Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
M ar 2 00 2 C *-Algebras of Irreversible Dynamical Systems

We show that certain C*-algebras which have been studied among others by Arzumanian, Vershik, Deaconu, and Renault in connection to a measure preserving transformation of a measure space and/or to a covering map of a compact space are special cases of the endomorphism crossed-product construction recently introduced by the first named author. As a consequence these algebras are given presentations in terms of generators and relations. These results come as a consequence of a general Theorem on faithfulness of representations which are covariant with respect to certain circle actions. For the case of topologically free covering maps we prove a stronger result on faithfulness of representations which needs no covariance. We also give a necessary and sufficient condition for simplicity.
Effect of the Mandibular Orthopedic Repositioning Appliance on Trunk and Upper Limb Muscle Activation during Maximum Isometric Contraction

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to measure the muscle activities of the trunk muscles and upper limb muscles during maximum isometric contraction when temporomandibular joint alignment was achieved with a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance in order provide basic data on the effects of mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance on the entire body. [Subjects] The present study was conducted with healthy Korean adults in their 20s (males=10, females=10). [Methods] An 8 channel surface electromyography system was used to measure the muscle activities of the upper limb muscles and neck muscles of the subjects during maximum isometric contraction with and without use of a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance. [Results] The maximum isometric contractions of the trunk and upper limb muscles when mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance were used were compared with those when no mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance was used. The results showed that the sternocleidomastoid muscle, cervical and lumbar erector spinae, upper trapezius, biceps, triceps, rectus abdominis and internal oblique and external oblique muscles all showed significant increases in maximum isometric contractions with a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance. [Conclusion] The use of a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance is considered to be a method for normal adults to improve the stability of the entire body with the improvement of the stability of the TMJ. The proximal improvement in stability improves of the proximal thereby improving not only muscle strength with increased muscle activation but also stability during exercises.
Dietary patterns and the risk of esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND The role of dietary habits on esophageal cancer risk has been rarely considered in terms of dietary patterns. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed data from an Italian case-control study, including 304 cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and 743 hospital controls. Dietary habits were evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. A posteriori dietary patterns were identified through principal component factor analysis performed on 28 selected nutrients. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained from multiple logistic regression models applied on quartiles of factor scores, adjusting for potential confounding variables. RESULTS We identified five major dietary patterns, named 'animal products and related components', 'vitamins and fiber', 'starch-rich', 'other polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D', and 'other fats'. The 'animal products and related components' pattern was positively related to esophageal cancer (OR = 1.64, 95% CI:1.06-2.55, for the highest versus the lowest quartile of factor scores category). The 'vitamins and fiber' (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.32-0.78) and the 'other polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D' (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.31-0.74) were inversely related to esophageal cancer. No significant association was observed for the other patterns. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that a diet rich in foods from animal origin and poor in foods containing vitamins and fiber increase esophageal cancer risk.
Island life in the Cretaceous - faunal composition, biogeography, evolution, and extinction of land-living vertebrates on the Late Cretaceous European archipelago

Abstract The Late Cretaceous was a time of tremendous global change, as the final stages of the Age of Dinosaurs were shaped by climate and sea level fluctuations and witness to marked paleogeographic and faunal changes, before the end-Cretaceous bolide impact. The terrestrial fossil record of Late Cretaceous Europe is becoming increasingly better understood, based largely on intensive fieldwork over the past two decades, promising new insights into latest Cretaceous faunal evolution. We review the terrestrial Late Cretaceous record from Europe and discuss its importance for understanding the paleogeography, ecology, evolution, and extinction of land-dwelling vertebrates. We review the major Late Cretaceous faunas from Austria, Hungary, France, Spain, Portugal, and Romania, as well as more fragmentary records from elsewhere in Europe. We discuss the paleogeographic background and history of assembly of these faunas, and argue that they are comprised of an endemic ‘core’ supplemented with various immigration waves. These faunas lived on an island archipelago, and we describe how this insular setting led to ecological peculiarities such as low diversity, a preponderance of primitive taxa, and marked changes in morphology (particularly body size dwarfing). We conclude by discussing the importance of the European record in understanding the end-Cretaceous extinction and show that there is no clear evidence that dinosaurs or other groups were undergoing long-term declines in Europe prior to the bolide impact.
An Integrated Perspective on IT Project Alignment in Highly Dynamic Environments - A Multi-Level Analysis

During recent years, IT alignment research has gained considerable attention in both academia and practice. However, so far most studies focus on the strategic-to-strategic IT alignment dimension, thus omitting an integration of the strategic-to-tactical IT alignment dimension. By drawing upon assimilation and institutional theory, our research model depicts a perspective on IT project alignment that integrates both the internal strategic-to-tactical IT alignment and the external IT alignment dimension. The derived hypotheses were tested based on 189 responses from IT decision makers of U.S. financial services providers. The results from partial least squares analyses suggest the importance of internal as well as external IT alignment for IT project success. Moreover, the role of tactical middle management for the alignment to external dynamics seems to be underestimated in prior studies. Our results contribute to IT alignment theory by integrating a multi-level perspective emphasizing the complementary roles of strategic and tactical management levels.
Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae in Chickens in Sudan

The current study described the isolation and molecular detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) and Mycoplasma synoviae from tracheal swabs of diseased birds showing signs of respiratory distress in selected commercial (layer and broiler) farms and from yolk and an open air of pens of vaccinated breeder flocks in Sudan. A number of 45 Mycoplasma isolates were recovered from chickens in Khartoum, Gezira, and Equatoria states in Sudan. Of these, eight Mg and three Ms isolates were identified using growth inhibition and rapid serum agglutination (RSA) tests. The conventional PCR technique was applied to amplify 140 bp and 720 bp DNA fragments for the Mg and Ms, respectively. This research confirmed vertical and horizontal transmission of Mg from breeder farms through detection of Mg in yolk of fertile eggs and an air of pens despite previous vaccination. PCR is considered a rapid, sensitive, and cheap method and it will improve the diagnosis of Mycoplasma in chickens.
Multiresonant Frequency-Locked Loop for Grid Synchronization of Power Converters Under Distorted Grid Conditions

This paper presents a new multiresonant frequency-adaptive synchronization method for grid-connected power converters that allows estimating not only the positive- and negative-sequence components of the power signal at the fundamental frequency but also other sequence components at other harmonic frequencies. The proposed system is called MSOGI-FLL since it is based on both a harmonic decoupling network consisting of multiple second-order generalized integrators (MSOGIs) and a frequency-locked loop (FLL), which makes the system frequency adaptive. In this paper, the MSOGI-FLL is analyzed for single- and three-phase applications, deducing some key expressions regarding its stability and tuning. Moreover, the performance of the MSOGI-FLL is evaluated by both simulations and experiments to show its capability for detecting different harmonic components in a highly polluted grid scenario.
The scope for progressive tax reform in the OECD countries

The trend of increasing inequality in the distribution of income and wealth in most developed countries has led to calls for corrective tax increases for the rich and wealthy. Such calls are often confronted with the claim that higher taxes on top personal incomes, corporate income and wealth are detrimental to growth and employment and/or will foster tax avoidance. This paper argues that even the dominating theoretical framework leaves substantial leeway for redistributive taxation. Furthermore, from a Keynesian macroeconomic perspective redistribution may even be systematically conducive to growth and employment. At the same time a change towards such a policy of redistribution may for some economies, particularly the German one, well be the prerequisite for compliance with the European Fiscal Compact if an increase of the macroeconomic imbalances that have come to be seen as a root cause of the global financial and economic crisis 2008/2009 and also the euro crisis by many observers is to be avoided. Therefore, besides attempts at international tax coordination and harmonisation, national tax policies should actively use their room of manœuvre for progressive taxation to correct the disparities in the income distribution and at the same time to increase the fiscal space.
Dynamic autofocusing region selection based on improved PSO

Autofocusing region selection is an important module in autofocusing system, which directly influences the accuracy of focusing evaluation. For the traditional region-selection algorithms, such as central window and Gaussian non-uniformed sampling, exist some limitations, an algorithm based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is proposed; for the standard particle swarm optimization is easy lost in local optimum, the parameters of PSO are improved in this paper. The results show that foreground image with edge information can be selected accurately, no matter it is in the center area or not. So the region is dynamic and adaptive. Further more, the real-time and antinoise performance of evaluation curve is improved.
Rules versus Discretion in Loan Rate Setting

We propose a heteroscedastic regression model to identify the determinants of the dispersion in interest rates on loans granted to small and medium sized enterprises. We interpret unexplained deviations as evidence of the banks’ discretionary use of market power in the loan rate setting process. “Discretion” in the loan-pricing process is most important, we find, if: (i) loans are small and uncollateralized; (ii) firms are small, risky and difficult to monitor; (iii) firms’ owners are older, and, (iv) the banking market where the firm operates is large and highly concentrated. We also find that the weight of “discretion” in loan rates of small credits to opaque firms has decreased somewhat over the last fifteen years, consistent with the proliferation of information-technologies in the banking industry. Overall, our results reflect the relevance in the credit market of the costs firms face in searching information and switching lenders.
Gene and whole genome analyses reveal that the mycobacterial strain JS623 is not a member of the species M ycobacterium smegmatis

Unexpected differences were found between the genome of strain JS623, used in bioremediation studies, and the genome of strain mc2155, a model organism for investigating basic biology of mycobacteria. Both strains are currently assigned in the databases to the species Mycobacterium smegmatis and, consequently, the environmental isolate JS623 is increasingly included as a representative of that species in comparative genome‐based approaches aiming at identifying distinctive traits of the different members of the genus Mycobacterium. We applied traditional molecular taxonomic procedures – inference of single and concatenated gene trees – to re‐evaluate the membership of both strains to the same species, adopting the latest accepted cut‐off values for species delimitation. Additionally, modern whole genome‐based in silico methods where performed in a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of JS623 and other members of the genus Mycobacterium. These analyses showed that all relevant genome parameters of JS623 clearly separate this strain from M. smegmatis. The strain JS623 should be corrected as Mycobacterium sp. not only in the literature but, even more importantly, in the database entries, as inclusion of the genome wrongly attributed to the M. smegmatis species in comparative studies will result in misleading conclusions.
The 1.4-GHz and Hα luminosity functions and star formation rates from faint radio galaxies

A sample of over 1000 objects selected from a 1.4 GHz survey made by the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) is used to study the properties of the faint radio source population. The sample, covering an area of ≈ 3 deg 2 , is 50% complete to 0.2 mJy. Over 50% of the radio sources are found to have optical counterparts brighter then R ≈ 21.5. Spectroscopic observations of 249 optically identified radio sources have been made, using the 2-degree Field (2dF) facility at the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). Redshifts and � �
Deep Coevolutionary Network: Embedding User and Item Features for Recommendation

Recommender systems often use latent features to explain the behaviors of users and capture the properties of items. As users interact with different items over time, user and item features can influence each other, evolve and co-evolve over time. The compatibility of user and item's feature further influence the future interaction between users and items. Recently, point process based models have been proposed in the literature aiming to capture the temporally evolving nature of these latent features. However, these models often make strong parametric assumptions about the evolution process of the user and item latent features, which may not reflect the reality, and has limited power in expressing the complex and nonlinear dynamics underlying these processes. To address these limitations, we propose a novel deep coevolutionary network model (DeepCoevolve), for learning user and item features based on their interaction graph. DeepCoevolve use recurrent neural network (RNN) over evolving networks to define the intensity function in point processes, which allows the model to capture complex mutual influence between users and items, and the feature evolution over time. We also develop an efficient procedure for training the model parameters, and show that the learned models lead to significant improvements in recommendation and activity prediction compared to previous state-of-the-arts parametric models.
Diving Deeper into IM 2 GPS

Predicting the location an image was taken at is a long standing research problem in computer vision. Given the recent successes with using deep learning techniques, we present a series of approaches towards image geo-location using a variety of deep learning techniques. This report describes our implementation and experimental set-up of training the GoogLeNet and AlexNet architectures on a sample sub-section of the im2gps dataset. Our results achieve competitive performances as compared to the current state of the art. Thus, our major contribution for this report is a methedological bridge between the existing frameworks fro image geo-location. Keywords—computer vision, classification, location, deep learning.
German Human Resource Management Professionals under Tensions: A Bourdieusian Approach

In line with the current discussion on Human Resource Management (HRM) professionals, we claim that HRM professionals are confronted with a critical challenge: they have to master the tensions between HRM as a profession on the one hand and the needs of maintaining power within their organization on the other. In this paper we explore whether HRM professionals perceive tensions stemming from changes in their professional role, their organizational roles and their position, where these tensions come from, and which strategies are used to cope with them in their daily practice. We build our theoretical frame on Bourdieu's Theory of Practice and conceptualize HRM professionals as actively contesting both their own as well as their groups' interests without losing sight of structural influences. Moreover, this theoretical framing allows us to assume that professional positions in organizations are inherently based on contradictions and tensions and so highlights these facets of HRM professional practice as well as focusing attention on coping strategies. Our empirical study is based on 21 interviews with German HRM professionals from large enterprises. The results show three main sources of tensions HRM professionals perceive within their organizations. These tensions stem from what we refer to as their various “sandwich” positions, from scarce resources, and from conflicts with line management. Our results show that these tensions are handled by HRM professionals as they dispose of suitable habitus aspects and professional capital. We identify four strategies that HRM professionals deploy when dealing with the tensions: the strategic consultant strategy, the active HRM service provider strategy, the HRM controller strategy and the qualification strategy. All of these strategies enable HRM professionals to maintain or even broaden the power position of HRM within their organization.
Distributed and relative nature of professional expertise

This exploratory study investigates the distributed nature and complexity of professional expertise by examining the patterns of cognitive processes in novices and experts who are using ultrasound technology to make diagnoses. The study aims to identify and provide an explanation for such patterns in light of the recent debate on the locus of control underpinning human cognition. A distributed model of professional expertise based on the relationships between the four elements of socio-cultural disposition, tools and artefacts, strategies, and domain knowledge, is used to discuss the results. The findings illustrate the complexity of professional expertise, particularly when individuals depend on sophisticated tools to assist their thinking and reasoning.
Embedded gambling promotion in Australian football broadcasts: an exploratory study

Governments, researchers and the public have raised concerns about extensive gambling promotions during televised sport, particularly in Australia. This study aims to quantify gambling promotions during selected football broadcasts and conduct a content and semiotic analysis of their components. Analysis reveals that gambling promotions constituted 2.5% of observed broadcast time. Embedded gambling promotions included logos, sponsored segments, displayed betting odds and extended betting commentary. Extensive plot placement potentially optimises promotions' effectiveness, while their personal relevance, empathy, information and congruence align well with young male target audiences for football and sports betting. Implications for public health and sport management are noted.
Efficient Malicious Code Detection Using N-Gram Analysis and SVM

-- As the use of the internet increases, the distribution of web based malicious code has also vastly increased. By inputting malicious code that can attack vulnerabilities, it enables one to perform various illegal acts, such as SQL Injection and Cross Site Scripting (XSS). Furthermore, an extensive amount of computer, network and human resources are consumed to prevent it. As a result much research is being done to prevent and detecting malicious code. Currently, research is being done on readable sentences which do not use proper grammar. This type of malicious code cannot be classified by previous vocabulary analysis or document classification methods. This paper proposes an approach that results in an effective n-gram feature extraction from malicious code for classifying executable as malicious or benign with the use of Support Vector Machines (SVM) as the machine learning classifier.
1 Hedging Volatility Risk

Volatility derivatives are becoming increasingly popular as means for hedging unexpected changes in volatility. Although pricing volatility derivatives demands extreme care in modeling the underlying volatility process, not much attention has been devoted to the complete specification of the autonomous process that volatility follows in continuous time. Despite the fact that jumps are widely considered as a salient feature of volatility, their implications for pricing and hedging volatility options and futures are not yet fully understood. This thesis addresses two principal issues: a) modeling volatility, and b) hedging volatility risk. With respect to the modeling of volatility, the thesis assesses the ability of the most commonly used processes (diffusion and jump -diffusion) to capture the dynamics of implied volatility. The assessment of these processes is performed both analytically and empirically using data from the implied volatility index VIX for a period of 15 years. The empirical analysis produces new evidence concerning stationarity, long-memory, nonnormality and jump behavior. Furthermore, the empirical fit of diffusion processes can be significantly improved by the addition of jumps. If jumps are conditioned on the level of the index, model performance is further enhanced. With respect to hedging volatility risk, the thesis assesses the hedging effectiveness of volatility derivatives. The comparative evaluation attests that the most “naïve” volatility option pricing model can be reliably used for pricing and hedging purposes. Finally, the thesis develops new closed-form models for pricing volatility futures and European volatility options, when the underlying volatility index displays mean reversion and jumps. The results from these new models demonstrate that incorrectly omitting jumps may cause severe problems to both pricing and hedging.
Preliminary Injunctive Relief: Theory and Evidence from Patent Litigation

This paper examines the suggestion that established plaintiffs request preliminary injunctions to engage in predation against less financially healthy firms. We first present a model in which differences in litigation costs drive the use of preliminary injunctions in civil litigation. The hypothesis is tested using a sample of 252 patent suits, which allows us to characterize the litigating parties while controlling for the nature of the dispute. The evidence is consistent with the predation hypothesis. We then explore various implications of the model and the impact of policy reforms.