Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Five-Step Method for Value-Based Planning and Monitoring of Systems Engineering Projects

Main activities of project management for the development of complex software-intensive systems are currently: (a) to plan the project by selecting processes, methods and resources; and (b) to control the project by monitoring mainly cost and schedule, the so-called ''earned values". Concentrating solely on these values bears the disadvantage that other important measures are not under observation. These often neglected measures comprise e.g. requirements clarity, which also contributes to the "system value" as it will be recognized by its stakeholders. Therefore the meaning of the term "value " has to be extended, taking also into account less- and non-monetary values and their monitoring has to start at early project phases (e.g. during requirements engineering). This paper describes a five-step method which enriches the "earned value" concept with other important value aspects. This shall support project managers in their value-based planning and monitoring of systems engineering projects, thus increasing the value for the addressed stakeholders
Pervasive and Mobile Computing ( ) – Pervasive and Mobile Computing Individuals among Commuters: Building Personalised Transport Information Services from Fare Collection Systems

This work investigates how data from public transport fare collection systems can be used to analyse travellers' behaviour, and transform travel information systems that urban residents use to navigate their city into personalised and dynamic systems that cater for each passenger's unique needs. In particular, we show how fare collection data can be used to identify behavioural differences between passengers: we thus advocate for a personalised approach to delivering transport related information to travellers. To demonstrate the potential for personalisation we compute trip time estimates that more accurately reflect the travel habits of each passenger. We propose a number of algorithms for personalised trip time estimations, and empirically demonstrate that these approaches outperform both a non-personalised baseline computed from the data, as well as published travel times as currently offered by the transport authority. Furthermore, we show how to easily scale the system by pre-clustering travellers. We close by outlining the wide variety of applications and services that may be fuelled by fare collection data.
Understanding Noun Phrases

Onc vicw ol sentcnce comprehension is that word meanings are retrieved independently and then combined: another v iew is that the retr ieved meanings fbr words are context dependent and thus different in differer.rt sentences. To eramine retrieval of a noun's meaning in the context ofan adjective. spoken sentences were probed with a picture. Subjects were instructed to respond positively ifthe picture illustrated a noun in the sentence (e.g. /ior.se). regardless ofother information in the sentence (burning hou.;e) or in the picture. Even when the probe appeared immediately after an adjectile noun pair, an atypical picturc incorporating the adjective was responded to more rapid ly than a more typical p icture. The resul ts suggest hat a noun's meaning is retrieved in conjunction with thc adjective. not independently, when the phrase describes a familiar concept ion such as a burning house.
Breakdown of Long-Range Temporal Correlations in Theta Oscillations in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Neuroimaging has revealed robust large-scale patterns of high neuronal activity in the human brain in the classical eyes-closed wakeful rest condition, pointing to the presence of a baseline of sustained endogenous processing in the absence of stimulus-driven neuronal activity. This baseline state has been shown to differ in major depressive disorder. More recently, several studies have documented that despite having a complex temporal structure, baseline oscillatory activity is characterized by persistent autocorrelations for tens of seconds that are highly replicable within and across subjects. The functional significance of these long-range temporal correlations has remained unknown. We recorded neuromagnetic activity in patients with a major depressive disorder and in healthy control subjects during eyes-closed wakeful rest and quantified the long-range temporal correlations in the amplitude fluctuations of different frequency bands. We found that temporal correlations in the theta-frequency band (3-7 Hz) were almost absent in the 5-100 s time range in the patients but prominent in the control subjects. The magnitude of temporal correlations over the left temporocentral region predicted the severity of depression in the patients. These data indicate that long-range temporal correlations in theta oscillations are a salient characteristic of the healthy human brain and may have diagnostic potential in psychiatric disorders. We propose a link between the abnormal temporal structure of theta oscillations in the depressive patients and the systems-level impairments of limbic-cortical networks that have been identified in recent anatomical and functional studies of patients with major depressive disorder.
Economists' Views about Parameters, Values, and Policies: Survey Results in Labor and Public Economics

Specialists in labor economics and public economics at 40 leading research universities provided opinions of policy proposals, quantitative best estimates and 95-percent confidence intervals for economic parameters, and answers to values questions regarding income redistribution, efficiency versus equity, and individual versus social responsibility. Their positions on policy are more closely related to their values than to their estimates of relevant economic parameters. Average best estimates of the economic parameters agree well with the relevant literature, but individual best estimates are usually widely dispersed. The individual 95-percent confidence intervals are much narrower than the substantial cross-respondent variation in estimates would warrant.
Using BREL to nowcast the Belgian business cycle: the role of survey data

The article assesses the usefulness of indicators taken from surveys carried out by the National Bank of Belgium for predicting Belgian GDP and other important quarterly macroeconomic aggregates. To this end, the authors use the recently created BREL now-casting platform that consists of targeted bridge models for different data availability scenarios. BREL is based upon an elastic-net regression approach that takes into account the ragged-edge nature of the data set. The results of their empirical analysis suggest that survey data clearly help to predict Belgian (but also European) macroeconomic developments, in particular for earlier estimates, when the relevant hard data, notably firms’ turnover and industrial production, are not yet available. They also show that forecast accuracy is higher when using disaggregated survey results, rather than just the headline consumer confidence and business sentiment indicators. In this connection, demand expectations in the manufacturing industry and the unemployment expectations in the consumer survey consistently feature among the best predictors for real GDP growth.
Strategic challenges for creating knowledge‐based innovation in China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline the strategic challenges for creating knowledge‐based innovation in China.Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines the context of innovation in China and describes the triple helix model of knowledge‐based innovation.Findings – China's re‐emergence as a major power in the world economy points to the needs of integrating China into the global innovation networks. However, there are a number of challenges facing Chinese firms, academics, government agencies and policy makers.Originality/value – The paper gives notice of launch in 2009 of the Journal of Knowledge‐based Innovation in China which will address the innovation challenges facing China in the transition from a planned to a market‐driven economy in the twenty‐first century. The new journal will provide a platform for the development of new ideas and research on knowledge‐based innovation.
Novel group of podovirus infecting the marine bacterium Alteromonas macleodii

Four novel, closely related podoviruses, which displayed lytic activity against the gamma-proteobacterium Alteromonas macleodii, have been isolated and sequenced. Alterophages AltAD45-P1 to P4 were obtained from water recovered near a fish farm in the Mediterranean Sea. Their morphology indicates that they belong to the Podoviridae. Their linear and dsDNA genomes are 100–104 kb in size, remarkably larger than any other described podovirus. The four AltAD45-phages share 99% nucleotide sequence identity over 97% of their ORFs, although an insertion was found in AltAD45-P1 and P2 and some regions were slightly more divergent. Despite the high overall sequence similarity among these four phages, the group with the insertion and the group without it, have different host ranges against the A. macleodii strains tested. The AltAD45-P1 to P4 phages have genes for DNA replication and transcription as well as structural genes, which are similar to the N4-like Podoviridae genus that is widespread in proteobacteria. However, in terms of their genomic structure, AltAD45-P1 to P4 differ from that of the N4-like phages. Some distinguishing features include the lack of a large virion encapsidated RNA polymerase gene, very well conserved among all the previously described N4-like phages, a single-stranded DNA binding protein and different tail protein genes. We conclude that the AltAD45 phages characterized in this study constitute a new genus within the Podoviridae.
Regional Economic Diversity: Action, Concept, or State of Confusion

Economic diversity has been promoted as a means to achieve the goals of stability and growth. However, the link between diversity, diversification and economic performance depends on the differences, both conceptually and empirically, between diversity and diversification. Unfortunately, the literature contains varying definitions of diversity and diversification. I propose two key points in defining diversity. First, it is a static concept. Second, it examines the size, the presence of multiple specializations, and the linkages present among industries within a regionâ€™s economy. A brief review of diversity measures is used to discuss measuring diversity relative to some standard, as an explanatory variable in examining growth and stability, and other issues. No one diversity measure is critique free; care should be taken when using a diversity measure as the only factor in a policy designed to change the structure of a regionâ€™s economy, given the goals of growth and stability.
We Met at the Beach: Examining Sense of Community through Charity Sporting Events

Co-Authorship Statement. Acknowledgements. Table of
Impaired Ventilatory and Thermoregulatory Responses to Hypoxic Stress in Newborn Phox2b Heterozygous Knock-Out Mice

The Phox2b genesis necessary for the development of the autonomic nervous system, and especially, of respiratory neuronal circuits. In the present study, we examined the role of Phox2b in ventilatory and thermoregulatory responses to hypoxic stress, which are closely related in the postnatal period. Hypoxic stress was generated by strong thermal stimulus, combined or not with reduced inspired O2. To this end, we exposed 6-day-old Phox2b+/− pups and their wild-type littermates (Phox2b+/+) to hypoxia (10% O2) or hypercapnia (8% CO2) under thermoneutral (33°C) or cold (26°C) conditions. We found that Phox2b+/− pups showed less normoxic ventilation (VE) in the cold than Phox2b+/+ pups. Phox2b+/− pups also showed lower oxygen consumption (VO2) in the cold, reflecting reduced thermogenesis and a lower body temperature. Furthermore, while the cold depressed ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia in both genotype groups, this effect was less pronounced in Phox2b+/− pups. Finally, because serotonin (5-HT) neurons are pivotal to respiratory and thermoregulatory circuits and depend on Phox2b for their differentiation, we studied 5-HT metabolism using high pressure liquid chromatography, and found that it was altered in Phox2b+/− pups. We conclude that Phox2b haploinsufficiency alters the ability of newborns to cope with metabolic challenges, possibly due to 5-HT signaling impairments.
The Waveform Correlation Event Detection System project, Phase II: Testing with the IDC primary network

Further improvements to the Waveform Correlation Event Detection System (WCEDS) developed by Sandia Laboratory have made it possible to test the system on the accepted Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) seismic monitoring network. For our test interval we selected a 24-hour period from December 1996, and chose to use the Reviewed Event Bulletin (REB) produced by the Prototype International Data Center (PIDC) as ground truth for evaluating the results. The network is heterogeneous, consisting of array and three-component sites, and as a result requires more flexible waveform processing algorithms than were available in the first version of the system. For simplicity and superior performance, we opted to use the spatial coherency algorithm of Wagner and Owens (1996) for both types of sites. Preliminary tests indicated that the existing version of WCEDS, which ignored directional information, could not achieve satisfactory detection or location performance for many of the smaller events in the REB, particularly those in the south Pacific where the network coverage is unusually sparse. To achieve an acceptable level of performance, we made modifications to include directional consistency checks for the correlations, making the regions of high correlation much less ambiguous. These checks require the production of continuous azimuth and slowness streams for each station, which is accomplished by means of FK processing for the arrays and power polarization processing for the three-component sites. In addition, we added the capability to use multiple frequency-banded data streams for each site to increase sensitivity to phases whose frequency content changes as a function of distance.
Striking It Richer: The Evolution of Top Incomes in the United States

However, the gains were very uneven. Top 1% incomes grew by 31.4% while bottom 99% incomes grew only by 0.4% from 2009 to 2012. Hence, the top 1% captured 95% of the income gains in the first three years of the recovery. From 2009 to 2010, top 1% grew fast and then stagnated from 2010 to 2011. Bottom 99% stagnated both from 2009 to 2010 and from 2010 to 2011. In 2012, top 1% incomes increased sharply by 19.6% while bottom 99% incomes grew only by 1.0%. In sum, top 1% incomes are close to full recovery while bottom 99% incomes have hardly started to recover.
Efficient Progressive Skyline Computation

In this paper, we focus on the retrieval of a set of interesting answers called the skyline from a database. Given a set of points, the skyline comprises the points that are not dominated by other points. A point dominates another point if it is as good or better in all dimensions and better in at least one dimension. We present two novel algorithms, Bitmap and Index, to compute the skyline of a set of points. Unlike most existing algorithms that require at least one pass over the dataset to return the rst interesting point, our algorithms progressively return interesting points as they are identi ed. Our performance study further shows that the proposed algorithms provide quick initial response time with Index being superior in most cases.
Novel Transcription Factor Variants through RNA-Sequencing: The Importance of Being “Alternative”

Alternative splicing is a pervasive mechanism of RNA maturation in higher eukaryotes, which increases proteomic diversity and biological complexity. It has a key regulatory role in several physiological and pathological states. The diffusion of Next Generation Sequencing, particularly of RNA-Sequencing, has exponentially empowered the identification of novel transcripts revealing that more than 95% of human genes undergo alternative splicing. The highest rate of alternative splicing occurs in transcription factors encoding genes, mostly in Krüppel-associated box domains of zinc finger proteins. Since these molecules are responsible for gene expression, alternative splicing is a crucial mechanism to “regulate the regulators”. Indeed, different transcription factors isoforms may have different or even opposite functions. In this work, through a targeted re-analysis of our previously published RNA-Sequencing datasets, we identified nine novel transcripts in seven transcription factors genes. In silico analysis, combined with RT-PCR, cloning and Sanger sequencing, allowed us to experimentally validate these new variants. Through computational approaches we also predicted their novel structural and functional properties. Our findings indicate that alternative splicing is a major determinant of transcription factor diversity, confirming that accurate analysis of RNA-Sequencing data can reliably lead to the identification of novel transcripts, with potentially new functions.
Transfusion practices in elective surgical procedures in finnish hospitals

7 INTRODUCTION . 9 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. 11 1. Clinical use of blood components . 11 1.1. Trends in blood component usage . 11 1.2. Risks of blood transfusion . 13 2. Indications for perioperative blood component transfusion . 16 2.1. Principles of the replacement of acute blood loss . 16 2.2. Development of the RBC transfusion trigger . 19 2.3. Transfusion guidelines in association of surgery . 21 3. Transfusions in selected common elective surgical procedures . 23 3.1. Primary total joint replacements . 23 3.2. Coronary artery bypass operations . 26 3.3. Transurethral resection of the prostate . 29 3.4. Surgical transfusion practice variation . 29 4. Blood conservation in surgery . 31 4.1. Surgical and anesthesiological considerations . 31 4.2. Autologous blood . 32 4.3. Artificial oxygen carriers . 35 4.4. Hemostatic agents . 36 5. Education and audit in transfusion medicine . 37 5.1. Administrative issues . 38 5.2. Audit and educational methods . 39 AIMS OF THE STUDY . 42 MATERIALS AND METHODS . 43 Patients and study designs . 43 Ethical considerations . 43 Studies I to III . 43 Study IV . 45 Study V . 47 Statistical analyses . 47
Emerging Value Propositions For M-Commerce

The proliferation of mobile Internet devices is creating an unparalleled opportunityfor e-commerce to leverage the benefits of mobility. Mobile e-commerce,commonly referred to as m-commerce, is the ability to purchase goodsanywhere through a wireless Internet-enabled device. Current e-commerce providers,engaged through mobile devices, will find advantage in developingunique m-commerce value propositions founded upon the specific dimensionsof: ubiquity, convenience, localization, and personalization. A consumer orientationthat provides value-for-time functions to create a new value curve mayachieve a competitive advantage over traditional e-commerce models replicated formobile business. Therefore, this paper investigates the value propositions,that engender a productive mobile e-commerce strategy to provide recommendationsfor managerial decision-making in this emerging wireless environment.
The contribution of pseudouridine to stabilities and structure of RNAs

Thermodynamic data are reported revealing that pseudouridine (Ψ) can stabilize RNA duplexes when replacing U and forming Ψ-A, Ψ-G, Ψ-U and Ψ-C pairs. Stabilization is dependent on type of base pair, position of Ψ within the RNA duplex, and type and orientation of adjacent Watson–Crick pairs. NMR spectra demonstrate that for internal Ψ-A, Ψ-G and Ψ-U pairs, the N3 imino proton is hydrogen bonded to the opposite strand nucleotide and the N1 imino proton may also be hydrogen bonded. CD spectra show that general A-helix structure is preserved, but there is some shifting of peaks and changing of intensities. Ψ has two hydrogen donors (N1 and N3 imino protons) and two hydrogen bond acceptors because the glycosidic bond is C-C rather than C-N as in uridine. This greater structural potential may allow Ψ to behave as a kind of structurally driven universal base because it can enhance stability relative to U when paired with A, G, U or C inside a double helix. These structural and thermodynamic properties may contribute to the biological functions of Ψ.
Income Inequality in Paris in the Heyday of the Commercial Revolution

Rising inequality in recent decades in the U.S. and other developed economies has again focused attention on the relationship between inequality and growth, and the relationship between inequality and heterogeneity in abilities. This paper is a preliminary report based on the analysis of data extracted from the tax returns (the taille) imposed by Philip the Fair from 1292 to 1313 on the Parisian middle class. The major finding reported in this paper is that inequality in Paris in the heyday of the Commercial Revolution was very high – a Gini coefficient of 0.7. The medieval Gini coefficient is larger than values recorded for Latin American. Inequality was general and was not confined to one sector or the other. As theory would predict, this inequality was reflected also in large skill and ability premiums and was higher in the high return occupations. Inequality was also very high in skilled occupations controlled by craft guilds such as weaving or construction. I also focus on the very wealthy and show that the elite were very socially mobile. Studying death rates of tax payers accounted for in the tax rolls, I find the death rate to be comparable with that 19th century Europe. The overall picture that emerges is that the Parisian economy of the late middle ages provided ample incentives for the acquisition of human capital and rewarded ability and skill, and in that respect was closer into the information age economy of today.
Models of Functional Organization of the Lateral Prefrontal Cortex in Verbal Working Memory: Evidence in Favor of the Process Model

Research on the functional organization of the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) in working memory continues to be fairly equivocal between two major frameworks: organization-by-process or organization-by-material. Although there is fairly strong evidence for organization-by-process models from event-related fMRI studies, some investigators argue that the nature of the stimulus material better defines the functional organization of the lateral PFC, particularly in more ventral regions (BA 47/45/44). Specifically, the anterior region of the ventrolateral PFC (BA 47/45) is hypothesized to subserve semantic processing while the posterior region (BA 44) may subserve phonological processing. In the current event-related fMRI study, we directly compared process-related versus material-related organizational principles in a verbal working memory task. Subjects performed a modified delayed response task in which they (1) retained a list of five words or five nonwords during the delay period (maintenance), or (2) performed a semantic (size reordering) or phonological (alphabetical reordering) task on the word or nonword lists, respectively (manipulation). We did not find evidence during the delay period of our task to support claims of anterior-posterior specializations in the ventrolateral PFC for semantic versus phonological processing. Subjects did, however, display greater neuronal activity during the delay period of manipulation trials than maintenance trials in both the dorsolateral PFC and posterior ventrolateral regions. These data are more consistent with the process model of the organization of lateral PFC in verbal working memory.