Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Agency Control Mechanism Effectiveness and Decision Making in an Executive's Final Year with a Firm *

An agency problem can arise when the preferences of managers and owners differ. The magnitude of the agency problem is mitigated by various control mechanisms including: the market for corporate control (Manne [1965]), the managerial labor market (Fama [1980]), the amount of the manager's wealth tied directly to firm value, monitoring by owners (Jensen and Meckling [1976]), and compensation contracts. The effectiveness of the firm's set of agency control mechanisms might decrease in a year of a corporate executive departure. For example, the firm itself is unable to penalize the executive after his departure for actions that later appear not to have been in the firm's best interests; the market for corporate control will not be effective since any potential takeover would likely occur after the date of departure due to the time needed to detect suboptimal behavior and then to execute a takeover; and for those executives retiring, there cannot be full ex post settling up by the labor market since the executives are leaving this market. If there is a decrease in the effectiveness of the set of control mechanisms, then managers are more likely to act opportunistically. However, the firm might offset decreases in the effectiveness of some control mechanisms with increases in the effectiveness of other mechanisms. Or control mechanisms unaffected in the year of an executive departure such as monitoring might be effective at motivating the executive not to act opportunistically. This paper investigates the issue of whether there is a decrease in the effectiveness of the firm's set of agency control mechanisms in preventing certain types of opportunistic behavior from taking place in an executive's final year with a firm.
Inclusion of magnetic saturation in dynamic models of synchronous reluctance motors

This paper deals with the modeling of the magnetic saturation in synchronous reluctance motors (SyRMs). The saturation is modeled by means of analytical expressions, which can be easily embedded in dynamic equivalent-circuit models. A modified power function - proposed in this paper - can take into account the cross saturation between the orthogonal windings, it is physically consistent, and the number of its parameters is small. The function can be used in real-time control applications and in computer simulations. The model fits well to the experimentally measured inductances of a 6.7-kW SyRM. As an application example, the proposed saturation model was implemented in a full-order observer of a motion-sensorless drive, and experimental results are shown.
Dynamite in small packages: the Engaged Elite as an Facebook emerging niche market

Social networking sites, such as Facebook, have gained immense popularity as communication platforms and as advertising tools. Generation Yers have a strong need to engage with others and make connections-digitally and in person. This paper examines the Facebook behavior of Generation Y by means of a self-administered survey of 383 university students. The purpose of this research was to determine whether clusters of Generation Y Facebook users could be identified on the basis of their Facebook behavior and usage. All multi-item constructs were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis and a two-step cluster analysis. Three clusters emerged: “Engaged Elite,” “Neutral Masses,” and ‘Facebook Floaters. ” The results indicate that Facebook remains a feasible channel to initiate and engage in a number of marketing activities. However, the focus should not be on ‘pushing’ content and information, but rather on engaging the users__and to facilitate sharing between users across their networks.
An Inversion-Based Fault Reconstruction Approach in Nonlinear Systems

This paper presents an inversion-based fault reconstruction approach for a wide class of nonlinear systems subject to an actuator or plant fault. If the nonlinear system has finite relative order with respect to the fault signal, the inverse system as an observer-based filter, reproduces the fault at its output. A simulation for a continuous-stirred tank reactor (CSTR) model include flow rate fault is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Nonlinear tracking control of output power for PEMFC systems

For controls of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) systems, it is desirable to achieve accurate tracking of desired net output power with optimal oxygen excessive ratio (OER). In this paper, a cascade control framework is proposed for the FC output power tracking problem, which is a sequential combination of a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) robust nonlinear non-interacting (RNNI) controller and a nonlinear disturbance-decoupling (NDD) control scheme. Two major issues are addressed: one is interaction/coupling between the OER and the net output power, and the other is the parametric model uncertainty caused by fluctuations in stack temperature under various operating conditions. Simulation results show that good tracking performance is obtained with the two performance objectives well decoupled, and furthermore the impact from the parameters uncertainty can be removed via a nonlinear compensator.
A Literature Review on IT Value Management: Assisting Organisations to Realise Benefits from IT-Enabled Investments

Few scholars have focused on the question of how IT business value can be created. Several studies concluded that the necessary conditions to overcome the IT productivity paradox are to be found in a better IT value management approach, which is operationalised by a collection of individual management practices. However, limited research has been oriented towards the identification of such value management practices and the scarce results are fragmented due to isolated investigation of a single practice. Organisations recognise the importance of emerging IT value management frameworks and models, yet practitioners are still struggling with getting related value management practices implemented into their organisations. Therefore, this chapter investigates literature on IT value management in order to situate and understand the construct of IT value management and to identify and define management practices that support the implementation of IT value management as an organisational approach.
Model mis‐specification and overestimation of the intraclass correlation coefficient in cluster randomized trials

Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimates must be provided when reporting the results of a cluster randomized trial. This study demonstrates that estimating this parameter with one‐way ANOVA and an underlying mixed‐effects statistical model leads to biased estimates. The bias depends on the effect size of the studied treatment. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic anatomical shape correspondence and alignment using mesh features

In this work, we propose a fully automatic and computationally efficient group registration approach for sets of three-dimensional models represented as mesh objects. Our approach is based on agglomerating the set of pairwise model-to-model rigid registrations by a robust spectral synchronization scheme. The pairwise registration is computed using spectral graph matching applied to meshes via the LD-SIFT local mesh features. We applied the proposed scheme to sets of subcortical surfaces, and it was shown to provide accurate and robust registration results.
Family based genome‐wide copy number scan identifies complex rearrangements at 17q21.31 in dyslexics

Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a complex heritable disorder with unexpected difficulty in learning to read and spell despite adequate intelligence, education, environment, and normal senses. We performed genome‐wide screening for copy number variations (CNVs) in 10 large Indian dyslexic families using Affymetrix Genome‐Wide Human SNP Array 6.0. Results revealed the complex genomic rearrangements due to one non‐contiguous deletion and five contiguous micro duplications and micro deletions at 17q21.31 region in three dyslexic families. CNVs in this region harbor the genes KIAA1267, LRRC37A, ARL17A/B, NSFP1, and NSF. The CNVs in case 1 and case 2 at this locus were found to be in homozygous state and case 3 was a de novo CNV. These CNVs were found with at least one CNV having a common break and end points in the parents. This cluster of genes containing NSF is implicated in learning, cognition, and memory, though not formally associated with dyslexia. Molecular network analysis of these and other dyslexia related module genes suggests NSF and other genes to be associated with cellular/vesicular membrane fusion and synaptic transmission. Thus, we suggest that NSF in this cluster would be the nearest gene responsible for the learning disability phenotype. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Go'Then'Tag: A 3-D point cloud annotation technique

Performing complex tasks within a 3-D virtual environment, such as labeling 3-D point clouds, is still an ongoing research challenge. We propose Go'Then'Tag (GTT), a tool-set that helps users to edit complex 3-D data sets, and tag them at different levels. It allows to quickly select a subset of points in the 3-D point cloud and edit a tag associated to it. Our framework also comes with a tool to edit and manipulate a tree of tags, that allows overlapping hierarchies of tags. The interaction is handled through a tracked multi-touch device that combines 2-D and 3-D interaction techniques in a single device.
Malachite green induces genotoxic effect and biochemical disturbances in mice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Malachite green (MG) is a triarylaminmethane dye used in the fish industry as an anti-fungal agent. Concern over MG is due to the potential for consumer exposure, suggestive evidence of tumor promotion in rodent liver, and suspicion of carcinogenicity based on structure-activity relationships. In order to evaluate the risks associated with exposure to MG, we examined the mutagenicity and biochemical effect of MG. MATERIALS AND METHODS For genotoxic effect we use the doses 27, 91, 272 and 543 mg/kg b.wt. for different period of time (7, 14, 21 and 28 days) to evaluate chromosomal aberrations in mouse somatic and germ cells as well as sister chromatid exchanges in bone marrow cells. For DNA fragmentation assay from mouse liver the same doses of MG were used for 28 days. For measuring biochemical parameters such as glycolysis and gluconeogenesis enzyme pathways, antioxidant indices, hepatic marker enzymes, total protein, glucose, glycogen levels and liver function enzyme activities were evaluated. Mice were treated orally up to 28 days with the two high doses of MG 272 and 543 mg/kg b.wt. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Our results show that MG induce elevation in the percentage of SCE's and chromosomal aberrations (p < 0.01) after treatment with the high doses for long period of time. MG also induces DNA damage in mice liver in a dose dependent manner. Beside, MG treatment either in low or high doses causes biochemical disturbances in the major glucolytic-gluconeogenic pathways, hepatic marker enzymes, depleted glutathione and increased free radical as determined by increasing lipid peroxide. Histopathological observations revealed that MG induced sinusoidal, congestion, focal necrosis and degenerating in hepatic cells, hypertrophy and vacuolization followed by necrosis and cirrhosis.
High-Stakes Institutional Translation: Establishing North America’s First Government-sanctioned Supervised Injection Site

Around the world, potentially effective responses to serious social problems are left untried because those responses are politically, culturally, or morally problematic in affected communities. I describe the process through which communities import such practices as “high-stakes institutional translation. ” Drawing on a study of North America’s first supervised injection site for users of illegal drugs, I propose a process model of high-stakes institutional translation that involves a triggering period of public expressions of intense emotion, followed by waves of translations in which the controversial practice is constructed in discursive and material terms many times over.
Energy expenditure and testosterone in free-living male yellow-pine chipmunks.

The onset of mating in yellow-pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus) follows emergence from a prolonged period of energy conservation during hibernation. Energy expenditures are greatly accelerated to meet the demands of the reproductive season. When emerging from hibernation, typical male chipmunks (breeders) have enlarged testes and a high level of plasma testosterone (T). However, certain males that do not participate in reproduction (nonbreeders) maintain small testes and low plasma T levels and emerge several weeks later than the breeders. The timing of the terminal arousal from hibernation and onset of mating are associated with increased plasma T levels. Experimental elevation of T levels in T. amoenus outside the mating season has been associated with a decrease in body mass, further suggesting an effect of T on energy balance. To test this hypothesis, we measured daily energy expenditure (DEE) in free-living, nonbreeding male chipmunks in the presence and absence of a T-implant. We also measured DEE in breeding males when endogenous T levels were high. DEE of the nonbreeders was not affected by our manipulation of plasma T, and the DEE of breeding males did not differ from that of nonbreeders. We conclude that energy expenditure on a daily basis in male yellow-pine chipmunks is not influenced by levels of T. However, on a seasonal basis, the earlier emergence from hibernation by breeding males, which appears to be influenced by T, represents an overall seasonal energy expenditure that exceeds that of nonbreeding males.
Subjective cognitive decline is longitudinally associated with lower health-related quality of life

ABSTRACT Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), the potentially earliest notable manifestation of preclinical Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, was consistently associated with lower quality of life in cross-sectional studies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether such an association persists longitudinally – particularly with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older individuals without cognitive impairment. Methods: Data were derived from follow-up 2–6 of the prospective Germany Study on Ageing, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care (AgeCoDe) covering a total six-year observation period. We used linear mixed effects models to estimate the effect of SCD on HRQoL measured by the EQ-5D visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). Results: Of 1,387 cognitively unimpaired individuals aged 82.2 years (SD = 3.2) on average, 702 (50.6%) reported SCD and 230 (16.6%) with SCD-related concerns. Effect estimates of the linear mixed effects models revealed lower HRQoL in individuals with SCD (unadjusted: –3.7 points on the EQ VAS, 95%CI = –5.3 to –2.1; SE = 0.8; p < 0.001; adjusted: –2.9 points, 95%CI = –3.9 to –1.9; SE = 0.5; p < 0.001) than in individuals without SCD. The effect was most pronounced in SCD with related concerns (unadjusted: –5.4, 95%CI = –7.6 to –3.2; SE = 1.1; p < 0.001; adjusted: –4.3, 95%CI = –5.8 to –2.9, SE = 0.7; p < 0.001). Conclusion: SCD constitutes a serious issue to older cognitively unimpaired individuals that is depicted in persisting lower levels of HRQoL beyond depressive symptoms and functional impairment. Therefore, SCD should be taken seriously in clinical practice.
Dual signal subspace projection (DSSP): a novel algorithm for removing large interference in biomagnetic measurements

Objective. In functional electrophysiological imaging, signals are often contaminated by interference that can be of considerable magnitude compared to the signals of interest. This paper proposes a novel algorithm for removing such interferences that does not require separate noise measurements. Approach. The algorithm is based on a dual definition of the signal subspace in the spatial- and time-domains. Since the algorithm makes use of this duality, it is named the dual signal subspace projection (DSSP). The DSSP algorithm first projects the columns of the measured data matrix onto the inside and outside of the spatial-domain signal subspace, creating a set of two preprocessed data matrices. The intersection of the row spans of these two matrices is estimated as the time-domain interference subspace. The original data matrix is projected onto the subspace that is orthogonal to this interference subspace. Main results. The DSSP algorithm is validated by using the computer simulation, and using two sets of real biomagnetic data: spinal cord evoked field data measured from a healthy volunteer and magnetoencephalography data from a patient with a vagus nerve stimulator. Significance. The proposed DSSP algorithm is effective for removing overlapped interference in a wide variety of biomagnetic measurements.
Extended Controllability of HVDC Converters in the Vector Space

This paper investigates the controllability of modular multilevel converters for high voltage direct current applications. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of a computationally efficient method to calculate the required amount of triplen harmonic injection (THI) and to devise an overmodulation strategy based on a three-dimensional representation of the converter control voltages in the vector space. The proposed method allows simultaneous converter operation and power quality control in an extended ac voltage range without degrading the submodules (SM's) capacitor voltage ripple or spectra of generated waveforms with respect to well-known THI methods. The advantages of the presented technique with respect to traditional THI techniques are: first, the converter controllability is extended during ac-side voltage disturbances; second, the SM's capacitor voltage ripple is upper bounded; and third, the insulation stress due to the common-mode voltage at the transformer's secondary windings is minimized. The performance of the claimed features is supported by simulation results for both steady-state and transient operating conditions.
Modeling and Estimating for Flight Delay Propagation in a Reduced Flight Chain Based on a Mixed Learning Method

Flight delay and delay propagation has been paid more and more attention by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Flight delay is the source of propagation, while delay propagated within a Flight Chain. Busy hub-airport plays an important role in a Flight Chain, and the Initial Delay often happens there. Through analyzing delay status of the busy hub-airports in a Flight Chain, the status of whole chain will be found out basically. Bayesian network (BN) is chosen as the tool to model and estimate flight delay in a busy hub-airport. We proposed two modeling methods with different algorithms, which are separately based on parameter learning and structure learning of BN. The models learned by K2 provide a successful topology for estimating the flight delay, with all the estimating correct rates are higher than 90%. Then we use a method mixed by the both structure learning and pure parameter learning to build a network model for a reduced Flight Chain, the modelpsilas structure is established based on the learned topology. The delay estimation by the model proves much better than the old model trained by pure parameter learning.
Fog Function Virtualization: A flexible solution for IoT applications

The Internet of Things applications must carefully assess certain crucial factors such as the real-time and largely distributed nature of the “things”. Fog Computing provides an architecture to satisfy those requirements through nodes located from near the “things” till the edge. The problem comes with the integration of the Fog nodes into current infrastructures. This process requires the development of complex software solutions and prevents Fog growth. In this paper we propose three innovations to enhance Fog: (i) a new orchestration policy, (ii) the creation of constellations of nodes, and (iii) Fog Function Virtualization (FFV). All together will complement Fog to reach its true potential as a generic scalable platform, running multiple IoT applications simultaneously. Deploying a new service is reduced to the development of the application code, fact that brings the democratization of the Fog Computing paradigm through ease of deployment and cost reduction.
DESIGNING FOR SMALL BATHROOMS

This paper will focus on how to design a series of bathroom products that work well for small bathrooms using the principles of universal design. In home culture research, Quitzau and Rřpke has studied bathroom transformation from hygiene to well-being. Bathrooms are one of the rooms in apartments that do not have good solutions for small spaces. This is unfortunate since it is the bathroom that has the least amount of space in urban apartments. This leads many people to have too little bathroom space due to furniture, toilets, showers, etc. In today's society, the bathroom is no longer just a purpose room. It is used for relaxation and wellness. This has led to a trend where large furniture, such as freestanding bathtubs, dominate today's market. This in turn allows the few solutions that exist for small bathrooms to remain poorly conceived. The research question was therefore how to create solutions for small bathrooms to get the same sense of well-being as in larger bathrooms through universal design principals. The principles of universal design, observations and in-depth interviews were used in the study. This study can help to create a greater understanding of how to design small bathrooms. It will be relevant in a cross disciplinary field, including for professionals in plumbing, product design and technical solutions. This will also increase the well-being of users of the bathroom.
A long InGaAsP / InP waveguide section with small dimensions

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A stochastic model of TCP/IP with stationary random losses

In this paper, we present a model for TCP/IP congestion control mechanism. The rate at which data is transmitted increases linearly in time until a packet loss is detected. At this point, the transmission rate is divided by a constant factor. Losses are generated by some exogenous random process which is assumed to be stationary ergodic. This allows us to account for any correlation and any distribution of inter-loss times. We obtain an explicit expression for the throughput of a TCP connection and bounds on the throughput when there is a limit on the window size. In addition, we study the effect of the Timeout mechanism on the throughput. A set of experiments is conducted over the real Internet and a comparison is provided with other models that make simple assumptions on the inter-loss time process. The comparison shows that our model approximates well the throughput of TCP for many distributions of inter-loss times.