Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Successful management of caesarean scar live ectopic pregnancies with local KCL and systemic methotrexate

Two cases of live caesarean scar ectopic pregnancies are presented. Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (b-hCG) values in both patients at presentation were 50 099 mIU and 297 969 mIU, respectively. Both were managed with intrasac potassium chloride injection to induce fetal demise and multiple dose methotrexate therapy. The time for b-hCG to become negative in both patients was 91 days and 119 days, respectively. Successful management of live caesarean scar pregnancies even with very high b-hCG is possible with minimally invasive approach.
Learning Human Utility from Video Demonstrations for Deductive Planning in Robotics

We uncouple three components of autonomous behavior (utilitarian value, causal reasoning, and fine motion control) to design an interpretable model of tasks from video demonstrations. Utilitarian value is learned from aggregating human preferences to understand the implicit goal of a task, explaining why an action sequence was performed. Causal reasoning is seeded from observations and grows from robot experiences to explain how to deductively accomplish subgoals. And lastly, fine motion control describes what actuators to move. In our experiments, a robot learns how to fold t-shirts from visual demonstrations, and proposes a plan (by answering why, how, and what) when folding never-beforeseen articles of clothing.
A Compressed Sensing reconstruct algorithm based on trust region method of nonsmooth optimization

The signal reconstruction problems of Compressed Sensing is equal to a nonsmooth optimization problem. Since the original signal is sparse, a new l 1 -Minimization reconstruction algorithm is proposed based on modified trust region method of nonsmooth optimization. The algorithm can also reconstruct signal in super-linear convergence rate. Simulation results show that the algorithm is robust in reconstructing the original signal.
Productivity and International Firm Activities: What Do We Know?

This paper summarizes in a non-technical way what we know from empirical studies based on firm-level data about the mutual links between international activities of firms and productivity. It is written with a view to inform policy makers in an evidence-based way. A special focus is on the empirical evidence we have from studies using firm-level data from the Nordic countries. It is argued that this empirical evidence does not provide a sound basis to search for similarities and differences (and their causes) between the Nordic countries, and the empirical results reported cannot qualify as stylized facts that can inform policy makers in an evidence-based way.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO FINANCIAL CHALLENGES FACING LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN SERVICE DELIVERY IN KENYA

Every day, a customer makes several purchase decisions. The numbers of decision are base on brand loyalty. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of the perceived quality, customer satisfaction, brand trust and contextual factors on brand loyalty of K&N’s product in Pakistan. Data has collected through self-administrated questionnaires from user of K&N’s in city Bahawalpur. We have selected the students, employees and businessperson as respondents. We have distributed questionnaires among 200 respondents. From 200 respondents 150 have selected. Remaining 50 questionnaires was excluding due to faulty response. For analysis, we have used regression analysis techniques. The results showed that brand trust has a strong and significant relationship with brand loyalty. Customer satisfaction & perceived quality has also positive impact on brand loyalty. The impact of contextual factor on brand loyalty was insignificant. After the study we recommend that, if the company wants to prosper in the market they should focus on these factors. These factors determine the loyalty of the customers. In our opinion if the company is able to develop the trust, customer satisfaction and good perceived quality then it can perform better.
Understanding consumer reactions to premium‐based promotional offers

Reports the results of a three‐study research program whose purpose is to gain a better understanding of consumer reactions to premium‐based promotional offers. In the first study, elaborates and evaluates a comprehensive typology of premium‐based promotional offers with respect to its content and predictive validity. In the next study, explores the semantics that are used by consumers when they are presented with premium promotions and develops a series of research hypotheses from qualitative interviews with 12 consumers. In the final study, conducts a survey of 182 adult consumers to test these research hypotheses. The results reveal that consumer appreciation of premium‐based promotional offers is more positive when the premium is direct than when it is delayed, when there is a relatively lower quantity of product to purchase, when the value of the premium is mentioned, when brand attitude is positive, when interest in the premium is great, and when consumers are characterized by deal‐proneness and compulsive buying tendencies. Consumers’ perception of manipulation intent is affected mainly by directness of the premium, mention of the value of the premium, interest in the premium, and deal‐proneness.
Use of plant woody species electrical potential for irrigation scheduling

The electrical response of plants to environmental stimuli can be measured and quantitatively related to the intensity of several stimulating sources, like temperature, solar radiation, soil water content, evapotranspiration rates, sap flow and dendrometric cycles. These relations can be used to assess the influence of different environmental situations on soil water availability to plants, defined as a steady state condition between leaf transpirative flow and soil water flow to plant roots. A restricted soil water flow due to soil dryness can trigger water stress in plants, if the atmospheric evaporative demand is high, causing partial stomata closure as a physiological response to avoid plant dehydration; water stressed and unstressed plants manifest a differential electrical response. Real time plant electrical response measurements can anticipate actions that prevent the plant reaching actual stress conditions, optimizing stomata gas exchange and photosynthetic rates. An electrophysiological sensor developed in this work, allows remote real-time recording information on plant electrical potential (EP) in the field, which is highly related to EP measurements obtained with a laboratory Keithley voltmeter sensor used in an highly controlled experimental setup. Our electrophysiological sensor is a wireless, autonomous devise, which transmits EP information via Internet to a data server. Using both types of sensors (EP electrodes with a Keithley voltmeter and the electrophysiological sensor), we measured in real time the electrical responses of Persea americana and Prunus domestica plants, to induced water deficits. The differential response for 2 scenarios: irrigation and water restriction is identified by a progressive change in slope on the daily maximal and minimal electric signal values in stressed plants, and a zero-slope for similar signals for well-watered plants. Results show a correspondence between measured signals obtained by our electrophysiological sensor and the EP electrodes connected to the Keithley voltmeter in each irrigation stage. Also, both sensors show a daily cyclical signal (circadian cycle).
Nurse reports from the frontlines: analysis of a statewide nurse survey.

BACKGROUND Registered nurses on the frontlines of care are increasingly burdened by changes in staffing, increased turnover, demands on their time and the continual need for advanced knowledge and training. We identify employment and environmental characteristics that may ultimately affect the quality of care METHODS Surveys were mailed to a random sample of all registered nurses licensed and residing in large southeastern US State. Responses from 10, 951 nurses providing direct patient care were compared to national findings. Descriptive statistics were used to examine demographics, the practice environment, nurse outcomes and the quality of care. RESULTS Nurses in this state are more racially diverse and less educated when compared to nurses nationally. Theses nurses report high levels of burnout and job dissatisfaction, and almost one-quarter intend to leave their jobs within the next year. The majority of nurses report good working relationships with physicians, but perceive problems with workplace management. CONCLUSION Nurses report inadequate resources and the administrative support necessary to provide quality care. The proportion of nurses with baccalaureate and graduate education qualifications is less than is needed now and certainly insufficient for the future. Policy efforts must address these issues to retain our nurse workforce and improve the quality of patient care.
The DSM-IV criteria for adolescent alcohol and cannabis use disorders.

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study are to compare DSM-IV criteria for alcohol and cannabis use disorders with its predecessor, DSM-III-R, and to examine the validity of the new criteria in an adolescent drug clinic sample. METHOD During evaluation, a sample of 772 adolescents (63% boys, 77% white) were administered a structured interview of diagnostic symptoms and additional problem severity measures. Independent staff ratings of problem severity and treatment referral were collected as well. RESULTS Compared to its predecessor, DSM-III-R, application of the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol and cannabis users resulted in more abuse assignments and fewer dependence assignments. The shift in assignments appeared to be largely due to a lowering of the abuse threshold, rather than to a tightening of the dependence criteria. The external validity data generally supported the DSM-IV abuse and dependence distinction in adolescents, and the newer criteria were as valid as the older criteria. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to DSM-III-R, the DSM-IV system yields more abuse cases and fewer dependence cases among adolescent alcohol and cannabis abusers. Validity evidence for the new criteria are defensible, yet the findings are seen as a starting point for discussing the need for tailoring substance use disorder criteria for adolescents.
The applicability of SERVQUAL in cross‐national measurements of health‐care quality

This study investigates the applicability of a modified SERVQUAL instrument as a means of measuring residents' perceptions of long‐term health‐care service quality in the USA and UK. The results confirm a stable, four‐factor structure that is similar to previously defined service quality dimensions and is invariant across the countries studied.
Outline of a General Probabilistic Retrieval Model

For reasons of technical convenience, current retrieval algorithms based on probabilistic reasoning are derived from models that assume patrons evaluate documents using a two value relevance scale. This paper extends the theory by describing a model which includes a more general relevance scale. This model permits a re‐examination of the earlier theory as a special case of that developed here and leads to a more satisfying interpretation of the ranking principle of the earlier models.
Explaining the surge in M&A as an entry mode: home country and cultural influences

Prior studies examining the effects external factors on international market expansion have focused on host country factors with scant attention being given to home country factors. This study examines the trends, patterns and the impact of cultural and home country macroeconomic influences on Chinese cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBM&A) as an entry strategy for the period of 1998-2011. Our findings indicate that CBM&A is the preferred mode of market entry by the Chinese emerging market firms. The regression results indicate that home country macroeconomic and cultural variables, including GDP, money supply, interest rates, inflation, acquisitions in resource seeking sectors and cultural distance play an important role in explaining the foreign market expansion of Chinese firms.
The impact of innovativeness on supply chain performance: is supply chain integration a missing link?

Purpose – This purpose of this paper is to study the impact of innovativeness on supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain performance (SCP) and the role of SCI in mediating between innovativeness in the supply chain and SCP. Innovativeness is an accepted driver to leverage firm performance. SCI and SCP require innovativeness in the supply chain, but their interrelationships have rarely been researched empirically. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey and structural equation modelling were used in this work. After a structural and measurement model was devised from existing supply chain literature, the main data were collected in a web-based questionnaire survey of South Korean manufacturers. Structural equation modelling was applied to test proposed hypotheses on the associations between variables, following a hierarchical analysis process. Findings – Innovativeness in the supply chain had a positive impact on both SCI and SCP. However, the direct impact of innovativeness on SCP dis.
Application Research on E-commerce Credit Evaluation based on Opinion Mining

To increase the buyers know more about the credit of E-commerce product sellers and the purchase rate of the E-commerce users, E-commerce credit evaluation model based on the opinion mining algorithm was put forward. Extract the feature words and views from the products and user reviews, and then make use of statistical and quantitative way to analyze them. In the mean time, a credit evaluation model with transaction time-frequency can be set up, which can be used to analyze the seller’s credit of E-commerce users. Through the experiment, this model was verified to have certain practicability and validity in E-commerce credit evaluation.
Variational Gaussian approximation for Poisson data

The Poisson model is frequently employed to describe count data, but in a Bayesian context it leads to an analytically intractable posterior probability distribution. In this work, we analyze a variational Gaussian approximation to the posterior distribution arising from the Poisson model with a Gaussian prior. This is achieved by seeking an optimal Gaussian distribution minimizing the Kullback–Leibler divergence from the posterior distribution to the approximation, or equivalently maximizing the lower bound for the model evidence. We derive an explicit expression for the lower bound, and show the existence and uniqueness of the optimal Gaussian approximation. The lower bound functional can be viewed as a variant of classical Tikhonov regularization that penalizes also the covariance. Then we develop an efficient alternating direction maximization algorithm for solving the optimization problem, and analyze its convergence. We discuss strategies for reducing the computational complexity via low rank structure of the forward operator and the sparsity of the covariance. Further, as an application of the lower bound, we discuss hierarchical Bayesian modeling for selecting the hyperparameter in the prior distribution, and propose a monotonically convergent algorithm for determining the hyperparameter. We present extensive numerical experiments to illustrate the Gaussian approximation and the algorithms.
What went wrong? Franchisors and franchisees disclose the causes of conflict in franchising

Purpose – The rapid growth of the Australian franchising sector since the 1980s has been accompanied by tension, conflict and disputation, causing concern for regulatory bodies. However, little is currently known about the antecedents of conflict in franchising, thus, the purpose of this paper is to address this deficiency by exploring the antecedent factors associated with conflict in this domain.Design/methodology/approach – A series of 11 multiple case studies, involving 30 protocol discussions with franchisors and franchisees, was undertaken across a variety of franchise systems in order to explore the topic and to refine the research question and develop hypotheses for the next stage of the research.Findings – A number of themes emerged from the qualitative investigation which led to the development of 12 research propositions that include constructs such as expectations confirmation, trust, openness, perceived support and relationship satisfaction in attempting to explain the antecedent causes of co.
Analysis of Power Processing Architectures for Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting

This paper analyzes, from a power processing architecture standpoint, the recovery of thermal energy waste by means of thermoelectric (TE) modules and arrays. The existence, in many industrial scenarios, of stable and often significant temperature gradients enables a number of possibilities for effective processing and recovery of waste heat, which could result in marked economic savings and environmental benefits if adopted on a large scale and systematically embedded into industrial processes. A review of the TE source is provided first, along with an extensive experimental characterization of commercial bismuth-telluride TE cells. Results indicate that maximum power extraction from TE generators can be achieved at a TE efficiency close to optimal, motivating the adoption of maximum power point tracking architectures, traditionally employed in photovoltaic systems, to TE plants as well. Three power processing architectures are then analyzed and compared in terms of their maximum power extraction capabilities and of the efficiency constraint they pose on the power processors. Different from the photovoltaic case, the simple series configuration of TE modules allows to extract most of the available power even in the presence of rather large mismatches among the modules. For even larger mismatch levels, the differential power processing (DPP) concept, already introduced for dc-dc distribution systems and photovoltaic plants, can be successfully adopted to improve power extraction. On the other hand, the module-integrated converter architecture, another well-established solution for photovoltaic sources, is found to be much less indicated for TE generators than the DPP solution. Main conclusions are experimentally validated using a DPP architecture with a two-cell test bed operated at different thermal gradients.
Toward the Future Tourism Marketing

The purpose of this paper is to formulate and discuss future research avenues for themarketing of tourism services.The approach taken in the paper is to review the relevantliterature and focus on the key themes most important for future research on tourism marketing.The paper finds that there are a number of research avenues for tourism marketingresearchers and marketing practitioners to conduct investigations on but the most important areas areconsumer behavior, branding, e-marketing and strategic marketing.The paper is relevant to tourism firms and destination managementorganizations in the development of marketing activities/capabilities to increase their customer base. Inaddition, as this paper takes a global perspective it is also helpful to compare different internationalresearch directions.Changing demographics and the aging of the global population meandifferent marketing approaches will be needed to market tourism services to older consumers and alsoconsumers from developing countries such as China and India.This paper is a key resource for marketing practitioners wanting to focus onfuture growth areas and also marketing academics interested in tourism marketing that want to stay atthe forefront of their research area of expertise.
Pieces of the Action: Ownership and the Changing Employment Relationship

We develop theory specifying the role of ownership in the employment relationship and address how sharing in ownership’s privileges can create convergent psychological contracts between workers and employers. We specify two factors limiting the attractiveness of ownership for some workers—that is, the potential for internal conflict among worker/owners transitioning to this dual role and the risks that ownership entails—and also outline a research agenda to investigate how allocating ownership to workers impacts their interests and those of managers and investors.
Over Second Octave Power Amplifier Design Based on Resistive–Resistive Series of Continuous Class-F/F−1 Modes

This letter presents a novel methodology for resistive–resistive series of continuous class-F/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{F}^{{\mathbf {-1}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> modes (Res.–Res. SCF/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{F}^{{\mathbf {-1}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>Ms) power amplifier (PA) design. The bandwidth is expanded by designing the lower band with resistive second- and third-harmonic impedances and the upper band with resistive second-harmonic impedance and reactive third-harmonic impedance using a waveform engineering method. Mathematical derivation of the methodology is described in detail. The proposed design is experimentally verified using a Res.–Res. SCF/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{F}^{{\mathbf {-1}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>Ms PA operating across 0.4–2.3 GHz with 62.3%–80.5% drain efficiency and 39–42 dBm output power.
Comparison of resonance ratio control and inner force control for series elastic actuator

Series Elastic Actuator(SEA) has been emerging as a novel and potential actuator system for many robotic applications. It is well known that SEA can achieve high compliance which realizes safe interaction between humans and robots. On the other hand, precision position control has been considered difficult in SEA applications. A novel control configuration for SEA position control is proposed in this paper to address this problem. Resonance Ratio Control (RRC) which has been applied for flexible system control is applied to an SEA, and it is compared with the conventional SEA position control strategy. In particular, the similarity of RRC and the force control of SEA is explained, and the control performances using two methodologies are compared.