Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategic Choice of the Subsidiaries: Contextual and Operational Factors

Considering the subsidiaries of multinational companies, a study of the conditions affecting the strategic choice is conducted. Beginning with an analysis of the taxonomies of subsidiaries, two strategic models were selected to test three hypotheses: one, regarding the variables that influence the strategic choice; a second, about the relationship between the two classification models and a third, about the influence of the type of subsidiary on performance. This study involved five European countries, namely the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden and Portugal. It concludes that nation based variables have important influence in the determination of subsidiary strategic roles. This influence is present especially in terms of national culture with variables like individualism and uncertainty avoidance, while analyzing relationships, and age and technological capacity, while analyzing functions. We also found that both models used are independent, suggesting that they are complementary models and not substitutes.
MARINE AND LAGOON RECRUITMENT OF Litopenaeus vannamei (BOONE, 1931) (DECAPODA: PENAEIDAE) IN THE "CABEZA DE TORO-LA JOYA BUENAVISTA" LAGOON SYSTEM, CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Life cycle of the Penaeidae shrimp family is approximately 16 months and this takes place between the marine and coastal lagoon environments. Within the "Cabeza de Toro-La Joya Buenavista" lagoon system (CJB-LS) a total length value for 6116 juvenile white shrimp was recorded. Bhattacharya's method and modal progression analysis were used in order to analyze marine (MR) and lagoon (LR) recruitment periods. The MR is the natural movement of juvenile shrimp from the interior of CJB-LS towards the marine fishing zone (MFZ) from Gulf of Tehuantepec. The LR is the natural movement of shrimp post-larvae from the MFZ towards the interior of CJB-LS. Both recruitments were separated between September and October. The MR period was delimited from April 2001 to the middle of October 2001 (during rainy season). In this period, the age at which white shrimp began to migrate towards the MFZ was recorded between 4.5 and five months old. The LR period began during the last days of October 2001 and ended in March 2002 (during "Tehuanos" season). Only in this period were shrimp cohorts observed with an approximate age of 25 days. Those shrimp cohorts were considered as recently recruited, because they continued growing after their immigration from MFZ. Reproduction period of white shrimp occurs in the MFZ from July to November with maxima in October.
Forecasting RMB Exchange Rate Based on a Nonlinear Combination Model of ARFIMA, SVM, and BPNN

There are various models to predict financial time series like the RMB exchange rate. In this paper, considering the complex characteristics of RMB exchange rate, we build a nonlinear combination model of the autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model, the support vector machine (SVM) model, and the back-propagation neural network (BPNN) model to forecast the RMB exchange rate. The basic idea of the nonlinear combination model (NCM) is to make the prediction more effective by combining different models’ advantages, and the weight of the combination model is determined by a nonlinear weighted mechanism. The RMB exchange rate against US dollar (RMB/USD) and the RMB exchange rate against Euro (RMB/EUR) are used as the empirical examples to evaluate the performance of NCM. The results show that the prediction performance of the nonlinear combination model is better than the single models and the linear combination models, and the nonlinear combination model is suitable for the prediction of the special time series, such as the RMB exchange rate.
Innovation capabilities of hi-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMES): A comparative analysis between China and France

The objective of this research is to contribute to academic research by providing new insight into the current hi-tech SMEs’ innovation activities. Moreover, the research also concentrates on empirical testing of the questions and the hypotheses which come from the other scholars’ visionary ideas like Schumpeter, Freeman, Chanaron etc. This study investigates and compares hi-tech SMEs in China and France showing the differences in innovation capabilities between the two countries. The empirical research is based on a comprehensive questionnaire. Sample firms are randomly selected from Shanghai in China and Rhône-Alpes in France. To control the exogenous industrial variance, sample firms in the two countries with the same proportion of industrial sectors are selected. Relying on quantitative analysis the study concludes that the differences on innovation capabilities are significant. Moreover, the innovation stages of hi-tech firms depend on some key factors, such as R&D expenditure, firm size, granted patents, profit intensity, new products etc., positively correlated with innovation capabilities. The findings indicate that, compared to their larger counterparts, hi-tech SMEs have distinctive capabilities for innovation which are determined by their resource-constraints and their particular innovation strategy.
Synthesis and Reactive Properties of Iron Oxide–Coated Nanoaluminum

A homogeneous coating of Fe3O4 on in situ–generated nanoaluminum was accomplished by thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)5 in an aluminum aerosol stream and subsequent oxidation of iron by air bleed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) investigation revealed that oxygen penetrated through this coating, and Fe3O4 facilitated the formation of an expanded aluminum oxide layer compared to an uncoated aluminum case. Closed cell combustion tests displayed a minor decrease in pressure response for the coated product, which was attributed to the increased aluminum oxide layer. The critical ignition temperature was reduced for the coated product in T-jump fine-wire combustion tests.
The Camp View of Inflation Forecasts

Analyzing sample moments of survey forecasts, we derive disagreement and un- certainty measures for the short- and medium term inflation outlook. The latter provide insights into the development of inflation forecast uncertainty in the context of a changing macroeconomic environment since the beginning of 2008. Motivated by the debate on the role of monetary aggregates and cyclical variables describing a Phillips-curve logic, we develop a macroeconomic indicator spread which is assumed to drive forecasters’ judgments. Empirical evidence suggests procyclical dynamics between disagreement among forecasters, individual forecast uncertainty and the macro-spread. We call this approach the camp view of inflation forecasts and show that camps form up whenever the spread widens.
A behavioral analysis tool for models of software systems

Process calculi are simple languages which permit modeling of concurrent systems so that they can be verified for correctness. We can analyze concurrent systems based on process calculi by either comparing a representation of the actual implementation with a simpler specification for equivalence, or by verifying whether desired properties described in an adequate logic hold. Strong bisimulation equivalence is one of many equivalence relations defined on process calculi to aid in the verification of concurrent software. This equivalence relation relates processes which exhibit the same behavior, i.e. perform the same transitions, as equivalent regardless of internal implementation details. Logics to reason about processes range from those which describe temporal properties – how properties evolve during the course of a process’ life – behavioral properties – which actions a process is capable of performing – and spatial properties – what components compose a process and how are they connected. Model checking consists of verifying if a model, in our case a process, satisfies a given property. Model checking techniques are quite popular in conjunction with process calculi to aid in the verification of the correctness of concurrent systems. In this thesis we address the problems of checking bisimilarity between processess using characteristic formulae, which are formulae used to fully describe a process’ behavior. We implement some facilities to allow bisimilarity verification in the Spatial Logic Model Checker tool. As a result of adding these facilities we also extend the SLMC tool with an extra modality in the logic it uses to reason about processes. We have also added the possibility to define mutually recursive properties in the tool and enhanced the model checking algorithm with a cache to prevent redundant, time-consuming checks to be performed.
EMOTIONAL MATURITY, SELF-ESTEEM AND ATTACHMENT STYLES: PRELIMINARY COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN ADOLESCENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DELINQUENT STATUS*

The current article is investigating the associations and differences between the attachment styles, emotional maturity and self-esteem of two adolescent groups from Romania: delinquents and nondelinquents, aiming to further identify the predictive value of these variables. For this purpose, the correlation indexes between the scores to the following instruments corresponding to the target-variables were calculated: Questionnaire for the assessment of the attachment style (Collins and Read, 1990), Survey for the evaluation of Emotional Maturity Friedman (questionnaire available online) and the Self-Esteem Rosenberg Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). At the same time, the mentioned dimensions where compared based on the personal status of the participants (delinquents and non-delinquents). The research was carried out on a sample of 117 adolescents from Romania (Arad), boys and girls, ages between 13 – 17 years, with the average age m = 15.97, and a standard deviation of SD = 0.9. The results indicated a series of correlations and significant differences between the target variables (attachment styles, the emotional maturity level and the self-esteem level) on the two groups of adolescents (delinquents and non-delinquents). Our data revealed that the anxious-ambivalent attachment style was associated with a low self-esteem level, regardless of the adolescent's status (with or without delinquency). However, the non-delinquent adolescents with a high level of emotional maturity showed a higher level of self-esteem. Also, the comparison of the results between the two groups showed that non-delinquent adolescents had a higher level of emotional maturity and self-esteem than the delinquent adolescents.
Likelihood-based Analysis for Dynamic Factor Models

We present new results for the likelihood-based analysis of the dynamic factor model that possibly includes intercepts and explanatory variables. The latent factors are modelled by stochastic processes. The idiosyncratic disturbances are specified as autoregressive processes with mutually correlated innovations. The new results lead to computationally efficient procedures for the estimation of the factors and parameter estimation by maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. An illustration is provided for the analysis of a large panel of macroeconomic time series. See also the publication in 'The Econometrics Journal' , 2015, 18(2), C1-C21.
Measuring Downward Nominal and Real Wage Rigidity - Why Methods Matter

Although wage rigidity is an important topic, there is no full consensus in the literature on how to measure downward nominal and real wage rigidity. We conceptually and empirically compare the three commonly used methods for estimating wage rigidity. The simple approach as developed by the International Wage Flexibility Project (IWFP), the model based IWFP approach and the Maximum Likelihood approach. We estimate the three models on administrative panel data at the individual level for the Netherlands (2006-2012). One main nding is that assumptions regarding the 'notional' wage change distribution (which would prevail in the absence of wage rigidity) are an important determinant of the level of wage rigidity measured. We conclude that the model-based IWFP approach is the preferred model of the three, for it has the most sophisticated method to address measurement error and the assumptions regarding the wage change distribution that would prevail in absence of wage rigidity are most plausible. Furthermore we have researched the correlation between wage rigidity and worker and rm characteristics. Although the methods do not agree on the amount of rigidity, they agree for a large part on what variables have a positive or negative relation with downward nominal or real wage rigidity. We nd that the presence of wage rigidity is unevenly distributed among groups of workers: downward nominal and real wage rigidity in the Netherlands are positively related to a higher age, higher education, open-end contracts, full-time contracts and to working in a rm that experiences zero or positive employment growth. The consistency in the ndings regarding the determinants of wage rigidity indicate that all three methods measure the same phenomenon, which implies that estimates of determinants of wage rigidity can be compared over countries using any of the three methods. However, for measuring the fraction of workers covered by downward nominal or real wage rigidity, the choice of the method matters. Besides, we contribute to the literature by providing accurate, internationally comparable estimates of wage rigidity in the Netherlands. The overall picture is that the Netherlands has a less than average amount of downward nominal wage rigidity but and an above average level of downward real wage rigidity, compared internationally.
Towards a Configuration Framework for Orthographic-Software-Modeling Environments

View-based modeling approaches are today widely used to specify software systems because they allow the associated complexity to be distributed over multiple, separately manageable perspectives of a system. However, virtually all existing view-based modeling approaches have “hardwired” viewpoint frameworks that cannot be easily changed by users. Customizing a view-based modeling environment for a specific methodology is consequently a complex and error prone task since it involves changes to the core implementation code. Therefore, a simple and systematic process allowing methodologists to configure a view-based modeling environment is required which ensures that all requirements for view-based modeling are fulfilled, i.e. that the complete system can be specified using mutually consistent view-types. In this paper we outline such an approach in the context of Orthographic Software Modeling. CCS Concepts •Software and its engineering → Model-driven software engineering; Abstraction, modeling and modularity; •Information systems → Information integration;
Analytical Exact Solutions of Heat Conduction Problems for a Three-Phase Elliptical Composite

Analytical exact solutions of a fundamental heat conduction problem for a three-phase elliptical composite under a remote uniform heat flow are provided in this paper. The steady-state temperature and heat flux fields in each phase of an elliptical composite are analyzed in detail. Investigations on the present heat conduction problem are tedious due to the presence of material inhomogeneities and geometric discontinuities. Based on the technique of conformal mapping and the method of analytical continuation in conjunction with the alternating technique, the general expressions of the temperature and heat flux are derived explicitly in a closed form. Some numerical results of the temperature and heat flux distributions are discussed in detail and provided in full-field configurations. The heat flux concentration factor around the geometric discontinuity is introduced to quantify the amount of the local energy accumulation.
Molecular assay for the diagnosis of Setaria cervi

Present study deals with the diagnostic evaluation of Setaria cervi by PCR assay with the primers developed from “IpSdS” repeat sequence in the genome of Setaria digitata. Standrdized PCR assay has yielded 125bp, 332bp products from the genome of adult Setaria cervi and In-vitro harvested microfilariae. Among the products 125bp product is more prominent than 332b product. The PCR was found sensitive in detecting the DNA as low as 953 ag from template DNA of S.cervi. Setaria species may occur individually or coexist in their natural habitat and are distinct to each other. Differentiation of Setaria species is not crucial for the diagnostic purpose. Hence the PCR assay may be used in the Field diagnosis of bovine microfilariosis irrespective of species involved.
WHAT FACTORS MATTER TO BRAND RELEVANCE IN CATEGORY ? AN EMPIRICAL STUDY IN TURKEY 1

In this study, antecedents of brand relevance in category are examined and the impact powers of these antecedents are analyzed. In this empirical research, data about brand relevance values in terms of mobile phone and casual clothes products are collected from undergraduate students studying in a public university in Turkey. Data of the study are collected through a face to face questionnaire and analyzed by using multi-linear regression method. According to the findings, the most powerful antecedent of brand relevance is risk reduction. Information gathering cost and social-identity are the following antecedents. While self-identity is the weakest antecedent for mobile phone, it doesn’t affect brand relevance in terms of casual clothes. On the other hand, brand relevance value of mobile phone is higher than the casual clothes. This paper shows that social-identity and self-identity may affect brand relevance separately for specific product types in consumer market.
Correction system for polyphonic piano recordings

M.I. Martin-Erdozain, I. Barbancho, A. Rosa-Pujazon, A.M. Barbancho, "Correction system for polyphonic piano recordings", XXVIII Simposium Nacional de la Union Cientifica Internacional de Radio, Santiago de Compostela, Espana, 2013
Effect of Process Variables on Encapsulated Ranolazine Novel Porous Calcium Silicate

The aim of this research was to develop a multiparticulate floating drug delivery system using porous calcium silicate and sodium alginate, for site specific drug release of ranolazine. Ranolazine is an anti-anginal drug with extensive and highly variable hepatic first pass metabolism following oral administration, with systemic bio-availability of 76% and relatively short plasma half-life of 2.5 ± 0.5 hours, so there is a need for the development of prolonged release formulation for the same. The drug loaded beads were prepared by adsorbing drug on the florite, by rapid solvent evaporation and further was used to prepare calcium alginate beads by inotropic gelation method, using 32 factorial designs. Developed formulations were evaluated for yield, entrapment efficiency, image analysis, surface topography, mechanical strength, apparent density, buoyancy studies and dissolution studies. Developed formulations showed instantaneous floating with very slow drug release in acidic medium. Quantity of porous carrier and concentration of sodium alginate solution significantly affected the performance of beads. By altering the amount of these two components in formulation floating time of beads could be controlled ranging up to 6.30 h. Drug release from beads in acidic environment was influenced by both quantity of Florite RE® and sodium alginate concentration while initial drug release in simulated intestinal environment was primarily controlled by sodium alginate concentration.
Absenteeism in a Represented Environment

This study investigated the effects of attitudinal and demographic variables on employees’ decisions to engage in voluntary absenteeism in a unionized work environment. The 79 unionized participants worked for a national automotive corporation and completed a paper-based survey measuring organizational perceptions and attitudes. Researchers combined these findings with demographic data and archival absence reports and used regression analyses for interpretation purposes. Findings suggested a main effect of job satisfaction on voluntary absenteeism and interactive effects of tenure and organizational trust on voluntary absenteeism (lower-tenured employees with low levels of organizational trust have higher absence rates).
A theory of affective experience

Theory that informs and invigorates designers in how to think about, research and understand human experience is increasingly important to the development of the field of design(Demir, Desmet & Hekkert 2009). In this paper I seek to contribute to the discourse in this area by presenting Affect Control Theory(Heise 1979, 2006) as an explanatory theory with substantial utility to the area of affect, emotion and design. Affect Control Theory is a theory of social interaction that suggests our desire to maintain affective meanings about the world is central to explaining and understanding how we feel, what we do and the emotions we communicate in social situations. In this paper I describe the Affect Control Theory framework and then start to open up its potential for research, practice and understanding in design. I suggest the theoryâs key premises of impression formation and affective control, coupled with the freely simulation program Interact, could be the basis of exciting developments to the area of affect, emotion and design.
Breathe with the Ocean: a System for Relaxation using Audio, Haptic and Visual Stimuli

In this paper we present the “Breathe with the Ocean” system concept, which is a breathing guidance system that aims to help a user relax. It provides an immersive experience where the user is virtually present at an ocean shore. We describe the design and implementation of three embodiments of this concept and preliminary evaluations based on trial sessions. The feedback provided by the three systems to the user is in the form of audio, haptic (tactile) and visual (light) stimuli. Haptic stimuli are provided through a novel actuation device that we developed, the Touch Blanket. The three systems introduced are respectively a fixed-rate breathing guidance system, an adaptive breathing following system and an adaptive-rate breathing guidance system that maximizes heart-rate variability amplitude. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using open-loop versus closed-loop implementations of these types of systems, as well as our experiences so far in using multimodal stimuli for breathing guidance.
Evaluation of Binarization Methods Using Global Threshold for Chinese Rubbing Images

There are a huge amount of historical Chinese rubbing images in different library that have not been exploited electronically. However, many invaluable collections of rubbing images are already digitized and indexed for consulting, exchange and distant access purposes which protect them from direct manipulation. In many applications of digital rubbing image, the use of binary images can decrease the computational cost of the succeeding steps compared to using gray-level images. Thresholding is a simple but effective tool to separate characters from the background for rubbing image. In this paper, five global thresholding algorithms such as Histogram Isodata method, Minimum Cross Entropy(MCE) method, Kittler’s method, Maxium Entropy method,Ostu’s method and Fuzzy CMeans(FCM) clustering thresholding method that had been used widely by scholars have been researched. Two quantitative measure of comparison is provided by the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Mean Square Error (MSE) of the rubbing image for segmentation results. Keywords-Thresholding;Chinese rubbing image, Ostu’s thresholding; image segmentation; FCM