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Interorganizational networks in microfinance - a comparative study
In the last decades the microfinance industry has evolved into a complex ecosystem, where Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) interact with a rich and heterogeneous set of stakeholders. While previous studies privileged an internal focus of analysis, this chapter describes the networks in which MFIs are embedded, taking into account the different types of relationships that MFIs establish with other organizations. Social Network Analysis (SNA) techniques are applied at the interorganizational level of analysis on an original dataset developed from Mix Market data. The microfinance interorganizational networks in Peru, Tanzania and in the regions of Tamil-Nadu (India) are presented. From the comparison of the different networks, several implications are draw
Towards Contextual Action Recognition and Target Localization with Active Allocation of Attention
Exploratory gaze movements are fundamental for gathering the most relevant information regarding the partner during social interactions. We have designed and implemented a system for dynamic attention allocation which is able to actively control gaze movements during a visual action recognition task. During the observation of a partners reaching movement, the robot is able to contextually estimate the goal position of the partner hand and the location in space of the candidate targets, while moving its gaze around with the purpose of optimizing the gathering of information relevant for the task. Experimental results on a simulated environment show that active gaze control provides a relevant advantage with respect to typical passive observation, both in term of estimation precision and of time required for action recognition. © 2012 Springer-Verlag
The Interfascicular Matrix of Energy Storing Tendons Houses Heterogenous Cell Populations Disproportionately Affected by Aging
Evaluation of the new Asp ID polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of Aspergillus species: A pilot study
The newly developed AspID PCR assay for detection of Aspergillus spp. was evaluated with an interlaboratory quality control programme panel and human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples. With the quality control programme, 8 out of 9 panel members were correctly identified. With the clinical study, 36 BALF samples that had been obtained from 18 patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) and 18 without IPA were investigated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio for the AspID assay were 94.1% (95% CI 73.3-99.9), 76.5% (95% CI 50.1-93.2), 4 (95% CI 1.7-9.5) and 0.1 (95% CI 0.01-0.5) respectively
A genomic analysis and transcriptomic atlas of gene expression in Psoroptes ovis reveals feeding- and stage-specific patterns of allergen expression
Background: Psoroptic mange, caused by infestation with the ectoparasitic mite, Psoroptes ovis, is highly contagious, resulting in intense pruritus and represents a major welfare and economic concern for the livestock industry Worldwide. Control relies on injectable endectocides and organophosphate dips, but concerns over residues, environmental contamination, and the development of resistance threaten the sustainability of this approach, highlighting interest in alternative control methods. However, development of vaccines and identification of chemotherapeutic targets is hampered by the lack of P. ovis transcriptomic and genomic resources.
Results: Building on the recent publication of the P. ovis draft genome, here we present a genomic analysis and transcriptomic atlas of gene expression in P. ovis revealing feeding- and stage-specific patterns of gene expression, including novel multigene families and allergens. Network-based clustering revealed 14 gene clusters demonstrating either single- or multi-stage specific gene expression patterns, with 3075 female-specific, 890 male-specific and 112, 217 and 526 transcripts showing larval, protonymph and tritonymph specific-expression, respectively. Detailed analysis of P. ovis allergens revealed stage-specific patterns of allergen gene expression, many of which were also enriched in "fed" mites and tritonymphs, highlighting an important feeding-related allergenicity in this developmental stage. Pair-wise analysis of differential expression between life-cycle stages identified patterns of sex-biased gene expression and also identified novel P. ovis multigene families including known allergens and novel genes with high levels of stage-specific expression.
Conclusions: The genomic and transcriptomic atlas described here represents a unique resource for the acarid-research community, whilst the OrcAE platform makes this freely available, facilitating further community-led curation of the draft P. ovis genome
Combining quantum and classical density functional theory for ion-electron mixtures
We combine techniques from quantum and from classical density functional
theory (DFT) to describe electron-ion mixtures. For homogeneous systems, we
show how to calculate ion-ion and ion-electron correlation functions within
Chihara's quantum hypernetted chain approximation, which we derive within a DFT
formulation. We also sketch out how to apply the DFT formulation to
inhomogeneous electron-ion mixtures, and use this to study the electron
distribution at the liquid-solid interface of Al.Comment: to be published in J. Non-Cryst. Solids, LAM 11 special issu
Data Interface + Algorithms = Efficient Programs: Separating Logic from Representation to Improve Performance
Finding the right algorithm–data structure combination is easy, but finding the right data structure for a set of algorithms is much less trivial. Moreover, using the same data representation throughout the whole program might be sub-optimal. Depending on several factors, often only known at runtime, some programs benefit from changing the data representation during execution. In this position paper we introduce the idea of Just-In-Time data structures, a combination of a data interface and a set of concrete data representations with different performance characteristics. These Just-In- Time data structures can dynamically swap their internal data representation when the cost of swapping is payed back many times in the remainder of the computation. To make Just-In-Time data structures work, research is needed at three fronts: 1. We need to better understand the synergy between different data representations and algorithms; 2. We need a structured approach to handle the transitions between data representations; 3. We need descriptive programming constructs to express which representation fits a program fragment best. Combined, this research will result in a structured programming approach where separating data interface from data representation, not only improves understandability and maintainability, but also improves performance through automated transitions of data representation
Tunable Oscillations in the Purkinje Neuron
In this paper, we study the dynamics of slow oscillations in Purkinje neurons
in vitro, and derive a strong association with a forced parametric oscillator
model. We demonstrate the precise rhythmicity of the oscillations in Purkinje
neurons, as well as a dynamic tunability of this oscillation using a
photo-switchable compound. We show that this slow oscillation can be induced in
every Purkinje neuron, having periods ranging between 10-25 seconds. Starting
from a Hodgkin-Huxley model, we also demonstrate that this oscillation can be
externally modulated, and that the neurons will return to their intrinsic
firing frequency after the forced oscillation is concluded. These results
signify an additional functional role of tunable oscillations within the
cerebellum, as well as a dynamic control of a time scale in the brain in the
range of seconds.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure
Are We There Yet? Simple Language Implementation Techniques for the 21st Century
Research on language implementation techniques has regained importance with the rise of domain-specific languages (DSLs). Although DSLs can help manage a domain’s complexity, building highly optimizing compilers or virtual machines is rarely affordable. So, performance remains an issue. Ideally, you would implement a simple interpreter and still be able to achieve acceptable performance. RPython and Truffle are implementation techniques based on simple interpreters; they promise to perform at the same order of magnitude as highly optimizing virtual machines. This case study compares the two techniques to identify their similarities, weaknesses, and areas for further research
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