Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DocCreator: A New Software for Creating Synthetic Ground-Truthed Document Images

Most digital libraries that provide user-friendly interfaces, enabling quick and intuitive access to their resources, are based on Document Image Analysis and Recognition (DIAR) methods. Such DIAR methods need ground-truthed document images to be evaluated/compared and, in some cases, trained. Especially with the advent of deep learning-based approaches, the required size of annotated document datasets seems to be ever-growing. Manually annotating real documents has many drawbacks, which often leads to small reliably annotated datasets. In order to circumvent those drawbacks and enable the generation of massive ground-truthed data with high variability, we present DocCreator, a multi-platform and open-source software able to create many synthetic image documents with controlled ground truth. DocCreator has been used in various experiments, showing the interest of using such synthetic images to enrich the training stage of DIAR tools.
Calculation of high frequency 4-TP impedance standards

This paper deals with methods for calculating frequency characteristics of high frequency four-terminal-pair coaxial impedance standards. An analytical calculation for coaxial resistance and capacitance standards was performed at frequencies up to 200 MHz. For verification of the used method, numerical calculations based on domain FEM (Finite element method) in low and high frequency ranges are presently under investigation. The paper describes and summarizes first results, which will serve as a base for ongoing work on evaluating the effects of constructional limitations of four-terminal-pair impedance standards.
Exploring the business case for e‐procurement

Purpose – Although e‐procurement has been adopted in many industries, the business case for this technology has only partially been explored in the literature. This paper aims to investigate, through a case study approach, the extent of the business case developed for e‐procurement adoption in three implementations.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a case study method and examines three industrial firms through in‐depth interviews with managers involved in the projects. The cases were presented and explored individually, followed by identification of relevant drivers and problem factors.Findings – The research identifies 18 drivers which can form the basis of a business case for e‐procurement. A further 17 problem factors are presented, which have the potential to militate the original case. It is apparent that the firms involved only developed a limited case for adoption and that there is a significant element of faith that the eventual results will justify the investment.Practical implicat.
Fixed-term contracts and dismissal protection. Evidence from a policy reform in Germany

In our paper, we analyze the impact of German employment protection legislation on the firms’ employment adjustment patterns. We explore a reform of the Protection Against Dismissal Act (PADA) in 2004 that decreased the employment protection in small establishments and thus generated a quasi-experiment. Extending previous studies we distinguish between open-ended and fixed-term contracts, as the latter might be used to circumvent the PADA. Difference-in-differences estimations based on IAB Establishment Panel data show no overall effect of the reform on firms’ employment adjustment patterns. However, the proportion of hirings based on fixed-term contracts decreases.
Heterogeneous Logit Model Implications for Brand Positioning

The author discusses the implications of a heterogeneous logit model for brand positioning. The methodology presented is a restricted version of a mixture-of-logits model and obtains brand positions on a product-market map and the distribution of preferences across households while accounting for the effects of marketing variables on household brand choice behavior. The restriction involves imposing a factor structure on the covariance matrix of the distribution of intrinsic brand preferences. An empirical application of the methodology is presented using A.C. Nielsen household-level scanner panel data on the purchases of liquid laundry detergents. The results indicate that the proposed model provides a better fit to the data than the unrestricted mixture-of-logits model or the Choice Map methodology.
Cognitive spectrum access in macro-femto heterogeneous networks

Deploying femtocells over the conventional macrocell network is a promising way to increase network capacity, whereas the main bottleneck is the interference between the femtocell and macrocell tiers. Recent research has proposed many effective methods for cross-tier interference mitigation, but unfortunately, the optimal spectrum access scheme remains unknown. In this paper, a cognitive spectrum access scheme is proposed, where each femtocell can dynamically explore and access the idle macro-tier spectrum besides its dedicated femto-tier spectrum. The optimum probabilities for each femtocell to access the femto-tier and idle macro-tier spectrum which maximize the area spectral efficiency (ASE) are investigated. With perfect spectrum sensing, the ratio between the optimum probabilities to access the femto-tier and macro-tier spectrum is equal to the amounts of available subchannels in the femto-tier and macro-tier spectrum for most cases. With non-perfect spectrum sensing, a lower bound of the optimum probability to access the femto-tier spectrum is determined, which is a piecewise function of the femtocell intensity. Simulation results validate the accuracy of our analytical results and reveal the advantages of the proposed scheme over existing schemes.
Event Ordering with a Generalized Model for Sieve Prediction Ranking

This paper improves on several aspects of a sieve-based event ordering architecture, CAEVO (Chambers et al., 2014), which creates globally consistent temporal relations between events and time expressions. First, we examine the usage of word embeddings and semantic role features. With the incorporation of these new features, we demonstrate a 5% relative F1 gain over our replicated version of CAEVO. Second, we reformulate the architecture’s sieve-based inference algorithm as a prediction reranking method that approximately optimizes a scoring function computed using classifier precisions. Within this prediction reranking framework, we propose an alternative scoring function, showing an 8.8% relative gain over the original CAEVO. We further include an in-depth analysis of one of the main datasets that is used to evaluate temporal classifiers, and we show how despite using the densest corpus, there is still a danger of overfitting. While this paper focuses on temporal ordering, its results are applicable to other areas that use sieve-based architectures.
Stacking the Deck: The Effects of Top Management Backgrounds on Investor Decisions

Argues that the top management team (TMT) of a firmcan serve as a powerful signal to investors that can in turn enable a firm togain legitimacy. First, a discussion of the relationship between organizationallegitimacy and the TMT is offered. Next, the signals of organizationallegitimacy in the initial public offerings (IPO) context are described, andseveral hypotheses are proposed. The first hypothesis suggests that TMT memberswith prominent upstream, horizontal, and downstream affiliations are likely toattract high numbers of quality institutional investors that invest in youngIPO firms. The remaining hypotheses propose that institutional investors areattracted to firms boasting high-prestige underwriters and to TMTs whosemembers' management backgrounds and roles are a close match. Data on the careerhistories of the 1,850 managing officers that comprise the TMTs of 299 publicbiotechnology firms are used to test the hypotheses. The data reveal that TMT affiliations with downstream organizations arelikely to attract high-profile investors; upstream and horizontal affiliations,however, produce no such effects. The findings also suggest that underwriterprestige is likely to secure investors' interest, as do TMTs whose toppositions are occupied by individuals with relevant role experience. The studyconcludes with a discussion of implications for researchers. (SAA)
Deregulation and the Consequences for Airport Planning in Europe

The regulatory situation in European aviation has changed dramatically in the last fifteen years. One of the major elements of the change has been the deregulation of the European aviation market. With deregulation, the bilateral regulation of air services and IATA tariff regulation was gradually replaced by a regulatory regime of limited competition. As a consequence, airlines have developed new network strategies. Airport planners have to think differently about the planning and development of airport site capacity. This article addresses two main issues. First, the change in European aviation and the consequences for airline network behaviour. We will look at the new network strategies of European airlines such as hub-and-spoke networks and global strategic alliances. Second, the article describes the new context in which airport planners operate. It discusses some contemporary forms of airport planning such as the commercialisation of the airport product, new airport layout requirements and the case for flexible planning.
Peak oxygen consumption during cardiopulmonary exercise test improves risk stratification in candidates to major lung resection.

BACKGROUND The objective of this investigation was to assess the association of peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)) with postoperative outcome in a prospective cohort of patients undergoing major lung resection for the treatment of lung cancer. METHODS Preoperative symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) performed using cycle ergometry was conducted in 204 consecutive patients who had undergone pulmonary lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Peak Vo(2) was tested for possible association with postoperative cardiopulmonary complications and mortality. Logistic regression analysis, validated by a bootstrap analysis, was used to adjust for the effect of other perioperative factors. The role of peak Vo(2) in stratifying the surgical risk was further assessed in different groups of patients subdivided according to their cardiorespiratory status. RESULTS Logistic regression showed that peak Vo(2) was an independent and reliable predictor of pulmonary complications (p = 0.04). All six deaths occurred in patients with a peak Vo(2) of < 20 mL/kg/min (four deaths in patients with a peak Vo(2) of < 12 mL/kg/min). The mortality rate in this high-risk group was 10-fold higher (4 of 30 patients; 13%) compared to those with higher peak Vo(2) (p = 0.006). Compared to patients with a peak Vo(2) of > 20 mL/kg/min, those with a peak Vo(2) of < 12 mL/kg/min had 5-fold, 8-fold, 5-fold, and 13-fold higher rates, respectively, of total cardiopulmonary complications pulmonary complications, cardiac complications, and mortality. CONCLUSIONS The present study supports a more liberal use of CPET before lung resection compared to the current guidelines since this test can help in stratifying the surgical risk and optimizing perioperative care.
Predicting purchasing behavior on business‐to‐business markets

Measures of customers’ repurchase intentions have become common in marketing research, particularly since long‐term relations with customers are stressed as an important goal. This study, however, illustrates that repurchase intentions may be a poor predictor of future behavior on industrial markets, and that past behavior may be a far better predictor. The results imply that caution is warranted when intention measures are used in predictions of purchasing behavior in situations in which decision‐making is constrained by organizational and inter‐organizational factors.
Market Response to Listing Switch between Order-Driven Markets: Empirical Evidence of the Taiwan Stock Market

This paper examines the change in returns, trading activities, and liquidity of 43 firms that moved from the Over-The-Counter market to Taiwan Stock Exchange during 2002. Using the intraday data, our empirical results suggest that abnormal returns rise as the switching date is approaching, but these returns fall off following the switch. The up-and-down pattern in cumulative abnormal returns around the switching date can be explained by the "correction-to-an-overreaction hypothesis". The light trading activities of the switching stocks over the shorter event window are due to the precaution of public investors and trading activities are aroused after the switching firms stay for a longer period of time. The width and depth of liquidity are both worse following the switch. Day trading and stealth trading provide a possible explanation for this phenomenon.
Teachers' Perceptions of Problem Behavior in General and Special Education

The study investigated the behavioral ratings of regular classroom and special education teachers and sought to examine the degree to which these educators agreed or disagreed in their perceptions of the problem behavior and adaptive functioning of a group of 31 adolescents who had recently been identified as seriously emotionally disturbed. Results are discussed in relation to the literature on teacher tolerance of problem behavior and the effects of classroom setting upon teacher judgments.
Buy Now or Buy Later: The Effects of Scarcity and Discounts on Purchase Decisions

This research investigates a burgeoning pricing strategy and its effects on purchase behavior. Drawing from the expected-utility and prospect theories, we test the counteracting variables of scarcity and future discount across two studies. We first implement a flea market scenario to demonstrate that scarcity creates emotional value that increases purchase likelihood. Next, we determine the levels of scarcity and discount that maximize purchase in a department store context. The findings suggest that the level of discount predicts the purchase of highly visible products; for less visible products, scarcity drives the decision. These relationships are moderated by involvement with the product class.
Muscle tissue oxygenation and VEGF in VO2‐matched vibration and squatting exercise

Exposure to vibration has traditionally been associated with compromised perfusion. This study investigated whether blood supply during whole body vibration (WBV), as an exercise modality, is in proportion to the metabolic demand by the contracting musculature. As a secondary aim, serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed. Ten young healthy males performed WBV and dynamic shallow squatting (Squat) exercise at comparable levels of oxygen uptake for 3 min. Changes in oxygenated, deoxygenated and total haemoglobin (O2Hb, HHb and tHb, respectively) along with tissue oxygenation index (TOI) were measured continuously before, during and after the exercise by near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS, Portamon, Artinis Medical Systems, Zetten, The Netherlands). Vascular endothelial growth factor‐A blood levels before and after exercise were assessed by ELISA. Oxygen uptake was comparable in Squat and WBV (11·4 and 10·7 ml kg−1 min−1), respectively, P = 0·49), as were all other cardiopulmonary variables. Near‐infrared spectroscopy data were found to be non‐stationary during and shortly after WBV, but stationary in Squat. There was an increase in O2Hb and TOI, and a decrease in HHb during the first 30 s of WBV, but no significant change was observed during Squat. No group difference was found in VEGF serum levels. These results suggest that oxygen supply during WBV is sufficient, and oxygenation is even enhanced during the first approximately 30 s. Most likely, the transient response is because of local vascular regulatory mechanisms and due to muscle contraction mechanics. This might become clinically relevant under pathological conditions, e.g. in vascular disorders.
Neurosurgical management of neurenteric cysts in children.

OBJECT Neurenteric cysts (NCs) are endothelium-lined structures of presumed endodermal origin. There have been few pediatric series of intracranial NCs reported previously. The authors present their experience in the management of these lesions. METHODS A retrospective chart review of all cases of NCs identified between 1977 and 2007 was carried out. Demographics, details of clinical presentation, surgical therapy, and outcome data were extracted. RESULTS Eleven cases were identified, involving 6 girls and 5 boys. The patients' average age was 4.6 years (range 1 day-14 years). Limb weakness was the most common presenting symptom. The location of the cysts was cervical in 2 cases, cervicothoracic in 4 cases, and thoracic in 3 cases. One cyst was anterior to the pons with extension to the left cerebellopontine angle and 1 cyst was at the craniocervical junction. Five patients had an apparently complete initial excision, with 1 recurrence. Four patients were initially treated with incomplete excision and/or cyst drainage, usually into an Ommaya reservoir. A neonate with a large cervicothoracic cyst died of multiple congenital anomalies without any intervention. All other patients were alive at last follow-up. One patient with a radiologically identified presumed cyst, which remained stable, was simply followed up. Several patients required multiple procedures and 1 patient developed hydrocephalus after aseptic meningitis and was treated with CSF shunting. CONCLUSIONS Neurenteric cysts are rare in the pediatric population. Total resection, if possible, provides the best long-term outcome. Incomplete excision may lead to multiple procedures, including cyst drainage, but can lead to long-term stability.
Zero-forcing beamforming in massive MIMO systems with time-shifted pilots

By deploying a substantial number of antennas on the base station (BS) side, massive MIMO system has been demonstrated to achieve unprecedented spectral efficiency. However, its performance is still limited by pilot contamination due to unavoidable reuse of pilot sequences from user terminals in other cells. In this paper, we focus on the performance analysis of zero-forcing beamforming in a finite-antenna massive MIMO system using a time-shifted pilot scheme, which was shown to combat pilot contamination effectively with infinite BS antennas and conjugate beamforming. We derive rigorous expressions for sum-rate lower bounds and associated signal to interference plus noise ratios of both forward link and reverse link. Based on these expressions, we provide some engineering rules of thumb to design a time-shifted pilot system achieving higher sum-rate performance. Besides, our system model is proved to cover a series of previous works as special cases as well.
Advertising agency planning – conceptualising network relationships

This study investigated the networked relationships between agency parties involved in the process of advertising planning, internal and external to advertising agencies. The study provides a conceptual grounding for understanding the shift from dyadic to multiple relationships in advertising planning. It focuses on the degree of collaboration and integrative relationships inherent. Using a theoretically derived, grounded theory approach, depth interviews were conducted with twenty two practitioners spread across four dominant parties: advertising account management and creatives, independent media planners and researchers. Four core constructs were abstracted from the data forming the conceptual basis for a model. These were shared (agency) purpose and philosophy, personal chemistry between involved parties, power relations between parties with their incumbent conflictual tensions and finally trust between parties. The study provides an important bridgehead, opening up and exploring the increasingly networked foundations for advertising planning.
An Economic Framework for Biosecurity Decision Making in New Zealand

Exotic pests and diseases continually threaten New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity. These incursion events often require rapid responses. Therefore, the success of New Zealand’s Biodiversity Strategy depends not only upon knowledge of these exotic species incursions, the damage they may inflict and efficient response programmes, but also on the use of management tools to better allocate the resources to respond to these incursions. Currently, considerable work is going into risk assessment of incursions, but the link in the chain between good science and policy implementation is weak. This paper outlines an economic framework for a decision support system (DSS) to strengthen management systems for risks to indigenous biodiversity from alien invasive organisms. The primary focus of the research reported on here is to create a sound basis for allocating biosecurity resources that can be applied by Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) to rapidly and accurately evaluate and rank projects aimed at protecting indigenous biodiversity from incursions of exotic pests and diseases. The DSS model will be developed so that it can be operationally implemented by BNZ staff.
NMR structures of polytopic integral membrane proteins

Abstract Membrane proteins represent up to 30% of the proteins in all organisms, they are involved in many biological processes and are the molecular targets for around 50% of validated drugs. Despite this, membrane proteins represent less than 1% of all high-resolution protein structures due to various challenges associated with applying the main biophysical techniques used for protein structure determination. Recent years have seen an explosion in the number of high-resolution structures of membrane proteins determined by NMR spectroscopy, especially for those with multiple transmembrane-spanning segments. This is a review of the structures of polytopic integral membrane proteins determined by NMR spectroscopy up to the end of the year 2010, which includes both β-barrel and α-helical proteins from a number of different organisms and with a range in types of function. It also considers the challenges associated with performing structural studies by NMR spectroscopy on membrane proteins and how some of these have been overcome, along with its exciting potential for contributing new knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of membrane proteins, their roles in human disease, and for assisting drug design.
Long range kick for RoboCup3D — A practical approach

Research on implementations of long range kick is a new trend coming up in RoboCup Soccer Simulation 3D competitions. Competition results show that, a team has more chance to defeat its opponent by applying long range kicks/shoots in both regular stage and penalty stage. This paper mainly proposes an approach that our team Apollo3D designed, to implementing a long range kick by adopting a spline interpolation method to generate kicking trajectories and a developed CMA-ES method to optimize parameters. In order to stabilize a robot when executing kicking, a preview controller is utilized to control the torso for keeping balance. After a number of tests, the average distance that a robot could send the ball to is increased by 74%.
Synthetic routes to magnetic nanoparticles for MPI

Abstract Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a new imaging technique for visualizing the three-dimensional distribution of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with specific properties (MPI tracers). Initial results obtained with MPI using superparamagnetic iron oxide as blood pool markers suggest that the method has great potential for cardiovascular imaging. Conversely, no clinically approved MPI tracers currently exist that could be used to exploit this potential of MPI. This article describes thermal decomposition and coprecipitation, two relevant methods for synthesizing and optimizing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for MPI. Furthermore it summarizes the recent literature on MPI tracers and explores what can be learned from structural studies with Resovist® for novel synthesis approaches.