Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracting Variability-Safe Feature Models from Source Code Dependencies in System Variants

To effectively cope with increasing customization demands, companies that have developed variants of software systems are faced with the challenge of consolidating all the variants into a Software Product Line, a proven development paradigm capable of handling such demands. A crucial step in this challenge is to reverse engineer feature models that capture all the required feature combinations of each system variant. Current research has explored this task using propositional logic, natural language, and search-based techniques. However, using knowledge from the implementation artifacts for the reverse engineering task has not been studied. We propose a multi-objective approach that not only uses standard precision and recall metrics for the combinations of features but that also considers variability-safety, i.e. the property that, based on structural dependencies among elements of implementation artifacts, asserts whether all feature combinations of a feature model are in fact well-formed software systems. We evaluate our approach with five case studies and highlight its benefits for the software engineer.
VOLATILITY OF INDIA'S STOCK INDEX FUTURES MARKET: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

In recent years, the increasing importance of the futures market in the Indian financial markets has received considerable attention from researchers, academicians and financial analysts. This paper is an attempt to examine the time varying properties of volatility of India’s stock index futures market. The application of GARCH class models provides the evidence of the persistence of time varying volatility, and its asymmetric effect. It is also inferred that in India’s stock index futures market, bad news increases the volatility substantially. This volatility behavior of Indian capital market may be due to recent global financial meltdown that originated from US subprime crisis. Such empirical evidence keeps much relevance to policy makers and regulators of India in devising prudential norms and implementing warranted policy reforms.
Reliable feature matching across widely separated views

We present a robust method for automatically matching features in images corresponding to the same physical point on an object seen from two arbitrary viewpoints. Unlike conventional stereo matching approaches we assume no prior knowledge about the relative camera positions and orientations. In fact in our application this is the information we wish to determine from the image feature matches. Features are detected in two or more images and characterised using affine texture invariants. The problem of window effects is explicitly addressed by our method-our feature characterisation is invariant to linear transformations of the image data including rotation, stretch and skew. The feature matching process is optimised for a structure-from-motion application where we wish to ignore unreliable matches at the expense of reducing the number of feature matches.
New Designs of Bandpass Diplexer and Switchplexer Based on Parallel-Coupled Bandpass Filters

In this paper, new designs of a bandpass diplexer and switchplexer are presented. Based on the proposed design method, they can be implemented by the direct connection of two parallel-coupled bandpass filters. As a result, the circuit size and mismatch losses can be reduced compared with conventional designs. In addition, based on the proposed filter prototypes, multiple functional blocks in the RF front end can be integrated into a single component. As an example, a balun-integrated bandpass switchplexer that effectively integrates all the functional blocks between the antenna and the TX/RX amplifiers in a single-band RF transceiver is demonstrated. In this way, not only can the level of integration of the RF front end be further improved, but the circuit size and power losses can also be reduced.
Hairy Guys in Sheds: The Rough and Ready World of DIY Cigar Box Guitar Makers

Abstract The cigar box guitar has a long history in the USA, where it formed part of the culture of traditional blues music and became a popular DIY project. Despite the growth in popularity of the blues in the UK, the penchant for constructing cigar box guitars did not travel with it. This article explores the recent appearance of the instrument and the culture surrounding it in the UK as a particular form of cultural DIY activity combining individual design and production with collective performance, which has in some cases grown far beyond an amateur hobby into a professional business.
Relative Earnings and Giving in a Real-Effort Experiment

This paper investigates the relationship between relative earnings and giving in a twostage, real-effort experiment. In the first stage, four players compete in a tournament that determines their earnings. In the second stage, they decide whether they wish to transfer part of their earnings to one or more of their group members. Our main finding is that those who are ranked first are significantly less likely to give than those who are ranked second. This non-monotonic relationship between earnings and likelihood of giving disappears if individual earnings are randomly determined or if individuals learn about the second (transfer) stage only after they earn their income. These results suggest that the non-monotonic relationship detected may be driven by differences in individuals’ expectations about others’ behavior in the second stage, which are correlated with their own willingness to give.
Generation Y and protected areas: A scoping study of research, theory, and future directions

Abstract Over the past two decades, there has been anecdotal reporting of declines in young people’s engagement with natural environments. This article focuses on Generation Y, also commonly referred to as the Millennials. Through a scoping study of published research to 2017, we explore how Generation Y experiences, views, and is influenced by natural areas of high conservation value. A key finding is that the body of empirical and theoretical research that has examined Generation Y’s engagement with national parks and protected areas is very small. Four distinct topic areas emerged: “generational differences,” “outdoor recreation and well-being,” “environmental responsibility,” and “visitor trends. ” Findings suggest that Generation Y may differ from other generations, including how they value well-being and their perceptions of environmental responsibility. The article explores the implications for how protected area agencies promote, create, and manage experiences.
Impact of Quality of Work-Life (QWL) on Organizational Performance: An Empirical Study in the Private Jordanian Universities

Within every matter relating to management, organizational performance is the vital instrument in assessing organizational financial and non-financial results, also a technique to compose evaluation with competitors. Performance is the most significant measure in evaluating organizations and their achievements. Hence, the significant contribution of the current study is developing a model which undertaken on examining the impact of quality of work life (QWL) on organizational performance (by using Balanced Scorecards particulary). The current study adopted the descriptive analytical method; it was applied in private Jordanian universities (located in Amman). This study used equal stratified random sample. For primary data, questionnaire was used; so 140 questionnaires were distributed to (140) managers. The questionnaire composed of (24) items of close ended statements. Collected data was analyzed by using different statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, and multiple regression through the SPSS.This study found that there was a significant statistical impact of Quality of Work-Life (QWL) on Organizational Performance in the Private Jordanian Universities at level (a£ 0.05). The researchers recommend modifying the managerial dimension to get greater effect from Quality of work life on performance, therefore; spending more time and effort on developing, training, motivation through empowerment is essential for all workers.
Expression Profiling Using a cDNA Array and Immunohistochemistry for the Extracellular Matrix Genes FN-1, ITGA-3, ITGB-5, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in Colorectal Carcinoma Progression and Dissemination

Colorectal cancer dissemination depends on extracellular matrix genes related to remodeling and degradation of the matrix structure. This investigation intended to evaluate the association between FN-1, ITGA-3, ITGB-5, MMP-2, and MMP-9 gene and protein expression levels in tumor tissue with clinical and histopathological neoplastic parameters of cancer dissemination. The expression associations between ECM molecules and selected epithelial markers EGFR, VEGF, Bcl2, P53, and KI-67 have also been examined in 114 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent primary tumor resection. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry tissue microarray methods were performed in samples from the primary tumors. The gene expression results showed that the ITGA-3 and ITGB-5 genes were overexpressed in tumors with lymph node and distant metastasis (III/IV-stage tumors compared with I/II tumors). The MMP-2 gene showed significant overexpression in mucinous type tumors, and MMP-9 was overexpressed in villous adenocarcinoma histologic type tumors. The ECM genes MMP9 and ITGA-3 have shown a significant expression correlation with EGFR epithelial marker. The overexpression of the matrix extracellular genes ITGA-3 and ITGB-5 is associated with advanced stage tumors, and the genes MMP-2 and MMP-9 are overexpressed in mucinous and villous adenocarcinoma type tumors, respectively. The epithelial marker EGFR overactivity has been shown to be associated with the ECM genes MMP-9 and ITGA-3 expression.
A Preliminary Analysis of Tyler Perry’s ‘House of Payne’ and ‘Meet the Browns’: Effect on the Black Identity, African Americans’ Frequency of Exposure, Perception of Accuracy and Affective Evaluation

A survey method was applied to a sample of 145 self-identified African American members of four predominantly African American churches to assess the influence of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns television shows on their racial identity and how they perceived and evaluated the shows. Results indicate that (1) particular socioeconomic factors, more specifically education attainment, may negatively influence exposure to House of Payne and Meet the Browns, 2) religiosity may account for viewers’ exposure more to House of Payne than to Meet the Browns, 3) House of Payne may have a more significant influence on viewers” black identity than Meet the Browns, 4) Frequency of exposure, income, and education may predict affective evaluation and perceived accuracy of both House of Payne and Meet the Browns, and 5) House of Payne may be considered a more accurate and positive reflection of the black group experience than Meet the Browns.
Harmonic motion imaging for focused ultrasound (HMIFU): a fully integrated technique for sonication and monitoring of thermal ablation in tissues

FUS (focused ultrasound), or HIFU (high-intensity-focused ultrasound) therapy, a minimally or non-invasive procedure that uses ultrasound to generate thermal necrosis, has been proven successful in several clinical applications. This paper discusses a method for monitoring thermal treatment at different sonication durations (10 s, 20 s and 30 s) using the amplitude-modulated (AM) harmonic motion imaging for focused ultrasound (HMIFU) technique in bovine liver samples in vitro. The feasibility of HMI for characterizing mechanical tissue properties has previously been demonstrated. Here, a confocal transducer, combining a 4.68 MHz therapy (FUS) and a 7.5 MHz diagnostic (pulse-echo) transducer, was used. The therapy transducer was driven by a low-frequency AM continuous signal at 25 Hz, producing a stable harmonic radiation force oscillating at the modulation frequency. A pulser/receiver was used to drive the pulse-echo transducer at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 5.4 kHz. Radio-frequency (RF) signals were acquired using a standard pulse-echo technique. The temperature near the ablation region was simultaneously monitored. Both RF signals and temperature measurements were obtained before, during and after sonication. The resulting axial tissue displacement was estimated using one-dimensional cross correlation. When temperature at the focal zone was above 48 °C during heating, the coagulation necrosis occurred and tissue damage was irreversible. The HMI displacement profiles in relation to the temperature and sonication durations were analyzed. At the beginning of heating, the temperature at the focus increased sharply, while the tissue stiffness decreased resulting in higher HMI displacements. This was confirmed by an increase of 0.8 µm °C−1(r = 0.93, p < .005). After sustained heating, the tissue became irreversibly stiffer, followed by an associated decrease in the HMI displacement (−0.79 µm °C−1, r = −0.92, p < 0.001). Repeated experiments showed a reproducible pattern of the HMI displacement changes with a temperature at a slope equal to 0.8 ± 0.11 and − 0.79 ± 0.14 µm °C−1, prior to and after lesion formation in seven bovine liver samples, respectively. This technique was thus capable of following the protein-denatured lesion formation based on the variation of the HMI displacements. This method could, therefore, be applied for real-time monitoring of temperature-related stiffness changes of tissues during FUS, HIFU or other thermal therapies.
Performance Limitations in Bandit Problems with Side Observations

We consider a sequential adaptive allocation problem which is formulated as a traditional two armed bandit problem but with one important modification: at each t ime step t, before selecting which arm to pull, the decision maker has access to a random variable Xt which provides information on the reward in each arm. Performance is measured as the fraction of times an inferior arm (generating lower mean reward) is pulled. We derive a minimax lower bound that proves that in the absence of sufficient statistical “diversity” in the distribution of the side inf ormation X, a property that we shall refer to as persistent excitation, no policy can improve on the best achievable performance in the traditional bandit problem without side information. In particular, in the absence of persiste nt excitation it is necessary that the expected number of pulls on the inferior arm be unbounded.
FRET-based assay to screen inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and nucleocapsid protein

During HIV-1 reverse transcription, the single-stranded RNA genome is converted into proviral double stranded DNA by Reverse Transcriptase (RT) within a reverse transcription complex composed of the genomic RNA and a number of HIV-1 encoded proteins, including the nucleocapsid protein NCp7. Here, we developed a one-step and one-pot RT polymerization assay. In this in vitro assay, RT polymerization is monitored in real-time by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) using a commercially available doubly-labeled primer/template DNA. The assay can monitor and quantify RT polymerization activity as well as its promotion by NCp7. Z-factor values as high as 0.89 were obtained, indicating that the assay is suitable for high-throughput drug screening. Using Nevirapine and AZT as prototypical RT inhibitors, reliable IC50 values were obtained from the changes in the RT polymerization kinetics. Interestingly, the assay can also detect NCp7 inhibitors, making it suitable for high-throughput screening of drugs targeting RT, NCp7 or simultaneously, both proteins.
Adaptation of aphid stylectomy for analyses of proteins and mRNAs in barley phloem sap

Sieve tubes are transport conduits not only for photoassimilates but also for macromolecules and other compounds that are involved in sieve tube maintenance and systemic signalling. In order to gain sufficient amounts of pure phloem exudates from barley plants for analyses of the protein and mRNA composition, a previously described stylectomy set-up was optimized. Aphids were placed in sealed cages, which, immediately after microcauterization of the stylets, were flooded with water-saturated silicon oil. The exuding phloem sap was collected with a capillary connected to a pump. Using up to 30 plants and 600 aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi) in parallel, an average of 10 μl of phloem sap could be obtained within 6 h of sampling. In first analyses of the macromolecular content, eight so far unknown phloem mRNAs were identified by cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism. Transcripts in barley phloem exudates are related to metabolism, signalling, and pathogen defence, for example coding for a protein kinase and a pathogen- and insect-responsive WIR1A (wheat-induced resistance 1A)-like protein. Further, one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and subsequent partial sequencing by mass spectrometry led to the identification of seven major proteins with putative functions in stress responses and transport of mRNAs, proteins, and sugars. Two of the discovered proteins probably represent isoforms of a new phloem-mobile sucrose transporter. Notably, two-dimensional electrophoresis confirmed that there are >250 phloem proteins awaiting identification in future studies.
Technological acquisitions and the innovation performance of acquiring firms: a longitudinal study

This paper examines the impact of acquisitions on the subsequent innovation performance of acquiring firms in the chemicals industry. We distinguish between technological acquisitions, acquisitions in which technology is a component of the acquired firm's assets, and nontechnological acquisitions: acquisitions that do not involve a technological component. We develop a framework relating acquisitions to firm innovation performance and develop a set of measures for quantifying the technological inputs a firm obtains through acquisitions. We find that within technological acquisitions absolute size of the acquired knowledge base enhances innovation performance, while relative size of the acquired knowledge base reduces innovation output. The relatedness of acquired and acquiring knowledge bases has a nonlinear impact on innovation output. Nontechnological acquisitions do not have a significant effect on subsequent innovation output. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AN INTERMEDIATE LUMINOSITY TRANSIENT IN NGC 300: THE ERUPTION OF A DUST-ENSHROUDED MASSIVE STAR

We present multi-epoch high-resolution optical spectroscopy, UV/radio/X-ray imaging, and archival Hubble and Spitzer observations of an intermediate luminosity optical transient recently discovered in the nearby galaxy NGC 300. We find that the transient (NGC 300 OT2008-1) has a peak absolute magnitude of Mbol ≈ −11.8 mag, intermediate between novae and supernovae, and similar to the recent events M85 OT2006-1 and SN 2008S. Our high-resolution spectra, the first for this event, are dominated by intermediate velocity (∼200–1000 km s−1) hydrogen Balmer lines and Ca ii emission and absorption lines that point to a complex circumstellar environment, reminiscent of the yellow hypergiant IRC+10420. In particular, we detect asymmetric Ca ii H&K absorption with a broad red wing extending to ∼103 km s−1, indicative of gas inflow at high velocity (possibly the wind of a massive binary companion). The low luminosity, intermediate velocities, and overall similarity to a known eruptive star indicate that the event did not result in a complete disruption of the progenitor. We identify the progenitor in archival Spitzer observations, with deep upper limits from Hubble data. The spectral energy distribution points to a dust-enshrouded star with a luminosity of about 6 × 104 L☉, indicative of a ∼10–20 M☉ progenitor (or binary system). This conclusion is in good agreement with our interpretation of the outburst and circumstellar properties. The lack of significant extinction in the transient spectrum indicates that the dust surrounding the progenitor was cleared by the outburst. We thus predict that the progenitor should be eventually visible with Hubble if the transient event marks an evolutionary transition to a dust-free state, or with Spitzer if the event marks a cyclical process of dust formation.
Efficient Price Discovery in Stock Index Cash and Futures Markets

This study is concerned with the aggregation of information in the French stock index cash and futures markets. The results indicate that deviations from the equilibrium relationship linking cash and futures prices originate mainly from information arrivals in the futures market and that at least 95 of the price discovery is achieved in this market. Finally, the results appear relatively independent of the particular choice of price measurement, transaction prices versus quotes.
Supervisory control and quality assurance in food industry

The present paper describes the results of an interdisciplinary research project that combines knowledge from the domains of food processing, quality assurance, business modeling and ITC technologies in order to offer a general traceability solution for the Romanian food industry. This research complies with European Union's agricultural regulations which impose that food products must be accompanied along the whole producer-consumer chain, by documents regarding their origin, processing mode and quality. The project's main goal is to design an integrated traceability and quality assurance information system for a generic food processing unit. The proposed system gives a global perspective to other business actors such as primary producers, distributors, retailers, warehouses, etc. The traceability system covers the following main functionalities: food processing lines' monitoring and supervision, traceability and quality information generation and recording and business-to-business data exchange. In order to assure scalability and flexibility a multi-layer architecture was adopted, with a data management layer, an intra/inter-business layer and a unified GUI layer. The system is based on a service oriented architecture, uses Web services for data exchange and combines other new ITC technologies such as: SOAP, XML, WSDL, UDDI, and BPEL.
Receptor and VLDL Receptor Expression During Lesion Development Scavenger Receptor in Rabbit Atherosclerotic Lesions : Marked Induction of Scavenger Related Protein , and − Expression of LDL Receptor , VLDL Receptor , LDL Receptor

Receptor and VLDL Receptor Expression During Lesion Development Scavenger Receptor in Rabbit Atherosclerotic Lesions : Marked Induction of Scavenger Related Protein, and − Expression of LDL Receptor, VLDL Receptor, LDL Receptor Print ISSN: 0009-7322. Online ISSN: 1524-4539 Copyright © 1998 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. is published by the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 Circulation doi: 10.1161/01.CIR. 97.11. 1079 1998;97:1079-1086 Circulation. http://circ.ahajournals. org/content/97/11/1079 World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on the