Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are the real GDP series in Asian countries nonstationary or nonlinear stationary

This paper checks whether per capita real gross domestic product (GDP) series in 16 Asian countries are nonstationary or nonlinear and globally stationary during the period from 1970 to 2009, by applying the nonlinear unit root tests developed by Kapitanios, Shin and Snell (2003). In five out of the sixteen countries that is approximately one-third of the countries, the series are found to be stationary with asymmetric or nonlinear mean reversion. Analyses depict that nonlinear unit root test are suitable for some cases compare to the commonly used unit root test, Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Dickey-Fuller Generalized Least Square (DF-GLS) tests.
Early phases in the stellar and substellar formation and evolution. Infrared and submillimeter data in the Barnard 30 dark cloud

Aims. The early evolutionary stage of brown dwarfs (BDs) is not very well characterized, especially during the embedded phase. Our goal is to gain insight into the dominant formation mechanism of very low-mass objects and BDs. Methods. We have conducted deep observations at 870 μm obtained with the LABOCA bolometer at the APEX telescope in order to identify young submillimeter (submm) sources in the Barnard 30 dark cloud. We have complemented these data with multi-wavelength observations from the optical to the far-IR and compiled complete spectral energy distributions in order to identify the counterparts, characterize the sources and to assess their membership to the association and stellar or substellar status based on the available photometric information. Results. We have identified 34 submm sources and a substantial number of possible and probable Barnard 30 members within each individual APEX/LABOCA beam. They can be classified into three distinct groups. First, 15 of these 34 have a clear optical or IR counterpart to the submm peak and nine of them are potential proto-BD candidates. Moreover, a substantial number of them could be multiple systems. A second group of 13 sources comprises candidate members with significant infrared excesses located away from the central submm emission. All of them include BD candidates, some displaying IR excess, but their association with submm emission is unclear. In addition, we have found six starless cores and, based on the total dust mass estimate, three might be pre-substellar (or pre-BDs) cores. Finally, the complete characterization of our APEX/LABOCA sources, focusing on those detected at 24 and/or 70 μm, indicates that in our sample of 34 submm sources there are, at least: two WTTs, four CTTs, five young stellar objects, eight proto-BD candidates (with another three dubious cases), and one very low luminosity objects. Conclusions. Our findings provide additional evidence concerning the BD formation mechanism, which seems to be a downsized version of the stellar formation.
Role of Metallothionein in the Cell Cycle: Protection against the Retardation of Cell Proliferation by Endogenous Reactive Oxygen Species

The growth rate of metallothionein (MT)-null (MT-/-) cells was significantly lower than that of wild-type (MT+/+) cells, the cell cycle being arrested at the G2/M phase in MT-/- cells and endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulating with the progress of the cell cycle. Exogenous ROS generated on treatment with H2O2 arrested the cell cycle of MT-/- cells at the G2/M phase more severely than that of MT+/+ cells. These observations suggest that MT maintains the normal cell cycle as an antioxidant against excessive endogenous ROS that are generated synchronously with the cell cycle and disturb the normal cell cycle.
Isolated attosecond pulse generation by monocycle pumping: the use of a harmonic region with minimum dispersion

The detailed theoretical investigation into the spectral phase and intrinsic dispersion of high-order harmonics generated by monocycle pumping [a 1.93fs (T0), 580nm (λ0), 1.7-2.0×1015W/cm2 (I0), Gaussian-shaped pulse] showed that it is significantly important for further shortening of isolated attosecond pulses to select the spectral region that has the minimum intrinsic group-delay dispersion and higher-order dispersion in the middle region of the plateau, other than that close to the cutoff where the harmonic intensity drops rapidly. We demonstrated that the selection is carried out directly from the harmonic-order-dependent electron-recombination time, which is obtained from the simple semiclassical method and can be measured by experiment. Consequently, we found that monocycle pumping can generate efficiently 68as isolated pulses without chirp compensation as well as tunable (115 to 150eV), sub 70as pulses from He atoms by tuning the carrier-envelope phase. Particularly, nearly transform-limited 43as isolated pulses can be produced under the double-intensity (Ipump=2I0) and double-wavelength (λpump=2λ0, Tpump=2T0) pump. These results were also confirmed by the saddle-point analysis based on the Lewenstein model.
Capital structure and its implications: empirical evidence from an emerging market in South Asia

Using panel data regression analysis for a sample of 171 companies, this paper examines the implications of capital structure of corporate entities in an emerging market, Sri Lanka. The results demonstrate that most of the Sri Lankan firms finance their operations with short-term debt capital as against the long-term debt capital. It provides strong evidence to indicate that debt capital has a negative impact on firm performance. The study also found a significant negative relationship between tangibility and performance indicating inefficient utilization of non-current assets. The negative performance implications associated with over- utilization of short-term debts and the under-utilization non-current assets provide corporate managers with useful policy direction on appropriate capital structure and operational decisions. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge pertaining to capital structure-performance link in emerging economies.
Using Service Oriented Architecture Platform on Cloud Computing Infrastructure

TAMPERE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Master’s Degree Programme in Information Technology YRJÖLÄ, JORI: Using Service Oriented Architecture Platform on Cloud Computing Infrastructure Master of Science Thesis, 44 pages, 2 Appendix pages October 2011 Major subject: Software Engineering Examiner: Prof Tarja Systä
Water and ammonia abundances in S140 with the Odin satellite

We investigate the effect of the physical environment on water and ammonia abundances across the S140 photodissociation region (PDR) with an embedded outflow. We used the Odin satellite to obtain strip maps of the ground-state rotational transitions of ortho-water and ortho-ammonia, as well as CO(5-4) and 13co(5-4) across the PDR, and H_2^18O in the central position. A physi-chemical inhomogeneous PDR model was used to compute the temperature and abundance distributions for water, ammonia, and CO. A multi-zone escape probability method then calculated the level populations and intensity distributions. These results are compared to a homogeneous model computed with an enhanced version of the RADEX code. H_2O, NH_3, and ^13CO show emission from an extended PDR with a narrow line width of ~3 km/s. Like CO, the water line profile is dominated by outflow emission, but mainly in the red wing. Even though CO shows strong self-absorption, no signs of self-absorption are seen in the water line. The H_2^18O molecule is not detected. The PDR model suggests that the water emission arises mainly from the surfaces of optically thick, high-density clumps with n(H_2)>10^6 cm^-3 and a clump water abundance, with respect to H_2, of 5*10^-8. The mean water abundance in the PDR is 5*10^-9 and between ~4*10^-8 - 4*10^-7 in the outflow derived from a simple two-level approximation. The RADEX model points to a somewhat higher average PDR water abundance of 1*10^-8. At low temperatures deep in the cloud, the water emission is weaker, likely due to adsorption onto dust grains, while ammonia is still abundant. Ammonia is also observed in the extended clumpy PDR, likely from the same high density and warm clumps as water. The average ammonia abundance is about the same as for water: 4*10^-9 and 8*10^-9 given by the PDR model and RADEX, respectively. The differences between the models most likely arise from uncertainties in density,beam-filling, and volume-filling of clumps. The similarity of water and ammonia PDR emission is also seen in the almost identical line profiles observed close to the bright rim. Around the central position, ammonia also shows some outflow emission, although weaker than water in the red wing. Predictions of the H_2O 1(1,0)-1(0,1) and 1(1,1)-0(0,0) antenna temperatures across the PDR are estimated with our PDR model for the forthcoming observations with the Herschel Space Observatory.
WORK FUNCTION ESTIMATION OF BISMUTH DOPED ZNO THIN FILM

In this paper we report bismuth (Bi) doped ZnO based heterojunction devices. The p-type Bi doped ZnO thin films have been deposited on n and p type silicon substrate using sol-gel spin coating method. The ptype nature of the deposited Bi doped ZnO thin films have been analyzed by hot point probe method. The electrical properties of the fabricated devices have been obtained from I-V characteristic measured using semiconductor parameter analyzer. Finally, the work function of Bi doped ZnO has been estimated from the electrical parameter obtained from I-V calculations.
Exponential complexes, period morphisms, and characteristic classes

We introduce exponential complexes of sheaves on manifolds. They are resolutions of the (Tate twisted) constant sheaves of the rational numbers, generalising the short exact exponential sequence. There are canonical maps from the exponential complexes to the de Rham complex. Using this, we introduce new complexes calculating the rational Deligne cohomology. We call them exponential Deligne complexes. Their advantage is that, at least at the generic point of a complex variety, one can define Beilinson's regulator map to the rational Deligne cohomology on the level of complexes. Namely, we define period morphisms. We use them to produce homomorphisms from motivic complexes to the exponential Deligne complexes at the generic point. Combining this with the construction of Chern classes with coefficients in the bigrassmannian complexes, we get, for the weights up to four, local explicit formulas for the Chern classes in the rational Deligne cohomology via polylogarithms.
Strategy disclosures by listed financial services companies: Signalling theory, legitimacy theory and South African integrated reporting practices

This paper investigates the current extent of social-, environmental- and economic- (SEE) related strategy disclosure of companies listed in the financial services sector of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It uses signalling and legitimacy theory to analyse the findings from a developed SEE strategy-related disclosure checklist. The paper finds social and environmental strategy-related disclosure is still secondary to economic strategy-related disclosures. This may be due to persistent focus on providers of financial capital and the need to perform financially. Further, the subsector’s business model and how closely the subsector interacts with their customers is seen as a driver of social and environmental strategy-related disclosure to maintain their legitimacy and to reduce information asymmetry, reduce cost of capital and assure investors that these factors are being appropriately managed by the entity. Following from above, the banking, insurance and real estate subsectors presented the most strategy-related disclosure. This was linked to their high public accountability and daily interaction with customers, necessitating the need to manage their legitimacy and address adverse selection. The paper also proposes some areas for future research to understand the potential obstacles to incorporating social and environmental concerns into strategy and related disclosures.
Characterization of Food Product Innovation Practices with Reference to Functional Food Product Development in Singapore

Functional foods, being one of the major food categories of the global health and wellness market, are becoming a major focus of new product development (NPD) in the food industry. The development of functional foods is more complex than traditional food New Product Development (NPD), calling for a concerted effort from researchers and NPD experts to explore and understand the functional food product development (FFPD) process in more detail. The current research in this field has reported that there is a need to evolve from a traditional NPD approach, towards an integrative and innovative approach involving cooperative networks and techniques of commercialization. However, there is little practical evidence on how much progress has been made to date. Therefore, this research was designed to investigate the food product innovation process of food manufacturing in the Asia-Pacific region (Singapore) with reference to functional foods development. Results report on a comparative account of NPD practices between registered Singapore food companies that are doing some sort of functional food development (Group 1) and those that are not (Group 2). A significant difference (P<0.05) in the aims and mode of NPD between Group 1 and Group was observed. Further it was observed that food companies in Group 1 have significantly (P<0.05) more diverse external collaborations with broad aims to collaborate, in comparison with food companies in Group 2. This is a positive step toward developing an external resource base, which is essential in developing functional foods. This attitude should be encouraged in future innovation polices as being critical to value-added food product innovations in Singapore. Apart from these differences, food companies are still pursuing a traditional NPD approach (independent and closed NPD); with loose Intellectual Property protection practices irrespective of type of innovation activity. There is a need to create awareness among the stakeholders about the factors needed for developing unique and inimitable resources, and dynamic capabilities in food manufacturing.
Parsing Large XES Files for Discovering Process Models: A Big Data Problem

Process mining is a group of techniques for retrieving de-facto models using system traces. Discovering algorithms can obtain mathematical models exploiting the information contained into list of events of activities. Completeness of the traces is relevant for the accuracy of the final results. Noiseless traces appear as an ideal scenario. The performance of the algorithms is significant reduce if the log files are not processed efficiently. XES is a logical model for process logs stored in data centric xml files. In real processes the sizes of the logs increase exponentially. Parsing XES files is presented as a big data problem in real scenarios with dense traces. Lazy parsers and DOM models are not enough appropriate in scenarios with large volumes of data. We discuss this problematic and how to use indexing techniques for retrieving useful information for process mining. An XES compression schema is also discussed for reducing the index construction time.
EYE MOVEMENT ANALYSIS OF IMAGE QUALITY PARAMETERS COMPARED TO SUBJECTIVE IMAGE QUALITY ASSESSMENT

Original scientific paper Image quality can be determined by using objective or subjective quality assessment methods. Objective methods are based on mathematical measures, such as PSNR, SSIM or RMSE and subjective testing is generally performed by asking the participants which of the given options they prefer or to give a quality score for the presented options. For each image quality evaluation, an image database is required. We developed a novel image database that consists of 30 images on which we applied some manipulations based on different quality parameters. First we conducted testing with the eye-tracking method: by showing images to test participants and measuring their eye movement, we received accurate information about how each of the image quality parameters affected the communication value of each image. The subjective quality assessment method we then employed involved the development of an application for crowdsourcing-based testing. Participants had to determine which of the images the best were. Finally, a correlation between both methods was determined.
The Nontradable Share Reform in the Chinese Stock Market

Nontradable shares (NTS) are an unparalleled feature of the ownership structure of Chinese listed companies and represented a major hurdle to domestic financial market development. After some failed attempts, in 2005 the Chinese authorities have launched a structural reform program aiming at eliminating NTS. In this paper, we evaluate the stock price effects of the actual implementation of this reform in 368 firms. The NTS reform generated a statistically significant 8 percent positive abnormal return over the event window, adjusting prices for the compensation requested by tradable shareholders. Results are consistent with the expectation of improved economic fundamentals such as better corporate governance and enhanced liquidity.
Data Renovation Algorithm for Protecting Sensitive Categorical Data

: In the fast growing technological world, improvements and automation of various kinds of fields leads to increasing in growth of data. Such collection of data can be used frequently by economists, statisticians, scientists, forecasters, communication engineers, business and health care predictions in order to take any decision based on the historical factors. At one side data mining becoming the forefront of many fields, on the other side privacy risk factors also tremendously huge. Data given to the users like researchers or to any other third parties may contain sensitive data about an individual that must be protected from breach. In recent periods, many techniques were proposed and developed by the researchers to preserve the privacy in data. This proposed Data Renovation Algorithm (DRA) particularly paying attention on protecting sensitive categorical attributes in a dataset. It alters the original sensitive categorical attribute values and produce modified dataset. Both the original and modified datasets are applied to data mining techniques individually and the results produced for both datasets are equal.
Modified SERVQUAL model and effects of customer attitude and technology on customer satisfaction in banking industry: mediation, moderation and conditional process analysis

Banks are very important financial services sector, and in banking sector there is an intense competition amongst the local and foreign banks throughout the world. The objective of this research is to analyse the effects of perceived value and customer trust, and role of technology in banking service qualities and customers’ satisfaction in Pakistani context. For this purpose we employed modified SERVQUAL model with four dimensions such as empathy, competence, reliability, and online service. An adapted questionnaire was used to carry out this survey research, and collected 830 responses from the customers of Pakistani banking industry. We used factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and bootstrapping methods to carry out this research. The results of the study demonstrated that our four-dimensional model of modified SERVQUAL has a significant impact on overall customer satisfaction. It is further concluded from the bootstrapping method that modified SERVQUAL dimensions and customer satisfaction are positively mediated by the perceived value and trust. Finally, it is also concluded that the implementation of technology serves as moderating variable in the banking sector. The outcomes of this research are beneficial to the senior management of banking sector in order to implement the effective and customised online banking structure to gain competitive advantages, and provide vibrant online banking services that enhance the standard and ease of services to the customers and earn their confidence. The originality and novelty of this research provide a significant contribution in the application of SERVQUAL model specifically for the banking service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction in marketing research.
Polarization Dependent Photocurrents in Thin Films

Topological insulators are a new class of three-dimensional quantum materials whose interior or bulk is an insulator but whose surface is a conductor. Bi2Se 3 is a prototypical topological insulator that physicists at MIT are manufacturing and studying. Various interesting properties of the topological insulator include the flow of pure spin currents and topological protection. Pure spin current, distinct from electric current, is a net flow of spin without a net flow of charge. Recent research at MIT has revealed that shining circularly polarized laser light on a topological insulator turns its surface's pure spin current into a spin-polarized electrical current. The band structure of the bulk of a topological insulator resembles that of an ordinary insulator; the conduction band and valence band are separated, with the Fermi level falling between them. However, for Bi2Se 3 , the conducting surface's dispersion relation can be modeled by a Dirac cone, which crosses the Fermi level. Electrons with opposing spins reside on opposite sides of the Dirac cone. Illuminating a topological insulator with either left or right circularly polarized light depopulates one side of the Dirac cone, leaving on the other side the desired spin-polarized electrical current. In the experiment performed for this thesis, thin films of Bi 2Se 3 were grown on substrates of sapphire via molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Electrical devices on a micron scale were then fabricated on the thin film surface and used to measure surface currents. Steps of this experiment included characterizing the surface quality of a sapphire substrate using atomic force microscopy (AFM), making electrical devices with Bi2Se3 via the processes of optical lithography, ion milling, and electron beam metal deposition. Photocurrents across these electrical devices were induced by the manipulation of optics and lasers and measured using low noise electronics. Experimental results revealed that it was indeed possible to induce spin-polarized electrical currents on thin films of MBE grown Bi2 Se 3 . The desired photocurrent was observed when the laser beam spot size was enlargened to illuminate the entirety of the Bi2 Se 3 device simultaneously. These results were not replicable when the laser was more tightly focused onto a smaller area. Scanning the focused laser beam across the
A survey on the state-of-the-art machine learning models in the context of NLP

Machine learning and Statistical techniques are powerful analysis tools yet to be incorporated in the new multidisciplinary field diversely termed as natural language processing (NLP) or computational linguistic. The linguistic knowledge may be ambiguous or contains ambiguity; therefore, various NLP tasks are carried out in order to resolve the ambiguity in speech and language processing.The current prevailing techniques for addressing various NLP tasks as a supervised learning are hidden Markov models (HMM), conditional random field (CRF), maximum entropy models (MaxEnt), support vector machines (SVM), Naive Bays, and deep learning (DL). The goal of this survey paper is to highlight ambiguity in speech and language processing, to provide brief overview of basic categories of linguistic knowledge, to discuss different existing machine learning models and their classification into different categories and finally to provide a comprehensive review of different state of the art machine learning models with the goal that new researchers look into these techniques and depending on these, develops advance techniques. In this survey we reviewed how avantgrademachine learning models can help in this dilemma.