Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Operating Performance of Banks among Asian Economies: An International and Time Series Comparison

After controlling for loan quality, liquidity, capitalization, and output mix, per unit bank operating costs are found to vary significantly across Asian countries and over time. Further analysis reveals that the country rankings of per unit labor and physical capital costs are highly correlated, suggesting that there exist systematic differences in bank operating efficiency across Asian countries. However, this measure of operating efficiency is found to be unrelated to the degree of openness of the banking sector. Asian bank operating costs were found to decline from 1992 to 1997, indicating that banks were improving their operating performance over time. Since 1997, the run-up in operating costs coincided with the Asian financial crisis, suggesting that banks were incurring additional costs in dealing with their problem loans while output was declining simultaneously. Moreover, the labor cost share is found to decline significantly between 1997 and 1999, indicating that banks were able to cut their labor force after the financial crisis but were less flexible to reduce physical capital input. Furthermore, significant differences in labor cost share are detected across countries, suggesting that different countries have different bank production functions. The variations in labor cost share are significantly positively related to the country’s financial services wage rate, suggesting that banks using relatively more labor in a particular country is due to the labor force productivity, rather than labor being cheap.
On probabilistic strategies for robot tasks

Abstract : Robots must act purposefully and successfully in an uncertain world. Sensory information is inaccurate or noisy, actions may have a range of effects, and the robot's environment is only partially and imprecisely modelled. This thesis introduces active randomization by a robot, both in selecting actions to execute and in focusing on sensory information to interpret, as a basic tool for overcoming uncertainty. An example of randomization is given by the strategy of shaking a bin containing a part in order to orient the part in a desired stable state with some high probability. Another example consists of first using reliable sensory information to bring two parts close together, then relying on short random motions to actually mate the two parts, one the part motions lie below the available sensing resolution. Further examples include tapping parts that are tightly wedged, twirling gears before trying to mesh them, and vibrating parts to facilitate a mating operation. Randomization is seen as a primitive strategy that arises naturally in a solution of manipulation tasks. Randomization is as essential to the solution of tasks as are sensing mechanics. An understanding of the way that randomization can facilitate task solutions is integral to the development of the theory of manipulation. Such a theory should try to explain the relationship between solvable tasks and repertoires of actions, with the aim of creating autonomous systems capable of existing in an uncertain world. (Author) (KR)
Agrobiodiversity and Shade Coffee Smallholder Livelihoods: A Review and Synthesis of Ten Years of Research in Central America

We used households as the primary unit of analysis to synthesize agrobiodiversity research in small-scale coffee farms and cooperatives of Nicaragua and El Salvador. Surveys, focus groups, and plant inventories were used to analyze agrobiodiversity and its contribution to livelihoods. Households managed high levels of agrobiodiversity, including 100 shade tree and epiphyte species, food crops, and medicinals. Small farms contained higher levels of agrobiodiversity than larger, collectively managed cooperatives. Households benefited from agrobiodiversity through consumption and sales. To better support agrobiodiversity conservation, our analysis calls for a hybrid approach integrating bottom-up initiatives with the resources from top-down projects.
Real-Time Nonlinear Shape Interpolation

We introduce a scheme for real-time nonlinear interpolation of a set of shapes. The scheme exploits the structure of the shape interpolation problem, in particular the fact that the set of all possible interpolated shapes is a low-dimensional object in a high-dimensional shape space. The interpolated shapes are defined as the minimizers of a nonlinear objective functional on the shape space. Our approach is to construct a reduced optimization problem that approximates its unreduced counterpart and can be solved in milliseconds. To achieve this, we restrict the optimization to a low-dimensional subspace that is specifically designed for the shape interpolation problem. The construction of the subspace is based on two components: a formula for the calculation of derivatives of the interpolated shapes and a Krylov-type sequence that combines the derivatives and the Hessian of the objective functional. To make the computational cost for solving the reduced optimization problem independent of the resolution of the example shapes, we combine the dimensional reduction with schemes for the efficient approximation of the reduced nonlinear objective functional and its gradient. In our experiments, we obtain rates of 20--100 interpolated shapes per second, even for the largest examples which have 500k vertices per example shape.
Bit-interleaved coded differential space-time modulation

Bit-interleaved coded differential space-time modulation (DSTM) for transmission over flat Rayleigh fading channels is discussed. For improved noncoherent detection without channel state information at the receiver, iterative decoding employing hard-decision feedback and prediction-based metric computation are applied. The performance is assessed based on analytical expressions for the bit-error rate and simulations. For the most relevant case of two transmit antennas, it is shown that the proposed scheme offers high power efficiency exploiting both space and time diversity, while computational complexity is kept at a low level.
Towards an Approach for Managing the Development Portfolio in Small Product-Oriented Software Companies

Managing product development activities as an explicit portfolio is crucial to the long-term success of product-oriented software companies. Portfolio management has been studied in the field of new product development for over two decades, but existing approaches transfer poorly to small software companies due to contextual differences. Based on new product development and software engineering literature and three company cases, this paper presents an approach for implementing portfolio management in small, product-oriented software companies, along with initial experiences. The approach integrates portfolio management basics such as strategic alignment, portfolio balancing and go/kill/hold decision-making with modern, time-paced software development processes for the small company context. Our findings suggest that using the proposed approach increases awareness of what projects and other development activities are underway, and how these are resourced. It also helps in making informed decisions and trade-offs when necessary.
Agmatine inhibits hypoxia-induced TNF-α release from cultured retinal ganglion cells

The effect of hypoxia on the release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in transformed rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the effect of agmatine on the hypoxia-induced production of TNF-α in RGCs were evaluated. RGCs were cultured under hypoxic conditions with 5% oxygen, with or without 100 μM agmatine. The expression levels of TNF-α and its receptor-1 (TNF-R1) were investigated by Western blot analysis. After 6 hours of hypoxia, we noted an increase in TNF-α production in RGCs. Agmatine significantly reduced TNF-α level after 12 hours of hypoxic treatment. The expression of TNF-R1 was not affected by the hypoxia or agmatine treatment. Our results show that agmatine inhibits the TNF-α production of RGCs in hypoxic condition. These results demonstrate a possible neuroprotective mechanism for agmatine against hypoxic damage in RGCs. BIOCELL 2008, 32(2): 201-205 ISSN 0327 9545 PRINTED IN ARGENTINA
Explaining effects and side effects of school inspections: a path analysis

ABSTRACT There are large differences between schools with regard to how they are affected by a school inspection. This study provides quantitative evidence about the extent to which perceived effects and side effects of an inspection are related to the inspection’s judgement on the school, to features of the inspection, and to school features. This study draws on quantitative data collected from 2,202 teachers in Flemish primary and secondary schools that had recently been inspected. Using path analysis, it investigates the existence and strength of relationships between the perceived effects and side effects of inspection, on the one hand, and the perceived inspection quality, the perceived school’s policy-making capacities, and the inspection judgement, on the other hand. The analysis reveals that most effects and several side effects are predominantly explained by the perceived inspection quality. Emotional side effects during inspection are best predicted by the school’s policy-making capacities.
Requirements and access needs of patients with chronic disease to their hospital electronic health record: results of a cross-sectional questionnaire survey

Objectives To identify patient's views on the functionality required for personalised access to the secondary care electronic health record (EHR) and their priorities for development. Design Quantitative analysis of a cross-sectional self-complete survey of patient views on required EHR functionality from a secondary care EHR, including a patient ranking of functionality. Setting Secondary care patients attending a regional cystic fibrosis unit in the north of England. Participants 201 adults (106 (52.7%) males), median age 29 years (range 17–58 years), entered and completed the study. Inclusion criteria are as follows: a confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, aged 16 years and over, at the time of clinical stability. Outcome measures Quantitative responses within 4 themes; (1) value placed on aspects of the EHR; (2) access requirements to functions of the EHR; (3) views on information sent to the EHR and (4) patient feedback entered into the EHR. A ranked score for 15 functions of the EHR was obtained. Results Highest ratings (% reporting item as very important/important) were reported for access to clinical measures (lung function (94%), C reactive protein (84%), sputum microbiology (81%) and blood results (80%)), medication changes (82%) and lists (83%) and sending repeat prescription (83%) and treatment requests (80%), while sending symptom diaries was less so (62%). Email contact with clinicians was the most valuable communication element of the EHR (84% very important/important). Of 15 features of the EHR (1=most desirable to 15=least desirable), patients identified ‘clinical measures’ (2.62 (CI 2.07 to 3.06)), and ‘access to medication lists’ (4.91 (CI 4.47 to 5.44)), as highest priority for development and the ability to comment on errors/omissions (11.0 (CI 10.6 to 11.5)) or experience of care (11.8 (CI 11.4 to 12.2)) as lowest. Conclusions Patients want extensive personal access to their hospital EHR, placing high importance on the viewing of practical clinical measures and medication management. These influence routine day-to-day care and are priorities for development.
Agnotology: learning from mistake

sally valid but rather an artifact of a particular experimental set-up. Some examples presented here have ignored data that do not fit the conclusions, and in several other cases, inappropriate statistical methods have been adopted or conclusions have been based on misconceived physics. These papers may serve as educational case studies for why certain analytical approaches sometimes are unsuitable in providing reliable 10
The politics of education and the misrecognition of Wales

Abstract This paper examines the positioning of the Welsh education system within contemporary policy debate and analysis. It begins by outlining some of the ways in which education policy and provision in Wales differs from that of its neighbour, England, and then goes on to critique how these differences have been represented in both the media and by members of the educational research community. Indeed, the paper argues that these representations constitute a form of misrecognition. It is tempting to counter this misrecognition with assertions of the superiority of the ‘Welsh way’—and certainly pronouncements of a ‘crisis’ in Welsh education appear to be as much politically-driven as evidence-based. However, such an approach would underplay the very real challenges that face Wales—challenges which are both like and unlike those facing England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The paper concludes that we need a serious engagement with national divergences across the four nations of the UK—as well as elsewhere. The case of Wales highlights the need to undertake not only comparative analysis but also relational analysis if we are to enhance our understanding of the changing politics of education.
Collaborative, school-based professional development settings for teachers: Implementation and links to improving the quality of classroom practice and student learning

This study examined how cognitive and motivational factors jointly contributed to science achievement, engagement, and choice of science-related majors and careers in a sample of 491 high school students. Students completed cognitive and motivational measures in three different sessions: (a) a survey of motivational processes, including competence beliefs, task values, and behavioral engagement in the science classroom; (b) assessments of fluid, crystallized, and spatial abilities; and (c) a science achievement test. Results of regression analyses showed that the inclusion of motivational variables enhanced the predictive validity for science achievement. General ability was the strongest predictor of achievement outcomes, whereas motivational variables were the strongest predictors of engagement and choice. General ability had a direct effect on achievement and an indirect effect through the mediation of competence beliefs. Competence beliefs and task values had direct effects on achievement and indirect effects through the mediation of engagement. The study highlights the differential predictive validity of cognitive and motivational factors for different types of outcome and corroborates the mediational pathways linking self-system processes, action, and outcomes.
Hardware Implementation of Continued Logarithm Arithmetic

This paper gives details on architecture of an arithmetic unit built on principles of continued logarithms and provides its sample characterization using FPGA technology. Continued logarithms can be used for exact arithmetic, but similarly to other exact/reliable methods they face the instant problem of poor performance. Their naturally binary character, however, gives them a good potential to be realized directly in hardware. We prove feasibility of this approach by constructing a continued logarithm unit and quantifying its possible performance.
Burglary Crime Scene Rationality of a Select Group of Non-Apprehend Burglars

Burglary continues to yield low detection rates, and although the characteristics of how burglaries are committed has been investigated in some detail, less is known about how burglars avoid detection generally and in particular the activities of non-apprehended burglars. To investigate this issue, one can at least in principle investigate the special case of burglars who claim to have avoided apprehension in spite of the fact that they have committed a large number of burglaries over time. The approach taken here was to thematically analyze the interview data from a previous study comparing the crime scene movements of a small group of non-apprehended burglars with experienced but apprehended burglars. The results here from a thematic analysis of that previous study revealed marked differences in the rationales between the experienced, apprehended burglars and the experienced non-apprehended burglars when implementing different crime scene behaviors. A series of techniques and strategies emerges, which appear to aid in avoiding detection around the burglary scene and are summarized with implications discussed.
Egocentric spatial representation in early visionAlexandre

Neurons encoding simple visual features in area V1 such as orientation, direction of motion and color are organized in retinotopic maps. However, recent physiological experiments have shown that the responses of many neurons in V1 and V3a are modulated by the direction of gaze. We have developed a neural network model of the hierarchy of maps in visual cortex to explore the hypothesis that visual features are encoded in egocentric (spatiotopic) coordinates at early stages of visual processing. Most psychophysical studies that have attempted to examine this question have concluded that features are represented in retinal coordinates, but the interpretation of these experiments does not preclude the type of retinospatiotopic representation that is embodied in our model. The model also explains why electrical stimulation experiments in visual cortex cannot distinguish between retinal and retinospatiotopic coordinates in the early stages of visual processing. Psychophysical predictions are made for testing the existence of retinospatiotopic representations.
A DNA encryption technique based on matrix manipulation and secure key generation scheme

Information technology is growing day by day, at the same time security of information is major concern. There are various users and organizations who want to prevent their crucial data from attackers and hackers. Various cryptographic systems are developed in past years. A new field of cryptography is emerging based on DNA computing due to high storage capacity, vast parallelism and exceptional energy efficiency of biological DNA. This field is in initial stage so a lot of research has to be done yet. In this paper we are presenting a DNA encryption technique based on matrix manipulation and secure key generation scheme.
Modeling the influence of short term depression in vesicle release and stochastic calcium channel gating on auditory nerve spontaneous firing statistics

We propose several modifications to an existing computational model of stochastic vesicle release in inner hair cell ribbon synapses, with the aim of producing simulated auditory nerve fiber spiking data that more closely matches empirical data. Specifically, we studied the inter-spike-interval (ISI) distribution, and long and short term ISI correlations in spontaneous spiking in post-synaptic auditory nerve fibers. We introduced short term plasticity to the pre-synaptic release probability, in a manner analogous to standard stochastic models of cortical short term synaptic depression. This modification resulted in a similar distribution of vesicle release intervals to that estimated from empirical data. We also introduced a biophysical stochastic model of calcium channel opening and closing, but showed that this model is insufficient for generating a match with empirically observed spike correlations. However, by combining a phenomenological model of channel noise and our short term depression model, we generated short and long term correlations in auditory nerve spontaneous activity that qualitatively match empirical data.
Treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease by local injection of antibody to TNF-α accounts for a favourable clinical response in selected cases: A pilot study

Objective. Intravenously administered infliximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against tumor necrosis factor-α, has been proven to be efficacious in the treatment of fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease. It has recently been suggested that local injections of infliximab might be beneficial as well. The aim of this study was to assess whether infliximab could play an effective role in the local treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease. Material and methods. Local infliximab injections were administered to 11 patients suffering from Crohn's disease complicated by perianal disease. Eligible subjects included Crohn's disease patients with single or multiple draining fistulas, regardless of status of luminal disease at baseline. Patients, however, were excluded from the study if they had perianal or rectal complications, such as abscesses or proctitis or if they had previously been treated with infliximab. Twenty-milligram doses of infliximab were injected along the fistula tract and around both orifices at baseline and then every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks or until complete cessation of drainage. No further doses were administered to patients who did not respond after three injections. Efficacy was measured in terms of response (a reduction in fistula drainage of 50% or more) and remission (complete cessation of fistula drainage for at least 4 weeks). Time to loss of response and health-related quality of life were also evaluated. Results. Overall, 8/11 patients (72.7%) responded to the therapy and 4/11 (36.4%) reached remission, whereas 3/11 patients (27.2%) showed no response. Response or remission was very much dependent on the location of the fistulas, and time to loss of response was generally longer for patients who reached remission compared to patients in response. Changes in health-related quality of life, as assessed by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), also reflected response or remission, with more marked improvements associated with remission. After a mean 10.5 months’ follow-up (range 7–18 months), 6/11 patients (54.5%) are in response and 4/11 patients (36.4%) are in remission. No adverse events have been observed in this cohort of patients. Conclusions. Local injections of infliximab along the fistula tract seem to be an effective and safe treatment of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease. However, further controlled clinical investigations are warranted.
Complex cystic renal masses: characterization with contrast-enhanced US.

PURPOSE To prospectively compare contrast material-enhanced ultrasonography (US) with computed tomography (CT) in the classification of complex cystic renal masses with the Bosniak system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ethics committee approval and written informed consent were obtained. Forty patients (17 women, 23 men; age range, 31-77 years) with 44 complex cystic renal masses detected with conventional US were prospectively examined by using second-harmonic US with a second-generation contrast agent and multiphasic helical CT. Thirty-six patients had one lesion, and four patients had two lesions. Surgical resection in nine patients and imaging follow-up in 31 patients were used to determine the outcome. RESULTS On contrast-enhanced US images, masses were classified as Bosniak category II (n = 18), IIF (ie, lesions were classified as category II and follow-up was needed) (n = 16), III (n = 7), or IV (n = 3) lesions. On CT images, masses were classified as Bosniak category II (n = 24), IIF (n = 10), III (n = 7), or IV (n = 3) lesions. Interobserver agreement was high (kappa = 0.86, P < .001) for classification with US. Complete concordance between the readers was found for classification with CT. Complete concordance between contrast-enhanced US and CT was observed in the differentiation of surgical and nonsurgical complex cysts. Complete concordance among the three readers in the assessment of vascularity with contrast-enhanced US was found. Interobserver agreement in the evaluation of enhancement on CT images was high (kappa = 0.88, P < .001). Concordance between contrast-enhanced US and CT in the evaluation of vascularization was high (kappa = 0.77, P < .001). CONCLUSION The study data suggest that contrast-enhanced second-harmonic US is appropriate for renal cyst classification with the Bosniak system.