Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Building Business Networking: A Proposed Framework for Malaysian SMEs

Social network is a significant value-added to business environments especially to the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). It is built when businesses interact with each other in the community, by exchanging rich and thoughtful experiences among themselves through various means. Little research has focused on how the business networking is valued in enhancing SMEs’ business performance in Malaysia. The goal of this paper is to examine the importance of business networking as a critical success factor to SMEs in Malaysia. It describes how business network could be created based on six motives, adapted from Oliver, 1990, into why organisations are involved in business networks. Amongst the motives are necessity, asymmetry, reciprocity, efficiency, stability and legitimacy. The paper then present the proposed framework of business networking based on previous literature. The findings in this paper shall be useful for SMEs that are seeking for ways to develop and to attain success in their business.
An effective coaching intervention for people with low recovery expectations and low back pain: a content analysis.

BACKGROUND A health coaching intervention in addition to usual physiotherapy care increased recovery expectation and activity in people with non-chronic NSLBP and low recovery expectation. OBJECTIVE We aimed to fully describe the coaching intervention to allow replication and enable a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind health coaching in this setting. METHODS A qualitative analysis was conducted using notes taken by the coach during the health coaching intervention. Two researchers independently applied open coding and content analysis, using the factors of low recovery expectation identified in a previous qualitative investigation as a framework. RESULTS For the majority of participants coaching rapidly progressed to goal setting and action planning, with less time spent on increasing the importance and confidence to return to activity. The factors of the person, progression, pain, performance and treatment were addressed across all phases of the coaching intervention. CONCLUSION This effective health coaching intervention for people with non-chronic NSLBP and low recovery expectation concentrated on goal setting and action planning and addressed the essential factors of recovery expectations. This study suggests that coaching interventions are likely to be different in this population compared to similar interventions in chronic conditions due to pre-existing levels of readiness to change.
Visualization of XML Conceptual Schema Recovered from XML Schema Definition

XML Schema Definition (XSD) is in the logical level of XML model and is used in most web applications. At present, there is no standard format for the conceptual level of XML model. Therefore, we introduce an XML Tree Model as an XML conceptual schema for representing and confirming the data semantics according to the user requirements in a diagram. The XML Tree Model consists of nodes representing all elements within the XSD. We apply reverse engineering from an XSD to an XML Tree Model to assist end users in applying an XML database for information highway on the Internet. The data semantics recovered for visualization include root element, weak elements, participation, cardinality, aggregation, generalization, categorization, and n‐ary association, and which can be derived by analyzing the structural constraints of XSD based on its key features such as key, keyref, minOccurs, maxOccurs, Choice, Sequence and extension. We use the Eclipse user interface for generating a graphical view for XML conceptual .
The Interest Rate Swap Spreads and Monetary Policy in Japan

This paper investigates the determinants of interest rate swap spreads in Japan by considering the difference of monetary policy regimes by the Bank of Japan (BOJ). Four determinants of swap spreads - corporate bond spread, TED spread, the slope of yield curve and volatility - are chosen. When the monetary policy was easing, swap spreads decreased as credit risk increased. When monetary policy was tightening, 10-year swap spread decreased in accordance with the increase of corporate bond spread. TED spread contributed to swap spreads positively in all maturities under tightening cycle of the monetary policy. Slope of yield curve contributed more actively to the swap spreads in all maturities in quantitative easing period and to the swap spreads of 5 years, 7 years and 10 years in tightening aspect. Volatility contributed more actively to the swap spreads in all maturities in easing phase.
A Longitudinal Evaluation of Nursing Home Care Quality in Taiwan

Aging populations worldwide have important implications for elderly care composition and quality, particularly with regard to care provided by nursing homes. Our study investigated quality of nursing home care in Taiwan using resident satisfaction and clinical outcomes as indicators. We randomly recruited 306 residents in 13 nursing homes and assessed them at initial, 3, 6, and 12-months follow-up. The outcomes of the nursing home care in the 12-month follow-up period showed significant decreases in pressure sores and moderate satisfaction of nursing home care, but increases in physical restraints and psychological loneliness. Study results suggest that long-term nursing home care may improve residents' quality of life. However, to achieve this, nursing homes must provide improved psychological support for residents and decrease the use of physical restraints.
Analysis and design of microstrip antennas by Artificial Neural Networks

The most common methods of analysis and design of microstrip antennas are the transmission line and the cavity model (analytical), that introduce some simplifications in the mechanisms of radiation from antennas, therefore, some errors are introduced in the determination of its main parameters. On the other hand, numerical methods, which are more accurate, require large computational resources, high processing time and an advanced electromagnetic knowledge. This work deals with the use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN), to represent the relationship between the antenna parameters (frequency, size and dielectric constant) for the analysis and design of several shapes of microstrip antennas.
Fatigue as a predictor of postpartum depression.

BACKGROUND The postpartum is a time when women commonly report increased fatigue that may contribute to depression. Studies have not examined fatigue alone as a predictor of postpartum depression. OBJECTIVE To examine whether and when fatigue in the early postpartum is predictive of postpartum depression. DESIGN Correlational, longitudinal study. SETTING Two hospitals and participants' homes in central Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS Convenience sample of 38 healthy women recruited from hospital maternity units within 24 hours after an uncomplicated birth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Fatigue was measured using the Modified Fatigue Symptom Checklist (MFSC) on Days 0, 7, 14, and 28 after childbirth. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Symptomatology Scale (CES-D) on Day 28. RESULTS After adjustments for multiple comparisons, a significant correlation was obtained between fatigue as measured by the MFSC and postpartum depression on Day 7 (r = .46; p < .05), Day 14 (r = .57), and Day 28 (r = .70). Fatigue on Day 0 was correlated with fatigue on Day 7 (r = .45), Day 14 (r= .58), and Day 28 (r = .34). CONCLUSIONS Fatigue as early as 7 days postpartum is predictive of depression at Day 28 postpartum.
Neural Networks for Improving Wearable Device Security

Wearable devices with first person cameras, such as Google Glass, are becoming ubiquitous. Additionally, the importance of security will increase as these devices are likely to capture private or sensitive photos. In this paper we introduce a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) which is capable of detecting various security risks with relatively high accuracy. Our approach is also capable of classifying images within approximately half a second–fast enough for a rapid, mobile environment. We also investigate numerous routes for improving accuracy with our CNN classifier including object segmentation and artificial data generation. Finally we verify our approach using a manually collected dataset which was tested using two different Android devices.
Serum Lactate as a Screening Tool and Predictor of Outcome in Pediatric Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Suspected Infection

Objectives No single reliable sepsis biomarker exists for risk stratification and prognostication in pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Serum lactate (LA) predicts mortality in septic adults. We sought to determine if serum LA correlated with the diagnosis of sepsis, admission rates, and outcomes in pediatric patients presenting to the ED with suspected infection. Methods This retrospective study was performed in an ED with a sepsis protocol that included serum LA with every blood culture. Of 735 pediatric patients with blood cultures drawn, 289 had serum LA obtained concomitantly. Appropriate statistical analyses determined the relationship between serum LA and variables of interest. Results A significant positive correlation was found between serum LA and pulse, respiratory rate, white blood cell count, platelets, and length of stay, whereas a significant negative correlation was seen with temperature, HCO3−, and blood urea nitrogen. Admitted patients had higher serum LA (2.36 mM) than did those not admitted (1.70 mM), P = 0.0001. Of patients discharged, there was no difference in serum LA between those who returned within 3 days (1.80 mM) and those who did not (1.72 mM), P = 0.6654. Mean serum LA for those with sepsis (2.03 mM) did not differ from those without sepsis (1.91 mM), P = 0.3364. Conclusions Higher serum LA in pediatric patients presenting to the ED with suspected infection correlated with increased pulse, respiratory rate, white blood cell count, and platelets and decreased blood urea nitrogen, HCO3−, and age. Serum LA may be predictive of hospitalization and length of stay and thus suggestive of disease severity, but not of return rates or pediatric sepsis screening in the ED.
ShapeRotator: an R package for standardised rigid rotations of articulated Three-Dimensional structures with application for geometric morphometrics

The quantification of complex morphological patterns typically involves comprehensive shape and size analyses, usually obtained by gathering morphological data from all the structures that capture the phenotypic diversity in an organism or object. Articulated structures are a critical component of overall phenotypic diversity, but data gathered from these structures is difficult to incorporate in to modern analyses because of the complexities associated with jointly quantifying 3D shape in multiple structures. While there are existing methods for analysing shape variation in articulated structures in Two-Dimensional (2D) space, these methods do not work in 3D, a rapidly growing area of capability and research. Here we describe a simple geometric rigid rotation approach that removes the effect of random translation and rotations, enabling the morphological analysis of 3D articulated structures. Our method is based on Cartesian coordinates in 3D space so it can be applied to any morphometric problem that also uses 3D coordinates (e.g. spherical harmonics). We demonstrate the method by applying it to a landmark-based data set for analysing shape variation using geometric morphometrics. We have developed an R package (ShapeRotator) so that the method can be easily implemented in the commonly used software programs geomorph and MorphoJ. This method will be a valuable tool for 3D morphological analyses in articulated structures by allowing an exhaustive examination of shape and size diversity.
Mergers and acquisitions and corporate financial leverage - an empirical analysis of UK firms

This thesis examines the link between mergers and acquisitions (MA and (2) the changes in financial leverage prior to firms' decision to initiate M&As. The empirical evidence on the proposed hypotheses is based on a large sample of firms in the UK during the period 1996 and 2006. The empirical analysis presented in this study contributes to the large and growing body of literature on the interdependence of corporate financing and investment decisions. Specifically, this study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, the thesis investigates the link between firms leverage deviations (i.e. the deviations of firms observed leverage ratios from target leverage ratios) and the probability of undertaking MA for domestic acquisitions (i.e. deals in which the acquirer and the target firm are domiciled in the same country); and for focused (i.e. single-segment) firms undertaking acquisitions. Thus, the leverage deviation effect is not symmetric for all types of acquisitions and for all firms. Second, the thesis examines how the pre-acquisition changes in corporate financial leverage may be influenced by: (1) the extent to which firms deviate from their target leverage ratios; and (2) firms intentions to initiate M&As. Key empirical findings in this section suggest that firms that have higher leverage deviations adjust their leverage at a higher rate than those with lower deviations. More importantly, the empirical evidence suggests that firms that undertake M&As adjust their pre-acquisition leverage at a higher rate than those that do not. These findings suggest that, when making adjustments to corporate capital structure, managers tend to consider their firms leverage deviations and their future acquisition plans. Furthermore, the study s findings partly explain the differences in the speeds of financial leverage adjustments reported in the existing literature.
A novel method for fuzzy diagnostic system design

Background: In recent years, liver disorders have been continuously increased. Proper performance of data mining techniques in decision-making and forecasting caused to use them commonly in designing of automatic medical diagnostic systems. The main aim of this paper is to introduce a classifier for diagnosis of liver disease that not only has high precision but also is understandable and has been created without expert knowledge. Methods: In regards to this purpose, fuzzy association rules have been extracted from dataset according to fuzzy membership functions which determined by fuzzy C-means clustering method; while each time, extracting fuzzy association rules, one of the five quality measures including confidence, coverage, reliability, comprehensibility and interestingness is used and five fuzzy rule-bases extracted based on them. Then, five fuzzy inference systems are designed on the basis of obtained rule-bases and evaluated in order to choose the best model in terms of diagnostic accuracy. Results: The proposed diagnostic method was examined using data set of Indian liver patients available at UCI repository. Results showed that among considered quality measures, interestingness, reliability and truth outperformed respectively, and yielded precision, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of more than 90%. Conclusion: In this paper, a classification method was developed to predict liver disease which in addition to high classification accuracy, it has been created without expert knowledge and provided an understandable explanation of data. This method is convenient, user friendly, efficient and requires no expertise.
The High Cost of Lost Trust

To measure this expected chain reaction in a competitive service market, we surveyed more than 6,500 employees at 76 U.S. and Canadian Holiday Inn hotels. We provided questionnaires in English, Spanish, Chinese, Creole French, and Vietnamese, and administered oral surveys to roughly 500 illiterate employees. We asked workers to rank, on a five-point scale, how closely their managers’ words and actions were aligned – what we call the managers’ "behavioral integrity" – by evaluating statements such as "My manager delivers on promises" and "My manager practices what he preaches. "
Compact, Energy-Efficient High-Frequency Switched Capacitor Neural Stimulator With Active Charge Balancing

Safety and energy efficiency are two major concerns for implantable neural stimulators. This paper presents a novel high-frequency, switched capacitor (HFSC) stimulation and active charge balancing scheme, which achieves high energy efficiency and well-controlled stimulation charge in the presence of large electrode impedance variations. Furthermore, the HFSC can be implemented in a compact size without any external component to simultaneously enable multichannel stimulation by deploying multiple stimulators. The theoretical analysis shows significant benefits over the constant-current and voltage-mode stimulation methods. The proposed solution was fabricated using a 0.18 μm high-voltage technology, and occupies only 0.035 mm2 for a single stimulator. The measurement result shows 50% peak energy efficiency and confirms the effectiveness of active charge balancing to prevent the electrode dissolution.
Small Firm Growth and Performance : Entrepreneurship and Beyond

Why is it that some small firms perform well and grow while others do not? Does entrepreneurship play a role in this process? These are the two principal questions addressed in this text.On the basis of an extensive literature review, variables enhancing and restricting small firm growth and performance were identified. A theoretical model, drawing on management theory and psychology, was developed and operationalised.The data for the study were collected in 1996 and 1997. The first year a telephone interview was followed up by a mail questionnaire concerning the independent variables. Out of the 808 firms in the initial sample, 630 were telephone interviewed, and 465 also returned the mail questionnaire. These firms were approached again for a telephone interview one year later. No less than 447 responded. The data collected during the second year were concerned with outcomes, i.e., indications of performance and growth. Due to the time lag between collecting the explanatory variables and the outcome variables, it is possible to infer causality. Analyses move from relatively simple means comparisons through multiple regression to sophisticated PLS modelling and analyses. The empirical analyses address somewhat different questions, and suitable methods are chosen in relation to these questions.A consistent finding is that small business managers themselves, and the choices they make, are crucial to the development of their firms. The possibility to influence the destiny of their firms should be encouraging for small business managers. It is possible for the small business manager to take such actions that will allow the company to expand and perform better. Moreover, in broad terms, motivation seems to be more important than any personal abilities. It seems that "what I want" has a larger influence on actual outcomes than "what I know". The findings further suggest that small firms which perform well and grow have an entrepreneurial strategic orientation. Innovation and proactiveness are key strategic dimensions. Small firms that face environments with increasing dynamism tend to perform better and grow faster. Aiming for growing market niches seems to be more important for growth than taking market shares from competitors. Put differently, it seems more important to position the firm in market niches where customer demand is increasing than to pursue a strategy aimed at confronting the competition.
Intraday Stealth Trading and Volatility: The Evidence from the Warsaw Stock Exchange

The intraday volatility and volume U-shape pattern is well documented in the literature. It describes the common pattern of investor’s behavior on the stock markets: investors trade in the beginning and the end of the day more intensive than in the lunch time. However that pattern does not differentiate between trades’ sizes and investors characteristics. The stealth trading hypothesis states that informed traders tend to hide their information. There is a need for such behavior at the time of low volatility and they may achieve this by breaking up their trades into smaller parts. At the time of high volatility informed traders are willing to place large orders at the beginning and the end of the trading day because high volatility provides a sufficient camouflage for their information. We examine volatility pattern for small, medium and large trades and consider how durations between trades and spreads differ between trade size categories. Our sample consists of the data from the Warsaw Stock Exchange, which is organized as an order driven market. We show that medium-size trades are associated with relative large cumulative stock price changes, however these results are not robust when liquidity measures and durations between the consecutive trades are taken into account.
Exit Routes in LBO Projects

The current paper studies the financial structure in buyout firms under moral hazard due to unobservable efforts and an excessive risk-taking. The choice of the exit route may lead to agency conflicts between the entrepreneur and the LBO firm: the former may take very risky decisions to increase the probability of IPO exit. If the target is taking public, he gets a non transferable and private benefit. The opportunistic behavior of the entrepreneur decreases the probability of sale exit; the preferred exit route of the LBO firm. Without moral hazard, there are many ways to finance the project and the two agents exert strictly positive efforts. With moral hazard, the entrepreneur, the LBO firm and the bank must finance jointly the buyout. Financing the project through standard debt-equity contracts does not implement the first-best solution. Only a set of projects can be financed through both the LBO fund and the bank at the macroeconomic level. If the entrepreneur is not wealthy enough, her project is not undertaken
The evolution of reproductive isolation in the Drosophila yakuba complex of species

In the Drosophila melanogaster subgroup, the yakuba species complex, D. yakuba, D. santomea and D. teissieri have identical mitochondrial genomes in spite of nuclear differentiation. The first two species can be readily hybridized in the laboratory and produce fertile females and sterile males. They also form hybrids in natural conditions. Nonetheless, the third species, D. teissieri, was thought to be unable to produce hybrids with either D. yakuba or D. santomea. This in turn posed the conundrum of why the three species shared a single mitochondrial genome. In this report, we show that D. teissieri can indeed hybridize with both D. yakuba and D. santomea. The resulting female hybrids from both crosses are fertile, whereas the hybrid males are sterile. We also characterize six isolating mechanisms that might be involved in keeping the three species apart. Our results open the possibility of studying the history of introgression in the yakuba species complex and dissecting the genetic basis of interspecific differences between these three species by genetic mapping.