Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality management practices in Indian service firms

Abstract The success of Indian software firms, which is partly attributable to their quality, provided the motivation for the study presented in this paper. It would be useful to know the state of quality management efforts in the Indian service sector, and its impacts at a firm level. It is conceivable that other services could model themselves after the software sector, and develop capabilities to successfully compete in the global economy. Such an evolution of the service sector could then contribute significantly to the continued emergence of the Indian economy. The intent of this study is also to extend the current literature in Quality Management research that focuses exclusively on firms in the advanced economies, by investigating firms in an emerging economy. This study is based on a survey administered in India in which a total of 163 respondents participated. They represent a variety of industries including Banking, Hotels, Information Technology, Healthcare, Trading, Entertainment, Courier, Transportation, and Construction services. The responses of the survey are analysed and discussed in the paper. This study begins to shed light on the quality management methods that seem to be effective in emerging economies. It represents a first-step in understanding such issues further.
The Role of Comics in Elementary School Science Education

Comic books can be and are produced mainly for science communication. Comics are more favorable to be read by the students as comics engaged students in reading compared to thick science textbooks. This study explored the role of comics as an aid in teaching elementary school science on the topic of ‘Plant Systems’ using an action research approach. A total of 18 Grade 5 students from one of the elementary schools in Brunei Darussalam participated in the study. A 15-page fully colored comic featuring a leaf fairy character called ‘Nym’ was utilized to teach the students alongside various activities about plants during the intervention lessons. A pre-test was administered prior to the lesson to establish their existing knowledge of the topic, and then a post-test administered after all the intervention lessons were completed. The results from the achievement scores analyzed between the pre- and post-tests indicated that the students’ knowledge on ‘Plant Systems’ improved significantly. The students were found to be interested, engaged and enthusiastic in the use of comics as revealed from the thematic analysis of the interviews. There are also vast potentials for comics to be used regularly to support learning in science-related classrooms.
Measuring the status and alignment of maintenance and manufacturing strategies – the development of a new model and diagnostic tool

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline the development of a new conceptual model and the associated diagnostic tool which can measure the status of maintenance and manufacturing strategies and how well they are linked together. Design/methodology/approach – The new model was developed in two stages. First, a conceptual framework was produced and then a holistic diagram. From this theoretical model a diagnostic tool was generated. This tool was then verified and tested during an empirical research phase which produced four extensive and detailed case studies. A brief overview of one of the case studies is provided in this paper. Findings – It was found that the conceptual model provided an accurate representation of the strategic processes and links which should exist in a manufacturing plant. Moreover the diagnostic tool proved a valid and reliable instrument to measure and display this information. Research limitations/implications – The diagnostic tool provides a snapshot of the status of man.
Near-optimal state assignment in a finite state machine

In this research, the application of the Simulated Annealing algorithm to solve the state assignment problem in finite state machines is investigated. The state assignment is a classic NP-Complete problem in digital systems design and impacts directly on both area and power costs as well as on the design time. The solutions found in the literature uses population-based methods that consume additional computer resources. The Simulated Annealing algorithm has been chosen because it does not use populations while seeking a solution. Therefore, the objective of this research is to evaluate the impact on the quality of the solution when using the Simulated Annealing approach. The proposed solution is evaluated using the LGSynth89 benchmark and compared with other approaches in the state-of-the-art. The experimental simulations point out an average loss in solution quality of 14.29%, while an average processing performance of 58.67%. The results indicate that it is possible to have few quality losses with a significant increase in processing performance.
Preliminary Study on Hydrogeology in Tectonically Active Areas

This report represents the final product of a background literature review conducted for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO) by Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Internationally, research of hydrological and transport processes in the context of high level waste (HLW) repository performance, has been extensive. However, most of these studies have been conducted for sites that are within tectonically stable regions. Therefore, in support of NUMO's goal of selecting a site for a HLW repository, this literature review has been conducted to assess the applicability of the output from some of these studies to the geological environment in Japan. Specifically, this review consists of two main tasks. The first was to review the major documents of the main HLW repository programs around the world to identify the most important hydrologic and transport parameters and processes relevant in each of these programs. The review was to assess the relative importance of processes and measured parameters to site characterization by interpretation of existing sensitivity analyses and expert judgment in these documents. The second task was to convene a workshop to discuss the findings of Task 1 and to prioritize hydrologic and transport parameters in the context of themore » geology of Japan. This report details the results and conclusions of both of these Tasks. « less
Prospective analysis of serum prolactin levels, clinical symptomatology and sexual functions in patients with schizophrenia switched to paliperidone palmitate 3‐monthly from paliperidone palmitate 1‐monthly: Preliminary findings of the first 3 months

Long‐acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics were developed to improve adherence to schizophrenia treatment. Paliperidone palmitate (PP) has two LAI forms: Monthly (PP1M) and three‐monthly (PP3M). PP3M shows less difference in Peak‐to‐Trough drug concentration levels. This could be related to a lower incidence of hyperprolactinemia, which may negatively affect adherence. We aimed to compare prolactin levels and investigate relationships between prolactin levels, symptomatology and sexual function in patients with schizophrenia after switching from PP1M to PP3M.
Modeling of Elastic/Plastic Contact Between Nominally Flat Rough Surfaces Using an n-Point Asperity Model

The asperities of rough surfaces have long been considered to be points higher than their immediate neighbors. Based on this concept, theories were developed for quantitatively understanding the elastic and plastic nature of contact between rough surfaces. Recently it has been recognized that the above model for asperities is inadequate. Consequently, all the models that have been constructed based on that model are inadequate too. In this paper, based on a newly developed multiple-point asperity model, the elastic and plastic contact problem between nominally flat surfaces is reformulated. This leads to finding the deformed area, and load produced by the contact. The model is developed for the general form of isotropic rough surfaces with arbitrary height distribution and autocorrelation function (ACF). The microcontact areas generated by each asperity contact are considered to be circles. The Gaussian distribution of heights and exponential ACF are considered as a benchmark to compare the results of the new model with the existing models. Using results from numerical models developed by other groups, the new model is validated.
Disassembly sequence generation using information entropy and heuristics for component replacement

This paper describes a methodology of generating disassembly sequences for component replacement at maintenance stages, which are used for evaluating the ease of disassembly at product design stages. Information entropy evaluation and heuristics bring about the efficient generation of disassembly sequences. The disassembly is evaluated based on two criteria: disassembly time and disassemblability. The authors developed a software tool integrated with a CAD system and carried out an experiment for an electric drill using the tool.
Revisiting the synergy between no-till and roundup ready soybean technology

The objective of this study has been to identify the factors that influence the concurrent adoption of notill technology and roundup ready (RR) soybean technology. Using data from a survey of 610 soybean growers in the United States and a two-equation probit model, our results reveal that ignoring the simultaneous nature of the decision to use no-till and RR soybean technologies could lead to the misspecification of the model and hence our ability to reveal and understand the factors that influence the concomitant adoption of these technologies will be obscured by the inconsistent estimates that will result.
E-LEARNING-BASED TRAINING MODEL FOR ACCOUNTING TEACHERS

Abstract: E-Learning-Based Training Model for Accounting Teachers. To improve the competencies of teachers located on remote and diverse areas, it is viable and commendable to implement e-learning-based training. In view of this purpose, the present action research examines the effectiveness of e-learning-based training for accounting teachers. The findings reveal that teachers with poor ICT skills need to take orientation around online class first in order to get familiar with the use of ICT for learning purposes. Meanwhile, teachers with good ICT skills are able to engage directly in the training. The re­search project also shows that the effectiveness of training can be achieved through sequentially organ­ized materials and accessed through the learning progress of the trainees. Encouragement to the trainees for active involvement in the discussion forums during the training results in high final scores at the end of the training session. Keywords: E-learning, teacher training, accounting, East Java Abstrak: Model Pelatihan Berbasis E-Learning bagi Guru Akunting . Program pengembangan pro­fessional bagi para guru merupakan agenda utama untuk meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan. Untuk meningkatkan kompetensi guru, implementasi pelatihan berbasis e-learning dimungkinkan untuk men­jangkau para guru yang berasal dari berbagai wilayah terpencil. Penelitian tindakan ini menguji efek­tivitas pelatihan berbasis e-learning pada guru-guru akuntansi di Jawa Timur. Temuan penelitian meng­ungkap bahwa para guru yang memiliki kecakapan ICT rendah harus mengambil pelatihan orientasi pembelajaran online terlebih dahulu agar akrab dengan penggunaan ICT untuk tujuan-tujuan pembela­jaran. Sedangkan para guru yang sudah memiliki kecakapan ICT memadai dapat langsung mengikuti pelatihan. Efektivias pelatihan dapat dicapai dengan cara mengorganisasikan materi pelatihan secara berurutan dan hanya dapat diakses sesuai dengan kemajuan belajar peserta pelatihan. Dorongan partisi­pasi bagi peserta untuk terlibat aktif dalam forum diskusi menghasilkan nilai akhir yang tinggi pada akhir pelatihan. Kata kunci: E-learning, pelatihan guru, akuntansi, Jawa Timur
Trends and factors associated with repeated adolescent pregnancies in Tanzania from 2004-2016: evidence from Tanzania demographic and health surveys

Introduction a repeated pregnancy represents a failure of health and social systems to educate and provide the necessary services and skills to ensure adolescent girls do not experience any further unwanted pregnancies during this young age. We aimed to determine trends and factors associated with repeated adolescent pregnancies in Tanzania 2004-2016. Methods an analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from Tanzania demographic and health surveys of the years 2004-2005, 2010 and 2015-2016 among adolescent mothers aged 15 to 19 years. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 15 and considered the complex survey design. The Poisson regression model was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals for factors associated with repeated adolescent pregnancy. Results the proportion of repeated adolescent pregnancies increased from 15.8% in 2004/2005 to 18.6% in 2010, then to 18.8% in 2015/2016. Adolescents who delivered their first pregnancy at home (APR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.78) and who started sexual activity before 15 years of age (APR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.40, 2.31) were likely repeated adolescent pregnancy. In contrast, adolescents who used contraception (APR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.81) had a lower prevalence of repeated adolescent pregnancies. Conclusion the prevalence of repeated adolescent pregnancies has increased and remains unacceptably high. Adolescents who had low education delivered their first pregnancy at home and were non-contraceptive users need to be targeted in policies and programs for the prevention of repeated adolescent pregnancies.
Characterization of Polyester Mooring Lines

Fibre ropes are extensively used in marine applications. One critical area of interest is their application as mooring lines for floating offshore platforms, for which primarily polyester is now employed in various regions (offshore Brazil - now for 10 years, West Africa, Gulf of Mexico). Evaluating the response of the system requires a description of the load-elongation properties of the rope. A practical model involving two sets of stiffness data is currently used, and procedures for their measurement are available. This paper presents an overview of this model, then focuses on recent work on the quasi-static stiffness of polyester ropes. This is addressing the variations of the mean tension in the lines, at a very slow rate, under changing weather conditions. Extensive tests were performed, principally on polyester sub-rope samples. Some tests were also performed on a full size 800-ton MBS rope. Besides standard tests, specific tests were performed over an extended range of loading, to cover the situations that may be found in a wide range of systems and design conditions. The factors (measurement accuracy, test conditions, etc.) affecting the values are discussed along with the presentation of tests and results. Results are interpreted to provide practical data for mooring analysis, in the form of a quasi-static load-elongation characteristic. These results also give a better insight into the visco-elasto-plastic response of polyester fibre ropes. For the dynamic stiffness of polyester ropes, an overview of recent and earlier test data is presented. The dependence of dynamic stiffness on testing parameters is discussed, highlighting mean load as the principal parameter under real stochastic loading, and confirming the current practice for modelling dynamic stiffness in design.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Robust speed sensorless induction motor drive

A speed sensorless induction motor (IM) drive with robust control characteristics is introduced. First, a speed observation system, which is insensitive to the variations of motor parameters, is derived based on the concept of sliding mode. Next, an integral-proportional (IP) speed controller using the estimated speed signal is designed to stabilize the speed loop. Then, to preserve the robust control performance under parameter variations and external load disturbance, an adaptive uncertainty observer with feedforward control is proposed. The adaptive uncertainty observer is implemented to estimate the lump of uncertainty of the controlled plant. To increase the accuracy of the estimated values, the speed observation system is implemented using a digital signal processor (DSP) with a high sampling rate.
Barankin bound: a model of detection with location uncertainty

We have developed generalized ideal observer models relating human performance in detection tasks to physical properties of medical imaging systems, such as spatial resolution and noise power spectrum. Our approach treats detection as a special case of amplitude estimation, with certain other aspects of the signal, e.g., size or location, considered additional unknown parameters. The models are based on the Barankin lower bound on the precision with which the quantities of interest can be determined. We have found the Barankin bound to be particularly promising in predicting human performance in detection with location uncertainty. Its predictions differ from those of other proposed models in two respects. First, our results suggest that the degradation in performance due to location uncertainty depends on resolution. Second, we have shown analytically that for a given search area, the ratio of ideal observer performance when location is unknown to performance when location is known is nearly independent of signal size. This differs from previously proposed models which predict that the effect of location uncertainty depends on the ratio of signal size to search area, but agrees with the results of reported perceptual experiments testing this question.
Klotho protects chondrocyte viability via FOXO1/3 in osteoarthritis

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Klotho and FOXO1/3 on the CH viability in OA.Methods: The survival rate of CHs, Klotho and FOXO1/3 protein expression, and ROS production were measured in the OA cartilages of different degenerative phases. H2O2 was also used to injure CHs, and the cell viability, Klotho and FOXO1/3 expressions, as well as ROS levels were investigated to clarify the effect of exogenic Klotho on the injured CHs. Additionally, in order to verify the role of FOXO1/3 in Klotho-treated CHs, SOD2, GPX1, inflammatory factors, collagen I/II, SOX9, and Runx-2 levels were analyzed by silencing FOXO1 and FOXO3 expression via siRNA transfection.Results: Klotho and FOXO1/3 expressions significantly decreased, and ROS production increased in severely human OA cartilage (p <0.05). Besides, H2O2 affected CHs viability with the suppression of Klotho and FOXO1/3 expression but ROS production was elevated. Exogenic Klotho application partly reversed the injury caused by H2O2. Furthermore, Klotho treatment of the injured CHs contributed to SOD2 and GPX1 expressions, and suppressed IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and MMP-13 production, resulting in the upregulation of collagen II and SOX9 as well as downregulation of collagen I and Runx-2. However, the protective effect of Klotho was weakened by FOXO1 and FOXO3 gene silencing.Conclusion: Klotho protects CHs viability by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, which is associated with the mediation of FOXO1 and FOXO3. These findings provide new insights into the treatment of OA.
A Game Theory Approach for Estimating Reliability of Crowdsourced Relevance Assessments

In this article, we propose an approach to improve quality in crowdsourcing (CS) tasks using Task Completion Time (TCT) as a source of information about the reliability of workers in a game-theoretical competitive scenario. Our approach is based on the hypothesis that some workers are more risk-inclined and tend to gamble with their use of time when put to compete with other workers. This hypothesis is supported by our previous simulation study. We test our approach with 35 topics from experiments on the TREC-8 collection being assessed as relevant or non-relevant by crowdsourced workers both in a competitive (referred to as “Game”) and non-competitive (referred to as “Base”) scenario. We find that competition changes the distributions of TCT, making them sensitive to the quality (i.e., wrong or right) and outcome (i.e., relevant or non-relevant) of the assessments. We also test an optimal function of TCT as weights in a weighted majority voting scheme. From probabilistic considerations, we derive a theoretical upper bound for the weighted majority performance of cohorts of 2, 3, 4, and 5 workers, which we use as a criterion to evaluate the performance of our weighting scheme. We find our approach achieves a remarkable performance, significantly closing the gap between the accuracy of the obtained relevance judgements and the upper bound. Since our approach takes advantage of TCT, which is an available quantity in any CS tasks, we believe it is cost-effective and, therefore, can be applied for quality assurance in crowdsourcing for micro-tasks.
An incident field sensor for EMP measurements

The initial development of the balanced transmission-line wave sensor is described. This sensor is being developed to address the need for a directional sensor when dealing with extrapolation issues for hybrid electromagnetic pulse (EMP) simulators. A prototype sensor was designed and tested. It provided good performance with measured front/back ratios between 20 and 29 dB. This may be adequate for many applications. >
Avenanthramides: Unique Bioactive Substances of Oat Grain in the Context of Cultivar, Cropping System, Weather Conditions and Other Grain Parameters

Our study was focused on the evaluation of the content of a wider spectrum of eight avenanthramides (AVNs) as unique components of oat grain under the effects of four selected factors (cultivar, locality, cropping system, and year). The weather effects on changes in the AVN content and their relationship to other important parameters of oat grain were further evaluated in more detail. A sensitive UHPLC system coupled with a QExactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer was used for AVN quantification. AVNs confirmed a high variability (RDS = 72.7–113.5%), which was dominantly influenced by the locality and year factors. While most AVN types confirmed mutually high correlations (r = 0.7–0.9), their correlations with the other 10 grain parameters were lower (r ≤ 0.48). Their significant correlations (0.27–0.46) with β-D-glucan could be used in perspective in breeding programs for the synergetic increase of both parameters. PCA analysis and Spearman correlations based on individual cultivars confirmed a significant effect of June and July precipitation on the increase of Σ AVNs. However, the results also indicated that higher precipitation can generate favorable conditions for related factors, such as preharvest sprouting evoking a direct increase of AVNs synthesis in oat grain.