Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IT Organizational Alignment: Mechanistic versus Organic Patterns and Performance

In this paper, we address the issue of IT organizational alignment in terms of internal consistency within IT-enabled organizational patterns: mechanistic versus organic. To test our model, we have used data collected due to a large multisector survey conducted within 1900 European firms. Our findings stipulate that complementarities between coordinationoriented IT and organic organizational designs are higher than complementarities between Control-oriented IT and mechanistic organizational designs and imply higher levels of performance for the firm.
A social semiotic analysis of knowledge construction and games centred approaches to teaching

Background: Games centred approaches (GCA) such as TGfU, Game Sense, and Tactical Games are widely promoted as alternatives to traditional forms of teaching games within physical education. These approaches are promoted on the basis of their capacity to engage students in meaningful and enjoyable physical activity and to promote problem-solving and decision-making. There is now a growing body of empirical research investigating the outcomes of such approaches in terms of tactical knowledge, enjoyment and motivation to play games, and a considerable theoretical literature that explains and develops models of practice. Questioning is promoted as a key learning strategy in negotiating tactical understandings and assisting students in decision-making. Examples of questioning sequences are frequently modelled in papers explaining how to teach games centred approaches. While there are considerable examples of how to teach games centred approaches there is a notable absence of research that investigates such approaches in the practice of actual lessons. Purpose: To argue for the value of a social semiotic approach for an analysis of lessons taught using a games centred approach. To demonstrate how a linguistically motivated social semiotic analysis provides the tools to test many of the assumptions and claims made for GCA by investigating practice in situ. In this paper this was illustrated through an analysis of the structure of questioning sequences as modelled in GCA literature and teaching resources. The purpose of the paper was also to argue that a social semiotic perspective allows for an analysis that goes beyond the immediate context of situation to ask how games centred approaches have wider social and cultural impacts, for example, in terms of whether they (re)produce or disrupt limiting notions of femininity and masculinity; extend opportunities for developing abilities to all students; and challenge traditional hierarchical power relations in physical education classes. Conclusion: A social semiotic analysis of the questioning sequences, as modelled in GCA literature and teaching resources, demonstrated how such sequences followed an initiation–response–evaluation (IRE) structure that expects one right answer to the questions and closes down opportunities for debate and for negotiating meaning. Such a pattern of interaction seems counter to claims of a student centred approach and increased student control over knowledge. Research is required that examines both the claims that proponents of GCA make about learning outcomes and the knowledge and social relations being constituted in GCA lessons from a broader social perspective. It is argued that a social semiotic analysis can do both: it provides the means to reflect on and critique the quality of learning that takes place in terms of situated knowledge; and it provides the tools to analyse the ways social and cultural meanings about games and sports, about teachers and learners, and their relationship, and about physical education are being constituted.
Multidimensional biases, gaps and uncertainties in global plant occurrence information.

Plants are a hyperdiverse clade that plays a key role in maintaining ecological and evolutionary processes as well as human livelihoods. Biases, gaps and uncertainties in plant occurrence information remain a central problem in ecology and conservation, but these limitations remain largely unassessed globally. In this synthesis, we propose a conceptual framework for analysing gaps in information coverage, information uncertainties and biases in these metrics along taxonomic, geographical and temporal dimensions, and apply it to all c. 370 000 species of land plants. To this end, we integrated 120 million point-occurrence records with independent databases on plant taxonomy, distributions and conservation status. We find that different data limitations are prevalent in each dimension. Different metrics of information coverage and uncertainty are largely uncorrelated, and reducing taxonomic, spatial or temporal uncertainty by filtering out records would usually come at great costs to coverage. In light of these multidimensional data limitations, we discuss prospects for global plant ecological and biogeographical research, monitoring and conservation and outline critical next steps towards more effective information usage and mobilisation. Our study provides an empirical baseline for evaluating and improving global floristic knowledge, along with a conceptual framework that can be applied to study other hyperdiverse clades.
Fault-safe code motion for type-safe languages

Compilers for Java and other type-safe languages have historically worked to overcome overheads and constraints imposed by runtime safety checks and precise exception semantics. We instead exploit these safety properties to perform code motion optimizations that are even more aggressive than those possible in unsafe languages such as C++. We present a novel framework for speculative motion of dangerous (potentially faulting) instructions in safe, object-oriented languages such as Java and C#. Unlike earlier work, our approach requires no hardware or operating system support. We leverage the properties already provided by a safe language to define fault safety, a more precise notion of safety that guarantees that a dangerous operation (e.g., a memory load) will not fault at a given program point. We illustrate how typical code motion optimizations are easily adapted to exploit our safety framework. First, we modify the standard SSAPRE partial redundancy elimination (PRE) algorithm to use fault safety, rather than the traditional down safety property. Our modified algorithm better exploits profile information by inserting of dangerous instructions on new paths when it is profitable and provably safe. Second, we extend an instruction trace scheduler to use fault safety to safely schedule load instructions across branches to better tolerate memory latency and to more compactly target instruction slots. We implemented these optimizations in StarJIT, a dynamic compiler, and show performance benefits of up to 10% on a set of standard Java benchmarks.
Reassess the t Test: Interact with All Your Data via ANOVA

A perspective on how moving away from pairwise t tests towards general linear modelling such as ANOVA will help the plant biology community. Plant biology is rapidly entering an era where we have the ability to conduct intricate studies that investigate how a plant interacts with the entirety of its environment. This requires complex, large studies to measure how plant genotypes simultaneously interact with a diverse array of environmental stimuli. Successful interpretation of the results from these studies requires us to transition away from the traditional standard of conducting an array of pairwise t tests toward more general linear modeling structures, such as those provided by the extendable ANOVA framework. In this Perspective, we present arguments for making this transition and illustrate how it will help to avoid incorrect conclusions in factorial interaction studies (genotype × genotype, genotype × treatment, and treatment × treatment, or higher levels of interaction) that are becoming more prevalent in this new era of plant biology.
Pooled analysis of three randomized, double‐blind, placebo controlled trials with rimonabant for smoking cessation

Despite the withdrawal of CB1 antagonists, such as rimonabant, from the market and from active clinical development because of concerns about their side effect profiles, research suggests that the endocannabinoid system may play an important role in modulating nicotine's effects. We report the combined results, using a pooled analysis, of three previously unpublished trials assessing rimonabant as a smoking cessation pharmacotherapy conducted between 2002 and 2004. Smokers (n = 2097) motivated to quit were enrolled in three randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials, STRATUS EU, US, and META, which consisted of a 10‐week treatment period with either rimonabant 20 mg (n = 789), 5 mg (n = 518; used in only two of the three studies), or placebo (n = 790), in conjunction with brief counseling. The impact of drug on prolonged abstinence and adverse events was examined at 8 weeks (end‐of‐treatment) and at 48 weeks (available for STRATUS EU and US) after the targeted quit date. Rimonabant 20 mg resulted in significantly higher abstinence at end‐of‐treatment and at 48 weeks post‐targeted quit date compared with placebo, while rimonabant 5 mg and placebo did not differ. Serious AEs did not differ by drug group. The 20 mg rimonabant dose, compared with placebo, produced increased nausea, diarrhea, anxiety symptoms, hyporexia, and vomiting, and decreased headache, constipation, and cough. These results support rimonabant 20 mg as a modestly effective aid for smoking cessation. Although work on CB1 antagonists such as rimonabant has mostly been stopped because of unacceptable adverse events, these results may inform and spur the development of other endocannabinoids for smoking cessation.
Empirical analysis of the relationship between CC and SLOC in a large corpus of Java methods and C functions

Measuring the internal quality of source code is one of the traditional goals of making software development into an engineering discipline. Cyclomatic complexity (CC) is an often used source code quality metric, next to source lines of code (SLOC). However, the use of the CC metric is challenged by the repeated claim that CC is redundant with respect to SLOC because of strong linear correlation.
Efficient use of DS/CDMA signals for broadband communications over power lines

This paper investigates the use of direct‐sequence/code‐division multiple access (DS/CDMA) signals for broadband communications over power lines. Each user is assumed to utilize all available spreading codes for sending the information to the destination. The transmitter and the receiver are assumed to have perfect channel knowledge with the receiver employing a zero‐forcing multiuser detector. Based on channel knowledge we attempt to maximize the data throughput by suitable choice of the number of codes used and the power and the constellation size (bit‐load) assigned to the data modulating each spreading code. We employ Gold codes, in addition to special codes derived based on the channel knowledge for ISI minimization, termed ‘eigen codes’. In contrast to some earlier results concerning CDMA and OFDM, we show that DS/CDMA signals can be optimized to achieve an overall data throughput of approximately 80% of that achieved by OFDM systems. This result shows that DS/CDMA signaling can be a good candidate for broadband power line communications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ByzID: Byzantine Fault Tolerance from Intrusion Detection

Building robust network services that can withstand a wide range of failure types is a fundamental problem in distributed systems. The most general approach, called Byzantine fault tolerance, can mask arbitrary failures. Yet it is often considered too costly to deploy in practice, and many solutions are not resilient to performance attacks. To address this concern we leverage two key technologies already widely deployed in cloud computing infrastructures: replicated state machines and intrusion detection systems. First, we have designed a general framework for constructing Byzantine failure detectors based on an intrusion detection system. Based on such a failure detector, we have designed and built a practical Byzantine fault-tolerant protocol, which has costs comparable to crash-resilient protocols like Paxos. More importantly, our protocol is particularly robust against several key attacks such as flooding attacks, timing attacks, and fairness attacks, that are typically not handled well by Byzantine fault masking procedures.
Master's Thesis Nr. 119 Hardware Transactional Memory and Message Passing

Message passing has gained increased adoption. It is an integral part of programming languages like Erlang and Go, the de-facto standard on large-scale clusters, and the basic means of communication in the Barrelfish operating system. This thesis focuses on point-to-point, inter-core message passing between two processes running in parallel and within a cache-coherency domain. State-of-the-art communication in such a scenario bypasses the kernel and relies on shared memory for message transfer, therefore providing high bandwidth communication. However, low-latency is only achieved if the receiver is constantly polling, which wastes processor cycles that are better spent on application processing. We describe a simple hardware mechanism, alert-on-update, that, inspired by hardware transactional memory, monitors multiple memory locations and triggers a control transfer upon modification. This mechanism enables the sender to notify the receiver of a new message and, in turn, frees the receiver from constant polling. We integrate alert-on-update into Barrelfish’s message passing framework and describe the support needed from the operating system. Using full-system simulation, the evaluation shows that our solution outperforms polling at regular intervals with message latencies up to several orders of magnitude lower and, on top of that, provides a cleaner programming construct.
LOW JITTER OPERATION OF A PLASMA OPENING SWITCH

Low throughput jitter is crucial to the construction of modular pulsed power systems. Recently, the causes of throughput jitter in plasma opening switches have been identified and reduced in a pulsed power system using these switches as the last stage of pulse compression. The results of these changes to the system are presented and discussed. It is found that low jitter operation can be obtained and is consistent with current theoretical understanding of switch operation based upon measured reproducibility of the plasma sources used.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Contributions of the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex to Goal-directed Action Selection

In this article, it will be argued that one of the key contributions of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) to goal-directed action selection lies both in retrieving the value of goals that are the putative outcomes of the decision process and in establishing a relative preference ranking for these goals by taking into account the value of each of the different goals under consideration in a given decision-making scenario. These goal-value signals are then suggested to be used as an input into the on-line computation of action values mediated by brain regions outside of the vmPFC, such as parts of the parietal cortex, supplementary motor cortex, and dorsal striatum. Collectively, these areas can be considered to be constituent elements of a multistage decision process whereby the values of different goals must first be represented and ranked before the value of different courses of action available for the pursuit of those goals can be computed.
The development and application of a Mycoplasma gallisepticum sequence database

Molecular analysis was conducted on 36 Mycoplasma gallisepticum DNA extracts from tracheal swab samples of commercial poultry in seven South African provinces between 2009 and 2012. Twelve unique M. gallisepticum genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (IGSR), M. gallisepticum cytadhesin 2 (mgc2), MGA_0319 and gapA genetic regions. The DNA sequences of these genotypes were distinct from those of M. gallisepticum isolates in a database composed of sequences from other countries, vaccine and reference strains. The most prevalent genotype (SA-WT#7) was detected in samples from commercial broilers, broiler breeders and layers in five provinces. South African M. gallisepticum sequences were more similar to those of the live vaccines commercially available in South Africa, but were distinct from that of F strain vaccine, which is not registered for use in South Africa. The IGSR, mgc2 or MGA_0319 sequences of three South African genotypes were identical to those of the ts-11 vaccine strain, necessitating a combination of mgc2 and IGSR targeted sequencing to differentiate South African wild-type genotypes from ts-11 vaccine. To identify and differentiate all 12 wild-types, mgc2, IGSR and MGA_0319 sequencing was required. Sequencing of gapA was least effective at strain differentiation. This research serves as a model for the development of an M. gallisepticum sequence database, and illustrates its application to characterize M. gallisepticum genotypes, select diagnostic tests and better understand the epidemiology of M. gallisepticum.
Location of a nanoclay at the interface in an immiscible poly(ε‐caprolactone)/poly(ethylene oxide) blend and its effect on the compatibility of the components

Nanocomposites based on 80/20 and 20/80 (w/w) poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) immiscible blends and organophilic layered silicates were prepared with melt extrusion. From transmission electron microscopy analysis, it was observed that the exfoliated silicate platelets were preferentially located at the interface between the two blend phases. When the blend-based nanocomposites were prepared via a two-step process in which the silicates were first premixed with the PEO component or with the PCL component, the silicate layers migrated from the PEO phase or PCL phase to the interface. The rheological behavior of the nanocomposites was also investigated. At low frequencies, the frequency dependence of the storage modulus changed from a liquidlike behavior for the unfilled blend to a solidlike behavior for the nanocomposites, indicating the formation of a network structure as a result of exfoliation. From the scanning electron micrographs, a monotonic decrease of the PEO domain size in the 80/20 PCL/PEO blend was observed as a function of the organophilic clay content. Therefore, a clear emulsifying effect was induced by the organophilic layered silicates in the immiscible PCL/PEO blend. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
The influence of corneal collagen cross-linking on anterior chamber in keratoconus

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the corneal changes following corneal cross-linking (CXL) on the anterior chamber in keratoconus patients. Materials and Methods: Forty-five eyes of 32 patients who had been diagnosed with progressive keratoconus and had undergone CXL were included in this retrospective study. The thinnest corneal thickness of the progressive keratoconus patients included in the study was >400 μ. The preoperative (T0), postoperative 6th month (T1), and postoperative 1st year (T2) anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber angle (ACA), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) scheimpflug imaging values were obtained for each eye. Results: The mean T0 ACV value was 182.79 ± 36.68 mmwhile the T1 value was 201.25 ± 41.73 mm3 and the T2 value was 208.40 ± 42.69 mm3 with a statistically significant difference between the periods (P = 0.001). The mean T0 ACA value was 38.64° ±5.85°, increasing to 41.45° ±4.83° in the T1 and 42.10° ± 4.84° in the T2. The T0 value was significantly lower than the post-CXL values (P = 0.003). The mean ACD value was 3.73 ± 0.29 mm at the T0 and 3.82 ± 0.38 mm at the T1 and 3.84 ± 0.36 mm at the T2. The pre-CXL values were significantly lower than the post-CXL values (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The improvement of corneal parameters by CXL in keratoconus patients can have a positive effect on anterior chamber parameters as well. This effect becomes marked at the postoperative first 6-month evaluation.
Characterization of P2X7 purinergic receptors and their function in rat lacrimal gland.

PURPOSE To characterize the effects of P2X(7) purinergic receptors on lacrimal gland function. METHODS P2X(7) purinergic receptors were identified by RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence techniques. Rat lacrimal gland acini were isolated by collagenase digestion. Acini were incubated with the fluorescent indicator molecule fura 2, and [Ca(2+)](i) was measured by a fluorescence imaging system. Protein secretion was measured with a fluorescence assay system. Activation of ERK 1/2 was determined by Western blot analysis with an antibody against phosphorylated (active) ERK 1/2. RESULTS P2X(7) receptors were present in the lacrimal gland by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. These receptors were located in the membranes of acinar and ductal cells and the cytoplasm of acinar cells. Activation of P2X(7) receptors with (benzoylbenzoyl)adenosine 5'-triphosphate increased [Ca(2+)](i), peroxidase secretion, and ERK 1/2 activation, each of which was inhibited by the P2X(7) receptor inhibitors Brilliant Blue G or A 438079. CONCLUSIONS P2X(7) purinergic receptors are present in rat lacrimal gland and when stimulated increase [Ca(2+)](i), protein secretion, and ERK 1/2 activation.
Are Peer Support Groups for Adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome Helpful?

There is very little documentation dealing with peer support groups for people with Asperger's syndrome, and especially about groups for adolescents. This article gives a description of three such groups that were run in parallel with support groups for parents. The great majority of the participants completed the course of the group. In a consumer satisfaction survey, the majority of the participants (76.5%) and nearly all of their parents (95%) rated satisfaction with the group meetings as good or very good. These responses indicate that adolescents with Asperger's syndrome and their parents perceive peer support groups as helpful.
Mycotoxin Detection in Human Samples from Patients Exposed to Environmental Molds

The goal of this study was to determine if selected mycotoxins (trichothecenes, aflatoxins, and ochratoxins) could be extracted and identified in human tissue and body fluids from patients exposed to toxin producing molds in their environment. Human urine and methanol extracted tissues and sputum were examined. Trichothecenes were tested using competitive ELISA techniques. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, and ochratoxin A were tested by using immunoaffinity columns and fluorometry. Test sensitivity and specificity were determined. Levels of detection for the various mycotoxins varied from 0.2 ppb for trichothecenes, 1.0 ppb for aflatoxins, and 2.0 ppb for ochratoxins. Trichothecene levels varied in urine, sputum, and tissue biopsies (lung, liver, brain) from undetectable (<0.2 ppb) to levels up to 18 ppb. Aflatoxin levels from the same types of tissues varied from 1.0 to 5.0 ppb. Ochratoxins isolated in the same type of tissues varied from 2.0 ppb to > 10.0 ppb. Negative control patients had no detectable mycotoxins in their tissues or fluids. These data show that mycotoxins can be detected in body fluids and human tissue from patients exposed to mycotoxin producing molds in the environment, and demonstrate which human tissues or fluids are the most likely to yield positive results.