Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incorporating paragraph embeddings and density peaks clustering for spoken document summarization

Representation learning has emerged as a newly active research subject in many machine learning applications because of its excellent performance. As an instantiation, word embedding has been widely used in the natural language processing area. However, as far as we are aware, there are relatively few studies investigating paragraph embedding methods in extractive text or speech summarization. Extractive summarization aims at selecting a set of indicative sentences from a source document to express the most important theme of the document. There is a general consensus that relevance and redundancy are both critical issues for users in a realistic summarization scenario. However, most of the existing methods focus on determining only the relevance degree between sentences and a given document, while the redundancy degree is calculated by a post-processing step. Based on these observations, three contributions are proposed in this paper. First, we comprehensively compare the word and paragraph embedding methods for spoken document summarization. Next, we propose a novel summarization framework which can take both relevance and redundancy information into account simultaneously. Consequently, a set of representative sentences can be automatically selected through a one-pass process. Third, we further plug in paragraph embedding methods into the proposed framework to enhance the summarization performance. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed methods, compared to existing state-of-the-art methods.
Training sequence aided multichannel identification in the presence of interference and noise

In wireless communications, spatial (via antenna arrays) and temporal (excess bandwidth) diversity may be exploited to simultaneously equalize a user of interest while canceling or reducing (cochannel) interfering users (CCI). This can be done using the interference canceling matched filter (ICMF) which we introduced previously. The ICMF depends on the channel for the user of interest, to be estimated with a training sequence, and contains a blind interference cancellation part. The simulations show that significant improvements may result from the exploitation of the prior knowledge of the transmission pulse shape.
An Experimental Study and Nonlinear Modeling of Discharge I–V  Behavior of Valve-Regulated Lead–Acid Batteries

Valve-regulated lead-acid battery continues to be studied in some cost-sensitive applications, such as microhybrid electric vehicle and scooters. A dynamic battery I -V model is needed for system design, simulation, and real-time control purposes. Battery discharging behavior is one of the most important parts of the model. By reviewing previous studies, the authors find that there is a contradiction between the linear and nonlinear I-V behaviors, and this serves as a motivation for the current experimental study. Through regression analysis of experimental data, the nonlinear behavior is verified and a nonlinear dynamic Thevenin model is developed. The model is validated by voltage response tests with multistep current profiles as model input. The calculated voltage response results from the model fit the test results well.
Auditor Reputation, Auditor Independence, and the Stock-Market Impact of Andersen's Indictment on Its Client Firms*

In this paper, we study a broad sample of Andersen clients and investigate whether the decline in Andersen's reputation, due to its criminal indictment on March 14, 2002, adversely impacted the market's perception of its audit quality. Because these reputational concerns are more of an issue if an auditor's independence is impaired, we investigate the relationship between the abnormal market returns for Andersen clients around the indictment announcement and several fee-based measures of auditor independence. Our results suggest that when news about Andersen's indictment was released, the market reacted negatively to Andersen clients. More importantly, the indictment period abnormal return is significantly more negative when the market perceived the auditor's independence to be threatened. We also examine the abnormal returns when firms announce the dismissal of Andersen as an auditor. Consistent with the audit quality explanation, we document that when firms quickly dismissed Andersen, the announcement returns are significantly higher when firms switched to a Big 4 auditor than when they either switch to non-Big 4 auditors or do not announce the identity of the replacement auditor. Our empirical results support the notion that auditor reputation and independence have a material impact on perceived audit quality and the credibility of audited financial statements and that the market prices this.
The Dilemma Facing Strategic Choice of Entry Mode

While a large body of research has dealt with firm’s choice of ownership mode when entering a foreign market, little attention has been paid to the ex-post performance after initial entry. This article combines the transactional cost economics, Dunning’s OLI paradigm as well as the institutional view as an integrative framework to examine the relationship of firm’s foreign market entry mode choice and performance outcomes. We suggest propositions for empirical study and also consider research implications in relation to these theoretical perspectives as an explanation for firm’s internationalization.
Corporate risk management and firm value: evidence from the UK market

The paper evaluates the effect of corporate risk management activities on firm value, using a sample of large UK non-financial firms. Following recent changes in financial reporting standards, we are able to collect detailed information on risk management activities from audited financial reports. This enables us to gain a better understanding of risk management practices and to investigate value implications of different types of hedging. Overall 86.88% of the firms in the sample use derivatives to manage at least one type of price risk. The hedging premium is statistically and economically significant for foreign currency derivative users, while we provide weak evidence that interest rate hedging increases firm value. The extent of hedging and the hedging horizon have an impact on the hedging premium, whereas operational risk management activities do not significantly influence the market value of the firm.
Activity measurment for elderly population using smart phone: Criterion validity in daily life

The accelerometers implanted into smart phones can be used as a self monitoring device for daily physical activity in elderly population. The study goal is to validate the smart phone-based activity monitoring application in adults aged below and above 65 years old. Ten young adults (mean of 33, SD 13.7) and ten elderly (mean 76, SD 5.5) were asked to monitor their daily physical activity with a smart phone and an ActiGraph GT3X for 7 consecutive days. Each minute of activity for both devices was classified as one of four different levels: sedentary, light, moderate and high. Minutes count from each activity level between both devices was compared using spearman correlations for each group of adults separately. Analysis of Pearson's correlation and paired t-tests between both devices was applied for separately for two groups. Spearman correlations in adults aged below 65 years varied between . 62 and . 89 and correlations in adults aged above 65 years varied between . 73 and . 98. Pearson's correlations between the two devices for minutes spent in every activity level per day and per participant were found high ranged . 79–. 98. Paired t-tests showed an underestimation for the count of minutes spent in sedentary activity level in elderly and adults participants detected from the smart phone with 6.45% and 6.78% respectively.
Sensitivities and Specificities of Spoligotyping and Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit-Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Typing Methods for Studying Molecular Epidemiology of Tuberculosis

ABSTRACT The development of PCR-based genotyping modalities (spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem repeat [MIRU-VNTR] typing) offers promise for real-time molecular epidemiological studies of tuberculosis (TB). However, the utility of these methods depends on their capacity to appropriately classify isolates. To determine the operating parameters of spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR typing, we have compared results generated by these newer tests to the standard typing method, IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism, in analyses restricted to high-copy-number IS6110 isolates. Sensitivities of the newer tests were estimated as the percentages of isolates with identical IS6110 fingerprints that had identical spoligotypes and MIRU-VNTR types. The specificities of these tests were estimated as the percentages of isolates with unique IS6110 fingerprints that had unique spoligotypes and MIRU-VNTR types. The sensitivity of MIRU-VNTR typing was 52% (95% confidence interval [CI], 31 to 72%), and the sensitivity of spoligotyping was 83% (95% CI, 63 to 95%). The specificity of MIRU-VNTR typing was 56% (95% CI, 51 to 62%), and the specificity of spoligotyping was 40% (95% CI, 35 to 46%). The proportion of isolates estimated to be due to recent transmission was 4% by identical IS6110 patterns, 19% by near-identical IS6110 patterns, 33% by MIRU-VNTR typing, and 53% by spoligotyping. The low calculated specificities of spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR typing led to misclassification of cases, inflated estimates of TB transmission, and low positive predictive values, suggesting that these techniques have unsuitable operating parameters for population-based molecular epidemiology studies.
Rejection of the intestinal parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis by mast cell-deficient W/Wv anemic mice

The ability of W/Wv anemic mice to accumulate mucosal mast cells and to reject the intestinal parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis was examined. W/Wv mice did not accumulate mucosal mast cells in response to infections with N. brasiliensis. They eliminated a primary infection more slowly than did their normal littermate controls but were as refractory as controls to second and third infections. W/Wv mice had higher serum titers of worm-specific immunoglobulin E than did controls. These results indicate that mucosal mast cells are not an absolute requirement for N. brasiliensis rejection.
Expenditure-Based Segmentation of a Mountain Destination Tourist Market

ABSTRACT Although tourism is one of the most dynamic economic activities worldwide, few studies have been conducted on the potential role of market segmentation based on visitors' expenditure level at the destination in order to define strategies for maximizing the economic benefits of tourism for local destinations. This study extends the research undertaken in this area by identifying different clusters of visitors, in a Portuguese mountain destination, according to the level and patterns of visitors' expenditure during the visit. Four distinct segments were identified and show statistically significant differences regarding their economic relevance for the destination, sociodemographic profile, and trip behavior. This study contributes to the discussion of analytical marketing tools available in the context of destination planning, aiming at the definition of strategies that may maximize the economic contribution of tourism for local economic development.
Fuzzy Modeling and Fuzzy Control

preparation of statements that are fair, clear, and helpful to courts; and responding to questions by judges and juries. ” The author does a good job of meeting these goals through discussions on how to quantify DNA evidence for presentation in court or preparing legal statements. This book will be helpful to statisticians and others with technical backgrounds, who might be called on as expert witnesses in deciding what kind of information is considered a valid evidence and what should be presented. For example, in Chapter 8, the author mentions that an expert witness needs sufficient information to answer two questions for a jury: (1) How likely is the evidence if the defendant s is guilty? and (2) how likely is the evidence if s is innocent and i is the true culprit? The author discusses different ways to answer these questions. Although the writing in this book is fairly nontechnical, some mathematical theory behind the results is presented, but not for courtroom statements. It is given for forensic scientists to provide insight into the reasoning behind results. The concept of p-value is very difficult to understand for those unfamiliar with statistical terminology. The author presents this concept in plain English in very easy-to-understand language without actually mentioning the term “pvalue. ” Although the concepts of hypotheses testing are used in discussions from the beginning, it is introduced formally only at the end of Chapter 8, where the standard definition of p-value also is given. Similarly, the discussions include descriptions of the concepts of conditional probabilities and two types of error rates, which also are not easy to understand for members of a jury. The errors of logic, referred to as the prosecutor’s fallacy and the defendant’s fallacy, are described using simple examples. An interesting discussion also shows how a lower level of language comprehension by jurors can lead to confusion about differences in P(A|B) and P(B|A). There is more emphasis on evaluating evidence using likelihood ratios and the Bayes theorem. In today’s world of expanding use of scientific methods to resolve conflicts by the judicial system and recent increases in use of DNA profiling as evidence, there is a need for more literature that describes these concepts in simple language. This book is a good example of how statistics can be explained in plain English to a nontechnical audience, a skill that every statistician needs to master for improved communication.
The Effect of Adverse Supply Shocks on Monetary Policy and Output

The aim of the present research is to use a model economy built for Brazil, based on an optimizing dynamic general equilibrium model, in order to perform numerical simulations to derive the ability of the artificial economy to explain the impact of monetary policy interventions on short run economic performance in terms of the inflation rate, output gap, interest rate and level of economic activity in the face of an adverse supply shock. Alternative specification of monetary reaction functions are introduced into the model economy in order to perform a sensitivity analysis of derived impulse responses to those interventions facing the negative productivity shock. The preliminary results suggest that the introduction of habit persistence into the consumption hypothesis does not make much difference. However the introduction of different monetary reaction functions does alter the impulse response of output, inflation rate, and nominal interest rate. A common result is the decline in potential output for all models. Additionally, the only case where a reduction in the output gap is observed is when using the Taylor rule that takes into consideration the output gap and past interest rates with high persistence.
Genetic and biochemical characterization of the thymidine kinase gene from herpesvirus of turkeys

The thymidine kinase gene encoded by herpesvirus of turkeys has been identified and characterized. A viral mutant (ATR0) resistant to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylthymine was isolated. This mutant was also resistant to 1-(2-fluoro-2-deoxy-beta-D-arabinofuronosyl)-5-methyluracil and was unable to incorporate [125I]deoxycytidine into DNA. The mutant phenotype was rescued by a cloned region of the turkey herpesvirus genome whose DNA sequence was found to contain an open reading frame similar to that for known thymidine kinases from other viruses. When expressed in Escherichia coli, this open reading frame complemented a thymidine kinase-deficient strain and resulted in thymidine kinase activity in extracts assayed in vitro.
Measuring Investment Performance in a Rational Expectations Equilibrium Model

Much research has been concerned with evaluating the performance of managed portfolios (e.g., mutual funds) and examining whether portfolio managers display, in some sense, "superior performance. " Superior performance would seemingly turn on the possession of superior information that is utilized in managing portfolios. In general, a fund's asset holdings (or portfolio weights) might not be observable to an outsider. Whether they are or not, however, they are likely to change over time. This happens especially when better performance is a result of superior information, since managers will change their portfolio composition on obtaining private information. Since such changes must be taken into account, the problem of measuring performance of managed portfolios is inherently different from that of evaluating the performance of individual assets, groups of assets, or, generally, portfolios with constant and known composition.
The idiosyncratic dynamics of party system nationalization in Russia

This article uses data from the 1993–2011 national legislative elections in Russia in order to systematically measure and explain the dynamics of party system nationalization. The analysis registers a salient discrepancy between the extremely low levels of territorial homogeneity of the vote in the single-member plurality section of Russia's electoral system (1993–2003), on the one hand, and very high levels of party nationalization in party-list contests, on the other. This discrepancy, facilitated by such factors as the legacies of regime transition, federalism, and presidentialism, was reinforced by the integration of gubernatorial political machines into the nationwide political order, which ultimately resulted in unprecedentedly high levels of party nationalization in the 2007–2011 elections. The findings challenge a conventional theory that equates the formation of national electorates to the progressive process of party system consolidation, suggesting that under certain conditions, related but not reducible to the authoritarian perversion of the structure of electoral incentives, there is no such linear relationship.
Explaining the cross-section of UK expected stock returns

Abstract We examine the cross-section of expected returns for UK equities. For the period 1973–1992, we test for a relationship between expected returns and market value, book-to-market equity, leverage, earnings–price ratio, and beta. In simple regressions, we find average returns significantly positively related to β, book-to-market equity and market leverage, and significantly negatively related to market value and book leverage. However, when we include either market value or any accounting based variables along with β, the latter becomes insignificant. Either book-to-market equity or leverage variables also cause market value to become insignificant. We conclude that either book leverage and market leverage or book-to-market equity are the only consistently significant variables for average returns. However, the explanatory power of any combination of variables for average returns is low. We provide a complete analysis of the relation of average return to beta and market value for the period 1960–1992. This analysis confirms the results on β and market value for the shorter period.
A statistical approach to predict flight delay using gradient boosted decision tree

Supervised machine learning algorithms have been used extensively in different domains of machine learning like pattern recognition, data mining and machine translation. Similarly, there has been several attempts to apply the various supervised or unsupervised machine learning algorithms to the analysis of air traffic data. However, no attempts have been made to apply Gradient Boosted Decision Tree, one of the famous machine learning tools to analyse those air traffic data. This paper investigates the effectiveness of this successful paradigm in the air traffic delay prediction tasks. By combining this regression model based on the machine learning paradigm, an accurate and sturdy prediction model has been built which enables an elaborated analysis of the patterns in air traffic delays. Gradient Boosted Decision Tree has shown a great accuracy in modeling sequential data. With the help of this model, day-to-day sequences of the departure and arrival flight delays of an individual airport can be predicted efficiently. In this paper, the model has been implemented on the Passenger Flight on-time Performance data taken from U.S. Department of Transportation to predict the arrival and departure delays in flights. It shows better accuracy as compared to other methods.
Presence of a Cytoplasmic Retention Sequence within the Human Interleukin-1α Precursor

Abstract Interleukin (IL)-1α is primarily translated as a 33 kDa molecule (IL-1α1–271), and then processed into a 17 kDa molecule (IL-1α119–271) by calpain. The precursor region of IL-1α (IL-1α1–118) contains a nuclear localization signal (KVLKKRRL, residues 79–86). We investigated the intracellular localization IL-1α fused with green fluorescent protein or β-galactosidase. IL-1α1–118 was localized exclusively in nucleus, but IL-1α1–271 in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, suggesting the presence of a cytoplasmic retention signal within the mature region of IL-1α. Furthermore, the intracellular localization of IL-1α with deletions from the C terminus, internal deletions and point mutations suggested that the cytoplasmic retention signal is located within residues 168–201.
Capital utilization and retirement

This empirical analysis assesses the determinants of firms’ capital retirement. Particular attention is paid to the impact of the business cycle and the capital usage intensity. Compared to previous studies, we directly control for the capital utilization and disentangle the short-run mechanisms from the long-run ones. The analysis is carried out with an original and large firm-level dataset. The main results of the analysis may be summarized as follows: (i) the retirement rate increases during slowdowns and decreases during booms. This corresponds to a countercyclical capital retirement; (ii) the capital retirement rate increases with the capital usage intensity in the long run. This corresponds to a wear and tear effect, which is small compared to the countercyclical one; (iii) the capital retirement rate increases with the average age of capital; (iv) the profit rate and the wage cost per capita do not have a significant impact on the retirement rate.
Economic sustainability of ground mounted photovoltaic systems: an Italian case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the expected cost of a large-sized photovoltaic (PV) system (= 1 MW) in reaching grid parity, not taking into account any type of government incentives (now quite uncommon in industrialized countries). A PV system located in Southern Italy will be the subject of this assessment. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents the case of a 1 MW ground-mounted PV system. The data regarding solar radiation on the surface of the modules and the relative solar diagrams were simulated and reported using PVSYST® 5.21 software. To evaluate the profitability and solvency of the project, a number of factors were taken into consideration: profitability indicators of net present value and internal rate of return, the debt service coverage indicators of debt service cover ratio and loan life cover ratio and their mean annual values (annual debt service cover ratio and annual loan life cover ratio, respectively). A sensitivity analysis with respect to the most critic.