Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ERP implementation: a compilation and analysis of critical success factors

Purpose – To explore the current literature base of critical success factors (CSFs) of ERP implementations, prepare a compilation, and identify any gaps that might exist.Design/methodology/approach – Hundreds of journals were searched using key terms identified in a preliminary literature review. Successive rounds of article abstract reviews resulted in 45 articles being selected for the compilation. CSF constructs were then identified using content analysis methodology and an inductive coding technique. A subsequent critical analysis identified gaps in the literature base.Findings – The most significant finding is the lack of research that has focused on the identification of CSFs from the perspectives of key stakeholders. Additionally, there appears to be much variance with respect to what exactly is encompassed by change management, one of the most widely cited CSFs, and little detail of specific implementation tactics.Research limitations/implications – There is a need to focus future research efforts.
Allostatic control for robot behaviour regulation: An extension to path planning

Rodents are optimal real-world foragers that can smoothly regulate behaviors like homing and exploration combined with more elaborate abilities as food source localization. Here we investigate a robot based model that implements the self-regulatory processes that underly optimal foraging of rodents in unknown environments and is also able to combine it with goal directed behaviors. Behavior is decomposed into minimal homeostatic subsystems that regulate themselves through the local perception/detection of a gradient. On a higher level, the allostatic control orchestrates the interaction of the different homeostatic modules allowing it to dynamically manage the interactions between the desired values of each subsystem to achieve stability on a meta behavioral level. In this case, we show that overall behavioral stability can be achieved. We validate our model by comparing the behavior of both simulated and real robots with that of rodents. Our next step is then to justify gradients as a valid biological assumption by giving a biologically plausible process for generating them from a cognitive map, in this case, a set of approximated hippocampal place cells. We finally formulate path planning (used for goal reaching, e.g. food source localization) in the same context of a gradient map generation that can be then inserted as an additional subsystem of the higher meta level allostatic control.
Can US Economic Variables Predict the Chinese Stock Market?

In the last few decades, we observed a significant increase in global economic activities and these activities may have an impact on both China's economy and stock market. Given the potential impact, we empirically examine whether US economic variables are leading indicators of the Chinese stock market. Prior to China joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the end of 2001, we find no statistical relationship between US economic variables and the Chinese stock market returns. However, we find US economic variables have statistically significant predictive power for periods after China's admission into the WTO. In addition, we show that the combination of US and China economic variables is more superior in terms of forecasting ability than either single country economic variables. These findings are of economic importance from an investment perspective.
Selection Using Document and Collection Term Frequencies

We examine the impact of two types of information — document frequency (df) and collection term frequency (ctf) — on the effectiveness of database selection. We introduce a family of database selection algorithms based on this information, and compare their effectiveness to two existing database selection approaches, CORI [3] and gGlOSS [9]. We demonstrate that a simple selection algorithm that uses only document frequency information is more effective than gGlOSS, and achieves effectiveness that is very close to that of CORI.
Investigating eating time patterns in UK adults from The 2008–2012 National Diet and Nutrition Survey

Eating later in the day is associated with obesity which in turn is associated with poorer health outcomes (1) . Currently there are few studies which have investigated eating time patterns. Leech (2) investigated temporal eating habits in Australian adults using Latent Class Analysis(LCA). Here we use LCA to investigate the hourly eating patterns of UK adults. Data from four daily food diaries for 2007 women and 1443 men from the 2008 – 2012 UK National Dietary and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (NDNS RP) were analysed. LCA was used to calculate the probability of whether an eating occasion had occurred for every hour of the day for individuals within each distinct class. The average number of kilojoules (kJ) was calculated for each individual for each hour of the day over the four days. We classi ﬁ ed an eating occasion to have occurred if an average of more than 210kJ had been consumed by that individual for that hour of the day. Alternative de ﬁ nitions of eating occasions were used but these did not change the interpretation of results (3) . We investigated whether latent class membership was associated with age, BMI, working hours, living with other people, being married and household income. The association between age and class was assessed using an F Test and the association between other factors and latent class was assessed using a chi (2) test. We identi ﬁ ed three patterns of eating: a standard eating class (Women 38 % Men 48 %), a later class (Women 46 % Men 33 %) which were likely to eat meals slightly later and an irregular class(Women 16 % Men 18 %) which were less likely to eat meals at a ﬁ xed time. We found that for both men and women (p < 0 · 001 in both cases) younger people ate later. Married as opposed to single men(p = 0 · 002) ate earlier. People who are degree educated tend to eat earlier(men p = 0 · 001 women p < 0 · 001) than their
Is the Personal Always Political?: Education and Political Knowledge Strengthen the Relationship Between Openness and Conservatism

Research demonstrates that the negative relationship between Openness to Experience and conservatism is heightened among the informed. We extend this literature using national survey data (Study 1; N = 13,203) and data from students (Study 2; N = 311). As predicted, education – a correlate of political sophistication – strengthened the negative relationship between Openness and conservatism (Study 1). Study 2 employed a knowledge-based measure of political sophistication to show that the Openness × Political Sophistication interaction was restricted to the Openness aspect of Openness. These studies demonstrate that knowledge helps people align their ideology with their personality, but that the Openness × Political Sophistication interaction is specific to one aspect of Openness – nuances that are overlooked in the literature.
Geomagnetic field variations at dip equatorial latitudes of West Africa

A comprehensive study of geomagnetic field variations has been carried out at the dip equatorial latitudes of West Africa. The data obtained during the 1993 French participation in the International Equatorial Electrojet Year experiment in Africa was used for the analysis. Only the quiet condition was examined. Variation in the three geomagnetic field elements (H, D, and Z) showed more variability in D element than in the other two elements. Night time variations was observed in all the three elements which suggests the existence of night time current in the dip equatorial latitudes of West Africa. Key words: West Africa, Fourier analysis, solar quiet, dip equator, variation
Safety and activity of trastuzumab-containing therapies for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer: our long-term clinical experience (GOIM study).

BACKGROUND Trastuzumab is widely used as the treatment of choice for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy patients, median age 57 years and range 31-81 years, were included in our retrospective analysis with the aim to evaluate safety and activity of trastuzumab-containing therapies. RESULTS We observed for first-line treatment response rate (RR) 41%, stable disease (SD) 47% and time to progression (TTP) 8 months (range 1-44). Corresponding numbers for second line were RR 23%, SD 62% and (TTP) 9 months (range 3-23) and beyond second line RR 22%, SD 78% and (TTP) 9 months (range 4-19). Overall survival was 19.2 months (3-62 months). The median cumulative dose of trastuzumab administrated was 5286 mg (464-17 940 mg). Trastuzumab was well tolerated. Median left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) at baseline was 62% and at the end of treatment was 59%. The more relevant adverse events consisted of an asymptomatic decrease in LVEF to 40% (baseline 60%) and a grade 3 symptomatic increase in bilirubin. CONCLUSION Trastuzumab-containing therapies in MBC show a good safety and toxicity profile and a remarkable activity even in heavily pretreated women. Patients should benefit from continued trastuzumab therapy, as shown by the maintenance of (TTP) even beyond second-line treatment.
Experiments on Cross-Language Attribute Detection and Phone Recognition With Minimal Target-Specific Training Data

A state-of-the-art automatic speech recognition (ASR) system can often achieve high accuracy for most spoken languages of interest if a large amount of speech material can be collected and used to train a set of language-specific acoustic phone models. However, designing good ASR systems with little or no language-specific speech data for resource-limited languages is still a challenging research topic. As a consequence, there has been an increasing interest in exploring knowledge sharing among a large number of languages so that a universal set of acoustic phone units can be defined to work for multiple or even for all languages. This work aims at demonstrating that a recently proposed automatic speech attribute transcription framework can play a key role in designing language-universal acoustic models by sharing speech units among all target languages at the acoustic phonetic attribute level. The language-universal acoustic models are evaluated through phone recognition. It will be shown that good cross-language attribute detection and continuous phone recognition performance can be accomplished for “unseen” languages using minimal training data from the target languages to be recognized. Furthermore, a phone-based background model (PBM) approach will be presented to improve attribute detection accuracies.
Investigations of Zinc (Zn) Whiskers using FIB Technology

Mitigation of tin whiskers on tin plated components is a critical issue that must be addressed by the electronics industry prior to the implementation of lead-free processing. The study of whisker formation and growth in alternative material systems may provide insight into mechanisms for whisker behavior in tin systems. This work focuses on the characterization of zinc whiskers grown from an electroplated zinc layer over carbon steel. Focused ion beam (FIB) technology and traditional metallography techniques are used to prepare cross-sectional views. Samples are examined using optical, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction techniques are also used to characterize the electroplated zinc layer over steel. Intermetallic compounds do not appear to play a significant role in the generation of compressive stress within the electroplated zinc. Previous studies from the literature examining zinc whiskers and dislocation loops in zinc are reviewed. Characterization of the zinc over steel system provides a framework for further discussion of comparisons and contrasts between zinc and tin.
Distant Red Galaxies in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field

We take advantage of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field data to study the rest-frame optical and UV morphologies of the novel population of distant red galaxies (DRGs). Six galaxies with J-Ks > 2.3 are found to Ks = 21.5, five of which have photometric redshifts zphot ≳ 2, corresponding to a surface density of 0.9 arcmin-2. The surface brightness distributions of the zphot ≳ 2 galaxies are better represented by exponential disks than R1/4 laws. Two of the zphot ≳ 2 galaxies are extended, while three have compact morphologies. The rest-frame optical morphology of the zphot ≳ 2 galaxies is quite different from the rest-frame UV morphology: All the galaxies have red central components that dominate in the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) H160-band images, as well as distinct off-center blue features that show up in (and often dominate) the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) images. The mean measured effective radius of the zphot ≳ 2 galaxies is ⟨re⟩ = 1.9 ± 1.4 kpc, similar (within the errors) to the mean size of Lyman break galaxies at similar redshifts. All the DRGs are resolved in the ACS images, while four are resolved in the NICMOS images. Two of the zphot ≳ 2 galaxies are bright X-ray sources and hence host active galactic nuclei (AGNs). One of these galaxies is resolved in the ACS and NICMOS images, which means that the AGN does not dominate its rest-frame UV/optical spectral energy distribution (SED), while the other is unresolved in the NICMOS images and hence could have an AGN-dominated SED. The diverse rest-frame optical and UV morphological properties of DRGs derived here suggest that they have complex stellar populations consisting of both evolved populations, which dominate the mass and the rest-frame optical light, and younger populations that show up as patches of star formation in the rest-frame UV light, in many ways resembling the properties of normal local galaxies. This interpretation is supported by fits to the broadband SEDs, which for all five zphot ≳ 2 galaxies are best represented by models with extended star formation histories and substantial amounts of dust.
Self consistent simulation of C-V characterization and ballistic performance of double gate SOI flexible-FET incorporating QM effects

Capacitance-Voltage (C-V) & Ballistic Current-Voltage (I-V) characteristics of Double Gate (DG) Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) Flexible FETs having sub 35nm dimensions are obtained by self-consistent method using coupled Schrodinger-Poisson solver taking into account the quantum mechanical effects. Although, ATLAS simulations to determine current and other short channel effects in this device have been demonstrated in recent literature, C-V & Ballistic I-V characterizations by using self-consistent method are yet to be reported. C-V characteristic of this device is investigated here with the variation of bottom gate voltage. The depletion to accumulation transition point (i.e. Threshold voltage) of the C-V curve should shift in the positive direction when the bottom gate is negatively biased and our simulation results validate this phenomenon. Ballistic performance of this device has also been studied with the variation of top gate voltage.
Using authentic science in climate change education

ABSTRACT In this article, we argue that engagement with authentic science is a means to mediate trust and motivation in those who are learning about climate change. To illustrate the argument, we provide a curricular example that focuses on authentic climate science data. We conclude with an example of how researchers from multiple disciplines can use model-based reasoning to collaboratively design educational experiences.
K-best MIMO detection VLSI architectures achieving up to 424 Mbps

From an error rate performance perspective, maximum likelihood (ML) detection is the preferred detection method for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. However, for high transmission rates a straight forward exhaustive search implementation suffers from prohibitive complexity. The K-best algorithm provides close-to-ML bit error rate (BER) performance, while its circuit complexity is reduced compared to an exhaustive search. In this paper, a new VLSI architecture for the implementation of the K-best algorithm is presented. Instead of the mostly sequential processing that has been applied in previous VLSI implementations of the algorithm, the presented solution takes a more parallel approach. Furthermore, the application of a simplified norm is discussed. The implementation in an ASIC achieves up to 424 Mbps throughput with an area that is almost on par with current state-of-the-art implementations
The shape of the loss curve and the impact of long-range dependence on network performance

Empirical studies showed that many types of network traffic exhibit long-range dependence (LRD), i.e., burstiness on a wide variety of time-scales. Given that traffic streams are indeed endowed with LRD properties, a next question is: what is their impact on network performance? To assess this issue, we consider a generic source model: traffic generated by an individual user is modeled as a fluid on/off pattern with generally distributed on- and off-times; LRD traffic is obtained by choosing the on-times heavy-tailed. We focus on an aggregation of many i.i. d. sources, say n, multiplexed on a FIFO queue, with the queueing resources scaled accordingly. Large deviations analysis says that the (steady-state) overflow probability decays exponentially in n; we call the corresponding decay rate, as a function of the buffer size B, the loss curve. To get insight into the influence of the distribution of the on- and off-times, we list the most significant properties of the loss curve. Strikingly, for small B, the decay rate depends on the distributions only through their means. For large B there is no such insensitivity property. In case of heavy-tailed on-times, the decay of the loss probability in the buffer size is slower than exponential; this is in stark contrast with light-tailed on-times, in which case this decay is at least exponential. To assess the sensitivity of the performance metrics to the probabilistic properties of the input, we compute the loss curve for a number of representative examples (voice, video, file transfer, web browsing, etc.), with realistic distributions and parameters. Our conclusions on the impact of LRD on the performance can be summarized as follows: (1) If the maximally tolerable delay is relatively small, there is hardly any difference between heavy-tailed and light-tailed inputs; this gives a theoretical handle on observations that appeared in the literature. Only for very delay tolerant applications the above-mentioned large B results kick in. (2) The level of aggregation is a significant factor. If the ratio between the link rate and the peak rate of a single source is high, a high utilization can be achieved, while at the same time the delay requirements are met; this holds even if the delay requirements are stringent.
Attitudes and identities in learning English and Chinese as a lingua franca: a bilingual learners’ perspective

ABSTRACT With increasing global demand for English and Chinese language education, the existence of linguistic variation in (and varieties of) both languages has focused scholarly attention on the choice of language standards, norms and models. Using in-depth focus group interviews, this study compared bilingual learners’ choice of English and Putonghua learning targets and examined their language attitudes and identities in relation to these two ‘big’ languages, both of which have played important roles in colonial and post-colonial Hong Kong. The findings revealed that the participants held a hierarchical attitude (i.e. native speaker ideology) towards English but not Putonghua, and identified four key factors affecting their choice of language learning targets, namely (1) the language’s status and instrumental value, (2) the perceived attainability of the target, (3) practical communication needs and (4) the learner’s cultural identity. These results shed light on the local and global status of the two languages and subsequently on the identity construction of Hong Kong people. By comparing the attitudinal patterns of learners towards the world’s two ‘big’ languages, this paper argues for the possibility of applying a World Englishes-oriented framework to the study of Chinese, given its increasing global visibility, linguistic variation and extensive use around the world.
Preservation of VGLUT 1 synapses on ventral calbindin-immunoreactive 2 interneurons and normal locomotor function in a mouse model of Spinal 3 Muscular Atrophy

21 Dysfunction in sensorimotor synapses is one of the earliest pathological changes observed in a mouse 22 model (SMAΔ7) of spinal muscular atrophy. Here, we examined the density of proprioceptive and 23 cholinergic synapses on calbindin-immunoreactive interneurons ventral to the lateral motor column. 24 This population includes inhibitory Renshaw interneurons that are known to receive synaptic input 25 from muscle spindle afferents and from motoneurons. At P13, near the end stage of the disease, the 26 somatic area of Calbindin neurons in the L1/L2 and L5/L6 segments was reduced in SMAΔ7 mice 27 compared to controls. In addition, the number and density of terminals expressing the glutamate 28 vesicular transporter (VGLUT1) and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VACHT) was increased on 29 Calbindin cells in the L1-L2 but not in the L5-L6 segments of SMAΔ7 mice. In addition, the isolated 30 spinal cord of SMA mice was able to generate locomotor-like activity at P4-P6 in the presence of a drug 31 cocktail or in response to dorsal root stimulation. These results argue against a generalized loss of 32 proprioceptive input to spinal circuits in SMA and suggest that the loss of proprioceptive synapses on 33 motoneurons may be secondary to motoneuron pathology. The increased number of VGLUT1 and 34 VAChT synapses on calbindin neurons in the L1/L2 segments may be the result of homeostatic 35 mechanisms. Finally, we have shown that abnormal locomotor network function is unlikely to account 36 for the motor deficits observed in SMA mice at P4-6. 37 38 39
A Marginal-Cost Pricing Model for Gas Distribution Utilities

We develop a natural gas distribution utility pricing model that includes optimization of supply mix and capacity expansion, financial analysis of revenue requirements, and design of either average-cost-or marginal-cost-based rates, and apply it using data from the East Ohio Gas Company. The results clearly point to the superiority of marginal-cost over average-cost pricing policies in terms of lesser capital requirements, better capacity utilization and higher end-use economic efficiency.
Diagonal algebraic space-time block codes

We construct a new family of linear space-time (ST) block codes by the combination of rotated constellations and the Hadamard transform, and we prove them to achieve the full transmit diversity over a quasi-static or fast fading channels. The proposed codes transmit at a normalized rate of 1 symbol/s. When the number of transmit antennas n=1, 2, or n is a multiple of four, we spread a rotated version of the information symbol vector by the Hadamard transform and send it over n transmit antennas and n time periods; for other values of n, we construct the codes by sending the components of a rotated version of the information symbol vector over the diagonal of an n /spl times/ n ST code matrix. The codes maintain their rate, diversity, and coding gains for all real and complex constellations carved from the complex integers ring Z [i], and they outperform the codes from orthogonal design when using complex constellations for n > 2. The maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding of the proposed codes can be implemented by the sphere decoder at a moderate complexity. It is shown that using the proposed codes in a multiantenna system yields good performances with high spectral efficiency and moderate decoding complexity.