Efficient learning of neighbor representations for boundary trees and forests

We introduce a semiparametric approach to neighbor-based classification. We build off the recently proposed Boundary Trees algorithm by Mathy et al.(2015) which enables fast neighbor-based classification, regression and retrieval in large datasets. While boundary trees use an Euclidean measure of similarity, the Differentiable Boundary Tree algorithm by Zoran et al.(2017) was introduced to learn low-dimensional representations of complex input data, on which semantic similarity can be calculated to train boundary trees. As is pointed out by its authors, the differentiable boundary tree approach contains a few limitations that prevents it from scaling to large datasets. In this paper, we introduce Differentiable Boundary Sets, an algorithm that overcomes the computational issues of the differentiable boundary tree scheme and also improves its classification accuracy and data representability. Our algorithm is efficiently implementable with existing tools and offers a significant reduction in training time. We test and compare the algorithms on the well known MNIST handwritten digits dataset and the newer Fashion-MNIST dataset by Xiao et al.(2017).Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure

Understanding the in-app advertisement effect on mobile user ad accessibility

With the growth of mobile advertising, in-app advertising has become the next revolution in online advertising. However, most of the studies that are conducted on online advertising cannot be applied directly to understand the in-app advertising; for that, we need specific and targeted research. Following this research gap, in this study, we look at inapp advertisement effect on mobile user behavior in respect to its ad features namely, ad size, ad position, and ad vividness. Also, we study how meta-motivations moderate the effect of vividness on the user intentions. Our hypotheses are developed to analyze how ad features will achieve the actual product knowledge and perceived ad diagnosticity and then how they lead to the actual ad accessibility. The model will be tested using data from a laboratory experiment. This study is one of the pioneer studies that examine the role of user interaction effect on mobile ad features. The study will contribute to enhancing the goals of the both advertisers and publishers of online ad ecosystem and it introduces new concepts and measurement techniques for the mobile marketing literature

Financial Liberalization on Broad Money: Short Run Analysis from Sri Lankan Experiences

The research aims to study the impact of financial liberalization on broad money in Sri Lanka during the period 1977-2011.Financial liberalization index was calculated for evaluation the complex process of financial liberalization in Sri Lanka by focusing on important changes in the financial sector. The study has used ten major policy components of financial liberalization to construct financial liberalization index at a particular time. In order to derive the index, Principle Component Method is employed. Impact of financial liberalization on broad money is examined by using computed index and other related variables for money demand in economics literature. The study reveals that there is a positive relationship between broad money and financial liberalization in Sri Lanka in the short run. Therefore, this study opens the door to examine whether financial liberalization positively impacts on broad money in Sri Lanka in the long run as short run. Keywords: Financial liberalization, broad money, Principal Component analysis

A Measurement for Financial Liberalization: An Application to Sri Lanka

Financial liberalization is a process of liberalizing the financial system of an economy by reducing controls in interest rates, financial intermediaries, and markets. Since the mid 1980s the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) started financial liberalization as a basic frame work for developing member countries to accelerate economic growth.Sri Lanka has been involved this process since 1977.This study attempts to establish an index for evaluation the complex process of financial liberalization in Sri Lanka by focusing on important changes in the financial sector. The study has used ten major policy components of financial liberalization to construct financial liberalization index at a particular time. In order to derive the index, arbitrary value is assigned to each of the policy variables. Each policy variable can take a value between 0 and1.The value is depending on the implementation phases of the policy. Time series annual data from1977 to 2011 are used to construct the index. The principle Component Method is used as an analysis method. This index is helpful to evaluate the impact of financial liberalization policies on various aspect of the economy. The constructed index shows that financial liberalization has gradually increased from 1997to 2011, though the policies are implemented since 1977 in Sri Lanka. Keywords: Financial Liberalization, Liberalization Index, Principle Component Method

Determinants of Mobile Phone Demand among University Students

This study examines the determinants of mobile phone among the university students special reference to Rajarata University of Sri Lanka The sample is selected by using stratified sampling method The data collected through 10 mixtures of open and closed questions The study used mainly primary date but secondary data too used in books and internet sources This research is hypotheses that monthly income is the most effective factor for university students demand on mobile phone and phone s facility is positively affect to mobile phone demand Results of the study reveals that there is a possitive and significant relationship between mobile phone demand and income levels among university students and facilities provided by the phone is not possitively affects on mobile phone demand However the study suggested that a country level study in this regard will be more helpful for mobile phone producers and their marketing strategie

A Research Project to Improve Human Resource Record Management System of Nurses In A Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka

Background: Poor quality records management in Sri Lankan Hospital offices is a major dissatisfaction and demotivation for healthcare staff. An intervention research project to improve the record management of selected Human Resource (HR) records of nurses in an Office of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka was carried out to identify the gaps, implement improvements and to test the outcome.  Grade promotion and annual increment HR processes considered for the improvements. Qualitative and quantitative techniques used for gap identification, planning of interventions and assessment of the effectiveness. A package of quality improvements initiatives implemented following literature review and stakeholder participation. Absence of instructions/sample filled-forms and issues in the document flow were the inconsistencies noted. The record processing time was 30.83 days with an SD of ±4.84 for completion of annual increments and 24.33 days with an SD of ±4.21 for authorisation of grade promotions. The package of interventions included e-based/ paper-based guides and specimen request forms and a document movement register to track the records. Increased accessibility, accuracy, improved quality, timeliness and improved traceability of submitted forms and improvements in the average time spent for annual increments and grade promotions noted; 17.52 days (SD ±3.39) and 12.13 days (SD ±2.33) respectively, a statistically significant reduction (p<0.05).  Implementation of quality improvement interventions using computer-based initiatives with stakeholder participation can improve office management issues in the tertiary hospital setting

Usage of Online Social Networks in Cultural Adaptation

Online social networks (OSN) have become an important part of every individual’s social support network. This makes OSNs, particularly important to the sojourner who will have to constantly resort to social support sources to cope with the difficulties and psychological stress of cross-cultural adaptation. Nevertheless, the use of OSNs in the context of cultural adaptation is an under explored area. This study draws upon social network theory, adopts a qualitative research approach with multiple case design, to investigate how international students use OSNs to adapt to a new culture. Three themes emerged from our findings. OSNs can be leveraged to 1) enable socialization, 2) facilitate knowledge exchange, and 3) alleviate acculturative stress in adapting to a new culture. We believe our study contributes to the sparse literature on the impact of OSNs on cross-cultural adaptation and serves a foundation for future research in this vital area of OSN usage