Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stimulating performance‐driven behaviour to obtain better results

Despite the increase in experience gained, there is still little known about the factors that influence the everyday use of performance management. Research predominantly focuses on the technicalities of implementing performance management and pays too little attention to behavioural aspects. A recent study identified 20 behavioural factors that contribute to the successful implementation and use of performance management. The research study discussed in this paper continues this line of research, by addressing the question how organisations can determine how they good (or bad) they are performing on the factors that contribute to performance‐driven behaviour. The study consists of four stages: identifying the various aspects of performance‐driven behaviour; developing a practical tool which incorporates these aspects and measures the performance‐orientation of organisations; applying the tool within organisations (including the description of a case study), and evaluating the analysis results; making suggestions for improving performance‐driven behaviour.
Development of selective conformal coating process based on advanced packaging for harsh environments

Conformai coating has been traditionally used to protect Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA) in harsh environments. The benefit of conformal coating is usually enhanced resistance to mechanical and thermal stresses. Various coating techniques exist, including brushing, dipping and spraying. Today, automation makes selective coating possible. The biggest improvements include: no masking time before coating, chemicals confinement and delivery of a replicable and repeatable process. When using an automated platform, a balance between two major problems must be considered: minimum pattern size and specified thickness range. At the same time, current improvements in selective coating must deal with new schemes: heterogeneous integration and high-density integration. Among drop-on-demand solutions, inkjet is used extensively for printing applications while jetting based on mechanical collision is used in advanced packaging. Based on inkjet knowhow, a theoretical approach has been introduced and then compared with actual experimental results. Both areas are discussed and combined in this paper.
Non-parametric estimation of econometric functionals

In this paper, the author reviews and explores the nonparametric density estimation approach for analyzing various econometric func tionals. The applications of density estimation are emphasized in the specification, estimation, and testing problems arising in econometr ics. Some limitations of the nonparametric approach are examined, and potential future areas of applied and theoretical research are indic ated.
Herpes Simplex Virus Immediate-Early Protein ICP0 Is Targeted by SIAH-1 for Proteasomal Degradation

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus (HSV) immediate-early protein ICP0 is a transcriptional activator with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity that induces the degradation of ND10 proteins, including the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) and Sp100. Moreover, ICP0 has a role in the derepression of viral genomes and in the modulation of the host interferon response to virus infection. Here, we report that ICP0 interacts with SIAH-1, a cellular E3 ubiquitin ligase that is involved in multiple cellular pathways and is itself capable of mediating PML degradation. This novel virus-host interaction profoundly stabilized SIAH-1 and recruited this cellular E3 ligase into ICP0-containing nuclear bodies. Moreover, SIAH-1 mediated the polyubiquitination of HSV ICP0 in vitro and in vivo. After infection of SIAH-1 knockdown cells with HSV, higher levels of ICP0 were produced, ICP0 was less ubiquitinated, and the half-life of this multifunctional viral regulatory protein was increased. These results indicate an inhibitory role of SIAH-1 during lytic infection by targeting ICP0 for proteasomal degradation.
Development of Helical circular coils for wireless through-metal inductive power transfer

We present the design and fabrication of Helical circular coils for an inductive power transfer (IPT) system through a sealed metal container. By co-axially aligning a pair of the Helical coils, the wireless IPT channel is formed for energy transfer without any physical penetrations. Power measurement results demonstrate that the helical coil-IPT system achieves a measured power efïîciency of ∼4 % that is eight times better than conventional IPT system using solenoid circular coils.
Well-conditioned Muller formulation for electromagnetic scattering by dielectric objects

Numerical solution of electromagnetic scattering by homogeneous dielectric objects with the method of moments (MoM) and Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) basis functions is discussed. It is shown that the low-frequency breakdown associated to the MoM solution of scattering by dielectric objects can be avoided by the classical Müller formulation without the loop-tree or loop-star basis functions. Two variations of the Müller formulation, T-Müller and N-Müller, are considered. It is demonstrated that only the N-Müller formulation with the Galerkin method and RWG functions gives stable solution. Discretization of the N-Muller formulation leads to a well-conditioned matrix equation and rapidly converging iterative solutions on a wide frequency range from very low frequencies to microwave frequencies. At zero frequency, the N-Müller formulation decouples into the electrostatic and magnetostatic integral equations.
A Lattice‐Based Method for Pricing Electricity Derivatives Under the Threshold Model

Of the several models introduced for the modelling of electricity prices, the one proposed by Geman and Roncoroni, that we will refer to as the ‘threshold model’, has exhibited significant success in both its statistical properties and ability to accurately replicate trajectories of electricity prices. This article presents a lattice‐based method for the discretization of the threshold model that allows for the pricing of derivatives, including swing options. The methodology builds on an idea presented by Bally et al. for discretizing density functions, and constructs an approximating process that is shown to be a good proxy of the original process, producing a grid that incorporates both mean reversion and jumps.
Enzymatic Reactions by Five Chalcone Synthase Homologs from Hop (Humulus lupulus L.)

The enzyme activities encoded in five cDNAs for chalcone synthase (CHS) homologs from hop were investigated. Only valerophenone synthase (VPS) and CHS_H1 showed both naringenin-chalcone and phlorisovalerophenone forming activity. Narigenin-chalcone production by VPS was much lower than by CHS_H1. Therefore, it is highly possible that flavonoid depends mainly on CHS_H1, while bitter acid biosynthesis depends mainly on VPS and CHS_H1.
Beginnings of nephrolithiasis: insights into the past, present and future of Randall's plaque formation research

Purpose of review Kidney stones form as a result of heterogeneous nucleation on a calcium phosphate lesion in the renal papilla known as Randall's plaque. Stone disease has plagued humans for millennia with relatively little progress made in the realm of prevention. An understanding of the historical aspects of research into Randall's plaque is necessary to interpret novel correlative imaging discoveries. Focus for the past several decades has been on the distal papillary tip, and the overlooked Anderson–Carr–Randall progression is revitalized with novel supporting evidence. Recent findings Novel correlative techniques of three-dimensional micro-XCT imaging combined with electron and light microscopy techniques have revealed that the earliest mineralization event in the papilla is a distinct event that occurs proximal to the region where Randall's plaque has traditionally been identified. Summary The history of Randall's plaque research and the Anderson–Carr–Randall progression is reviewed. Proximal intratubular mineral deposits in normal and Randall's plaque affected papillae may be a target for future therapeutic interventions for nephrolithiasis. Further collaboration between nephrologists and urologists is necessary to cure this debilitating disease.
Recovering Reflectance of AQUA MODIS Band 6 Based on Within-Class Local Fitting

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the Aqua satellite has been working well, except that 14 of the 20 detectors in Aqua MODIS band 6 (1.628-1.652 ) are ineffective. As a result, the periodic, along-scan strips in Aqua MODIS band 6 create problems in some high-level MODIS products. This paper demonstrates that MODIS bands 6 and 7 are highly correlated for each scene type. On this premise, we propose a within-class local fitting algorithm to recover missing reflectances of Aqua MODIS band 6. To test the efficacy of the proposed algorithm, experiments on real and simulated data are performed and the recovered images are evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs well.
Do Firms Adjust Their Timely Loss Recognition in Response to Changes in the Banking Industry?

This paper investigates the impact of changes in the banking sector on firms’ timely recognition of economic losses. In particular, we focus on the entry of foreign banks into India during the 1990s, which likely causes an exogenous increase in lender demand for timely loss recognition. Analyzing variation in both the timing and the location of the new foreign banks’ entries, we find that foreign bank entry is associated with more timely loss recognition and this increase is positively related to a firm's subsequent debt levels. The change appears driven by a shift in firms’ incentives to supply additional information to lenders and lenders seem to value this information. The increase in timely loss recognition is also concentrated among firms more dependent on external financing: private firms, smaller firms, and nongroup firms. Overall, our evidence suggests that a firm's accounting choices respond to changes in the banking industry.
Patient-specific coronary blood supply territories for quantitative perfusion analysis

Abstract Myocardial perfusion imaging, coupled with quantitative perfusion analysis, provides an important diagnostic tool for the identification of ischaemic heart disease caused by coronary stenoses. The accurate mapping between coronary anatomy and under-perfused areas of the myocardium is important for diagnosis and treatment. However, in the absence of the actual coronary anatomy during the reporting of perfusion images, areas of ischaemia are allocated to a coronary territory based on a population-derived 17-segment (American Heart Association) AHA model of coronary blood supply. This work presents a solution for the fusion of 2D Magnetic Resonance (MR) myocardial perfusion images and 3D MR angiography data with the aim to improve the detection of ischaemic heart disease. The key contribution of this work is a novel method for the mediated spatiotemporal registration of perfusion and angiography data and a novel method for the calculation of patient-specific coronary supply territories. The registration method uses 4D cardiac MR cine series spanning the complete cardiac cycle in order to overcome the under-constrained nature of non-rigid slice-to-volume perfusion-to-angiography registration. This is achieved by separating out the deformable registration problem and solving it through phase-to-phase registration of the cine series. The use of patient-specific blood supply territories in quantitative perfusion analysis (instead of the population-based model of coronary blood supply) has the potential of increasing the accuracy of perfusion analysis. Quantitative perfusion analysis diagnostic accuracy evaluation with patient-specific territories against the AHA model demonstrates the value of the mediated spatiotemporal registration in the context of ischaemic heart disease diagnosis.
Automatic segmentation of the heart in radiotherapy for breast cancer

Abstract Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate two fully automatic segmentation methods in comparison with manual delineations for their use in delineating the heart on planning computed tomography (CT) used in radiotherapy for breast cancer. Material and methods. Automatic delineation of heart in 15 breast cancer patients was performed by two different automatic delineation systems. Analysis of accuracy and precision of the differences between manual and automatic delineations were evaluated on volume, mean dose, maximum dose and spatial distance differences. Two sets of manual delineations were used in the evaluation: 1) a set prior to common delineation guidelines; and 2) a second set repeated with a common set of guidelines. Results. Systematic differences between automatic and manual delineations were small for volume as well as dose. The uncertainty of the difference in volume was smaller than or similar to the inter-observer variation in manual delineations. For dose, the uncertainty was similar to manual delineations performed without common guidelines but slightly higher than the variation in manual delineations with common guidelines. Spatial differences between average manual and automatic delineations were largest at the base of the heart, where also large variations are observed in the manual delineations. Both algorithms could be improved slightly at the apex of the heart where the variation of automatic delineation was larger than for the manual delineations. Conclusion. Automatic delineation is an equal alternative to manual delineation when compared to the inter-observer variation. The reduction in precision of measured dose was small compared to other uncertainties affecting the estimated heart dose and would for most applications be outweighed by the benefits of fully automated delineations.
Multi-part-detector for human detection

The paper proposes an capable approach of handling partial occlusion and local pose variation. Part detectors which contain position information for half of the sliding window are learned from the training data using the HOG feature and Adaboost. For each testing window, the response of each part detector is summed as a final response. With multi-part-detector approach which only need to compute gradient of the window once, better performance is achieved than whole window detector on the INRIA dataset.
Benefits offer no advantage on firm productivity?: An empirical examination

Purpose – To examine the moderating effect of employee benefits on the relationship between labor input and firm output.Design/methodology/approach – Three high‐tech sectors, covering different time periods, are taken as the analytical samples. An extended Cobb‐Douglas production function is adopted to examine the research hypotheses.Findings – Examinations reveal that employee benefits have a moderating effect on firm productivity, irrespective of industry or firm size. Furthermore, the effect size is greater in small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) than in large firms.Research limitations/implications – Using benefits to achieve competitive advantage for SMEs seems to be more important than for large firms. However, this examination concentrates on the electronics industry only.Practical implications – Benefits can help a firm achieve competitive advantage through better quality of labor.Originality/value – This study makes an interesting contribution to the understanding of the relationship between .
University of Molise From the SelectedWorks of Claudio Lupi 2005 Stochastic convergence among European economies

The aim of this paper is to test the stochastic convergence in real per capita GDP for 15 European countries using non−stationary panel data approaches over the period 1950−2003. Cross−sectional dependence is assumed due to the existence of strong linkages among European economies. However, tests derived under the assumption of cross−sectional independence are also carried out for completeness and comparison. We also split the whole sample into two sub−periods (1950−1976, 1977−2003) in order to take into account the effects of the first oil crisis (1973−1974) and to evaluate the robustness of the statistical analysis. Our results offer little support to the stochastic convergence hypothesis for the whole period, while suggest the presence of convergence in the first sub−period. Citation: Costantini, Mauro and Claudio Lupi, (2005) "Stochastic convergence among European economies. " Economics Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 38 pp. 1−17 Submitted: April 22, 2005. Accepted: August 3, 2005. URL: http://www.economicsbulletin. com/2005/volume3/EB−05C30008A.pdf
Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Epoetin Delta in Pediatric Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

This analysis quantifies the population pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous and intravenous epoetin delta, an epoetin produced in a human cell line, in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease and estimates the effects of covariate factors on epoetin delta and epoetin alfa pharmacokinetic parameters. Erythropoietin serum concentration data, taken from a phase III study conducted in 60 patients aged 1 to 17 years, were best described by a 1‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and elimination. The typical point estimates were clearance (0.268 L/h), central volume of distribution (1.03 L), absorption rate constant (0.0554 h−1), and bioavailability (0.708) for a 35‐kg male ≤10 years who was predialysis and on subcutaneous epoetin delta treatment. Erythropoietin pharmacokinetic parameters were similar in pediatric patients as compared with adults when scaled by weight. The subcutaneous administration of epoetin alfa exhibited lower systemic bioavailability than subcutaneous administration of epoetin delta.
Measuring food and beverage service quality in spa hotels: A case study in Balıkesir, Turkey

Purpose – The aim of this study was three-fold: first, to develop an instrument to evaluate food and beverage service quality in spa hotels; second, to identify aspects of food and beverage service quality of which customers had the highest expectations, i.e. the key dimensions of food and beverage service quality in spa hotels; third, to measure customer perceptions of the spa hotels in this study and to identify those dimensions with the largest gap between customer expectations and perceptions. Design/methodology/approach – A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to 331 customers at four different spa hotels in Balikesir, Turkey. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used to identify service quality dimensions. Cronbach Alpha indicated the reliability of the factors identified. Customer expectations, perceptions and gaps between expectations and perceptions for each dimension were measured. Findings – Factor analysis revealed six quality dimensions: “assurance and employee knowled.
Effect of changes in an FFQ: comparing data from two national dietary survey instruments among 2-year-olds

In the interpretation of dietary trends, it is important to consider the potential effect of modifications in the dietary assessment method. Therefore, our objective was to explore the comparability of data obtained at two time points by a semi-quantitative FFQ (SFFQ) which has had slight modifications over time. In the national dietary surveys among Norwegian 2-year-olds, diet was assessed by an SFFQ which underwent modifications between the 1999 survey and the 2007 survey. In the present study, fifty-nine families with a 2-year-old child participated by completing both the SFFQ in a crossover design within a month's time. With regard to the reported intake of energy and nutrients, the largest significant differences observed between the two questionnaires were for carbohydrates and added sugar. According to intake of food groups, significant differences were observed for five out of sixteen food groups. Spearman's correlation coefficients for energy, nutrients and food groups ranged from 0·43 (Ca) to 0·85 (soft drinks). Most Bland–Altman plots indicated broad limits of agreement. The differences between the two questionnaires can be explained by changes in the questionnaires, changes in the food composition databases used and random variation. Comparing differences between the questionnaires by maternal educational level, number of children and type of day care revealed minor differences. In conclusion, this study showed that at the group level there was reasonable comparability between the two questionnaires, except for carbohydrates, added sugar and some food groups. Moreover, there were moderate to high correlations for energy, nutrients and food groups.
Study on the Transmission Mechanism of Price of Cattle and Sheep in China

In this paper, the vector auto regression mode (VAR) is used; Johansen test is conducted among independent variables which sheep and cattle industry chain involved. China's price transmission mechanism is analyzed of. Studies have shown that the presence of cattle and sheep industry chain have long-term equilibrium. Prices of Feed and raw materials of feed for cattle and sheep fluctuations play a decisive role. But cattle and sheep prices fluctuating in recent years, in the long run, equilibrium price exists and cattle sheep industry chain have limited ability to repair itself, the government should improve the existing price protection mechanism to protect cattle sheep industry.
Detection of mild to moderate influenza A/H7N9 infection by China’s national sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness: case series

Objective To characterise the complete case series of influenza A/H7N9 infections as of 27 May 2013, detected by China’s national sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness. Design Case series. Setting Outpatient clinics and emergency departments of 554 sentinel hospitals across 31 provinces in mainland China. Cases Infected individuals were identified through cross-referencing people who had laboratory confirmed A/H7N9 infection with people detected by the sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness, where patients meeting the World Health Organization’s definition of influenza-like illness undergo weekly surveillance, and 10-15 nasopharyngeal swabs are collected each week from a subset of patients with influenza-like illness in each hospital for virological testing. We extracted relevant epidemiological data from public health investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the local, provincial, and national level; and clinical and laboratory data from chart review. Main outcome measure Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory profiles of the case series. Results Of 130 people with laboratory confirmed A/H7N9 infection as of 27 May 2013, five (4%) were detected through the sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illness. Mean age was 13 years (range 2-26), and none had any underlying medical conditions. Exposure history, geographical location, and timing of symptom onset of these five patients were otherwise similar to the general cohort of laboratory confirmed cases so far. Only two of the five patients needed hospitalisation, and all five had mild or moderate disease with an uneventful course of recovery. Conclusion Our findings support the existence of a “clinical iceberg” phenomenon in influenza A/H7N9 infections, and reinforce the need for vigilance to the diverse presentation that can be associated with A/H7N9 infection. At the public health level, indirect evidence suggests a substantial proportion of mild disease in A/H7N9 infections.