Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What we need: Project managers' evaluation of top management actions required for software development projects

Software development projects still fail at an unacceptable rate although prior studies have identified critical success factors needed for project success. This study contributes to the project management literature by providing further insight into the nature and role of ‘top management support’ (TMS), which is widely recognised as one critical factor in the success of software development projects. The study seeks insight into the nature and role of TMS from the perspective of software development project managers and their perceptions of actions required by top management in facilitating project success. A qualitative case-based approach was employed. Sixteen top management ‘actions’ are identified, and subsequently framed by a conceptual model consisting of three top management roles: strategy, facilitate and lead. The study represents the first stage of an ongoing research program. The model will be tested in the Asia-Pacific region in the second stage. The expected final outcome of the research program is a framework that will support project environments by defining top management actions needed to support a software development project in different stages of the life of a project.
Human hippocampus and viewpoint dependence in spatial memory

Virtual reality was used to sequentially present objects within a town square and to test recognition of object locations from the same viewpoint as presentation, or from a shifted viewpoint. A developmental amnesic case with focal bilateral hippocampal pathology showed a massive additional impairment when tested from the shifted viewpoint compared with a mild, list length‐dependent, impairment when tested from the same viewpoint. While the same‐view condition could be solved by visual pattern matching, the shifted‐view condition requires a viewpoint independent representation or an equivalent mechanism for translating or rotating viewpoints in memory. The latter mechanism was indicated by control subjects' response latencies in the shifted‐view condition, although the amnesic case is not impaired in tests of mental rotation of single objects. These results show that the human hippocampus supports viewpoint independence in spatial memory, and suggest that it does so by providing a mechanism for viewpoint manipulation in memory. In addition, they suggest an extremely sensitive test for human hippocampal damage, and hint at the nature of the hipppocampal role in episodic recollection. Hippocampus 2002;12:811–820. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carbon nanotube transistors scaled to a 40-nanometer footprint

Carbon nanotubes on the roadmap The formal challenge for high-performance transistors is to fit within ever smaller devices. They need to shrink from a lateral dimension of about 100 to 40 nanometers. Cao et al. fabricated tiny devices by using a single semiconducting carbon nanotubes, as well as arrays of these nanotubes. High performance (a high saturation on-state current >1.2 milliamperes per micrometer and a conductance >2 millisiemens per micrometer) was delivered by making end-bonded contacts to the nanotubes with cobalt-molybdenum alloys. Science, this issue p. 1369 A top-gate structure that makes end-bonded contacts to high-purity semiconducting nanotube arrays delivers high performance. The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors challenges the device research community to reduce the transistor footprint containing all components to 40 nanometers within the next decade. We report on a p-channel transistor scaled to such an extremely small dimension. Built on one semiconducting carbon nanotube, it occupies less than half the space of leading silicon technologies, while delivering a significantly higher pitch-normalized current density—above 0.9 milliampere per micrometer at a low supply voltage of 0.5 volts with a subthreshold swing of 85 millivolts per decade. Furthermore, we show transistors with the same small footprint built on actual high-density arrays of such nanotubes that deliver higher current than that of the best-competing silicon devices under the same overdrive, without any normalization. We achieve this using low-resistance end-bonded contacts, a high-purity semiconducting carbon nanotube source, and self-assembly to pack nanotubes into full surface-coverage aligned arrays.
STF‐IL‐4: a novel IL‐4‐induced signal transducing factor.

The mechanism by which interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) regulates the expression of particular genes is unknown. We have determined that IL‐4 induces a DNA binding factor (termed STF‐IL‐4) which has a strong affinity for an IFN‐gamma activation site (GAS). Interestingly, STF‐IL‐4 also binds to the IL‐4 responsive promoter for the Ig heavy chain germline epsilon transcript. The IL‐4 dependent activation of STF‐IL‐4 is rapid, does not require protein synthesis and results in the sequential appearance of binding activity first in the cytoplasm and then later in the nucleus. Activation of STF‐IL‐4 is sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and the active factor is tyrosine phosphorylated. This pattern of activation is similar to the activation of interferon‐induced transcription factors. STF‐IL‐4 appears to be a new member of a growing family of cytokine‐induced transcriptional regulators.
Depressive effect of an antidepressant: therapeutic failure of venlafaxine in a case lacking CYP2D6 activity

Understanding the mechanisms of drug metabolism and interactions can help to prevent side-effects. Not only drug interactions, environmental factors, disease processes and ageing are factors in the inter-individual metabolic capacity variance but also genetic factors probably play an important role, as is illustrated in the case presented. Besides therapeutic drug monitoring, genotyping some important cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes was of additional value in explaining why the patient developed severe adverse effects and, moreover, did not experience any therapeutical effect of venlafaxine. Results indicated that the patient was a poor metabolizer for CYP2D6, the most important phase I enzyme to metabolize venlafaxine. This corroborates that polymorphisms in the CYP450 gene influence the metabolic activity of the corresponding enzymes, thus affecting the subsequent serum drug levels and their metabolites. This case highlights the potential benefit of both clinical and genetic risk stratification (pharmacogenetics) prior to treatment, either for setting the individual dose or for making a decision about using a particular drug.
Impact of the rapid antigen detection test in diagnosis and treatment of acute pharyngotonsillitis in a pediatric emergency room.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of the routine use of rapid antigen detection test in the diagnosis and treatment of acute pharyngotonsillitis in children. METHODS This is a prospective and observational study, with a protocol compliance design established at the Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of Universidade de São Paulo for the care of children and adolescents diagnosed with acute pharyngitis. RESULTS 650 children and adolescents were enrolled. Based on clinical findings, antibiotics would be prescribed for 389 patients (59.8%); using the rapid antigen detection test, they were prescribed for 286 patients (44.0%). Among the 261 children who would not have received antibiotics based on the clinical evaluation, 111 (42.5%) had positive rapid antigen detection test. The diagnosis based only on clinical evaluation showed 61.1% sensitivity, 47.7% specificity, 44.9% positive predictive value, and 57.5% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS The clinical diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis had low sensitivity and specificity. The routine use of rapid antigen detection test led to the reduction of antibiotic use and the identification of a risk group for complications of streptococcal infection, since 42.5% positive rapid antigen detection test patients would not have received antibiotics based only on clinical diagnosis.
Mesorectal excision for rectal cancer

A series of 103 consecutive rectal cancers was prospectively documented. Laparotomy was performed in 78 patients of whom five did not undergo resection. Resection was considered curative unless there were liver metastases or biopsy‐proven residual disease. Nine patients had a palliative resection. Thus 64 patients underwent a curative resection, 52 (81 per cent) of whom had an anterior resection of which 26 (46 per cent) were performed by trainees. There were three deaths after operation. Eight (14 per cent) patients developed a clinical anastomotic leak. Thirty patients were available for a minimum follow‐up of 24 (mean 33, range 24–49) months. Four (13 per cent) patients developed distant recurrence. There were no isolated pelvic or anastomotic recurrences. One patient with distal recurrence may have had pelvic disease. The cumulative recurrence–free survival rate at 24 months was 84 per cent. These results support the suggestion that mesorectal excision may reduce local recurrence.
The Basic Science of Articular Cartilage

Articular cartilage is the highly specialized connective tissue of diarthrodial joints. Its principal function is to provide a smooth, lubricated surface for articulation and to facilitate the transmission of loads with a low frictional coefficient (Figure 1). Articular cartilage is devoid of blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves and is subject to a harsh biomechanical environment. Most important, articular cartilage has a limited capacity for intrinsic healing and repair. In this regard, the preservation and health of articular cartilage are paramount to joint health. Figure 1. Gross photograph of healthy articular cartilage in an adult human knee. Injury to articular cartilage is recognized as a cause of significant musculoskeletal morbidity. The unique and complex structure of articular cartilage makes treatment and repair or restoration of the defects challenging for the patient, the surgeon, and the physical therapist. The preservation of articular cartilage is highly dependent on maintaining its organized architecture.
A randomized controlled trial of nurses vs. doctors in the resolution of acute disease of low complexity in primary care.

AIMS To compare the effectiveness of care delivered by nurses to the usual care delivered by general practitioners, in adult patients requesting same day appointments in primary care practices in Catalonia (Spain). BACKGROUND Same day appointments conducted by nurses are characterized by high patient satisfaction and a high resolution index. The profile of nursing and the organization of primary care services in our country differ from other countries. DESIGN Multicentre, randomized, unblinded clinical trial with two parallel groups. METHODS Patients were randomized to an intervention group (seen by nurses trained to respond to low complexity problems) or a control group (seen by the general practitioner) using an automatic probabilistic function. SETTING 38 primary care practices in Catalonia, 142 general practitioners and 155 nurses participated. Population study: ≥ 18-year-old patients who requested a same day consultation. Recruitment period: January-May, 2009. Of the 1,461 randomized patients, 92.5% completed the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES resolution of symptoms and patient satisfaction 2 weeks after the visit. RESULTS Seven hundred and fifty-three patients were assigned to the intervention group and 708 to the control group. Nurses successfully solved 86.3% of the cases. We did not observe any differences in resolution of symptoms or patient satisfaction between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Nurses trained specifically to resolve acute health problems of low complexity give comparable quality of care to that provided by general practitioners in terms of resolution of the problem 15 days after the visit and in patient satisfaction with the visit.
Quality Models in Software Engineering Literature: An Analytical and Comparative Study

The quality of the software is critical and essential in different types of organizations. In some types of software, poor quality of the software product in sensitive systems (such as: real-time systems, control systems, etc.) may lead to loss of human life, permanent injury, mission failure, or financial loss. In software engineering literature, there are a number of quality models in which they contain a number of quality characteristics (or factors, as called in some models). These quality characteristics could be used to reflect the quality of the software product from the view of that characteristic. Selecting which one of the quality models to use is a real challenge. In this paper, we will discuss the contents of the following quality models: McCall’s quality model, Boehm’s quality model, Dromey's quality model, FURPS quality model and ISO 9126 quality model. In addition, we will focus on a comparison between these quality models, and find the key differences between them. [Journal of American Science 2010; 6(3):166-175]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).
THE IMPACT OF BIODEGRADATION OF DE-ICING CHEMICALS ON THE CON- DUCTIVITY AND DISPERSIVITY OF POROUS MEDIA

Environmental contamination with aircraft de-icing fluids (ADF) is becoming a concern. Propylene glycol (PG) composes the largest fraction of the ADF most commonly in use in the U.S. The biodegradation of PG and ADF in saturated and unsaturated sand columns was evaluated, in addition to the impact of biodegradation on the hydrodynamic characteristics of the porous media. In studies with unsaturated sand, the amount of PG removed increased with spilled concentration (from 1000 to 300,000 mg/L), but decreased as multiple pore volumes were spilled. Tests in saturated columns were conducted at average loadings of ADF or PG of 43 to 32,000 mg/d. The hydraulic conductivity of the sand was reduced due to biogrowth, but to a lesser extent with increasing PG or ADF loadings above 110 mg/d. At higher groundwater flow rates, there was less biomass accumulation in the sand and therefore less decrease in hydraulic conductivity. Dispersivity increased over time as bacteria grew in the sand. Understanding the effects of bacterial growth in sand on the hydrodynamic properties of the media and the net biokinetics of the system will aid in predicting the fate of de-icing compounds in the natural environment and engineered treatment biofilters.
DEHYDRATION AS AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR BREVETOXICOSIS IN LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES (CARETTA CARETTA)

Abstract: Harmful algal blooms are known to cause morbidity and mortality to a large number of marine and estuarine organisms worldwide, including fish and marine mammals, birds, and turtles. The effects of these algal blooms on marine organisms are due to the various toxins produced by the different algal species. In southwest Florida, frequent blooms of the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, which produces neurotoxins known as brevetoxins, cause widespread fish kills and affect many marine animals. In 2005–2007, numerous sea turtles of several species underwent treatment for brevetoxicosis at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital. In green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, and Kemp's ridley sea turtles, Lepidochelys kempii, symptoms associated with brevetoxicosis were limited to neurologic signs, such as the inability to control the head (head bobbing) and nervous twitching. For these turtles, treatment involved removing the turtles from the environment containing the toxins and providing short-term supportive care. In loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, symptoms were more generalized; thus, a similar approach was unsuccessful, as was routine treatment for general toxicosis. Loggerhead sea turtles had more extreme neurologic symptoms including coma, and other symptoms that included generalized edema, conjunctival edema, and cloacal or penile prolapse. Treatment of brevetoxicosis in loggerhead sea turtles required a therapeutic regimen that initially included dehydration and systemic antihistamine treatment followed by supportive care.
Immunology as Information Processing

This chapter describes the behavior of the immune system from an informationprocessing perspective. It reviews a series of projects conducted at the University of New Mexico and the Santa Fe Institute, which have developed and explored the theme \immunology as information processing. " The projects cover the spectrum from serious modeling of real immunological phenomena, such as crossreactive responses in animals and the generation of diversity, to computer science applications, especially the attempt to develop an immune system for computers to protect them against viruses, intrusions, and other malicious activities. In each project, we have used an approach with the following steps: (1) Identify a speci c mechanism that appears to be interesting computationally, (2) write a computer program that implements or models the mechanism, (3) study its properties through simulation and mathematical analysis, and (4) demonstrate its capabilities, either by applying the model to a biological question of interest or by showing how it can be used pro tably in a computer science setting.
Accelerated life testing leds on temperature and current

LED products intended for outdoor applications need specific tests to evaluate its reliability. In this paper tests for detecting failures at high temperatures and currents below maximun current rating conditions, have been carried out. Open circuit catastrophic failures have been observed in these tests at a constant current. Failure mechanisms have been analyzed. Temperature and current acceleration factors of this failure mechanism have been evaluated based on Arrhenius and Inverse Power Law Relationship.
Social Influence in Technology Adoption Research – A Scientometric Study over two DecadesBehavior

Research on the impact of social influence on the individual Information Systems (IS) user represents one of the major challenges of technology adoption research since the introduction of Technology Acceptance Model in 1989. As several IS researchers still struggle from both a theoretical and an empirical perspective to determine how social influence can be explained and measured, this approach contributes to existing adoption research by providing the findings of a literature analysis of all journal and conference articles of the JAIS journal ranking and the AIS proceedings since 1989. The results based on 149 relevant papers reveal that social influence is more significant using a individualized measurement and more important for the usage of utilitarian IS. Additionally it is shown that the point of adoption (pre-adoption vs. post adoption) and the degree of free decision-making (mandatory vs. voluntary) do not affect the impact of social influence.
Information Cascades: Replication and an Extension to Majority Rule and Conformity-Rewarding Institutions

In a randomly determined order, each agent was given an independent, private signal about which of two states was selected by a random draw. After receiving the private signal each agent made a publicly announced decision about the state. Thus, at the time of personal decision each agent had a private signal and also knew the decisions of all preceding agents. The experiments focused on three different types of organization. (1) Agents were rewarded according to whether their announced decision was right or wrong. This “individualistic institution" is the one studied by Anderson and Holt (AER, 1997). Their discovery of information cascades is replicated. (2) Agents were rewarded according to whether a majority of announced decisions were right or wrong. Under this “majority rule institution" the instance of information cascades is sharply reduced. (3) Agents are rewarded more according to whether their personal announced decision was the same as the majority decision than they were rewarded if their decision was correct. This "conformity rewarding institution" is motivated by proceedings in which there is incentive to produce reports that conform to the reports of others. Substantial information cascades are observed.
Total Fluid and Water Consumption and the Joint Effect of Exposure to Disinfection By-Products on Risk of Bladder Cancer

Background Findings on water and total fluid intake and bladder cancer are inconsistent; this may, in part, be due to different levels of carcinogens in drinking water. High levels of arsenic and chlorinated by-products in drinking water have been associated with elevated bladder cancer risk in most studies. A pooled analysis based on six case–control studies observed a positive association between tap water and bladder cancer but none for nontap fluid intake, suggesting that contaminants in tap water may be responsible for the excess risk. Objectives We examined the association between total fluid and water consumption and bladder cancer risk, as well as the interaction between water intake and trihalomethane (THM) exposure, in a large case–control study in Spain. Methods A total of 397 bladder cancer cases and 664 matched controls were available for this analysis. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression, controlling for potential confounders. Results Total fluid intake was associated with a decrease in bladder cancer risk [OR = 0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.40–0.95 for highest vs. lowest quintile comparison]. A significant inverse association was observed for water intake (for > 1,399 vs. < 400 mL/day, OR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.33–0.66; p for trend < 0.0001), but not for other individual beverages. The inverse association between water intake and bladder cancer persisted within each level of THM exposure; we found no statistical interaction (p for interaction = 0.13). Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that water intake is inversely associated with bladder cancer risk, regardless of THM exposure level.
Scaling Across Knowledge Boundaries: A Case Study Of A Large-Scale Agile Software Development Project

While, in practice, agile methods are increasingly used across large and distributed projects, the general applicability in large-scale development projects is still contested. Currently, there are only a few empirical studies of agile in the large, and especially accounts on how scaling is performed in practice are scarce. This paper aims at closing this gap by reporting from a case study of a large-scale agile effort in a highly prestigious IT-project in a Governmental organization in Norway. Theoretically, the paper draws from insights from studies of product innovation, and conceptualizes scaling in large-scale agile projects as a continuous process that involves establishing practices and artifacts for communicating and sharing across 'knowledge boundaries'. Empirically, the paper contributes by illustrating how scaling is made possible and performed through a wide-range of novel practices and artifacts that emerge over time. We illustrate how these practices, roles and artifacts establish ways of transferring, translating and transforming knowledge across different teams and between different stakeholders. Our analysis shows that these practices challenge a widespread dichotomy between agile methods as being 'flexible' on one hand, and traditional methods being 'rigid' on the other hand. Instead, the tailored practices in the case both added structure and flexibility at different stages in the process.