pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Seeding the cloud: Financial bootstrapping in the computer software sector

This study investigates resourcing of computer software companies that have adopted cloud computing for the development and delivery of application software. Use of this innovative technology potentially impacts firm financing because the initial infrastructure investment requirement is much lower than for packaged software, lead time to market is shorter, and cloud computing supports instant scalability. We test these predictions by conducting in-depth interviews with founders of 18 independently owned nascent enterprises, of which three quarters have adopted cloud computing. We identify particular bootstrapping methods used by start-ups in the computer software sector. Cloud computing enables firms to develop and launch products with minimal resources, reducing barriers to entry, with consequent increased competition. The primary business bootstrapping technique is foregoing wages, supplemented by small amounts of grant funding. Customers are a source of knowledge and expertise for product development, which occurs in an iterative process. Product bootstrapping techniques have changed in response to technological innovation, although methods to acquire tangible assets are identical over time. Astutely applied, financial bootstrapping is a resource management strategy essential to the growth and survival of high technology firms
Corporate multiculturalism, diversity management, and positive interculturalism in Irish schools and society

This article offers an empirical critique of recent social and educational policy responses to cultural diversity in an Irish context, with a particular focus on antiracism, integration and intercultural education policies developed during the socalled ‘Celtic Tiger’ era. Combining ethnographic and discourse analytic\ud
techniques, I highlight the centrality of the Celtic Tiger economy and corporate interests in influencing the particular version of interculturalism promulgated by\ud
the Irish state. I argue that broader macro processes and discourses operating at the level of Irish state policy can impact the local school level, resulting in\ud
negative consequences for ethnic minority students, particularly those who are least endowed with the cultural and linguistic capital valued by the school and\ud
wider society
Cash holding and control-oriented finance

We critically reassess the notion that high liquid asset holding by firms faced with weak investor protection is evidence of managerial rent extraction. We show that firms facing agency problems may establish tight controls over management through concentrated ownership. Using data on Belgian listed firms between 1991 and 2006, we find a strong positive association between ownership concentration and cash holding. This indicates a precautionary motive on the part of the controlling shareholders who highly value control. We also find that firm market valuation is positively affected by the amount of cash held by firms. On the other hand, managerial ownership has no impact. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that firms' owners are pursuing a rational strategy to mitigate agency costs in the face of weak investor protections
Tuning the assembling process of modules by the use of proper equipment

The tuning of the assembly line of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) modules is an important task to ensure\ud
that the efficiency of modules made at the production line is as high as those fabricated in the development phase. A solar simulator for CPV and a module optical analyzer (MOA) are proposed to be used in production to improve the quality of the assembling process (both during the tuning of the production line and once it is completed). Moreover, the usefulness of performing a quality control based on maximum power and optical pointing of modules is discussed by performing a deep analysis of some modules manufactured in the production line and characterized both indoors and outdoors
A reconfigurable wheelchair for mobility and rehabilitation: Design and development

This paper presents the design and development of a prototype of a reconfigurable wheelchair for rehabilitation and self-assistance to fit the size of a seven years old child (average 35 kg weight). Though the developed prototype is developed at this stage to fit a child, it can be resized, after considering variations in weight and size, to fit an older adult. The developed prototype has a mechanism that enables the user to transform from sit-to-stand (STS) posture and vice versa. With the help of the developed wheelchair, the user will also be able to adjust the posture of his upper body using an adjustable back support using two linear actuators. This configuration will allow the user to use the wheelchair as a mobility device as well as for rehabilitation purposes without the need of external support. The availability of STS and back adjustment mechanisms will allow the user to do regular exercising which will enhance blood circulation as sitting for long periods inflates lower limbs disability. The proposed configuration will help in enhancing the functional capabilities of end-users allowing for increased independence and ultimately quality of lif
Using online linear classifiers to filter spam Emails

The performance of two online linear classifiers - the Perceptron and Littlestone’s Winnow – is explored for two anti-spam filtering benchmark corpora - PU1 and Ling-Spam. We study the performance for varying numbers of features, along with three different feature selection methods: Information Gain (IG), Document Frequency (DF) and Odds Ratio. The size of the training set and the number of training iterations are also investigated for both classifiers. The experimental results show that both the Perceptron and Winnow perform much better when using IG or DF than using Odds Ratio. It is further demonstrated that when using IG or DF, the classifiers are insensitive to the number of features and the number of training iterations, and not greatly sensitive to the size of training set. Winnow is shown to slightly outperform the Perceptron. It is also demonstrated that both of these online classifiers perform much better than a standard Naïve Bayes method. The theoretical and implementation computational complexity of these two classifiers are very low, and they are very easily adaptively updated. They outperform most of the published results, while being significantly easier to train and adapt. The analysis and promising experimental results indicate that the Perceptron and Winnow are two very competitive classifiers for anti-spam filtering
Photoluminiscence enhancement in quaternay III-nitrides alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy with increasing Al content

Room temperature photoluminescence and optical absorption spectra have been measured in wurtzite InxAlyGa1−x−yN (x ∼ 0.06, 0.02<y<0.27) layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Photoluminescence spectra show both an enhancement of the integrated intensity and an increasing Stokes shift with the Al content. Both effects arise from an Al-enhanced exciton localization revealed by the S- and W-shaped temperature dependences of the photoluminescence emission energy and bandwidth, respectively. Present results point to these materials as a promising choice for the active region in efficient light emitters. An In-related bowing parameter of 1.6 eV was derived from optical absorption data
A molecular genetic perspective of reproductive development in grapevine

The grapevine reproductive cycle has a number of unique features. Inflorescences develop from lateral meristems (anlagen) in latent buds during spring and summer and enter a dormant state at a very immature stage before completing development and producing flowers and berries the following spring. Lateral meristems are unique structures derived from the shoot apical meristem and can either develop into an inflorescence or a tendril. How the grapevine plant controls these processes at the molecular level is not understood, but some progress has been made by isolating and studying the expression of flowering genes in wild-type and mutant grapevine plants. Interestingly, a number of flowering genes are also expressed during berry development. This paper reviews the current understanding of the genetic control of grapevine flowering and the impact of viticulture management treatments and environmental variables on yield. While the availability of the draft genome sequence of grapevine will greatly assist future molecular genetic studies, a number of issues are identified that need to be addressed—particularly rapid methods for confirming gene function and linking genes to biological processes and traits. Understanding the key interactions between environmental factors and genetic mechanisms controlling the induction and development of inflorescences, flowers, and berries is also an important area that requires increased emphasis, especially given the large seasonal fluctuations in yield experienced by the crop and the increasing concern about the effect of climate change on existing wine-producing regions
Fine spatial pattern of an epiphytic lichen species is affected by habitat conditions in two forest types in the Iberian Mediterranean region

Persistence and abundance of species is determined by habitat availability and the ability to disperse and colonize habitats at contrasting spatial scales. Favourable habitat fragments are also heterogeneous in quality, providing differing opportunities for establishment\ud
and affecting the population dynamics of a species. Based on these principles, we suggest that the presence and abundance of epiphytes may reflect their dispersal ability,\ud
which is primarily determined by the spatial structure of host trees, but also by host quality.\ud
To our knowledge there has been no explicit test of the importance of host tree spatial pattern for epiphytes in Mediterranean forests. We hypothesized that performance and\ud
host occupancy in a favourable habitat depend on the spatial pattern of host trees, because this pattern affects the dispersal ability of each epiphyte and it also determines the availability of suitable sites for establishment. We tested this hypothesis using new point pattern analysis tools and generalized linear mixed models to investigate the spatial distribution and performance of the epiphytic lichen Lobaria pulmonaria, which inhabits\ud
two types of host trees (beeches and Iberian oaks). We tested the effects on L. pulmonaria distribution of tree size, spatial configuration, and host tree identity. We built a model including tree size, stand structure, and several neighbourhood predictors to understand the effect of host tree on L. pulmonaria. We also investigated the relative importance of spatial patterning on the presence and abundance of the species, independently of the host\ud
tree configuration. L. pulmonaria distribution was highly dependent on habitat quality for successful establishment, i.e., tree species identity, tree diameter, and several forest stand structure surrogates. For beech trees, tree diameter was the main factor influencing presence and cover of the lichen, although larger lichen-colonized trees were located close to focal trees, i.e., young trees. However, oak diameter was not an important factor, suggesting\ud
that bark roughness at all diameters favoured lichen establishment. Our results indicate that L. pulmonaria dispersal is not spatially restricted, but it is dependent on habitat quality. Furthermore, new spatial analysis tools suggested that L. pulmonaria cover exhibits a distinct pattern, although the spatial pattern of tree position and size was random
Influence of coiling on the stress relaxation of prestressing steel wires

The possible deleterious effects of coiling and long-term storage of coiled wires on the stress relaxation behaviour of prestressing steel wires has been checked by means of experimental work and a simple analytical model. The results show that if the requirements of standards are fulfilled (minimum coiling diameters), these effects can be neglected. However, some other factors, such as previous residual stresses, long-term storage or storage at high temperatures, can trigger or emphasize this damage to the material. In the authors' opinion, checking the final curvature of the wires after uncoiling prior to prestressing, as required in some standards, is to be recommended
An Empirical Investigation of Stock Market Behavior in the Middle East and North Africa

This paper studies excess market returns in the relatively understudied nancial markets of nine Middle
Eastern and North African (MENA) countries within the context of three variants of the Capital Asset
Pricing Model: the static international CAPM; the constant-parameter intertemporal CAPM; and a
Markov-switching intertemporal CAPM which allows for the degree of integration with international
equity markets to be time-varying. On the whole we nd that: (1) Israel and Turkey are most strongly
integrated with world nancial markets; (2) in most other MENA markets examined there is primarily
local pricing of risk and evidence of a positive risk-return trade-o; and (3) there is substantial time
variation in the weights on local and global pricing of risk for all of these markets. Our results suggest
that investment in many of these markets over the sample studied would have provided returns uncor-
related with global markets, and thus would have served as nancial instruments with which portfolio
diversication could have been improved.
Diversity of chromium-resistant and -reducing bacteria in a chromium-contaminated activated sludge

Aims: This study attempts to establish a relationship between the Cr(VI) resistance of the culturable microbial community and the Cr(VI) resistance and Cr(VI)-reducing ability of representative strains of each population, in order to assess whether these are exclusive characteristics of one microbial group or abilities shared among many groups. Methods and Results: A group of 48 Cr(VI)-resistant isolates, with different colony types, was isolated from chromium-contaminated activated sludge. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein patterns and fatty acid methyl ester analysis identified six populations, representing 54% of the isolated bacteria, as belonging to the genera Acinetobacter and Ochrobactrum. The remaining populations included strains identified as species of the 03B2-Proteobacteria and high G + C Gram-positive bacteria. The Cr(VI) resistance and reduction ability of the strains were tested. All but two isolates grew in the presence of 1 mmol l22121 Cr(VI). During enrichment, all isolates were able to survive to 2 mmol l22121 Cr(VI) and complete Cr(VI) reduction was achieved. Representative strains of each population were able to partially reduce (5·4201339·1%) the Cr(VI) present in the growth medium. Conclusions: Most of the identified isolates have never been reported to be Cr(VI)-resistant and/or Cr(VI)-reducing strains. The mechanisms of Cr(VI) resistance and reduction may differ from group to group; therefore, it is evident that both Cr(VI) resistance and reduction are shared abilities and not an exclusive characteristic of a single group, possibly reflecting horizontal genetic transfer resulting from selective pressure in this contaminated environment. Significance and Impact of the Study: To our knowledge, this is the first study of a microbial community under chronic chromate stress and, as the success of microbial-based metal remediation technologies requires a better understanding of the microbial community and the population response to metal stress, it may contribute to the implementation of a strategy of bioremediation of chromate-contaminated environments.http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2002.01591.
Synthesis of poly(vinyl chloride)-b-poly(n-butyl acrylate)-b-poly(vinyl chloride) by the competitive single-electron-transfer/degenerative-chain-transfer-mediated living radical polymerization in water

The synthesis of a block copolymer poly(vinyl chloride)-b-poly(n-butyl acrylate)-b-poly(vinyl chloride) is reported. This new material was synthesized by single-electron-transfer/degenerative-chain-transfer-mediated living radical polymerization (SET-DTLRP) in two steps. First, a bifunctional macroinitiator of alpha,omega-di(iodo)poly (butyl acrylate) [alpha,omega-di(iodo)PBA] was synthesized by SET-DTLRP in water at 25 °C. The macroinitiator was further reinitiated by SET-DTLRP, leading to the formation of the desired product. This ABA block copolymer was synthesized with high initiator efficiency. The kinetics of the copolymerization reaction was studied for two PBA macroinitiators with number-average molecular weight of 10 k and 20 k. The relationship between the conversion and the number-average molecular weight was found to be linear. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis suggests just one phase, indicating that copolymer behaves as a single material with no phase separation. This methodology provides the access to several block copolymers and other complex architectures that result from combinations of thermoplastics (PVC) and elastomers (PBA). From industrial standpoint, this process is attractive, because of easy experimental setup and the environmental friendly reaction medium. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3001-3008, 2006http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pola.2140
Stochastic Runge-Kutta methods with deterministic high order for ordinary differential equations

stochastic Runge-Kutta (SRK) methods for non-commutative stochastic differential equations (SDEs). As a result, we have obtained weak second order SRK methods which have good properties with respect to not only practical errors but also mean square stability. In our stability analysis, as well as a scalar test equation with complex-valued parameters, we have used a multi-dimensional non-commutative test SDE. The performance of our new schemes will be shown through comparisons with an efficient and optimal weak second order scheme proposed by Debrabant and Rößler (Appl. Numer. Math. 59:582–594, 2009)
A system for event-based film browsing

The recent past has seen a proliferation in the amount of digital video content being created and consumed. This is perhaps being driven by the increase in audiovisual quality, as well as the ease with which production, reproduction and consumption is now possible. The widespread use of digital video, as opposed its analogue counterpart, has opened up a plethora of previously impossible applications. This paper builds upon previous work that analysed digital video, namely movies, in order to facilitate presentation in an easily navigable manner. A film browsing interface, termed the MovieBrowser, is described, which allows users to easily locate specific portions of movies, as well as to obtain an understanding of the filming being perused. A number of experiments which assess the system’s performance are also presented
Sustainable Power Production in a Membrane-less and Mediator-less Wastewater Microbial Fuel Cell

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) fed with wastewater are currently considered a feasible strategy for production of renewable electricity at low cost.\ud
A membrane-less MFC with biological cathode was built from a compact wastewater treatment reactor. When operated with an external resistance of 250 Ohm, the MFC produced a long-term power of approximately 70 mW/m2 for ten months. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the cathode biomass when the MFC was closed on a 2100 Ohm external resistance showed that the sequenced bands were affiliated with Firmicutes, -Proteobacteria, -Proteobacteria, -Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes groups.\ud
When the external resistance was varied between 250 and 2100 Ohm, sustainable resistance decreased from 900 to 750 Ohm, while sustainable power output decreased from 32 to 28 mW/m2. It is likely that these effects were caused by changes in the microbial ecology of anodic and cathodic biomass attached to the electrodes. Results suggest that cathodic biomass enrichment in “electroactive” bacteria may improve MFCs power output in a similar fashion to what has been already observed for anodic biomass
Experiences of aiding autobiographical memory Using the SenseCam

Human memory is a dynamic system that makes accessible certain memories of events based on a hierarchy of information, arguably driven by personal significance. Not all events are remembered, but those that are tend to be more psychologically relevant. In contrast, lifelogging is the process of automatically recording aspects of one's life in digital form without loss of information. In this article we share our experiences in designing computer-based solutions to assist people review their visual lifelogs and address this contrast. The technical basis for our work is automatically segmenting visual lifelogs into events, allowing event similarity and event importance to be computed, ideas that are motivated by cognitive science considerations of how human memory works and can be assisted. Our work has been based on visual lifelogs gathered by dozens of people, some of them with collections spanning multiple years. In this review article we summarize a series of studies that have led to the development of a browser that is based on human memory systems and discuss the inherent tension in storing large amounts of data but making the most relevant material the most accessible
Olive classification according to external damage using image analysis.

The external appearance of an olive’s skin is the most decisive factor in determining its\ud
quality as a fruit. This work tries to establish a hierarchical model based on the features\ud
extracted from images of olives reflecting their external defects. Seven commercial\ud
categories of olives, established by product experts, were used: undamaged olives,\ud
mussel-scale or ‘serpeta’, hail-damaged or ‘granizo’, mill or ‘rehús’, wrinkled olive or\ud
‘agostado’, purple olive and undefined-damage or ‘molestado’. The original images\ud
were processed using segmentation, colour parameters and morphological features of\ud
the defects and the whole fruits. The application of three consecutive discriminant\ud
analyses resulted in the correct classification of 97% and 75% of olives during\ud
calibration and validation, respectively. However the correct classification percentages\ud
vary greatly depending on the categories, ranging 80–100% during calibration and 38–\ud
100% during validation
Analytical modelling of floating zone crystal growth

An analytical model for predicting the outer shape evolution of a crystal grown by the floating zone technique is developed. The analysis is axisymmetric and linear in the departure from a cylindrical evolution, thus it only applies to crystal growth under negligible external force fields (e.g. under microgravity), when the seed and feed sizes do not differ too much, and when radial deformations are not pronounced. In spite of these limitations, the analytical model clearly shows that, depending on the slenderness of the molten bridge, the processing may give rise to steady growth (after some transients) or just to a breakage by capillary force