Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Handwriting Characters Accuracy using Different Feature Extraction Methods

Feature extraction techniques can be important in character recognition, because they can enhance the efficiency of recognition in comparison to pixel-based approaches. These study aims to investigate the noval feature extraction techniques in order to use it for representing handwritten characters. In this system, three feature extraction methods (Gradient, DCT and DWT) are used to compare the effectiveness of handwriting characters. The system is started by acquiring an image containing characters. The characters are processed into several phases such as binarization, noise filtering, normalization and feature extraction before recognizing. A multilayer neural network is used for the recognition phase; feed forward back propagation algorithm is applied for training the network. The purpose of this paper is to compare different feature extraction methods in terms of recognition accuracy and training time.
Enhanced Fingerprint Recognition with OTP using Delaunay Triangulation to Improve ATM Security

Objectives: The main objective of this paper is to develop an alternative fingerprint verification system to overcome the false rejections that occur due to the external changes on fingers such as scratches by blade or knife. Those minute deformities on the finger might deny access to the authorized users. Methods: “Delaunay triangulation-based matching” method is proposed in this work in order to avoid the authentication error caused by inaccurate enrollments and sending OTP to ensure maximum security in authentication. This triangulation method provides seamless access for the authorized users at ATMs even with altered fingerprints and also it improves the security. Findings: This technique is implemented by forming the triangle, make the reference point at the center and then it is used for the matching. If the difference is less than the predetermined threshold value, it approves the authentication. It otherwise rejects user’s authentication. So this proposed method will be useful for authorized users when their fingerprints are wounded or slightly cracked which will be usually rejected in existing methods. Applications/Improvements: Delaunay triangulation-based matching method can be effectively used in applications of banking like ATMs, E-banking, and POS counters etc.
The development of a Visual Project Status Wall in a transformation programme

Abstract The problems with the poor use of project data include: i. lack of visibility and transparency of what is being worked on; ii. differing understanding of purpose across the project team;iii. silo’d and individual work patterns; and iv. ‘watermeloning’, described as the reporting of project status and progress as green or to plan when the project is red, behind plan. Through the successful development and implementation of a Visual Project Status Wall, it was shown how the problems could be addressed by increasing transparency and collaboration in the project team. The Visual Project Status Wall is a low fidelity, flexible, interactive, visual and data rich artefact that can be quickly adapted to the changing needs of a project team. A set of critical success factors were identified that can be applied by practitioners to the use of Visual Project Status Walls on other transformation programmes.
Cypriot Greek Lexicography: An online lexical database

This article presents an online dictionary environment, with enhanced sorting and searching functionalities and a text to speech feature, for hearing the pronunciation of the words. The online dictionary environment has been developed as part of the ‘Syntychies’ research program. ‘Syntychies’ online environment is a pioneering webservice for Greek dialectal lexicography and it is the first of its kind for Cypriot Greek.
The Effect of Corporate Governance And Financial Risk On Competitiveness

The competitiveness of land transportation companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange is low and requires improvement efforts through the improvement of corporate governance and the financial risk management. So, the purpose of research to determine the effect of corporate governance and financial risk on competitiveness of land transportation companies listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange period 2012-2017. The research used quantitative method. The sample are financial report of 5 companies with 6-year observation period taken by purposive sampling technique. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and path analysis. The result of the research shows: there is no dirrect effect of corporate governance on competitiveness, there is no dirrect effect of of corporate governance on financial risk, and there is no indirrect effect of corporate governance on competitiveness mediated by financial risk.
A 0.6m CMOS 4Gb/s Transceiver With Data Recovery Using Oversampling

An enzymatic dentifrice is provided which contains an enzyme system comprising Beta-D-glucose and glucose oxidase for producing hydrogen peroxide upon oral application of the dentifrice. The enzymatic dentifrice is stabilized against the production of hydrogen peroxide prior to oral application of the dentifrice by limiting any water in the dentifrice to an amount not more than about 10 wt. % based on the weight of the dentifrice.
FACTORS INFLUENCING STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION AMONG SAVINGS AND CREDIT SOCIETIES IN KENYA: A SURVEY OF DEPOSIT TAKING SACCO’S IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

The present business environment is characterized by high levels of competition, dynamism and technological sophistication. This is especially challenging to organizational managers since they have to design and implement strategies that can achieve and sustain higher performance levels. This change has brought companies new realities in the form of new business opportunities for growth and, at the same time has exposed them to new competitors. This has caused companies to invest many resources in devising new effective strategies to take advantage of the new opportunities, whilst protecting their market positions, which are crucial to their continued economic existence. Effective implementation of strategy has become the goal of many organizations. However, in translating their grand plans into action, unacceptably high rates of failure have been reported among many companies. The purpose of this research was to establish the factors influencing strategy implementation of Saccos in Kenya; a survey of deposit taking Saccos in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: To establish the influence of organization leadership, organization’s structure, organization’s resources and adoption of technology on strategy implementation of deposit taking Sacco’s in Nairobi County. The study was conducted in Nairobi County and the target population comprised of senior managers in the departments of HR, Planning & Finance, debt collection and ICT for all the thirty eight (38) deposit taking Saccos in the County. The researcher adopted the questionnaire as data collection tool. The researcher used statistical package for social studies SPSS version 20 to analyze responses from 84 respondents. The data was analyzed descriptively and a model was obtained for the regression of the variables. It is evident from the results that all the factors combined attribute to 65.2% of the observed variance in strategy implementation. The study concluded that Deposit taking Saccos should therefore strive to ensure proper leadership, have put functioning structures, avail sufficient resources and adopt latest technologies to be able to carry out strategy implementation The research recommended that deposit taking Saccos should adopt practices to optimize the contribution of human resource in the strategy implementation by enhancing coordination and implementation of activities by the management committee, also an assessment on strategy implementation be carried out frequently and key issues be addressed on time and that organizational structure be tailored and aligned with strategies being implemented and adopting the latest technologies in their operations.
Study on the Economic Applicability of Urban Environmentally Sustainable Development Policy

In recent years, China's economy has developed rapidly, the process of urbanization has progressed steadily, the urban and rural infrastructure has been improving day by day, and people's living standards have been significantly improved. But behind the huge economic achievements are resource consumption and environmental pollution. The economic effect of urban environmental sustainability policy is influenced by both policy attribute and economic development stage. This paper establishes a threshold model including different stages of economic development and different types of policies, and analyses the economic effects of urban environmental sustainability policies. The results show that different types of environmental sustainability policies have different economic effects. The economic effects of livable environmental policies and green economic policies are affected by the stage of urban economic development.
Towards a Neutral Semantics

The purpose of this paper is to show that procedural semantics should be thought of as independent from representational semantics. According to the standard representational view, semantics is expected to account for the relations that hold between language and reality. This conception, grounded in the universalistic tradition, is directly challenged by the dynamic turn that focuses on procedural semantics, i.e. on the way one understands the meaning of a discourse. The paper will concentrate on the special case of Hintikka's Game-Theoretical Semantics (GTS) and its enlightenment of several dynamic phenomena of natural language. It will be claimed that GTS should be reinterpreted as a procedural and non-committing, i.e. ontologically neutral semantics.
An Investigation of the Level of Compliance with Financial Reporting Standards (FRS 101) by Malaysian SMEs

Purpose This study aims to investigate the association between five firm-specific characteristics and the level of mandatory compliance with Financial Reporting Standards (FRS 101), which is equivalent to International Accounting Standards (IAS) 1 by Malaysian SMEs. Design/Methodology/Approach A disclosure index is used to measure the extent of compliance with FRS 101. Each of the 105 sampled firms' annual reports were examined against the index for the financial year ending December 31, 2013. Findings The results reveal an overall compliance of 96 per cent. Regression results report that only firm size and profitability have a positive and negative significant association, respectively, with FRS 101 disclosure requirements. Practical Implications This study should be particularly relevant to regulatory bodies in Malaysia for strategizing and encouraging compliance with FRS 101 by non-listed firms. Originality/Value Additionally, the study contributes to financial reporting literature relating to a developing country, Malaysia. Since SMEs in Malaysia contribute significantly to the economic development in the country, it is interesting to examine how they present their financial statements to interested parties and the degree of their compliance with Financial Reporting Standards as required by the relevant authorities
Methodological Guidelines for the Sustainable Development of the Bulgarian Touristic Resorts through Reducing the Harmful Impact of Transport

The achievement of sustainable development of Bulgarian tourist resorts is questionable after the European Commission has put Bulgaria’s two-month ultimatum to prove that it can deal with the problem of dirty air. Tourism is a sector that is accused of violating sustainable development due to its many negative environmental impacts. A significant part of the harmful impact is due to the transport used to reach the desired destination and the movement itself. Sustainable development is a key objective of the EU and Bulgaria should not lag behind in terms of the essential indicators for its achievement. This publication aims to propose effective measures to reduce the harmful impact of passenger transport on the environment by establishing sustainable transport practices in touristic resorts. The environmental component of sustainable development is among its main priorities. Based on expert analysis of Bulgarian touristic resorts, our own research and experience in the studied subject will offer effective measures to increase their sustainability by reducing the harmful impact of transport on the environment.
Sustainable development, sustainable profit

Social entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for corporations to gain entry and build loyalty in developing markets. While economic growth has led to tremendous improvements in personal freedoms and well-being for people in industrialised societies, it has left too many behind. The images of hunger, disease and human misery refuse to disappear from our television screens. How can growth be made more sustainable while at the same time including and benefiting all of society? The paradox is painful: while traditional markets are saturated, billions of people are desperately waiting for companies to cater to their most basic needs and wants. Social entrepreneurs act as change agents that enable the poor to participate in economic life. Entrepreneurs invent business models that can be scaled up and possibly repeated elsewhere: the Grameen Bank model has been replicated all over the world, with huge success. Social entrepreneurship initiatives also constitute local resources that lend themselves to new configurations for novel forms of value creation.
Predictive Microbiology and Microbial Risk Assessment

Quantitative microbial modeling of foods represents a proactive approach to food quality and safety by accumulating information on bacterial responses to environmental factors and by summarizing the responses through mathematical models and in databases. The first model for food-related processes, documented in the scientific literature in the 1920s, describes the relationship between heat treatment and inactivation of Clostridium botulinum spores. However, it was not until the 1980s that growth and survival of microorganisms in food started to receive more focused attention. During the last 30 to 40 years, predictive microbiology has achieved status as a scientific discipline within food microbiology. In the past decade, the food safety discipline has addressed the assessment of hazards in foods within the framework of risk analysis, a science-based paradigm intended to ensure human health protection. The objectives of risk analysis are to estimate the risk to human health of a hazard associated with food consumption and, most importantly, to assess appropriate management strategies in the food chain capable of reducing the risks. Risk analysis represents a structured decision-making process with two closely connected components: risk management and risk assessment. This chapter focuses on methods of describing the unique aspects of microbial behavior in food systems using predictive microbiology and risk assessments.
Standardization for the Digital Economy

This article discusses several aspects of the Digital Economy. First, the data industry and the business conduct of the approaching Internet of Things are presented. Second, the current standardization efforts promoted by the European Commission are discussed, for example, what the challenges are, how much should be standardized, and how prestandard consortia should be judged. Third, current and future competition law issues for the Digital Economy, in reference to standardization, are identified. The article states joint technology consortia for upper-layer standards, i.e. in the ecosystems, should benefit from heightened scrunity under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), while system leaders’ business conduct in the Digital Economy may be judged in reference to Article 102 TFEU. The article concludes that the main issue under general competition law in the Data Economy, at its current stage of development, is to create a level playing field by trying to facilitate the implementation of the Internet of Things. Thus, competition authorities should be cautious about the current ecosystem consortia driven standard-setting movement in the Digital Economy, while also facilitating the application of Article 102 TFEU when system leaders possibly abuse their dominance by not giving access to their respective ecosystems.
Analisis Indeks Kepuasan Masyarakat terhadap Pelayanan Publik pada Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat Langsa Barat

Langsa Barat Health Center is a first-rate health facility that provides health services to the community. In providing health services to the community, all existing service units and all employees are committed to providing quality health care and care for the safety of patients, visitors, communities and employees. Service standards are a commitment of service providers to provide services with a certain quality determined on the basis of a combination of community expectations and the ability of service providers. Establishment of service standards through identification of service type, identification of service type, customer identification, customer expectation identification, vision and service mission formulation, process and procedure analysis, facilities and infrastructure, time and cost of service.To set the standard of service whether or not a reference is used from the Decree of the Minister of Administrative Reform Number KEP / 25 / M.PAN / 2/2004 on general guidelines for the preparation of public satisfaction index. Where is the location of this research is Puskesmas Langsa Barat. This study aims to determine the index of community satisfaction with public services at the Langsa Barat Health Center. The respondents in this study were the health service users in Langsa Barat Health Center.Based on the result of the research, it is found that service indicator is in the form of officer discipline, officer responsibility, courtesy and officer friendliness, suitability of cost with specified, and service unit comfort have excellent service quality. While other indicators have good service quality. And overall the index of community satisfaction on public services at Langsa Barat Health Center has good quality of service.
A case exploration of the critical success factors of innovation labs: implications for the UAE

The dissertation study was conducted to arrive at in-depth understanding of the concept of innovation in general and innovation labs specifically, the different challenges that face innovation labs and the factors that lead to successful delivery of innovations. The dissertation aims at improving the level of performance of the newly set innovation labs in the United Arab Emirates. This can be achieved through the understanding of the key elements that enable innovation labs to successfully deliver innovations in UAE organizations. Considering the need to investigate and analyse existing innovation labs within UAE, a case study following qualitative approach was selected for this dissertation. The research findings revealed the importance of innovation and the significant role innovation labs play to support organizational growth strategy. The research discovered several challenges that face innovation labs in UAE, such as people’s mind-set and resistance to accept change and financial limitations. The proposed factors that lead to successful delivery of innovations are diffusion of innovation, adoption of open innovation, flexible strategy and well-defined processes. Overall the study was able to make contribution to the existing literature by providing the essentials for innovation labs in UAE that help to increase their effectiveness and enable them to deliver successful innovations.
Spam Recognition Based on Bayesian Classification

Based on Bayesian classification algorithm principle and implementation, propose an improved method of the algorithm. Firstly, instead of constant probability of spam, actual priori probability is used. Secondly, the selective range and rule of token is improved. Finally, add URLs and images into detection content. A mail recognizer based on improved Bayesian classification is designed. The experiment result shows that the improved Bayesian classification algorithm works well in practice.
The sonic mapper: An interactive program for obtaining similarity ratings with auditory stimuli

The Sonic Mapper is an interactive Linux-based graphical program that affords increased methodological flexibility and sophistication to researchers who collect proximity data for auditory research. The Sonic Mapper consists of a mapping environment in which participants can position and group icons in the two-dimensional plane of the screen. Options for collecting data concerning hierarchical groupings, category prototypicality, and verbal labeling provide additional opportunities to test hypotheses in a convergent manner. The Sonic Mapper also offers an environment for traditional pairwise comparisons, as well as one for performing free sorting tasks. A pilot study that attempts to use many of the Sonic Mapper’s key features is described briefly below.
Towards gesture recognition in three-dimensional space

In this work, author describes the continuation of his researches about gesture recognition. The previous varaint of the solution was using plain data and was dependent of the performance velocity. In the described researches author made it speed and position invariant by resolving problem of too long or too short gestures – in a previous solution the user had to decide about gesture duration time before performing, now it is not necessary. He also proposed another data representations, using features computed of recorded data. Previous representation, which assumed storing relative positions between samples, was replaced by transforming each gesture to the axis origin and normalizing. He also tried to connect these two representations – plain data and features – into a single one. All of these new data representations were tested using the SVM classifier, which was judged to be the best for the given problem in the previous work. Each of them was tested using one of four popular SVM kernel functions: linear, polynomial, sigmoid and radial basis function (RBF). All achieved results are presented and compared.
Moral Hazard in the Presence of Suppliers and Competitors

This paper examines the interdependence between a firm's moral hazard problem and its roles as a buyer of inputs and seller of final products. We demonstrate that to maximize profit a firm needs to adapt incentive contracts to variations in the competitive environment of the supplier market. Additionally, we show that moral hazard attenuates aggressive pricing of suppliers with market power and that this effect might even outweigh agency costs. We also show how the interaction between the firm-agent and the firm-supplier relationship affects a firm's decision to (de)centralize the tasks of cost reduction and input production. Our results are shown to be robust to variations in input and product market competition.