Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bilateral localisation algorithm for wireless sensor networks with communication holes

Localisation is one of the vital services for many protocols and applications in wireless sensor networks. Although in most of the range base localisation algorithms an unknown node requires at least three anchor nodes to localise itself, some bilateration approaches can perform the task with only two anchors. These approaches lose their accuracy in cases when there is sparsity of nodes at some spot in the field. A communication hole is a problem that localisation algorithms face, causing their performance reduction. In this paper, we devise a new recursive approach, called non-directed bilateration position estimation NBPE that uses only two anchor nodes to calculate two possible positions and prune one of them using a specific criterion. To decrease error propagation a precedence mechanism is applied to select the proper anchors, which results in higher accuracy in networks with communication holes. NBPE is evaluated through simulation under various noise conditions and network densities.
Restraint stress modulates glucocorticoid receptors and nuclear factor kappa B in the cochlea

The regulation of glucocorticoid receptors and nuclear factor κB was evaluated in the spiral ganglion neurons after 4 h of restraint stress in the mouse cochlea. Immediately after restraint stress, glucocorticoid receptor protein expression was not altered in spiral ganglion neurons even though both the plasma corticosterone levels and glucocorticoid receptor nuclear translocation increased. By 24 h after restraint stress, the protein expression of glucocorticoid receptors was decreased in spiral ganglion neurons. Pre-treatment with RU486 and metyrapone prevented nuclear translocation of glucocorticoid receptors and nuclear factor κB. Moreover, the synthesis of nuclear factor κB protein (p65) and inhibitory factor κB&agr; decreased when RU486 and metyrapone treatment was given before restraint stress. These findings suggest that restraint stress modulates glucocorticoid receptor and nuclear factor κB activity in the spiral ganglion neurons, resulting in an altered response to stress.
Analysis of SMEs incremental innovation structural affecting factors:winning by resource or ability?

Incremental innovation is an important innovation strategy of SMEs in China.However,the existing paper focusing on SMEs incremental innovation affecting factors is still lack.Based on 137 Zhejiang SME as the research object,we use exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to verify the SMEs incremental innovation influencing factors:network position,network fit and innovation potential.Furthermore,there is a cumulative effect among the above foctors,that means the influencing effect of later factor is based on the previous factor.The results of this paper propose the boundary conditions of SMEs incremental innovation strategy implement,and provide a theoretical support and decision-making for breaking the bottleneck of innovation to achieve sustainable development of SMEs in China.
Thermal Stability of TiN/Ti/p+-Si0.3Ge0.7 Contact With Ultralow Contact Resistivity

In this letter, the contact properties and thermal stability of TiN/Ti/p<sup>+</sup> -Si<sub>0.3</sub>Ge<sub>0.7</sub> contacts are investigated. We demonstrate that the insertion of an ultra-thin Ti interlayer is necessary to reduce the contact resistivity (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rho _{c}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) as compared with a standard TiN/p<sup>+</sup>-Si<sub>0.3</sub>Ge<sub>0.7</sub> direct contact. However, the Ti interlayer has to be thin enough to avoid degradation of the contact morphology after 500 °C annealing. This letter reveals further that the Ti encroachment into grooved SiGe regions under the contact interface is responsible for the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rho _{c}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> increase seen after this annealing.
The impact of Olympic sponsorship on corporate image

This paper attempts to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the benefits of sponsorship by describing research on what is now widely regarded as the ultimate sponsorship event—the Summer Olympics. The research is one of a series of studies conducted by the American NBC television network in connection with its coverage of Olympic Games which explore how advertising during this event provides special benefits for its sponsors. The study described here found a positive impact on a major Olympic sponsor's corporate image that, to a large extent, was a result of ‘extra’ benefits resulting from the Olympic sponsorship.
μ-Suboptimal design of a robustly performing controller for a chemical reactor

Abstract The design of robustly performing controllers for an important class of control problems is treated. The problem is dealt with in the structured singular value (μ)-framework. The systems considered are characterized by weak nonlineari-ties and parametric and unstructured uncertainties. Nonlinear effects are taken into account via linearization families. Parametric uncertainty is included in a non-conservative way. Both lead to a μ-synthesis problem with repeated scalar real perturbations. As no direct solution to such a μ-synthesis problem is known to date, an iterative approach comprising both μ-analysis of the actual problem and D-K-iteration for a modified problem is shown. This approach is applied to a realistic continuous stirred-tank reactor for production of cyclopen-tenol to show the applicability to non-trivial MIMO process control problems.
Hybrid Energy and Bandwidth Management for Cognitive Radio on Cloud Data Centers

: Cloud data centers shares the storage space with the data providers. Wireless infrastructures are used for data center access. Communication bandwidth is shared between the cloud users. Smart grids are used to manage power, information and security services. Cloud computing data center is used as the central communication and optimization infrastructure. Cognitive radio network of AMI meters supports wireless transmission on the cloud environment. Net book advance metering infrastructure (Net-AMI) is used for wireless communication. The Net-AMI is a low cost infrastructure of AMI meters. Netbooks are operated with wireless transceiver. Netbooks uses cloud data center energy services, cognitive radio services and wireless communication services. Cognitive radios channels are used for the Net-AMI. Smart grid systems are constructed with Net-AMI models to share the cloud infrastructure under wireless environment. Smart grid supports software upgradable services for the cloud users. Link analysis is performed to schedule downlink and uplink Net-AMI packets in multiuser cognitive radio environment. The system can handles thousands of variations in power systems, communication protocols, and control and energy optimization protocols. Radio frequency (RF) and fiber optic communication models are used in the system. The proposed system is designed to manage cloud data centers with wireless communication model. Energy and bandwidth management models are integrated with the Net-AMI scheme. Pricing schemes are included for bandwidth and data sharing process. Priority based bandwidth allocation is integrated in the wireless communication process.
What ‘Healthy Living’ Means to Consumers: Trialing a New Qualitative Research Technique

A new qualitative research technique of ‘associative meaning mapping’ is used to understand what the term ‘Healthy Living’ means to consumers. The technique extends the method of associative group analysis, and uses a Darwinian ‘survival of the fittest’ rationale to build a group-level summary map of meaning from individual chains of associations. This is done by a special iterative computer programme. The usefulness, validity and reliability of the technique are discussed. It is suggested that such ‘meme maps’ may be useful in providing insight and creative stimulus for marketing initiatives that ‘connect’ with consumers.
Brain-computer interface based on the high-frequency steady-state visual evoked potential

Low-frequency steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) are used as the input signal in the present SSVEP-based brain-computer interface (BCI). This prototype system has a high information transfer rate. On the other hand, it has some limitations including visual fatigue, false positive, and some possibility of causing a seizure. These drawbacks can be largely eliminated when using high-frequency stimulations. In this paper, we study the amplitude versus stimulation frequency response of SSVEPs. The signal-to-noise ratio versus frequency curve suggests that the high-frequency SSVEP (>20Hz) could help to construct a practical BCI system.
CTCF Interacts with and Recruits the Largest Subunit of RNA Polymerase II to CTCF Target Sites Genome-Wide

ABSTRACT CTCF is a transcription factor with highly versatile functions ranging from gene activation and repression to the regulation of insulator function and imprinting. Although many of these functions rely on CTCF-DNA interactions, it is an emerging realization that CTCF-dependent molecular processes involve CTCF interactions with other proteins. In this study, we report the association of a subpopulation of CTCF with the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) protein complex. We identified the largest subunit of Pol II (LS Pol II) as a protein significantly colocalizing with CTCF in the nucleus and specifically interacting with CTCF in vivo and in vitro. The role of CTCF as a link between DNA and LS Pol II has been reinforced by the observation that the association of LS Pol II with CTCF target sites in vivo depends on intact CTCF binding sequences. “Serial” chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis revealed that both CTCF and LS Pol II were present at the β-globin insulator in proliferating HD3 cells but not in differentiated globin synthesizing HD3 cells. Further, a single wild-type CTCF target site (N-Myc-CTCF), but not the mutant site deficient for CTCF binding, was sufficient to activate the transcription from the promoterless reporter gene in stably transfected cells. Finally, a ChIP-on-ChIP hybridization assay using microarrays of a library of CTCF target sites revealed that many intergenic CTCF target sequences interacted with both CTCF and LS Pol II. We discuss the possible implications of our observations with respect to plausible mechanisms of transcriptional regulation via a CTCF-mediated direct link of LS Pol II to the DNA.
Decision Making Processes for Introducing New Health Technology at Institutional Level: Decision Makers' Perspective.

New health technologies have significantly improved health and quality of life. Nevertheless, they also create challenges in ensuring value for money and concerns over safety and efficacy. Health technology assessment (HTA) has been recognised as an essential tool in addressing these issues. However, concern about HTA dissemination and use by decision makers at institutional level has been expressed. This study explores health care decision makers' experiences concerning decision-making processes for the introduction and adoption of new health technologies at one group of not-for- profit private hospitals in South East Queensland. The aim of the study was to gain knowledge about HTA adoption at institutional level and suggest ways to encourage diffusion of HTA into practice. Thirteen in-depth, semi- structured interviews were conducted with key decision makers. Interviewees described decision-making processes as 'informal'. Safety and effectiveness were considered important, but cost and doctor demand were the standard drivers for decisions about the uptake of new technologies. The decision makers were generally unclear about HTA and its potential. Most information for decisions was based on information from suppliers, other hospitals within the group, and the people or departments who requested the product. The main areas identified for improvement were a desire to have a more formal process for evaluating new health technology, the need for unbiased and timely information, and the use of hospital based, or local HTA. Findings from this study show that the evidence provided by HTA is not being fully utilised by decision makers in this group of hospitals to make informed decisions.
Exploring the Antecedents of Hotel Customer Loyalty: A Social Identity Perspective

One of the most important aspects in the field of marketing is to explore the path to customer loyalty. Previous studies have presented several approaches on this issue incorporating differing central constructs. However, researchers have given little consideration to social identification antecedents to hotel customer loyalty development. This study follows an integrated approach and proposes a model with two social exchange constructs (customer trust and commitment) and one social identity variable (customer identification) as the most significant elements between the perception of a responsible corporate behavior and hotel customer loyalty. Empirical data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings demonstrate that corporate social responsibility positively impact on customer trust, commitment, and identification with the company. Furthermore, customer trust, along with customer commitment and customer identification with the company positively influence hotel customer loyalty. Finally, .
Semi–Field Comparison of the Bg Lure, Nonanal, and 1-Octen-3-OL to Attract Adult Mosquitoes In Northwestern Florida

Abstract The relative attractiveness of Mosquito Magnet-X® suction traps baited with various combinations of the BG Lure, nonanal, 1-octen-3-ol (octenol), and carbon dioxide was evaluated against laboratory-reared female Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus in semi–field trials in northwestern Florida. In the absence of carbon dioxide, traps baited with the BG Lure (comprised of ammonia, caproic acid, and lactic acid) collected just as many mosquitoes as traps baited with carbon dioxide only. The numbers of mosquitoes caught in traps baited with no carbon dioxide and only nonanal, octenol, or their combination with or without the BG Lure were generally depressed compared with traps baited with carbon dioxide alone. When these chemicals were combined with carbon dioxide, no significant difference existed in the abundance of either mosquito species caught compared with traps baited only with carbon dioxide. However, in one trial, the combination of BG Lure plus octenol and carbon dioxide resulted in nearly a 4-fold depression in Ae. albopictus collections compared with carbon dioxide–only baited traps. The reason for this discordance remains to be investigated.
Isolation and Screening of Filamentous Fungi Producing Extracellular Lipase with Potential in Biodiesel Production

Nineteen fungal strains were isolated from a chicken slaughterhouse effluent and within those, only one showed high values of lipolytic activity in submerged cultures. This fungus was identified as Trametes hirsuta. The crude extract was immobilized in chitosan/clay beads, with an immobilization yield of 80.9%. The analyses of the crude extract and the immobilized derivative at different temperatures, pH (s), solvents, metallic ions and storage showed that the immobilization process increased the enzyme life span. Ethyl esters were obtained in solvent free systems using chicken viscera oil and the enzyme crude extract. For effective comparison, a reaction using viscera oil and commercial lipase Novozym 435 was carried out. The result revealed 35% and 28% esters conversion in the reactions containing chicken viscera oil, using Novozym 435 and the crude extract respectively. The extract was also used in a reaction with soybean oil, traditionally used as starting substrate for biodiesel production.
Guest Relationship Management Principles as a Reference Point for building a Brand: The Case a Hospitality Group's Brand-building Process

The objective of this paper was to gain insight into the delimitation of ‘brand territory’ and ‘relationship territory’, in these territories’ interdependencies as well as relevant managerial attitudes and perceptions. Full support for this research was gained from a Dutch hospitality group which recently had formulated its new brand strategy and which was on the verge of entering into a rapid expansion track. Over a period of three years desk research, surveys and in-depth interviews created a clear picture of the process of brand building in practice. A striking outcome of the executed research was that most hospitality managers of the studied company were not aware of the differences between the relationship management and the brand management processes. By following a stakeholder approach, authors revealed a range of perspectives on Guest Relationship Management (GRM) that can enhance the probability of a successful outcome of the brand building process.
The Measurement of Switching Costs as a Perception of Customers in the Turkish Credit Card Market

Nowadays, protecting market share against rival firms is more important than ever due to the decline in market growth rate and the increase in the competition. The main requirement for protecting market share is to create loyal customers. Switching costs are one of the strategies for reaching this goal. Switching costs are important factors in terms of both banks and customers. Switching costs occur, when a customer prefers a different brand in his new purchasing decision process and they contain financial, procedural and psychological dimensions.In this study, the aim is to develop a third-order measurement model with all the dimensions. Such dimension as multi-dimensional switching costs is used to determine switching costs value of subscribers in Turkish credit card market. We also examined the existing studies in literature on switching costs with regard to credit cards. It may have been previously studied but in the literature we didn’t come across any metrics for measuring the switching costs and perception costs of the customers in considering three dimensions of this structure or model. We developed a third-order measuring model and tested the third-order measurement model’s validity and reliability and it was verified using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. We used a survey of switching costs and perception costs associated with the banks and credit card users. The survey was sent to 1020 credit card users. 450 users responded to the survey. A return rate of the survey was 45%. Psychological switching costs were found to be the most important factor.
Uses and Misuses of Online-Survey Panels in Digital Research

The author offers opinions on the use of Internet surveys in marketing research. A threat to the accuracy of such surveys is said to exist in that persons who participate in online survey panels tend to be much heavier users of the Internet than other consumers, meaning that their answers to questions on mass media use or shopping behavior can skew survey results. It is stated that that can lead to poor decisions in advertising media planning based on a perception that consumers on average spend more time on the Internet than they actually do.
A hypergraph-cut based denoising algorithm for ICCD image

ICCD image is captured in extremely low-light conditions by ICCD camera. It often contains spatially clustered noise, thus, general filtering methods do not work well. We present a denoising algorithm to remove the noise in the ICCD image. First, we over-segment the ICCD image into flat patches. Second, we classify the patches into noisy patches and noise-free patches based on hypergraph cut method. Then the noise-free patches are recovered by the general BM3D, since they do not contain clustered noise. The noisy patches are recovered by diminishing identified clustered noise from the noisy patches. After that, we could get the recovered ICCD image. Experiments are conducted on a set of ICCD images, which shows that the proposed algorithm remove the randomly clustered noise and preserve the textural information in the ICCD images.
A History of the Nigerian Health Services

reproduced on pages 15-19, together with the answers received. We may add that this is a rare specimen of the acquisition of guided information so early as the eighteenth century; second, a passage on Astruc's share in forming a theory of reflex movement. The last biography in the present volume, which much surpasses the preceding ones in bulk (137 pages) is that of Xavier Bichat; a posthumous publication of a work written by Maurice Genty (1961), whose earlier and smaller contributions to the Biographies Medicales (1927-1936) we have repeatedly used with profit. Antoine Louis, the distinguished French mid-eighteenth-century surgeon, was strongly dissatisfied with his family name which could easily be mistaken for a forename. However, he would probably have derived delighted satisfaction from the elegant biography, included in the present volume some 180 years after his death. Of course, he should not be mistaken for his namesake Pierre-Charles-Alexandre Louis (1787-1872) who has achieved greater international renown through his introduction of statistical methods for the evaluation of therapeutic procedures. The fourth biography is of Pierre Desault, who is here compared (pp. 147-51) with his contemporary John Hunter. A pleasant feature of the book is the inclusion of detailed bibliographies following the voluminous references. They have been arranged as follows: manuscripts with exact guide to their location; printed books and papers; general bibliography of printed material on the subject; listed iconography. The authors must be commended for their scholarly and readable work and the publishers for the beautiful and richly illustrated edition. This book fulfils admirably what its author set out to do. It is a comprehensive-even compendious-account of the development of health services in Nigeria from the earliest days until 1960, the year of Independence. By virtue of his teaching appointments in Nigeria, Scotland and Uganda, Dr. Schram has had an unrivalled opportunity of studying his subject both on the field and in libraries in several countries, where he has had access to original documents and archives. A probing mind and an innate curiosity have led him into the fascinating byways of the earliest contacts between Western medicine and indigenous culture in Nigeria. He traces the story of the Niger expeditions, with their tragic trail of sickness and death, and the pioneer thrustings of the missionary doctors. The colonial medical service is seen to grow from the modest beginnings of barrack medicine and the care ofthe isolated expatriate communities into attempts …
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

This paper describes the concept and characteristics of financial accounting, in general and particularly, it describes the concept and characteristics of management accounting, from the perspectives of various local and international authors. In the first part, the paper presents a brief history of the development of management accounting from the theoretical point of view and, in the second part, is a brief description of management accounting in practical terms. Research in the history of accounting and management accounting was for some time considered to be of low value (because it isn't perceived to be made "scientific") or as an approach of finding practical answers to current problems.