Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dual Role Advisors and Conflicts of Interest

An advisor to a firm targeted in a merger or acquisition that simultaneously is involved in financing the bidding part of the deal is referred to as a dual role advisor. Being a dual role advisor can create conflicts of interest through the possible perception that the investment bank's advice to the seller throughout the bidding process is tainted by a desire on the part of the advisor to obtain additional fees from financing the successful bidder. I find support for this fear in a study of 1,023 public US mergers and acquisitions over the period 1993 to 2008. Conflicts of interest are manifested through that deals which involve a dual role advisor are, compared to deals with no dual role advisors; (a) performed at lower premium, (b) are more likely to be subject to a lawsuit, (c) feature lower merger advisor fees and (d) are commensurate with higher announcement returns for bidders. All in all, the results suggest that investment banks may not have fulfilled their obligation of obtaining the highest possible price on behalf of the seller and I find no evidence that dual role advising is a helpful feature in transactions where it might be difficult to otherwise obtain bidding financing. Interestingly, target firms with sound corporate governance practices are less likely to encounter dual role situations.
The Norma cluster (ACO 3627) – III. The distance and peculiar velocity via the near-infrared Ks-band Fundamental Plane

While Norma (ACO 3627) is the richest cluster in the Great Attractor (GA) region, its role in the local dynamics is poorly understood. The Norma cluster has a mean redshift (zCMB) of 0.0165 and has been proposed as the ‘core’ of the GA. We have used the Ks-band Fundamental Plane (FP) to measure Norma cluster's distance with respect to the Coma cluster. We report FP photometry parameters (effective radii and surface brightnesses), derived from ESO New Technology Telescope Son of ISAAC images, and velocity dispersions, from Anglo-Australian Telescope 2dF spectroscopy, for 31 early-type galaxies in the cluster. For the Coma cluster we use Two Micron All Sky Survey images and Sloan Digital Sky Survey velocity dispersion measurements for 121 early-type galaxies to generate the calibrating FP data set. For the combined Norma–Coma sample we measure FP coefficients of a = 1.465 ± 0.059 and b = 0.326 ± 0.020. We find an rms scatter, in log σ, of ∼0.08 dex which corresponds to a distance uncertainty of ∼28 per cent per galaxy. The zero-point offset between Norma's and Coma's FPs is 0.154 ± 0.014 dex. Assuming that the Coma cluster is at rest with respect to the cosmic microwave background frame and zCMB(Coma) = 0.0240, we derive a distance to the Norma cluster of 5026 ± 160 km s−1, and the derived peculiar velocity is −72 ± 170 km s−1, i.e. consistent with zero. This is lower than previously reported positive peculiar velocities for clusters/groups/galaxies in the GA region and hence the Norma cluster may indeed represent the GA's ‘core’.
THE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM IN BLENDED LEARNING MATHEMATICS UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

In March 2001 a group of mathematicians working at Università Bocconi (Milan) started a project focused on integrating the use of e-Learning technologies into the traditional structure of Mathematics courses for undergraduates. A preliminary description of our experience was presented at the Second International Conference on the Teaching of Mathematics at undergraduate level (Crete 2002). After a brief up-to-date description of the whole project, we examine the possible roles of Internet course forums; we believe that a lively and effective virtual classroom is the key factor to differentiate between weak and strong uses of blended learning technologies. However, the analysis of quantitative data coming from the tracking of messages exchanged in course forums seems to show that online participation accounts for only a slight improvement (if any) in the students’ performance in mathematics. Finally, we draw some conclusions and suggest future developments.
SpinNet: A New Tool To Study The Population Structure With A Genome-Wide SNP Survey

Recent technical advances in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip technology have led to SNPs becoming the most developed and abundant markers in livestock science. However, current available applications of algorithms in population genetics turn out to be impractical due to intensive computational demand (e.g. STRUCTURE) (Price et al. (2006)) given the vast amount of data derived from thousands of individuals and thousands of markers. This study addresses this problem and introduces the idea of network analysis into the field of studies on population structure. Network theory describes the ability to sub-divide a network of nodes into community structures, which provides help in understanding and visualizing the structure of the respective network. To identify these community structures, many different approaches have been developed, including vertex similarity, the vertex degree gradient, the resistor network and the Potts Hamiltonian model. In this study, we have used an unsupervised clustering approach, so-called Super Paramagnetic Clustering (SPC) (Blatt et al. (1996)), which uses the Potts Hamiltonian model (Reichardt and Bornholdt 2004)) to identify community structures in population networks. Since SPC uses a so-called spin-spin correlation function to extract the community structure in networks, we call this method SpinNet. The objective of this study was to test a new method, which automatically identifies population structures without any prior ancestry information in panel bovine samples genotyped with a high density whole-genome SNP panel.
EFFECT OF FABA BEAN SEEDS AND THEIR FRACTIONS ON RAT CAECUM

The influence of dietary supplementation (5%) of a casein diet with faba bean seeds, haba bean hulls and faba bean oligosaccharides extracted from cotyledons on the metabolism of the caecum was investigated in an experiment on Wistar rats. In rats receiving the diet with seeds and their fractions (hulls and oligosaccharides), a greater weight of caecal tissue (especially in oligosaccharide treatment) was recorded, compared with the control group. The significantly greater accumulation of digesta was observed only in the case of the oligosaccharide group. The highest hydration of digesta as well as activity of bacterial β-glucuronidase activity was in the control group. The highest activity of β-glucosidase was in group fed diet containing whole faba bean seeds. The oligosaccharide addition to a diet was associated with the highest activities of α-glucosidase and α-galactosidase, the highest production of short-chain fatty acids in the caecum as well as the most beneficial composition of particular acids.
Role of rectal diclofenac suppository for prevention and its impact on severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis in high risk patients

Aims: to study the role of rectal diclofenac in prevention of post-ErcP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) pancreatitis and its impact on severity of post-ErcP pancreatitis. Methods: We conducted a single centre, prospective, open labelled, randomized trial for evaluating the use of rectal diclofenac in prevention of post-ErcP pancreatitis in high risk patients. We assessed 526 patients given for ErcP for different indications. 400 patients were eligible for the study. those not fitting the high risk criteria and with acute pancreatitis were excluded. these patients were randomized in two groups, 200 patients received rectal diclofenac prior to or during the procedure while 200 patients received placebos. serum amylase was measured at 2 hr and 36 hr. PostErcP pancreatitis was defined as serum amylase > 3 times ULN associated with severe abdominal pain. severity was graded according to days of hospitalization and complications. results: 29 out of 400 (7.2%) patients developed post
Représentation des diagnostics de tumeurs utilisés par les registres des cancers par l’intermédiaire du NCI thesaurus : évaluation de cette terminologie comme outil pour l’utilisation conjointe de données en cancérologie

Contexte : Plusieurs terminologies sont utilisees en routine pour coder les diagnostics de cancer. Pour pouvoir utiliser conjointement des informations issues de differentes sources, il faut etre en mesure de mettre en correspondance les diagnostics semblables entre eux, codees a l’aide de ces differentes terminologies, c’est a dire de rattacher sous un meme concept des codes differents, et ce sans modification ou perte d’information. Le NCI thesaurus (NCIt) a semble etre une terminologie de choix pour l’elaboration d’une terminologie pivot afin de representer de maniere consensuelle et centralisee les concepts des differentes terminologies diagnostiques en cancerologie. La CIM-O3 a ete choisie pour debuter le travail de mapping vers cette terminologie cible. Objectif : L’objectif etait d’evaluer la possibilite de representer les donnees diagnostiques d’un registre general des cancers de l’adulte grâce a des concepts du NCIt, par l’intermediaire d’un mapping valide etabli prealablement entre la CIM-O3 et le NCIt et des relations existant entre les concepts du NCIt. Methode : Une premiere phase a consiste en l’elaboration d’un mapping de la CIM-O3 vers le NCIt. La seconde phase s’est attachee a evaluer la possibilite de representer les diagnostics reels du Registre General des Cancers de la Gironde (RGCG), codes en CIM-O3, avec des concepts du NCIt. Pour chaque phase, une validation manuelle par une equipe de medecins a ete realisee. Resultats : Au 31 janvier 2015, la validation par l’equipe de medecins avait permis d’obtenir 605 mappings valides d’un code CIM-O3 vers un code NCIt (40,3% des 1500 codes CIM-O3). Il existait 21 694 tumeurs (52,20% des 41 553 tumeurs enregistrees par le RGCG durant la periode d’inclusion) ayant un mapping complet de leur diagnostic. Au total, 7822 tumeurs (18,8% des 41 553 tumeurs du RGCG) avaient un diagnostic qui pointait vers un diagnostic NCIt pre-coordonne valide.
A Publication of the Association of Management TEAM PROGRAMMING INFLUENCING FACTORS : A FIELD SURVEY

A field survey was carried out on a group of professional programmers to locate influencing factors on team programming or pair programming productivity. From the collected responses, a variety of factors was presented. The most popular factor was “personality” and the second was “cognitive/programming style,” followed by “communication,” “programming skill,” “ability to work with others,” and other factors. There were altogether some twenty factors. The results were further broken down into a number of sub-groups: ten or more years of programming experience, less than ten years of programming experience, twelve months or more of pair programming experience, less than twelve months of pair programming experience, management, and non-management. Overall, the experienced and management groups placed more importance on human factors such as “ability to work with others,” whereas the less-experienced and non-management groups gave more weight to technical factors such as programming skills. The results connote the underlying psychosocial interactions present in the team programming environment. Overall, human factors such as “personality” were perceived to be more significant than technical factors on pair programming productivity.
Segmentation of Welding Defects using Level Set Methods

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a technique used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material without causing damage. In this paper we propose a method for segmenting radiographic images of welding in order to extract the welding defects which may occur during the welding process. We study different methods of level set and choose the model adapted to our application. The methods presented here take the property of local segmentation geodesic active contours and have the ability to change the topology automatically. The computation time is considerably reduced after taking into account a new level set function which eliminates the reinitialization procedure. Satisfactory results are obtained after applying this algorithm both on synthetic and real images.
A New Grounding Scheme to Reduce the Electromagnetic Emission of Smart Power SoCs

—The paper deals with the electromagnetic emissions of smart power System-on-Chips (SoCs). The propagation of core-logic switching noise through the silicon substrate and through the package lead-frame is investigated and the effectiveness of three different substrate grounding solutions to attenuate conducted emission is proved by means of computer analyses and experimental tests.
How Best to Auction Natural Resources

I study the design of auctions of natural resources, such as oil or mineral rights. A good auction design promotes both an efficient assignment of rights and competitive revenues for the seller. The structure of bidder preferences and the degree of competition are key factors in determining the best design. With weak competition and simple value structures, a simultaneous first-price sealed-bid auction may suffice. With more complex value structures, a dynamic auction with package bids likely is needed to promote efficiency and revenue objectives. Bidding on production shares, rather than bonuses, typically increases government take by reducing oil or mining company risk.
A search into the faulting mechanism of the 1891 great Nobi earthquake.

The 1891 Nobi earthquake was the greatest (M≅8) inland earthquake in Japan, which was accompanied by surface fault breaks extending over 80 km, with unusually large displacements with a maximum displacement of 8 m, and also caused pronounced vertical and horizontal tectonic movements, extremely strong ground motions and heavy seismic damage. All these geophysical and geological data are used together to recover the general features of the faulting mechanism from a modern seismological viewpoint based on dislocation theories. The fault rupture seems to have initiated at a depth around the northwestern end of the fault, and propagated southeastwards almost unilaterally at velocities of about 2.5 km/sec, forming successive fault slips with a sliding velocity of probably over 100 cm/sec, down to at least 15 km depth along three major preexisting Quaternary faults. The rupture propagation was temporarily blocked probably by the curvature of the fault traces or by small lateral heterogeneities at the southern end of the Neodani fault, and then branched off into two directions including along a deep latent fault extending southward. All seismic faulting appears to have been completed within 40 sec. A uniform geology in basement rocks covering a wide region is considered to have allowed the formation of this long fault. The released stresses are estimated to be 40-150 bars, which appear appreciably different from one place to another. Unusually large displacements and stresses in the southern part of the Neodani fault may be attributed to the nature of the fault plane there. A part of the stresses appears to have been released by a small amount of aseismic slip that continued for longer than 20 years. Possible sources of the stresses that caused this great earthquake are also discussed.
Estimating Passing Demand

This paper, from the 2004 conference proceedings of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) Transportation Group, addresses the issue of the assessment of passing lanes and their adequacy in various settings in New Zealand. The authors note that nearly all of New Zealand's strategic routes have been built as two-lane highways, often through mountainous and rolling country. Increasing traffic flows have increased the demand for passing lanes to increase passing opportunities for users. Currently, passing lane benefits are assessed using computer microsimulation, which can be expensive. In this paper, the authors report on the use of a simplified procedure for estimating passing demand. They found that the equations used in the simplified procedure for estimating passing demand between two streams has a critical flaw that occurs when the standard deviation of the speeds of the faster stream is low, causing the equations to estimate near zero passing demand when some demand would in fact exist. This raises doubt about the accuracy and robustness of the equations used in estimating passing demand in the economic evaluation of passing lanes. The authors briefly propose additional research that would continue the development of a single equation for determining passing demand, using a single speed distribution for all traffic.
Characterization of Lactobacillus species isolated from mash, sour wort and tchapalo produced in Côte d'Ivoire.

A total of 146 Lactobacillus strains isolated in tchapalo processing were characterized by phenotypic methods. Of these strains, 82.88% were heterofermentative strains and 17.12% homofermentative strains. Among the 82 strains identified using multiplex PCR methods, 55 strains were identified including L. fermentum (63.63%), L. brevis (21.82%), L. plantarum (9.1%) and L. hilgardii (5.45%). Api 50 CH identification system tested on twenty Lactobacillus strains allowed also to identify L. coprophilus and L. cellobiosus. L. fermentum was the predominant species which appeared in all samples of mash, sour wort and tchapalo. Thirty-one strains were analyzed for acid production and antimicrobial activities against indicator strains (E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, B. subtilis ATCC 6633 and S. aureus ATCC 25913). Results showed that the acid production by strains varied within strains of the same species and between species also. Four strains were able to inhibit the growth of most of indicator strains with a broad spectrum. The inhibition diameters were between 8 mm and 21 mm. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gentrification Trends in New Transit-Oriented Communities: Evidence from 14 Cities that Expanded and Built Rail Transit Systems

Over 25 billion dollars were spent between 1970 and 2000 in 14 major cities in the United States on the construction of new rail transit lines. This massive investment in rail transit construction and expansion allows me to study the consequences of local public goods improvements for communities nearby new stations. This article uses a 14-city census tract-level panel data set covering the years 1970 to 2000 to document significant heterogeneity in the effects of rail transit expansions across the 14 cities. Communities receiving increased access to new "Walk and Ride" stations experience greater gentrification than communities that are now close to new "Park and Ride" stations. Copyright 2007 American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association
On-board high-performance computing for multi-robot aerial systems

With advancements in low-energy-consumption multi/many core embedded-computing devices, a logical transition for robotic systems is Supercomputing, formally known as high performance computing (HPC), a tool currently used for solving the most complex problems for humankind such as the origin of the universe, the finding of deceases’ cures, etc. As such, HPC has always been focused on scientific inquires. However, its scope can be widening up to include missions carried out with robots. Since a robot could be embedded with computing devices, a set of robots could be set as a cluster of computers, the most reliable HPC infrastructure. The advantages of setting up such an infrastructure are many, from speeding up on-board computation up to providing a multi-robot system with robustness, scalability, user transparency, etc., all key features in supercomputing. This chapter presents a middleware technology for the enabling of high performance computing in multi-robot systems, in particular for aerial robots. The technology can be used for the automatic deployment of cluster computing in multi-robot systems, the utilization of standard HPC technologies, and the development of HPC applications in multiple fields such as precision agriculture, military, civilian, search and rescue, etc.
Markerless structure-based multi-sensor calibration for free viewpoint video capture

Free-viewpoint capture technologies have recently started demonstrating impressive results. Being able to capture human performances in full 3D is a very promising technology for a variety of applications. However, the setup of the capturing infrastructure is usually expensive and requires trained personnel. In this work we focus on one practical aspect of setting up a free-viewpoint capturing system, the spatial alignment of the sensors. Our work aims at simplifying the external calibration process that typically requires signiﬁcant human intervention and technical knowledge. Our method uses an easy to assemble structure and unlike similar works, does not rely on markers or features. Instead, we exploit the a-priori knowledge of the structure’s geometry to establish correspondences for the little-overlapping viewpoints typically found in free-viewpoint capture setups. These establish an initial sparse alignment that is then densely optimized. At the same time, our pipeline improves the robustness to assembly errors, allowing for non-technical users to calibrate multi-sensor setups. Our results showcase the feasibility of our approach that can make the tedious calibration process easier, and less error-prone.
Solution methods for migrating fibre in current telecommunication networks

Almost one third of the Dutch population has a fibre optic connection, also called Fibre to the Home (FttH). Fibre is currently the fastest and most reliable Internet technology. It consists of strong and flexible wires that are able to transport light signals over long distances. With such fibre optic connections, information is transmitted from one place to another when pulses of light are sent through an optical fibre and can reach Internet speeds of 500 Mb per second. In an ideal situation, all copper in the networks would be replaced by fiber. However, such an operation would be too expensive to complete all at once, so therefore, it would not be a feasible solution. However, it is also possible to replace parts of the copper network by fibre. For example, the extension of Fibre to the Curb could significantly increase the bandwidth, compared to services offered over a copper cable starting at the Central Office. Furthermore, for this extension, less costs are also involved compared to an extension of Fibre to the Home. On the other hand, the extension to a total fibre network will reach a higher bandwidth compared to an extension of Fibre to the Curb.
On the Physical Interpretation of the Sobolev Norm in Error Estimation

Error estimates for the moment method have been obtained in terms of Sobolev norms of the current solution. Motivated by the historical origins of Sobolev spaces as energy spaces, we show that the Sobolev norm used in these estimates is related to the forward scattering amplitude, for the case of 2D scattering from a PEC circular cylinder and for 3D scattering from a PEC sphere. These results provide a physical meaning for solution error estimates in terms of the power radiated by the error in the current solution. We further show that bounds on the Sobolev norm of the current error imply a bound on the error in the computed backscattering amplitude.