Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Channel Coordination Mechanisms for Customer Satisfaction

We consider two broad categories of incentives by which a manufacturer can motivate its retailers to provide high customer satisfaction: 1 manufacturer assistance that reduces the retailer's cost of providing customer satisfaction CS assistance; and 2 customer satisfaction index CSI bonus. We show that if a retailer has a long-term orientation, CS assistance is a more effective coordination mechanism that induces the retailer to expend more effort at customer satisfaction. However, if the retailer has a short-term orientation, CSI bonus is a more effective coordination mechanism. We then show that a long-term oriented retailer is more valuable to a manufacturer than a short-term oriented one. Finally, we show that the use of CS incentives results in greater profits for both the manufacturer and the retailer.
What Drives Short-Term GCC Stock Market Returns? Empirical Evidence from Fat-Tailed Distribution

Given that changes in oil prices influence the observable factors in GCC economies, this paper shows unobservable speculative factors that drive short-term stock market returns in Saudi and Bahrain markets. For other GCC markets, such as Dubai, Abu-Dhabi, and Muscat, oil price uncertainty and unobservable speculative factors work together, though in opposite directions, to influence stock prices. However, in the long term, only oil price changes prevail as a determinant of GCC stock prices. Long term is defined as the period of time required for the effect of oil price changes to transmit its influence to major macroeconomic indicators that influence the profitability of firms traded in GCC stock markets.
Conflicts of Interest and the Performance of Venture Capital-backed IPOs: a preliminary look at the UK

We document the incidence of initial public offerings (IPOs) issued by UK companies with existing venture capital investors and sponsored (and underwritten) by issuing houses that are parents or affiliates of the venture capital backers. The effects on the performance of the stock offering of the resulting conflicts of interest between the venture capitalist-affiliated sponsors and the investors taking up the stock is examined. Contrary to the conflicts-of interest hypothesis, IPOs underwritten by VC affiliates perform better in the long-term than other IPOs. We also examine the role of the reputation of the financial firms involved in the IPO. The long-term performance of UK IPOs is found to be positively related to the reputation of the venture capital backers. In the short-term, IPO returns appear to be related to the prestige of the sponsor rather than the venture capitalist in that top fifteen underwriters are associated with lower short-returns. Although there is evidence of higher initial returns in IPOs where the sponsor and venture capitalist are affiliated, this is offset by an approximately equal reduction in initial returns if the venture capitalist is associated with an issuing house which may or may not act as the actual IPO sponsor. Thus, the net effect is that backing by venture capitalists with links to issuing houses reduces initial returns but only if those affiliates are in fact not employed as the actual sponsors to the offerings.
Road safety estimation utilizing big and heterogeneous vehicle recorder data

We present a method for estimating road safety using large-scale and heterogeneous vehicle recorder data. Our assamption in this study is that occurrences of traffic accidents on crossings could be estimated by their road shape, driving behaviors over them, and photos taken by dash cams. Utilizing 3 years dataset from 1,500 drivers in a fleet delivery company, we try to detect risky crossings based on supervised machine learning. Results show that our method provides good performance, and can extract potentially risky crossings.
The Expectancy-Disconfirmation Paradigm: A Critique

Accurate measurement of customer satisfaction is a prerequisite for developing effective management strategies. Only with reliable customer feedback, gathered through an adequate and appropriate assessment framework, can managers be in possession of facts that will allow them to implement satisfaction improvement programs. The Expectancy-Disconfirmation Paradigm (EDP) has become the dominant framework employed in the assessment of customer satisfaction with hospitality and tourism services. However, despite its dominance, there remain a number of unresolved issues concerning this model. Given the lack of attention to its limitations, this article reviews a number of conceptual and operational issues relating to the EDP and questions its reliability in assessing customer satisfaction with tourism and hospitality services. Suggestions for future research are also provided.
A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS OF MARKET EFFICIENCY

Important agricultural marketing policies and decisions are constantly before industry and government. Much market research is being supported. There is a need to “bridge” research with policy. The core of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that spans the needed analysis of marketing efficiency. The basic point is that marketing policy must focus on both competition and physical operations. The analysis of this paper builds upon Clark's concept of workable competition and Sosnick's extension to the concept of effective competition. Market efficiency is separated into operational efficiency and exchange efficiency components; the determinants of each component are diagnosed and analyzed in terms of costs and pricing. While the agricultural marketing process produces increments of product form, space, and time utility, costs are incurred. Cost analysis is central to the notion of operational efficiency; cost levels depend upon market organization and the feasible set of market logistics. Exchange efficiency refers primarily to price; the effectiveness with which price reflects costs depends upon market structures and the applicable competitive strategies. The conceptual framework developed in this paper integrates the preceding relationships and formalizes an approach for decisions. Trade-offs often exist between operational efficiency and exchange efficiency components of market efficiency. When a trade-off relationship exists, market efficiency is maximized by equalizing the gain in one component with the opportunity-cost loss in the other component. Le gourvernement el I'industrie font continuellemeni face aďimportante decisions dans le domaine des marches el de la politique agricloe. Ces deux groupes subven-tionnenl les recherches dans ce domaine. II y a un besoin de Her la recherche avec la politique. ľessentiel de cet article est de developper un codre qui comprend ľanalyse necessaire pour ľefficacite du marche, le point important est que le politique du marche doit se concentrer sur le concurrence et les operations. L'analyse de cet article travail sur le theorie de concurrence realisable de Clark et sur celle Sosnick traitant de ľExtension de la concurrence effective. ľefficacite du marche est diverse en deux elements: ľexploitation efftcace el ľechange efficace, les facteurs determinant de chaque element sont soumis a un diagnostic et a une analyse en termes du cout et du prix
Phase III trial of carboplatin and paclitaxel compared with cisplatin and paclitaxel in patients with optimally resected stage III ovarian cancer: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE In randomized trials the combination of cisplatin and paclitaxel was superior to cisplatin and cyclophosphamide in advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer. Although in nonrandomized trials, carboplatin and paclitaxel was a less toxic and highly active combination regimen, there remained concern regarding its efficacy in patients with small-volume, resected, stage III disease. Thus, we conducted a noninferiority trial of cisplatin and paclitaxel versus carboplatin and paclitaxel in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with advanced ovarian cancer and no residual mass greater than 1.0 cm after surgery were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin 75 mg/m2 plus a 24-hour infusion of paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 (arm I), or carboplatin area under the curve 7.5 intravenously plus paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3 hours (arm II). RESULTS Seven hundred ninety-two eligible patients were enrolled onto the study. Prognostic factors were similar in the two treatment groups. Gastrointestinal, renal, and metabolic toxicity, as well as grade 4 leukopenia, were significantly more frequent in arm I. Grade 2 or greater thrombocytopenia was more common in arm II. Neurologic toxicity was similar in both regimens. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 19.4 and 48.7 months, respectively, for arm I compared with 20.7 and 57.4 months, respectively, for arm II. The relative risk (RR) of progression for the carboplatin plus paclitaxel group was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 1.03) and the RR of death was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.70 to 1.02). CONCLUSION In patients with advanced ovarian cancer, a chemotherapy regimen consisting of carboplatin plus paclitaxel results in less toxicity, is easier to administer, and is not inferior, when compared with cisplatin plus paclitaxel.
Alternative Household Classifications for the 2001 Census

This paper anticipates the release of a series of new household classifications as part of the standard output from the 2001 UK Census. It contains essential background information for census users interested in using these classifications. In addition to describing the classifications, we outline the background to the classifications, and the consultation undertaken to ensure that each classification reflects real user demand.
Greek sign language vocabulary recognition using Kinect

Sign language recognition is a challenging problem both when tracking continuous signs (communication mode) or single words (translation mode)1. We have developed a system that can recognize Greek sign language vocabulary in translation mode using Kinect technology. The sensor captures 3D hands movement trajectory and then a set of features in the form of body joints are fed to a classifier to recognize the input sign. Normalization is used to align test and stored trajectories using the dynamic time warping algorithm before matching is done using the Nearest-Neighbor approach. The low computational complexity of the involved algorithms allows for building a system with real-time response times. The system was evaluated with a sample of 5 individuals and is capable of recognizing 15 signs of the Greek sign language. Different configurations were tested and the best accuracy achieved was 99.33%.
Efficiency of Health Systems in Sub-Sahara Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Time Varying Stochastic Frontier Models

The purpose of the current study was to estimate efficiency of health systems in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) and to compare efficiency estimates from various time-varying frontier models. The study used data for 45 countries in SSA from 2005 to 2011 sourced from the Word Bank World Development Indicators. Parametric time-varying stochastic frontier models were used in the analysis. Infant survival rate was used as the outcome variable, while per-capita health expenditure was used as main controllable input. The results show some variations in efficiency estimates among the various models. Estimates from the ‘true’ random effect model were however preferable after controlling for unobserved heterogeneity which was captured in the inefficiency terms of the other frontier models. The results also suggest a wide variation in the efficiency of health systems in sub-Sahara Africa. On average health system efficiency was estimated to be approximately 0.80 which implies resource wastage of about 0.20. Cape Verde, Mauritius and Tanzania were estimated to be relatively efficient while Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone were among the least performers in terms of health system efficiency. The findings suggest that the omission of unobserved heterogeneity may lead to bias in estimated inefficiency. The ‘true’ random effect model was identified to address the problem of unobserved heterogeneity. The findings also suggest a generally poor performance of health systems in terms of efficiency in the use of resources. While resource commitment to the health sector is critical, it is important to also ensure the efficient use of these resources. Improving the performance of institutions in the health sector may go a long way in improving the general health status of the African population
Forward Marketing Practices and Attitudes of Large-Scale Midwestern Grain Producers

Participants in the 1993, 1994, and 1995 Top Farmer Crop Workshops were surveyed with respect to their preharvest forward pricing, marketing practices, and marketing attitudes. Preharvest marketing of corn and soybeans, as of July 15 each year, was lower than hedging levels suggested by marketing research. Given the differences in price outlook for the years considered, producer behavior appears to reflect both long-term portfolio and short-term price enhancement effects. Producers' perceptions of the effectiveness of various marketing methods for price enhancement and price protection contrasted with theoretical characteristics. Views about futures and options contracts were generally similar for users and nonusers. It was found that self-assessed marketing skills, use of written marketing plans, and use of marketing consultants had little effect on marketing performance. These results, together with other recent studies, are used for suggestions about the design of future marketing educational programs.
The Impact of Increased Fees on Participation in Higher Education in England

This article explores some recent research evidence on the possible impact of the higher education reforms in England on participation by students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The evidence is examined in terms of costs, debt and term-time working. Financial issues have been shown to constrain choice of institution and place of study for lower-income students, and financial problems are commonly cited as reasons for dropping out of higher education. The greatest difference in debt levels has been found to be linked to family background, with students who were poor before they entered university leaving university with the largest debts. Overdrafts and credit card debt levels have been shown to be lower for students in receipt of grants than for those who are not. Research has shown that school leavers who are least debt-averse are more likely to go to university than those who are anti-debt; the latter include those from the lowest socio-economic groups and certain black and minority ethnic groups. Students who work in term-time may achieve less academically: those who work in term-time are more often those from lower socio-economic groups or minority ethnic groups. Overall, the evidence indicates that financial payments and grants are likely to be the most promising way forward to increase participation in higher education among those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Superimposed Training Based Channel Estimation for Uplink Multiple Access Relay Networks

In this paper, the channel estimation in uplink multiple access relay networks (MARNs) with analog network coding protocol has been researched. We apply the superimposed training (ST) scheme where each relay puts a separate training sequence on the top of the received one before forwarding to destination, and design a maximum likelihood based channel estimation algorithm for the composite source-relay-destination and individual relay-destination links. The optimal training sequences as well as the superimposed training power are also derived in closed forms. To make our study more complete, the channel estimation in the time-selective fading environment is further considered, and a correlation-based channel estimation (CBCE) algorithm is developed by taking advantage of time-domain channel autocorrelation nature. Simulation results show that the presented ST scheme can effectively improve the performance of multi-user detection in MARNs, and the proposed CBCE algorithm significantly outperforms the existing channel estimation methods.
Simultaneous and Proportional Force Estimation for Multifunction Myoelectric Prostheses Using Mirrored Bilateral Training

This study presents a novel method for associating features of the surface electromyogram (EMG) recorded from one upper limb to the force produced by the contralateral limb. Bilateral-mirrored contractions from ten able-bodied subjects were recorded along with isometric forces in multiple degrees of freedom (DOF) from the right wrist. An artificial neural network was trained to provide force estimation. Combinations of processing parameters were evaluated and an estimation algorithm allowing high accuracy from relatively short signal epochs (100 ms) was proposed. The estimation performance when using surface EMG from the contralateral limb was 0.90 0.02 for the able-bodied subjects. In comparison, the estimation performance for one subject with congenital malformation of the left forearm was 0.72 which, albeit lower than for able-bodied subjects, is still comparable to or better than previously reported results. The proposed method requires only the measured forces from one limb, such as in the case of unilateral amputees and has thus the potential to be used in clinical settings for intuitive, simultaneous control of multiple DOFs in myoelectric prostheses.
Clashes in the Assembly

I apply nominate scaling to analyze a database of Cold War and post–Cold War roll call votes in the United Nations General Assembly. I investigate the dimensionality and stability of global conflict as well as the substantive content of the voting alignments that have replaced the Cold War East-West dimension. I find that post–Cold War conflict in the UN General Assembly is mostly one-dimensional. This single dimension positions countries on a continuum that runs from a group of Western countries at one extreme to a “counterhegemonic” bloc of countries that frequently clashes with the West, and the United States in particular. Levels of democracy and wealth are important independent determinants of the voting behavior of states. The positions of countries along the single dimension are remarkably stable across time, issue area, and issue importance. Except for the Eastern European countries switching sides, they are very similar to the positions on the Cold War East-West dimension. Contrary to expectations, post–Cold War conflict shows little resemblance to Cold War North-South conflict.
Chromatin Remodeling Complex Interacts with ADD1/SREBP1c To Mediate Insulin-Dependent Regulation of Gene Expression

ABSTRACT Insulin plays a critical role in whole-body energy homeostasis by regulating lipid and glucose metabolism. In fat and liver tissues, ADD1/SREBP1c is a key transcription factor to mediate insulin-dependent regulation of gene expression. Although transcriptional and proteolytic activation of ADD1/SREBP1c has been studied intensively, the mechanism by which insulin regulates expression of its target genes with ADD1/SREBP1c at the chromatin level is unclear. Here, we reveal that SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling factors interact with the ADD1/SREBP1c and actively regulate insulin-dependent gene expression. Insulin enhanced recruitment of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling factors to its target gene promoters with concomitant changes in the chromatin structures as well as gene expression. Furthermore, in vivo overexpression of BAF155/SRG3, a component of the SWI/SNF complex, substantially promoted insulin target gene expression and insulin sensitivity. Taken together, our results suggest that the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes confer not only insulin-dependent gene expression but also insulin sensitivity in vivo via interaction with ADD1/SREBP1c.
Optimization of a feed-forward controller using a CW-lidar system on the CART3

This work presents results from a new field-testing campaign conducted on the three-bladed Controls Advanced Research Turbine (CART3) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 2014. Tests were conducted using a commercially available, nacelle-mounted continuous-wave lidar system from ZephIR Lidar for the implementation of a lidar-based collective pitch feed-forward controller. During the campaign, the data processing of the lidar system was optimized for higher availability. Furthermore, the optimal scan distance was investigated for the CART3 by means of a spectra-based analytical model and found to match the lidar's capabilities well. Throughout the campaign the predicted correlation between the lidar measurements and the turbine's reaction was confirmed from the measured data. Additionally, the baseline feedback controller's gains were tuned based on a simulation study that included the lidar system to achieve further load reductions. This led to some promising first results, which are presented at the end of this paper.
Discriminant Analysis Diagram for Pattern Recognition

In this lecture notes a novel point of view onto discriminant models used for biometric verification is presented. Various linear discriminant algorithms based on Fisher-like class separation measures are incorporated into discriminant analysis diagram (DAD). This new methodology can be used for design of special class of pattern recognition systems. Namely, pattern recognition embracing verification, identification, and indexing of patterns are based on intra-class errors when pattern classes used in training time are different than classes recognized in system exploiting time. This is typical case in biometric identity verification. The point is illustrated well by analysis of recent advances in development efface recognition algorithms.
Sparse Stochastic Bandits

In the classical multi-armed bandit problem, d arms are available to the decision maker who pulls them sequentially in order to maximize his cumulative reward. Guarantees can be obtained on a relative quantity called regret, which scales linearly with d (or with sqrt(d) in the minimax sense). We here consider the sparse case of this classical problem in the sense that only a small number of arms, namely s < d, have a positive expected reward. We are able to leverage this additional assumption to provide an algorithm whose regret scales with s instead of d. Moreover, we prove that this algorithm is optimal by providing a matching lower bound - at least for a wide and pertinent range of parameters that we determine - and by evaluating its performance on simulated data.
Propofol Inhibits Human Neutrophil Functions

Neutrophils play important roles in the antibacterial host defense mechanism and in the pathogenesis of tissue injury.Propofol has been reported to impair the production of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils. We examined the effect of propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol), at clinically relevant concentrations and at 10 and 100 times this concentration, on several aspects of human neutrophil functions using an in vitro system. Propofol significantly inhibited chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (O2-, H2 O2, OH) production of neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner. At clinically relevant concentrations, propofol suppressed these neutrophil functions, but it did not decrease ROS generation by the cell-free (xanthine-xanthine oxidase) system. Increase in intracellular calcium concentrations in neutrophils stimulated by N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine was dose-dependently attenuated by propofol. This decreasing effect on [Ca2+] (i) in neutrophils may represent one of the mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of neutrophil functions by propofol. Implications: Neutrophils play a pivotal role in the antibacterial host defense system and tissue injury. We found that at clinically relevant concentrations, propofol impaired neutrophil functions. Further studies may determine whether this impairment, observed in vitro, leads to clinical immunological suppression. (Anesth Analg 1998;87:695-700)