Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gaussian Mean Shift Ellipsoidal Clustering-Based R-Tree Indexing For Multidimensional Data Stream Analysis

: Data Stream analysis is a process of extracting the valuable information from the continuous data records. A data stream is an ordered sequence of instances in many applications and it read-only once or a small period of time with lesser computing and storage capabilities. Most of the recent research work aimed to reduce the dimensionality of high dimensional data. Further, the space complexity remained unaddressed in the existing works. In order to overcome these limitations, a Gaussian Mean Shift Hyper-Ellipsoidal clustering-based R-Tree indexing (GMSHEC-RTI) technique is developed for reducing the dimensionality of high-dimensional data with lesser space complexity. In the GMSHEC-RTI technique, the sliding window model is applied for handling the incoming data stream to minimize the clustering time. Then the Gaussian Mean Shift Hyper-Ellipsoidal clustering technique is applied for partitioning the data into different ellipsoidal shape clusters that depends on Mahalanobis distance metric with higher clustering accuracy. Then, the GMSHEC-RTI technique constructs R-tree for indexing and storing the clustered high dimensional data for further processing which results in minimizing the space complexity. Experiment is conducted with different metrics such as clustering accuracy, false-positive rate, time complexity and space complexity with respect to a number of data.
Bridging the Gap? Corruption and Foreign Ownership in Transition Countries

The present paper argues that institutions in host countries as well as differences in institutional quality in home and host countries are important determinants of variation in percentage of foreign ownership in central and eastern European transition countries. Results using a large firm-level panel data-set for 1997-2006 provide support to our central hypotheses. Greater corruption in host countries (in relation to the home country) is associated with lower foreign ownership stakes in the host country; this disincentive effect is higher for high-tech parent firms. This can be attributed to concerns of high-tech foreign firms to preserve their knowledge advantage.
Foreign direct investment, financial development and the 2007-2010 global financial crisis

Little is known about the empirical impact of a well-functioning and sophisticated financial system on outward and inward foreign direct investment (FDI). The purpose of this paper is to fill this void in the existing cross-country literature by using a novel database on bilateral real greenfield manufacturing FDI and two distinct but complementary econometric approaches. We exploit differences in firmor sector-specific dependence on external finance and the occurrence of the 2007-2010 banking crises in developed countries. Our main results are that source countries’ financial development (FD) tends to contribute strongly to the promotion of FDI, especially in sectors typically dependent on external finance, whereas destination countries’ FD matter much less and may, in sectors not typically dependent on external finance, even have a negative impact on FDI. The latter finding is likely due to both the ability of MNEs to use their internal capital markets to finance part or all their activities and the increase in domestic competition which typically comes along with higher FD. Our detailed study of the effects of the 2007-2010 banking crises in developed countries provides additional insights. We find some empirical evidence that firms located in developed countries which did not formally experience a banking crisis also seem to have faced tighter credit conditions during the 2007-2010 global financial crisis than in previous years, hindering their ability to invest abroad. Finally, the negative effects of the global financial crisis on the availability of external finance in developed countries appear to have progressively worsened over the years.
Forecasting Financial Crises in Developing Countries: Revisiting the Roles of External Financing and Exchange Rate Stability

This paper investigates the effects of external financing and exchange rate stability on the likelihood of financial crises (banking, currency and twin) in 67 developing countries between 1972 and 2011. We begin by developing a two-period theoretical model of banking, including two different sources of financing (FDI and external debt). Then, in the empirical investigation, we estimate three prediction logit panel models (fixed-effects, random-effects and populationaveraged) and include several tests to check the robustness of the results. Our main findings are the following: i) foreign direct investment reduces the likelihood of financial crises occurrence but external debt increases it; ii) exchange rate stability within a flexible regime decreases the occurrence of financial crises, whereas exchange rate rigidity increases it. Therefore, developing countries should control the composition of their external financing by favoring FDI over debt and consider an intermediate currency regime rather than extreme exchange rate policies.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty as management for recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction: a comparison study with primary pyeloplasty

Background To analyze the perioperative parameters and outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) for recurrent ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and compare them with our series of RALP for primary UPJO. Secondary pyeloplasty can be a challenging procedure because of ureteral devascularization, fibrosis and dense stricture formation. Robotic approach could be adjunct to these repairs. Methods Between August 2015 to March 2019, 96 patients in our hospital underwent RALP, with 32 patients as secondary intervention for recurrent UPJO. We compared the perioperative parameters of RALP for both primary UPJO and recurrent UPJO. Patient demographics, perioperative parameters, postoperative outcomes and complications from both groups were analyzed and compared. Results RALP was successfully performed for all cases in both groups. The median operating time was longer for secondary RALP than for primary RALP [125 (108.5–155) vs. 151 (120–190) minutes, P=0.004]. There were no conversions to open surgery or significant perioperative complications. No difference in blood loss, transfusion rate and perioperative complication rates was noted between the two groups. The success rates were 98.44% (63/64) and 96.88% (31/32) at a median follow up of 32 and 20 months (P=0.001) for the primary and secondary groups, respectively. Conclusions Secondary RALP is associated with significantly longer operative time as compared to primary RALP, especially during the exposure of the UPJO, however it is a safe surgical modality for recurrent UPJO with durable outcome. RALP should be an alternative treatment modality for recurrent UPJO whenever the facility and expert are available.
Experimental and numerical modeling of fluid-seabed international in shallow water

For the design and the construction of the defence structures against beach erosion, there is a need to predict and to understand the evolution in time of the shape of the sea sandy bed, using di ﬀ erent numerical models and control theories. In the present paper a numerical model based on shallow water equations, which is an application of control theory to the evolution of sandy bed, is used in order to propose a formulation for the wave motion based on ﬂuid and structure coupling, using minimization principles. Furthermore, measurements from a physical experiment are used in order to verify the accuracy of the model. The experiment was carried out in a multi directional wave basin at the SOGREAH (LHF facility, G-INP, France) and provided extensive measurements and detailed analysis of combined hydrodynamics and morphodynamics, suggesting a subtle interplay between several feedback mechanisms associated to wavedriven rip current circulations, wave nonlinearities, sediment transport, and the seabed evolution. Using the numerical model, wave characteristics and depth proﬁles have been calculated and compared to experimental results.
SoME RESULtS on AttEnUAtIon toMoGRAPhy of fRIULI vEnEzIA GIULIA ItALIAn REGIon

Introduction. In the present work we analyze the results achieved by the first attempt to apply 3D S waves attenuation tomography of Gentili and Gentile (2013) on the northernmost part of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Italian region and the westernmost Slovenia zone. The area under study is characterized by a complex tectonic deformation being in a convergent margin between Adria and Eurasia, where the African plate pushes the Eurasian one generating a rotation of the Adria microplate (Mantovani et al., 1996). In detail, the area is a poliphase deformational zone, resulting from the superposition of several Cenozoic-age tectonic phases (Venturini, 1991), with different orientation of the principal axes of stress. Each tectonic phase inherited and re-activated the geological deformations of the previous phase producing a GNGTS 2014 sessione 1.2
The Effect of Open Versus Closed Tracheal Suctioning System on the Physiological outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Background: Tracheal suctioning (TS) is one of the most important procedures implemented formechanically ventilated patientto maintain airway patency. Recently, there are two types of suctioning system which are open and closed suctioning system. The current study was carried outto identify the effect of open versus closed tracheal suctioning system on the physiological outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients. Methods: A quasi experimental design was carried out on a purposive sample of 74 patients admitted in the intensive care units at king fahad general hospital and king abdulaziz hospital. The samples were divided to closed suctioning system (group A)and open suctioning system (group B). Patient`s physiological outcomes evaluation sheet was utilized for data collectionbefore,during, immediately after TS, 5 minutes after TS, and 10 minutes after TS. Results: There were significant differences between the studied groups in relation to systolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure, and central venous pressure during the TS (p<0.05). Also there were significant differences between the studied groups in relation to oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and mean arterial pressure immediately after the TS (p<0.05), while 5 minutes after TS the significant was in oxygen saturation and central venous pressure (p<0.05). And in 10 minutes after TS the significant was in central venous pressure and PetCo2(p<0.05). Conclusions: The finding of the study illustrate that closed suctioning system caused fewer alteration in patient`s physiological outcomes than open suctioning system. Recommendation: the researcher recommend using of the CSS at all ICUs communities, and perform similar study to be replicated with a larger sample size.
Imitative Behaviour and FDI Location Choice: an empirical assessment∗

Several empirical studies have shown that the existence of foreign affiliates in country can play an important role in attracting new foreign investment projects. In this paper, we put forward an alternative explanation from the ones advanced so far in the literature: we hypothesise that the agglomeration of foreign direct investment can be due to the fact that, under uncertainty, investors decide to copy the locations decisions made by previous investors. Herding in FDI location decisions is motivated by an informational externality: the uncertainty regarding the identity of the location which yields the highest profitability leads investors to try to learn from the observed location choices made by other investors. If a reasonable number of projects is placed in the same location, the investor will also choose this location, as he believes that all that many investors cannot be wrong. We provide a methodology to empirically identify herd behaviour and apply it to assess the contribution of herd behaviour in explaining the location decisions made by Swedish multinationals between 1970-98. Our findings support the herd behaviour hypothesis. JEL Classification: D21, D81, D82, F21, F23.
Complementary Activities, Heterogeneous Firms, and Industry Structure∗

We present conditions that are sufficient to couple complementary organisational activities at the firm-level with clear implications for the industry structure in a heterogeneous-firm model. We show how introduction of new activities and increased attractiveness of existing activities affect the industry structure in all dimensions by increasing the prevalence of all activities. The results accentuate the need to incorporate complementary organisational activities into an integrated model where firms face a multi-dimensional choice set. Through examples our predictions are shown to apply to several well-known models at the intersection of organisational economics and international trade.
Sleep Disordered Breathing in Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Review

Objectives: PWS is a rare genetic disorder characterized by cognitive impairment, hypogonadism, morbid obesity due to hyperphagia and lack of satiety, and hypothalamic dysfunction. PWS is closely associated with SDB in many forms. Data sources: A literature search was conducted on the PubMed, MedLine, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases based on the keywords “Prader Willi Syndrome”, “sleep disordered breathing”, “obstructive sleep apnea”. Review method: Narrative review of the current literature. Results: GH therapy was approved in 2000 for treatment of PWS and has been successful in promoting linear growth and improving muscular trophism and tone, with a consequent improvement in strength, physical activity and cardiorespiratory function as well as SDB. However it is not without its complications, in particular sudden deaths. Patients should be managed in the multidisciplinary team with regular polysomnogram especially in the first few weeks following initiation of the treatment. There are other conservative options that can be considered for persistence of SDB despite GH as well as surgical options. Conclusion: PWS is a rare disorder associated with a variety of SDB. GH has the potential to positively impact on the frequency and severity of SDB in these children. Therefore, they will benefit from careful monitoring in a multidisciplinary setting.
Flexible morphology and task allocation in workers of the stingless bee Frieseomellita paupera (Hymenoptera, Meliponinae)

Division of labour according to age (age polyethism) has been thoroughly studied in the honeybee Apis mellifera. We investigated the division of labour and the relationship between age, task allocation and pigmentation in the stingless bee Frieseomellita paupera Prov. (Apidae, Meliponinae). In this species newly hatched workers are completely pale, whereas fully developed individuals are completely black. We compared task allocation and pigmentation in established colonies with a laying queen and a steady production of young bees, with those in a colony that lacked an influx of young bees. In conditions with an interrupted production of young bees, older workers retained tasks normally performed by younger nest mates. Strikingly, these older workers additionally showed a colouration of the abdomen, usually exclusively seen in younger workers. This can be explained by the typical biology of this species and by hypothesizing a system of task allocation in which workers patrol the colony to find tasks that need to be done. We assume that only bees that are not fully coloured have an abdomen that is sufficiently elastic to allow for storing a large amount of larval food which is essential for performing brood rearing activities.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INTEGRATION OF SUPPLY CHAIN AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Supply chain integration divided into two dimensions, namely internal integration, and external integration. Internal integration refers to cross-functional intra-firm collaborative processes. External integration consists of supplier integration, customer integration, and logistics service providers integration. Empirically, supply chain integration is more dominant in investigating the relationship between internal, supplier, customer integration, and operational performance. The studies that investigate the relationship between logistics service providers integration and operational performance is still limited in number. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the relationship between internal, supplier, customer and logistics service providers integration and operational performance of the organization in the form of propositions. This paper is a conceptual framework. Supplier integration positively associated with inventory control processes and new product development. Customer integration increases the accuracy of forecasting. The logistics service providers integration positively associated with logistics activities. The dimensions of operational performance can be measured based on variable cost, quality, flexibility, delivery. The organization's operational performance proves to be a positive consequence of internal integration and external integration of supply chain. This paper proposes the proposition that there is a positive relationship between internal and external integration with the operational performance of the organization.
OFFSHORING: WE KNOW HOW, LET US NOW DECIDE WHERE

Firms must take two fundamental decisions: how and where to produce. Traditional measures of offshoring include information on both decisions. In this paper we attempt to distinguish the evolution of the requirement of inputs per unit of output (how to produce) from the delocalisation of production to o hers countries. We will call global technical change to the first element and net offsh ring to the second. We further decompose net offshoring into net inter-industry su bstitution and intra-industrial offshoring (replacement of a domestic input for the imported from the own sector). This last measure quantifies better the delocalisation o f production to other countries looking for lower costs and it is more likely to affect emp loyment. This decomposition allows us to further investigate on whether it is technical change or net offshoring the main factor in recent Spanish in dustrial employment changes. JEL CLASSIFICATION: F14; J23; L6; 033
How e↵ective the International Environmental Agreements can be? The case of trade in hazardous chemicals and persistent organic pollutants

Recent research has questioned the e↵ectiveness of International Environmental Agreements (IEAs). Some of them are seen as a result of the country’s enthusiasm to give a reliable image on the international sphere, rather than legitimate domestic or international environmental concerns. This paper focuses in two specific environmental agreements, the Rotterdam Convention on hazardous chemicals and the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants. It explicitly evaluates the e↵ects of the ratification of these agreements on imports of hazardous chemicals and persistent organic pollutants. Our results are twofold. Firstly, ratification of the Stockholm convention is associated to lower imports of persistent organic pollutants sent from developed to developing countries. Secondly, in case of Rotterdam convention bilateral trade between signatory countries shows a significant decrease after the ratification. Both sets of results point toward the partial e↵ectiveness of the conventions. The main policy recommendation is that political actors should support a fast implementation of the accords and compliance should also be encouraged.
Doha and the Developing World: Explaining Deadlocks in WTO Negotiations

To date, the received theory regarding the theoretical underpinnings of multilateral trade negotiation does not provide a satisfactory account of the impasses that have characterised recent WTO meetings. This paper attempts to address this omission by extending the widely cited model of Bagwell and Staiger (1999, 2002) to explain the observed phenomena of developing country coalition forming in WTO negotiations and developed country non-cooperation with such coalitions. When seen from this perspective, WTO negotiating deadlocks, such as those at the Cancún ministerial, can be regarded as stemming from power struggles between these two opposing groups.
A Deep Learning Based Approach towards the Automatic Diagnosis of Pneumonia from Chest Radio-Graphs

In the research work, we propose an automatic detection of pneumonia from chest radiography image using the deep Siamese based neural network. Although in the recent past many method were devoted but these methods are either solely depends on the transfer learning approach or the traditional handcrafted techniques towards classifying the pneumonia disease. Viral and bacterial pneumonia infections are distinguished by analyzing the amount of white substance that is spread across the two segment of the chest X ray image. Deep Siamese network use the symmetric structure of the two input image to compute or classify the problem. Each of the chest X-ray image is divided into two segment and then feed it to the network to compare the symmetric structure along with the amount of the infection that is spread across these two region. We use the Kaggle dataset, to train and validate our model towards the automatic detection of the different kind’s pneumonia disease. This proposed model could help the medical practioner towards easily identifying the pneumonia problem from the X-ray imagery. Simulation results The model outperforms the state-of-the-art in all performance metrics and demonstrates reduced bias and improved generalization.
Microbial degradation of benzene by Desulfotomaculum reducens

In spite of its high chemical stability, is known to be biodegradable, with its different electron acceptors under anaerobic conditions. However, our understanding of the initial activation reaction and the responsible prokaryotes is limited. In this study, bacterial culture that oxidizes benzene-enriched carbon dioxide under sulfate reducing conditions was used. Community analysis using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism, 16S rRNA gene sequence and FISH revealed 95% dominance of one phylotype affiliated with the Gram-positive bacterium genus Desulfotomaculum reducens show that sulphate-reducing Gram-positive bacteria involved in anaerobic degradation of benzene. In order to get indications of the original activation mechanism substrate utilization co-metabolism tests and screened for possible metabolites were used. Phenol, toluene and benzoate could not be used as alternative carbon sources by benzene-degrading culture. Co-metabolic degradation experiments resulted in slow motion speed degradation of benzene in the presence of phenol which toluene had no effect on benzene metabolism. Phenol, 2-hydroxybenzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, and benzoate were identified as possible metabolites in the enrichment culture. However hydroxylated aromatics demonstrated abiotic formed. Thus, the determination of benzoate as an intermediate medium directly carboxylation of benzene as the first activation mechanism, but additional reactions leading to its formation cannot be definitely ruled out.