Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dual Based DSP Bidding Strategy and its Application

In recent years, RTB(Real Time Bidding) becomes a popular online advertisement trading method. During the auction, each DSP(Demand Side Platform) is supposed to evaluate current opportunity and respond with an ad and corresponding bid price. It's essential for DSP to find an optimal ad selection and bid price determination strategy which maximizes revenue or performance under budget and ROI(Return On Investment) constraints in P4P(Pay For Performance) or P4U(Pay For Usage) mode. We solve this problem by 1) formalizing the DSP problem as a constrained optimization problem, 2) proposing the augmented MMKP(Multi-choice Multi-dimensional Knapsack Problem) with general solution, 3) and demonstrating the DSP problem is a special case of the augmented MMKP and deriving specialized strategy. Our strategy is verified through simulation and outperforms state-of-the-art strategies in real application. To the best of our knowledge, our solution is the first dual based DSP bidding framework that is derived from strict second price auction assumption and generally applicable to the multiple ads scenario with various objectives and constraints.
Reliability in the location of hindlimb motor representations in Fischer-344 rats: laboratory investigation.

OBJECT The purpose of the present study was to determine the feasibility of using a common laboratory rat strain for reliably locating cortical motor representations of the hindlimb. METHODS Intracortical microstimulation techniques were used to derive detailed maps of the hindlimb motor representations in 6 adult Fischer-344 rats. RESULTS The organization of the hindlimb movement representation, while variable across individual rats in topographic detail, displayed several commonalities. The hindlimb representation was positioned posterior to the forelimb motor representation and posterolateral to the motor trunk representation. The areal extent of the hindlimb representation across the cortical surface averaged 2.00 ± 0.50 mm(2). Superimposing individual maps revealed an overlapping area measuring 0.35 mm(2), indicating that the location of the hindlimb representation can be predicted reliably based on stereotactic coordinates. Across the sample of rats, the hindlimb representation was found 1.25-3.75 mm posterior to the bregma, with an average center location approximately 2.6 mm posterior to the bregma. Likewise, the hindlimb representation was found 1-3.25 mm lateral to the midline, with an average center location approximately 2 mm lateral to the midline. CONCLUSIONS The location of the cortical hindlimb motor representation in Fischer-344 rats can be reliably located based on its stereotactic position posterior to the bregma and lateral to the longitudinal skull suture at midline. The ability to accurately predict the cortical localization of functional hindlimb territories in a rodent model is important, as such animal models are being increasingly used in the development of brain-computer interfaces for restoration of function after spinal cord injury.
X-ray Grating-based Phase Contrast CT for Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation

X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging (XPCI) techniques have been receiving increasing attention in the last decade due to the contrast improvement that they offer for weakly absorbing materials such as polymers or biological soft tissues. However, their use in industrial non-destructive testing and evaluation has been up to now marginal, on one hand due to the technical limitations of the initial experimental prototypes and on the other hand, because the applications that are the most adapted to this new contrast mechanism were mostly unknown. In this paper, we present recent developments made on X-ray Phase Contrast Imaging based on the Talbot-Lau interferometer that allows for high contrast measurements of weakly absorbing objects. The potential for the industrial inspection of fiber reinforced materials (for example impact damage, fiber debonding or porosity) is illustrated with experimental results.
Crisis in the boardroom: fact and fiction

Executive Overview In recent years the popular press has been replete with articles suggesting that a “crisis” is taking place in America's boardrooms. The culprit—shareholder suits—is blamed not only for the difficulty directors are having in securing affordable liability insurance but also for the exodus of outsiders from corporate boards. Based on a study of 162 publicly held firms, Kesner and Johnson take a closer look at the rise in shareholder suits to distinguish fact from fiction. The authors address trends in shareholder lawsuits and judgments against corporate boards, escalating insurance premiums, the link between corporate size and shareholder suits, and commonly accepted boardroom reforms such as inside/outside composition, separation of the CEO and chairperson positions, stockholding requirements for directors, and decreasing board size. Kesner and Johnson reveal some surprising findings regarding the legal exposure of corporate directors and the related costs of liability insurance. Their r.
Molecular Diagnostics as an Indispensable Tool for the Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases of Viral Origin and Global Impact

Infectious diseases are responsible for a considerable number of deaths in infectious in entire world. Infectious diseases are human diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and other microorganisms. Most of them have been controlled by vaccines or antimicrobials. However, some of them still represent global public health problems and are being monitored by the WHO and Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This chapter provides an overview of the applications of molecular methods for infectious diseases caused by viruses (intracellular obligate parasites) of global impact such as Dengue virus, Hepatitis B virus or influenza A virus. The infectious diseases not only represent a potential danger to the life of all human beings but also a significant investment in its detection, treatment and control of their spread. The increase in opportunities of infection by globalization, high rates of mobility among most countries around the world, the patient susceptibility to diseases due to genetic variation in populations [1], the ability of the microorganisms to evade the host immune response has forced the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish better methods of detection, prevention and control of infectious diseases caused by viruses as influenza A virus, coronaviruses, dengue virus, among others [2]. On the other hand, some types of cancer are the result of chronic viral infections caused by human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C virus. Other infectious diseases are related to the development of neurological disorders caused by the measles virus, or human immunodeficiency virus [3]. In the determination of the etiology
Port integration in global supply chains: measures and implications for maritime logistics

The aim of this article is to define and empirically develop measures of seaport integration in global supply chains and to infer implications for maritime logistics. A literature review identified four key parameters hypothesised to be part of the higher-order construct of ‘terminal supply chain integration’ (TESCI). Data for operationalizing the conceptualised variables were obtained via a large scale survey of container terminal operators. A model was developed and validated using confirmatory factor analysis. The validated parameters of the higher-order construct of ‘TESCI’ included ‘information and communication systems’, ‘value-added services’, ‘multimodal systems and operations’, and ‘supply chain integration practices’. The study provides implications for maritime logistics by focusing on key parameters such as determination of costs, revenues, performance, productivity, and competitive advantage for international supply chains.
Domino effects in international networks

ABSTRACT The two basic characteristics of the industrial network approach are firstly, that actors and individual relationships between actors are embedded in a network context and secondly, that important driving forces for change are endogenous. In this paper we consider these two basic characteristics, as we develop the “domino effects” concept to describe and analyze how changes in one relationship explain sequential, consecutive changes in other relationships. Domino effects are more likely to develop where a higher degree of integration and complexity in the network exist. The effects are transferred via indirect relationships. The need to defend existing markets and the importance of getting the timing right when seeking new representatives are both factors which add impetus to structural changes in the industry.
Photorealistic facial image from monochrome pencil sketch

classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the Owner/Author. SIGGRAPH 2014, August 10 – 14, 2014, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 2014 Copyright held by the Owner/Author. ACM 978-1-4503-2958-3/14/08 Photorealistic Facial Image from Monochrome Pencil Sketch
Factors Affecting Customer Satisfaction, Quality Banking Services to Iran, Using the Servqual Model Case Study: Resalat Bank of Kermanshah Province

The key to life is entitled to keep customers satisfied. Customer satisfaction is undoubtedly one of the most strategic subjects in recent decades. As the global economy, it is said, are clients who are determining the survival of the company. Since this research is to assess customer satisfaction, quality banking services to Iran Case Study: Kermanshah Province Resalat Bank‘s, according to the SERVQUAL model pays respect to the purpose of the research, applied research survey. The sample consists of 384 bank customers, which were selected using simple random sampling. The results showed that, of the five Servqual model (appearances, empathy, trust, accountability and assurance), the Resalat Bank‘s of service quality on customer satisfaction, impact.
Guidance of neuronal growth cones in the grasshopper embryo. I. Recognition of a specific axonal pathway by the pCC neuron

The selective affinities that growth cones display for specific axonal surfaces give rise to stereotyped patterns of selective fasciculation. Previous studies on cell recognition by neuronal growth cones in the grasshopper embryo led to the proposal and initial experimental testing of the labeled-pathways hypothesis. Here we report on a further experimental analysis of this hypothesis, using the first 3 longitudinal axon fascicles, which initially contain only the axons of 7 identified neurons. We describe and experimentally test the selective affinity of the pCC growth cone for the MP1 and dMP2 axons in the MP1/dMP2 fascicle. The pCC growth cone appears to demonstrate an absolute, rather than hierarchical, preference for the MP1/dMP2 fascicle, as compared with other longitudinal axon fascicles, which supports the notion that the surfaces of the MP1 and dMP2 axons have some special distinguishing label that guides the pCC growth cone onto and along them.
Use of troponin to diagnose periprocedural myocardial infarction: effect on composite endpoints in the British Bifurcation Coronary Study (BBC ONE)

Background Periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI; ESC/ACC type 4a) is diagnosed on the basis of elevation of cardiac enzymes more than three times the 99th centile upper reference limit. Recent guidelines recommend the use of troponin instead of creatine kinase (CK) to diagnose PMI, but this assay increases diagnostic sensitivity, while the clinical significance of small increases in troponin remains undetermined. We examined the effects of using the new definition on the incidence of a composite endpoint (previously defined by CK) in a contemporary clinical randomised trial—the British Bifurcation Coronary Study (BBC ONE). Methods The BBC ONE trial randomly allocated 500 patients with coronary bifurcation lesions to either a simple or complex stenting strategy. The composite primary endpoint (CPEP) included death, myocardial infarction (MI) (PMI plus subsequent MI) and target vessel failure, at 9 months. Results In BBC ONE the CPEP occurred in 8% versus 15.2% in the simple and complex groups, respectively (HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.17 to 3.47, p=0.009). This difference was largely driven by PMI, which occurred in nine (3.6%) versus 28 (11.2%) patients (HR 3.24, 95% CI 1.53 to 6.86, p=0.001). Using troponin, PMI would have occurred in 71 (28.4%) versus 114 (45.6%) patients, respectively (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.05, p=0.001), and the CPEP in 32% versus 48% of patients (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.87, p=0.001). Use of troponin increased MI detection fivefold, from 7.4% to 37.0% overall. Conclusions Use of troponin would have led to a fivefold increase in diagnosis of PMI in the BBC ONE trial. Incorporation of PMI into a composite endpoint may no longer be justified in many interventional trials.
Measuring long‐distance seed dispersal in complex natural environments: an evaluation and integration of classical and genetic methods

1 Seed dispersal is a critical life stage of plants, yet accurate measurement of dispersal distances has been difficult in natural systems. Genetic techniques for matching dispersed seeds to maternal trees provide valuable data on dispersal events. Questions remain regarding how best to estimate the population seed dispersal distance distributions from such data and how these estimates compare with classical non‐genetic estimates based on seed trap data alone. 2 Using simulated data, we compared seed shadow estimates obtained via standard inverse modelling of seed arrival into seed traps within mapped stands (summed seed shadow, SSS) with estimates from four models using genetic matches: direct fitting of the observed distribution of distances in the genotyped sample (observed distance, OBS), direct fitting inversely weighted by sampling intensity (OBSw), inverse modelling of numbers of seeds of each genotype in each trap (gene shadow model, GSM), and inverse modelling of frequencies of each genotype in each trap (competing sources model, CSM). We further explored how consideration of immigrant seed rain from unmapped and ungenotyped trees outside the stand affected dispersal estimates, denoting these variants SSSi, GSMi and CSMi. 3 We applied these models to an empirical data set for the Neotropical tree Jacaranda copaia, using a hierarchical Bayesian model to incorporate variation in fecundity among trees. 4 Fits to simulated data sets showed that OBS and SSS estimates were strongly biased, while SSSi, GSMi and CSMi were mildly biased. Root mean square errors varied as OBS >> SSS > OBSw > CSMi > GSMi > SSSi > CSM > GSM. 5 Comparing results for Jacaranda under the three best models, mean posterior estimates of dispersal distances varied as SSSi < GSM < CSM, but credible intervals overlapped among all three models, demonstrating agreement that long‐distance dispersal is common. 6 Synthesis. Here we reconcile two general approaches used to study seed dispersal distances in natural communities. Genetic and non‐genetic approaches can both provide good estimates of seed dispersal provided that analyses of genetic data take account of any deviation from random selection of seeds for genotyping, and that SSS models consider immigrant seed rain in the analysis whenever there is reason to think its contribution is non‐zero. The use of the models presented here should provide better estimates of population‐level dispersal distance distributions in genetic and classical seed dispersal studies.
State estimation by orthogonal hybrid (combination of SHF and RHTF) function

A method of estimation of state variables of observable linear continuous time dynamical system from the knowledge of control variables and observed variables with the help of Hybrid function (which is composed of SHF and RHTF) is developed. The theory of full order observer as proposed by Luenberger along with the operational properties of HF is utilized here for the reconstruction of the state variables.
The dynamic analysis of apparent contours

The authors develop previous theories of the analysis of deformation of apparent contours under viewer motion. Earlier results showing how surface curvature can be inferred from acceleration of image features are generalized for arbitrary viewer motion and perspective projection. It is shown that relative image acceleration, based on parallax measurements, is robust to uncertainties in robot motion. The theory has been implemented and extensively tested in a real-time (15 frames per second) tracking system based on deformable contours (snakes). It is shown that focusing attention by means of snakes allows rapid, robust computation of surface curvature, including discrimination of extremal and occluding contours. <<ETX>>
Ethanol (E) Impairs Fetal Brain GSH Homeostasis by Inhibiting Excitatory Amino-Acid Carrier 1 (EAAC1)-Mediated Cysteine Transport

Central among the fetotoxic responses to in utero ethanol (E) exposure is redox-shift related glutathione (GSH) loss and apoptosis. Previously, we reported that despite an E-generated Nrf2 upregulation, fetal neurons still succumb. In this study, we investigate if the compromised GSH results from an impaired inward transport of cysteine (Cys), a precursor of GSH in association with dysregulated excitatory amino acid carrier1 (EAAC1), a cysteine transporter. In utero binge model involves administration of isocaloric dextrose or 20% E (3.5 g/kg)/ by gavage at 12 h intervals to pregnant Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, starting gestation day (gd) 17 with a final dose on gd19, 2 h prior to sacrifice. Primary cerebral cortical neurons (PCNs) from embryonic day 16–17 fetal SD rats were the in vitro model. E reduced both PCN and cerebral cortical GSH and Cys up to 50% and the abridged GSH could be blocked by administration of N-acetylcysteine. E reduced EAAC1 protein expression in utero and in PCNs (p < 0.05). This was accompanied by a 60–70% decrease in neuron surface expression of EAAC1 along with significant reductions of EAAC1/Slc1a1 mRNA (p < 0.05). In PCNs, EAAC1 knockdown significantly decreased GSH but not oxidized glutathione (GSSG) illustrating that while not the sole provider of Cys, EAAC1 plays an important role in neuron GSH homeostasis. These studies strongly support the concept that in both E exposed intact fetal brain and cultured PCNs a mechanism underlying E impairment of GSH homeostasis is reduction of import of external Cys which is mediated by perturbations of EAAC1 expression/function.
Consumer Acceptance Of Online Banking In Malaysia

The objective of this study was to increase the current understanding of the factors that influence online banking acceptance. More precisely, online banking acceptance was studied from the information systems acceptance point of view referring to the idea that consumers are using banks information system directly and hence more knowledge on the factors that affect information system adoption was needed in order to better undertsand and facilitate the acceptance.
Bank Loans to Distressed Firms: Cronyism, bank governance and economic crisis

Loans to financially distressed firms contributed to Korea's 1997 crisis. Possible explanations for these loans include bank's better inside information on borrowing firms, crony lending, and financial institutions' (FI) moral hazards (FIs' poor governance). We examined 6474 non-financial firms' capital structures during 1990-2000. Firms in distress or with higher leverage growth rates tended to show lower expost ability to pay debt, and lower return on assets, suggesting that lending decision is not based on inside information. Even after controlling for available collateral, size and industry effects, distressed firms with large business group (chaebol) affiliation showed the highest borrowing growth rate without proportionately more short-term loans, suggesting crony lending or government guarantees. Distressed firms with FI affiliation showed a higher leverage growth rate, consistent with the related lending argument. Distressed non-chaebol firms without FI affiliation also showed higher leverage growth rates and with proportionately more short-term loans. However, their ex-post performance was lower. These results show that banks lent to these small firms without affiliation to chaebols nor FIs despite the lack of external pressure, suggesting poor governance at the FIs.
Encapsulation of a Decision-Making Model to Optimize Supplier Selection via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

This paper proposes a conceptual framework to compare criteria/factor that influence the supplier selection. A mixed methods approach comprising qualitative and quantitative survey will be used. The study intend to identify and define the metrics that key stakeholders at Public Works Department (PWD) believed should be used for supplier. The outcomes would foresee the possible initiatives to bring procurement in PWD to a strategic level. The results will provide a deeper understanding of drivers for supplier’s selection in the construction industry. The obtained output will benefit many parties involved in the supplier selection decision-making. The findings provides useful information and greater understanding of the perceptions that PWD executives hold regarding supplier selection and the extent to which these perceptions are consistent with findings from prior studies. The findings from this paper can be utilized as input for policy makers to outline any changes in the current procurement code of practice in order to enhance the degree of transparency and integrity in decision-making.
A Study on Factors Facilitating Access to Mobile Phone Money in Uganda

The convergence of mobile telephony and financial services has the potential to significantly expand access to financial services to individuals at the base of the pyramid. In Uganda, roughly 80 percent of the population has no access to banking services and mobile phone money, a financial service and transaction made on a mobile phone could address this financial gap. The focus of this phenomenological study was to explore access to mobile phone money in Uganda, in particular, from the experiences of 4 mobile network operators, 8 network agents and 19 mobile phone money users in Kampala district. The question for this research was: What are the factors influencing access to mobile phone money in Uganda? The conceptual framework for this study was based on Kim and Mauborgue’s concept of Blue Ocean Strategy (Kim & Mauborgue, 2005). Key findings revealed that a wide network of agents was the most important factor for access to mobile phone money services. The most used mobile phone money service was transfer of money to relatives and friends. The main conclusion from this study is that mobile phone money has improved financial inclusion in Uganda as over 2 million adults who were previously unbanked are accessing financial services using their mobile phones.