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Con2Mix (Contrastive Double Mixup) is a new semi-supervised learning methodology that innovates a triplet mixup data augmentation approach for finding code vulnerabilities in imbalanced, tabular security data sets. Tabular data sets in cybersecurity domains are widely known to pose challenges for machine learning because of their heavily imbalanced data (e.g., a small number of labeled attack samples buried in a sea of mostly benign, unlabeled data). Semi-supervised learning leverages a small subset of labeled data and a large subset of unlabeled data to train a learning model. While semi-supervised methods have been well studied in image and language domains, in security domains they remain underutilized, especially on tabular security data sets which pose especially difficult contextual information loss and balance challenges for machine learning. Experiments applying Con2Mix to collected security data sets show promise for addressing these challenges, achieving state-of-the-art performance on two evaluated data sets compared with other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Con2Mix (Contrastive Double Mixup) is a new semi-supervised learning methodology that innovates a triplet mixup data augmentation approach for finding code vulnerabilities in imbalanced, tabular security data sets. Tabular data sets in cybersecurity domains are widely known to pose challenges for machine learning because of their heavily imbalanced data (e.g., a small number of labeled attack samples buried in a sea of mostly benign, unlabeled data). Semi-supervised learning leverages a small subset of labeled data and a large subset of unlabeled data to train a learning model. While semi-supervised methods have been well studied in image and language domains, in security domains they remain underutilized, especially on tabular security data sets which pose especially difficult contextual information loss and balance challenges for machine learning. Experiments applying Con2Mix to collected security data sets show promise for addressing these challenges, achieving state-of-the-art performance on two evaluated data sets compared with other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The aim of this paper is to study the effects of enterprise resource planning (ERP) on management accounting in Iranian organizations. Preparing and offering different reports and budgets remain important activities for accountants, and directly implementing ERP systems improves the quality of these reports through real-time data transfer. Design/methodology/approach -- The research methods used in this paper are descriptive surveys with questionnaires and interviews as the main data collection tools. Statistical population comprises every organization which has implemented an ERP system with financial/accounting modules. The participating 12 organizations were selected based on consultation with experts, and a seven-item Likert questionnaire was prepared and its validity approved and used to collect data. The t-test and Friedman test were applied to assess the hypotheses and rank parameters. Findings -- Results revealed that the highest effects of implementing an ERP in surveyed Iranian organizations are improving standard levels and the quality of reports, creating more organizational integration and empowering personnel. Research limitations/implications -- As the implementation of ERP in Iran is still in its initial phases and the sample is restricted to only four organizations, when considering the generalizability of the obtained results, caution should be taken. Originality/value -- This research is among the few studies on the effects of ERP implementation on accounting management departments, particularly in the context of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the Iran National Quality Award new model (INQA) in corporations that have implemented this model in Iran. This research aims to reveal the effects of implementation of Iran National Quality Award (INQA) New Model on seven dimensions of the Iranian companies which indeed are seven core factors of this model, i.e. Management & leadership, People, Processes, Resources, Customer & consumer results, Environment & community results, and Performance results.A mail survey was conducted on a simple random sample of 210 organizations that have achieved certification or appreciation during the implementation of INQA model in four rounds. 400 questionnaires were randomly distributed and 392 complete and correct questionnaires were returned. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data.Results indicated that the highest positive impact of INQA New Model on the improvement of organizational performance of the surveyed organizations was on customers' area. Performance results, leadership and management, processes improvement, environment and society results, and finally better utilization of organizational resources were respectively other areas which are affected mostly. Also, this study found no significant relationship between the implementation of this model and the improvement of employees' conditions in the surveyed organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brand extension is one of the most popular strategies in marketing. This is due to the fact that consumers usually take into account the brand first because it indirectly reflects the design, quality, and functions. According to the significant role of brand in creating benefit and diminishing risk for a new product, this study intended to develop a novel model for selecting the most appropriate strategy in brand extension. However, there are a number of criteria influencing the possible strategies, and they often are interdependent. Therefore, a multi-criteria decision making model based on Analytic Network Process and Additive Ratio Assessment methods has been developed to systematically clarify the interdependent relationships among the evaluation criteria of brand extension and then, scientifically evaluate the feasible strategies and rank the priorities of brand extension strategies. The results of the proposed model show that “Production cost” is the most important factor, followed by “Quality of parent brand” and “Perceived risk” while “Ice cream” is the highest satisfaction of brand extension. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. Some special problems of neonates are related to the adverse effects of delivery such as birth trauma with high mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of birth trauma and related risk factors in a referral hospital in Rafsanjan, a city in the south of Iran. Materials and methods. In this cross-sectional study, we reviewed medical records of all 3340 live neonates that were born between March 2004 and March 2005 at Nicknafs maternity center. Special questionnaires of study were completed and data was analyzed. Results. Among all neonates, 0.8% of them had birth trauma. The most common types of trauma were cephalohematoma 37.03%, massive hematoma 37.03%, and clavicular fracture 11.2%. The incidence of brachial plexus injury and clavicular fracture was higher in macrosomic neonates, whereas cephalhematoma, skin injury and massive hematoma were more prevalent in microsomic neonates. Neonatal birth trauma was more frequent in vaginal delivery than cesarean section (1.3% vs 0.1%, p = 0.0001). However, the incidence of birh trauma in instrumental delivery and normal vaginal delivery were similar (2.8% vs 1.3%, p = 0.303). Conclusion. The incidence of birth trauma in this region is 0.8% and birthweight and normal vaginal delivery are strong predictors for birth injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]