Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biases in Valuation vs. Usage of Innovative Product Features

We investigate biases in product valuation and usage decisions that arise when consumers consider a new generation of a product that offers an expanded set of capabilities of uncertain value. Two experiments using a novel computer game show evidence of a : Participants display a high willingness to pay for a new version of the game that offers a new set of controls, but fail to fully exercise the option to use these controls after purchase. This discrepancy is attributed to a fundamental difference in how new capabilities are valued at the time of purchase versus use. Consumer usage decisions appear to be driven by such myopic concerns as a desire to avoid short-term learning costs, whereas purchase decisions often fail to take into account the factors that drive usage, and are further inflated by global optimism in the future usefulness of new capabilities. We show that this lack of foresight can be explained by an intertemporal judgment model in which consumers attempt to value the option to use new capabilities as would be prescribed by economic theory, but are prone to in their temporal valuation of present versus future costs and benefits.
Excess Return Estimate and Risk Factors in Hospitality Firms

iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am indebted to many persons in writing this thesis. First and foremost, I should thank Professor Atul Sheel, my thesis committee chair, for his guidance throughout my studies. His encouragement supplied the power required for me to get through hard times and to move toward the goal. I would also like to thank the members of my committee, Professor Robert H. Wilson and Linda K. Enghagen for their useful suggestions and patience with my progress. There are many other persons who have made my life at UMass Amherst enjoyable. Professor Linda Shea was the warmest and most supportive mentor I have ever met. I also want to thank my friends, They have been beside me in good times and bad times, always giving me great friendship. Thank you all. I dedicate this thesis, my first official academic paper, to my parents, Janaq and Andoneta Lagji. Given the amount of their love, support, encouragement, and expectation, I should write and dedicate more and better papers to them. Calculating the expected return has been a longstanding issue in the finance. There is a positive correlation between the undertaken risk and excess return (or loss) but numerous variables need to be considered. This study builds on the Fama and French formula and adds factors unique to the hospitality industry such as labor cost and diversification in order to get results that are a tailored to the hospitality industry. Active hotel and restaurants companies (SIC 7011 and 5812 respectively) in the 2000-2009 period were analyzed in separate samples. The labor cost improves the explanatory on both samples and the diversification proxy was significant in the hotel sample. Based on the results suggestions for further research were made.
Toward a capability maturity model for the management of outsourcing information services

Research has shown that information technology outsourcing risk and performance are a real concern in client-supplier relationships and for many organizations that have outsourced part or all of their information services, a key issue is that of the maturity level they achieved in their relationship with their suppliers. This paper proposes an adaptation of the Capability Maturity Model, widely used in Software Engineering discipline, to assess outsourcing management maturity levels. Twentyeight managers participated in this study. The findings suggest that the proposed model is an initial attempt towards assessing the maturity level of outsourcing management. Some implications of these findings for both researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Nikotinabhängigkeit als komorbide Störung bei Alkoholabhängigkeit - Epidemiologie, Ätiologie und Therapie

There is a high association between alcohol and nicotine dependence. Compared to one particular dependence, associated nicotine and alcohol dependence are more severe and the course is more unfavourable for each dependence. This also applies to the sequels of dependence regarding physical health and cognitive functions. Possible biological causes for this high comorbidity are 1) an additive rewarding effect by combined consumption, 2) substance interaction with an impact on receptor activation and metabolism which results in reduction of adverse acute alcohol effects, and 3) a combined genetic disposition for both addictions. From a psychological point of view the association of both acts of use is learned. There is no evidence for the commonly presumed fundamental lack of interest, motivation, and ability for smoking cessation in alcohol dependent patients. The outcome of smoking cessation programs, however, is less successful compared to smokers without alcohol problems. Respective studies have used the common therapeutic strategies for nicotine addiction. Specifically adapted strategies for patients with a dual dependence are required.
Deep Abnormality Detection in Video Data

Automated detection of anomalous events plays an important role in video surveillance systems in practice. This task, however, requires to deal with three challenging problems of the lack of annotated training data, the inexact description of what to be "abnormal" and the expensive feature engineering procedure. Most anomaly detection systems are only able to satisfy some of these challenges. In this work, we propose a deep abnormality detection system to handle all of them simultaneously. Deep abnormality detection is a deep generative network that is an unsupervised probabilistic framework to model the normality and learn feature representation automatically. Furthermore, unlike other existing methods, our system can detect abnormality at multiple levels and be used as a powerful tool for video analysis and scene understanding.
PENGARUH INDEPENDENSI, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, DAN KUALITAS AUDIT TERHADAP INTEGRITAS LAPORAN KEUANGAN

Public accountant can increase the quality of audit report for can keep a big trust as user of financial audit report.This research use secondary data counted 81 company samples which enlist at Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) during 2005 to 2008. Data collected with purposive sampling method and test with statistical test of multiple regressions. Result of statistical test indicates that auditor independency variable, governance corporate mechanism, and audit quality showed not significant influence to financial statement integrity. From the fifth variable sub that are used of governance corporate mechanism, only managerial ownership that have an effect significantly to financial statement integrity, while audit committee, independent commissary variable, board of commissioner size, and institutional ownership do not have an effect significantly to financial statement integrit.Audit committee participate can’t effectively to increase financial statement integrity. Independence commissary can’t participate to balance of problem solving. Maybe plan of regulation yet, so can’t built to good corporate governance.In audit quality range 40% entities to buy industry special auditor. So maybe auditor to find and report undeviant behaviour depend on skill of auditor tecknic Keywords: independence, corporate governance, audit quality, financial statement integrity
Penicillin treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis. A comparison of schedules and the role of specific counseling.

Of 300 children with streptococcal pharyngitis, one group received a mixture of penicillin G procaine and penicillin G benzathine; a second was given a prescription for ten days of penicillin phenoxymethyl (parents of this group were given no special instructions); and a third was given identical prescriptions but their parents received specific counseling on the importance of taking the medication. There were 14 treatment failures plus relapse in group 1, 25 in group 2, and 10 in group 3. Compliance in taking penicillin was 58% in group 2 and 80% in group 3, a significant difference. Oral therapy with adequate parental counseling is as efficacious as intramuscular injection.
PENGARUH KINERJA LAYANAN, KEPERCAYAAN DAN KEPUASAN TERHADAP LOYALITAS KONSUMEN DALAM MENGGUNAKAN JASA PENGIRIMAN BARANG (Studi Kasus Di Hira Cargo Cabang Semarang)

Consumer loyalty is very important for companies that maintain business continuity and continuity of business operations. The background to the problem, that the various efforts made by the company are not offset by increased sales. The results of the field survey showed that in the last three years of customer loyalty to the service delivery HIRA Cargo Semarang branch decreased. This study aims to determine and describe the effect of service performance, reliability and customer satisfaction to customer loyalty in using freight forwarder Cargo Branch at Hira Semarang The population used in this study are all consumers who are still actively using the HIRA freight Cargo Branch Semarang until October of 2012 as many as 136 consumers, with a sample size of 58 respondents. Sampling technique in this study using purposive sampling method Accidental. Analysis tool used is multiple linear regression. Prior to regression test, first tested the validity and reliability as well as classical assumptions. The results showed that the positive influence service performance on customer loyalty, can be interpreted that the higher performance of the services provided to consumers who use a freight forwarder, the more it will increase customer loyalty with 2,640 t value> t table 2.0049. The trust has a positive effect on customer loyalty, meaning that if consumer confidence in the Hira Cargo freight Semarang branch is increased, it will result in increased customer loyalty, as evidenced by the t value 5.006> 2.0049. Customer satisfaction has a positive effect on customer loyalty, meaning that the higher the level of consumer satisfaction in using the delivery service will result in increased customer loyalty, with t value 3.039> 2.0049
Clinical features and risk of recurrence among patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE The best treatment modality and factors affecting recurrence among women with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) are yet to be determined. The aims of the current study were to describe the clinical features, results of treatment, and factors affecting recurrence among patients with VAIN. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of 121 women with VAIN after confirming the histologic diagnosis. Patient demographics, clinical features, and results of therapy were recorded. Factors affecting recurrence were assessed using the odds ratio and the 95% confidence intervals among patients who were followed up for 7 months or more and had at least one posttreatment Papanicolaou smear. Significant univariate odds ratios were assessed jointly in a multivariate model with a stratified analysis. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 35.0 (+/-17), 41% of the patients smoked, 39% had a history of human papillomavirus infection, 27% had history of sexually transmitted diseases, 22% had history of surgery for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and 23% had total hysterectomy. The upper third of the vagina was the most common site of VAIN and 61% of the lesions were multifocal. Associated cervical and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) were present in 65 and 10%, respectively. Recurrences of VAIN and progression to invasive vaginal cancer occurred in 33 and 2%, respectively. Recurrences following partial vaginectomy, laser, and 5-fluorouracil were 0, 38, and 59%, respectively (P = 0.0001). Multifocality and method of treatment were significant independent predictors of VAIN recurrences (odds ratio 3.3, 95% CI 1.2, 9.2, P = 0.02, and 22.4, 95% CI 1.3, 393.6, P = 0.001, respectively), with no interaction, based on a stratified analysis. CONCLUSIONS VAIN occurs most often among women with CIN or VIN, commonly involves the upper third of the vagina, and is often multifocal. Partial vaginectomy provides the highest cure rate and multifocality is a risk factor for recurrence.
Sequential Course Integration Strategy For Client-Based Project Success

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) has encouraged linking classroom theory with real-world business practices (Porter and McKibbin, 1988). AACSB stresses that “student learning is the central activity of higher education” (2008: 59). This paper reflects the efforts of two marketing professors to develop a sequential course integration that links classroom theory with real-world practices. This was accomplished using an undergraduate marketing research class to collect primary data. The data was channeled to student teams in an MBA marketing strategy class as part of their situation analyses in the development of marketing plans for a client. This mirrors sound businesses practices followed by industry. Additionally, it provides a model to which students can relate and gives the students an added sense of purpose knowing a client will use their findings.
Parallel Distributed Hybrid Fuzzy GBML Models With Rule Set Migration and Training Data Rotation

We propose a parallel distributed model of a hybrid fuzzy genetics-based machine learning (GBML) algorithm to drastically decrease its computation time. Our hybrid algorithm has a Pittsburgh-style GBML framework where a rule set is coded as an individual. A Michigan-style rule-generation mechanism is used as a kind of local search. Our parallel distributed model is an island model where a population of individuals is divided into multiple islands. Training data are also divided into multiple subsets. The main feature of our model is that a different training data subset is assigned to each island. The assigned training data subsets are periodically rotated over the islands. The best rule set in each island also migrates periodically. We demonstrate through computational experiments that our model decreases the computation time of the hybrid fuzzy GBML algorithm by an order or two of magnitude using seven parallel processors without severely degrading the generalization ability of obtained fuzzy rule-based classifiers. We also examine the effects of the training data rotation and the rule set migration on the search ability of our model.
Self-controlled Study of Onychomycosis Treated with Long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064-nm Laser Combined with Itraconazole

Background:Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate and subungual area. In this study, we examined the efficacy of laser treatment using self-controlled study programs involving a long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser combined with oral medication. Methods:Self-controlled strategies were followed in this study. The patients received treatment with oral itraconazole in conjunction with long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser treatment at the nails of the unilateral limb once a week for a total of four times. A total of 84 affected nails were divided into Group A (mild to moderate) and Group B (severe) according to disease severity. Affected nails with the same Scoring Clinical Index for Onychomycosis scores were selected to compare the therapeutic effects of the pure medication treatment group and the combination treatment group with a 24-week follow-up period. Results:In Group A, at the 8th, 16th, and 24th weeks of follow-up, the efficacies in the pure medication treatment group were 81.0%, 81.0%, and 90.5%, respectively, while those in the combination treatment group were 100%, 95.2%, and 90.5%, respectively. The differences between groups were not significant (8th week: &khgr;2 = 4.421, P > 0.05; 16th week: &khgr;2 = 2.043, P > 0.05; 24th week: &khgr;2 = 0.00, P > 0.05). In Group B, at the 8th, 16th, and 24th weeks of follow-up, the efficacies in the pure medication treatment group were 61.9%, 66.7%, and 52.4%, respectively, while those in the combination treatment group were 95.2%, 90.5%, and 100%, respectively. The differences between groups at the 8th and 24th weeks of follow-up were statistically significant (8th week: &khgr;2 = 6.929, P < 0.05; 24th week: &khgr;2 = 13.125, P < 0.05). Conclusions:For patients with mild or moderate onychomycosis, we recommended a pure medication treatment or combination treatment with medication and laser. For those patients with severe onychomycosis, we recommended a combination of medication and laser therapy.
Where Do Firms Issue Debt? An Empirical Analysis of Issuer Location and Regulatory Competition in Europe

In this article, we study the choice of issuer location and regulatory competition in the European corporate debt market. We find that, in absolute terms, Germany has by far the highest outflow of debt issues, while the Netherlands, the UK, Luxembourg and Ireland see the most inflows (in that order). We use a panel gravity model to investigate country specific factors attracting foreign subsidiaries as issuer. The data clearly support the prediction that the locational choice is positively influenced by a low withholding tax rate. There is also some evidence that corporate tax rates play a role. We do not find support for creditor protection rules in bankruptcy as a driver of cross-border debt securities issues. Hence, countries who wish to attract issuers are well-advised to reduce their withholding tax rates – creditor rights seem not to matter.
Influence of Renal Function on the Pharmacokinetics of Piperacillin/Tazobactam in Intensive Care Unit Patients During Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration

The pharmacokinetics of piperacillin/tazobactam (4 g/0.5 g every 6 or 8 hours, by 20‐minute intravenous infusion) were studied in 14 patients with acute renal failure who underwent continuous venovenous hemofiltration with AN69 membranes. Patients were grouped according to severity (CLCR 10 mL/min, 10 < CLCR 50 mL/min, and CLCR > 50 mL/min). A noncompartmental analysis was performed. The sieving coefficient (0.78 ± 0.28) was similar to the unbound fraction (0.65 ± 0.24) for tazobactam, but it was significantly different (0.34 ± 0.25) from the unbound fraction (0.78 ± 0.14) for piperacillin. Extracorporeal clearance was 37.0% ± 28.8%, 12.7% ± 12.6%, and 2.8% ± 3.2% for piperacillin in each group and 62.5% ± 44.9%, 35.4% ± 17.0%, and 13.1% ± 8.0% for tazobactam. No patients presented tazobactam accumulation. In patients with CLCR < 50 mL/min, tss(%) > MIC90 values were 100% for a panel of 19 pathogens, but in those with CLCR > 50 mL/min, tss(%) > MIC90 indexes were 55.5% and 16.6% for pathogens with MIC90 values of 32 and 64. The extracorporeal clearance of piperacillin/tazobactam is clinically significant in patients with CLCR > 50 mL/min, in which the risk of underdosing and clinical failure is important and extra doses are required.
A new digital watermarking evaluation and benchmarking methodology using an external group of evaluators and multi‐criteria analysis based on ‘large‐scale data’

Digital watermarking evaluation and benchmarking are challenging tasks because of multiple evaluation and conflicting criteria. A few approaches have been presented to implement digital watermarking evaluation and benchmarking frameworks. However, these approaches still possess a number of limitations, such as fixing several attributes on the account of other attributes. Well‐known benchmarking approaches are limited to robust watermarking. Therefore, this paper presents a new methodology for digital watermarking evaluation and benchmarking based on large‐scale data by using external evaluators and a group decision making context. Two experiments are performed. In the first experiment, a noise gate‐based digital watermarking approach is developed, and the scheme for the noise gate digital watermarking approach is enhanced. Sixty audio samples from different audio styles are tested with two algorithms. A total of 120 samples were evaluated according to three different metrics, namely, quality, payload, and complexity, to generate a set of digital watermarking samples. In the second experiment, the situation in which digital watermarking evaluators have different preferences is discussed. Weight measurement with a decision making solution is required to solve this issue. The analytic hierarchy process is used to measure evaluator preference. In the decision making solution, the technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution with different contexts (e.g., individual and group) is utilized. Therefore, selecting the proper context with different aggregation operators to benchmark the results of experiment 1 (i.e., digital watermarking approaches) is recommended. The findings of this research are as follows: (1) group and individual decision making provide the same result in this case study. However, in the case of selection where the priority weights are generated from the evaluators, group decision making is the recommended solution to solve the trade‐off reflected in the benchmarking process for digital watermarking approaches. (2) Internal and external aggregations show that the enhanced watermarking approach demonstrates better performance than the original watermarking approach. © 2016 The Authors. Software: Practice and Experience published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Phenotypic cognitive impairment in late-onset delusional disorder

ABSTRACT Background: Previous use of heterogeneous diagnostic criteria and insensitive cognitive measures has impeded clarification of the extent and type of cognitive impairment specific to late-onset delusional disorder. We examined whether clinical presentations of late-onset delusional disorder are associated with prodromal or established dementia, and whether it might be a discrete clinical syndrome characterized by its own profile of cognitive impairment. Method: Nineteen patients with late-onset delusional disorder from a hospital psychiatric service and 20 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (AD) from an outpatient memory clinic were recruited in a consecutive case series. All patients underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessment that included general intellectual function, executive function, new learning and delayed memory, language, processing speed, and visuo-perceptual skills. Results: Late-onset delusional disorder patients showed moderate impairment to conceptual reasoning, visual object recognition, processing speed, and confrontation naming. Severe impairment appeared in visuo-perceptual planning and organization, and divided attention. Compared with the Alzheimer's disease (AD) group, the late-onset delusional disorder group demonstrated significantly poorer visuo-perceptual skills but a significantly better capacity to consolidate information into delayed memory. Conclusions: A high rate of marked cognitive impairment occurs in late-onset delusional disorder. There was evidence of a conceptual reasoning deficit, plus the presence of a visuo-perceptual impairment affecting object recognition. This impairment profile can explain the genesis and maintenance of the observed delusions. Understanding late-onset delusional disorder as other than a purely psychiatric phenomenon or a precursor to AD will lead to better assessment and management approaches.