LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Examining the effect of user satisfaction on system usage and individual performance with business intelligence systems: An empirical study of Taiwan's electronics industry

The advent of new information technology has radically changed the end-user computing environment over the past decade. To enhance their management decision-making capability, many organizations have made significant investments in business intelligence (BI) systems. The realization of business benefits from BI investments depends on supporting effective use of BI systems and satisfying their end user requirements. Even though a lot of attention has been paid to the decision-making benefits of BI systems in practice, there is still a limited amount of empirical research that explores the nature of enduser satisfaction with BI systems. End-user satisfaction and system usage have been recognized by many researchers as critical determinants of the success of information systems (IS). As an increasing number of companies have adopted BI systems, there is a need to understand their impact on an individual end-user’s performance. In recent years, researchers have considered assessing individual performance effects from IS use as a key area of concern. Therefore, this study aims to empirically test a framework identifying the relationships between end-user computing satisfaction (EUCS), system usage, and individual performance. Data gathered from 330 end users of BI systems in the Taiwanese electronics industry were used to test the relationships proposed in the framework using the structural equation modeling approach. The results provide strong support for our model. Our results indicate that higher levels of EUCS can lead to increased BI system usage and improved individual performance, and that higher levels of BI system usage will lead to higher levels of individual performance. In addition, this study’s findings, consistent with DeLone and McLean’s IS success model, confirm that there exists a significant positive relationship between EUCS and system usage. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A compact mock circulation loop for the in vitro testing of cardiovascular devices.

In vitro cardiovascular device performance evaluation in a mock circulation loop (MCL) is a necessary step prior to in vivo testing. A MCL that accurately represents the physiology of the cardiovascular system accelerates the assessment of the device's ability to treat pathological conditions. To serve this purpose, a compact MCL measuring 600 × 600 × 600 mm (L × W × H) was constructed in conjunction with a computer mathematical simulation. This approach allowed the effective selection of physical loop characteristics, such as pneumatic drive parameters, to create pressure and flow, and pipe dimensions to replicate the resistance, compliance, and fluid inertia of the native cardiovascular system. The resulting five-element MCL reproduced the physiological hemodynamics of a healthy and failing heart by altering ventricle contractility, vascular resistance/compliance, heart rate, and vascular volume. The effects of interpatient anatomical variability, such as septal defects and valvular disease, were also assessed. Cardiovascular hemodynamic pressures (arterial, venous, atrial, ventricular), flows (systemic, bronchial, pulmonary), and volumes (ventricular, stroke) were analyzed in real time. The objective of this study is to describe the developmental stages of the compact MCL and demonstrate its value as a research tool for the accelerated development of cardiovascular devices.
Course and prognosis of recovery for chronic non-specific low back pain: design, therapy program and baseline data of a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND
There has been increasing focus on factors predicting the development of chronic musculoskeletal disorders. For patients already experiencing chronic non-specific low back pain it is also relevant to investigate which prognostic factors predict recovery. We present the design of a cohort study that aims to determine the course and prognostic factors for recovery in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.


METHODS/DESIGN
All participating patients were recruited (Jan 2003-Dec 2008) from the same rehabilitation centre and were evaluated by means of (postal) questionnaires and physical examinations at baseline, during the 2-month therapy program, and at 5 and 12 months after start of therapy. The therapy protocol at the rehabilitation centre used a bio-psychosocial approach to stimulate patients to adopt adequate (movement) behaviour aimed at physical and functional recovery. The program is part of regular care and consists of 16 sessions of 3 hours each, over an 8-week period (in total 48 hours), followed by a 3-month self-management program. The primary outcomes are low back pain intensity, disability, quality of life, patient's global perceived effect of recovery, and participation in work. Baseline characteristics include information on socio-demographics, low back pain, employment status, and additional clinical items status such as fatigue, duration of activities, and fear of kinesiophobia. Prognostic variables are determined for recovery at short-term (5 months) and long-term (12 months) follow-up after start of therapy.


DISCUSSION
In a routine clinical setting it is important to provide patients suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain with adequate information about the prognosis of their complaint.
Feasibility and Efficacy of Sodium Reduction in the Trials of Hypertension Prevention , Phase I

Phase I of the Trials of Hypertension Prevention was a multicenter, randomized trial of the feasibility and efficacy of seven nonpharmacologic interventions, including sodium reduction, in lowering blood pressure in 30to 54 -year-old individuals with a diastolic blood pressure of 80 to 89 mm Hg. Six centers tested an intervention designed to reduce dietary sodium to 80 mmol (1800 mg)/24 h with a total of 327 active intervention and 417 control subjects. The intervention consisted of eight group and two one-to-one meetings during the first 3 months, followed by less-intensive counseling and support for the duration of the study. The mean net decrease in sodium excretion was 43.9 mmol/24 h at 18 months. Women had lower sodium intake at baseline and were therefore more likely to decrease to less than 80 mmol/24 h. Black subjects were less likely to decrease to less than 80 mmol/d, independent of sex or baseline sodium excretion. The mean (95% confidence interval) net decrease associated with treatment was —2.1 (—33, —0.8) mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and —1.2 (—2.0, —03) mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure at 18 months (both P<.01). Multivariate analyses indicated a larger systolic blood pressure effect in women (—4.44 versus —1.23 mm Hg in men), adjusted for age, race, baseline blood pressure, and baseline 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (P=.O2). Dose-response analyses indicated an adjusted decrease of —1.4 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and —0.9 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure for a decrease of 100 mmol/24 h in 18-month sodium excretion. These results support the utility of sodium reduction as a population strategy for hypertension prevention and raise questions about possible differences in dose response associated with gender and initial level of sodium intake. (Hypertension. 1993;22:502-512.)
LCM: Lightweight Communications and Marshalling

We describe the Lightweight Communications and Marshalling (LCM) library for message passing and data marshalling. The primary goal of LCM is to simplify the development of low-latency message passing systems, especially for real-time robotics research applications.
Experimental Demonstration and Characterization of a Tunable CRLH Delay Line System for Impulse/Continuous Wave

A new tunable delay system is presented and demonstrated experimentally in this letter. This system, which incorporates a composite right/left-handed (CRLH) transmission line, two mixers, and a low-pass filter, achieves a tunable group delay for impulse and continuous-wave signals, controlled by a local oscillator. This group delay tunability follows from the dispersion property of the CRLH transmission line and is achieved without suffering from the drawbacks of conventional delay lines in terms of matching, frequency of operation, and planar circuit implementation. The realized prototype exhibits measured group delays tunable between 5.1 and 8.54 ns over a frequency range of 2-4.5 GHz.
Feasibility and Optimal Reliable Design of Renewable Hybrid Energy System for Rural Electrification in Iran

A hybrid hydro/wind/photovoltaic base on hydrogen storage system is designed to supply power demand. The aim of the optimization problem is minimization of net present cost of the hybrid system to reliable supply of the demand. The system is investigated in the north west of Iran (Meshkinshahr) and the local data is applied. About 12 villages (corresponding to 680 people) are found in the upper Blue Qarahsou river gorge and far remote areas, which makes the task of their electrification via grid system very difficult. The hydro potentials are analyzed with the help of GIS data of Iran. Meteorological data from renewable energy organization (SUNA) of Iran and other sources, such as NASA, is used for the estimation of solar and wind energy potentials. In this paper, hydro/PV/wind/ fuel cell hybrid system is compared with above system without hydro unit. An advanced variation of genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed to solve the optimization problem. The developed algorithm is compared with HOMER software and the results show that GA accuracy is better than HOMER software. Result reveals the effects of components outages on the reliability and cost of the proposed hybrid system. Thus, they are directly dependent on component’s reliabilities, i.e. Outages result need for a larger generating system for supplying the load with the acceptable reliability. Different system types and their component sizes are identified having a cost of energy less than 0.3 $/KWh. KeywordsHybrid Renewable Energy System, Optimization, Rural Demand Supply, GA, HOMER software.
Harris Private Participation in Infrastructure in Developing Countries Trends , Impacts , and Policy Lessons

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix Chapter
Atom-photon Interactions 2.1 Introduction

As discussed in Sec. 1.1.3.4, the realization of a scalable quantum network based on neutral atoms consisting of N 1 quantum nodes requires a significant shift of approach from conventional Fabry-Perot cavity QED systems to a completely different platform in the world of nanophotonics, which utilizes parallel on-chip lithographic fabrication technology. This thesis presents early investigations of this emerging transition, focusing on three specific atom-nanophotonic platforms or systems using microtoroidal resonators, nano-optical fibers, and nanophotonic crystals, all of which involve matter-light interactions at the ∼ 100 nm scale. In this regime of interactions between single atoms and nanophotonics, new issues previously not as significant in conventional cavity QED systems arise, involving, for example, complex electromagnetic field polarizations and atom-surface interaction effects. Although these issues bring about new nontrivial challenges, the prospects are great and these challenges may even turn into opportunities to increase our understanding in this regime, for example through potential precise measurement of Casimir effects by a strongly coupled single-atom probe. This chapter presents a brief overview of the three specific platforms investigated in this thesis, and introduces the corresponding theoretical models and experimental setups for these systems. Detailed discussions of specific experiments and theoretical studies are included in the subsequent chapters.
PON roadmap [invited]

With the recent conclusion of the XGS-PON and NG-PON2 standards in the ITU-T, the fiber access industry is now considering where to go next. This paper reviews the passive optical network (PON) systems market and the services that will drive the take-up of these nextgeneration PON technologies. The drivers for future PON evolution are discussed, and some technology options for the evolution of PON systems are highlighted.
Flying Ad-Hoc Networks (FANETs): A survey

One of the most important design problems for multi-UAV (Unmanned Air Vehicle) systems is the communication which is crucial for cooperation and collaboration between the UAVs. If all UAVs are directly connected to an infrastructure, such as a ground base or a satellite, the communication between UAVs can be realized through the in-frastructure. However, this infrastructure based communication architecture restricts the capabilities of the multi-UAV systems. Ad-hoc networking between UAVs can solve the problems arising from a fully infrastructure based UAV networks. In this paper, Flying Ad-Hoc Networks (FANETs) are surveyed which is an ad hoc network connecting the UAVs. The differences between FANETs, MANETs (Mobile Ad-hoc Networks) and VANETs (Vehicle Ad-Hoc Networks) are clarified first, and then the main FANET design challenges are introduced. Along with the existing FANET protocols, open research issues are also discussed. 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Improving secondary prevention in coronary bypass patients: closing the audit loop.

OBJECTIVES
To complete the audit loop assessing secondary preventative care of patients who had had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.


DESIGN
Two separate surveys of 1000 patients who had had CABG at the regional centre between 1988 and 1997, selected in 1998 and 2001. A single page questionnaire was sent to the patient's general practitioner.


INTERVENTIONS
A list was sent to each general practice in Lothian, Scotland, of their patients on the CABG database and the results of the original survey. Lothian Health organised a project to contact and recall patients with cardiac disease in each practice. Sixty five (of 128) practices participated.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Blood pressure, smoking status, serum cholesterol concentrations, and prescription of lipid lowering drugs and aspirin.


RESULTS
918 questionnaires (92%) in the second survey were returned describing 875 patients: 151 (17%) patients smoked and 752 patients (86%) took aspirin. Mean (SD) systolic blood pressure was lower in the second survey (142.5 (19.2) mm Hg in the first survey v 139.4 (19.1) mm Hg, p < 0.005). In our first survey 34% of patients had cholesterol concentrations less than target (5.2 mmol/l). This increased from 12% of patients operated on in 1988 to 50% of patients operated on in 1997 (Spearman rank correlation 0.77, p < 0.01). In the second survey this proportion had risen to 65% and the correlation with year of operation was abolished.


CONCLUSIONS
By closing the audit loop, substantial improvements were shown in the management of risk factors in patients who have had coronary artery surgery in Lothian.
A Contour Map of the Ear's Vestibular Apparatus Based on 3D Reconstruction

This article presents a method for developing anatomic contour maps that quantitatively display the vestibular apparatus's 3D spatial configurations. Contour maps are useful tools for determining the appropriate position of the drill and the safe depth and orientation of the installed piston in stapedotomy procedures
Comparative analysis of IKONOS , SPOT , and ETM + data for leaf area index estimation in temperate coniferous and deciduous forest stands

The increasing number of sensor types for terrestrial remote sensing has necessitated supplementary efforts to evaluate and standardize data from the different available sensors. In this study, we assess the potential use of IKONOS, ETM+, and SPOT HRVIR sensors for leaf area index (LAI) estimation in forest stands. In situ measurements of LAI in 28 coniferous and deciduous stands are compared to reflectance in the visible, near-infrared, and shortwave bands, and also to five spectral vegetation indices (SVIs): Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Simple Ratio (SR), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI). The three sensor types show the same predictive ability for stand LAI, with an uncertainty of about 1.0m/m for LAI between 0.5 and 6.9m/m. For each sensor type, the strength of the empirical relationship between LAI and NDVI remains the same, regardless of the image processing level considered [digital counts, radiances using calibration coefficients for each sensor, top of atmosphere (TOA), and top of canopy (TOC) reflectances]. On the other hand, NDVIs based on radiance, TOA reflectance, and TOC reflectance, determined from IKONOS radiometric data, are systematically lower than from SPOT and ETM+ data. The offset is approximately 0.11 NDVI units for radiance and TOA reflectance-based NDVI, and approximately 0.20 NDVI units after atmospheric corrections. The same conclusions were observed using the other indices. SVIs using IKONOS data are always lower than those computed using ETM+ and SPOT data. Factors that may explain this behavior were investigated. Based on simulations using the SAIL bidirectional canopy reflectance model coupled with the PROSPECT leaf optical properties model (i.e., PROSAIL), we show that the spectral response in radiance of IKONOS sensor in the red band is the main factor explaining the differences in SVIs between IKONOS and the other two sensors. Finally, we conclude that, for bare soils or very sparse vegetation, radiometric data acquired by IKONOS, SPOT, and ETM+ are similar and may be used without any correction. For surfaces covered with dense vegetation, a negative offset of 10% of IKONOS NDVI should be considered. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Human Action Recognition by Representing 3D Skeletons as Points in a Lie Group

Recently introduced cost-effective depth sensors coupled with the real-time skeleton estimation algorithm of Shotton et al. [16] have generated a renewed interest in skeleton-based human action recognition. Most of the existing skeleton-based approaches use either the joint locations or the joint angles to represent a human skeleton. In this paper, we propose a new skeletal representation that explicitly models the 3D geometric relationships between various body parts using rotations and translations in 3D space. Since 3D rigid body motions are members of the special Euclidean group SE(3), the proposed skeletal representation lies in the Lie group SE(3)×.. .×SE(3), which is a curved manifold. Using the proposed representation, human actions can be modeled as curves in this Lie group. Since classification of curves in this Lie group is not an easy task, we map the action curves from the Lie group to its Lie algebra, which is a vector space. We then perform classification using a combination of dynamic time warping, Fourier temporal pyramid representation and linear SVM. Experimental results on three action datasets show that the proposed representation performs better than many existing skeletal representations. The proposed approach also outperforms various state-of-the-art skeleton-based human action recognition approaches.
Natural-source d-α-tocopheryl acetate inhibits oxidant stress and modulates atopic asthma in humans in vivo.

BACKGROUND
Asthma is associated with oxidant stress and diminished antioxidant defenses. Yet, the mechanistic role of oxidant stress and antioxidant supplementation in human asthmatics remains uncertain. We determined the effect of high doses of the antioxidant natural-source d-α-tocopheryl acetate for 16 weeks on allergen-induced airway oxidant stress, inflammation, and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and allergen in atopic asthmatics in vivo.


METHODS
Thirty-three mild atopic asthmatics underwent bronchoscopy with baseline bronchoalveolar lavage and segmental allergen challenge. The allergen-challenged airway was lavaged 24 h later. At least 3 weeks later, patients underwent inhaled challenges with methacholine and specific allergen. Volunteers took 1500 IU of natural-source d-α-tocopheryl acetate daily for at least 16 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the two bronchoscopies and inhaled methacholine and allergen challenges were repeated. F(2)-isoprostanes, specific markers of oxidant stress, and selected Th1 and Th2 cytokines were analyzed in the lavage fluid.


RESULTS
Following supplementation of natural-source d-α-tocopheryl acetate, plasma concentrations of α-tocopherol increased and γ-tocopherol decreased. Both baseline and allergen-induced F(2)-isoprostanes significantly decreased, providing biochemical evidence for an antioxidant effect. Natural-source d-α-tocopheryl acetate reduced allergen-provoked concentrations of interleukin 3 and interleukin 4 and augmented levels of interleukin 12 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Natural-source d-α-tocopheryl acetate improved airway responsiveness to methacholine but did not alter airway reactivity to specific allergen.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of oxidant stress by natural-source d-α-tocopheryl acetate modulates allergic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in human atopic asthmatics in vivo. These results need to be confirmed by a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Twenty-four-color spectral karyotyping reveals chromosome aberrations in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia.

Multicolor spectral karyotyping allows simultaneous visualization of all human chromosomes and screening for chromosomal rearrangements without a priori knowledge of any abnormalities involved. Based on this potentially increased sensitivity, we investigated, in a preliminary manner, whether spectral karyotyping could detect cytogenetic aberrations in karyotypically normal leukemia. The test population was comprised of 28 cryopreserved, cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples from patients registered to a randomized trial for previously untreated AML (SWOG 9031). Two normal and 12 samples with known cytogenetic aberrations were used to validate and establish the diagnostic accuracy of the spectral karyotyping assay and instrumentation in a clinical setting. Enumeration and region-specific DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes verified discrepant results. In the validation data set, spectral karyotyping refined complex karyotypic rearrangements in six cases and defined the chromosomal origin of a "jumping" homogeneously staining region; however, the technology was less sensitive in the detection of subtelomeric rearrangements and double minute chromosomes. In the test population, spectral karyotyping identified previously undetected cytogenetic aberrations in two cases (7%) of karyotypically normal AML: a cryptic 11q23 translocation in 20/20 cells and a minor monosomy 7 clone in 3/21 cells (FISH, 10.5%). Both of these abnormalities are considered to confer a poor prognosis when based on classical cytogenetic prognostic criteria. As an adjunct to classical cytogenetics and standard FISH analyses, the additive resolution of spectral karyotyping, in particular, with chromosome paints spiked with subtelomeric and/or locus-specific probes, may allow significant gains to be made in diagnostic accuracy and recognition of genotype/phenotype prognostic relationships, and in defining underlying biologic mechanisms in cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 28:318-328, 2000.