Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revenue Maximisation; An Examination of the Influences of Heuristics and Biases on the Yield Management Decision Process in Dublin Hotels

Yield management in hotels has been described as a method of profitably managing fixed room capacity. A critical element of yield management is the decision strategy employed, as this determines the degree to which optimum financial solutions are generated. Recent research has indicated that the use of technology assisted decision optimising models, specifically the management science model of decision making, would greatly improve decision optimisation, by minimising the need to employ guesswork in achieving financial goals. However, despite this assurance, yield management remains couched in uncertainty through being inextricably associated with forecasting future demand for a perishable product in an increasingly volatile and competitive environment. The consequential pressures on decisionmakers have afforded the opportunity for human idiosyncrasies to play a significant role in the decision-making process. The primary objective of this paper is, therefore, to gain an insight into how decisions are constructed in the yield management environment of Dublin hotels. The study reviews current literature on management science as a decision-making option. It also assesses heuristics and biases associated with decision-making, and their influence on rational decision protocol. The methodology employed phenomenological and hermeneutical techniques, with discourse analysis, in accessing and analysing data. The research findings reveal that within Dublin hotels, the management science model of decision-making has been sidelined in favour of decision strategies, wherein “human intervention” plays a more significant role. The findings also suggest that this “human intervention” has subconsciously facilitated an environment for decision-makers to fall into psychological traps, with the potential to make systematically biased errors, through satisfaction of ego needs and rationalising the irrational. Introduction Yield management, in the hotel industry, is defined as a method of profitably managing fixed room capacity (Lieberman, 2003), involving “an integrated, continuous and systematic approach to maximising revenue” (Jauncey, Mitchell, and Slammet, 1995). This approach fundamentally requires hotels to make decisions on the number of rooms that should be allocated at differentially prescribed rates to segmented markets, within an ever narrowing time frame (Kimes and Chase, 1998; Kimes, 1989).
Catalytic activation of peracetic acid using chitosan-metal complex for low-temperature bleaching of cotton fabric

A novel approach fo r bl each ing of coll on fa bric has been used and th e most appropri ate conditions fo r bleaching established. The technique ado pted is based o n th e utili zation of tetraacetyleth ylened iamine (T AED) along wi th hydrogcn peroxide (H20 2) whe re in -s itu pe raceti c acid ( PAA) formati o n takes pl ace via reacti o n of T AED and Hz0 2. Decompositi on of th e so c reated PAA to enhance it s bleaching effect h as been induced by using chi lOsan-Mo complex or ch itosan- Co complex as a catalyst. Regul ati o n of the reactio n o f H20 2 with TAED has been achieved us in g sodi um silicate whe reas the re gul ati o n of the decompositio n o f PAA and, therefore, it s b leaching acti o n has been achi eved us in g sodium lauryl sulphate (S LS). Repl aceme nt of H20 2 with oth er oxidi zin g agents, na mely a mmonium pe rsulphate and po tas sium bro mate. was no t successful. In cont rast. the pe rbo rate d id succecd but with lower effic iency whe n compared with H20 2.
Experimental investigation of the dynamics of entanglement : Sudden death, complementarity, and continuous monitoring of the environment

We report on an experimental investigation of the dynamics of entanglement between a single qubit and its environment, as well as for pairs of qubits interacting independently with individual environments, using photons obtained from parametric down-conversion. The qubits are encoded in the polarizations of single photons, while the interaction with the environment is implemented by coupling the polarization of each photon with its momentum. A convenient Sagnac interferometer allows for the implementation of several decoherence channels and for the continuous monitoring of the environment. For an initially entangled photon pair, one observes the vanishing of entanglement before coherence disappears. For a single qubit interacting with an environment, the dynamics of the complementarity relations connecting single-qubit properties and its entanglement with the environment is experimentally determined. The evolution of a single qubit under continuous monitoring of the environment is investigated, demonstrating that a qubit may decay even when the environment is found in the unexcited state. This implies that entanglement can be increased by local continuous monitoring, which is equivalent to entanglement distillation. We also present a detailed analysis of the transfer of entanglement from the two-qubit system to the two corresponding environments, between which entanglement may suddenly appear, and show instances for which no entanglement is created between dephasing environments, nor between either of them and the corresponding qubit: the initial two-qubit entanglement gets transformed into legitimate multiqubit entanglement of the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger type.
The effect of marketing innovation, market orientation, and social capital on competitive advantage and marketing performance: A study in MSMEs of embroidery Central Java Province

This study deals with marketing innovation, market orientation, and social capital in affecting the competitive advantage and marketing performance in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of embroidery in Central Java Province. In this respect, this study tried to test and analyze the effect of marketing innovation, market orienta-tion, and social capital on competitive advantage and marketing performance in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of embroidery in Central Java Province. The samples are 150 respondents as the owners of the embroidery business in Central Java Province. The technical analysis used is Structure Equations Modeling with AMOS Software version 22. The results show that: (1) marketing innovation has significant effect on competitive advantage; (2) market orientation has significant effect on competi-tive advantage; (3) social capital has significant effect on competitive advantage; (4) competitive advantage has significant effect on marketing performance; (5) marketing innovation has significant effect on marketing performance; (6) market orientation has significant effect on marketing performance; (7) social capital has no significant effect on marketing performance. The implication of this study is that the MSMEs of embroidery could improve marketing performance by increasing marketing innovation, market orientation, social capital and competitive advantage. This study also shows that competitive advantage is an intervening variable on marketing performance.
BO ZHOU A GENERIC METHOD FOR MODELLING SYSTEMS OF SYS- TEMS AND ITS APPLICABILITY TO THE FIELD OF FACTORY AUTOMATION

TAMPERE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Master’s Degree Programme in Machine Automation BO, ZHOU: A Generic Method for Modelling Systems of Systems and its Applicability to the Field of Factory Automation Master of Science Thesis, 70 pages August 2011 Major: Factory Automation Examiners: Prof. Jose L. Martinez Lastra, Dr. Aleksandra Dvoryanchikova
IMPACT OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON CORPORATE PERFORMANCE: A PRE AND POST CRISIS EVALUATION OF SELECTED COMPANIES IN US

Capital structure relationship with corporate performance as an unresolved issue became more complicated after the global crisis. This is because of liquidity problems that ensued and firms were looking for strategies of cost reduction and profit increment with a view to enhance performance. This paper examines the impact of capital structure choices (Equity or Debt) on performance of selected firms in US in the pre, during and post crisis periods (2003-2006), 2007-2008 and 2009-2012 respectively) with a view to determine whether or not the relationship between the two variables is period related. Statistically, multiple Regression Model was used to estimate the relationship as performance was measured using Return on Equity (ROE), Return on Assets (ROA), Price per Share (P/E Ratio), Earnings Per Share (EPS) and Tobin’s Q (TQ) while capital structure is proxy by Debt to Equity ratio and Firm size was introduced as control variable using 200 selected listed companies from 10 sectors in the US Stock Exchange. The study finds mixed results such that impact of capital structure on corporate performance depends on the type of performance used and is period related. For instance, higher levels of gearing have negative significant relationship with ROA (-0.362) and (-1.13) before and after the crisis respectively or (-0391) using the pooled data, but a positive significant relationship exist between DE and ROA in the post crisis period other variables shows insignificant relationship. More precisely, a percentage increase in the level of debt brings 46% changes in ROA. Generally capital structure is not a major determinant of corporate performance as it has insignificant impact (15%) on corporate performance of US companies. The study recommends that companies should pay little attention to capital structure but look outwards to human capital development/ managerial efficiency in asset utilization for performance enhancement.
Retinal Identification and Connecting this Information to Electronic Health Record

This paper aims at identification of individuals using the retinal image that the extraction of blood vessels based on density classification and identification is carried out according to the Fuzzy logic and then according to the performed operations of individual’s electronic healthrecord. For this purpose, a new algorithm was presented for extraction of specific characteristics of retina based on image analysis and statistic calculations. Extraction of eye blood vessels is carried out based on adaptive filters. Our proposed method in comparison to previous methods which merely have carried out the identification through individually comparison of retina has a higher accuracy and speed. This distinction in the identification accuracy and speed was used in the type of classification and Fuzzy rules. In this paper, we will cluster the image noise at the first stage and at the end of clustering, two classes of noise and the original image will remain. This clustering will be done using the density method of Density-Based Clustering. Then we will extract the eye vessels using adaptive filters. After identifying classes and eye vessels extraction, we will identify the image of the retina under experiment based on the five-stage Fuzzy logic and rules and extract the individual’s file. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/ijece.v3i3. 2520
Measuring credit risk of a loan portfolio: a comparison of different probability of default models

A portfolio consisting of loans is extremely sensitive to credit risk, thus many products have been developed over time trying to insure this credit risk. Different models trying to capture credit risk within the portfolio have been developed, often consisting of a probability of default part and a recovery rate part. This paper looks at three main forms of modelling the probability of default, a form of historical simulation, the advanced IRB model and the CreditRisk+ model. I look at the strengths and weaknesses of these models and show the three approaches all converge to a similar outcome when looking at a portfolio spread across different ratings and covers a longer period of time. Solutions to some of the weaknesses are looked at, such as using historical probability of default data to include past knowledge within the advanced IRB model. Lastly a mixed model will be looked at, which is a combination of historical simulations and the advanced IRB model. The different models are validated within this paper, showing all three approaches to be valid options and showing these models can be used by companies depending on other reasons such as using the model specifically for sector loans.
A Power Saving Hybrid Technique for IoT

Most IoT applications usually contain a battery inside, which provides good mobility for the system, but also limits lifetime of the application in general. A lot of work concentrated on power saving algorithms for software, and hardware solutions to provide better results. The proposed solution uses a hybrid technique that enables the IoT system to save power by installing a secondary low current microcontroller to put sensorsand other devices in sleep mode , and depending on the IoT device’s application, it will be awakened by a needed trigger that is tuned according to the application (such as certain sensors readings, or time based trigger). This will provide high system flexibility.
Phylogenetic analysis of the allometric scaling of therapeutic regimes for birds

The use of allometric scaling to estimate drug doses, regimes, and clearance rates (metabolic dosing) is based on the principle that the amount of drug to be administered is more closely related to daily energy use than to body mass (kg). Thus, by using the allometric estimations of minimal energy consumption (MEC) in kcal day-1 based on the formula MEC=kM bb, where b=3, it is thought to be possible to extrapolate appropriate drug dosage regimens to species for which direct MEC data are unavailable. However, the allometric equations for respiratory variables in birds were developed 30 years ago, and were based on a very small sample size, while the appropriate scaling exponent for the allometry of energy use is a matter of considerable debate. Hence, we revisit the issue of the scaling of therapeutic regimes in birds using the most current expanded database available (resting metabolic rate data for 296 species across 17 bird orders), taking account of the non-independence of species in this process using a phylogenetically independent approach. We show that the use of caloric values to estimate daily energy consumption introduces significant error into the formula, as there are a number of assumptions that are made when converting rate of oxygen consumption to a caloric value. We also show that there are significant differences in the proportionality or Hainsworth coefficients k across taxa when the data are examined in a phylogenetic context, although the allometric scaling exponent does not vary. We therefore recommend the use of only data based on oxygen consumption values, and not caloric values, and a multi-order phylogenetic model when calculating the appropriate drug dosage regime. © 2008 The Authors.
Biotechnological Approach for the Production of Prebiotics and Search for New Probiotics and their Application in the Food Industry

Background and objective: Prebiotics and probiotics intake have been widely recognized in past recent years due to possessing multiple health benefits. Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates that promote the growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria in the colon which improves the health. Moreover, the incorporation of probiotics in food has also been a growing practice due to its immunomodulatory effect, the production of organic acids and other compounds that promotes the absorption of nutrients and the general health of the digestive system. Results and conclusion: Biotechnological strategies have been proposed for prebiotic production and purification in order to meet the demand to be included as ingredients in functional food formulation. Different aspects related to the substrates and different fermentation systems for their production as well as the purification and characterization processes are addressed. Also, we will present the benefits promoted by probiotics, the methods of isolation and characterization, as well as the evaluation of these attributes, so that they can be used in the food industry. With the technological developments in prebiotics and probiotics, it will be possible to deliver foods that respond to consumer demand with low cost and with pleasant sensory characteristics as well as providing beneficial health effects. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Advances in developing screening methods and improving aluminum resistance in common bean and Brachiaria

We summarize progress made towards the development of tools and knowledge that aid the genetic improvement of aluminum (Al) resistance in two of CIAT’s (International Center for Tropical Agriculture) commodity crops; common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and brachiariagrasses ( Brachiaria spp . Grisib ). Approximately 40% of common bean production is on acid soils where Al toxicity limits root development. Improving Al resistance, therefore, is an important breeding objective. We compared a group of 53 common bean genotypes with differing levels of adaptation to acid soils to identify Al resistant genotypes using a hydroponic screening method. Four different root traits (percent inhibition of root elongation, percent increase of average root diameter, total root length per plant and total number of root tips per plant) were identified as useful indicators for Al resistance. Application of this method to 30 accessions of scarlet runner bean (P. coccineus L.) identified three Al-resistant genotypes that could be used for introgressing Al resistance into cultivated germplasm . Work is in progress to characterize the physiological mechanisms underpinning Al resistance in common bean. This will facilitate developing simplified screening procedures and identifying quantitative trait loci ( QTLs ) contributing to Al resistance. Compared to common bean, brachiariagrasses tend to be better adapted to acid soils. Yet edaphic adaptation is an important component of CIAT’s and EMBRAPA’s ( Empresa Brasiliera de Pesquisa Agropecuaria ) breeding programs because one of the three parental genotypes is poorly adapted. We developed and incorporated into our breeding program a solution-culture technique that uses rooted stem cuttings to screen for Al resistance and root vigor, both of which are segregating in breeding populations. Physiological research into the remarkably high level of Al resistance of signalgrass (B. decumbens Stapf ) has ruled out a significant contribution of organic-acid secretion at root apices (a widespread Al-exclusion mechanism in plants). Instead, Al resistance appears to be a facet of a more generic resistance mechanism that prevents intoxication by inorganic cations , possibly as a result of the change in composition of the lipid bilayer of root cell plasma membranes. Once taken up into roots, Al appears to be complexed by low-molecular-weight ligands such as citrate. Other adaptive traits may counteract secondary effects of Al toxicity on phosphorus (P) nutrition through stimulation of P uptake or use efficiency.
Voluntary Turnover, Job Performance, Salary Growth, and Labor Market Conditions

Excerpt] The importance of employee turnover control depends on many factors, including the relative supply of replacements in either the internal or external labor market, the amount of training invested in the employee, and the perfonnance level of the employee. In reference to the last factor, several authors have argued that turnover, especially of low perfonners, should not necessarily be assumed to represent a problem (Dalton, Todor, & Krackhardt, 1982; Boudreau & Berger, 1985; Hollenbeck & Williams, 1986). Thus, research is needed that identifies the conditions under which high perfonners are most likely to voluntarily leave the organization.
GPR Modeling for Rapid Characterization of Layered Media

The success of a ground penetrating radar (GPR) signal modeling scheme largely depends on its accuracy and computational efficiency. Most of the modeling schemes suffer from inaccuracy because of unrealistic assumptions of complex GPR environment. In this respect full wave model (FWM) of GPR signal is a promising approach for accurate characterization of multi-layered media. However, large computation time of FWM compared to other simplified models makes the approach inefficient for real time application. In this work an FWM scheme is developed based on electric field equivalent magnetic current density at antenna phase center. The compact analytical expression of Green's function representing response due to layered media is derived. Then a plane wave model (PWM) is proposed by introducing a spreading factor based on simplified expression of the FWM. The model inversion is successfuly carried out by a gradient based algorithm. A stepped frequency continuous wave GPR in off-ground monostatic configuration is implemented in laboratory environment to verify performances of the models. Experimental analysis proves that the proposed PWM is as accurate as FWM, and its computation efficiency is enormous to detect layered media parameters.
Domain Representability and Topological Completeness

Topological completeness properties seek to generalize the definition of complete metric space to the context of topologies. Chapter 1 gives an overview of some of these properties. Chapter 2 introduces domain theory, a field originally intended for use in theoretical computer science. Finally, Chapter 3 examines how this computer-scientific notion can be employed in the study of topological completeness in the form of domain representability. The connections between domain representability and other topological completeness properties are subsequently examined. Dedication For Dr. Y, without whom, none of this would be possible.
The Wall Street Walk when Blockholders Compete for Flows

Publicly traded corporations are a¤ected by a core agency problem: managers pay the full cost of e¤ort in running the corporations but shareholders enjoy most of the bene? ts. When ownership is dispersed individual shareholders have little incentive to monitor managers and little ability to in? uence them. Holders of equity blocks (? blockholders? ) are a natural solu- tion to this problem. Because they own many shares they have both the incentive to monitor and the ability to in? uence management. Several well-known papers (e.g. Grossman and Hart (1980), Shleifer and Vishny (1986), Admati, P? eiderer, and Zechner (1994) and Kahn and Winton (1998)) have shown that blockholders can increase ? rm value through monitoring and activism. Activism can take the form of bringing forth shareholder proposals, proxy voting against management, informal negotiations with management, jawboning etc. These activities are collectively referred to as the use of ? voice? by blockholders.