many initiatives are being undertaken to create additional value in real estate transactions by including a Web presence and virtual searching facilities. This paper develops a structured approach of translating the impact of the Internet as an enabling technology on business strategies, business model development and business infrastructure, and indicates a preferred approach of strategic progression. This is an important first step in allowing the real estate industry in major metropolitan areas in Australia to reinvent itself, and to allow individual players in the industry to distinguish themselves through strategy. The paper also addresses foundation concepts of Internet-enabled competitive strategy, business models, Web services architecture-based IT strategy, and convergent business architecture that combines physical and virtual customer interactions.
Value based strategic integration of distributed generation

Modern distribution networks are vulnerable to increased disturbances. The uncertainties with disturbances are increased with the increased integration of intermittent distributed generation (DG) together with the event dependant phenomenon. Random and unpredictable nature of disturbances and their cascading effects in modern power networks need a solution that would mitigate severity of impacts on energy consumers. The DG can play a vital role in that context to provide strategic supports in alleviating severity. This paper proposes a Monte Carlo simulation based innovative technique for the strategic placement of intermittent DG. The technique transforms the DG contribution to alleviate impacts into the value of DG and then integrate the resultant value with the value of reduction in energy losses. The performed case study with wind and PV (photo-voltaic) suggest that the strategic integration of DG can provide benefits even at increased frequency of disturbances.
Understanding Hybrid Channel Conflict: A Conceptual Model and Propositions for Research

ABSTRACT The use of several distinct channel types by suppliers to serve a given product-market is rapidly becoming the dominant design. Such increasingly complex distribution systems present unique opportunities and problems for marketers, including how to most effectively manage the intrafirm, interchannel conflict resulting from channel coalitions competing with one another for resources, both internal (expenditures, personnel) and external (customers). Moreover, it is unclear whether conflict in a hybrid distribution system is “good” or “bad” for the supplier firm. We develop a theoretically-grounded conceptual model of the antecedents and consequences of hybrid channel conflict and offer several empirically testable research propositions, including a contingency framework for determining the functionality of hybrid channel conflict. Perhaps most important in terms of contribution to the marketing literature are the conceptualization of hybrid channel conflict itself and the associated definitions whi.
Personal legitimising: A perspective of marketing management

This paper explains the basic social process of “personal legitimising” and illustrates its influence on marketing activity. Personal legitimising is the process by which individuals manipulate situations to suit their own agenda. The link between personal legitimising and an organisation's marketing activity was discovered using a grounded theory research strategy within a UK management consulting firm. Personal legitimising has two groupings of behaviour, namely “obstructing existing marketing activity” and “driving new marketing activity”. Within the former are the categories of “stigmatising”, “pseudo endorsing” and “smokescreening”. The latter incorporates the categories of “latching on”, “self indulging” and “bragging”. The paper has three parts. The first explains the basic social process of personal legitimising. The second shows how grounded theory methodology was used in this context. The third develops the possible contribution of personal legitimising to the understanding of marketing.
Data‐driven services marketing in a connected world

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the benefits of data-driven services marketing and provide a conceptual framework for how to link traditional and new sources of customer data and their metrics. Linking data and metrics to strategic and tactical business insights and integrating a variety of metrics into a forward-looking dashboard to measure marketing ROI and guide future marketing spend is explored. Design/methodology/approach – A detailed synthesis of the literature is conducted and contemporary sources of marketing data are categorized into traditional, digital and neurophysiological. The benefits and drawbacks of each data type are described and advantages of integrating different sources of data are proposed. Findings – The findings point to the importance and untapped potential of data in its ability to inform tactical and strategic marketing decisions. Future challenges, including top management support, ethical considerations and developing data and analytic capabilities, are discussed. Practical implications – The results demonstrate the need for executive service marketing dashboards that include key metrics that are service-relevant, complementary and forward-looking, with proven linkages to business outcomes. Originality/value – This paper provides a synthesis of data-driven services marketing and the value of traditional and contemporary metrics. Since the true potential of data-driven service management in a connected world is still largely unexplored, this paper also delineates fruitful avenues for future research
Tumor Necrosis Factor α Induces a Metalloprotease-Disintegrin, ADAM8 (CD 156): Implications for Neuron–Glia Interactions during Neurodegeneration

ADAM proteases, defined by extracellular disintegrin and metalloprotease domains, are involved in protein processing and cell–cell interactions. Using wobbler (WR) mutant mice, we investigated the role of ADAMs in neurodegeneration and reactive glia activation in the CNS. We found that ADAM8 (CD 156), a suspected leukocyte adhesion molecule, is expressed in the CNS and highly induced in affected CNS areas of WR mice, in brainstem and spinal cord. ADAM8 mRNA and protein are found at low levels throughout the normal mouse CNS, in neurons and oligodendrocytes. In the WR CNS regions in which neurodegeneration occurs, ADAM8 is induced in neurons, reactive astrocytes, and activated microglia. Similarly, the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is upregulated and shows the same cellular distribution. In primary astrocytes from wild-type and WR mice, in primary cerebellar neurons, and in mouse motoneuron-like NSC19 cells, ADAM8 expression was induced up to 15-fold by mouse TNF-α, in a dose-dependent manner. In both cell types, ADAM8 was also induced by human TNF-α, indicating that TNF receptor type I (p55) is involved. Induction of ADAM8 mRNA was suppressed by treatment with an interferon-regulating factor 1 (IRF-1) antisense oligonucleotide. We conclude that IRF-1-mediated induction of ADAM8 by TNF-α is a signaling pathway relevant for neurodegenerative disorders with glia activation, proposing a role for ADAM8 in cell adhesion during neurodegeneration.
Closing the gaps: service quality in sport tourism

Draws on the extant literature in the areas of services marketing, sport tourism and service quality to present a range of concepts and models that have utility in heightening management’s appreciation of the complexities of achieving service quality in a sport‐tourism context. Emphasis is placed on the multidimensional nature of the issues involved. Generic service and quality concepts and models are tailored to sport tourism through a range of examples. More in‐depth illustrations are provided by case material relating to Club La Santa, which is located on the northern coast of Lanzarote. Marketed as “the world’s leading sport and leisure resort”, La Santa offers all‐year‐round training and leisure facilities for national and international standard sportsmen and women, as well as less competitive visitors who merely seek exercise and relaxation. The managerial implications of the issues are discussed.
Trypanosoma Species in Small Nonflying Mammals in an Area With a Single Previous Chagas Disease Case

Trypanosomatids are hemoflagellate parasites that even though they have been increasingly studied, many aspects of their biology and taxonomy remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the Trypanosoma sp. transmission cycle in nonflying small mammals in an area where a case of acute Chagas disease occurred in Mangaratiba municipality, Rio de Janeiro state. Three expeditions were conducted in the area: the first in 2012, soon after the human case, and two others in 2015. Sylvatic mammals were captured and submitted to blood collection for trypanosomatid parasitological and serological exams. Dogs from the surrounding areas where the sylvatic mammals were captured were also tested for T. cruzi infection. DNA samples were extracted from blood clots and positive hemocultures, submitted to polymerase chain reaction targeting SSU rDNA and gGAPDH genes, sequenced and phylogenetic analysed. Twenty-one wild mammals were captured in 2012, mainly rodents, and 17 mammals, mainly marsupials, were captured in the two expeditions conducted in 2015. Only four rodents demonstrated borderline serological T. cruzi test (IFAT), two in 2012 and two in 2015. Trypanosoma janseni was the main Trypanosoma species identified, and isolates were obtained solely from Didelphis aurita. In addition to biological differences, molecular differences are suggestive of genetic diversity in this flagellate species. Trypanosoma sp. DID was identified in blood clots from D. aurita in single and mixed infections with T. janseni. Concerning dogs, 12 presented mostly borderline serological titers for T. cruzi and no positive hemoculture. In blood clots from 11 dogs, T. cruzi DNA was detected and characterized as TcI (n = 9) or TcII (n = 2). Infections by Trypanosoma rangeli lineage E (n = 2) and, for the first time, Trypanosoma caninum, Trypanosoma dionisii, and Crithidia mellificae (n = 1 each) were also detected in dogs. We concluded that despite the low mammalian species richness and degraded environment, a high Trypanosoma species richness species was being transmitted with the predominance of T. janseni and not T. cruzi, as would be expected in a locality of an acute case of Chagas disease.
Hospitalization and Mortality Rates in Patients with Respiratory Diseases in the Very Elderly Population

Background: Advanced technologies and treatments continue to increase life expectancy, however, the hospital mortality rate of elderly patients with respiratory diseases remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the changing frequencies of hospitalized elderly patients with respiratory diseases and their mortality rates over time. Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was performed in a tertiary training hospital using data from a 7-year period (2008-2014). The characteristics and hospital outcomes of patients ≥80 years old was collected from an electronic hospital database system. The frequency of elderly patients with respiratory diseases and their mortality rates for each year were assessed. Results Overall, 9.6% (10,782) of patients were ≥80 years old . Their mean age was 84 (80- 114) years with a slight male predominance (52.6%). The median length of hospital stay was 8 (5-11) days. The frequency of elderly patients gradually increased: 6.5%, 6.0%, 7.2%, 8.5%, 10.9%, 13.6%, and 15.5% for 2008 to 2014, respectively. Importantly, mortality rates did not significantly increase over time (7.4%, 6.9%, 7.7%, 8.3%, 7.6%, 8.3%, and 8.0% respectively). The mean mortality rate for all 7 years was 7.8% (n = 843), and the mean age of non-survivors was 84 (±4) years. Conclusion: The frequency of hospitalized elderly patients has increased, but mortality rates have remained flat. The Ministry of Health and hospital directors should consider planning palliative care through special hospital units to improve the quality of life of elderly patients.
Parturition date for a given female is highly repeatable within five roe deer populations

Births are highly synchronized among females in many mammal populations in temperate areas. Although laying date for a given female is also repeatable within populations of birds, limited evidence suggests low repeatability of parturition date for individual females in mammals, and between-population variability in repeatability has never, to our knowledge, been assessed. We quantified the repeatability of parturition date for individual females in five populations of roe deer, which we found to vary between 0.54 and 0.93. Each year, some females gave birth consistently earlier in the year, whereas others gave birth consistently later. In addition, all females followed the same lifetime trajectory for parturition date, giving birth progressively earlier as they aged. Giving birth early should allow mothers to increase offspring survival, although few females managed to do so. The marked repeatability of parturition date in roe deer females is the highest ever reported for a mammal, suggesting low phenotypic plasticity in this trait.
Job (In)Stability in the European Long-Term Care Workforce

Demographic changes and growing demand are making Long-Term Care (LTC) services for chronic patients and senior citizens a dynamic sector facing major challenges. Jobs in this sector tend to have limited attractiveness, to be associated with low retention rates and, consequently, potential workforce shortages. The objective of the present paper is to measure LTC job stability in order to quantify a potential attractiveness gap between caregiver occupations and other related careers across European countries. We make use of the European Labour Force Survey database (EU-LFS). The data covers 26 countries over the period 1992-2011. We estimate the conditional continuation probabilities of maintaining current job over time for LTC workers, applying a retention rates approach. We compare these estimates to those for typical health sector workers within and across-various countries. Our findings indicate that, although LTC jobs are as stable as other healthcare related occupations in most of Europe, two groups of countries exhibit different patterns. In Southern and Eastern European countries, LTC occupations appear less stable. Central European states, by contrast, reveal an apparently higher retention in favor of LTC occupations.
Heuristics for Join Processing Using Nonclustered Indexes

The author examines join processing when the access paths available are nonclustered indexes on the joining attribute(s) for both relations involved in the join. He uses a bipartite graph model to represent the pages from the two relations that contain tuples to be joined. The minimization of the number of page accesses needed to compute a join in the author's database environment is explored from two perspectives. The first is to reduce the maximum buffer size so that no page is accessed more than once, and the second is to reduce the number of page accesses for a fixed buffer size. The author has developed heuristics for these problems. He gives performance comparisons of these heuristics and another method that recently appeared in the literature. Results show that one particular heuristic performs very well for addressing the problem from either perspective. >