Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Similarities and Differences in Antecedents of Store Brand and National Brand Promotion Attitudes: Evidence from Chile

Retailers compete against national manufacturers by launching store brands. National manufactures regularly use brand promotions to fight store brands back. The purpose of this article is to find out whether attitudes toward national brand promotions and store brands have similar or different conceptual antecedents. The study presents and tests a model of the effects of shoppers´ characteristics (price and non price-related) on attitudes toward store brand and national brand promotions. The results support that price related constructs impact both store brand attitude and national brand promotion attitude, but the strength of some of these relationships differ. Other shopper characteristics like brand loyalty and store loyalty, have similar negative and positive effects, respectively. These slight differences suggest that promotions of national brands might be a good tool for fighting back store brands, but manufacturers need to design and target these promotions carefully in order to avoid head-to-head competition.
Toward secure and efficient attestation for highly dynamic swarms: poster

Remote Attestation (RA) has been proven to be a powerful security service to check the legitimacy of the software configuration (e.g., running software and data) of devices. In recent years, advances in trusted computing, made possible to extend the use of RA also to embedded and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The massive scale of IoT deployments poses scalability challenges to RA. Recently, researchers proposed efficient protocols for collective network attestation, i.e., efficient attestation of a whole network of interconnected embedded devices; however, most of these solutions are either costly, or simply unsuitable for highly dynamic networks. This paper presents our ongoing effort in the definition of an efficient, scalable and secure solution for collective attestation of potentially large and highly dynamic networks of tiny devices.
Control performance based fault detection for nonlinear systems

In this paper, a control performance based fault detection approach is proposed for nonlinear systems with the aid of nonlinear factorization techniques. Based on the Youla-Kucera parameterization for nonlinear systems, the stable image representations of the parameterized controllers are first derived considering the internal stability of the closed-loop systems. It is followed by introducing the concept of fault tolerant margin which plays a key role in detecting system performance degradation caused by some faults. In light of the controller parameterization and fault tolerant margin, a control performance based fault detection scheme is developed. In order to gain deep insight into the proposed method, state space realization of the achieved results is given for the affine nonlinear systems.
Coupled K-SVD dictionary learning algorithm in wavelet domain for single image super-resolution

In sparse-land model, Single Image Super Resolution (SISR) is achieved by highly vulnerable assumption that the sparse coefficients of low and high resolution image patch are similar. To overcome this weak assumption, a coupled K-Singular Value Decomposition (K-SVD) algorithm in wavelet domain is proposed. In proposed algorithm the best low-rank approximation given by SVD is implemented to simultaneously update the Low Resolution (LR) and High Resolution (HR) dictionaries by enforcing the equality of the sparse representation coefficients at two resolution levels. In this paper, we have exploited the directionality and scale persistence property of wavelet domain. Such properties ensure that coupling between signal features at two consecutive levels becomes more prominent. Three pairs of coupled low and high resolution wavelet sub-band dictionaries are designed. Given the low resolution image, sparse coefficients are approximated using the low resolution dictionary then high resolution image is reconstructed using the calculated sparse coefficients and high resolution dictionary. Compared to the state of the art algorithms, results are significantly improved in terms of PSNR and SSIM quality measures.
Emerging distribution networks of Roman pottery in the Ancient Mediterranean: the sigillata clay lamps of Proconsular Africa

This paper surveys the use of Network Science, especially the role of ArchaeologicalNetworks to the study of Archeology and Ancient History. Networkthinking and network science are valuable methodologies and analytical techniquesto apply to the study clay lamps in the framework of Roman economy.The recent application of network analysis in Antiquity and Archaeology hasdemonstrated that there are a variety of approaches to recognizing networkpatterns or thinking about phenomena as products of networked processes.Provincial connectivity is one of the most debated aspects of Roman economics,and ceramic consumption patterns in the interior and coastal regions ofAfrica Proconsularis have proven to be very different. The dominant tendencyto turn to the communities formed and structured around native identities,especially those based in the major urban centers and larger areas, seems toestablish itself as an argument for the economy and exchanges of the RomanEmpire. This types of networks helped to spread ideas and religious symbolsthrough clay lamps. Africa Proconsular demonstrates evidence that the ceramicworkshops emerged as networks in order to established themselves seekingto meet the Mediterranean demand and religious consumption.
Tunable bandpass filter with symmetric attenuation characteristics

This paper proposes a novel tunable resonator and bandpass filter that have symmetric frequency characteristics around the resonant frequency, and that can tune their resonant/center frequency, bandwidth, and filter order to configure the attenuation characteristics for out-of-band frequencies. The proposed resonator consists of switches, a pair of transmission lines, and variable reactance circuits. The resonant frequency does not change even when the bandwidth is tuned. The variable reactance circuits can tune the attenuation characteristics to be symmetric with respect to the resonant frequency by configuring attenuation poles at the upper and lower frequencies regarding the resonant frequency. The resonator is fabricated using a capacitive patch array as variable reactance circuits. The measured resonant frequency can be changed from 2.6 GHz to 6.5 GHz. The fractional bandwidth is tuned from 5% to 22%. Symmetrical attenuation characteristics are obtained by setting the capacitance of the capacitive patch array to an appropriate value. A two-pole bandpass filter is also formed on the same structure to show the reconfigurability in terms of the filter order.
Emotional impact of cadaver dissection: a survey in a medical college in western Nepal.

OBJECTIVES Adverse physical and psychological effects to human dissection have been reported in many studies. In Nepal, the basic science subjects are taught in an integrated manner in the first four semesters of the MBBS course. Studies on the attitudes of medical students towards anatomy dissection are lacking in Nepal. The present study was carried out to obtain information on the present and initial perception of medical students on exposure to anatomy dissection and the association, if any, of the perception with demographic factors. METHODS The study was carried out among the first, second and third semester students at the Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara using the appraisal of life events (ALE) scale in February 2005. Sixty-three first semester, 57 second and 65 third semester students successfully completed the questionnaire and their responses were taken up for analysis. Information on sex, age, nationality, religion, food habits, occupation of parents and selection procedures of respondents was collected. The parameters loss, challenge and threat were measured on first exposure to dissection and at the time of the study. The scores were compared among different categories of students (p< 0.05). RESULTS 185 of the 225 students (82.2%) successfully completed the questionnaire. The median initial loss, challenge and threat scores were 2, 19 and 4 respectively. The median present loss, challenge and threat scores were 1, 20 and 0 respectively. The present threat score was higher among second semester students. The initial loss was higher among Indians and the present challenge score was higher among vegetarians. CONCLUSIONS The loss and threat score were low compared to that reported in a previous study. The challenge scores were higher than those reported previously. Majority of students considered anatomy dissection as a significant life experience and one which was largely positive. Further studies with a larger student population and in other medical colleges are required.
Exploring an agent as an economic insider threat solution

The insider threat is a security problem that is well-known and has a long history, yet it still remains an invisible enemy. Insiders know the security processes and have accesses that allow them to easily cover their tracks. In recent years the idea of monitoring separately for these threats has come into its own. However, the tools currently in use have disadvantages and one of the most effective techniques of human review is costly. This paper explores the development of an intelligent agent that uses already in-place computing material for inference as an inexpensive monitoring tool for insider threats. Design Science Research (DSR) is a methodology used to explore and develop an IT artifact, such as for this intelligent agent research. This methodology allows for a structure that can guide a deep search method for problems that may not be possible to solve or could add to a phenomenological instantiation.
Correction of cardiac abnormalities in fabry mice by direct intraventricular injection of a recombinant lentiviral vector that engineers expression of alpha-galactosidase A.

BACKGROUND Recombinant lentiviral vectors (LVs) offer the possibility of stable, long-term expression of transgenes even in non-dividing cells. In the present study this vector system was applied to a clinically relevant cardiovascular problem. METHODS AND RESULTS Fabry disease results from deficient activity of alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-gal A) and cardiac abnormalities are a common and an important cause of death in patients with the disease. A therapeutic LV that delivers the alpha-gal A cDNA has been synthesized. In vitro studies established efficient transduction of the H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes and showed overexpression of enGFP (control) and alpha-gal A. In in vivo studies, the enGFP cDNA was transferred into C57BL/6 mouse hearts by direct intraventricular injection. Next, in a mouse model of Fabry disease, the recombinant therapeutic construct was delivered analogously. In cardiac tissue, alpha-gal A activity rose to 23% of normal levels at day 7 after LV injection, which is encouraging because levels of correction approximating 5% of normal may be curative for this disorder. There was also a corresponding reduction in globotriaosylceramide accumulation. Other organs assayed showed no detectable changes in alpha-gal A activity levels in injected animals. CONCLUSION A localized benefit of directly injecting a therapeutic LV into the heart has been shown, confirming the utility of this delivery system for research and therapy for a variety of cardiovascular disorders.
Compensation Consultants and Executive Pay

This study investigates the relation between compensation consultants and CEO pay using a unique data set of over 200 publicly traded UK firms. We present theoretical arguments that compensation consultants (who are experts in the market for compensation services) promote pay contracts to align managerial and shareholder interests. Empirically we show that CEO pay is greater in firms using large consultants, namely consultants with a greater number of clients. There are other important contingencies. We find that CEO pay is greater in firms whose compensation consultants supply other services to the client firm. We also find CEO pay is greater the higher is the average CEO pay of the consultants other clients. To explain this phenomenon we draw on two other theoretical paradigms -managerial power and social comparison theory. Overall, the evidence provides consistent support for our hypotheses. We argue that the results have important implications for executive pay scholars, as well as for the designers of compensation packages. (JEL G31, G34, M41)
Cost Efficiency in Greek Banking

TThis study uses the distribution free approach to investigate cost efficiency in a panel of Greek banks over 1993-1999, a period characterized by major changes in the banking sector brought about by gradual financial deregulation. These reforms were supposed to provide an opportunity to Greek banks to improve their efficiency and to enhance their competitiveness in view of ongoing financial integration in Europe and the introduction of the euro. The results obtained indicate that important cost X-inefficiencies are in place. Some evidence is provided that bank characteristics such as bank size, type of ownership and risk behaviour do play a role in explaining differences in measured inefficiencies. Scale economies are also examined and the findings indicate that the Greek banking industry experiences economies of scale, though they have declined throughout the observed period. This suggests that competitive viability may be an important factor for further consolidation in the Greek banking industry.
Motor control strategy based on ISCPWM and THIPWM

In order to obtain a reduced harmonic content in the frequency domain and to enhance the fundamental output voltage, in this paper we use a control technique based on a Third Harmonic Injection PWM (THIPWM) reference wave, modulated by an Inverted Sine Carrier Pulse Width Modulation (ISCPWM) carrier signal. This technique was tested by Spice cat simulation, but also practically, by implementing it on the C8051F120 microcontroller, which controls the three-phase inverter bridge based on IRAMX16UP60A. The calculations volume per time unit is impressive, therefore, in the microcontroller implementation part, we made some approximations.
The Impact of a Stock Listing on the Determinants of Firm Performance

Research on the question of what makes firms perform well has shown that product market competition, financial pressure and ownership or ownership identity are important performance drivers. Recently the issue of whether or not their impact is influenced by environmental or contextual characteristics has received increasing attention. In this paper we test, on a sample of Belgian firms, whether performance drivers behave differently in a non-quoted environment as compared to a quoted one. Our main result is that the impact of competition, financial pressure and family control does indeed depend upon whether the firm is quoted or not. Overall, for nonquoted companies the performance drivers do not enhance performance and in mostcases are even detrimental. For quoted companies however the results are just the opposite. We find that this difference in driver functioning explains the better performance of quoted firms vis-a-vis their private peers.
The Specification of Store Environments: the role of store design-architecture in the consumer perception of retail brands

ion. Taken together, these perceptions relate to overall retail brand attachment and retail brand loyalty arising from the careful manipulation of novelty across different levels of design. To engage consumers in immersive, participatory environments, that are aesthetically preferred, it is considered important to present rigorous scripting of prototypes with necessary standardisation. This is evident in the current approach of Penneys to store development. The accumulative experience of Penneys consumers draws comfort from their learned and associative experiences and comforts Penneys consumers as they relate themselves to the retailer across all its stores.
Predicting missing markers in human motion capture using l1‐sparse representation

Missing marker problem is very common in human motion capture. In contrast to most current methods which handle this problem based on trying to learn a reliable predictor from the observations, we consider it from the perspective of sparse representation and propose a novel method which is named l1‐sparse representation of missing markers prediction (L1‐SRMMP). We assume that the incomplete pose can be represented by a linear combination of a few poses from the training set and the representation is sparse. Therefore, we cast the predicting missing markers as finding a sparse representation of the observable data of the incomplete pose, and then we use it to predict the missing data. In order to get a sparse representation, we employ l1‐norm in our objective function. Moreover, we propose presentation coefficient weighted update (PCWU) algorithm to mitigate the limited capacity problem of the training set. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our method to predict the missing markers in human motion capture. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theory of a Nearly Two-Dimensional Dipolar Bose Gas

Abstract : This project develops a theoretical model for gases of bosonic atoms at ultracold, but finite temperatures. Under these circumstances, the gas can undergo a phase transition to a purely quantum mechanical state, a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), where the atoms cease to behave like distinguishable entities, and instead form a single macroscopic matter wave. At exactly zero temperature, all of the atoms occupy the BEC; at finite temperatures, a significant fraction of the atoms leave the BEC and form a thermal cloud. Thus, the state of a low, but finite-temperature gas of bosonic atoms involves the coexistence of a BEC and a thermal cloud. Further, the atoms can interact in a variety of different ways, which have important consequences for the state of the gas. We consider both short range contact interactions and dipolar interactions, where the atoms interact via the long-range, anisotropic dipole-dipole force. We develop this model in both three- and two-dimensional geometries.
Heart Surgery Practice in Sub Saharan Africa: Single Nigerian Institutional Midterm Results and Challenges

Background: The majority of prospective cardiac surgical patients in sub Saharan Africa lack access to open heart surgery. We reviewed our midterm results to identify the obstacles to growth and challenges with sustainability. Methods: Records of patients undergoing heart surgery at LASUTH from December 2004 to March 2006 were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and outcome data. Results: Twenty four patients age 10-50, mean 28.0 +/? 10.49 years and 13 (54.2%) males underwent surgery. 12 (50.0%) patients had mechanical valve replacements, 11 (45.8%) closure of septal defects and 1 (4.2%) left atrial myxoma resection. Logistic euroscore for valve patients was 5.81 +/? 4.74 while observed mortality was 8.3% (1/12). Overall 30 days operative mortality was 8.3% (2/24) and major morbidity 4.2% (1/24). Patients with septal defects closure stopped clinic visits within a year. Valve patients follow up was complete in 90.1% with mean duration of 55.2 +/? 15.3 months. Late events occurred only in females with mitral valve replacements. The 5-year freedom from thromboembolism and bleeding was 74.0% and survival 82.0% in valve patients. Conclusion: Despite limited resources heart surgery can safely be performed with good outcomes by trained local personnel under supervision of visiting foreign teams until they are proficient to operate independently. Patients with less complex congenital defects have excellent postsurgical outcomes, while patients with rheumatic valve replacement are subject to ongoing valve related morbidity and mortality therefore require lifetime follow up. Choice of prosthetic valve for the mostly indigent and poorly educated population remains a challenge. We now prefer stented tissue valve despite its known limitations, in child bearing age females desirous of childbirth and others unlikely to comply with anticoagulation regimen. Barriers to sustainability include poor infrastructures, few skilled manpower, inadequate funding and restricted patient access due to inability to pay without third party insurance or government Medicaid.
Diagnosing the Human Threats to Information Technology Implementation: A Missing Factor in Systems Analysis Illustrated in a Case Study

Information technology (IT) implementation is likely to be a complex and difficult process involving both the technical and social systems of an organization. Much of the theory and practice of organizational IT implementation assumes that organizational decisions--whether technical or social--are consequences of individuals and organizational units objectively collecting, evaluating, and applying information in a rational manner to make choices on behalf of the organization. However, recent data from case studies on IT implementation suggest that rationality may be the exception, rather than the rule. One important limitation, then, of traditional research and systems analysis methods is that they fail to account for the human factors that impact IT implementation. As a result, there is no systematic way to incorporate what we might learn from individual action and practice into the model. A theoretical perspective and research methodology that successfully encompass and expand the normative approach in mainstream science is "action science. " Action science is a theory of action that helps explain how, and why, individuals behave as they do; and how their actions impact their organizations. In this paper, our primary goal is to employ an action science perspective to understand how a large financial services firm was inhibited from implementing a major IT effort in a timely, effective, and error-free way because of the thought and action routines of those charged with designing and implementing the system. In particular, we look for disagreements and other, unproductive action routines among these individuals, and evidence of their inability to surface and discuss them. We also review two published studies of IT implementation to show that the level of analysis required by action science is implied, but not made explicit in them. We conclude with a discussion of what constitutes a descriptively adequate account of an IT implementation and the barriers to the production of such an account. We also suggest a competing framework, based on action science, for designing and managing organizational IT change.
Organizational Slack, Structure, and Learning : A Review of Prior Literature

Organizational slack influences various aspects of organizational phenomena, including managerial coalition building, political behaviors, risk taking, competitive responses, and profitability. However, prior research findings on the relationship between organizational slack and innovation are inconclusive. Building upon prior work on organizational slack, organizational search, innovation, and agency costs, we propose a contingency perspective to reconcile the mutually contradictory findings. First, we argue that influences of organizational slack depend on the type of innovation considered-whether we consider exploitative innovation or exploratory innovation. Further, the influences of absorbed slack and unabsorbed slack are distinct. Contextual characteristics that are closely associated with particular types of organizational slack-including search modes, an organization’s degree of selectiveness in their choice of legitimate slack usage, and the extent to which effective shareholder monitoring is ensured-condition the ways in which certain types of innovations are enabled by organizational slack. We also discuss a complementary relationship between behavioral theory of the firm and agency theory.