Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of three-dimensional interaction

Most interaction with computers today takes place in a two dimensional environment. Even when using three dimensional graphics applications, input is often still restricted to two dimensions. Many believe that the use of three dimensional input devices will alleviate this restriction and allow for a much more natural human-machine dialog. This thesis seeks to establish how factors dealing with visual feedback and task structure affect the ability to perform interactive tasks in a three dimensional virtual environment. The factors investigated were stereoscopic vision, motion parallax, stimulus arrangement and stimulus complexity. Four tasks were studied. These tasks were: point location, docking, line tracing and curve tracing. All the tasks used a six degree of freedom input device to control a pointer in a three dimensional virtual environment. Four experiments corresponding to the four tasks were conducted to investigate these factors. Among other things the results showed the following. Stereoscopic vision provided a strong benefit to positioning-based tasks, but this benefit was weakened in the case of tracing tasks. Motion parallax via head-tracking often had no effect upon task performance and where an effect was found it was often detrimental. The position of stimuli influenced performance across all of the tasks. The orientation of stimuli influenced performance in the task in which it was varied.
Using Tows Matrix as a Strategic Decision-Making Tool in Managing KWS Product Portfolio

In today's changing business environment, product portfolio management is a vital issue. Majority of companies are developing, applying and attaining better results from managing their product portfolio effectively, as the success of any organization is dependent on how well it manages its products and services especially in an unpredictable business environment. The aim of this study was to understand the concept of SWOT analysis as a decision making tool that can be used to manage the product portfolio of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) with the aim of maximizing returns and staying competitive in a dynamic business environment. The study was conducted in the eight KWS conservation areas. Primary data was collected through semi structured questionnaires and in depth interviews. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Research findings revealed that each conservancy had its own strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities; some unique and others similar. The most common strengths were the unique products offered by each conservancy giving the ultimate panoramic view for any tourist, rich history, partnership with other organizations, and well-known internationally. However, lack of aggressive marketing and product diversification, poaching, logging, human encroachment, lack of community participation, competition from other destinations offering similar products, insecurity, economic recession, poor marketing research and infrastructure in some conservancies have been limiting factors. Road infrastructure improvement, park beautification, diversification of products and services, new product development, improvement in facilities as well as local and international tourism marketing are opportunities that KWS can exploit to remain competitive. Keywords: SWOT Analysis, Product Portfolio, Product Portfolio Management, Competitive Strategies, Kenya Wildlife Service, TOWS Matrix
Employer Branding and Employee Loyalty in Hotel Industry

The increasing competition for hiring and retaining the best employees has led the organizations to strategize on building a strong brand name as an employer. Research evidences have shown that a strong brand can be a company's most valuable asset, by increasing employee loyalty leading to lowering turnover and helping employers to stand effectively in the increasingly competitive job market. Externally, the employer brand functions to attract employees and create positive associations and enhance corporate image whereas, internally the employer brand generates value by creating a unifying and strong culture as well as increased employee satisfaction and commitment finally leading to employee loyalty (Edwards, 2010). In fact, the employer brand is embedded within theory of psychological contract; it impacts employee organizational relationship and also job motivation and satisfaction (Backhaus and Tikoo 2004). Therefore, the correlation between employer branding and the loyalty is found to be positive based on the commitment of the employees towards employer. This assumption has led the researcher to conduct a research on the relationship between the employer branding and employee loyalty in one of its most relevant service sector i.e. hospitality industry representing Ashok Group of Hotels and Taj Group Hotels from Northern India. The present study has adopted employer branding as multidimensional construct and in context of hospitality sector, the research has explored six dimensions of employer branding, which is found to be efficiently practiced by the hotels under reference. The research also points out that employer branding impacts employee loyalty positively. The study also generates a scope for another comprehensive exploratory study for the identification of variables other than employer branding that influence the employee loyalty.
Threat modeling using formal methods: A new approach to develop secure web applications

Software security problems exist since the early days of computer systems. Operating system level approaches, network level approaches and machine level approaches are not sufficient for the security of software systems. Software security has gained attention in the recent years as an internal security issue of software systems as compared to external protective measures. Threat modeling is a technique being used to model threats into software systems. By applying threat modeling at the early stages of software development life cycle, all possible threats to software systems can be identified and mitigated and hence in this way, a more secure software application can be developed. Various threat modeling approaches such as CLASP, SDL, STRIDE, DREAD, TAM and Touch Points are being used by many organizations for threat modeling into software systems. But all of the approaches being used for threat modeling are based on informal and semi formal techniques. Formal methods are based on mathematics and provide state of the art techniques for secure software development. Formal methods had been used successfully in many critical systems such as CICS, Paris Railway System and British Air Traffic Control System etc. In the proposed approach VDM++, will be used for specification of core components: STRIDE, DREAD and Security Mechanisms. VDM++Tools will be used for type checking and proof obligations.
Profile, spectrum and significance of HBV genotypes in chronic liver disease patients in the Indian subcontinent

Background and Aim Certain hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes have been alleged to be associated with the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the response to interferon therapy in Taiwanese patients. We undertook to study the prevalence and significance of HBV genotypes in the Indian subcontinent.
Analysis of 4999 Online Physician Ratings Indicates That Most Patients Give Physicians a Favorable Rating

Background Many online physician-rating sites provide patients with information about physicians and allow patients to rate physicians. Understanding what information is available is important given that patients may use this information to choose a physician. Objectives The goals of this study were to (1) determine the most frequently visited physician-rating websites with user-generated content, (2) evaluate the available information on these websites, and (3) analyze 4999 individual online ratings of physicians. Methods On October 1, 2010, using Google Trends we identified the 10 most frequently visited online physician-rating sites with user-generated content. We then studied each site to evaluate the available information (eg, board certification, years in practice), the types of rating scales (eg, 1–5, 1–4, 1–100), and dimensions of care (eg, recommend to a friend, waiting room time) used to rate physicians. We analyzed data from 4999 selected physician ratings without identifiers to assess how physicians are rated online. Results The 10 most commonly visited websites with user-generated content were HealthGrades.com, Vitals.com, Yelp.com, YP.com, RevolutionHealth.com, RateMD.com, Angieslist.com, Checkbook.org, Kudzu.com, and ZocDoc.com. A total of 35 different dimensions of care were rated by patients in the websites, with a median of 4.5 (mean 4.9, SD 2.8, range 1–9) questions per site. Depending on the scale used for each physician-rating website, the average rating was 77 out of 100 for sites using a 100-point scale (SD 11, median 76, range 33–100), 3.84 out of 5 (77%) for sites using a 5-point scale (SD 0.98, median 4, range 1–5), and 3.1 out of 4 (78%) for sites using a 4-point scale (SD 0.72, median 3, range 1–4). The percentage of reviews rated ≥75 on a 100-point scale was 61.5% (246/400), ≥4 on a 5-point scale was 57.74% (2078/3599), and ≥3 on a 4-point scale was 74.0% (740/1000). The patient’s single overall rating of the physician correlated with the other dimensions of care that were rated by patients for the same physician (Pearson correlation, r = .73, P < .001). Conclusions Most patients give physicians a favorable rating on online physician-rating sites. A single overall rating to evaluate physicians may be sufficient to assess a patient’s opinion of the physician. The optimal content and rating method that is useful to patients when visiting online physician-rating sites deserves further study. Conducting a qualitative analysis to compare the quantitative ratings would help validate the rating instruments used to evaluate physicians.
Barriers to Public Procurement: A Review and Recent Patterns in the EU

The international dimension of public procurement has gained in importance in the last decade and has attracted the attention of economist and policy makers. A number of trade agreements were signed with the intention to remove barriers to procurement markets and favour entry of foreign firms and products. However, empirical evidence shows that, despite the existence of trade agreements, discrimination towards foreign firms still applies in a number of countries around the world. In this paper, we discuss the methodologies used in the economic literature for the identification of overt and covert barriers to public tenders and some empirical evidence from the EU, TED database. We stress the importance of collecting high quality data for meliorating the ability of international traders to detect procurement barriers.
Slope modulation strategy for generated PWM

A new PWM technique is introduced based on the slope of the signal modulator. The technique was simulated and tested in the laboratory and results show that it generates very high quality voltages with few commutations. It was compared to other recent PWM techniques and achieved higher quality waves and greater fundamental R.M.S. voltage, with less than 65% of commutations per cycle. Its formulation is simple, itpsilas easy to implement and has a high degree of controllability.
SME brand identity: its components, and performance effects

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the performance effects of brand identity in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach The authors examine whether brand identity mediates the relationship between brand orientation and brand performance, and further, whether brand performance leads to better financial performance. The authors also study whether these performance effects are moderated by customer type and industry type. Differing from earlier research, this study analyzes brand identity through its constituent components: brand values, brand vision and brand positioning. The data include altogether 721 effective responses from Finnish SMEs. Structural equation modeling is used for testing the research hypotheses. Findings Brand positioning and brand vision have a direct positive effect on brand performance, which in turn, positively affects financial performance. Brand orientation drives the components of brand identity. Importantly, there is variation in some of the relationships between brand orientation, brand values, brand vision and brand positioning across business-to-business firms and business-to-customer firms, and across firms in service industries and in production industries. Research limitations/implications The research is based on a single-country sample. Including additional factors for the model with the potential to moderate the described relationships is also called for. Future research could also consider new potential brand identity components currently not addressed in the paper. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature by increasing the knowledge of SME branding.
Measuring youth outcomes from alcohol and drug treatment.

AIMS This report examines adolescent alcohol and drug treatment outcome research from a process-oriented, developmental perspective. A dynamic developmental model is proposed in which adolescent treatment outcome research incorporate considerations relevant to changes occurring typically during this stage of life as well as developmental distinctions pertinent to the early onset of abuse and dependence. METHOD Findings from our developmentally focused longitudinal research of adolescent treatment participants and the extant literature on adolescent treatment outcome are reviewed. Conceptual, research design and measurement recommendations are presented from this double developmental perspective of addiction. FINDINGS Techniques for engaging youth in the research process, managing confidentiality and facilitating self-disclosure are described. Developmental considerations in the type and timing of outcome assessments, measurement content, predictor domains and data analytical approaches are discussed. Predictors and process measures for adolescent alcohol treatment outcome study are suggested based on current findings. CONCLUSIONS Inclusion of developmental considerations may enhance the utility of adolescent treatment outcome research.
Intimate Partner Violence Between Male Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and Their Female Partners Who Seek Couples Therapy

The current study has three aims: (1) to describe the frequency, gender differences, and agreement in couples’ reports of male-to-female and female-to-male intimate partner violence (IPV) reported by male veterans and their female partners who were seeking couples therapy; (2) to describe the pattern of violence reported by these couples (e.g., one-sided, mutual) and determine if frequency of violence varied based on patterns; and (3) to examine whether frequency of violence or pattern of violence were associated with veteran diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One hundred heterosexual couples (male Iraq/Afghanistan veteran, female civilian) seeking couples therapy at a Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic completed self-report measures of violence in their relationship. Almost all couples reported verbal aggression. Men reported perpetrating more frequent sexual coercion, and women reported perpetrating more frequent physical aggression. Correspondence in partners’ reports of violence varied based on type of violence from high correspondence on verbal aggression to low correspondence on sexual coercion. Three patterns of violence were identified: verbally aggressive (n = 45), one-sided physically aggressive (n = 27), and mutually physically aggressive (n = 26). Mutually physically aggressive couples generally reported the most frequent violence. Frequency and pattern of violence were not associated with veteran diagnosis of PTSD. Findings underscore the need for clinicians to assess both partners for violence perpetration and the need for effective prevention strategies and treatments for IPV among veterans.
Bounding equilibrium payoffs in repeated games with private monitoring

We provide a simple sufficient condition for the existence of a recursive upper bound on (the Pareto frontier of) the sequential equilibrium payoff set at a fixed discount factor in two-player repeated games with imperfect private monitoring. The bounding set is the sequential equilibrium payoff set with perfect monitoring and a mediator. We show that this bounding set admits a simple recursive characterization, which nonetheless necessarily involves the use of private strategies. Under our condition, this set describes precisely those payoff vectors that arise in equilibrium for some private monitoring structure, if either non-stationary monitoring or communication is allowed.
Targeting and Immobilization of Bioactive Peptides on Dentin Matrix

The regeneration of structurally/functionally competent tooth root cementum is a critical step for the successful restoration of periodontal attachment. In this study, we tested whether a poly-glutamic acid-rich domain and glutamine-containing transglutaminase substrate can be used to target biologically active peptides to the mineralized root matrix and to bind such peptides covalently to the organic matrix. As a biologically active model molecule, the integrin-binding motif, RGD, was used. The effects of immobilization of such synthetic peptides to the dentin matrix on cementoblastic adhesion in vitro and cementogenesis in vivo were studied. In vitro, cementoblastic adhesion improved significantly when the dentin surface contained covalently bound peptides. In vivo, this bound peptide significantly increased cementum formation compared with that attained in control conditions. Transglutaminase-catalyzed covalent binding of bioactive peptides targeted to mineralized collagenous dentin matrix via the poly-glutamate domain can be readily achieved. This approach offers potential for clinical use in periodontal regeneration.
E-health Business Models: From pilot project to successful deployment

Innovation in healthcare through information systems can be seen as the land of opportunities. Ehealth promises both quality improvements and higher efficiency but many of these systems end up as “successful pilots”. Although end users are satisfied and initial objectives are reached in terms of product quality and testing results, most of the innovations never reach the real world. In this study the main question is how to break through the impasse of e-health diffusion? With five cases empirical proof of the impasse is found and with business model theory these cases are analyzed. The practical contributions of this study show an emphasis on the financial business model and show that most of the innovations are technology driven. The case studies add dynamism and context to the model and change the perspective from ex post research to ex ante research. This result facilitates further research in business modeling by delivering a dynamic business model research framework.
Spatial Consentration and Factors that Affect the Competitiveness of Province Superior Industries in Indonesia

This paper aims to analyze the agglomeration and competitiveness ofsuperior province main industries, the causality relationship between agglomeration and competitiveness industry and the factors that influence competitiveness of superior province main industries. This study large and medium scale industry raw data. The data used in this research were secondary data, panel data with time period 2006 – 2013 and cross section data this used 33 province in Indonesia. The data analysis used Hoover Balassa Index, Location Quotient, Grangger Causality method and panel data method with Fixed Effect Model.The result of analysis Granger Causality showed agglomeration and industrial competitivenessthat had a positive two-way relationship. The result of panel data regression showed factors that influence the competitiveness of superior province main industries. Those were compani size, raw material input, value added, foreign direct invesment, industry competition index,road infrastructure, electric infrasructure, and service bureaucracy dummy.
Reinsertion of the gastric coronary vein to avoid venous gastric congestion in pancreatic surgery.

Both partial and total pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) are standard surgical procedures and can be combined with resection of the mesenteric–portal venous axis. During such procedures, the gastric coronary vein (CV) may be sacrificed as a result of direct tumour involvement, may be iatrogenically injured or may require ligation because its drainage is resected. The CV drains both the anterior and posterior stomach walls, and thus is extremely important to the venous drainage of the stomach. The coronary vein may terminate into the portal vein (PV) either distal to or at the confluence of the splenic and portal veins (type 1 anatomy), or alternatively the CV may terminate into the splenic vein alone (type 2 anatomy) (Fig. 1). Combining pancreatic resection with resection of the portosplenic venous axis such that the splenic vein is either resected or disconnected from the PV can severely compromise gastric venous drainage, leading to venous congestion and subsequent ischaemia. The aim of this report is to describe the indications for and the technical approach to the preservation of venous gastric drainage by reconstructing the CV into the portal venous system.
How Oestrogen or Progesterone might Change a woman's susceptibility to HIV‐1 infection

Worldwide, 18.5 million women are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1). At least 80% of these HIV infections have occurred as a result of sexual intercourse with an infected male partner. This review focuses on how HIV‐1 enters the human female reproductive tract, and how oestrogen or progesterone, by altering the cervicovaginal epithelium, might change a woman's susceptibility to HIV infection.
Three CIO Advisory Board Responses to "Managing the Realization of Business Benefits from IT Investments"

Ted DellaVecchia, one of three members of the newly formed CIO Advisory Board, to comment on the Peppard et al. article, believes the authors are on the right track in emphasizing business value and the demand side of IT investments, to successfully realize the benefits. Furthermore, he surmises that a framework like the Benefits Dependency Network (BDN) might also be useful in high-level corporate governance—perhaps to assess the strategic alignment of the IT portfolio with the business.