Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On a Multidimensional Search Technique and its Application to the Euclidean One-Centre Problem

The paper is divided into two main sections. The first deals with a multidimensional search technique of Megiddo [J. Assoc. Comput. Mach. , 31 (1984), pp. 114–127], and suggests an improvement. The second gives an application of the technique to the Euclidean one-centre problem in $\mathbb{R}^d $. An algorithm of time-complexity $O(3^{(d + 2)^2 } n)$ is derived for this problem. This improves the best previous bound even in the case $d = 2$.
Use of Hearing Protection on Military Operations

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) continues to be a significant source of morbidity for UK service personnel. The Personal Interfaced Hearing Protection (PIHP) system was procured as an Urgent Operational Requirement primarily to provide a connection to the Personal Role Radio. Through its custom- mould design it was also expected to act as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) against NIHL in a method that had not been possible previously. The aim of this paper was to evaluate user opinion of the four current methods of hearing protection including PIHP. 108 service personnel serving in a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan were questioned anonymously using a paper-based questionnaire. The response rate was 78%, reflecting the difficulties in anonymous data collection in an environment such as this. PIHP was perceived to be more practical for use on the ranges or patrolling than the standard methods of hearing protection. Although only 4% were routinely wearing PIHP on patrol, this was related to understandable reluctance in wearing a new system that had only been issued immediately prior to this deployment. Early design problems highlighted by our study, such as changes in the design of the ear-piece to improve retention, have already been implemented. Compliance will be improved through a dedicated educational programme to explain its relevance. Despite the logistical difficulties in providing custom- made ear moulds, the PIHP system must be delivered to all service personnel early in their career so they are confident in its use long before operational deployment. Future research is required to ascertain the effectiveness of PIHP as a method of PPE in reducing the incidence of NIHL.
Application of the theory of planned behavior to customer switching intentions in the context of bank consolidations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that affect customers’ switching intentions among banks in the context of mergers and acquisitions, using particularly the case of the merger between Lloyds TSB and Halifax Bank of Scotland, which took place in 2009. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of the theory of planned behavior, a quantitative survey was developed and administered to 515 account holders from both banks in branches located in Spain. Structural equation modeling was then utilized to evaluate the significance of direct and indirect relationships between the various factors under study. Findings Empirical findings indicate a significant direct relationship between switching intentions and each of: behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, attitudes, and subjective norms. Results also reveal an inverse significant relationship between switching intentions and both control beliefs and perceived behavioral control. Research limitations/implications The absence of a longitudinal study measuring the actual impact of the merger on customer switching behavior is the main limitation of this study. Moreover, despite being insightful, the results of this study should be generalized with caution since the sample was based on a list purposely chosen by the banks’ management. Originality/value This paper discusses customer switching behavior in the context of a real-life case of banks’ consolidation.
The role of cooperative banks in increasing the banking penetration ratio of rural areas in Poland

The objective of the study is to assess the number of households in rural areas which use banking services offered by cooperative banks in Poland and to identify factors determining and differentiating the level of penetration ratio. Primary and secondary sources have been used to obtain the results. Empirical material has been evaluated using indicators of structure and non-parametric "Chi" square (χ) test. The results confirm the key role of cooperative banks in increasing banking services usage in rural areas in Poland. Almost 70% of residents of rural areas use banking services offered by cooperative banks. Studies have shown that the factors determining the level of banking services usage of residents of non-urbanized areas are: gender, level of education, professional status and financial situation. Apart from traditional channels of access to a bank account, residents of rural areas also use online banking services (50% of respondents) offered by cooperative banks.
Building and Maintaining Human Capital with Learning Management Systems

In an intensely competitive, rapidly evolving, and increasingly knowledge-based high-tech sector, the ability to learn is critical to the success of multinational organizations. It is now clear that building and maintaining a firm’s human capital through organizational learning represents the only sustainable source of competitive advantage. Barney (1991), for example, illustrates that the strategic resources which underpin the success of business enterprises include an organization’s physical, human, and organizational capital. Physical capital includes plant and equipment, geographic location, and access to raw materials. Human capital includes the training, experience, judgment, intelligence, relationships, and insights of managers and workers. Organizational capital includes firm structure and processes, internal and external relations, both formal and informal. It is clear, however, that human capital lies at the foundation of both physical and organizational capital (Nordhaug, 1994). This chapter argues that human capital can be enhanced through the application of IT (as physical capital) ABsTRACT
Checklist of the ‘lower Brachycera’ of Finland: Tabanomorpha, Asilomorpha and associated families (Diptera)

Abstract A checklist of the ‘lower Brachycera’ of Finland is presented. This part of the complete checklist of Finnish Diptera covers the families Acroceridae, Asilidae, Athericidae, Bombyliidae, Mythicomyiidae, Rhagionidae, Scenopinidae, Stratiomyidae, Tabanidae, Therevidae, Xylomyidae and Xylophagidae.
Spatial Variation in Lesser Prairie-Chicken Demography: A Sensitivity Analysis of Population Dynamics and Management Alternatives

Abstract The lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is currently considered a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act. To identify potential limiting factors for lesser prairie-chicken populations, we developed an age-based matrix model of lesser prairie-chicken population dynamics to compare the relative importance of components of reproduction and survival, and determine if various management alternatives stabilize or increase rates of population change. We based our analyses on an intensive 6-year population study from which demographic rates were estimated for each age class in Kansas. We used deterministic models and elasticity values to identify parameters predicted to have the greatest effect on the rate of population change (λ) at 2 study sites. Last, we used life-stage simulation analysis to simulate various management alternatives. Lambda was <1 for both populations (site 1: λ = 0.54, site 2: λ = 0.74). However, we found differences in sensitivity to nest success and chick survival between populations. The results of the simulated management scenarios complemented the lower-level elasticity analysis and indicated the relative importance of female survival during the breeding season compared with winter. If management practices are only capable of targeting a single demographic rate, changes to either nest success or chick survival had the greatest impact on λ at site 1 and 2, respectively. Management that simultaneously manipulated both nest success and chick survival was predicted to have a greater effect on λ than changes in survival of adult females. In practice, our demographic analyses indicate that effective management should be based on habitat conservation measures to increase components of fecundity.
Gratefully Received, Gratefully Repaid: The Role of Perceived Fairness in Cooperative Interactions

It is well documented that people would remunerate fair behaviours and penalize unfair behaviours. It is argued that individuals’ reactions following the receipt of a gift depend on the perceived intentions of the donors. Fair intentions should prompt positive affect, like gratitude, triggering cooperative behaviours; while intended unfairness should trigger negative affect, like anger, fostering anti-social actions. It is, however, contended that when people lack information to infer others’ intention they may use ‘normative’ beliefs about fairness - what a typical fair individual ‘should’ do in these circumstances – to guide their behaviour. In this experiment we examined this assertion. We had 122 participants play a one-shot, double-anonymous game with half playing as potential helpers (P1s) and half as recipients (P2s). Whether a participant was a P1 or P2 was chance-determined and all participants knew this. P1s decided whether to help P2s and whether to make their help unconditional (no repayment needed) or conditional (full or ‘taxed’ repayment). P2s decided whether to accept the offer and whatever conditions attached but were blind to the list of helping options available to P1s. We anticipated that recipients would refer to the ‘injunctive norm’ that ‘fair people should help “for free” when it is only by chance that they are in a position to help’. Therefore, without knowing P1s’ different helping options, unconditional offers should be rated by recipients as fairer than conditional offers, and this should be linked to greater gratitude with greater gratitude linked to greater reciprocation. Path analyses confirmed this serial mediation. The results showed that recipients of unconditional offers, compared to conditional ones, interpreted the helpers’ motives as more helpful, experienced greater gratitude and were more eager to reciprocate. The behavioural data further revealed that, when given a latter option to default, 38% of recipients of conditional offers did so.
A comparison of bistatic and multistatic handheld ground penetrating radar (GPR) antenna performance for landmine detection

This paper reports the results of a study comparing the performance of bi-static and multi-static antennas systems for handheld ground penetrating radar (GPR), applied to humanitarian anti-personnel (AP) landmine detection. The investigation is focused on mine detection using handheld multi-sensor systems that combine metal detection and GPR. Single A-scan, 1 dimensional data from 3D time domain models of each system are considered. The modelling and simulations were performed using the Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio (MWS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is used to identify the features of the landmine that most strongly effect the measured GPR data. A comparison of the principal components and Eigen-values quantifies the advantage gained from using multi-static over bi-statics systems for landmine detection.
ROMANIAN PORK MARKET, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Pork is the most popular meat in Romania, representing more than half of the total yearly consumption per capita. With 19.0 kg per capita, pork consumption is much under the European average of 46.4 kg per capita, which means that there is still room for pork consumption increase. In the year 2012, about 33% of pork consumption was based on imports. The paper attempts to investigate the impact of the liberalization of pork exports to the EU at national market level, as well as the impact upon the soybean oilcake imports, on which Romania remained dependent. Lifting the Romanian pork export ban on the EU market could be a momentum for industry, which could develop in order to satisfy the domestic and export demand. This might also lead to the increase of pork prices on the domestic market due to the competition with foreign markets.
AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE, DISMISSAL THREATS, AND THE MARKET REACTION TO AUDITOR SWITCHES

The article presents information on the effect of auditor changes on security prices in both a mechanical decision rule and in the possibility that an adverse audit opinion may lead to dismissal. The analysis implies that the stock price response to the announcement of an auditor change depends on the preswitch audit opinion. The author contends that his research proves auditor switches can be good for investors and that even when they are costless, and there is no collusion between auditor and firm, market reaction can be negative.
CD154-CD40 T-cell costimulation pathway is required in the mechanism of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, and its blockade facilitates and depends on heme oxygenase-1 mediated cytoprotection

Background. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains an important clinical problem that affects both early and later allograft outcome. This study was designed to analyze the role of T cells and CD154-CD40 T- cell costimulation pathway in a mouse liver I/R model. Methods and Results. Ninety minutes of warm ischemia followed by 4 h of reperfusion in wild-type (WT) mice resulted in a significant hepatic damage, as assessed by liver function (serum alanine aminotransferase [sALT] levels), local neutrophil accumulation (myeloperoxidase activity), and histology (Suzuki’s score). In contrast, T-cell deficiency (in T-cell deficient [nu/nu] mice), disruption of the CD154 signaling (in knockout [KO] mice), or its blockade in WT recipients (after MR1 monoclonal antibody [mAb] treatment), virtually prevented hepatic I/R insult. Unlike CD154-deficient T cells, adoptive transfer of WT spleen cells fully restored hepatic I/R injury in nu/nu mice. Finally, the improved hepatic function in CD154 KO recipients, WT mice treated with CD154 mAb, or nu/nu mice infused with CD154-deficient cells resulted in consistently enhanced expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a heat-shock protein with cytoprotective functions. Conclusion. This study confirms the importance of T cells, and documents for the first time the role of CD154 costimulation signals in the mechanism of hepatic I/R injury. We also show that CD154 blockade-mediated cytoprotection results and depends on HO-1 overexpression. Our data provide the rationale for human trials to target CD154-CD40 costimulation in hepatic I/R injury, particularly in the transplant patient.
Measuring and Reporting Technological Capital in Companies

AbstrAct The chapter addresses the importance of knowledge-based resources proposing indicators to measure and report technological capital in companies. The first part of the chapter develops a conceptual framework to analyze organizational learning and its outcomes. It focuses on the strategy perspective of organizational learning, addressing its ontology, contributions, and problematics. The second part is focused on a particular type of knowledge—the technological capital—that is institutionalized knowledge in the form of technologies. This section proposes a map for the different types of technological capital of companies: idiosyncratic, core, ancillary, and compulsory. The chapter shows the results of a case study with European firms measuring and reporting technological capital. Finally the chapter summarizes main conclusions for management.
Animal Model for Evaluation of Soft Tissue Ingrowth Into Various Types of Porous Coating

Results from several studies have suggested that soft tissue ingrowth into porous coating can serve as a biologic containment mechanism to prevent particulate debris migration by sealing off the effective joint space. Therefore, a rabbit animal model was developed to investigate soft tissue ingrowth into various types of metallic rods. After implantation of several types of coated and smooth rods within the thigh musculature of rabbits, a thick encapsulation of soft tissue was observed around porous-coated rods whereas a nonadherent pseudosynovial-lined cavity was observed around smooth rods. Within 3 weeks, soft tissue had grown into the three different types of porous coating on the rods. Histologic evaluation verified that maturation of this ingrowth tissue occurred by 12 weeks. Incomplete soft tissue ingrowth occurred into the depths of large-bead (590–840 mm) porous-coated surfaces. Soft tissue separation from the bead surfaces was observed at 12 weeks in the porous-coated implants that also had been coated with a thin layer of tricalcium phosphate. These findings suggest that soft tissue ingrowth can be expected to occur into the porous coatings tested, but that tricalcium phosphate should not be used as an additional surface coating to obtain long-term adherence of circumferential soft tissue ingrowth.
Sales Promotional Strategies and Buying Behavior in an Emerging Market at the Post Recession Period

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of sales promotional tools on consumer buying behavior in an emerging market at the post-recession period. This study assesses consumers' proneness to sales promotions and examines the effectiveness of four promotional tools that are premium offers, coupons, buy and get promotions, and price discounts on buying behavior in terms of brand switching, stockpiling, purchase acceleration, and product trial. The findings reveal that consumers are more prone to price discount and buy and get promotions, respectively. Among the four promotional tools, price discount is the most effective to influence product acceleration, brand switching, stockpiling, and product trial behavior respectively. However, there is no statistically significance difference between the effectiveness of premium offer and buy and get deals with regard to brand switching behavior, product acceleration, and product trail responses. In contrast, coupons are the least ineffective promotional tool in terms of generating all types of consumer response.
Long-term protection of retinal structure but not function using RAAV.CNTF in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa.

The present study aimed to determine whether intravitreal administration of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) can achieve long-term morphological and physiological rescue of photoreceptors in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa, and whether injection of this virus after degeneration begins is effective in protecting the remaining photoreceptors. We injected rAAV.CNTF. GFP intravitreally in early postnatal Prph2(Rd2/Rd2) (formerly rds/rds) mice and in adult P23H and S334ter rhodopsin transgenic rats. Contralateral eyes received an intravitreal injection of rAAV.GFP or a sham injection. We evaluated the eyes at 6 months (rats) and 8.5 to 9 months (mice) postinfection and looked for histological and electoretinographic (ERG) evidence of photoreceptor rescue and CNTF-GFP expression. Intravitreal administration of rAAV resulted in efficient transduction of retinal ganglion cells in the Prph2(Rd2/Rd2) retina, and ganglion, Muller, and horizontal/amacrine cells in the mutant rat retinas. Transgene expression localized to the retinal region closest to the injection site. We observed prominent morphological protection of photoreceptors in the eyes of all animals receiving rAAV.CNTF. GFP. We found the greatest protection in regions most distant from the CNTF-GFP-expressing cells. The Prph2(Rd2/Rd2) ERGs did not exhibit interocular differences. Eyes of the rat models administered rAAV.CNTF. GFP had lower ERG amplitudes than those receiving rAAV.GFP. The discordance of functional and structural results, especially in the rat models, points to the need for a greater understanding of the mechanism of action of CNTF before human application can be considered.
PAPR analysis in noncontiguous OFDM systems

Noncontiguous orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (NC‐OFDM) is a modulation technique suitable for 5G communications. It achieves high spectral efficiency due to aggregation and modulation with nonzero data symbols of only nonoccupied spectrum resources (subcarrier blocks). Similarly as in other multicarrier schemes, one of its main drawbacks is the high variation of instantaneous signal power measured typically by means of peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR). Although a lot of research effort has been put in OFDM PAPR characterization, there is a need for such work in the case of NC‐OFDM. This paper finds that PAPR distribution of NC‐OFDM is different than in the case of OFDM. The analysis was done by means of both simulations and analytical derivations. Lower and upper PAPR complementary cumulative distribution function bounds are provided for NC‐OFDM that are much tighter than state‐of‐the‐art solutions.
Newly Weaned Nonobese Diabetic Mice Show Heightened Early Diabetes Sensitivity to Multiple Low Doses of Streptozotocin Than Nondiabetes-Prone CD-1 Mice: Initial Beta-Cell Damage a Key Trigger for Type 1 Diabetes?

Objectives: We determined if newly weaned female nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice show greater diabetes sensitivity to dose-adjusted regimens of multiple low doses of streptozotocin (Stz) than nondiabetes-prone CD-1 mice. Methods: Female NOD mice received 5 daily doses of Stz from day 21 (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg body weight) and CD-1 mice 20, 30, and 40 mg. Results: Streptozotocin, at the 15-, 20-, 30-, and 40-mg dose, induced rapid diabetes in NOD mice. By day 100, 90% to 95% of NOD mice became diabetic after the 40- and 30-mg dose and 33% to 40% with the 15- and 20-mg dose. In comparison, only about 50% and 33% of CD-1 mice developed diabetes with the 40- and 30-mg dose, respectively, and 5.5% with the 20-mg dose. In NOD mice, the 20-mg dose also partially suppressed spontaneous diabetes. All diabetic mice displayed insulitis, variable immunostaining for insulin, and redistribution of glucagon and somatostatin cells. Glucose transporter-2 was markedly attenuated in selective beta cells. Conclusions: Newly weaned female NOD mice show heightened early sensitivity to low doses of Stz than CD-1 mice. At diabetes, several beta cells remain and show variable immunostaining for insulin and an attenuated expression for glucose transporter-2. Specific low doses of Stz may also suppress spontaneous diabetes.
Amygdala response to both positively and negatively valenced stimuli

Human lesion and functional imaging data suggest a central role for the amygdala in the processing of negative stimuli. To determine whether the amygdala's role in affective processing extends beyond negative stimuli, subjects viewed pictures that varied in emotional content (positive vs negative valence) and arousal level (high vs low) while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. Amygdala activation, relative to a low arousal and neutral valence picture baseline, was significantly increased for both positively and negatively valenced stimuli and did not differ for the two valences. There were no laterality effects. Whereas arousal level appeared to modulate the amygdala response for negative stimuli, all positively valenced pictures (both high and low in arousal) produced significant amygdala responses. These results clearly demonstrate a role for the amygdala in processing emotional stimuli that extends beyond negative and fearful stimuli.