Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cultural Difference and Conflict Management - A Vietnamese-Australian and Construction Industry Case Study

Abstract On many construction projects, conflict occurs and to varying degrees. On international projects, generally cultural differences are considered to be a potential source of conflict, and culture is considered to influence the way conflict is dealt with. To this end, the paper examines the relationship between culture and the way conflict is handled in a construction context. The paper reports an exploratory study conducted ontwo distinctly different cultural groups - Australian and Vietnamese - within the Vietnamese construction industry. Counter-intuitively, it was found that, despite predictive cultural differences between the two groups, they tended to adopt a similar integrative or collaborative conflict handling style when working together. The groups displayed cultural characteristics that were different from what is widely predicted in literature. The study results could be interpreted as showing that, in some cases, there may be no merit in adopting an East-West cultural classification; intercultural interaction appears to break down classification barriers. The findings of the paper will be useful for those engaged on international projects and dealing with people from mixed cultures.
An examination of the usage and impact of upward influence tactics by workers in the hospitality sector of Taiwan: Expanding the framework of rao, schmidt, and murray (1995)

This study adds the political tendencies of subordinates and their organizational socialization as antecedents to the Rao, Schmidt, and Murray (1995) framework of the use of upward influence tactics. Supervisor trust in the subordinate was added as an outcome. Furthermore, using 278 subordinate-supervisor dyads in the Taiwanese hotel industry, a full range of influence tactics were examined. Political tendencies and socialization were associated with subordinate use of influence tactics. However, assertiveness was the only tactic strongly and negatively associated with both performance rating and the level of trust the manager placed in the subordinate. Importantly, these negative effects were mediated by supervisor impressions of subordinate tenacity and disagreeableness. Copyright © 2010 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Dans cet article, les tendances politiques et la socialisation organisationnelle des subordonnes sont ajoutees comme variables intermediaires au cadre de Rao, Schmidt et Murray (1995) relatif a l'utilisation des tactiques d'influence ascendante. La confiance du superviseur est ajoutee comme variable de resultat. Par ailleurs, grâce a 278 dyades subordonne-superviseur dans l'industrie hoteliere taiwanaise, une gamme de tactiques d'influence est examinee dans une culture etrangere a l'Amerique du Nord. Les tendances politiques et la socialisation sont reliees a l'utilisation, par les subordonnes, des tactiques d'influence. Seule la confiance en soi est la tactique fortement reliee a l'evaluation de la performance recue et au niveau de confiance que le superviseur a envers le subordonne. De facon plus importante, ces effets negatifs sont medies par les impressions que le superviseur a de la tenacite et du caractere desagreable du subordonne. Copyright © 2010 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technology Adoption vs. Continuous Usage Intention: do Decision Criteria Change when Using a Technology?

Various models in Information Systems (IS) research seek to understand why individuals embrace or resist the adoption or use of a technology. Different models analyze the factors shaping user intentions at different stages of technology adoption and use. Yet, less is known how the factors shaping adoption intention subsequently evolve into continuous usage intention as users become (more) familiar with the technology. This paper investigates participants’ (N=549) adoption and continuous usage intention of a smartphone application for energy efficiency twice: at two different stages of experience, but for the same technology, in the same setting, and in particular with the same sample. In both cases, we use the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT1&2). While UTAUT explains adoption intention well, we find only moderate support for continuous usage intention. In line with prior research, our data suggests that beliefs are updated from adoption to continuous usage stage.
Learning to Select Features using their Properties

Feature selection is the task of choosing a small subset of features that is sufficient to predict the target labels well. Here, instead of trying to directly determine which features are better, we attempt to learn the properties of good features. For this purpose we assume that each feature is represented by a set of properties, referred to as meta-features. This approach enables prediction of the quality of features without measuring their value on the training instances. We use this ability to devise new selection algorithms that can efficiently search for new good features in the presence of a huge number of features, and to dramatically reduce the number of feature measurements needed. We demonstrate our algorithms on a handwritten digit recognition problem and a visual object category recognition problem. In addition, we show how this novel viewpoint enables derivation of better generalization bounds for the joint learning problem of selection and classification, and how it contributes to a better understanding of the problem. Specifically, in the context of object recognition, previous works showed that it is possible to find one set of features which fits most object categories (aka a universal dictionary). Here we use our framework to analyze one such universal dictionary and find that the quality of features in this dictionary can be predicted accurately by its meta-features.
Efficient and Deterministic Parallel Placement for FPGAs

We describe a parallel simulated annealing algorithm for FPGA placement. The algorithm proposes and evaluates multiple moves in parallel, and has been incorporated into Altera’s Quartus II CAD system. Across a set of 18 industrial benchmark circuits, we achieve geometric average speedups during the quench of 2.7x and 4.0x on four and eight processors, respectively, with individual circuits achieving speedups of up to 3.6x and 5.9x. Over the course of the entire anneal, we achieve speedups of up to 2.8x and 3.7x, with geometric average speedups of 2.1x and 2.4x. Our algorithm is the first parallel placer to optimize for criteria other than wirelength, such as critical path length, and is one of the few deterministic parallel placement algorithms. We discuss the challenges involved in combining these two features and the new techniques we used to overcome them. We also quantify the impact of maintaining determinism on eight cores, and find that while it reduces performance by approximately 15% relative to an ideal speedup of 8.0x, hardware limitations are a larger factor and reduce performance by 30--40%. We then suggest possible enhancements to allow our approach to scale to 16 cores and beyond.
A joint data assimilation system (Tan-Tracker) to simultaneously estimate surface CO 2 fluxes and 3-D atmospheric CO 2 concentrations from observations

Abstract. We have developed a novel framework ("Tan-Tracker") for assimilating observations of atmospheric CO2 concentrations, based on the POD-based (proper orthogonal decomposition) ensemble four-dimensional variational data assimilation method (PODEn4DVar). The high flexibility and the high computational efficiency of the PODEn4DVar approach allow us to include both the atmospheric CO2 concentrations and the surface CO2 fluxes as part of the large state vector to be simultaneously estimated from assimilation of atmospheric CO2 observations. Compared to most modern top-down flux inversion approaches, where only surface fluxes are considered as control variables, one major advantage of our joint data assimilation system is that, in principle, no assumption on perfect transport models is needed. In addition, the possibility for Tan-Tracker to use a complete dynamic model to consistently describe the time evolution of CO2 surface fluxes (CFs) and the atmospheric CO2 concentrations represents a better use of observation information for recycling the analyses at each assimilation step in order to improve the forecasts for the following assimilations. An experimental Tan-Tracker system has been built based on a complete augmented dynamical model, where (1) the surface atmosphere CO2 exchanges are prescribed by using a persistent forecasting model for the scaling factors of the first-guess net CO2 surface fluxes and (2) the atmospheric CO2 transport is simulated by using the GEOS-Chem three-dimensional global chemistry transport model. Observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) for assimilating synthetic in situ observations of surface CO2 concentrations are carefully designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Tan-Tracker system. In particular, detailed comparisons are made with its simplified version (referred to as TT-S) with only CFs taken as the prognostic variables. It is found that our Tan-Tracker system is capable of outperforming TT-S with higher assimilation precision for both CO2 concentrations and CO2 fluxes, mainly due to the simultaneous estimation of CO2 concentrations and CFs in our Tan-Tracker data assimilation system. A experiment for assimilating the real dry-air column CO2 retrievals (XCO2) from the Japanese Greenhouse Gases Observation Satellite (GOSAT) further demonstrates its potential wide applications.
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation Attenuates Neuronal Adaptation

We previously showed that brief application of 2 mA (peak-to-peak) transcranial currents alternating at 10 Hz significantly reduces motion adaptation in humans. This is but one of many behavioral studies showing that weak currents applied to the scalp modulate neural processing. Transcranial stimulation has been shown to improve perception, learning, and a range of clinical symptoms. Few studies, however, have measured the neural consequences of transcranial current stimulation. We capitalized on the strong link between motion perception and neural activity in the middle temporal (MT) area of the macaque monkey to study the neural mechanisms that underlie the behavioral consequences of transcranial alternating current stimulation. First, we observed that 2 mA currents generated substantial intracranial fields, which were much stronger in the stimulated hemisphere (0.12 V/m) than on the opposite side of the brain (0.03 V/m). Second, we found that brief application of transcranial alternating current stimulation at 10 Hz reduced spike-frequency adaptation of MT neurons and led to a broadband increase in the power spectrum of local field potentials. Together, these findings provide a direct demonstration that weak electric fields applied to the scalp significantly affect neural processing in the primate brain and that this includes a hitherto unknown mechanism that attenuates sensory adaptation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Transcranial stimulation has been claimed to improve perception, learning, and a range of clinical symptoms. Little is known, however, how transcranial current stimulation generates such effects, and the search for better stimulation protocols proceeds largely by trial and error. We investigated, for the first time, the neural consequences of stimulation in the monkey brain. We found that even brief application of alternating current stimulation reduced the effects of adaptation on single-neuron firing rates and local field potentials; this mechanistic insight explains previous behavioral findings and suggests a novel way to modulate neural information processing using transcranial currents. In addition, by developing an animal model to help understand transcranial stimulation, this study will aid the rational design of stimulation protocols for the treatment of mental illnesses, and the improvement of perception and learning.
The London bombings: Mobile witnessing, mortal bodies and globital time

Most cultural theorists argue that time in the digital and globalized media era is accelerating, with the future and past collapsed into an extended present. This would seem to be the case with the 2005 London bombings: mobile witnessing through the use of mobile camera phones provided co-present personal communicative memory of the events by survivors and witnesses. This was rapidly transformed by mainstream media organizations into mediated witnessing which within days was being reassembled as part of a process of commemoration through online memorials. More than five years on from the terrorist attacks, however, there is an unevenness in the trajectories of mobile witnessing over time in what may be termed the ‘globital memory field’. As well as compression and speed, ‘globital time’ is folded to intersect with ‘slow’ and ‘long’ time that is very much part of each citizen’s lifeworld and subsequently is an important dimension within any process of commemoration, conflict resolution and justice.
Dynamic Controller Provisioning in Software Defined Networks

Software Defined Networking (SDN) has emerged as a new paradigm that offers the programmability required to dynamically configure and control a network. A traditional SDN implementation relies on a logically centralized controller that runs the control plane. However, in a large-scale WAN deployment, this rudimentary centralized approach has several limitations related to performance and scalability. To address these issues, recent proposals have advocated deploying multiple controllers that work cooperatively to control a network. Nonetheless, this approach drags in an interesting problem, which we call the Dynamic Controller Provisioning Problem (DCPP). DCPP dynamically adapts the number of controllers and their locations with changing network conditions, in order to minimize flow setup time and communication overhead. In this paper, we propose a framework for deploying multiple controllers within an WAN. Our framework dynamically adjusts the number of active controllers and delegates each controller with a subset of Openflow switches according to network dynamics while ensuring minimal flow setup time and communication overhead. To this end, we formulate the optimal controller provisioning problem as an Integer Linear Program (ILP) and propose two heuristics to solve it. Simulation results show that our solution minimizes flow setup time while incurring very low communication overhead.
Assessing House Price Effects on Unemployment Dynamics

We investigate the causal effect of house price movements on unemployment dynamics. Using a dataset of 34 countries over the last 40 years, we show the large and significant impact of house prices on unemployment fluctuations using property taxes as an instrument for house prices. A 10% (instrumented) appreciation in house prices yields to a 3.4% decrease in the unemployment rate. These results are very robust to the inclusion of the variables commonly used to explain unemployment rate developments. If house prices directly impact employment in construction, job volatility in this sector resulting in large employment fluctuations, they impact also total employment through their effects on non-residential investment and consumption, two determinants of labour demand. Housing booms have a specific effect on employment in the tradable sector as they lead to real exchange rate appreciations that affect manufacturing activity.
Workplace spirituality and expatriate assignments: what are the issues?

Expatriate assignments continue to rise. They pose unique challenges to spirituality researchers. The employing organization reaches deeper into the employee’s private sphere in expatriate assignments than it does in domestic jobs by sponsoring, encouraging, perhaps even requiring the upheaval of an international move. In addition, the role and expression of spirituality differs from country to country. Not all countries are equally tolerant facing a deviation by expatriates from the expected expressions of spirituality. Therefore, spirituality research requires two extensions in expatriation studies: first, it must extend further into the private sphere of expatriates and their families; and second, it has to study spirituality at the cultural or societal level. This article discusses the major questions in expatriate assignments from a spirituality perspective. In doing so, it provides spirituality researchers with a number of research propositions to guide their forays into expatriate studies.
Agreement on Reports of Intimate Partner Violence Among White, Black, and Hispanic Couples in the United States

This article examines agreement on reports of male to female partner violence (MFPV) and female to male partner violence (FMPV) and predictors of agreement among White, Black, and Hispanic couples in the United States. Using a probability sample, separate face-to-face interviews were conducted in respondents' homes with both members of 1,635 couples living in the 48 contiguous states. The response rate was 85%. Results indicate that concordance about intimate partner violence among couples is low, independent of ethnicity. More than half of all MFPV and FMPV events would not have been identified if identification required agreement between partners. Women seem to be more willing to identify themselves as perpetrators of violence than men are. Logistic analysis shows that cohabitation versus marriage, more years of education, and Hispanic compared to White ethnicity are associated with a lower level of agreement on MFPV. No variable in the analysis affects levels of agreement for FMPV.
Diagnostic Value of Multidetector CT and Its Multiplanar Reformation, Volume Rendering and Virtual Bronchoscopy Postprocessing Techniques for Primary Trachea and Main Bronchus Tumors

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic value of multidetector CT (MDCT) and its multiplanar reformation (MPR), volume rendering (VR) and virtual bronchoscopy (VB) postprocessing techniques for primary trachea and main bronchus tumors. Methods Detection results of 31 primary trachea and main bronchus tumors with MDCT and its MPR, VR and VB postprocessing techniques, were analyzed retrospectively with regard to tumor locations, tumor morphologies, extramural invasions of tumors, longitudinal involvements of tumors, morphologies and extents of luminal stenoses, distances between main bronchus tumors and trachea carinae, and internal features of tumors. The detection results were compared with that of surgery and pathology. Results Detection results with MDCT and its MPR, VR and VB were consistent with that of surgery and pathology, included tumor locations (tracheae, n = 19; right main bronchi, n = 6; left main bronchi, n = 6), tumor morphologies (endoluminal nodes with narrow bases, n = 2; endoluminal nodes with wide bases, n = 13; both intraluminal and extraluminal masses, n = 16), extramural invasions of tumors (brokethrough only serous membrane, n = 1; 4.0 mm—56.0 mm, n = 14; no clear border with right atelectasis, n = 1), longitudinal involvements of tumors (3.0 mm, n = 1; 5.0 mm—68.0 mm, n = 29; whole right main bronchus wall and trachea carina, n = 1), morphologies of luminal stenoses (irregular, n = 26; circular, n = 3; eccentric, n = 1; conical, n = 1) and extents (mild, n = 5; moderate, n = 7; severe, n = 19), distances between main bronchus tumors and trachea carinae (16.0 mm, n = 1; invaded trachea carina, n = 1; >20.0 mm, n = 10), and internal features of tumors (fairly homogeneous densities with rather obvious enhancements, n = 26; homogeneous density with obvious enhancement, n = 1; homogeneous density without obvious enhancement, n = 1; not enough homogeneous density with obvious enhancement, n = 1; punctate calcification with obvious enhancement, n = 1; low density without obvious enhancement, n = 1). Conclusion MDCT and its MPR, VR and VB images have respective advantages and disadvantages. Their combination could complement to each other to accurately detect locations, natures (benignancy, malignancy or low malignancy), and quantities (extramural invasions, longitudinal involvements, extents of luminal stenoses, distances between main bronchus tumors and trachea carinae) of primary trachea and main bronchus tumors with crucial information for surgical treatment, are highly useful diagnostic methods for primary trachea and main bronchus tumors.
The Effectiveness of Reason Racer, a Game Designed to Engage Middle School Students in Scientific Argumentation

Abstract Reason Racer is an online, rate-based, multiplayer game that applies specific game features in order to engage middle school students in introductory knowledge of and thinking related to scientific argumentation. Game features include rapid and competitive play, timed performance, immediate feedback, and high rates of response across many game-play sessions and science scenarios. The areas of argumentation addressed in the game include understanding a claim, judging evidence about a claim based on type (fact, opinion) and quality, determining the reasoning applied to the claim (authority, theory, or logic), considering counterarguments and rebuttals, and making judgments. These skills have been identified as important by previous research. Students who played the game at least 10 times improved in every aspect of argumentation skill and judgment. Students who played the game also reported an increase in confidence and motivation to engage in science compared to students who did not play the game. This study has implications for the use of rate-based, multiplayer, competitive games as a component of instruction for difficult-to-teach skills. We also assume that the engaging and fun aspects of Reason Racer contributed to students reporting an increased interest in science.