Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonparametric Online Machine Learning with Kernels

Max-margin and kernel methods are dominant approaches to solve many tasks in machine learning. However, the paramount question is how to solve model selection problem in these methods. It becomes urgent in online learning context. Grid search is a common approach, but it turns out to be highly problematic in real-world applications. Our approach is to view max-margin and kernel methods under a Bayesian setting, then use Bayesian inference tools to learn model parameters and infer hyper-parameters in principle ways for both batch and online setting.
Multicentric mammary carcinoma

Both the widespread use of screening mammography and emphasis on breast conservation have raised many questions regarding the clinical and therapeutic management of multicentric mammary carcinoma (MMC). MMC has been postulated to be either a clonal proliferation of a single mammary carcinoma or multiple independent synchronous primary tumors in the same breast. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the histologic features and immunohistochemical profile of MMC. We also compared the clinical outcomes of the patients in the current study with stage‐matched and treatment‐matched groups of patients with unicentric mammary carcinoma.
A multimodal content-based approach for web pages analysis

Multimedia information retrieval MIR has become a very active research area. Many retrieval approaches, based on extracting and representing visual properties of multimedia data, have been developed. These approaches are usually based on the processing of low level features i.e., visual features for image and video data or on high level knowledge: a combination of the two has not still drawn enough attention. This paper introduces a novel approach and a complete framework to MIR, in which the user uses both textual and visual semantic information in order to retrieve data more accurately. Our approach has been implemented in a prototype system and several experiments in the World Wide Web domain have been carried out using numerous tests. These tests show that the integration of such data significantly improves the retrieval system performances.
Key knowledge providers as sources of innovation in firms

Studies regarding innovation pay increasing attention to the relations that firms maintain with different actors in their environment. It is generally assumed that interaction with other firms, universities and governmental organizations can be sources of knowledge that can improve the ability to drive innovation. Nevertheless, there is scarce evidence with regard to the specific role firms give these partners as providers of useful knowledge for their innovation processes. In this paper we present research-based insights on the dynamics of the Triple Helix networks as a basis for innovation capacity building for firms in a catch-up region. Our main assumption is that firms that adopt an open collaboration strategy have a greater capacity to recombine different knowledge sources and adapt them to their innovation processes. We use a large set of indicators which enables us to identify what regional sources are considered by firms as important for gaining knowledge. By way of a survey of 737 firms located in a region in southern Spain (Andalusia), the analysis identifies types of firms which are characterized by how they focus their interest on specific groups of actors.
A perceptron network for functional identification and control of nonlinear systems

Tracking control of a general class of nonlinear systems using a perceptron neural network (PNN) is presented. The basic structure of the PNN and its training law are first derived. A novel discrete-time control strategy is introduced that employs the PNN for direct online estimation of the required feedforward control input. The developed controller can be applied to both discrete- and continuous-time plants. Unlike most of the existing direct adaptive or learning schemes, the nonlinear plant is not assumed to be feedback linearizable. The stability of the neural controller under ideal conditions and its robust stability to inexact modeling information are rigorously analyzed.
Ovarian and uterine ultrasonography and relation to puberty in healthy girls between 6 and 16 years in the Turkish population: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Aim: To investigate uterine and ovarian ultrasonography in healthy girls and establish reliable cut-off limits in the Turkish population. Methods: The study was performed on 90 girls between 6 and 16 years of age with bone age, hormonal evaluation and pelvic ultrasounds. Total uterine length (TUL), anteroposterior diameters of corpus (COAP), anteroposterior diameters of cervix (CEAP), fundus/cervix ratio (F/C), uterine volume (UV), ovarian volume (OV) and morphology were obtained. The data were stratified according to various pubertal stages and ages. Results: Age-related increases of pelvic organs were noted after 10–10.9 years. Significant correlation was detectable between age and OV, TUL and UV in pubertal girls, but age only correlated with OV in prepubertal girls. A cut-off value of 4 cm for TUL, 2.57 cm3 for UV and 1.58 cm3 for OV were the best discrimination values for entering puberty. Conclusion: The data herein may be useful in screening cases around puberty when continuous changes take place.
Factors Influencing Customer Trust Towards Vendors on the Mobile Internet

The purpose of this paper is to provide an explanation of factors influencing customer satisfaction and trust towards the vendor in m-commerce. The study sample consists of 200 respondents. Data were analyzed by employing multiple regression analysis. This paper has applied the service quality model (SERVQUAL) and technology acceptance model (TAM), coupled with proposed quality factors in relation to m-commerce. The proposed model was empirically tested and results confirmed that customer satisfaction towards the vendor was significantly influenced by ease-of-use, responsiveness, and brand image. Meanwhile, customer trust towards the vendor in m-commerce is affected by responsiveness, brand image and satisfaction towards the vendor in m-commerce. Based on the findings, vendors in m-commerce should focus on the factors which can generate more satisfaction and trust from the customers. For vendors in general, the results enable them to better develop customer trust in m-commerce. Vendors on the mobile Internet can provide a more satisfying experience for customers.
Inwardly rectifying currents of saccular hair cells from the leopard frog.

1. Inwardly rectifying currents were characterized in sensory hair cells isolated from the saccules of leopard frogs, using the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique in voltage-clamp mode. 2. Two types of inwardly rectifying currents were distinguishable based on their ionic selectivity, activation and deactivation kinetics, voltage dependence, dependence on external K+ and sensitivity to divalent cations. 3. One inwardly rectifying current displayed K+ selectivity, rapid monoexponential activation (tau approximately 1 ms at -120 mV), steep voltage dependence, dependence of the activation voltage range on external K+ and block by external Ba2+. We refer to this current as IK1, consistent with the terminology used for a similar current in cardiac cells. In 5 mM external K+, IK1 activated negative to -60 mV, was half-activated at -86 mV and fully activated by -110 mV. 4. The other inwardly rectifying current was a mixed K+/Na+ current with slow sigmoidal activation (slow tau approximately 100 ms at -120 mV) and deactivation, shallow voltage dependence and no dependence of the activation curve on external K+ and which was blocked by external Cd2+. This current was called Ih because of its similarities to Ih of photoreceptors. Ih activated negative to -50 mV, was half-activated at -90 mV and was fully activated at -130 mV. 5. A correlation between cell shape and the type of inwardly rectifying current was noted; the more spherical cells had Ih alone and the more cylindrically shaped cells had Ih and IK1. 6. The mean resting potential of 115 cells with IK1 and Ih was -68 +/- 0.5 mV (mean +/- SE) and that of 53 cells with Ih alone was -50 +/- 0.5 mV. This suggests that IK1 contributes to the more negative resting potential of the cylindrical cells. 7. In current-clamp mode, the voltage responses to current steps of the two cell populations differed. Small negative current steps evoked faster, smaller responses in cells with IK1 and Ih than in cells with Ih alone. In cells with Ih alone, long (> 100 ms) negative current steps evoked a hyperpolarization that partly repolarized as Ih activated. Cells with Ih alone showed electrical resonance at rest whereas cells with IK1 resonated only in response to positive current steps. 8. A model developed to explain electrical resonance in bullfrog saccular hair cells was adapted to include Ih or IK1 and Ih. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Strategic Alignment Model between Information System and Technology Strategy, Empowerment and Good Governance on Managerial Performance (Study of Private Universities KOPERTIS Region II in South Sumatera)

Abstract This study attempted to assess the application of quantitative approaches and hypothesis testing using ‘Path Analysis’ technique as an alternative approach to the performance of managerial leadership that can be used to achieve the goals in finding and determine the factors that influence and support the managerial performance. Analysis of the data that is used in this study consisted of descriptive analysis to look at the characteristics of the population that is netted in the study and path analysis. The sample of technique in this study is using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The number of samples that is used as the respondent in the unit of analysis of this study is 130 head of private universities around KOPERTIS (Private College Coordination) in southern Sumatra region II. The results of data analysis shows that (1) the Information Systems Strategy of a significant and positive impact on performance managerial, (2) empowerment of human resources directly affects on performance managerial, (3) governance directly affects managerial performance. Keywords Information Systems Strategy, Empowerment, Good Governance and Managerial Performance
The Contagion Effect of Low-Quality Audits along Individual Auditors

Francis and Michas (2013) discover that the occurrence of an audit failure actually signals a more systematic problem with audit quality at the affected office. Using the Chinese setting where the identities of engagement auditors are revealed in audit reports, this study further explores whether the phenomenon of contagion is isolated to some specific auditors in an office or it indeed is an office-wide problem. We follow Francis and Michas (2013) to define an audit failure as an instance where a client firm subsequently makes a downward restatement of audited earnings. While we find similar evidence of contagion of low quality audits at office locations experiencing audit failures, the contagion effect actually is confined to the (other) audits performed by those specific auditors who are involved in audit failures, and it does not spread to the same-office auditors not involved in failures. We further find that the contagion effect is attenuated among female auditors, and for auditors with an accounting degree, with longer auditing experience, and with industry expertise. Our results suggest that the documented contagion effect of low quality audits is an individual auditor-level, rather than office-level, phenomenon. This underscores the importance of engagement auditor identification and the usefulness of disclosing auditors’ personal characteristics.
Operationalizing a conceptually based noncategorical definition: a first look at US children with chronic conditions.

OBJECTIVE To apply a conceptually based noncategorical definition in the analysis of a nationally representative sample of US children to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of US children with chronic conditions. DESIGN Data on 30032 children, aged 0 through 17 years, from the 1994 National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement were analyzed using a noncategorical conceptual definition of chronic conditions and a method that parallels that outlined in the development of the Questionnaire for Identifying Children with Chronic Conditions. We determined the percentages of children with chronic conditions overall and in 3 conceptual domains: (1) functional limitations, (2) dependence on compensatory mechanisms, and (3) service use or need beyond routine care for age. RESULTS Content that corresponded to 35 of 39 items on the Questionnaire for Identifying Children with Chronic Conditions assessing consequences was available in the National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement data set. An estimated 10.3 million children (14.8%) had chronic conditions; 7.0% of the children met enrollment criteria in a single conceptual domain, 5.2% in 2 domains, and 2.6% in all 3 domains. Significant sociodemographic correlates of having a chronic condition were being school-aged or older, male, white, living with a responsible adult with less than a college education, and having a family income below the poverty index (all P<.01). CONCLUSIONS We established the feasibility of operationalizing a noncategorical conceptual definition by using a large-scale data set and provided an estimate of the prevalence of chronic conditions among US children. We confirmed that several sociodemographic correlates of chronic conditions in samples identified through diagnostic checklists were related to the presence of chronic conditions among these children.
Paroxetine‐induced SIADH

from prostate cancer", but maintains that screening saves lives and money. Screening for prostate cancer does not fulfil the majority of criteria necessary for screening. There is no evidence that the resources exist to make high technology treatments available to all who might request them. Screening will produce frequent complications and definite mortality, while the treatment may provide little benefit,? In the light of current evidence, advocating screening is inappropriate and perhaps unethical. Although Gann et aI.4 demonstrate higher than previously noted sensitivity and specificity of prostate-specific antigen in detecting prostatic cancer, false positive tests were not uncommon. He cautions about the cost of such false positives, and the (unproven) ability of treatment to benefit screendetected cases. The introduction of a screening program in Australia would cost at least $122 million annually," a sum which would be better spent on activities of proven benefit. Rather than advocating screening, Kaye should advocate trials to determine the effectiveness of screening and of treatment in cases detected by screening. He advocates radioactive seed implantation as a treatment for prostate cancer. It would be appropriate to undertake trials of such new techniques for the various stages of the cancers to determine whether or not the outcomes are substantially better than waiting for clinical disease. Proponents of screening must differentiate between screening asymptomatic individuals and assessing patients with symptoms. For declared disease, there is an ethical obligation to offer an accepted treatment, even though this treatment may not be of scientifically proven value. It is axiomatic, however, that healthy individuals should not be screened unless there is proof of an improved outcome. Those who advocate screening are under an obligation to provide the evidence to support their views. Until such evidence exists we must advise our patients that screening is inappropriate. Men should not be scared by misguided evangelists "selling indulgences".
Collective Action and the Financing of Innovation: Evidence from Crowdfunding

The emergent phenomenon of crowdfunding, whereby large groups of individuals act collectively to support creative and entrepreneurial endeavors, suggests an alternate model for the financing of innovation. Drawing from extensive field interviews and unique hand-collected datasets of crowdfunding campaigns, this dissertation explored the following question: Under what conditions and through what mechanisms do voluntary contributors freely support private enterprise in the absence of conventional financial incentives? The results of this study revealed the significance of relational factors in the funding outcomes for crowdfunded projects, thereby advancing our understanding of social influence in the context of innovation and entrepreneurial finance.
Entrepreneurial Necessities and Managerial Shortfalls of Founders: What Does Entrepreneurship Theory Tell Us?

Founding a new firm is a challenging endeavor. However, many founders lack the available skills in particular in early phases of venturing. This paper addresses this managerial gap and employs entrepreneurship theory to understand cause and effect relationships in this context. Against the background of previous empirical surveys and based on a framework consisting of four entrepreneurial functions, namely innovation, risk management, coordination, and arbitrage, the paper presents research propositions that explain the status of competitiveness of the firm.
Smartphone’s Customer Segmentation and Targeting: Defining market segment for different type of mobile service providers

In recent years, mobile service usage increase rapidly following the emerging use of smartphone technology by the mobile users. The increase use of mobile service poses challenge for actors in mobile ecosystem to constantly meet the dynamic change of needs and requirement of mobile users. Through market segmentation, actors such as network operator, handset manufacturer, and application provider are able to distinguish behavior usage or preferences on mobile services for each market segment and use this information to design or offer specific product that meet the behavior or preferences of the user in each market segment. This paper explores the use of market segmentation on the perspective of actors in mobile ecosystem which are network operator, handset manufacturer and application provider. Furthermore, this paper also explores the interaction that may exist between each actor by analyzing the relation between the resulted segments of each perspective. Our findings show that the resulted market segment can be identified based on their level of voice, SMS and data usage and also based on their application usage behavior. Related to interaction among actor, by correlating the resulted segment of each perspective, we find that handset manufacturer can easily cooperate with both network operator and application provider in designing or offering product and services to each market segment, while the cooperation between network operator and application provider may be quite complex. We also note that incorporating demographic and psychographic for profiling the market segment based on behavioral usage provide additional insight for each actor to perceive their target users and respectively type of marketing strategy and product usage to be offered.
When Do Companies Fund Their Defined Benefit Pension Plans?

This paper extends the accounting academic literature on pension funding strategy by looking at a more recent data set, directly examining contributions to defined benefit pension plans, and considering the effect of changing economic conditions over time on pension plan funding. I find that the average funded status of defined benefit pension plans has changed over time in response to changing market conditions. In addition, managers respond to these changes differently depending on firm specific incentives to make contributions to their pension plans. I find that companies that have employees protected by unions, more costly plans, higher levels of cash from operations, higher levels of plan underfunding, tax incentives, and debt contracting incentives contribute more to their pension plans. In contrast, I find that companies with other investment opportunities for their free cash, and companies with pension plans assets earning higher returns contribute less to their pension plans. This paper has implications for regulators and standard setters considering how to deal with pension funding shortfalls, accounting professionals auditing companies with pension plans, CFOs determining their company’s pension funding strategy, and investors and creditors evaluating the risks that companies with defined benefit pension plans are taking on.
Storage design and retrieval of continuous multimedia using multi-disks

In the domain of multimedia applications, continuous display is an important issue. In this paper, we present a practical method to allocate disk storage for multimedia data so that continuous requirement can be met. This technique explores data-transfer parallelism on a multidisk system. Moreover, in order to ensure that continuous retrieval can be achieved in a multiuser environment, we propose the dynamic scheduling mechanism for real-time object retrieval. It can be seen that, a good scheduling can explore higher access concurrency in display of multimedia applications. Several approaches with different trade-off based upon this mechanism are proposed in this paper, which include delay initiation, read-ahead, migration, segmentation and integration.
Privacy-Preserving Outsourced Feature Extractions in the Cloud: A Survey

Large-scale multimedia data generated in our daily life have increasingly motivated companies and researchers to discover valuable knowledge and hidden information by employing machine learning techniques. It is well known that this is an inherently time consuming job to deal with massive multimedia data locally. Thanks to the rapid development of cloud computing, the data owner is highly motivated to outsource these multimedia data, along with the computationally intensive processing tasks, to the cloud by leveraging its abundant resources for cost saving and flexibility. However, due to different trust domains, privacy issues also arise from the exposure to the cloud of private information that is intrinsically embedded in the outsourced data. As a key preprocessing step in machine learning, feature extractions have been extensively studied in the framework of privacy-preserving outsourced computation for their effectiveness in removing irrelevant and redundant data, and increasing learning accuracy. In this article, we provide a comprehensive survey of privacy-preserving outsourcing computation of various feature extraction algorithms in recent literature. Following a brief overview of each scheme, we present the primary technical hurdles needed to be addressed and then compare the state-of-theart solutions in terms of security and effectiveness. Then we discuss several promising future research directions with a focus on privacy-preserving machine learning in the cloud.