Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring and Reporting on Social Performance: From Numbers and Narratives to a Useful Reporting Framework for Social Enterprises

ABSTRACT This paper examines the need for a framework for social enterprises to measure and report on social performance. Reviewing social reporting practice, and concepts central to financial reporting, this paper presents a framework for social performance reporting in the context of social enterprises. A Statement of Social Performance and is developed, through consideration of social reporting approaches, influences, and issues in third sector and private sector organisations. This Statement is applied in the context of an employment and training social enterprise, demonstrating its application in practice.
Stochastic FDTD/VFETD schemes with MOR for random nanomaterials and graphene nanostructures

A stochastic spectrally-controllable methodology for the precise design of 3-D nanomedia and graphene-based components with statistical parameters is introduced in this paper. The new technique develops a set of reduced-order models for a hybrid finite-difference time-domain/vector finite-element time-domain (FDTD/VFETD) formulation, tailored to comply with the specifications of nano-EMC environments. Moreover, state-space approximations are delivered via Krylov-based Laguerre polynomials to get single-run evaluations of the mean value and standard deviation, unlike the unduly needs of multiple-realization Monte-Carlo FDTD approaches. The hybrid algorithm, accelerated via GPU programming, is verified by realistic nanoscale setups with complex geometries, large electrical sizes, and curved interfaces.
Consumer resistance between conflict and cooperation: the extreme case of orphan drugs

Purpose – This paper aims to explore how consumer groups with limited resources and means of action are able to resist market pressures and how they are sometimes able to modify corporate practices.Design/methodology/approach – A case study was carried out in France concerning the mobilization of patients suffering from rare diseases. Two data sources are used: semi‐structured interviews and documentary sources.Findings – In this extreme context, the activists fight to expand the reach of existing market institutions so that those who do not have access to a treatment can finally benefit from the existence of a drug. In order to reach this goal, activists need to collaborate with the incumbents so that the system can be reformed from the inside. Resistance then becomes a productive act of power for the targeted firms.Originality/value – This paper emphasizes a case of minor resistance whose aim is not to radically change the market system but rather to propose moderate adjustments which would allow existi.
The Smart Transformer: Impact on the Electric Grid and Technology Challenges

The increasing proliferation of renewable energy resources and new sizeable loads like electric vehicle (EV) charging stations has posed many technical and operational challenges to distribution grids [1]. Encouraged by attractive tax incentives and promotion policies, local grid end consumers are becoming not only consumers of electricity but, in many cases, also producers. The actual electric distribution system limits the use of renewable energy resources, offers poor EV infrastructure, and is based on a unidirectional information flow from sources to control centers.
Financial Practices and Performance of Small and Medium - sized Enterprises in Sri Lanka

The objective of this research is to find out the financial practices among Small & Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka. Further, it finds out the impact of financial practices upon business performance amongst SMEs in Sri Lanka. The SME sector has become a crucial segment and a major section of private sector in developing countries. Therefore, for the developing countries, it is important to accelerate the growth of SMEs in order to gain sustainable development. However, poor record keeping, inefficient use of accounting information to support their financial decision-making and the low quality and reliability of financial data are part of the main problems in financial management concerns of SMEs. Therefore, through this research an attempt is made to ascertain the comprehensiveness of financial practices adopted by SMEs in Sri Lanka and evaluate whether financial practices have an impact on performance of these organizations. The data and information required for the study are obtained through a questionnaire survey conducted. The primary concern is with the various financial practices within cooperating SMEs. Here, financial systems and their review, financial audit, historical and futureoriented financial reporting practices and historical financial statement analysis practices are all considered. Secondly, the study is able to establish some associations exist between the comprehensiveness of financial practices adopted by SMEs in the study sample and measures of SME performance and the relationship were evaluated by using correlation coefficients.
INF-UFRGS at SemEval-2017 Task 5: A Supervised Identification of Sentiment Score in Tweets and Headlines

This paper describes a supervised solution for detecting the polarity scores of tweets or headline news in the financial domain, submitted to the SemEval 2017 Fine-Grained Sentiment Analysis on Financial Microblogs and News Task. The premise is that it is possible to understand market reaction over a company stock by measuring the positive/negative sentiment contained in the financial tweets and news headlines, where polarity is measured in a continuous scale ranging from -1.0 (very bearish) to 1.0 (very bullish). Our system receives as input the textual content of tweets or news headlines, together with their ids, stock cashtag or name of target company, and the polarity score gold standard for the training dataset. Our solution retrieves features from these text instances using n-gram, hashtags, sentiment score calculated by a external APIs and others features to train a regression model capable to detect continuous score of these sentiments with precision.
A Transaction Cost Perspective on Vertical Contractual Structure and Interchannel Competitive Strategies

Despite potent theory to contrast transactional governance in “markets and hierarchies,” the variety of extant channel systems strains this dichotomy. The authors examine three contractually integrated channel systems in the hardware industry: wholesale voluntary chains, dealer cooperatives, and independents. They extrapolate from a transaction cost perspective to frame hypothesized differences in decision making structures and competitive strategic postures across relational forms. Results from a sample survey of retail informants are generally supportive.
Pollen amino acids and flower specialisation in solitary bees

Pollen nutrient composition could be important in host-plant selection of oligolectic bees. In this study, pollen samples from 142 plant species were analysed separately for water-soluble and protein-bound amino acids. The composition of amino acids varied strongly among plant species, but taxonomically related species had similar compositions. All plant species contained the entire set of essential amino acids, although some in small quantities. Total concentration of freeand protein-bound amino acids was significantly lower in pollen sources used by oligoleges than in other pollen sources. Pollen sources of oligoleges showed a lower concentration of essential amino acids and deviated more strongly from the ideal composition of essential amino acids as determined for honey bees than plants not hosting oligoleges. However, this trend was not confirmed on a cruder phylogenetic plant family level, where pollen chosen by oligolectic bees was similar to other pollen.ZusammenfassungDie meisten Bienen ernähren sich ausschließlich von Pollen und Nektar, wobei Pollen die primäre Proteinquelle ihrer Larven darstellt. Während oligolektische Bienen auf den Pollen einer oder mehrerer nah verwandter Pflanzenarten spezialisiert sind, ist das Blütenspektrum polylektischer Bienen breiter. Der Vorteil der Oligolektie ist bisher weitgehend unbekannt, wobei eine Vielzahl von Hypothesen diskutiert wird. Dazu gehören eine höhere Effizienz der Pollenspezialisten beim Sammeln und bei der Verdauung des Pollens, sowie eine Spezialisierung auf Pollen mit höherem Stickstoffgehalt. Unser Ziel war, herauszufinden, ob die Pollenqualität, insbesondere der Anteil der essentiellen Aminosäuren (Abb. 1), für die Wahl bestimmter Pflanzenarten durch oligolektische Bienen verantwortlich sein könnte. Die Aminosäurezusammensetzung der Pollen von 142 Pflanzenarten (Tab. I) zeigte signifikante Unterschiede zwischen Pflanzenfamilien (Abb. 2). Von oligolektischen Bienen genutzter Pollen unterschied sich jedoch in der Komposition nicht signifikant von anderen Pollenarten. Allerdings enthielt der von oligolektischen Bienen genutzte Pollen eine signifikant geringere Konzentration an Aminosäuren (Abb. 3). Zudem zeigte sich eine verminderte Nahrungsqualität bei Pollenquellen oligolektischer Bienen: Die Komposition essentieller Aminosäuren zeigte eine signifikant größere Diskrepanz zu der für Honigbienen als ideal beschriebenen Komposition als die übrigen Pollenarten. Daher könnte spekuliert werden, dass oligolektische Bienen nährstoffärmeren Pollen nutzen, um interspezifische Konkurrenz mit anderen Pollenkonsumenten zu verringern. Hinweise auf tatsächlich verminderte Konkurrenz gibt es jedoch bislang nicht. Der Befund, dass oligolektische Bienen auf qualitativ minderwertigen Pollen spezialisiert sind, ist zudem stark geprägt durch die in der Analyse überrepräsentierten Asteraceen und Lamiaceen. Diese weisen ähnlich geringe Aminosäurekonzentrationen auf. Auf Familienniveau zeigte der von oligolektischen Bienen genutzte Pollen keine signifikant geringere Qualität.
Miniaturized large-grating-clearance linear encoder based on beam-splitting optical system with MOEMS LD and wireless moving part for rebound nondestructive testing

One factor that limits use of grating linear encoders in rebound hammers for concrete nondestructive testing (NDT) is the lack of a sufficiently compact, dustproof and antiseismic structure. We investigate a miniaturized, large clearance and antiseismic beam-splitting-optical-system (BSOS) linear encoder using a wireless scanning unit and a scale unit. The scanning unit contains a scanning reticle and a total-reflection mirror. The scale unit contains a micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) laser diode (LD), a photocell and a high strength steel tape scale. The BSOS reduces the linear encoder thickness to 1cm, almost half that of the traditional one; the MOEMS LD enlarges the grating pair clearance by 1.4∼2.4 times, improving durability and scratch resistance; and the wireless moving part enhances antiseismic performance. The linear encoder is integrated into a photoelectric digital rebound hammer to record, transform and digitize rebound displacement for NDT.
The study on the dualband filter with common cavity

This paper introduces a method on the dualband filter with common cavity, which is based on the coupling matrix of the General Chebyshev filter, and then writing a matlab program can help us to get the parameters that we need more easier. In this article, the transmission band of the dualband filter is independently controlled. It can respectively by means of adjusting the coupling coefficients between the common cavity and the resonant units of the first passband filter and the second passband filter. At the same time, cross coupling is introduced in the passband filter, which is a good way to reduce the filter size. To verify the paper work, a dualband filter with common cavity design is introduced in the paper, whose test results and simulation results are perfectly identical with each other.
The Impact Of Content And Design Elements On Banner Advertising Click-Through Rates

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of content and design elements on the click-through rates of banner advertisements using data from 8,725 real banner advertisements. It is one of the first empirical studies to examine banner advertising effectiveness (measured by click-through rates) and also one of the first to examine the differences between business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) banner advertisements. Content elements examined include the use of incentives and emotional appeals. Design elements examined include the use of interactivity, color, and animation. Results suggest that content and design elements do not work the same way for B2B and B2C banner advertisements.
GP commissioning: implications for the third sector

The reforms proposed in the 2010 UK National Health Service (NHS) White Paper hold the potential for major changes to the landscape of the NHS. Although the third sector is not mentioned very much in this document, the implications for the sector are significant. This paper sets out the recent history of NHS reform and the detail of the changes before outlining some of the potential implications of these changes for the third sector.
Optimization of Dynamic Virtual Machine Consolidation in Cloud Computing Data Centers

The present study aims at recognizing the problem of dynamic virtual machine (VM) Consolidation using virtualization, live migration of VMs from underloaded and overloaded hosts and switching idle nodes to the sleep mode as a very effective approach for utilizing resources and accessing energy efficient cloud computing data centres. The challenge in the present study is to reduce energy consumption thus guarantee Service Level Agreement (SLA) at its highest level. The proposed algorithm predicts CPU utilization in near future using Time-Series method as well as Simple Exponential Smoothing (SES) technique, and takes appropriate action based on the current and predicted CPU utilization and comparison of their values with the dynamic upper and lower thresholds. The four phases in this algorithm include identification of overloaded hosts, identification of underloaded hosts, selection of VMs for migration and identification of appropriate hosts as the migration destination. The study proposes solutions along with dynamic upper and lower thresholds in regard with the first two phases. By comparing current and predicted CPU utilizations with these thresholds, overloaded and underloaded hosts are accurately identified to let migration happen only from the hosts which are currently as well as in near future overloaded and underloaded. The authors have used Maximum Correlation (MC) VM selection policy in the third phase, and attempted in phase four such that hosts with moderate loads, i.e. not overloaded hosts, liable to overloading and underloaded, are selected as the migration destination. The simulation results from the Clouds framework demonstrate an average reduction of 83.25, 25.23 percent and 61.1 in the number of VM migrations, energy consumption and SLA violations (SLAV), respectively.
Introduction to this issue: international perspectives on psychopathic disorders.

The importance of characterological disturbances, that contribute towards individual patterns of law breaking behavior, to legal systems in all countries should be self-evident. Contributors to this international perspective issue represent Canada, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States, and data from several additional European countries were included in Hare's article. This issue addresses emotional deficiency, molecular genetics, construct and predictive validity of the PCL-R, psychosocial predictors and treatment. Critical analyses of current models for civil commitment and criminal responsibility vis-à-vis psychopathic disorders contribute towards informed dialectic on these compelling public policy issues. We hope that readers will find that these articles collectively advance our understanding of the nature of these disorders, currently available therapeutic interventions, and today's critical social issues.
Market Driven Public Institutions Attract Resources

The article is an empirical presentation of a study about the changes in marketing orientation and the simultaneous changes in the organizational resources of the public sector institu- tions. The present report is the part of a major project undertaken to: (a) study the extent to which marketing orientation has become the driving force in the institutions of higher education, (b) identify the structural characteristics which either hinder or facilitate the adop- tion of a marketing orientation, and (c) test the central hypothesis that the results of improved marketing orientation would be visible on the acquisition and the management of institutional resources. The research is based on an indepth case study approach whereby 81 administrators from 24 institutions were contacted through per- sonal interviews. Statistical analysis performed indicates that the adoption of marketing orientation has gained a significant momen- tum in public institutions over the five year period of investigation. The results c.
Secure Inter-Cloud architecture for virtual cloud computing based on hybrid IP and MPLS infrastructure solution

The Next Generation Networks use MPLS protocol in the core network to provide new services that are based on MPLS IP Cloud. This article describes an evaluation of key aspects for the construction of security on MPLS IP Inter-Cloud. The aspects to be evaluated are: separation of traffic between users of MPLS Inter-Cloud, connectivity among sites of the same Cloud application, protection of core of the cloud provider and possibility of using the same plan addresses by users, provided that they are in different MPLS IP Cloud. To achieve this goal it was proposed an architecture for assessment test.
The effect of extracorporeal circulation upon the tissue concentration of digoxin-H3.

The effect of extracorporeal circulation upon the radioactivity from tritium-labeled digoxin and/or its metabolites in heart muscle and other tissues of patients who underwent open heart surgery with the aid of extracorporeal circulation was studied. These experiments demonstrate that the digoxin concentration of the heart muscle was not significantly altered by extracorporeal circulation as measured by the radioactivity in the heart tissue and that no significant radioactivity was detected in the blood from the heart-lung pump. It should be emphasized that patients who are digitalized preoperatively and who undergo open heart surgery with the aid of extracorporeal circulation still have an appreciable amount of the digoxin in the myocardium and other tissues after cardiopulmonary by-pass. Since the concentration of digoxin in heart muscle which would produce maximal cardiotonic effect is not known, the postoperative administration of digoxin and other cardiac glycosides must be approached with caution.
A STUDY ON ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AS INCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN INDIA

This study focusses on the literature survey and identifying the research gap to frame the objectives of the study, formulate the hypotheses and pursue the research study. In todays globalize economy; competition is becoming even more intense. Many companies are trying very hard not only to satisfy their customer’s needs, but where possible, excel them. This can only be achieved through cost reduction, improvement in product performance, increased customer satisfaction and a constant effort towards world class organizations. In order for companies to survive and grow in the future, it is essential that they deliver high quality goods and services. Those that can deliver quality are the ones that will prosper in the next century (Ross, 1994) (1). Companies actually compete on three major issues; Quality, Price and Delivery. However, companies choosing the low cost approach may find themselves losing premium business to competitors while retaining the low-margin business in the long term (Victor, 1995). (2) Many companies have become aware of the need to make quality as the competitive marketing strategy in a global market. Large companies for instance, have started to implement total quality initiative in their products and services. The increasing acceptance of Total Quality Management (TQM) as a philosophy of management and a way of company life has taken place for almost three decades. Many companies understand that TQM is necessary for them to remain competitive, retaining their market share and to be able to respond to changing competitive demand in today business world. Based on some studies (Ross, 1994,(1) Ghobahdian, (1995) (3), Ahire et al., (1996)(4),Gulbro et al., (2000)(5), not all companies are able to implement TQM successfully. This is because it requires a different implementation approach to cater for the varying needs of the industries in order for effective implementation. Software industries have been slow in adopting TQM when compared to manufacturing companies which necessitated to pursue this thesis. Their involvement has focused primarily on ISO 9000 certification, and very few had advanced beyond that (Yusof, 2000) (6). Therefore, the identification of critical success factors for successful implementation as well as the problems faced by Software Industries in implementing TQM are an important area to be understood. The value of this research is one of the primary steps towards reaching the needs of Indian Software Industries that are trying to implement TQM in their business. With a better understanding of this issues, it can be a groundwork for the development of an appropriate TQM framework for practical implementation by the Software Industries.
Deletion of serine/arginine‐rich splicing factor 3 in hepatocytes predisposes to hepatocellular carcinoma in mice

Alterations in RNA splicing are associated with cancer, but it is not clear whether they result from malignant transformation or have a causative role. We show here that hepatocyte‐specific deletion of serine/arginine‐rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3) impairs hepatocyte maturation and metabolism in early adult life, and mice develop spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with aging. Tumor development is preceded by chronic liver disease with progressive steatosis and fibrosis. SRSF3 protects mice against CCl4‐induced fibrosis and carcinogenesis and suppresses inclusion of the profibrogenic EDA exon in fibronectin 1. Loss of SRSF3 increases expression of insulin‐like growth factor 2 and the A‐isoform of the insulin receptor, allowing aberrant activation of mitogenic signaling, promotes aberrant splicing and expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes, and activates Wnt/β‐catenin signaling leading to c‐Myc induction. Finally, SRSF3 expression is either decreased or the protein mislocalized in human HCC. Conclusion: Our data suggest a potential role for SRSF3 in preventing hepatic carcinogenesis by regulating splicing to suppress fibrosis, mitogenic splicing, and EMT. Thus, these mice may provide an attractive model to discover the pathogenic mechanisms linking aberrant pre–messenger RNA splicing with liver damage, fibrosis, and HCC. (Hepatology 2015;61:171–183)