Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INVESTIGATION OF PRIMORDIAL BLACK HOLE BURSTS USING INTERPLANETARY NETWORK GAMMA-RAY BURSTS

The detection of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) in the solar neighborhood would have very important implications for GRB phenomenology. The leading theories for cosmological GRBs would not be able to explain such events. The final bursts of evaporating primordial black holes (PBHs), however, would be a natural explanation for local GRBs. We present a novel technique that can constrain the distance to GRBs using detections from widely separated, non-imaging spacecraft. This method can determine the actual distance to the burst if it is local. We applied this method to constrain distances to a sample of 36 short-duration GRBs detected by the Interplanetary Network (IPN) that show observational properties that are expected from PBH evaporations. These bursts have minimum possible distances in the 1013–1018 cm (7–105 au) range, which are consistent with the expected PBH energetics and with a possible origin in the solar neighborhood, although none of the bursts can be unambiguously demonstrated to be local. Assuming that these bursts are real PBH events, we estimate lower limits on the PBH burst evaporation rate in the solar neighborhood.
School children's backpacks, back pain and back pathologies

Objective To investigate whether backpack weight is associated with back pain and back pathology in school children. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Schools in Northern Galicia, Spain. Patients All children aged 12–17. Interventions Backpack weight along with body mass index, age and gender. Main outcome measures Back pain and back pathology. Results 1403 school children were analysed. Of these, 61.4% had backpacks exceeding 10% of their body weight. Those carrying the heaviest backpacks had a 50% higher risk of back pain (OR 1.50 CI 95% 1.06 to 2.12) and a 42% higher risk of back pathology, although this last result was not statistically significant (OR 1.42 CI 95% 0.86 to 2.32). Girls presented a higher risk of back pain compared with boys. Conclusions Carrying backpacks increases the risk of back pain and possibly the risk of back pathology. The prevalence of school children carrying heavy backpacks is extremely high. Preventive and educational activities should be implemented in this age group.
The Effect of the Error Announcement Risk on the Demand for Voluntary Interim Auditor Reviews

This study investigates the effect of the error announcement risk on the demand for voluntary interim auditor reviews. Material changes in the German legal environment in 2007 introduced an enforcement system for semi-annual financial reports. The demand for voluntary semi-annual reviews increased significantly from 0.8% in 2006 to 14.6% in 2007 and increased further to 19.5% until 2010 for a sample of 1,278 firm-year observations. This study addresses the question whether the enforcement structure and the resulting error announcement risk exposure have an influence on voluntary external monitoring. After controlling for agency costs, the corporate governance structure, and selected review cost factors, results of a logistic regression analysis show a positive influence of error announcement risk on the likelihood of engaging an external auditor to review the semi-annual interim report. The findings contribute to the literature by demonstrating that the quality of the enforcement system and the risk of error findings influence the review decision of the board of directors positively.
Human Action Recognition: Learning Sparse Basis Units from Trajectory Subspace

ABSTRACT Human action recognition from image sequences is a challenging issue in the computer vision society. Each action can be decomposed into a few intrinsic parts that concisely model the action based on the architecture of the visual cortex. To recognize human actions, we model a video as a sequence of visual words in which every change in the human pose corresponds to a “word. ” This step is followed by sparse coding feature learning with the aim of transforming low-level descriptors of visual words into richer representations of intermediate complexity, called mid-level features, similar to what happens in the primary visual cortex (area V1). In the next stage, due to extracted temporal information, a concise and informative topic from phrase trajectories is introduced that takes into account the advantages of an effective locality-constrained linear coding (LLC) algorithm. The goal of this coding method is to represent input vectors as approximate linear combinations of a small number of “basis vectors,” which are described as high-level features, utilizing the locality constraints to project each descriptor into its local-coordinate system. Recognizing an action leads to matching these active basis sequences within the larger video sequence. Although it is common to represent each video as a histogram of visual words, this type of representation discards the temporal information inherent to actions. To maintain the temporal order of actions in sequence, the hidden Markov model (HMM) is utilized. The main contribution of this study is to elicit mid- and high-level features in conjunction with incorporating the temporal ordering constraints between the basis units in a real-time manner. We evaluate our methodology on the KTH, Weismann, and UCF-sports human action datasets. Experimental results demonstrate that the feature learning in spatial and temporal domains can improve the final action recognition in terms of speed, accuracy, and interpretability compared to the state-of-art methods.
Comparison of Energy Storage System Technologies and Configurations in a Wind Farm

Wind power fluctuations have adverse impacts on power quality, such as local voltage and system frequency. Integrating an energy storage system (ESS) in a wind farm reduces wind power fluctuations. Various ESS technologies and configurations are viable for this application. This paper examines aggregated and distributed connection topologies of the ESS technologies within the wind farm. The power ratings of the ESSs and their power electronic interfaces are estimated. The abilities of the aggregated and distributed ESSs to improve local voltage and reduce system frequency deviations are evaluated and compared. Simulation results show that the two ESS configurations have effective and similar performance to suppress wind power fluctuations, and thus to improve the power quality. Compared to its distributed counterpart, the aggregated ESS could have a lower power rating due to smoothing effect in a wind farm, but a higher converter VA rating due to the switch count.
Perceived Risk and Risk-Relievers in Online Travel Purchase Intentions

Although the Internet offers numerous benefits, some consumers are still reluctant to purchase travel products online due to perceived risk. Travel products are associated with higher risk not only because of their tangibility, but also because they typically involve higher cost and complex choices. Additionally, the perceived risk of purchasing travel products online is magnified by privacy and risk involved. This study investigates perceived risk associated with online travel purchasing by Taiwanese consumers with a special focus on their reaction to risk-relievers provided on travel websites. Data were collected through participant observation of the searching/ purchasing process of online travel products by the Taiwanese consumers. The results show some risk-relievers are considered to be more effective in reducing perceived risk related to online travel purchase. Based on this finding, it is suggested that travel websites should try and develop risk-relievers aimed at supporting consumers in the prepurchase phase in order to reduce perceived risk, which may lead to positive online travel purchasing intentions.
Closure Operators and Lattices Derived from Concurrency in Posets and Occurrence Nets

Partially ordered sets (posets), and among them occurrence nets, are a natural formal tool for studying concurrent processes. In a poset, the concurrency relation between elements is explicit. Starting from this relation, and applying standard techniques of lattice theory, one can build a complete lattice whose elements are subsets of the given poset. We study structural properties of such closed subsets, and of the lattice they form. In particular, we show that, if a poset is N-dense, then the lattice of closed subsets is orthomodular. A characterization of K-density, valid for posets, is given on the basis of a relation between lines, or chains, and closed sets. In the case of occurrence nets, we give a characterization of the closed subsets, and define the related notion of “causally closed subset”; a constructive characterization of such subsets is given, which justifies their interpretation as causally closed subprocesses of the occurrence net. We show that, for K-dense occurrence nets, closed subsets and causally closed subsets coincide. By using causally closed subsets, we give another characterization of K-density, related to the algebraicity of the lattice of closed sets.
Corporate Governance of LBOs: The Role of Boards

This paper examines board composition and CEO turnover when a public company is taken private by a private equity group in an LBO, using a new data set of all public to private transactions in the UK between 1998 and 2003. We find that when a company goes private, the board size is reduced and outside directors are replaced by LBO sponsors. LBO sponsors' presence on the board is higher for more complex and challenging transactions, suggesting intensive involvement of private equity when its supervision is needed. We also find that the presence of LBO sponsors on the board decreases CEO turnover and its sensitivity to performance, but increases operating performance. This suggests that effective monitoring of private equity reduces the reliance on short-term performance and allows for a longer term horizon for CEOs. It also calls into question the traditional view of CEO turnover as a sign of an effective board.
Consumer perception of fresh meat quality: a framework for analysis

A model for analysis of consumer behaviour towards food is developed. This model is intended to bridge the gap between the objective quality approach pursued in food sciences, the product characteristics approach, and the subjectively perceived quality approach, the product attribute approach as pursued in the consumer behaviour literature. The focus is on the information processing by the consumer. Information on the product quality is supplied to the consumer in the form of cues received while shopping or consuming. A distinction is made between extrinsic and intrinsic cues, and between search‐, experience‐, and credence‐quality attributes. Within the credence attributes, three categories are distinguished: food safety, health, and all other credence quality attributes. It is demonstrated that public policy should use minimum standards for regulating food safety, information and consumer education on health issues and definitional standards to regulate the other credence qualities. In the case of search quality, no public intervention is needed. In the case of experience quality, reputation is a means of reducing the quality erosion inherent for experience quality attributes. In the case of those foods which are not sold prepacked over the counter, these means are restricted. Here the public regulators could consider backing up the private quality policy efforts on labelling by implementing traceability schemes and defining the requirements for specific label claims.
Impact of market entrant characteristics on incumbent reactions to market entry

This paper attempts to examine the likelihood of incumbent firms taking defensive actions given certain market entrant characteristics. Using conjoint analysis, four market entrant characteristics, market entrant company size, price of market entrant's product, innovativeness of market entrant's product, and market entrant's reputation as a competitor were presented to marketing executives in nine simulated cases. The marketing executives were asked to indicate their likelihood of taking defensive actions before and after new competition enters a market. The relative weights associated with the four market entrant characteristics indicate that market entrant's price is the most important factor in influencing incumbent firms to take competitive actions followed by company size, market entrant's reputation as a competitor, and innovativeness of market entrant's product in both before and after market entry conditions.
Changes in Ocular Monochromatic Higher-Order Aberrations in the Aging Eye

Purpose To characterize corneal, internal, and total ocular monochromatic higher-order aberration (MHOA) changes that occur in the aging eye. Methods Prospective observational case series including 300 eyes of 167 patients (mean age = 63.8 years) attending the ophthalmology service at University Hospital Ayr, Scotland. Corneal, internal, and total ocular aberrations were measured over a 6-mm dilated pupil. Zernike coefficients were obtained to the sixth order. Changes in MHOA between age groups and inter-eye correlations between right and left eyes were analyzed. Results A significant inter-eye correlation was found for refractive mean spherical equivalent and cylinder. A significant inter-eye correlation for the whole eye, corneal, and internal MHOA was found (p < 0.001). Right eye analysis found a significant positive correlation between age and the root mean square of whole eye MHOA (p = 0.012), with an increase from 0.517 &mgr;m in the fifth decade to 0.824 &mgr;m in the ninth. Total internal MHOA increased from 0.411 to 0.704 &mgr;m. A significant positive correlation was found between age and internal fourth- (p = 0.007), fifth- (p = 0.029), and sixth-order (p = 0.025) root mean square aberrations. There were no significant age-related changes in corneal MHOA or corneal spherical aberration. Overall mean (SD) corneal SA was 0.203 (0.082) &mgr;m. Conclusions A strong correlation between the right and left eyes exists for MHOA. Whole eye MHOA increases with age. Such changes can be attributed to age-related changes in the internal optical quality of the eye. Such normative data are useful to the cataract surgeon when considering the use of an aspherical IOL to counteract corneal-induced SA during cataract surgery.
Characterization of a novel phosphorylation site in the sodium–chloride cotransporter, NCC

• The sodium–chloride cotransporter, NCC, is essential for renal electrolyte balance and its function can be regulated by protein phosphorylation • Here we report the role and regulation of a novel phosphorylation site in NCC at Ser124 • Ser124 phosphorylation plays a role in mediating full NCC transport activity, but does not seem to be involved in NCC trafficking • Various physiological stimuli such as vasopressin and aldosterone regulate the abundance of the Ser124 phosphorylation status and other phosphorylation sites in NCC • Unlike other known phosphorylation sites in NCC, the STE20/SPS1‐related proline–alanine‐rich kinase and oxidative stress‐response kinases (SPAK and OSR1) were not able to phosphorylate NCC at Ser124 • The results demonstrate that phosphorylation of NCC is a major factor in determining the function of NCC under various physiological conditions
Are Multichannel Customers Really more Valuable? The Moderating Role of Product Category Characteristics

How does the monetary value of customer purchases vary by customer preference for purchase channels (e.g., traditional, electronic, multichannel) and product category? The authors develop a conceptual model and hypotheses on the moderating effects of two key product category characteristics—the utilitarian versus hedonic nature of the product category and perceived risk—on the channel preference–monetary value relationship. They test the hypotheses on a unique large-scale, empirically generalizable data set in the retailing context. Contrary to conventional wisdom that all multichannel customers are more valuable than single-channel customers, the results show that multichannel customers are the most valuable segment only for hedonic product categories. The findings reveal that traditional channel customers of low-risk categories provide higher monetary value than other customers. Moreover, for utilitarian product categories perceived as high (low) risk, web-only (catalog- or store-only) shoppers constitute the most valuable segment. The findings offer managers guidelines for targeting and migrating different types of customers for different product categories through different channels.
Industrial mail surveys: techniques for inducing response

A literature review of techniques for raising response rates to industrial mail surveys identified six tried and tested methods. Experimental evidence shows considerable support for a prior telephone call, pre‐paid monetary incentives, non‐monetary gifts (such as a pen), using stamps on return envelopes, granting anonymity to respondents and following up the initial mailing with a second covering letter and questionnaire. Gives indications of the likely rise in response rates. By examining the available evidence, users of industrial mail surveys can decide more confidently on their research strategy.
A Nanocomposite-Based Stretchable Deformation Sensor Matrix for a Soft-Bodied Swallowing Robot

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and calibration of a stretchable deformation sensor matrix based on carbon nanotube filled Ecoflex composite. The sensor is used to measure the conduit surface deformation of a soft-bodied swallowing robot. The sensor matrix contains four strips, and 12 sensor pads for each strip. It is made first in a flat sheet, then rolled into a cylindrical shape, and finally embodied in the conduit of the swallowing robot. Each pad of the sensor matrix is tested at room temperature with the pressure range of 0-58 kPa applied to inflate the chambers of the conduit body. The sensor pads are tested up to 450% strain at maximum. The results show that the sensor has an average resistance variation of 120%/kPa in the deformation measurement, the relationship between the resistance and strain is linear, within the working range the gauge factor is 2.2 of the linearity of R2=0.9677$ and the resolution of the deformation measurement is 0.1 mm. Further experiments are carried out after the sensor matrix is embodied into the swallowing robot. The initial result suggests that the multi-walled nanotubes Ecoflex surface deformation sensor is reliable and able to deliver required sensing.
Self-Es: The Role of Emails-to-Self in Personal Information Management

Email has been central to online communication for the past two decades. Through constant use, new information flows are being defined around users' interactions with emails. Alongside traditional messages, the email inbox is an always-available repository of to-do lists, reminders, files and notes. In this paper, we investigate the use of self-addressed emails (self-Es) as an information management tool, by analysing both: (i) responses to a survey about email use; and (ii) a collection of user donated self-addressed emails. Our results show that sending self-Es is a frequent behaviour among the users we questioned. In addition, we find that to-dos and reminders are the most popular type of information contained in emails-to-self. Our findings have direct implications for the development of systems that support novel interactions with information flows centred around email.
Role of Foreign Direct Investment in Knowledge Spillovers: Firm-Level Evidence from Korean Firms' Patent and Patent Citations

This study investigates firm-level evidence that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through multinational corporations plays a significant role, particularly in knowledge diffusion from U.S. firms to Korean firms. By using micro-level data for Korean firms’ U.S. patents and their citations, I explore the patterns of knowledge diffusion from U.S. firms to Korean firms, and identify the role of FDI in enhancing knowledge spillovers between two countries. I find evidence that Korean firms with FDI obtain more knowledge spillovers from U.S. than do Korean firms without FDI. The results provide an answer to the question of whether FDI enhances technology transfer and thus contributes to recent sustainable growth in Korean economy.
Concentration-controlled treatment of lupus nephritis with mycophenolate mofetil

Background: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has recently been established as a potent drug in maintenance treatment for lupus nephritis. However, there is no consensus on the optimal dosing regimen because of a high inter-individual variability of mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active metabolite of MMF. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effect of an individualized dosing regimen through concentration-controlled treatment on MPA exposure and renal outcome in patients with lupus nephritis. Methods: Sixteen patients with lupus nephritis and treatment with low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide followed by MMF were included. MPA area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 hours (MPA-AUC0–12) was assessed within a month after MMF initiation. After determination of MPA-AUC0–12, MMF doses were titrated to achieve a target MPA-AUC0–12 of 60–90 mg*h/l. After on average six months, MPA-AUC0–12 measures were repeated to assess the effect of dose adjustment. Results: One month after introducing MMF, MPA-AUC0–12 was low and showed a high inter-individual variability. Dose adjustment with a target MPA-AUC0–12 of 60–90 mg*h/l resulted in individualized MMF dosing, significantly higher MPA-AUC0–12 levels, and a non-significant reduction in variability of MPA-AUC0–12. Adverse effects were reported by 37.5% of patients, which resulted in a switch to azathioprine in two patients. There was no significant relationship between the occurrence of adverse effects and MPA-AUC0–12. At 12 months of follow-up 87.5% of patients had achieved either partial (18.7%) or complete (68.8%) remission. Conclusion: Concentration-controlled dose adjustments with a target MPA-AUC0–12 of 60–90 mg*h/l was associated with optimized MPA exposure and an excellent renal outcome at 12 months of follow-up in a small sample of SLE patients with lupus nephritis.