Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topology Design and Delay Control for Communication Networks in Smart Grid

Stability is a critical concern in the design and maintenance of power systems. Di↵erent approaches have been proposed for the analysis of power grid stability in various scenarios depending on small or large perturbations and the speed of the phenomenon of interest. In this work, we consider the power grid as a group of flocking birds, as synchronization is the key issue in both contexts. The framework of partial di↵erence equation (PdE) is used to analyze the system stability, when designing the communication network of the power grid network for conveying measurements between di↵erent power stations. Both the cases where communication network delay is negligible and non-negligible are studied here. The communication network design problem is formulated as an optimization problem under the consideration of a stable power grid. Corresponding optimization algorithms are designed to solve the problem. To convey measurements of the power network, wireless sensor networks is adopted, for its non-invasive and easy deployment properties. Periodic sleep scheduling is adopted to e↵ectively save energy for the wireless sensor networks. To provide a controllable end-to-end delay for the communication networks, a dynamic duty cycle control approach is designed, featuring a single-hop delay controller based on the well known feedback control theory. The delay control approach also features a queuing delay adaptation scheme that adapts the duty cycle of each node to unpredictable packet rates, as well as a novel energy balancing approach that extends the network lifetime by dynamically adjusting the delay requirement allocated to each hop. iv Table of
Logistics and Supply Chain Practices in India

This paper seeks to comprehensively examine and present the state of logistics and supply chain practices in India. We consider the two separately as they have still not integrated seamlessly in the Indian context. Our study is based on both field observations and secondary data. We focus on supply chain collaboration and partnerships, supply chain structure, facilities network design, transportation and logistics and the role of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). On-site observations and informal discussion and interviews with middle and top managers of 25 select firms are carried out. These are substantiated with data and information from literature and other secondary sources. We analyze and assess logistics and supply chain practices in order to discern important issues such as emerging trends and areas of concern. We also highlight and address issues related to supply chain managers, Indian policy makers and other stakeholders
The company‐cause‐customer fit decision in cause‐related marketing

Purpose – Cause‐related marketing activities are increasingly becoming a meaningful part of corporate marketing plans. This paper aims to examine the relationship between the company, cause and customer, and how fit between these three groups influences consumer response via generating a positive attitude toward the company‐cause alliance and purchase intent for the sponsored product.Design/methodology/approach – Two studies are carried out, first among students and second among consumers.Findings – Two studies (study 1=232 students, study 2=531 consumers) demonstrate that company‐cause fit improves attitude toward the company‐cause alliance and increases purchase intent. Additionally, this effect is enhanced under conditions of customer‐company and customer‐cause congruence, and the consumer's overall attitude toward the sponsoring company. Skepticism about the company's motivation for participating in a cause‐related marketing initiative was not relevant to consumer purchase decisions.Research limitatio.
Panax notoginseng: A Double-Edged Sword in Haemostasis?

Radix Notoginseng (commonly known as notoginseng or sanqi) is an herb primarily indicated for bloodand circulation-related conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine, notoginseng is often used together with other herbs to halt both internal and external bleeding, although the effects are mostly attributed to notoginseng itself [1]. Experimental findings have provided support to other effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, immunostimulatory, neuroprotective, of notoginseng as well [2]. The effect on bleeding is, however, more complicated. There is mounting evidence that notoginseng possesses both pro-haemostatic and anti-haemostatic properties. The apparently paradoxical effects may owe to factors including herbal preparation methods, experimental parameters and metabolic activity of the herb. This editorial highlights selected literature which may be of considerable value in future research concerning how notoginseng affects haemostasis.
Disease specificity of nondefective Friend and Moloney murine leukemia viruses is controlled by a small number of nucleotides

Moloney murine leukemia virus induces T cell lymphomas after injection into NFS mice, whereas the nondefective Friend virus induces erythroleukemias. Previous studies showed that sequences encompassing the viral transcriptional signals in U3 are the primary determinant of this phenotype in recombinants between these two viruses. To more precisely identify the sequences responsible, we constructed additional recombinants, within U3, between Friend and Moloney viruses and assayed these recombinants for for their disease specificity. We found that a fragment 191 bases long that included the direct repeat (enhancer) region plus 22 nucleotides to its 3' side from Friend virus was sufficient to convert Moloney virus to a virus that induced only erythroleukemias. A 171-base-long fragment of Moloney virus, including just the direct repeat, converted Friend virus to a virus that induced primarily lymphomas (about 85% of mice injected). We also constructed Moloney and Friend virus variants with one rather than two copies of the enhancer element. These viruses retained their disease specificity, although they exhibited a marked increase in the latent period of disease induction. Together the results suggest that 25 or fewer nucleotide differences, lying within and also just 3' of the direct repeat, are the primary determinant of the distinct disease specificities of nondefective Friend and Moloney viruses.
Factors Affecting Sentence-in-Noise Recognition for Normal Hearing Listeners and Listeners with Hearing Loss

Background and Objectives Despite amplified speech, listeners with hearing loss often report more difficulties understanding speech in background noise compared to normalhearing listeners. Various factors such as deteriorated hearing sensitivity, age, suprathreshold temporal resolution, and reduced capacity of working memory and attention can attribute to their sentence-in-noise problems. The present study aims to determine a primary explanatory factor for sentence-in-noise recognition difficulties in adults with or without hearing loss. Subjects and Methods Forty normal-hearing (NH) listeners (23-73 years) and thirty-four hearing-impaired (HI) listeners (24-80 years) participated for experimental testing. For both NH and HI group, the younger, middle-aged, older listeners were included. The sentence recognition score in noise was measured at 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio. The ability of temporal resolution was evaluated by gap detection performance using the Gaps-In-Noise test. Listeners’ short-term auditory working memory span was measured by forward and backward digit spans. Results Overall, the HI listeners’ sentence-in-noise recognition, temporal resolution abilities, and digit forward and backward spans were poorer compared to the NH listeners. Both NH and HI listeners had a substantial variability in performance. For NH listeners, only the digit backward span explained a small proportion of the variance in their sentence-in-noise performance. For the HI listeners, all the performance was influenced by age, and their sentence-in-noise difficulties were associated with various factors such as high-frequency hearing sensitivity, suprathreshold temporal resolution abilities, and working memory span. For the HI listeners, the critical predictors of the sentence-in-noise performance were composite measures of peripheral hearing sensitivity and suprathreshold temporal resolution abilities. Conclusions The primary explanatory factors for the sentence-in-noise recognition performance differ between NH and HI listeners. Factors affecting sentence-in-noise recognition performance differed between NH and HI listeners. The working memory was the primary predictor of the sentence-in-noise scores for the NH individuals. In contrast, a combination of factors seemed to contributed to speech-in-noise understanding for the HI listeners. Given this, we must be careful not to generalize findings from the NH listeners to the HI individuals.
Factors influence employees job satisfaction: A study of human resources practices in Rapid Rail Sendirian Berhad

Human Resources Management (HRM) is getting more important in the business nowadays because human behavior and their knowledge are the most important aspect in influencing productivity of the organization. One of the elements in HRM is employee satisfaction measurement. Employers have to ensure that employee satisfaction is high among the worker which is a precondition for increasing productivity, committed to provide world class customer services, quality of the job and responsiveness. The purpose of this study is to examine which human resources practices could affect job satisfaction amongst customer services officer in Station Operation Kelana Jaya Line, Rapid Rail Sendirian Berhad. A survey of 114 staffs started in May 2014 until June 2014, in all job grading who were selected using simple random sampling. Inferential, descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regression analysis was run through SPSS version 17 to test the research hypothesis. Employee job satisfaction was selected as dependent variable and 6 hypotheses have been developed. Human Resources practices such as recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisal and rewards system, compensation and benefits were selected and adapted from Guest Model and Society of Human Resources Management report, USA. Multiple regression analysis shows that 50.1% factors are explained in the study. Pearson Correlation results show that all hypotheses are accepted and positively significance to employee job satisfaction. Findings, theoretical implication, suggestion for future studies and recommendation are suggested
Bias in human judgement under uncertainty?

Abstract The claim is frequently made that human judgement and reasoning are vulnerable to cognitive biases. Such biases are assumed to be inherent in that they are attributed to the nature of the mental processes that produce judgement. In this paper, we review the psychological evidence for this claim in the context of the debate concerning human judgemental competence under uncertainty. We consider recent counter-arguments which suggest that the evidence for cognitive biases may be dependent on observations of performance on inappropriate tasks and by comparisons with inappropriate normative standards. We also consider the practical implications for the design of decision support systems.
Proximity and Innovation in Italian SMEs

Abstract: In this paper we assess the relevance of both knowledge creation and diffusion processes in affecting Italian SMEs’ propensity to innovate. In doing so a knowledge production function (KPF) is estimated for a representative sample of small and medium manufacturing firms over the period 1998-2003. To account for endogeneity of R&D effort in the KPF, we estimate a Heckman selection model on R&D decisions and obtain two main results. First, we do not find the probability of being engaged in intramural R&D activities to be significantly related to firm size. Second, for those firms engaged in R&D activities, the intensity of R&D effort increases with firm size. Then, the KPF is estimated for three different samples of firms using a standard probit where the probability that SMEs will innovate depends upon intramural R&D effort, regional and industrial spillovers and a vector of interaction and control variables. The main results obtained from this second set of regressions are the following: first, we find the probability to innovate to be positively related to sectoral spillovers, the magnitude of such impact being decreasing in firms’ size. Second, knowledge diffusion via geographical proximity enhances the probability of the recipient firm to innovate only if it has an appropriate endowment of human capital.
Empirical Evaluation Of The Overall Impact And By Industries Of Comprehensive Income On European Groups Listed On NYSE And NASDAQ

The purpose of this article is to assess the Overall Impact, and by Industries, of Comprehensive Income on Net Income for a sampling of 136 European groups listed on NYSE and NASDAQ from 1999 to 2004. To this end we took as reference the consolidated information disclosed pursuant to SFAS 130 issued by FASB in the reconciliations to the US GAAP when they presented their Annual Reports to the SEC with form 20-F and Industry Classification Benchmark -ICB- (Dow Jones Indexes and FTSE). In order to contrast the corresponding hypotheses, a set of non-parametric tools were used, as the data was far from normality. The results of our paper, which are ground-breaking at an international level, show a statistically significant impact of Comprehensive Income on Net Income for the sample group in most of the years that were analyzed. However, when this impact is itemized by Industries we find that there are hardly any statistically significant differences between them, which allows us to affirm that by adopting Comprehensive Income, within the context that we have studied, we are witness to a phenomenon which, along general lines, affects corporate groups in a similar fashion, independently of the nature of the activities that they carry out.
Systemic Risk through Securitization: The Result of Deregulation and Regulatory Failure

Without regulation, securitization allowed mortgage industry actors to gain fees and to put off risks. During the housing boom, the ability to pass off risk allowed lenders and securitizers to compete for market share by lowering their lending standards, which activated more borrowing. Lenders who did not join in the easing of lending standards were crowded out of the market. Artificially low risk premia caused the asset price of houses to go up, leading to an asset bubble and breeding fraud. The consequences of lax lending were thereby covered up. The market might have corrected this problem if investors had been able to express their negative views by short selling mortgage-backed securities, thereby allowing fundamental market value to be achieved. However, the one instrument that could have been used to short sell mortgage-backed securities - the credit default swap - was also infected with underpricing due to lack of minimum capital requirements and regulation to facilitate transparent pricing. As a result, there was no opportunity for short selling in the private-label securitization market. The authors propose countercyclical regulation to prevent a race to the bottom at the height of the business cycle.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH THE LENS OF ISO STANDARDS

The term corporate social responsibility has become part of the economic vocabulary since the seventh decade of the 20th century. Since the beginning of the 21st century this term extended, became complex, multidimensional with many economic, legal and social connections. Corporate social responsibility focuses not only on the means of using companies’ profits, but also on the means and ways, companies achieve these profits. Social responsibility means considering stakeholders’ expectations, and the management of economic, social and environmental domains manifested in relations with stakeholders in all areas of influence: the workplace, market, value adding chain, community and public policies. The companies must address these issues from a strategic point of view. This paper aims to analyse developments in social responsibility in terms of standardization. The first part is dedicated to an exploratory investigation conducted on the developments in the field of CSR and Global Governance and on the development of ISO 26000 as the most important tool to ensure standardization in the field of sustainability. We also paid special attention to the development of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, the main existing standards related to sustainability. To determine the interest in standardization, we forecasted the trend in issuing ISO certificates based on ARIMA and Holt statistical models.
Physical assistance devices in complex motor skill learning: benefits of a self-controlled practice schedule.

This study examines the effects of a self-controlled use of physical assistance devices on learning a complex motor skill (i.e., producing slalom-type movements on a ski simulator). Physical assistance was provided by ski poles. One group of learners (self-control) was provided with the poles whenever they requested them, whereas another (yoked) group had no influence on the pole/no-pole schedule. While there were no group differences during the practice phase (Days 1 and 2), clear group differences emerged in the retention test without poles (Day 3). The self-control group produced significantly larger amplitudes than the yoked group. These results extend previous findings by showing learning advantages of the self-controlled use of physical assistance devices in complex motor skill learning.
Expression of the ErbB Family of Receptors in Ovarian Cancer

Objective: To characterize the relative levels of the ErbB family of receptors and their relationship to one another in ovarian cancer. Methods: A total of 17 serous cystadenocarcinonas were analyzed for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R or ErbB-1) and ErbB-2, ErB-3, and ErbB-4 receptor expression by Western blot analysis. Receptor levels were quantified by densitometry and expressed as relative densitometry units nomalized to the level of α-tubulin. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze receptor group differences. A value of P ≤ . 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: All 17 tumors expressed detectable levels of EGF-R, ErbB-2, and ErbB-3, but ErbB-4 expression was not detected. EGF-R levels correlated with ErbB-2 (r = .70, P < .01) and ErbB-3 (r= .52, P < .05) levels. The highest correlation was obtained between the levels of ErbB-2 and ErbB-3 (r = 0.81, P < .001). Conclusion: This study indicates an association between the levels of ErbB receptor family members in ovarian cancer. This association suggests that one or more coordinated regulatory mechanisms may be involved in determining their relative expression levels to one another.
Big GAAP/Little GAAP: Will The Debate Ever End?

There has been an ongoing debate for decades, especially since the inception of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), over the appropriate application of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to private companies. This so-called ‘Big GAAP vs. Little GAAP’ debate has now come to a crisis point. The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) has taken a position that is contrary to the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Standard Setting for Private Companies (the Panel) presented in January 2011, despite having been represented on the Panel. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), also represented on the Panel, has responded by taking a strong stand in favor of the Panel’s position and against the new FAF recommendation and Invitation to Comment, published on October 4, 2011. Additionally, the International Accounting Standards Board has developed a set of reporting standards for small and medium size enterprises (IFRS for SMEs) that has not been recognized in the US. In this paper, we examine the history of the Big GAAP/Little GAAP debate in the US and internationally. We find substantial support for reducing requirements of private companies and recommend that International Financial Reporting Standards for Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (IFRS for SMEs) be used for public companies of all sizes to be consistent with standards that have been accepted globally.
Project Management in a Commercial Environment

Projects are proposed as a result of creative ideas and as responses to problems and planning. While relatively small projects can be managed on an informal basis, complex projects require formal project management in order to achieve specific objectives, obtain and allocate resources in an efficient and effective manner, meet allocated budgets, and ensure that critical time schedules are met. This paper examines the principal elements of project management by analysing the key roles which Project Managers play, the roles with which the Project Manager must interact, the methods available for the definition, monitoring, control and closure of the project activities. Risk management is examined in terms of risk identification, evaluation and management. Mechanisms for project monitoring, control and quality assurance are discussed. Finally, current project management methodologies are outlined. Introduction Projects exists to provide defined benefits to the organisation and a significant aspect of the project management task is to generate realistic goals, adequately estimate the time and cost required to achieve these goals, and to manage the project in a way which produces the desired outcome while expending as little resource as is practicable within the constraint of realising the overall goals (TPi 1999). This paper introduces project management in terms of what tasks need to be done and how they should be organised to ensure successful project completion. Section 2 gives an overview of a project and outlines the need for project management. The main project participants and their roles are identified. These are project champions, sponsors, stakeholders, customers/suppliers, the steering group and the project manager. Section 3 looks at project development in terms of the project scope, goals, objectives and the project plan which outlines the who, what, how and when questions that must be answered when a company is undergoing change of any kind. Section 4 considers risk identification, evaluation and management. Section 5 evaluates project control and monitoring mechanisms. Finally, Section 6 reviews the main project management methodologies currently used in commercial projects.
A New Algorithm for Inner Product

Abstract—In this note we describe a new way of computing the inner product of two vectors. This method cuts down the number of multiplications required when we want to perform a large number of inner products on a smaller set of vectors. In particular, we obtain that the product of two n×n matrices can be performed using roughly n3/2 multiplications instead of the n3multiplications which the regular method necessitates.
EXAFS analysis of Pb speciation in bullet-contaminated range soils.

This study was a lab3based investigation of range soils contaminated by 500 high velocity 7.62 mm jacketed Swedish military rounds. The 0.06 mm fraction of soil was analyzed using EXAFS to determine the speciation of Pb in the soil both before and after a simulated springtime snow melt. Contrary to previously published material, in both cases PbO and not hydrocerrusite was found to be the dominant lead species, which was attributed to the low organic content and pH of the soil when compared to previous studies.