Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Directivity Quantification in Hearing Aids: Fitting and Measurement Effects

Objective: To evaluate the impact of venting, microphone port orientation, and compression on the electroacoustically measured directivity of directional and omnidirectional behind‐the‐ear hearing aids. In addition, the average directivity provided across three brands of directional and omnidirectional behind‐the‐ear hearing aids was compared with that provided by the open ear. Design: Three groups of hearing aids (four instruments in each group) representing three commercial models (a total of 12) were selected for electroacoustic evaluation of directivity. Polar directivity patterns were measured and directivity index was calculated across four different venting configurations, and for five different microphone port angles. All measurements were made for instruments in directional and omnidirectional modes. Single source traditional, and two‐source modified front‐to‐back ratios were also measured with the hearing aids in linear and compression modes. Results: The directivity provided by the open (Knowles Electronics Manikin for Acoustic Research) ear was superior to that of the omnidirectional hearing aids in this study. Although the directivity measured for directional hearing aids was significantly better than that of omnidirectional models, significant variability was measured both within and across the tested models both on average and at specific test frequencies. Both venting and microphone port orientation affected the measured directivity. Although compression reduced the magnitude of traditionally measured front‐toback ratios, no difference from linear amplification was noted using a modified methodology. Conclusions: The variation in the measured directivity both within and across the directional microphone hearing aid brands suggests that manufacturer's specification of directivity may not provide an accurate index of the actual performance of all individual instruments. The significant impact of venting and microphone port orientation on directivity indicate that these variables must be addressed when fitting directional hearing aids on hearing‐impaired listeners. Modified front‐to‐back ratio results suggest that compression does not affect the directivity of hearing aids, if it is assumed that the signal of interest from one azimuth, and the competing signal from a different azimuth, occur at the same time.
MASLOW and EWOM: Explaining Motivations of Mexican Facebook Users to Share Viral Videos

Organizations continually seek new ways to achieve competitive advantage and word of mouth (WOM) trough Social Network Sites (SNS) such as Facebook, represents such an opportunity because it has a powerful influence on consumers’ attitudes and behaviors. However, prior research on motivations behind propensity of users to send viral messages Is scarce at the most and almost null in Latin-American countries like Mexico. The present study aims to investigate the motivations that trigger people to offer eWOM videos on SNS. Survey data from 203 participants who are active users of SNS were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The study findings indicate a positive relationship between the independent variables enjoyable escape, sharing view points and social standing with the dependent variable propensity to share videos on Facebook, sharing view points and enjoyable escape being the most important motivations affecting attitude towards viral marketing. The results of this exploratory investigation are of current interest particularly for advertising and marketing. Nowadays, it is a key to encourage word-of-mouth communication to spread information about products and/or brands. Knowledge of motives for viral sharing will contribute to the more effective development of strategic communication campaigns on the Web.
The Rorschach and Psychopathy: Toward a More Accurate Understanding of the Research Findings

In this article we present the reader with an understandable essay on the relation between the Rorschach and psychopathy. Some degree of sophistication and applied knowledge of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Hare, 1991) and the Rorschach (Rorschach, 1921/1942) are necessary to wade through the literature, weigh the relative merits of arguments made by proponents and detractors of Rorschach assessment, and meaningfully interpret the findings of relevant studies. Often studies reviewing the Rorschach's utility in assessing Antisocial Personality Disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and psychopathy exhibit a flawed or superficial understanding of essential theoretical and methodological issues. Argument derived from a suspect or specious premise, such as the notion that the Rorschach was designed or aspires to correspond with formal diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1952, 1994), vitiates conclusions based on such a premise. In this article, we discuss theoretical and methodological issues that can aid the reader or reviewer in achieving a more accurate understanding of this body of research.
Success Factors for Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning System at Ethiopian Airlines

This research work finds out the factors that determine the success of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation with particular reference to Ethiopian Airlines. An Enterprise Resource Planning system is a corporate wide information system which is used to integrate the business processes and resources of a company. When the business environment of a company increases and becomes complex, it is difficult to continue with the traditional decentralized information systems for timely decision making and other activities. In today’s competitive business environment, ERP systems are found to be essential for companies to get competitive and strategic advantages. Developing countries like Ethiopia are not yet benefiting much from ERP systems while these systems are widely adopted in the developed countries. However, demand to ERP is increasing to the developing countries also due to economic growth and globalization. On the other hand, implementation of ERP systems is a huge investment and is not an easy job. Successful ERP systems can boost a company’s efficiency while failed ERP systems can damage its performance. Implementation of ERP system is also affected by different organizational, social, economic, cultural, national and technical factors. So, it is important to identify contextual factors which can lead to successful ERP projects in Ethiopian context since Ethiopian situation is distinctive of developed nations.
Cross-Platform Spillover Effects in Consumption of Viral Content: A Quasi-Experimental Analysis Using Synthetic Controls

To inform product release and distribution strategies, research has analyzed cross-market spillovers in new product adoption. However, models that examine these effects for digital and viral media are still evolving. Given resistance to advertising, firms often seek to promote their own viral content to boost brand awareness. However, a key shortcoming of virality is its ephemeral nature. To gain insight into sustaining virality, we develop a quasi-experimental approach that estimates the backward spillover onto a focal platform by introducing a piece of content onto a new platform. We posit that introducing content to the audience of a new platform can generate word of mouth, which may affect its consumption within an earlier platform. We estimate these spillovers using data on 381 viral videos on 26 platforms (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo) and observe how consumption of videos on an initial “lead” platform is affected by their subsequent introduction onto “lag” platforms. This spillover is estimated as follows: for each multiplatform video, we compare its view growth after being introduced onto a new platform to that of a synthetic control based on similar single-platform videos. Analysis of 275 such spillover scenarios reveals that introducing a video onto a lag platform roughly doubles its subsequent view growth in the lead platform. This positive cross-platform spillover is persistent, bursty, and strongest in the first 42 days. We find that spillover is boosted when the video is consumed more in the lag platform, when the consumption rate peaks earlier in the lag platform, and when the lag platform targets a foreign market. Our findings suggest that firms can sustain the popularity of their viral content by introducing it onto additional platforms (e.g., Vimeo) after posting it on a focal platform (e.g., YouTube). As a result of their posting on the latter platforms, firms can expect subsequent view growth on the focal platform to roughly double. The aforementioned benefits persists for up to five lag platforms. Platforms should also consider that a positive cross-platform spillover may help platforms reinforce each other’s usage, rather than cannibalize each other.
DevOps Implementation Model for Large IT Service Organizations

Currently the business world is focused more and more on increasing flexibility within their processes and decreasing the time-to-market. With this purpose, iterative and Agile approaches conquer ground within business processes. A relatively new approach within the software development process is working according to DevOps, which could be interpreted as applying an extension of Agile practices to a broader field within an organization that involves IT services. Large IT service organizations seem to struggle with the implementation of DevOps as they have all kind of legacy that make it hard to transform their business processes. Therefore, it can be questioned on which aspects of DevOps they have to focus. This paper aims to identify the critical aspects on which a large IT service organization has focus their DevOps implementation. A literature research is performed to define DevOps and its practices, where after a business process change approach is chosen to identify which elements of the business process are impacted by a DevOps way of working. Based on nine case interviews and an expert evaluation session, the relevant aspects of DevOps for large IT service organizations are identified. Although it is found that it is crucial to focus on people and change management, the business process components are dynamic in relation to DevOps. Besides, the implementation of DevOps aspects is highly dependent on multiple organizational factors. The paper suggests future research in the areas of quantitative research on the focus areas, a comparison with small organizations and a systems dynamic approach on DevOps.
Literature review of mobile banking and individual performance

Purpose Most empirical studies of m-banking seek to understand the factors and motivations that influence the adoption or behaviour intention. The purpose of this paper is to focus on analysing and synthesising existing studies and make recommendations to researchers and practitioners. Design/methodology/approach Few papers focus on the m-banking use and individual performance, but on the determinants of adoption measures, instead. This research examines 64 journal articles published between 2002 and 2016 in top journals. Following a comprehensive review of the literature, the authors propose a research agenda. Findings The importance of use and individual performance has long been recognised by academics and practitioners in a variety of functional disciplines. The present review indicates that the topics of m-banking adoption and behavioural intention dominate the majority of research, but finds very few studies on post-adoption. The two most significant drivers of intentions to adopt m-banking are perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Considering several m-banking definitions, the authors propose a new, broader definition that takes into account the technological changes that have occurred over time. m-banking is a service or product offered by financial institutions that makes use of portable technologies. Originality/value This paper assembles this diverse body of knowledge into a coherent whole. The authors expect that this review will be of benefit to anyone interested in m-banking research and that it will help to stimulate further interest. In order to advance research in m-banking, future research should consider other theories uncovered in our findings.
Three conformations of an archaeal chaperonin, TF55 from Sulfolobus shibatae.

Chaperonins are cylindrical, oligomeric complexes, essential for viability and required for the folding of other proteins. The GroE (group I) subfamily, found in eubacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts, have 7-fold symmetry and provide an enclosed chamber for protein subunit folding. The central cavity is transiently closed by interaction with the co-protein, GroES. The most prominent feature specific to the group II subfamily, found in archaea and in the eukaryotic cytosol, is a long insertion in the substrate-binding region. In the archaeal complex, this forms an extended structure acting as a built-in lid, obviating the need for a GroES-like co-factor. This extension occludes a site known to bind non-native polypeptides in GroEL. The site and nature of substrate interaction are not known for the group II subfamily. The atomic structure of the thermosome, an archaeal group II chaperonin, has been determined in a fully closed form, but the entry and exit of protein substrates requires transient opening. Although an open form has been investigated by electron microscopy, conformational changes in group II chaperonins are not well characterized. Using electron cryo-microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction, we describe three conformations of a group II chaperonin, including an asymmetric, bullet-shaped form, revealing the range of domain movements in this subfamily.
Performance Analysis of NOMA in Training-Based Multiuser MIMO Systems

This paper considers the use of non-orthogonal-multiple-access (NOMA) in multiuser MIMO systems in practical scenarios where channel state information (CSI) is acquired through pilot signaling. A new NOMA scheme that uses shared pilots is proposed. Achievable rate analysis is carried out for different pilot signaling schemes, including both uplink and downlink pilots. The achievable rate performance of the proposed NOMA scheme with shared pilot within each group is compared with the traditional orthogonal access scheme with orthogonal pilots. Our proposed scheme is a generalization of the orthogonal scheme, and can be reduced to the orthogonal scheme when appropriate power allocation parameters are chosen. Numerical results show that when downlink CSI is available at the users, our proposed NOMA scheme outperforms orthogonal schemes. However with more groups of users present in the cell, it is preferable to use multi-user beamforming instead of NOMA.
Hemophilia joint health score reliability study

Summary. Measurement of joint health is critically important when assessing children with haemophilia. Few measures exist; they lack sensitivity to small changes, don't account for normal development and were never formally validated. To address these concerns, the Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) was developed by modifying existing scores. Objective: To test the inter‐observer and test–retest reliability of the HJHS. Methods: Using a fully factorial design, four physiotherapists (from Canada, the United States and Sweden) examined eight boys with severe haemophilia A on two consecutive days using the HJHS. The boys ranged in age from 4–12 years and presented with variable joint damage. Six index joints (elbows, knees and ankles) were assessed on 11 impairment items including swelling, flexion and extension loss and gait. Concordance was measured by the intra‐class correlation co‐efficient. Results: Reliability of the HJHS was excellent with an inter‐observer co‐efficient of 0.83 and a test–retest of 0.89. Conclusion: This study is the first in a series to assess the psychometric properties of the HJHS, a promising new measure of joint health in boys with haemophilia.
Microbiological transformations of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid

A screening program was conducted to find microorganisms that modify the synthetic cannabinoid nabilone. After purification, the products from three cultures were analyzed by spectral methods to determine their chemical structures. An optically active 9S-hydroxy-6aR,10aR-trans cannabinoid was isolated from a culture of an unidentified soil bacterium designated A24007. From Bacillus cereus cultures were isolated a 9S,6'-dihydroxy-6aR,10aR-trans cannabinoid, a 9S-hydroxy-6'-keto-6aR,10aR-trans cannabinoid, a 9-keto-6'-hydroxy-6aS,10aS-trans cannabinoid, and a 6',9-diketo-6aS,10aS-trans cannabinoid. All of these products were optically active, as was a 9S-hydroxy-6aS,10AS-trans cannabinoid also isolated from B. cereus cultures. A series of acidic products were isolated from cultures of Nocardia salmonicolor. All of these products contained a carboxylic acid group at the terminal end of three-position alkyl side chains having varying numbers of carbon atoms. Two of the acidic products contained a 9-keto group, whereas all other carboxylic acid products were 9-hydroxy cannabinoids. The array of products obtained from incubation of nabilone indicates the usefulness of microbial transformations in the preparation of new cannabinoids.
ON RESOURCE ALLOCATION MECHANISMS IN COGNITIVE RADIO 1 Mr .

This paper focuses on the allocation of channel resources in cognitive radio system. Here, Cognitive (RRM) technology is envisaged to solve the problems in wireless networks resulting from the limited available spectrum. RRM developmental growth is high in advanced generations . Moreover, this paper focus on proposing an improved version of the recently introduced optimization algorithm called as GSO to solve the resource allocation problem more effectively. Furthermore, review of radio resource management efforts reported in the literature, the primary contributions reside on optimizing the resource utilization and allocation principles. Hence, the review outcomes are summarized in Table I in the perspective of optimization problem. In research gaps, distributed allocation, Topology discovery, Spectrum access and coordination, evolutionary and learning have been discussed. This paper also discusses the system model of Resource Allocation for OFDMBased Cognitive Radio Networks.
Brandfests: Servicescapes for the Cultivation of Brand Equity

This paper presents an ethnography of the brandfest, a brand centered event that is strategically important to the cultivation of customer loyalty. The paper discusses specifically the mechanisms and processes that appear to be integral to building such relationships as those between consumers and the products that they own, and among consumers themselves. We conclude with a discussion of directions for future research.
The impact of acquisition activity on IPO long-run performance: evidence from Europe

The role of acquisitions in the initial public offerings’ (IPOs’) performance has been studied widely in the U.S. but rather little within European markets. This thesis researches 5,052 European IPOs from 1990 to 2009 to find out whether the acquisition activity influences the long-run performance of newly public firms. Using calendar and event-time approaches, I concluded that the post-IPO acquirers experience significantly poorer performance in the years 2-6 after the issue compared to the non-acquirers group. The non-acquirers earn a Fama-French three-factor monthly alpha of 0.81% while acquirers earn only a monthly alpha of 0.19% during the period. The mean differences in cumulative returns for these groups supports this finding as they are significant for the years 4-6 after the IPO. The results confirm that the management of the IPO firms are exposed hubris and overconfidence when making acquisition decisions shortly after going public as well as investors are exposed to over optimism about these acquisitions. The results indicate as well that acquisitions play an important role in the welldocumented IPO long-run underperformance also in Europe. ___________________________________________________________________________ Department of Finance Thesis instructor: Bünyamin Önal Semester: Fall 2016 Date: 5.12. 2016 Author: Tuomas Eloholma The impact of acquisition activity on IPO long-run performance: Evidence from Europe.
Genomic Sequence of a Ranavirus Isolated from Short-Finned Eel (Anguilla australis)

ABSTRACT The short-finned eel ranavirus (SERV) was isolated from short-finned eel imported to Italy from New Zealand. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that SERV is a unique member of the genus Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae, branching at the base of the tree near other fish ranaviruses.
Towards a Taxonomy of Mobile Applications

Both the number and types of mobile applications have been seeing a significant increase in the last few years. Such an increase can lead to an overwhelming situation for researchers, users, and developers who are trying to understand them from many different viewpoints. One way to create a more tractable treatment of both the current as well as the emerging mobile applications is to develop a taxonomy of mobile applications. This paper describes an on-going work towards developing such a taxonomy, which could also lead to the design and development of new mobile applications to fit in the voids identified by the taxonomy.
Human capital and entrepreneurial success in the context of South African informal economy

ii LIST OF TABLES. vii LIST OF FIQURES . viii APPENDICES. ix ACKNOWLEGEMENT . x 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Purpose the study . 3 1.2 Context of the study . 3 1.3 Problem statement . 9 1.3. 1 Main problem . 9 1.3. 2 Sub-problems . 10 1.4 Significance of the research study . 11 1.5 Delimitations of study . 11 1.6 Definition of terms . 13 1.6. 1 Entrepreneurship . 13 1.6. 2 Entrepreneurship success . 13 1.6. 3 Human capital . 13 1.6. 4 Human capital factors . 14 1.6. 5 Informal economy/sector . 15 1.7 Assumptions . 15 1.8 Chapter outline . 15 1.9 Conclusion . 16 2 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 17 2.
Word Sense Disambiguation via Semantic Type Classification

Accurate concept identification is crucial to biomedical natural language processing. However,ambiguity is common during the process of mapping terms to biomedical concepts (one term can be mapped to several concepts). A cost-effective approach to disambiguation relating to training is via semantic classification of the ambiguous terms,provided that the semantic classes of the concepts are available and are all different. We propose such a semantic classification based method to disambiguate ambiguous mappings with different semantic type(s), which can be used with any program that maps terms to UMLS concepts.Classifiers for the semantic types were built using abundant features extracted from a huge corpus with terms mapped to UMLS concepts. The method achieved a precision of 0.709, with unique advantages not achievable by the other comparable methods. Our results also demonstrate a need to further investigate the complementary properties of different methods.