Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Support Vector Machines for Credit Scoring

Quantitative methods to assess the creditworthiness of the loan applicants are vital for the profitability and the transparency of the lending business. With the total loan volumes typical for traditional financial institutions, even the slightest improvement in credit scoring models can translate into substantial additional profit. Yet for the regulatory reasons and due to the potential model risk, banks tend to be reluctant to replace the logistic regression as an industrial standard with the new algorithms. This does not stop researchers from examining such new approaches, though. This thesis discusses the potential of the support vector machines, to become an alternative to logistic regression in credit scoring. Using the real-life credit data set obtained from the P2P lending platform Bondora, the scoring models were built to compare the discrimination power of support vector machines against the traditional approach. The results of the comparison were ambiguous. The linear support vector machines performed worse than logistic regression and their training consumed much more time. On the other hand, support vector machines with non-linear kernel performed better than logistic regression and the difference was statistically significant at 95% level. Despite this success, several factors prevent SVM from the widespread applications in credit scoring, higher training times and lower robustness of the method being two of the major drawbacks. Considering the alternative algorithms which became available in the last 10 years, support vector machines cannot be recommended as a standalone method for credit risk models.
Iterative carrier-frequency offset estimation for generalized OFDMA uplink transmission

Maximum likelihood (ML) carrier-frequency offset (CFO) estimation for orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA) uplink with generalized carrier-assignment scheme (GCAS) is a complex multi-parameter estimation problem. The computational complexity of ML solution based on a multi-dimensional exhaustive search is prohibitive. The existing sub-optimal solutions reduce the complexity by replacing the multi-dimensional search with a sequence of single-dimensional searches. However, these solutions suffer from either poor estimation accuracy or being still of fairly high complexity. In this paper, we propose a new approach called divide-and-update frequency estimator (DUFE), for CFO estimation. Compared with the existing approaches, the proposed DUFE has lower computational complexity while maintaining high estimation accuracy similar to that of the exact ML solution. Performance and complexity comparisons are provided, along with numerical results to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Awareness of basic life support among medical, dental, nursing students and doctors

To study the awareness of Basic Life Support (BLS) among students, doctors and nurses of medical, dental, homeopathy and nursing colleges. A cross-sectional study was conducted by assessing responses to 20 selected basic questions regarding BLS among students, doctors and nurses of medical, dental, homeopathy and nursing colleges. After excluding the incomplete response forms the data was analysed on 1,054 responders. The results were analysed using an answer key prepared with the use of the Advanced Cardiac Life Support manual. Out of 1,054 responders 345 were medical students, 75 were medical interns, 19 were dental students, 59 were dental interns, 105 were homeopathy interns, 319 were nursing students, 72 were doctors, 29 were dentists, 25 were nursing faculty and six were homeopathy doctors. No one among them had complete knowledge of BLS. Only two out of 1054 (0.19%) had secured 80 – 89% marks, 10 out of 1054 (0.95%) had secured 70 – 79% marks, 40 of 1054 (4.08%) had secured 60 – 69% marks and 105 of 1054 (9.96%) had secured 50 – 59% marks. A majority of them, that is, 894 (84.82%) had secured less than 50% marks. Awareness of BLS among students, doctors and nurses of medical, dental, homeopathy and nursing colleges is very poor.
Who Is Influencing Whom? Latino Parent–Child Request Interactions and Product Purchases in Food Retail Environments

This study examines Latino parent–child interactions about foods and beverages requested in food retail environments in San Diego, CA. It seeks to extend our understanding of parent–child request interactions and purchases by studying how the number of product request interactions and purchases differ based on four factors that have been understudied in previous parent–child interaction research: parent gender, child gender, product healthfulness, and who initiated the request interaction (parent or child). By unobtrusively observing Latino parent–child dyads for the duration of a brief shopping trip, we found that parent and child gender are related to the number of request interactions initiated by parents and children. For gender-specific child-initiated request interactions, sons initiated more request interactions with fathers while daughters initiated more request interactions with mothers. Most request interactions were for products that were categorized as calorie dense, and a higher percentage of these products were purchased as a result of parent-initiated (vs. child-initiated) request interactions. The results provide important considerations for practitioners and researchers working on improving nutrition and reducing obesity. Assumptions about who is influencing whom in food store request interactions are challenged, requiring more research.
Entrepreneurial risk-taking in crowdfunding campaigns

This paper examines how different sources of risk in reward-based crowdfunding campaigns influence the entrepreneur’s choice of targeted crowdfunding goal. This form of crowdfunding helps entrepreneurs to obtain feedback on market demand (next to raising money), since the pre-purchase decision of the crowd generates useful public information about product demand. However, it may also lead to project discontinuation if not enough money is raised during the campaign. We therefore derive conditions under which the entrepreneur sets a higher target. At other times, this leads entrepreneurs to raise sometimes even more money than necessary when there is a risk that the idea is quickly replicated by others, leading to even larger campaigns but also to fewer projects offered on platforms. Conversely, the increased presence of professional investors (business angels, venture capitalists) on platforms reduces the entrepreneurs’ incentives in their crowdfunding campaign, which leads to more but on average smaller crowdfunding campaigns.
Coordinated changes in AHRR methylation in lymphoblasts and pulmonary macrophages from smokers

Smoking is associated with a wide variety of adverse health outcomes including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression, and heart disease. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms through which these effects are conveyed are not clearly understood. To examine the potential role of epigenetic factors in these processes, we examined the relationship of smoking to genome wide methylation and gene expression using biomaterial from two independent samples, lymphoblast DNA and RNA (n = 119) and lung alveolar macrophage DNA (n = 19). We found that in both samples current smoking status was associated with significant changes in DNA methylation, in particular at the aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR), a known tumor suppressor. Both baseline DNA methylation and smoker associated DNA methylation signatures at AHRR were highly correlated (r = 0.94 and 0.45, respectively). DNA methylation at the most differentially methylated AHRR CpG residue in both samples, cg0557592, was significantly associated with AHRR gene expression. Pathway analysis of lymphoblast data (genes with most significant methylation changes) demonstrated enrichment in protein kinase C pathways and in TGF beta signaling pathways. For alveolar macrophages, pathway analysis demonstrated alterations in inflammation‐related processes. We conclude that smoking is associated with functionally significant genome wide changes in DNA methylation in both lymphoblasts and pulmonary macrophages and that further integrated investigations of these epigenetic effects of smoking on carcinogenesis and other related co‐morbidities are indicated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi-target localisation and circumnavigation by a multi-agent system with bearing measurements in 2D space

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the problem of multi-target localisation and circumnavigation by a multi-agent system in two-dimensional space, where each target's bearing measurement can be obtained by at least one agent. Both stationary and slowly-moving targets are considered. An estimator is designed to estimate the target position; then a distributed estimation algorithm is designed for each agent to cooperatively estimate the centroid of multi-target; and finally, based on the first two steps, a circumnavigation controller is devised to guarantee that each agent circumnavigates all targets around the multi-target centroid with a desired radius. The convergence of the estimation algorithm and the stability of the circumnavigation controller are proved. A numerical simulation is provided to verify the correctness of the conclusion and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Developing Countries and ICT Initiatives: Lessons Learnt from Jordan's Experience

Many developing countries have started major Information Communication Technologies (ICT) initiatives including e‐Government, e‐Learning, e‐Health, and other schemes that are designed to boost the adoption of ICT based applications within public and private sectors as well as creating a knowledge society. The main aims of these initiatives is to be ready to undertake major reform programmes in order to achieve the social and economic development that ICT is believed to deliver. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan commenced major ICT programmes in 1999. Eight years on most of the e‐Initiatives that have been implemented have not met their intended objectives. This paper will review Jordan's ICT transformation over the past decade identifying critical factors that might be behind the country's lack of progress with its transformation. This might prove useful for other developing countries undertaking similar ICT initiatives.
Nanoantennas: A concept for efficient electrically small UWB devices

This paper introduces the concept of a "nanoantenna:" a device that radiates UWB impulses from the discharge of a conducting enclosure antenna. By trapping exterior electrostatic energy, a nanoantenna has the potential to radiate energy more efficiently than generally believed possible, enabling efficient millimeter scale 3.1-10.6 GHz UWB devices.
Clinical anatomy of the coccyx: A systematic review

The coccyx has been relatively neglected in anatomical research which is surprising given the population prevalence of coccydynia and our inadequate understanding of its etiology. This systematic review analyzes available information on the clinical anatomy of the coccyx. A literature search using five electronic databases and standard anatomy reference texts was conducted yielding 61 primary and 7 secondary English‐language sources. This was supplemented by a manual search of selected historical foreign language articles. The coccygeal vertebrae, associated joints, ligaments and muscles, coccygeal movements, nerves, and blood supply were analyzed in detail. Although the musculoskeletal aspects of the coccyx are reasonably well described, the precise anatomy of the coccygeal plexus and its distribution, the function of the coccygeal body, and the anatomy of the sacrococcygeal zygapophyseal joints are poorly documented. Further research into the anatomy of the coccyx may clarify the etiopathogenesis of coccydynia which remains uncertain in one‐third of affected patients. Clin. Anat. 25:158–167, 2012. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF RECUPERATED AND UNRECUPERATED MICROTURBINES USING WAVE ROTOR MACHINES PAPER NO.: 218

A thermodynamic cycle analysis is performed to compare the performance improvement of simple cycle (unrecuperated) and recuperated microturbines using a four-port wave rotor. Based on possible design restrictions and preferences, two advantageous implementation cases are considered for the wave rotor into given baseline engines. Advantages and disadvantages are outlined. Comparison of the theoretical performance parameters shows that the greatest performance gain for the topped engine without recuperation is obtained if the topped engine operates with the same turbine inlet temperature and compressor pressure ratio as the baseline engine. For the recuperated engine, however, the case in which the topping cycle operates with the same turbine inlet temperature and same overall pressure ratio as the baseline engine results in the highest performance enhancement. Both simple cycle and recuperated engines benefit from the wave-rotor-topping, but the performance improvement is greater for the simple engine without recuperation.
Advancement through Mitosis requires rae1 Gene Function in Fission Yeast

Growth of the rae1‐1 mutant of Schizosaccharomyces pombe at restrictive temperature results in accumulation of poly(A)+ RNA in the nucleus and a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M boundary. We demonstrate here that rae1 function is required for a process other than mRNA export which is essential for advancement through mitosis. Cells lacking rae1 function arrest with elevated Cdc2p kinase levels at a step before the formation of a mitotic spindle and without separation of the spindle pole bodies. Rae1p was localized to the nuclear periphery, consistent with a role in nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, which could include protein import. We propose a model where rae1 functions in cell cycle progression through trafficking of proteins required for mitosis. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioinspired Engineering of Exploration Systems: A Horizon Sensor/Attitude Reference System Based on the Dragonfly Ocelli for Mars Exploration Applications

Bioinspired engineering of exploration systems (BEES) is a fast emerging new discipline. It focuses on distilling the principles found in successful, nature-tested mechanisms of specific crucial functions that are hard to accomplish by conventional methods, but are accomplished rather deftly in nature by biological organisms. The intent is not just to mimic operational mechanisms found in a specific biological organism but to imbibe the salient principles from a variety of diverse organisms for the desired crucial function. Thereby, we can build exploration systems that have specific capabilities endowed beyond nature, as they will possess a mix of the best nature-tested mechanisms for each particular function. Insects (for example, honey bees and dragonflies) cope remarkably well with their world, despite possessing a brain that carries less than 0.01% as many neurons as ours does. Although most insects have immobile eyes, fixed focus optics, and lack stereo vision, they use a number of ingenious strategies for perceiving their world in three dimensions and navigating successfully in it. We are distilling some of these insect-inspired strategies for utilizing optical cues to obtain unique solutions to navigation, hazard avoidance, altitude hold, stable flight, terrain following, and smooth deployment of payload. Such functionality can enable access to otherwise unreachable exploration sites for much sought-after data. A BEES approach to developing autonomous dflight systems, particularly in small scale, can thus have a tremendous impact on autonomous airborne navigation of these biomorphic flyers particularly for planetary exploration missions, for example, to Mars which offer unique challenges due to its thin atmosphere, low gravity, and lack of magnetic field. Incorporating these success strategies of bioinspired navigation into biomorphic sensors such as the horizon sensor described herein fulfills for the first time the requirements of a variety of potential future Mars exploration applications described in this paper. Specifically we have obtained lightweight (similar to6 g), low power (<40 mW), and robust autonomous horizon sensing for flight stabilization based on distilling the principles of the dragonfly ocelli. Such levels of miniaturization of navigation sensors are essential to enable biomorphic microflyers (< 1 kg) that can be deployed in large numbers for distributed measurements. In this paper we present the first experimental test results of a biomorphic flyer platform with an embedded biomorphic ocellus (the dragonfly-inspired horizon sensor/attitude reference system). These results from the novel hardware implementation of a horizon sensor demonstrate the advantage of our approach in adapting principles proven successful in nature to accomplish navigation for Mars exploration. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acute electrophysiological responses of bradykinin‐stimulated human fibroblasts.

1. Acute responses to bradykinin in human dermal fibroblasts were studied at 20‐24 degrees C using both the patch‐clamp technique to monitor ion currents and Fura‐2 fluorescence to monitor [Ca2+]i. 2. During subconfluent culture, human dermal fibroblasts can express a diversity of ion channels as described in the preceding paper. 3. When GTP (1 mM) was included in the pipette solution, two additional ion channel populations were transiently augmented in response to bradykinin stimulation. 4. The first is a component of outwardly rectifying current which reached maximal induction within 10‐15 s after bradykinin addition (1 microM) and then decayed back to near baseline over 60 s. 5. Ion substitution experiments combined with tail current analysis indicate that the outward current is carried predominantly by K+. 6. Video imaging of single‐cell Fura‐2 fluorescence from both intact cells and patch‐clamped cells showed temporal correlation of the K+ current modulation and the Ca2+ transients in response to bradykinin stimulation. 7. The calcium ionophore, ionomycin, caused both an increase in intracellular calcium and the augmentation of the outward K+ current. The amount of additional K+ current was correlated with [Ca2+]i levels and could be elicited even without the presence of GTP in the pipette. 8. Apamin, a blocker of Ca(2+)‐activated K+ channels, inhibited (at 1 microM) the ionomycin‐induced modulation of K+ current. 9. In addition, an inward current was transiently induced in response to bradykinin. This current was strictly dependent on the presence of GTP in the pipette solution. This current showed little voltage dependence, as evidenced by a linear current vs. voltage relation, and a reversal potential near but measurably more positive than 0 mV. 10. This current could be decoupled from the Ca2+ transient and be irreversibly induced by including GTP gamma S (100 microM) in the pipette solution. 11. Ion substitution experiments show that this is a non‐specific cation channel. This current prefers monovalents but exhibits a small permeability to divalents. 12. GTP gamma S‐induced single channels from isolated outside‐out patches showed similar ion selectivity and voltage dependence. These channels are 32 pS in size with an estimated reversal potential of 17 mV. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Assessment of the financial situation of food industry in Poland in 2005 and 2010

The article assesses the ﬁ nancial situation of branches of the food industry in Poland in 2005 and 2010 and provides a linear order and classi ﬁ cation of the branches by means of synthetic development measure, which was constructed using the TOPSIS method, basing on unpublished statistics of the Central Statistical Of ﬁ ce. As results from the research, the ﬁ nancial situation of individual branches of food industry sector was diversi-ﬁ ed. Four typological classes differing in pro ﬁ tability, indebtedness level and ﬁ nancial liquidity were distinguished on the basis of the synthetic measure values. In spite of increasing crisis, in comparison with 2005, in 2010 the ﬁ nancial situation of food industry slightly improved, both in terms of pro ﬁ tability and management of current assets.
A Controlled Trial of Castration With and Without Nilutamide in Metastatic Prostatic Carcinoma

A randomized double‐blind trial in patients with disseminated, previously untreated prostate cancer (Stage D2) was conducted in eight Canadian centers. All 203 patients enrolled in this study underwent bilateral orchiectomy and were randomized to receive either the nonsteroidal anti‐androgen nilutamide or a placebo. Patient responses were graded according to the criteria of the National Prostatic Cancer Project (NPCP). Patients treated with nilutamide had a significantly greater number of positive objective responses (partial and complete regression) than did the patients treated with castration alone (46% versus 20%, P = 0.001). Progression‐free survival was improved initially in the nilutamide group, but the median time to progression was 12 months for both groups. Despite an increase in the median length of survival from 18.9 to 24.3 months with the nilutamide, the survival time was not significantly longer in the nilutamide group (log = rank test, P = 0.048). Although minor side effects were frequent, adverse effects related to the medication and leading to discontinuation of treatment were observed in 9% of cases. These results suggest some benefit of the combined treatment (orchiectomy + nilutamide) over orchiectomy alone in the treatment of metastatic prostatic carcinoma.
The national pattern design which based on the computer-fractal

The national pattern is an unique form of symbol, a kind of special language carrier, which has the rich cultural connotations and diversity of aesthetic. Computer-fractal art is a new branch of mathematics, there have many uniformities between the national patterns and the computer-fractal, not only in the study, handling, and artistic features, most important, it is extending the scope of drawing the national patterns materials, richening the handling and speeding up the effectiveness of the patterns design process, so the computer-fractal art will play an active role in building the modern nation patterns design.
MARKA FARKINDALIĞI, MARKA İMAJI, MARKADAN ETKİLENME VE MARKAYA GÜVENİN MARKA BAĞLILIĞI ÜZERİNDEKİ GÖRECE ETKİLERİNİN İNCELENMESİ: TURKCELL ÖRNEĞİ

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of brand image, brand trust, brand effect and brand awareness as the components of brand equity on brand loyalty. In line with this aim, the study was carried out with the data collected in Eskisehir region via surveying using the convenience sampling method. The findings of the study indicate that brand awareness, brand image and brand trust have meaningful positive effects on brand loyalty, while brand effect has no statistically significant effect on brand loyalty. The brand equity components with the most significant effect on brand loyalty are arranged as brand trust (rpart=0.314), brand awareness (rpart=0.202) and brand image (rpart=0.199) from the strongest to weakest relative effect on brand loyalty (components with significant effect only). Furthermore, the partial correlation coefficients were utilized for the comparison of relative effect magnitudes
Iterative Soft Multiuser Detection for MIMO MC-CDMA Systems

In this paper, an iterative soft multiuser detection (MUD) algorithm is proposed for multiple-input multiple-output multi-carrier code-division multiple access (MIMO MC-CDMA) systems. Based on an equivalent system model, an efficient soft MUD algorithm is first derived by the central limit theorem, the property of the complex Gaussian distribution, and fast matrix computation formulas. By iteratively using the soft MUD algorithm with some updated probability information, we then obtain the proposed iterative soft MUD algorithm. Finally, it is shown that this algorithm achieves near-optimal performance with very efficient iterative computations.