Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the consumer journey for membership services

Purpose The purpose of this study is to model the consumer journey of admission-based membership services from initial purchase to full-season memberships. Particularly, the study pays attention to customer-owned contacts (purchase behavior) and service-owned contacts (salesperson voice- and text-based communications), to examine longitudinal internal data to determine factors which hinder and propel customers toward full memberships. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of big data supplied by a National Hockey League team, the study uses three simultaneous equations in modeling to account for potential endogeneity related to the likelihood that sales and service personnel are more likely to contact frequent customers. The longitudinal data allow us to map the customer journey over the course of multiple years, compared to typical cross-section studies. Findings The findings show that as customers increasingly own committed points of contact, they are prepared to move to the next level – but rarely skip major steps in the relationship journey. The quantity, type and timing of customer contacts by the service firm may hinder or propel the customer down the path to purchase full memberships. Research limitations/implications The prevalence of big data among service firms should allow researchers to better understand how consumers respond to contact strategies over time, as well as fluctuations in firm performance. The research adds to the customer journey research stream, while meeting the call of researchers to bridge the gap between service marketing research priorities and current practice. Practical implications Sales practices and marketing automation tactics may come at the cost of burning leads and alienating future members. Frequent text-based contacts absent voice-based interactions hinder consumer journey and work against relationship building. Service marketers can learn how to better allocate resources, properly manage and motivate contact strategies and target campaigns to send the right message via the right media at the right time. Originality/value This is the first study to map customer journey for admission-based, membership services. The longitudinal approach across multiple years provides a deep understanding of how customers take steps toward loyal membership status, while also pinpointing potential drawbacks of current contact strategies.
A Metric for Sentence Ordering Assessment Based on Topic-Comment Structure

Sentence ordering (SO) is a key component of verbal ability. It is also crucial for automatic text generation. While numerous researchers developed various methods to automatically evaluate the informativeness of the produced contents, the evaluation of readability is usually performed manually. In contrast to that, we present a self-sufficient metric for SO assessment based on text topic-comment structure. We show that this metric has high accuracy.
Antibacterial coatings

Since a long time, the bacterial contamination of surfaces, leading to biofilm formation, is a major problem in fields as diverse as medical, food or cosmetics even with preventive hygiene protocols. In order to eliminate or reduce bacterial colonization of surfaces and biofilm formation, many prophylactic strategies have emerged. Among them is the elaboration of antifouling surfaces based on antiadhesive coatings such as polyethyleneglycol (PEG) or polysaccharide to repel bacteria and prevent their initial adhesion on surfaces which is a prerequisite in the biofilm formation. Another strategy is the covalent (or not) immobilization of antimicrobial compounds, e.g., antibiotics, quaternary ammonium or silver, to design biocidal coatings able to kill bacteria by release (or not) of the active substances. In this strategy, natural compounds and in particular antimicrobial peptides have appeared as promising candidates by limiting emergence of multiresistant bacteria. This chapter reviews the state-of-the-art of antibacterial coatings developed for combatting bacterial contamination.
Examining The Excess Cash Holdings As An Indicator of Agency Problems

The paper examine implications of excess cash holdings on firm value based on agency theory. For this purpose, this research use a sample of Indonesian non financial public firms for the period 2000-2011 whose cash holdings exceed normal cash holdings. This paper use panel regression techniques to estimate cash holdings. Refer to that estimation, from total 1828 observations, 672 of them set cash holdings exceed cash holdings normal. First, this research find that excess cash holdings has a negative effect on firm value. Second, the negative effects of excess cash holdings on firm value is stronger for financially unconstrained firms classified by multiple criterions (paying dividends, high cash flow, low MTB and low debt). Third to fifth, the negative effects of excess cash holdings on firm value is stronger for more concentrated ownership, for more dispersed ownership and for more financial distress. Overall, these empirical findings show that excess cash holdings can be a significant indicator of agency problem. Key words: excess cash holdings, agency problem, agency theory.
Plain Roentgenographic Estimation of Pulmonary Vascular Pressures

Our improvement on Turner's technique enabled more accurate plain x-ray estima tion of pulmonary venous pressure (PVP) up to 60 mm and of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) up to 150 mm in 215 patients catheterized for mitral valvular disease. Our improvement comprises (1) five main pul monary artery (MPA) grades 0 to IV accord ing to its area and volume; (2) modified pres sure values assigned for MPA and kinetic energy of the right ventricle (required to pump blood into the pulmonary arterial bed) according to MPA grades; and (3) nine PVP grades from 0 to 8 with corresponding assigned PVP values. These modifications have enhanced the accuracy of the technique up to 85 to 95%.
Perceived Causes of Success in Small Business

This empirical research is a pilot study which endeavours to identify a set of variables associated with successful small businesses. Seventy-four (74) small firms operating in Montreal responded to a lengthy questionnaire and an intensive interview. From this data three variables were initially identified. A replication study of seventy small firms located in Burlington, Vermont and Plattsburgh, New York, was carried out in order to observe whether the identified variables were duplicated beyond a certain geographical location. Using factor analysis on the data, the authors were able to delineate entrepreneurial behavior and managerial skills as key success factors in small business management. This finding underscores the role of entrepreneurship education in developing both the behavioral and the managerial skills in the owner/manager.
Recommending tips that support well-being at work to knowledge workers

Knowledge workers are often exposed to a high workload. This high workload can be can be difficult to manage and may impact well-being. The present thesis examines a computer supported lifestyle coaching application (i.e. ecoach) that attempts to support well-being at work. We describe the development and evaluation of an easy-to-use recommender system that provides knowledge workers with personalized (tailored) tips that are expected to improve well-being. The evaluation of the system is split in two phases. First, the recommendation method is evaluated and optimized in an offline setting. Second, we describe a user study that investigates the usability and effectiveness of the system. The study’s main objective is to examine whether tailored tips have a higher chance of being followed-up compared to randomized suggestions. Results are promising, as they suggest that knowledge workers have a positive attitude towards the implemented e-coach. On the other hand, we did not find strong evidence for our recommendation method, since tailored tips were only slightly more followed-up than tips that were not adapted the user’s preferences.
The Antecedents of Consumer Trust on Environmental Friendly Products : The Evidence from Thailand

The purpose to this study was to investigate the influences of corporate reputation, consumer identity and consumer awareness on consumer trust toward environmental friendly product in Thailand. The idea of this study was generated according to the increasing pressures of environmental concerns and the fact that consumers are more active to the environmental consequences. Marketers have responded to this growing concern by offering environmental friendly products to the market, but only few of them succeeded. Consumers are always skeptical about the real reasons why business cares about environmental problems. Therefore, an accurate knowledge of factors that truly influence consumer trust toward environmental friendly product needs to be determined. To achieve the research objectives, a survey of 415 undergraduate students was conducted. Correlation coefficients and multiple regressions are the two main methods to aggregate the responded data and to test the hypotheses. It was found that corporate reputation, consumer-company identification, consumer-CSR identification and consumer awareness of brand advertising have positive relation to consumer trust. However, consumer awareness of brand CSR initiative has no significant influence on consumer trust. ปจจยททำใหเกดความนาเชอถอของผบรโภคตอผลตภณฑทเปนมตรตอสงแวดลอม : กรณศกษาในประเทศไทย การวจยครงนมวตถประสงคเพอศกษาอทธพลของชอเสยงขององคกร อตลกษณของผบรโภค และการรบรของผบรโภคทมตอความเชอถอของผบรโภคตอผลตภณฑทเปนมตรตอสงแวดลอมในประเทศไทย จดเรมตนของการวจยเกดจากกระแสทเพมขนของแรงกดดน ความกงวล และความใสใจดานสงแวดลอมของผบรโภคทนกการตลาดจำนวนมากไดพยายามนำเสนอผลตภณฑทเปนมตรตอสงแวดลอมเพอตอบสนองตอกระแสความกงวลน แตมผลตภณฑทเปนมตรตอสงแวดลอมจำนวนไมมากทประสบความสำเรจ ผบรโภคโดยทวไปมกสงสยเกยวกบเหตผลทแทจรงททำใหบรษทสนใจและใหความสำคญกบปญหาดานสงแวดลอม ดงนนเพอใหบรษทสามารถกำหนดกลยทธทางการตลาดเกยวกบผลตภณฑทเปนมตรตอสงแวดลอมไดอยางมประสทธภาพจงมความจำเปนตองศกษาเกยวกบปจจยตางๆ ทมอทธพลตอความเชอถอของผบรโภคตอผลตภณฑทเปนมตรตอสงแวดลอม การวจยครงนเปนการวจยเชงสำรวจเกบขอมลเชงปฐมภม โดยใชแบบสอบถามกบกลมตวอยางจำนวน 415 คน ซงเปนนกศกษาระดบปรญญาตรทเคยซอผลตภณฑทเปนมตรตอสงแวดลอมจากบรษททไดกำหนดเปนเปาหมาย ในการศกษาครงน ขอมลทไดถกนำไปวเคราะหโดยใชโปรแกรมคอมพวเตอรเพอหาคาสมประสทธสหสมพนธ และวเคราะหการถดถอยพหคณเพอทดสอบสมมตฐาน ผลการวจยพบวา ชอเสยงขององคกร อตลกษณของผบรโภคทผกพนกบบรษท อตลกษณของผบรโภคทผกพนตอความรบผดชอบตอสงคม และการรบรของผบรโภคเกยวกบการโฆษณาทเปนมตรตอสงแวดลอมของบรษท มความสมพนธเชงบวกกบความเชอถอของผบรโภค อยางไรกตามการรบรของผบรโภคเกยวกบกจกรรมความรบผดชอบตอสงคมของบรษทไมมอทธพลตอความเชอถอของผบรโภคอยางมนยสำคญ
Scientific survey and monitoring of the off-shore seismogenic zone with Tokai SCANNER: submarine cabled network observatory for nowcast of earthquake recurrence in the Tokai region, Japan

Existence of fluid on seismogenic zones has a key role on great earthquakes. The electrical conductivity structures obtained by electromagnetic survey across the great earthquake zones show that the seismically locked zones correspond to the low conductive zones. The low conductivity is possibly interpreted as relatively low fluid content. For more discussion on the role of fluid to earthquake occurrence, we have just started an electromagnetic and seismological monitoring by using long submarine cables off Toyohashi, the southwest Japan Island. The cables are located on the Tokai seismogenic zone, where both slow-slipping and locked zones are obvious by GPS observation. Here, we introduce the recent and upcoming situations of the project.
The concept of the epilepsy syndrome: How useful is it in clinical practice?

An epilepsy syndrome is a disorder characterized by a cluster of symptoms and signs customarily occurring in combination. A syndromic approach to the epilepsies would be of practical value for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes. However, despite considerable efforts by leaders in the field of epileptology and the improved knowledge of the clinical, genetic, imaging, and biologic aspects of epilepsy, there are no measurable objective criteria for recognizing seizure types and epilepsy syndromes as separate diagnostic entities with well‐defined prognostic and therapeutic aspects. The lack of pragmatic, evidence‐based instruments to devise a syndromic classification useful for clinical practice can be explained by the evolving concept of epilepsy syndrome, its dynamic characteristics, the poor prognostic predictivity, and the extremely complex genetic and pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the epileptic phenomena. In addition, the results of the published reports on epilepsy syndromes are mostly biased by flaws in the study population, design, and statistical analysis. The Classification Core Group of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), which is working on a new classification of the epilepsies, stated that the process of syndrome identification requires that an evidence‐based approach be applied to the published literature and future studies.
Stabilization of a Vertical Inverted Pendulum Using Conventional PID Controllers

This paper presents conventional PID controllers for stabilizing a vertical inverted pendulum, which can move in the xz horizontal and vertical plane with the help of horizontal and vertical forces. Since the vertical inverted pendulum is a two input threeoutput system hence their PID controllers are used, two for position control while the remaining one for angle control. Simulation results carried out using Matlab Simulink show the effectiveness of the proposed controllers.
A System for Suggestion of friends for Social Networks

A System for suggestion of friends for Social Networks which uses the lifestyle of user to suggest friends. Many social networking sites recommends the friends, items, books for e.g. Facebook suggest the friends based on social relationship those who share common friends. System uses the lifestyle of user to recommend friend instead of social graph. The lifestyle of user can be determined from the user details such as hobbies, job profile. Based on the same lifestyle between the users the friend matching graph is drawn. The friend matching graph is generated in tabular form. The algorithm helps in the recommendation of the friend based on recommendation score for each user recommendation score is being calculated. System analyze friend matching graph to find out which users can be recommended. System also allows user to give response about recommended friends
Pengaruh Faktor Internal Terhadap Keberhasilan Start-Up Bisnis Di Kota Surabaya

Start-up businesses in Surabaya has developed quite rapidly. The majority of Surabaya city's economy is driven by the industrial sector and the business sector. The successful start-up business in Surabaya is influenced by internal and external factors. Internal factors from the standpoint of companies can be divided into four groups: marketing, human resources, finance, and operations. The object of this study is a start-up business that is / operating in the city of Surabaya. Total sample of 80 respondents. This research uses quantitative methods in the processing of data and information. The aim of research to determine the effect the management of internal factors in the success of a start-up business seen from the perspective of companies. This study uses a quantitative method with multiple regression analysis techniques. The results showed the management of internal factors (marketing, human resources, finance, and operational) at the same time have a positive influence on the success of start-up businesses Surabaya. This study contributes to the entrepreneur in order to optimize the management of internal factors to the success of start-up businesses.
Short-term Prognostic Value of Lipid Measurements in Patients with Angina pectoris

Summary We studied the role of various markers of lipid metabolism, hemostasis and inflammation in a two year follow-up of 3000 patients with angina pectoris, during which time 106 patients experienced myocardial infarction or sudden coronary death. Low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I were most strongly associated with increased coronary risk. The relative risk per standard deviation increase was 0.68 for HDL cholesterol (95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.84) and 0.66 for apoA-I (0.54 to 0.81). These associations were independent of other coronary risk factors, other lipid measurements, hemostatic factors, and C-reactive protein (CRP). The associations of total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apoB, and lipoprotein(a) with coronary events were not independent of HDL cholesterol or hemostatic factors. We conclude that HDL cholesterol or apoA-I, hemostatic risk factors, and CRP are important prognostic markers of coronary events in secondary prevention.
Expression of HGF/SF and Met protein is associated with genetic alterations of VHL gene in primary renal cell carcinomas

We analyzed the genetic alterations of VHL, HGF/SF, and Met genes and the expression pattern of HGF/SF and Met protein in 26 renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). We found five mutations of the VHL gene and frequent LOH (50%) only in non‐papillary clear cell RCC. We found six cases in which the CpG island of VHL was methylated. In addition, one missense mutation of the HGF/SF gene was detected in clear cell RCC. HGF/SF and Met protein were expressed in 84.6% and 80.7% of RCCs, respectively. All of the cases with the genetic alterations of VHL or HGF/SF demonstrated strong expression of HGF/SF and Met protein in RCC cells. Statistically, genetic alterations of VHL and HGF/SF were significantly correlated with HGF/SF and Met expression (Fisher's exact test, p=0.022 and p=0.0070). Thus, these results strongly suggest that the expression of HGF/SF and Met protein is closely associated with the genetic alterations of VHL and HGF/SF in primary RCCs.
Current perspectives on Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Johne’s disease, and Crohn’s disease: a Review

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes the disease of cattle, Johne’s. The economic impact of this disease includes early culling of infected cattle, reduced milk yield, and weight loss of cattle sold for slaughter. There is a possible link between MAP and Crohn’s disease, a human inflammatory bowel disease. MAP is also a potential human food borne pathogen because it survives current pasteurization treatments. We review the current knowledge of MAP, Johne’s disease and Crohn’s disease and note directions for future work with this organism including rapid and economical detection, effective management plans and preventative measures.
High-resolution Immunocytochemical Labeling of Replicas with Ultrasmall Gold

The use of 10–15-nm gold probes in freeze-fracture immunocytochemistry sometimes results in poor immunogold labeling. Replica sites are labeled with only one or two gold particles, making it unlikely that the labeling depicts the true distribution of antigen. In this study, the feasibility of using ultrasmall (∼1.4-nm) gold probes for immunocytochemical labeling of replicas was examined. When HLA Class I in neutrophil membrane replicas was labeled with various sized immunogold particles as the secondary detection system, the apparent distribution density was inversely related to the size of the particles (1.4-nm <5-nm <10-nm <15-nm). Indeed, the density of the apparent distribution of HLA Class I labeled with 1.4-nm gold particles was about sevenfold greater than when labeling was carried out with the 10-nm gold particles. Similar results were obtained with CD16, another neutrophil membrane protein. Silver enhancement was required to visualize the 1.4-nm gold particles, but this procedure did not adversely affect replica membranes. These results suggest that, when followed by silver enhancement, 1.4-nm gold particles are effective probes for achieving high-resolution immunocytochemical labeling of replicas.
Physiological alterations resulting from a 10-week program of jogging.

Fifty-five men between the ages of 17 and 59 participated voluntarily in a 10-week program of jogging. The group was randomly divided into two subgroups, one training 12 minutes/day, 3 days/week; and the other training 24 minutes/day, 3 days/week. Both groups demonstrated significant increases in vi
Saliency detection with two-level fully convolutional networks

This paper proposes a deep architecture for saliency detection by fusing pixel-level and superpixel-level predictions. Different from the previous methods that either make dense pixellevel prediction with complex networks or region-level prediction for each region with fully-connected layers, this paper investigates an elegant route to make two-level predictions based on a same simple fully convolutional network via seamless transformation. In the transformation module, we integrate the low level features to model the similarities between pixels and superpixels as well as superpixels and superpixels. The pixel-level saliency map detects and highlights the salient object well and the superpixel-level saliency map preserves sharp boundary in a complementary way. A shallow fusion net is applied to learn to fuse the two saliency maps, followed by a CRF post-refinement module. Experiments on four benchmark data sets demonstrate that our method performs favorably against the state-of-art methods.
Does the World Bank Foster Business?

This study investigates the impact of World Bank development policy loans on the ease of doing business. It finds that the cumulative number of development policy loans enhances business climate, especially for less developed countries and when combined with an International Monetary Fund assistance program. The results are robust to several specifications and sample restrictions, and controlling for possible endogeneity. When the cumulative number of loans and their cumulative value are included in the regression, the value is no longer significant. This finding suggests that overall engagement with the World Bank is more relevant than the amount of resources invested in the project.
The connected forcing connected vertex detour number of a graph

For any vertex x in a connected graph G of order p � 2, a set S of vertices of V is an x-detour set of G if each vertex v in G lies on an x-y detour for some element y in S. A connected x-detour set of G is an x-detour set S such that the subgraph G[S] induced by S is connected. The minimum cardinality of a connected x-detour set of G is the connected x-detour number of G and is denoted by cdx(G). For