Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Retail Service Quality: Examining Applicability of International Research Perspectives in India

Service quality is being increasingly perceived as a tool to increase value for the consumer; and as a means of positioning in a competitive environment to ensure consumer satisfaction, retention, and patronage. Existing research indicates that consumers satisfied with the store�s service quality are most likely to remain loyal. However, despite its strategic importance, Indian retailers do not have an appropriate and established instrument to measure service quality. This study examines the Retail Service Quality Scale (RSQS) developed in the US for applicability in India. RSQS has five dimensions and six sub-dimensions and has been found appropriate in a variety of settings — across different countries such as South Africa and Singapore and across a variety of store types such as supermarkets, department stores, and hyper stores. The five dimensions — Physical Aspects, Reliability, Personal Interaction, Problem Solving, and Policy�are believed to capture distinct though correlated aspects of retail service. Each of the first three dimensions has two sub-dimensions. These six sub-dimensions, also called the first-order factors, are labelled as Appearance, Convenience, Promises, Doingit-Right, Inspiring Confidence, and Courteousness/Helpfulness. The dimensions and sub-dimensions provide strategic focus areas for retailers, enabling them to improve certain aspects of store service where performance is relatively poor. Data using a survey questionnaire from 144 adult shoppers at large format apparel stores in the city of Bangalore indicates that: The RSQS dimensions and sub-dimensions are not clearly identifiable. The dimension of �Physical Appearance� is the only one that is relatively clear. All other dimensions are ill-defined. The dimension of ‘Problem-Solving’ is hazy and all the remaining dimensions of RSQS comprise one factor. RSQS has limited diagnostic application. Consequently, retailers would find RSQS a poor instrument to help identify strategic areas requiring focus to improve service levels. The scale can, at best, be employed to assess overall service quality levels and for tracking overall improvements over a period of time. RSQS is inappropriate for application in Indian retail. Pre-test interviews of shoppers indicate that several service aspects mentioned by shoppers during interviews are not included in RSQS. Much future research is needed to develop a scale appropriate for the Indian context.
Virtual Network Embedding with Virtual Topology Pre-Pruning

Efficient network resource utilization is crucial in the field of Virtual Network Embedding (VNE). The diversity of virtual topologies belong to various services providers (SPs) severely affects the efficiency of VNE algorithms and fairness between SPs. To achieve high resource utilization of the physical substrate network and leverage repeatable features in virtual machine deployment, this paper proposes a VNE algorithm with a pre-pruning mechanism to virtual topologies. Before embedding a virtual network of a SP, if the virtual topology is too complex, i.e. has too many virtual nodes or high connectivity, such mechanism will reconfigure the topology to reduce complexity under the premise to guarantee isomorphism. Then the algorithm will felicitously map the virtual network onto substrate network through a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based process. Simulation results show that due to the pre-pruning procedure the algorithm can achieve high revenue to cost ratio and more fairness than traditional VNE algorithms.
Spectroscopy of the long-lived excited state in the neutron-deficient nuclides 195,197,199Po by precision mass measurements.

Direct mass measurements of the low-spin 3/2(-) and high-spin 13/2(+) states in the neutron-deficient isotopes Po-195 and Po-197 were performed with the Penning-trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP at ISOLDE-CERN. These measurements allow the determination of the excitation energy of the isomeric state arising from the nu i(13/2) orbital in Po-195,Po-197. Additionally, the excitation energy of isomeric states of lead, radon, and radium isotopes in this region were obtained from alpha-decay chains. These excitation energies complete the knowledge of the energy systematics in the region and confirm that the 13/2(+) states remain isomeric, independent of the number of valence neutrons.
An investigation into the language and letters of Bess of Hardwick (c. 1527-1608)

The English language was in a state of transition during the Early Modern period, which is defined here as extending from 1500 to 1700. In particular, it is suspected that changes were taking place on the borderline between speech and writing. However, these changes have rarely been researched in a systematic way. This study investigates these changes with reference to the writing contained within a corpus of original manuscript letters from Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury (known as Bess of Hardwick), c.1527 to 1608. Manuscript letters are an excellent data source to use in order to investigate the changes taking place on the borderline between speech and writing during the Early Modern period because the writing contained within them has a different, possibly closer, relationship to speech than the writing contained within other kinds of text dating from the period. However, the use of manuscript letters as data sources is not straightforward because the notion of authorship is complex. In particular, letters can be holograph or scribal. In order to address this authorship issue, this study marries techniques from the fields of palaeography and historical pragmatics. Following an introduction, it is divided into two analytical parts. Part 1 outlines how a specially-designed scribal profiling technique was used to identify Bess’s holograph handwriting, and the handwriting of five of her scribes in a corpus of her manuscript letters. Part 2 outlines how four lexical features, namely AND, SO, FOR and BUT, were identified as salient discourse-organizational devices within the prose of Bess’s holograph letters, before presenting four case studies that compare the discourse function of these four lexical features in the six hands identified in Part 1. Having identified how these features pattern in the letters, Part 2 compares the results of the case studies with previous studies, and draws conclusions about linguistic change in the period. The study’s original contribution to knowledge is therefore threefold. Firstly, it showcases a reliable, replicable scribal-profiling methodology that can be assessed and critiqued on its own terms. Secondly, it shows how it is possible to successfully combine a sensitivity to the complex nature of Early Modern English manuscript letters with effective qualitative analyses of the language contained within them. Thirdly, with the findings produced by the four case studies, the thesis offers significant and important contributions to the fields of historical linguistics, manuscript studies and literary scholarship. The study also has implications for the editing of Early Modern English letters, the study of women’s history and letter- writing, and for biographical studies of Bess of Hardwick more specifically.
Identification of Factors Influencing GER of Female Candidates in Higher Technical Education using Decision Trees

This paper explores the various factors (social, economic, demographic) that may influence the GER of females in Higher Technical Education in Punjab (India). We studied to what extent these factors can be helpful in identifying the enrolled and not enrolled female candidates in Higher Education and to focus upon the most influencing factors to increase the participation of women in terms of enrolment in higher technical education.
Genetic characterization of two mahseer species (Tor douronensis and Tor tambroides) using microsatellite markers from other cyprinids

This study examined the genetic characteristics of twenty-six microsatellite primers developed from three cyprinid fishes (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, Barbus barbus Linnaeus and Barbonymus gonionotus Bleeker) in two indigenous mahseer. The Tor douronensis Valenciennes were randomly collected from two locations in Sarawak (N=52), while Tor tambroides Bleeker were obtained from Peninsular Malaysia (N=56). A total of ten and twelve primers were successfully amplified producing four and five polymorphic loci in T. douronensis and T. tambroides, respectively. The number of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 5 in T. douronensis and 2 to 7 in T. tambroides. A significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was observed at three loci (Barb37, Barb59 and Barb62) in one or more populations in T. tambroides while two loci (Barb37 and Barb62) were deviated in T. douronensis population of Batang Ai. Population structure analysis showed low level of inter-population genetic differentiation in both mahseer. Overall, the identified microsatellite loci should be useful in analysing T. douronensis and T. tambroides natural populations.
Compact quad-band BPF design with fractal stepped-impedance ring resonator

This paper presents the design of new miniaturized multiband microstrip bandpass filters (BPFs) for multiservices wireless applications. The introduced filter structures are the results of the implementation of the fractal-based topology together with the stepped impedance resonator (SIR) technique on the conventional square loop resonator. Three microstrip BPFs have been investigated corresponding to the first three Minkowski fractal iterations as applied to the SIR ring resonator. The first bandpass filter, which corresponds to the zero fractal iteration, has been designed at 5.8 GHz for wireless local area network (WLAN) applications. The proposed filter has been etched using a substrate with an insulation constant of 10.8, a thickness of 1.27 mm and loss tangent of 0.0023. Based on this filter, the other two filters have been designed by applying the Minkowski fractal geometries of the 1st and 2nd iterations. Results reveal that the three filters offer size reduction percentages of about 40%, 56%, and 63% as compared with the conventional dual-mode square ring resonator. The simulated and experimental results of the first BPF prototype are well-matched.
Impact of Entrepreneurial Education on Entrepreneurial Intentions of Pakistani Students

Why an individual prefer to become an entrepreneur and what factor motivated his intentions for becoming an entrepreneur is considered important question in entrepreneurship research. Entrepreneurial education is considered an important variable which effect on entrepreneurial intentions. However, empirical research results on entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention yielded mixed results. To investigate further this question from developing countries perspective, this paper looks at the role of entrepreneurial education in developing the entrepreneurial intentions for becoming entrepreneur. The sample for this study composed of final year business students from Pakistan. The result of this study supports the entrepreneurial intentions model based on the theory of planned behavior. The results further suggested significant influence of entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial intentions of the students. Moreover, this study results also showed that theoretical knowledge of entrepreneurship (know-what) and knowledge of social network development (know-who) component are vital for imparting entrepreneurial education.
High-Definition Texture Reconstruction for 3D Image-based Modeling

Image-based modeling is becoming increasingly popular as a means to create realistic 3D digital models of realworld objects. Applications range from games and e-commerce to virtual worlds and 3D printing. Most research in computer vision has concentrated on the precise reconstruction of geometry. However, in order to improve realism and enable use in professional production pipelines digital models need a high-resolution texture map. In this paper we present a novel system for creating detailed texture maps from a set of input images and estimated 3D geometry. The solution uses a mesh segmentation and charting approach in order to create a low-distortion mesh parameterization suitable for objects of arbitrary genus. Texture maps for each mesh segment are created by back-projecting the best-fitting input images onto each surface segment, and smoothly fusing them together using graph-cut techniques. We investigate the effect of different input parameters, and present results obtained for reconstructing a variety of different 3D objects from input images acquired using an unconstrained and uncalibrated camera.
Exact Observer Error Linearization for Perspective Dynamic Systems

Estimation of 3D position information from 2D images in computer vision systems can be formulated as a state estimation problem for a nonlinear perspective dynamic system. The state estimation can be performed using different kinds of nonlinear observers. In this paper we investigate observer error linearization, where the goal is to find a coordinate transformation that results in a system for which a linear observer can be constructed. It is shown that using a state transformation combined with an output transformation, the system admits an observer form which leads to an observer with linear error dynamics.
Taking Problem-Solving Seriously

Instructions in Wason’s Selection Task underdetermine empirical subjects’ representation of the underlying problem, and its admissible solutions. We model the Selection Task as an (ambiguous) interrogative learning problem, and reasoning to solutions as: (a) selection of a representation of the problem; and: (b) strategic planning from that representation. We argue that recovering Wason’s ‘normative’ selection is possible only if both stages are constrained further than they are by Wason’s formulation. We conclude comparing our model with other explanatory models, w.r. t. to empirical adequacy, and modeling of bounded rationality.
A supplement to the amphipod (Crustacea) species inventory of Helgoland (German Bight, North Sea): indication of rapid recent change

The surroundings of the rocky island of Helgoland (German Bight, south-western North Sea) are one of the best-studied sites in European seas with species occurrence data available for nearly 150 years. As the area is strongly affected by global change (e.g. increase in mean sea surface temperature at Helgoland by 1.678C since 1962), ecosystem structure and function are expected to change more than those of average marine systems. The paper presents a supplement to the local amphipod species inventory (5 nautical miles around the island). At least seven species of this ecologically important taxon seem to have newly established themselves at Helgoland since the late 1980s: Ampelisca typica, Amphilochus brunneus, Caprella mutica, Cheirocratus assimilis, Monocorophium acherusicum, Orchestia mediterranea and Orchomenella crenata. Most of them are not only new for the Helgoland area, but also for the German Bight; and two species (Amphilochus brunneus and Orchomenella crenata) are even new to the North Sea as a whole. Out of the seven new species, one (Caprella mutica) is a neozoon from the north-western Pacific. The other six species show clear warm water affinities (oceanic–Lusitanian species) which suggest a recent range expansion in the context of climate warming. The establishment of an increasing number of species formerly probably absent from the area does not seem to be compensated by losses of species, so that local species diversity is expected to increase.
Incorporating prior information with fused sparse group lasso: Application to prediction of clinical measures from neuroimages

Predicting clinical variables from whole‐brain neuroimages is a high‐dimensional problem that can potentially benefit from feature selection or extraction. Penalized regression is a popular embedded feature selection method for high‐dimensional data. For neuroimaging applications, spatial regularization using the ℓ1 or ℓ2 norm of the image gradient has shown good performance, yielding smooth solutions in spatially contiguous brain regions. Enormous resources have been devoted to establishing structural and functional brain connectivity networks that can be used to define spatially distributed yet related groups of voxels. We propose using the fused sparse group lasso (FSGL) penalty to encourage structured, sparse, and interpretable solutions by incorporating prior information about spatial and group structure among voxels. We present optimization steps for FSGL penalized regression using the alternating direction method of multipliers algorithm. With simulation studies and in application to real functional magnetic resonance imaging data from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange, we demonstrate conditions under which fusion and group penalty terms together outperform either of them alone.
How does globalization affect the tax burden on labour income, capital income and consumption in different welfare regimes? The case of Western and Eastern EU Member States

*Corresponding author, Middlesex University, Department of Economics and Statistics, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT, UK Phone: +44 20 8411 5956, e-mail: o.onaran@mdx.ac. uk ** Vienna University of Economics and Business, Research Institute International Taxation, Augasse 2-6, A-1090 Vienna, Austria, Phone (+43-1) 31336-5932, e-mail: valerie.boesch@wu-wien.ac. at. *** Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics and Research Institute International Taxation, Augasse 2-6, A-1090 Vienna, Austria, Phone (+43-1) 313365833, e-mail: markus.leibrecht@wu-wien.ac. at.
Reconfigurable Stepped-Impedance Slotline Power Dividers

For the first time, the higher-ordered modes of a stepped-impedance slotline resonator are closely combined for designing the broadband in-phase and out-of-phase power dividers. It was found that the output phases of the two modes can be easily reversed at the same time by changing the direction of their feeding currents. For this configuration, interestingly, a multifunctional power divider which is reconfigurable to produce either in-phase or out-of-phase signals can be easily designed from its passive counterparts by incorporating multiple RF diodes into the output feedlines, leading to significant cost saving and high compactness. The design procedure and equations of the power-dividing structures are discussed.
PCR-based DGGE typification of the microbial community in Kepi grains

Kepi is a fermented milk beverage that originated in Eastern Europe. Traditional Kepi is a lightly acidic, carbonated beverage, with a slight yeasty taste. The starter used to produce this beverage is an irregularly shaped, yellowish-white grain-like structure similar in appearance to a cauliflower floret. The characteristic flavour of Kepi is produced by a complex spectrum of microbial species that include species of yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria and mycelial fungi. At the end of the fermentation process the grainy starter can be recovered and re-used, since the microbes can easily be recovered as a solid matrix. The microbes comprising Kepi grains have only been identified using classical identification techniques such as selective growth media, morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. In this study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis was used to typify and identify the complex microbial consortium present in the Kepi grains. A part of the 168 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene from the microbial population in mass-cultured, traditionally cultured and Irish Kepi grains were amplified using 'Eubacterial' specific primers and a part of the 268 rRNA gene was amplified using yeast specific primers. The PCR fragments were resolved by DGGE, resulting in unique fingerprints for the Eubacteria and yeasts present in the different Kepi grain types. The traditionally cultured Kepi grains were found to incorporate the most Eubacteria and yeast species, while the mass-cultured Kepi grains contained the lowest number of Eubacteria and yeast species. The different Eubacteria and yeast species were identified by cloning the PCR products and sequencing the cloned inserts. The obtained DNA sequences were compared to sequences available on the NCBI website. 8ix lactobacilli were identified: Lb. crispatus (KC-4); three Lb. species (KC-36, KC-38 and KC-43); and two unculturable lactobacilli (KC-2 and KC-3). The yeasts were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (KC-y18) and Candida lambica (KC-y1). Unidentified isolates from kefiran strings that could not be identified using traditional methods were also identified by cloning the PCR products and sequencing the cloned inserts. The four isolates were identified as Lb. kefiri (KGI-A), Lb. parakefiri (KGIB), Lb. gallina rum (KGI-D) and an unculturable Lactobacillus (KGI-5). Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Thesis An Exergame for Encouraging Martial Arts

In this paper, we developed a game-based learning system for martial arts with the aid of Kinect sensor, stressing the importance of providing the player with immediate feedback, clear goals and challenges that are matched to his/her skill level. Inevitably, games have unique opportunity to motivate, to inspire and to create appealing experiences. Why not we have them kill two birds with one stone? Game-based learning system often involved the process of gamify an existing knowledge learning system, which is a very di ﬃ cult task due to the complexity of game concepts itself in addition to the on-going debate, yet to be determined underlying values that contribute to ﬂow acquirement. Our idea is to get player to have fun with physical game, if possible, learn some real martial art skillsets from the gameplay. Hence, we have posited another plausible way, which is to edify an existing exergame system by add-on physical skillsets as part of the game challenges without obstruction to the game harmony. We have compared both wearable sensor (TSND121) and Kinect sensor for its suitability for body area network device. We found that Kinect sensor outperformed TSND121 with the features of no latency, high accuracy, a ﬀ ordability, ease of programming, on top of it’s controller-less and unobtrusive feature over wearable sensors. Hence, we are convinced that Kinect sensor is a more suitable sensor for body area network device in an exergame. As well, we discussed about punching gloves that possess inﬂuence on player’s psychological processes that was evident in our experiment result, exhibit the potential to govern game-based learning process. We posit that reality tool is essential in the future exergame learning system due to it’s virtual reality impact on player’s feeling. The game-based learning model discussed in this paper can be extended to other sports, especially those required sports equipment such as racquet, golf club, baseball bat and etc for high excitement, fun and interactive learning achievement.
Intergenerational analysis of the donating behavior of parents and their offspring

Using data drawn from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we explore the relationship between the donating behavior of parents and that of their children aged less than 18 which gives a direct insight into whether an intergenerational relationship in donating behavior exists. Furthermore, we exploit information relating to whether or not parents encourage their children to donate to charity by talking to them about donating to unveil information related to the intergenerational transmission of philanthropic behavior. Our findings suggest that an intergenerational correlation is only present in the absence of a control for whether the parent talks to the child about donating. The effect from the parent talking to their offspring is associated with an increased likelihood that the child donates by approximately 10 percentage points, a finding which is robust to a number of different estimation strategies.