Exploring Financial Performance Disparities: An In-Depth Analysis of Companies Led by Foreign-Born CEOs Versus Non-Foreign-Born CEOs Within the S&P 500

There is an increasing trend for companies to have foreign-born Chief Executive Officers. It was found that 101 companies in the S&P 500 had foreign-born CEOs. The purpose of this paper was to investigate whether companies with foreign-born CEOs exhibited better financial performance. The study adopted a quantitative approach. We gathered two datasets: one detailing the performance of companies with CEOs born in the United States, and the other delineating the performance of companies with CEOs born outside the United States. We utilized the T-test for the difference of means on these two sets of data. This statistical method allowed us to assess the variations in financial performance metrics between the two groups over a six-year period. The findings indicate that foreign CEOs consistently outperformed their domestic counterparts across all three studied KPI performance measures from 2018 to 2023. T-tests for the difference of means indicated that these results were statistically significant

On the convexity of right-closed sets and its application to liveness enforcement in Petri Nets

A set of n-dimensional integral vectors, Nn, is said to be right-closed if for any x 2 , any vector y x also belongs to it. An integral-set Nn is convex if and only if there is a convex set C Rn such that = Int(C), where Int( ) denotes the integral points in the set argument. In this dissertation, we show that the problem of verifying convexity of a right-closed set is decidable. Following this, we present a polynomial time, LP-based algorithm, for verifying the convexity of a right-closed set of integral vectors, when the dimension n is xed. This result is to be viewed against the backdrop of the fact that checking the convexity of a real-valued, geometric set can only be accomplished in an approximate sense; and, the fact that most algorithms involving sets of real-valued vectors do not apply directly to their integral counterparts. Also, we discuss a grid-search based algorithm for verifying the convexity of such a set, although not a polynomial time procedure, it is a method that veri es the convexity of right-closed sets in a reasonable time complexity. On the application side, right-closed sets feature in the synthesis of Liveness Enforcing Supervisory Policies (LESPs) for a large family of Petri Nets (PNs). For any PN structure N from this family, the set of initial markings, (N), for which there is a LESP, is right-closed. A LESP determines the transitions of a PN that are to be permitted to re at any marking in such a manner that, irrespective of the past, every transition can be red at some marking in the future. A system that is modeled by a live PN does not experience livelocks, which serves as the motivation for investigating implementation paradigms for LESPs in practice. If a transition is prevented from ring at a marking by a LESP, and all LESPs, irrespective of the implementation-paradigm that is chosen, prescribe the same control for the marking, then it is a minimally restrictive LESP. It is possible to synthesize the minimally restrictive LESP for any instance N of the aforementioned family that uses the right-closed set of markings (N). The literature also contains an implementation paradigm called invariant-based monitors for liveness enforcement in PNs. This paradigm is popular due to the fact that the resulting supervisor can be directly incorporated into the semantics of the PN model of the controlled system. In this work, we show that there is an invariant-based monitor that is equivalent to the minimally restrictive LESP that uses the right-closed set (N) if and only if (N) is convex. This result serves as the motivation behind exploring the convexity of right-closed sets

Assessment of Quality of Work Life and Factors Related to it Based on the Walton's model: A Cross- Sectional Study in Employment of Health and Treatment Sectors in Islamabad City

Background and Aims: Healthcare centers coupled with hospitals are the most important organizations that provide health related services for people and society. On the other hand, high quality of work life is necessary to maintain and motivate employees. This study conducted with the aim of assessing quality of work life and its related factors in healthcare staff.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on totally 158 respondents consisting of all employees of nursing, laboratory, radiology and operating room of Imam Khomeini hospital and health centers of Islamabad Gharb city. In order to data collection, the questionnaires of demographics and Walton's quality of work life were used. In this study, all ethical issues were considered throughout all steps. Data was analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Walis test via SPSS19 software.Results: Among all participants, 36.7% of employee had low quality of life, 61.4 medium and 1.9 reported high quality of work life. There was no significant relationship between quality of life and sex, age, marital status, place of work, work patterns, education level and the type of employment (P-valve > 0.05).Conclusion: Regarding low and medium quality of life in studied employees, some interventions seem necessary to increase the quality of life level such as improving work condition, better relationships in workplace, and more financial and moral supports

The Criminology of Cyber Stalking: Investigating the Crime, Offenders and Victims of Cyber Stalking

Understanding the elements and parties of each offense, including the offender and the victim, is the first step to tackle a crime. Cyber stalking is one of the most widespread crimes in the cyberspace. Despite substantial similarities between traditional harassment and cyber stalking, there are some diversities between these two forms of crime in terms of perpetration and their instances. These differences have caused cyber stalking to be doubly harmful compared to its traditional style. Emails, chat rooms, online social networking include tools and platforms for perpetration of this offense. The findings of this study suggest that most perpetrators of this crime are male and most victims are women. The most significant reason of this can be due to poor performance of criminalization process. Therefore, it is recommended that criminal legislation applies differential approaches and more severe penalties against cybercrimes against women in the cyberspace

Outcomes of Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in Patients with Acute Arterial Thrombotic Limb Ischemia: A Prospective Interventional Case Series

Introduction: Acute limb ischemia is a critical medical condition that can quickly become a life threat. Therapeutic modalities such as catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) have demonstrated various levels of efficacy in previous studies. Objective: This study presents the descriptive findings of a series of cases who presented with acute arterial thrombotic limb ischemia and underwent CDT. Methods: This was a cross-sectional single-hospital-based case series, in which all patients who were diagnosed with acute arterial thrombotic limb ischemia, and consequently underwent CDT during the one-year study period were included.  Detailed baseline characteristics and clinical findings of the studied patients on presentation, after intervention and at one-year follow-up are presented. Results: A total of 21 patients with a mean age of 60.7±15.2 years, including 16 males (76.2%) were included. The initial technical and treatment success rates were 20 (95.2%) and 14 (66.7%), respectively. The amputation-free and the overall survival rates after the one-year follow-up were 15 (71.4%) and 17 (81%), respectively. Four patients (19%) developed complications, two (9.5%) of which were significant (pulmonary hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage). Amputation was performed in 6 (28.6%) cases. Conclusion: In this study, the treatment success rate and the technical success rate were satisfactory

بررسی کیفیت زندگی کاری و عوامل مرتبط با آن بر اساس مدل والتون: یک مطالعه مقطعی در کارکنان بخش‌های بهداشتی و درمانی

Background and Aims: Healthcare centers coupled with hospitals are the most important organizations that provide health related services for people and society. On the other hand, high quality of work life is necessary to maintain and motivate employees. This study conducted with the aim of assessing quality of work life and its related factors in healthcare staff. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on totally 158 respondents consisting of all employees of nursing, laboratory, radiology and operating room of Imam Khomeini hospital and health centers of Islamabad Gharb city. In order to data collection, the questionnaires of demographics and Walton's quality of work life were used. In this study, all ethical issues were considered throughout all steps. Data was analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Walis test via SPSS19 software. Results: Among all participants, 36.7% of employee had low quality of life, 61.4 medium and 1.9 reported high quality of work life. There was no significant relationship between quality of life and sex, age, marital status, place of work, work patterns, education level and the type of employment (P-valve > 0.05). Conclusion: Regarding low and medium quality of life in studied employees, some interventions seem necessary to increase the quality of life level such as improving work condition, better relationships in workplace, and more financial and moral supports.سابقه و اهداف: مراکز بهداشتی درمانی و بیمارستان‌ها، مهم‌ترین سازمان‌ها در ارائه خدمات بهداشتی و درمانی برای حفظ سلامتی مردم و جامعه می‌باشند. از طرفی کیفیت زندگی کاری مطلوب برای حفظ و انگیزش کارکنان در هر سازمانی لازم است. مطالعه حاضر با هدف بررسی کیفیت زندگی کاری و عوامل مرتبط بر آن در کارکنان نظام سلامت انجام گرفت. مواد و روش‌ها: این مطالعه به صورت مقطعی و تمام شماری بر روی 158 نفر از کارکنان شاغل در بخش‌های پرستاری، علوم آزمایشگاهی، رادیولوژی و اتاق عمل بیمارستان امام خمینی و مراکز بهداشتی درمانی شهری و شهری/روستایی شهرستان اسلام آباد غرب انجام گرفت. برای جمع‌آوری داده‌ها از سوالات دموگرافیک و پرسشنامه کیفیت زندگی کاری والتون استفاده شد. تمام مراحل مطالعه با رعایت کلیه موازین اخلاقی پژوهش انجام شد. داده‌ها با استفاده ضریب همبستگی اسپیرمن، کروسکال والیس و من ویتنی در نرم‌افزار SPSS نسخه 19 آنالیز شدند. یافته‌ها: از بین افراد شرکت‌کننده 36/7 درصد کارکنان کیفیت زندگی کاری پایین، 61/4 درصد کیفیت زندگی کاری متوسط و 1/9 درصد کیفیت زندگی کاری بالا داشتند. همچنین کیفیت زندگی کاری با متغیرهای جنسیت، سن، وضعیت تأهل، محل خدمت، شغل دوم، الگوی کاری، سطح تحصیلات و وضعیت استخدامی رابطه معنی‌داری نداشت (0.05<p). نتیجه‌گیری: با توجه به این‌که اکثر کارکنان نظام سلامت سطح کیفیت زندگی کاری پایین و متوسطی داشتند، انجام مداخلات لازم مانند بهبود شرایط کاری، روابط بهتر بین کارکنان، حمایت بیشتر مالی و معنوی از کارکنان، به‌منظور ارتقاء کیفیت زندگی کاری ضرری به نظر می‌رسد

The Frequency and Intensity of Job Burnout and Its Determinants in First Level Healthcare Employees in Islamabad- e Gharb in 2015

Background: Job burnout is a syndrome that occurs in response to long-term stress in workplace and declines job satisfaction and motivation in employees. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and intensity of job burnout and its determinants among the first level healthcare employees in Islamabad- e Gharb city. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 136 employees of health care centers of Islamabad- e Gharb in 2015 were selected through census method and based on inclusion criteria. The data collection tool was the Maslach burnout inventory that is a valid and reliable tool. Data were analyzed using descriptive Statistics, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests and through SPSS 16 software. Results: The frequency of job burnout was mild in 47.8% of employees and moderate in 52.2% of them. The intensity of job burnout was mild in 25.7%, moderate in 73.5% and severe in 0.7% of participants. The frequency and intensity of job burnout showed no significant relation with age, sex, marital status, work experience, level of education, smoking, service location and the type of employment (P>0.05). Conclusion: Most employees had moderate and low levels of job burnout. Management strategies are necessary in order to prevent and reduce job burnout. Paying attention to the needs of staff such as increase in salary and benefits and job promotion is recommended. Keywords: Job burnout, Comprehensive health services centers, Health hous

The Role of C-reactive Protein in Diagnosis of Acute Complicated Appendicitis: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study

Introduction: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common emergencies of general surgery. Contrary to simple appendicitis, the complicated cases are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Except for pathology, no accurate diagnostic test has been found to identify complicated cases. Objective: Here in, we aim to evaluate the serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) level in both acute simple and complicated appendicitis. Methods: In this diagnostic accuracy study, 199 patients with acute appendicitis were enrolled. The serum CRP level was evaluated in patients. Post-operatively, the patients were divided into simple and complicated appendicitis based on histopathological examination. Eventually, analysis of the CRP level and type of appendicitis was performed. Results: Fifty-three patients were categorized into complicated appendicitis and 146 patients into simple appendicitis. The median of CRP was significantly higher in the complicated group. Additionally, the optimal cutoff point was as follows: [65.0 (25.0) vs 25.0 (51.0); P-value< 0.001]. The optimal cutoff point for CRP was more than 42 with 81.1% sensitivity (95% CI: 68.0 to 90.6), and 67.8% specificity (95% CI: 59.6 to 75.3). The positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), based on the prevalence of complicated appendicitis (26.6%) for optimal cutoff point, were 47.8% (95% CI: 37.1 to 58.6) and 90.8% (95% CI: 83.8 to 95.5). Conclusion: Our study revealed that evaluation of serum CRP levels could be useful and beneficial in the diagnosis of acute complicated appendicitis

The wound healing effect of Iris forentina on full thickness excisional skin wounds: A histomorphometrical study

Iris florentina is an ancient herbal remedy which was prescribed by many physicians due to its positive effects on dermatological problems, specifically skin wounds. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effects of this agent on full-thickness excisional skin wounds in laboratory rats. Three groups of rats (180 ± 20 g; n=8) with 1 cm diameter full-thickness excisional skin wound received daily treatment with I. florentina 10% ointment, and a group with no treatment. By using histomorphometrical methods, the amount of fibroblast population, collagen bundle synthesis, and vascularization (length density, mean diameter and volume density of the vessels) were estimated. Outcome of the study exhibited that the increase in fibroblast proliferation rate, collagen bundle synthesis, vascular density and vascular mean diameter in I. florentina-treated group were significant in comparison to the untreated group (p<0.05). Results indicated that I. florentina can be prescribed as a herbal medicine for treatment of skin wounds or be used as an additional agent for today's common medicines

The clinical and genetic spectrum of autosomal-recessive TOR1A-related disorders.

In the field of rare diseases, progress in molecular diagnostics led to the recognition that variants linked to autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative diseases of later onset can, in the context of biallelic inheritance, cause devastating neurodevelopmental disorders and infantile or childhood-onset neurodegeneration. TOR1A-associated arthrogryposis multiplex congenita 5 (AMC5) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder arising from biallelic variants in TOR1A, a gene that in the heterozygous state is associated to torsion dystonia-1 (DYT1 or DYT-TOR1A), an early-onset dystonia with reduced penetrance. While 15 individuals with TOR1A-AMC5 have been reported (less than 10 in detail), a systematic investigation of the full disease-associated spectrum has not been conducted. Here, we assess the clinical, radiological and molecular characteristics of 57 individuals from 40 families with biallelic variants in TOR1A. Median age at last follow-up was 3 years (0-24 years). Most individuals presented with severe congenital flexion contractures (95%) and variable developmental delay (79%). Motor symptoms were reported in 79% and included lower limb spasticity and pyramidal signs, as well as gait disturbances. Facial dysmorphism was an integral part of the phenotype, with key features being a broad/full nasal tip, narrowing of the forehead and full cheeks. Analysis of disease-associated manifestations delineated a phenotypic spectrum ranging from normal cognition and mild gait disturbance to congenital arthrogryposis, global developmental delay, intellectual disability, absent speech and inability to walk. In a subset, the presentation was consistent with fetal akinesia deformation sequence with severe intrauterine abnormalities. Survival was 71% with higher mortality in males. Death occurred at a median age of 1.2 months (1 week - 9 years) due to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or sepsis. Analysis of brain MRI studies identified non-specific neuroimaging features, including a hypoplastic corpus callosum (72%), foci of signal abnormality in the subcortical and periventricular white matter (55%), diffuse white matter volume loss (45%), mega cisterna magna (36%) and arachnoid cysts (27%). The molecular spectrum included 22 distinct variants, defining a mutational hotspot in the C-terminal domain of the Torsin-1A protein. Genotype-phenotype analysis revealed an association of missense variants in the 3-helix bundle domain to an attenuated phenotype, while missense variants near the Walker A/B motif as well as biallelic truncating variants were linked to early death. In summary, this systematic cross-sectional analysis of a large cohort of individuals with biallelic TOR1A variants across a wide age-range delineates the clinical and genetic spectrum of TOR1A-related autosomal-recessive disease and highlights potential predictors for disease severity and survival