Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personality in software engineering: Preliminary findings from a systematic literature review

Background The influence of individual personalities on individual tasks and team work has been a concern in software engineering over the past 50 years. However, how to use personality analysis and what it can offer for the practice of software engineering is still subject to debate among researchers. Aim The goal of this work is to identify the methods used, topics addressed, personality tests applied, and the main findings produced in the research about personality in software engineering. Method We performed a systematic literature review of peer reviewed studies published between 1970 and 2010. Results Data extracted from 42 studies shows that pair programming and team building are the most recurring research topics and MBTI is the most used test. Conclusions Contradicting evidences were found that may have been caused by differences in context, research method, and versions of the tests used in the studies. While this raises a warning for practitioners that wish to use of personality tests in practice, it shows several opportunities for researchers.
Digital Storytelling in Foreign Language Teaching

Digital storytelling refers to a short form of digital media production, in which images, music, narrative and voice are woven together to give deep dimension and vivid color to characters, situations, experiences, and insights. The application of digital storytelling in foreign language teaching can help the instructor present teaching materials and convey specific contextual emotions; on the other hand, the students are offered the opportunities to intake “the comprehensible input”, cultivate the literacy development of a target language and improve their language skills. The design of digital storytelling follows the principles in language teaching methodology, cognitive psychology and multimedia interface aesthetics. Keywords—digital storytelling, foreign language teaching, design principles
Enhancing the clustering process in the category model load profiling

Load profiling based consumer categorisation is a procedure that involves stages such as the proper representation of the load data, the selection of one or more pattern recognition algorithms, the assessment of their performance, the formation of daily load curve clusters for each consumer and the formation of the final consumer clusters. This study proposes improvements for every stage, while a new stage is introduced to enhance the whole procedure. All the pattern representation techniques of the load profiling related literature are examined together with the most widely used clustering algorithm, namely the K-means. Two novel modified forms of the algorithm are introduced, specially designed by the authors for the problem under study. The aim is to optimally group together similar daily demand patterns to provide exploitable information to the utilities and the retailers for the efficient design and implementation of innovative energy services, targeted to the different consumer categories. Moreover, all the pattern representation techniques that have been proposed in the literature are examined. These techniques can be divided in three major categories, namely time-domain indices, load shape indices and frequency-domain indices. Furthermore, four proposed dimensionality reduction techniques are investigated, namely the principal components analysis (PCA), Sammon mapping (SM), curvilinear component analysis (CCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA) (6, 7). To enhance the clustering performance, we examined reduction schemes from 0-98% of the initial patterns dimension. Therefore, this paper aims to help the user to select the most efficient load profiling approach in terms of minimising the clustering error, by presenting a detailed comparative analysis of existing algorithms and techniques.
Optimal capacity assignment in interactive satellite return channels for mobile multimedia services

We develop an efficient method for optimal capacity assignment in an interactive satellite multimedia system using hybrid CDMA/TDMA channels. We mathematically formulate a throughput-maximizing capacity assignment problem as a binary integer programming (BIP) problem, and decompose this BIP problem into two subproblems. With this decomposition, we promote the computational efficiency in finding the optimal solution of the original BIP problem.
A seven‐coordinate pyridine‐2,6‐di­carboxyl­ate‐bridged cadmium(II) complex, at 110 K

The reaction of cadmium(II) chloride monohydrate with a self-assembling pyridine-containing ligand, LH2 {LH2 is [H2pyda]2+[pydc]2−, where pyda = 2,6-di­amino­pyridine and H2pydc = pyridine-2,6-di­carboxyl­ic acid}, in water leads to the formation of a centrosymmetric dinuclear CdII complex, di-μ-pyridine-2,6-di­carboxyl­ato-bis­[tri­aqua­cadmium(II)], [Cd(pydc)(H2O)3]2·2H2pydc or [Cd2(C7H3NO4)2(H2O)6]·2C7H5NO4. Each Cd atom is seven-coordinate and has a distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry. The two metal fragments are linked via the central four-membered Cd2O2 ring and there is no [Hpyda]+ moiety in the structure of the complex. The structure self-assembles into layers via hydrogen bonds.
Interactive Multimedia in an Informal Setting: The Use of a Multimedia Information Kiosk by University Students

This article reports on a study that evaluated the use of a multimedia information kiosk by university students over a period of two years. It examined the users' perception of the system, their media preferences, and their patterns of use through actual on-line data and survey information. The results of the study highlighted several important features that an effective public access systems should have: 1) multiple navigation paths to accommodate users with different needs, 2) simple graphical user interface, and 3) visual media as the primary presentation means. Implications for designing public access systems and for future research were discussed.
Local and regional contributions to fine particulate matter in the 18 cities of Sichuan Basin, southwestern China

Abstract. The Sichuan Basin (SCB) is one of the regions suffering from severe air pollution in China, but fewer studies have been conducted for this region than for the more developed regions in eastern and northern China. In this study, a source-oriented version of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model was used to quantify contributions from nine regions to PM2.5 (i.e., particulate matter, PM, with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm) and its components in the 18 cities within the SCB in the winter (December 2014 to February 2015) and summer (June to August 2015). In the winter, citywide average PM2.5 concentrations are 45–126 µg m−3, with 21 %–51 % and 39 %–66 % being due to local and nonlocal emissions, respectively. In the summer, 15 %–45 % and 25 %–52 % of citywide average PM2.5 (14–31 µg m−3) are due to local and nonlocal emissions, respectively. Compared to primary PM (PPM), the inter-region transport of secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA), including ammonia, nitrate, and sulfate ions (NH4+, NO3-, and SO42-, respectively), and their gas-phase precursors are greater. The region to the east of SCB (R7, including central and eastern China and others) is the largest contributor outside the SCB, and it can contribute approximately 80 % of PM2.5 in the eastern, northeastern, and southeastern rims of the SCB but only 10 % in other SCB regions in both seasons. Under favorable transport conditions, regional transport of air pollutants from R7 could account for up to 35–100 µg m−3 of PM2.5 in each of the SCB cities in the winter. This study demonstrates that it is important to have joint emission control efforts among cities within the SCB and regions to the east in order to reduce PM2.5 concentrations and prevent high PM2.5 days for the entire basin.
Firefly Algorithm for Optimization Problem

This paper reviews the applications of Firefly Algorithm (FA) in various domain of optimization problem. Optimization is a process of determining the best solution to make something as functional and effective as possible by minimizing or maximizing the parameters involved in the problems. Several categories of optimization problem such as discrete, chaotic, multi-objective and many more are addressed by inspiring the behavior of fireflies as mentioned in the literatures. Literatures found that FA was mostly applied by researchers to solve the optimization problems in Computer Science and Engineering domain. Some of them are enhanced or hybridized with other techniques to discover better performance. In addition, literatures found that most of the cases that used FA technique have outperformed compare to other metaheuristic algorithms.
Language impairments in children with developmental language disorder and children with high-functioning autism plus language impairment: Evidence from Chinese negative sentences

There is controversy as to whether children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and those with high-functioning autism plus language impairment (HFA-LI) share similar language profiles. This study investigated the similarities and differences in the production of Chinese negative sentences by children with DLD and children with HFA-LI to provide evidence relevant to this controversy. The results reflect a general resemblance between the two groups in their lower-than-TDA (typically developing age-matched) performance. Both groups encountered difficulties in using negative markers, which suggests that they might be impaired in feature agreement. Slight differences were detected between the two groups. Specifically, children with DLD experienced difficulties with the agreement on the feature [+telic] and that on the feature [+dynamic], while children with HFA-LI had difficulties with the agreement on the feature [+dynamic] and that on the feature [−dynamic]. This study supports the idea of a common symptomatology for the two disorders. More importantly, it suggests that these two disorders, DLD and HFA-LI, are not altogether the same in terms of language impairment. This paper concludes that general labels should not be simply attached to any children with language disorders. Instead, atypical language is very worthy of further analysis in the categorization of language disorders.
Simple resiliency improvement of the CCSDS standard for lossless data compression

The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) recommends the use of a two-stage strategy for lossless data compression in space. At the core of the second stage is the Rice coding method. The Rice compression ratio rapidly decreases in the presence of noise and outliers, since this coder is specially conceived for noiseless data following geometric distributions. This, in turn, makes the CCSDS recommendation too sensitive in front of outliers in the data, leading to non-optimal ratios in realistic scenarios. In this paper we propose to substitute the Rice coder of the CCSDS recommendation by a subexponential coder. We show that this solution offers high compression ratios even when large amounts of noise are present in the data. This is done by testing both compressors with synthetic and real data. The performance is actually similar to that obtained with the FAPEC coder, although with slightly higher processing requirements. Therefore, this solution appears as a simple improvement that can be done to the current CCSDS standard with an excellent return.
Are bilingual advantages dependent upon specific tasks or specific bilingual experiences?

Paap and Greenberg concluded that there is no coherent evidence for bilingual advantages in executive processing. More optimistic researchers believe that the advantages may be restricted to certain types of bilinguals. Recent large-scale and lifespan investigations that tested highly fluent bilinguals from communities where the same two languages are spoken by most residents reported no bilingual advantages in any age group or in any of the tasks used to measure executive functioning. The present study takes a complementary approach by examining a sample that is quite homogeneous in terms of current life experiences, but heterogeneous in terms of its exposure to second languages. The composite database of 168 bilinguals and 216 monolinguals is used to explore for differences based on: (1) the age of acquiring a second language (L2), (2) the relative proficiency of an L2 and (3) the number of languages used. Across 12 different measures of executive function, derived from 4 different nonverbal tasks, there was no consistent evidence supporting the hypotheses that either early bilingualism, highly fluent balanced bilingualism, or trilingualism enhances inhibitory control, monitoring or switching. In fact, when statistically significant effects did occur, they more often disconfirmed than confirmed these hypotheses.
A trainable freehand curve identifier using a fuzzy neural network

The authors have proposed the Fuzzy Spline Curve Identification (FSCI) method, which is a basic technology of general-purpose freehand-curve input for a CAD system. FSCI identifies seven curve primitives which are basic elements of CAD patterns from freehand drawings by assuming the simplest curve primitives in ambiguous freehand curves. However, this method requires considerable user training in drawing due to the fixed fuzzy rules used in FSCI. This paper proposes a new learning-type FSCI in which the rules are flexible so that user training can be reduced. The method is a combination of fuzzy theory and the learning capability of a neural network. It realizes a learning-type FSCI which matches the type of each user drawing without losing the features of conventional FSCI. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 85(10): 51–59, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10089
Tunable-channel multiaccess (TCMA) networks: a new class of high-speed networks suitable for multimedia integrated networking

Tunable-channel multi-access (TCMA) networks are a new class of multi-channel networks that employ local channel tuning to reduce the node complexity. These networks are hybrids of switching networks and multiaccess networks and are vary suitable for high-speed multimedia integrated networking. Various distributed network protocols for these TCMA networks based on star, bus and ring topologies are discussed, including two particularly promising protocols, ACTA and EQEB. Both are based on bus/ring topologies, compatible to ATM, have simple design, high throughput, low delay and a performance that is independent of the round-trip delay. Various multiplexing strategies (space-division, wavelength-division, time-division and subcarrier) employing regenerative and non-regenerative implementations are also discussed.
What Distance Learners Should Know About Information Retrieval on the World Wide Web

Abstract The Internet can be a valuable tool allowing distance learn ers to access information not available locally. Search engines are the most common means of locating relevant information on the Internet, but to use them efficiently students should be taught the basics of searching and how to evaluate the results. This article briefly reviews how search engines work, studies comparing search engines, and criteria useful in evaluating the quality of returned Web pages. Research indicates there are statistical differences in the precision of search engines, with AltaVista ranking high in several studies. When evaluating the quality of Web pages, standard cri teria used in evaluating print resources is appropriate, as well as additional criteria which relate to the Web site itself. Giving distance learners training in how to use search engines and how to evaluate the results will allow them to access relevant information efficiently while ensuring that it is of adequate quality.
Lenvatinib plus transarterial chemoembolization with or without immune checkpoint inhibitors for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A review

Lenvatinib plus transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)have become the first choice for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that are unsuitable for TACE. Sorafenib plus TACE therapy for patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) achieved positive results. However, Lenvatinib plus TACE appeared to achieve a more advantageous result for these patients based on the phase 3 REFLECT trial. Both TACE and lenvatinib therapy have immune-stimulating effects, so would lenvatinib plus TACE and immune checkpoint inhibitors be an advantageous therapy for unresectable HCC (uHCC)? Thirteen articles from PubMed were explored to determine the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib plus TACE with or without PD-1 inhibitors therapy. Most of the adverse events (AEs) were manageable. Lenvatinib plus TACE therapy was superior to lenvatinib monotherapy with intermediate stage HCC especially beyond up-to-seven criterion and was superior to TACE monotherapy in patients with uHCC or sorafenib plus TACE therapy in patients with PVTT. Objective response rates (ORRs) of 53.1%–75%, median progression free survival (PFS) of 6.15–11.6 months, and median overall survival (OS) of 14.5–18.97 months were achieved in the lenvatinib plus TACE group. Levatinib plus TACE and PD-1 inhibitors achieved ORRs of 46.7% –80.6%, median PFS of 7.3–13.3 months, and median OS of 16.9–24 months. Control studies also confirmed the triple therapy was superior to lenvatinib plus TACE in patients with uHCC. Overall, the triple therapy is a promising treatment for patients with uHCC, including main PVTT and extrahepatic metastasis. Lenvatinib plus TACE therapy was also preferable for intermediate stage HCC beyond up-to-seven criterion and for patients with PVTT.
IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks

The draft IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) specification is approaching completion. In this article, the IEEE 802.11 protocol is explained, with particular emphasis on the medium access control sublayer. Performance results are provided for packetized data and a combination of packetized data and voice over the WLAN. Our performance investigation reveals that an IEEE 802.11 network may be able to carry traffic with time-bounded requirements using the point coordination function. However, our findings suggest that packetized voice traffic must be handled in conjunction with an echo canceler.
The use and value of scientific journals: past, present and future

L'auteur combat un certain nombre de mythes (les publications scientifiques ne sont pas lues; trop de revues sont publiees; les revues sont destinees aux auteurs et non aux lecteurs; les chercheurs connaissent les informations avant qu'elles apparaissent dans les revues; les revues electroniques rendues obsoletes editeurs et bibliothecaires) en presentant des donnees statistiques sur l'evolution (de 1977 a 2000 environ) du temps passe par les chercheurs, scientifiques, ingenieurs a la lecture de revues, sur l'evolution de la proportion de lectures fournies par les bibliotheque par rapport aux lectures personnelles, ainsi que des donnees statistiques (1999-2001) sur l'usage des revues electoniques
Indoor radio channel models for manufacturing environments

Mathematical models which estimate the number and amplitude of multipath signals in a typical factory environment, and the probability that a multipath component is likely to occur for a given excess delay interval are presented. A technique for determining receiver threshold for channel impulse response measurements is analyzed and applied to show that the interpretation of measured results is critically dependent on the value of receiver threshold used. Models for the number of paths, the likelihood of multipath components, and the strength of the multipath components are given as functions of topography and transmitter-receiver separation. It was shown that a Rayleigh distribution for the amplitude of multipath components is a very good model. The likelihood of multipath was shown to fall off exponentially with excess delay at high threshold values and linearly at lower threshold values. Using a pulse resolution of 7.8 ns, the number of multipath components are shown to fit either a Poisson distribution or a uniform distribution, depending on the received power threshold of the receiver. <<ETX>>
Porosity Design of Shaped Zeolites for Improved Catalyst Lifetime in the Methanol-to-Hydrocarbons Reaction

Additional porosity, such as meso- and macropores, was introduced in zeolite extrudates with the intention intuit of improving the effective diffusivity of the catalysts. The samples were characterized in depth by nitrogen adsorption-desorption, mercury intrusion porosimetry, ammonia temperature programmed desorption and adsorption of pyridine followed by infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed no significant change in the acidity but an increase of the pore volume. According to significant improvement in the effective diffusivity, the samples were tested in the methanol-to-hydrocarbons reaction. The catalytic stability was greatly enhanced with an increase in the pore volume, demonstrating a relation between effective diffusivity and resistance to deactivation by coke formation. Further experiments also revealed a higher toluene adsorption capacity and a raise in the breakthrough time over the most porous samples due to better accessibility of toluene molecules into the active sites of the zeolite.
Prediction of Xanthan Rheology in Porous Media

The flow behavior of xanthan in porous media has been investigated experimentally, and also theoretically using effective medium theory. In the experimental portion of this study, the rheology of a commercially-available xanthan broth was characterized in porous media and viscometers and compared for a wide range of polymer concentrations (300 to 1600 ppm), effective brine permeabilities (40 to 800 md), residual oil saturations (0 to 29%), temperatures (25° and 80°C), and rock lithologies (sandstones and carbonates). An apparent shear rate equation having no adjustable parameters was developed and proved to be effective in relating the flow behavior of a given polymer solution in porous media at one set of conditions to the behavior at all other porous media conditions tested as well as to the rheology in a viscometer. Although the shear rate dependence on flow velocity (first order) and effective permeability (negative one-half order) agrees with that predicted by traditional capillary bundle model approaches, the value of the experimentally determined constant coefficient is larger than those predicted by the models. The basis for the shear rate equation employed above has been studied theoretically with the assumption that the xanthan solution rheologies approximately follow the power-law relation. The apparent viscosity for a power-law fluid flowing in a porous medium is derived employing the effective medium approximation of percolation theory. In this approach, a porous medium is modeled as a network of capillary tubes, in which the radii of tubes are randomly distributed using a prescribed probability distribution. The apparent viscosity expression obtained is similar to that from the capillary bundle model, but the coefficient values are different, as observed experimentally. This difference is a consequence of the connectivity of flow channels and their variable cross-section. Due to its shear-thinning nature, a References and illustrations at end of paper. power-law fluid flows mainly through the wide channels of porous media, and largely bypasses smallscale pore channels of the porous body. The capillary bundle model cannot describe this tendency of a shear-thinning fluid.