Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Adaptive Time-Delay Control Scheme for Cable-Driven Manipulators

This paper proposes a new adaptive time-delay control (ATDC) scheme for cable-driven manipulators. The proposed ATDC scheme contains three elements, i.e., time-delay estimation (TDE), injected dynamics, and adaptive laws. The TDE utilizes intentionally time-delayed signals to estimate the unknown system dynamics and brings a fascinating model-free nature. The injected dynamics employ a fractional-order nonsingular terminal sliding mode (FONTSM) manifold and a fast-TSM-type reaching law, thus it can ensure fast dynamical response and high tracking accuracy in both sliding mode and reaching phases. The adaptive laws are utilized to obtain good robustness and effective suppression of the chatters simultaneously. Moreover, the continuous and chatter-free adaptive gains are used to enhance the control performance under time-varying disturbances. The tracking error is proved to be uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) using Lyapunov approach. Finally, the superiorities of the proposed ATDC scheme are demonstrated by three experiments using a cable-driven manipulator.
Imperfect Competition, Compensating Differentials and Rent Sharing in the U.S. Labor Market

We quantify the importance of imperfect competition in the US labor market by estimating the size of labor market rents earned by American firms and workers. We construct a matched employer-employee panel dataset by combining the universe of US business and worker tax records for the period 2001–2015. Using this panel data, we identify and estimate an equilibrium model of the labor market with two-sided heterogeneity where workers view firms as imperfect substitutes because of heterogeneous preferences over nonwage job characteristics. The model allows us to draw inference about imperfect competition, worker sorting, compensating differentials, and rent sharing. (JEL D24, H24, H25, J22, J24, J31, J42)
The Kyrgyz horse: enactments and agencies in and beyond a tourism context

ABSTRACT The horse has a strong cultural and historical importance in Kyrgyzstan. With a mountainous topography, the rural areas of this Central Asian country are best accessed by horse. Among all the tourism experiences Kyrgyzstan can offer, horse trekking has become one of the most popular. The article discusses horse–human relations in post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan. The article will show how the Kyrgyz horse is enacted in multiple discourses and practices related to tourism, some of which converge, while others are in conflict. The article is supported by a political ecology approach, holding that nature is socially and politically constructed, as well as ANT/post-humanism approaches to tourism studies, which bring attention to non-human agency. We find that the multiple enactments of the Kyrgyz horse, the brand, the battle horse, the breed, the beshbarmak, and the best friend, derive from the horse’s multiple agencies, which give the horse its important position in Kyrgyz culture and society. However, the branding of the Kyrgyz horse as a ‘unique’ selling point in tourism development fails to acknowledge the complex human-animal relation by down-playing horse husbandry practices that are in conflict with tourism.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ONLINE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BETWEEN CERTIFIED AND NON-CERTIFIED TOURISM SMEs

Purpose –The number of tourism choices is growing exponentially and quality is one of the most important sources of competitive advantage for a destination, playing a critical role in attracting both new and repeat arrivals. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between implemented quality certification and online customer satisfaction. Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) initiate quality certifications to regulate the market and help customers make their purchase decisions. However, it is still unclear if there is a link between the certificates awarded to an enterprise and the satisfaction of its customers. Small and medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs) are used as a case study, applying distinctive focus compared to prior studies concentrating on large hotels. Methodology – An empirical analysis is carried out comparing 66 quality certified SMTEs with 169 non-certified SMTEs using secondary data derived from various online platforms. Findings – Quality certification is an effective tool to achieve customer satisfaction as the findings indicate that quality certified SMTEs receive higher online scores and increase the number of online reviews after implementing the certification. Contribution – This study contributes to the limited literature on quality management in tourism sector investigating the connection between quality certification and online customer satisfaction. The results from this research are presentable as guidelines for destination managers to advance quality certification offered for SMTEs. In a market situation where digital technology is rapidly changing the business environment for tourism sector.
The Effects of Positive and Negative Emotions During Online Shopping Episodes on Consumer Satisfaction, Repurchase Intention, and Recommendation Intention

The aim of this study is to examine the emotions that consumers experience during their online shopping episodes as well as their effects on consumer satisfaction and two types of post-purchase behavioural intentions: repurchase and recommendation intentions. By hypothesising a research model and testing it with the data from 1,786 Finnish online shoppers, which was collected in co-operation with 18 Finnish online stores between September 2018 and December 2018 and is analysed by using structural equation modelling (SEM), the study makes several interesting findings. First, we find positive emotions to have stronger effects in comparison to negative emotions. Second, we also find that whereas the effects of negative emotions on repurchase and recommendation intentions are completely mediated by satisfaction, positive emotions affect them not only indirectly via satisfaction but also directly. Finally, we discuss the implications of these findings for the Turku managers of online stores.
Public Debt, High Inflation and Economic Depression: A Survival Analysis Approach

This dissertation investigates the association between public debt, high inflation and economics depression by using the survival analysis approach. In the first chapter, I use non-parametric survival analysis to check the association between high debt episodes and high inflation episodes. Both the Kaplan-Meier estimate and the Nelson-Aelon analysis indicate that the existence of an overlapping high inflation episode is correlated with longer duration of high debt episodes. The reverse is also true: the existence of a high debt episode overlap is associated with longer duration of high inflation episodes. Whether or not the country is a member of the OECD does not matter for the survival experience. In the second chapter, I use the Cox PH model, the exponential model and the Weibull model to analyze the survival experience of high debt episodes and high inflation episodes. I first consider the duration of high debt episodes (HDEs). Across all specifications, HDE duration depends on two variables: (1) the existence of an overlap with a high inflation episode; (2) the growth rate of GDP. These effects are not independent. At high GDP growth, an HIF overlap is associated with a shorter HDE. At low GDP growth, however, an HIF overlap is associated with a longer HDE. I also examine the duration of HIFs, using HDE overlap and GDP growth as regressors. Interestingly, the results are mixed and there is no evidence of interaction between HDE overlap and GDP growth. Debt of the public sector has been associated with low, or even negative, growth. This position is most closely associated with Reinhart and Rogoff (2010). In the third chapter, we analyze the duration of economic crises, in the form of depressions, to see
The effect of Fenofibrate and Antioxidant Vitamins [D, E and C] in Treatment of Uncomplicated Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia.

Introduction: Jaundice is the most common condition that requires medical attention and hospital readmission in newborns. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oral use of fenofibrate, vitamin- D and other antioxidant vitamins (E and C) in treatment of full-term neonates with indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Patient and Methods: This is a prospective case control study carried on 80 full-term neonates suffering from unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia from January 2015 to May 2016. These neonates were randomly allocated into four groups. Group A; received only phototherapy as controls, group B received single oral dose of fenofibrate suspension in a dose 10 mg/kg beside phototherapy, group C received phototherapy and daily dose of vitamin D (400 IU/24h) and group D received phototherapy , daily dose of vitamin E (4 mg/day) and daily dose of vitamin C(40 mg/day). Results: The mean duration of stay at hospital of fenofibrate group was 2.6±0.7 days shorter than the mean duration of stay at hospital of control group which was 5.05±0.9 days (P value = 0.001*). Vitamin D group shows mean duration of stay at hospital 2.9±0.8 days shorter than that of control group which was 5.05±0.9 days ( P value =0.001*). The mean duration of stay at hospital of vitamin E & C group was 4.7±0.9 days, while mean duration of stay at hospital of control group was 5.05±0.9 days with no statistically significant difference (P value = 0.06). Conclusions: In conclusion, addition of single oral dose of fenofibrate in jaundiced baby receiving phototherapy in the first 24hours of treatment can significantly reduce the serum bilirubin levels in term newborns and duration of phototherapy.
Maturity of lean practices in Brazilian manufacturing companies

Using the instrument proposed by Bento and Tontini 2018. Developing an instrument to measure lean manufacturing maturity and its relationship with operational performance. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, (in press)], the present paper examines lean maturity in the Brazilian manufacturing industry, verifying the relationship between lean maturity and the size of the company. The instrument evaluates companies’ maturity on 38 lean practices, divided into eight dimensions. The perceptions of professionals from 90 manufacturing companies are used to examine lean maturity levels, according to five degrees of maturity, ranging from ‘1 – Not implemented or implemented informally. ’ to ‘5 – Implemented, controlled, and continuously improving. ’ In general, application of lean practices is non-existent or informal in the surveyed companies. Problem-Solving and Supplier Integration are the dimensions with the lowest level of maturity. On the other hand, Customer Focus presents the highest maturity of the research, ranging between 4 and 5, where the practices can already be considered implemented, showing sustainable results. There was no statistically significant difference between small and medium companies. However, there is a statistically significant difference between small and large and medium and large industries. The use of this instrument in different segments of industry can help to demonstrate that it is reliable for practical application. It also can be used for benchmarking purposes. The paper contributes to the expansion of scientific studies of lean manufacturing and maturity of Brazilian organisations. Moreover, the study of differences between small, medium and large companies can help managers to understand which tools to prioritise when adopting lean, according to each company size.
The birth and development of the Italian automotive industry (1894–2015) and the Turin car cluster

This paper describes the early genesis and later evolution of the Italian automotive industry employing the traditional agglomeration approach combined with Klepper’s spinoff theory. It highlights the key role played by the Turin car cluster from the late 19th century. We provide the first comprehensive database of Italian automobile companies from 1894 until 2015, based on original archival research. We use historical analysis and econometric models to identify the factors contributing to the creation and success of the automotive industry in Turin. More specifically, we investigate agglomeration economies and the part played by spinoffs and institutional factors with a special emphasis on the role of local education. Our model confirms the existence of a spinoff effect and, especially, the positive effect of inherited technical skills embedded in pilots. We find support for positive agglomeration effects at the regional level, technological complementarities with aeronautics, a metropolitan cluster effect, and importance of local education. Basic and technical education seem to be particularly important initial institutional preconditions for further technical learning and scientific advancement and would make an interesting research topic.
Modeling Stock Price Volatility: Empirical Evidence from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange in Vietnam

The paper aims to measure stock price volatility on Ho Chi Minh stock exchange (HSX). We apply symmetric models (GARCH, GARCH-M) and asymmetry (EGARCH and TGARCH) to measure stock price volatility on HSX. We used time series data including the daily closed price of VN-Index during 1/03/2001–1/03/2019 with 4375 observations. The results show that GARCH (1,1) and EGARCH (1,1) models are the most suitable models to measure both symmetry and asymmetry volatility level of VN-Index. The study also provides evidence for the existence of asymmetric effects (leverage) through the parameters of TGARCH model (1,1), showing that positive shocks have a significant effect on the conditional variance (volatility). This result implies that the volatility of stock returns has a big impact on future market movements under the impact of shocks, while asymmetric volatility increase market risk, thus increase the attractiveness of the stock market. The research results are useful reference information to help investors in forecasting the expected profit rate of the HSX, and also the risks along with market fluctuations in order to take appropriate adjust to the portfolios. From this study’s results, we can see risk prediction models such as GARCH can be better used in risk forecasting especially.
Examinatıon of the Resilience Levels of Women and Men Do Sport in Gyms

Abstract The aim of this study is to examine the resilience levels of women and men do sports in gyms. In line with this purpose, it was aimed to compare the resilience levels of men and women do sports in gyms by gender, age, educational status and occupational status variables. A total of 432 members, 229 women and 203 men, participated to th e study voluntarily. The short resilience scale used in the study was developed by Smith et al. (2008) and adapted into Turkish by Dogan (2015). Variance and homogeneity of data were tested by using descriptive statistics in capturing of data. In the case of pairwise comparisons, independent sample t test, One-way Anova test in multiple comparisons and Tukey HSD test in determination of source of variance were used Cronbach's Alpha value for this study was set to 78. While there was no statistical significance observed in the resilience mean values of the members depending on the age, education and profession factors, it was found to be the average value of men members was statistically higher than women members (Table 1, p <0.05). As a conclusion; the reason why men members have more positive resilience values compared to women members can be explained to be eventuated due to socio-cultural structure, social roles and statuses, and social understanding and privilege given to men. Key words: Resilience, Women, Sports, Men
Artificial intelligence in Internet of things

Functioning of the Internet is persistently transforming from the Internet of computers (IoC) to the ‘Internet of things (IoT)’. Furthermore, massively interconnected systems, also known as cyber-physical systems (CPSs), are emerging from the assimilation of many facets like infrastructure, embedded devices, smart objects, humans, and physical environments. What the authors are heading to is a huge ‘Internet of Everything in a Smart Cyber Physical Earth’. IoT and CPS conjugated with ‘data science’ may emerge as the next ‘smart revolution’. The concern that arises then is to handle the huge data generated with the much weaker existing computation power. The research in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) has been striving to give an answer to this problem. Thus, IoT with AI can become a huge breakthrough. This is not just about saving money, smart things, reducing human effort, or any trending hype. This is much more than that – easing human life. There are, however, some serious issues like the security concerns and ethical issues which will go on plaguing IoT. The big picture is not how fascinating IoT with AI seems, but how the common people perceive it – a boon, a burden, or a threat.
Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Situation in Nepal: A Review

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia. Nepal has made its considerable efforts to improve the water supply and sanitation (WASH) situation in the country by formulating and enforcing a number of WASH policies, guidelines and acts for the last two decades. But WASH situation of Nepal has not been well documented so far. Aim of this article is to describe the situation of water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Nepal by analyzing secondary data and information obtained from published and unpublished literature. About 97 of the total population have access to basics anitation facilities and 87 percent access to basic water supply facility. Sanitation coverage is95 percent in six Provinces and below 90 percent in Province no. 2 of Nepal. The momentum of sanitation coverage was accelerated immediately after internalization and implementation of the Sanitation and Hygiene Master Plan in 2011 and Nepal reaches at close to the elimination of open defecation. The gap between rich and poor in accessing to and using toilet facility has been narrowing down due to the nationwide sanitation campaigns. But there is disparity in accessing and using piped water between rich and poor. Only 25 percent of water supply systems are well functioning and 68 percent can supply water to water taps throughout year. One-fourth of the existing toilet facility across the country are poorly constructed that needs to be upgraded. The government should make consolidated and integrated efforts to reduce existing inequity in the WASH sector and enhance the sustainability of water supply and sanitation services.
A National Public Sphere? Analyzing the Language, Location, and Form of Newspapers in Finland, 1771–1917

This article uses metadata from serial publications as a means of modelling the historical development of the public sphere. Given that a great deal of historical knowledge is generated through narratives relying on anecdotal evidence, any attempt to rely on newspapers for modeling the past challenges customary approaches in political and cultural history. The focus in this article is on Finland, but our approach is also scalable to other regions. During the period 1771–1917 newspapers developed as a mass medium in the Grand Duchy of Finland within two imperial configurations (Sweden until 1809 and Russia in 1809–1917), and in the two main languages – Swedish and Finnish. Finland is an ideal starting point for conducting comparative studies in that its bilingual profile already includes two linguistically separated public spheres that nonetheless were heavily connected. Our particular interest here is in newspaper metadata, which we use to trace the expansion of public discourse in Finland by statistical means. We coordinate information on publication places, language, number of issues, number of words, newspaper size, and publishers, which we compare with existing scholarship on newspaper history and censorship, and thereby offer a more robust statistical analysis of newspaper publishing in Finland than has previously been possible. We specifically examine the interplay between the Swedish- and Finnish-language newspapers and show that, whereas the public discussions were inherently bilingual, the technological and journalistic developments advanced at different pace in the two language forums. This analysis challenges the perception of a uniform public sphere in the country. In addition, we assess the development of the press in comparison with the production of books and periodicals, which points toward the specialization of newspapers as a medium in the period after 1860. This confirms some earlier findings about Finnish print production. We then show how this specialization came about through the establishment of forums for local debates that other less localized print media such as magazines and books could not provide.
The Role of Accounting Characteristics in Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions: Do accounting and auditing add value in transactions?

This research focusses on the role of accounting characteristics in cross-border M&A transactions. Specifically, tested is if these characteristics influence the M&A quality. The accounting characteristics investigated in this research are accounting similarity, accounting quality, common auditors and having a big 4 auditor. This study uses data from several different sources, including Zephyr, Orbis, Datastream, the World Values Survey and the CEPII database. The main tests focus on, the direct effect of the accounting characteristic and the interaction effect of the accounting characteristics and cultural differences between countries. Thereby, a separate panel of results is included in order to show difference for private versus public targets. After using multiple proxies for these characteristics, only weak evidence in support of the several hypotheses is found. Even some conflicting results are observed. Additional tests are run to check for different measures of M&A quality and cultural differences. After these additional tests and several robustness checks there still isn’t enough evidence to confirm any of the hypotheses.
Estimating the Impact of Welfare Programs on Agricultural Output: Evidence from India

Rural welfare programs are implemented for a variety of reasons. However, of key importance is to understand how government spending under such programs affects local agricultural output which is a key measure of economic activity in developing economies. This article estimates the local multiplicative effects of transfer spending by the government using a novel data-set of state-level expenditure under rural welfare programs in India. Using government records as narrative evidence, I use the motivation to implement new programs at the national level to construct changes in transfer spending that are largely exogenous to fluctuations in agricultural output at the state level. I estimate local multipliers using this “narrative shock series” and find government transfers to be quite consequential for local economic activity.