The Role of the Mangement Sciences in Research on Personalization

We present a review of research studies that deal with personalization. We synthesize current knowledge about these areas, and identify issues that we envision will be of interest to researchers working in the management sciences. We take an interdisciplinary approach that spans the areas of economics, marketing, information technology, and operations. We present an overarching framework for personalization that allows us to identify key players in the personalization process, as well as, the key stages of personalization. The framework enables us to examine the strategic role of personalization in the interactions between a firm and other key players in the firm's value system. We review extant literature in the strategic behavior of firms, and discuss opportunities for analytical and empirical research in this regard. Next, we examine how a firm can learn a customer's preferences, which is one of the key components of the personalization process. We use a utility-based approach to formalize such preference functions, and to understand how these preference functions could be learnt based on a customer's interactions with a firm. We identify well-established techniques in management sciences that can be gainfully employed in future research on personalization.CRM, Persoanlization, Marketing, e-commerce,

A Novel Two-Stage Approach For Automatic Detection of Brain Tumor

Brain tumor is one of the most life-threatening diseases, and it is the most common type of cancer that occurs among those in the age group belonging to 0-19. It is also a major cause of cancer-related deaths in children (males and females) under age 20 hence its detection should be fast and accurate. Manual detection of brain tumors using MRI scan images is effective but time-consuming. Many automation techniques and algorithms for detection of brain tumors are being proposed recently. In this paper, we propose an integrated two-step approach combining modified K-means clustering algorithm and Hierarchical Centroid Shape Descriptor (HCSD). The images are clustered using modified K-means based on pixel intensity, and then HCSD helps to select those having a specific shape thus making this approach more effective and reliable. Simulation of the proposed work is done in MATLAB R2013a. Tests are carried out on T1 weighted MRI scan images

Influence of Ethanol with Karanja Oil on Exhaust Gas Emissions from a Variable Compression Ratio Engine

Biodiesel is an alternative choice for diesel and have benefits over diesel because, it is renewable, biodegradable, sulfur free, and non-poisonous in nature and less exhaust emissions. The transesterification process is used to reduce the viscosity of the karanja oil. The aim of this paper is to examine the emission parameters under variable compression ratios (17 and 18) in a VCR diesel engine which runs using karanja oil 20% (B20) and ethanol as an additive by adding 5% and 10% at constant speed of 1500 rpm with variable loads. The outcomes of these blends have been compared with the normal diesel. The influences of compression ratios on exhaust gas emissions were investigated. The exhaust emissions, namely hydrocarbons, NOx, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are found to be reduced when compared with diesel

Potensi Bakteri Endofit Dalam Meningkatkan Pertumbuhan Tanaman Tembakau Yang Terinfeksi Nematoda Puru Akar (Meloidogyne Spp.)

Potensi Bakteri Endofit dalam Meningkatkan Pertumbuhan Tanaman Tembakau yang Terinfeksi Nematoda Puru Akar (Meloidogyne spp.). Nematoda puru akar (Meloidogyne spp.) pada tanaman tembakau merupakan penyakit penting yang dihadapi oleh perkebunan tembakau di Indonesia. Beberapa teknik pengendalian telah dilakukan, seperti penggunaan nematisida, kultur teknis dan penambahan bahan organik namun belum efektif mengendalikan patogen ini. Pengendalian biologi dengan bakteri endofit merupakan alternatif pengendalian Meloidogyne spp. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan bakteri endofit asal akar nilam meningkatkan pertumbuhan tanaman tembakau yang terinfeksi nematoda puru akar (Meloidogyne spp.). Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Laboratorium Penyakit Tumbuhan Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Sumatera Utara pada bulan Juli – Desember 2014. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap nonfaktorial dengan perlakuan pemberian beberapa jenis bakteri endofit yaitu: Kontrol (diaplikasikan nematoda 500ekor/pot), Bacillus spp.1, Pseudomonas spp. dan Bacillus spp.2. Hasil penelitian menunjukan laju pertumbuhan dan pertambahan jumlah daun terbaik terdapat pada perlakuan Pseudomonas spp. sedangkan berat basah dan kering akar tertinggi terdapat pada tanaman yang diaplikasikan Bacillus spp 1

Subtle Radiological Features of Splenic Avulsion following Abdominal Trauma

Splenic trauma in children following blunt abdominal injury is usually treated by nonoperative management (NOM). Splenectomy following abdominal trauma is rare in children. NOM is successful as in the majority of instances the injury to the spleen is contained within its capsule or a localised haematoma. Rarely, the spleen may suffer from an avulsion injury that causes severe uncontrollable bleeding and necessitates an emergency laparotomy and splenectomy. We report two cases of children requiring splenectomy following severe blunt abdominal injury. In both instances emergency laparotomy was undertaken for uncontrollable bleeding despite resuscitation. The operating team was unaware of the precise source of bleeding preoperatively. Retrospective review of the computed tomography (CT) scans revealed subtle radiological features that indicate splenic avulsion. We wish to highlight these radiological features of splenic avulsion as they can help to focus management decisions regarding the need/timing for a laparotomy following blunt abdominal trauma in children

Evaluating Greek equity funds using data envelopment analysis

This study assesses the relative performance of Greek equity funds employing a non-parametric method, specifically Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Using an original sample of cost and operational attributes we explore the e¤ect of each variable on funds' operational efficiency for an oligopolistic and bank-dominated fund industry. Our results have significant implications for the investors' fund selection process since we are able to identify potential sources of inefficiencies for the funds. The most striking result is that the percentage of assets under management affects performance negatively, a conclusion which may be related to the structure of the domestic stock market. Furthermore, we provide evidence against the notion of funds' mean-variance efficiency

Homeobox gene TGIF-1 is increased in placental endothelial cells of human fetal growth restriction.

Aberrant placental angiogenesis is associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR). In the mouse, targeted disruption of the homeobox gene, transforming growth β-induced factor (Tgif-1), which is also a transcription factor, causes defective placental vascularisation. Nevertheless, TGIF-1's role in human placental angiogenesis is unclear. We have previously reported increased TGIF-1 expression in human FGR placentae and demonstrated localisation of TGIF-1 protein in placental endothelial cells (ECs). However, its functional role remains to be investigated. In this study, we aimed to specifically compare TGIF-1 mRNA expression in placental ECs isolated from human FGR-affected pregnancies with gestation-matched control pregnancies in two independent cohorts from Australia and Canada, and to identify the functional role of TGIF-1 in placental angiogenesis using the human umbilical vein endothelial cell-derived cell line, SGHEC-7 and primary human umbilical vein ECs. Real-time PCR revealed that TGIF-1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in ECs isolated from FGR-affected placentae compared with that of controls. The functional roles of TGIF-1 were determined in ECs following TGIF-1 siRNA transfection. TGIF-1 inactivation in ECs significantly reduced TGIF-1 at both the mRNA and protein levels, as well as the proliferative and invasive potential, but significantly increased the angiogenic potential. Using angiogenesis PCR screening arrays, we identified ITGAV, NRP-1, ANPGT-1 and ANPGT-2 as novel downstream targets of TGIF-1, following TGIF-1 inactivation in ECs. Collectively, these results show that increased TGIF-1 in FGR may regulate EC function through mediating the expression of angiogenic molecules and contribute to aberrant placental angiogenesis in FGR pregnancies

Shear Resistance of portal Frame Reinforced with Bamboo and Steel Rebar: Experimental and Numerical Evaluation

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the shear resistance of portal frame fabricated with bamboo and steel rebar by following experimental and numerical approaches. In support of sustainable construction, bamboo stripes were utilized as a partial replacement of steel rebar at tension zone of members that are subjected to lateral loading. The performance of nominal portal frame, which are fabricated with steel reinforcement was compared to the portal frames having several replacements of steel reinforcement with bamboo, in terms of seismic resistance and lateral load capacity. The experimental data was correlated based on software analysis using ABAQUS. The partial replacement of steel with bamboo under tension zone of the beams in portal frame was found to be highly effective, and also that the flexural rigidity of the partial bamboo reinforced frame was slightly higher than the nominal portal frame. This study provides insight on the possibility of reinforcing structural members with bamboo, when lateral loading is imminent on the structure

How Farmers Benefit from Integration of EO, Meteorological, Positioning and Field Data in an Analytics Engine – The AGRI-GIS Example of S Odisha, India

Today, space-based EO data, meteorological observations and positioning information, integrated with ground data and maps, plays an important role in bringing logical decision-making, intelligence and wisdom in society - even at grass-root level. World over, society is generating, referencing, archiving and using vast amount of time-stamped geographically referenced data sets – enabling the development of integrated solutions that benefits individual citizens, societies, nations and humanity, in general. Because of this large amounts of spatial data availability the science of Spatial Analytics is becoming highly prevalent and relevant.   The Centre for Spatial Analytics and Advanced GIS (C-SAG; www.csag.res.in) is developing an Agri-GIS - a suite of Spatial Analytics solutions based on EO images, meteorological data, Positioning data, various maps and different field data sets. The focus of the Agri-GIS is to address Smallholder Farmers – farm level aggregation and dis-aggregation of crop and socio-economic parameters; assess crop suitability of beneficiary land; assess crop-water model; help farmers on nutrition management; provide information on available production technologies, financing options, insurance options, access to inputs and market access etc. The strength of the C-SAG Agri-GIS model stems on a “single, common, standardized, integrated robust and reliable” multi-layered (about 304 parameters), spatially referenced and geo-tagged database – modelling for individual farmer's social, economic and natural resources queries. Out of the 304 parameters, space based inputs provide the critical 25% - mainly from near real-time EO images of various resolutions/receptivity and meteorological data. Another 20-30% of field observations are based on space-based Positioning - the rest are geo-tagged tables and records. Agri-GIS is developed in 613 villages of S Odisha in India and covers almost 80,000 farmers.   This Agri-GIS is an end-to-end solution that combines ground-, space-based EO/meteorological/positioning data into a GIS model to address specific farmer requirements at bettering his crop production and yield and also his economic condition by increased income. The paper will address how assessment of farmer’s needs of information in the various farming communities in Odisha state was taken up, the chain of Spatial Analytics and the final deliverables of 5 Farmer Advisories in each crop season. The paper will also highlight the partnerships of C-SAG, Tata Trusts and the farming communities and how a good working relationships between various stakeholders have been developed for the projec