Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Moderating Effect of Information Technology on the Relationship between Comprehensive Planning Processes and Flexible Responsiveness

Uncertainty and disruptions often cause significant effects on businesses worldwide. As part of ever increasing efforts to combat these issues, many businesses often seek to improve their flexibility. This study examines two antecedents of flexible responsiveness – information technology and comprehensive planning processes. A model was developed and then tested using survey data collected from supply chain managers and analyzed using partial least squares techniques. Based on the sample used, information technology moderates the effect of comprehensive planning on flexible responsiveness.
A robust method for wideband signal separation

A novel approach to solving the problem of signal separation under model uncertainties and unknown source signal characteristics is proposed. The approach features the incorporation of blind identification with clustering techniques. The approach is capable of estimating source locations and source signals under various uncertain conditions including unknown sensor gains, unknown combinations of near-field and far-field sources, unknown combinations of wideband and narrowband sources, unknown source spectral characteristics (their spectra may be overlapping or non-overlapping), and unknown number of signals. <<ETX>>
POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF NANOPARTICLES ON WATER RECLAMATION

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that could impact a wide range of industries in the near future. Nanotechnology involves production and use of extremely small particles (1 – 100 nm size scale), wherein the particle synthesis is controlled or manipulated at the molecular level (1). The nanoparticles are often used for industrial/commercial applications due to their extremely high reactivity compared to commercial grade bulk materials. The high reactivity of the nanoparticles is contributed by several factors. First, the extremely small size of the nanoparticles provides orders of magnitude higher surface area (reaction sites) per unit mass of the media. In addition, the nanoparticles have a larger number of atoms on their surface, higher porosity and small crystallite structures, all of which enhance their reactivity. Yet another reason the nanoparticles use is increasing is that the “bottom-up” approach (synthesis of particles from molecular level manipulation) involved in the production of these particles facilitates incorporation of other desired structural characteristics for optimum contaminant treatment (2). In other words, nanotechnology provides an opportunity to synthesize stable, “new” materials that can not be synthesized using conventional synthesis techniques.
Entrepreneurial barriers perceptions of Information Technology students

Creativity and innovativeness of engineering students is related to entrepreneurial intentions. Certain internal and external factors act against the development of these intentions. These factors referred as entrepreneurial barriers are often studied in the entrepreneurship literature. The aim of this article is to examine the barriers reported by Information Technology (IT) students and prioritize them based on their effect on entrepreneurial intentions. For that purpose, responses from a sample of 321 IT students were statistically analyzed, in order to calculate the relative importance and effective performance of barriers, required for the subsequent importance-performance analysis. The methodology proposed offers entrepreneurship instructors and policy makers a handy methodology for the prioritization of entrepreneurial barriers, in order to design the required interventions.
Analytical Modeling of Switching Characteristics of the SiC MOSFET Based on Finite State Machine

The silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs have been widely applied in power converters due to their nice switching characteristics, such as fast transient response speed and low switching loss, which may largely impact performance of converters in power efficiency, power density, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). In order to assess switching characteristics of SiC MOSFET, an analytical model based on finite state machine (FSM) is proposed. The sub-stages during switching transient are characterized and modeled by state equations and FSM, respectively. Meanwhile, the influences of C-V and IV characteristics are also considered in FSM. Moreover, the output terminals of FSM are connected to electrical interface provided by Simulink, which makes circuit simulation accessible. The simulation and experiment results indicate that the model is able to comprehensively estimate switching characteristics of the SiC MOSFET such as: transient response speed, switching loss, and high-frequency (HF) electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise. Therefore, the model can provide much more valuable instructions in further application of SiC MOSFET.
Resource allocation algorithm in downlink of OFDMA systems based on users' classification and superposition coding

In this paper, we propose a simple proportional fairness resource allocation technique for downlink OFDMA system, by re-arranging the set of users into four classes and setting different priority order. The classes are obtained according to buffers states and channels conditions. We offer priority to users having a delay sensitive traffic by considering those who have the fullest buffer and good channel conditions. Moreover, we propose to use the superposition coding technique to increase the system capacity. In fact, we will allow a degraded user (having bad channel condition) and a potential user (having good channel condition) to share the same subcarrier. At the degraded user side, the receiver will proceed as usual and will consider the information sent to the potential user as an additive noise. At the potential user side, a successive decoding process will be adopted. To avoid error propagation, which can occur in this case, the amount of transmitted power to each user will be optimized accordingly. A suboptimal resource allocation algorithm, based on the mentioned superposition scheme and users classification, is derived. Simulation results confirm that the proposed technique offers a proportional fairness allocation and outperforms the classical algorithms in terms of total throughput.
Genoprotective Effect of the Chinese Herbal Decoction Xiao Jian Zhong Tang

The Chinese herbal decoction formula Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (XJZT) is one of the classic formulas from the classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Previous studies on XJZT found that it is effective for treating peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, functional gastroenteritis and similar psychosomatic disorders of the digestive organs. It has also been shown that all the herbs used in XJZT contain antioxidants. In this study, we investigated the in vitro DNA protection effect of the individual herb extracts and the whole formula. Water extract of the herbs and XJZT were used to pre-treat human lymphocytes. The lymphocytes were then exposed to hydrogen peroxide. The in vitro DNA protection effect of the herbs was investigated by comet assay. No DNA protective effect (P <0.05) was found for individual herb extracts, but XJZT showed protection of human lymphocytic DNA upon oxidative stress (P<0.05). The in vitro DNA protection effect of XJZT was conferred by the synergistic effect of the herbs, while the individual herbs had no such effect.
Some New Goodness-of-Fit Tests Based on Stochastic Sample Quantiles

This article introduces some new tests for goodness-of-fit based on the differences between the sample quantiles and stochastic sample quantiles derived from the null distribution. Because stochastic sample quantiles for given sample observations are random, randomized statistics are derived, of which the qth quantile and the expectation are chosen as test statistics. Under uniform hypothesis, the asymptotic distributions of some new test statistics are given, respectively. The powers of the new tests under certain alternatives are examined. They are more powerful tests for the hypotheses concerned.
ANALISA FAKTOR – FAKTOR YANG BERPENGARUH TERHADAP KETEPATAN WAKTU PELAPORAN KEUANGAN (STUDI EMPIRIS PADA PERUSAHAAN OTOMOTIF DAN KOMPONEN DAN TELEKOMUNIKASI YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA)

This research aims to examine the effect of the relationship between firm size, profitability, solvency, public ownership, and the audit opinion on the timeliness of financial reporting. The dependent variable in the form of timekeeping company deliver the financial statements to the Stock Exchange. Meanwhile for the independent variables such as firm size measured by total asets of the company, profitability is measured by profit margin ratio, solvency measured by debt-to-equity ratio, public ownership is measured by the percentage of the number of shares owned by the community, and the audit opinion is measured with an unqualified opinion and otherwise unqualified. This study uses secondary data with population automotive companies and telecommunications components and annual financial statements issued on the Stock Exchange in the period 2010-2012. From the analysis conducted in this study it can be concluded that the size of the company significantly influence the timeliness of financial reporting. While profitability, solvency, public ownership, and the audit opinion does not affect the timeliness of financial reporting. Keywords: Company Size, Profitability, Solvency, Public Shareholding, Opinion Audit and Financial Reporting Timeliness.
Elderly-onset essential tremor is associated with dementia

Objective: To determine whether essential tremor (ET) is associated with prevalent dementia. Methods: The authors identified all persons with dementia and ET in a population-based study in central Spain (the Neurological Disorders in Central Spain [NEDICES] Study). Dementia was diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) criteria. Results: Thirty-one (11.4%) of 273 ET cases had dementia vs 204 (6.0%) of 3,382 non-ET subjects (controls) (odds ratio [OR] = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.34 to 2.98, p = 0.001). In a model that adjusted for age, stroke, and educational level, OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 0.87 to 2.18, and p = 0.17. In an adjusted model, ET cases with tremor onset after age 65 were 70% more likely to be demented than were controls (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.04 to 2.76, p = 0.03), whereas ET cases with tremor onset at age ≤65 and controls were equally likely to be demented (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.09 to 1.73, p = 0.21). Conclusions: Older-onset essential tremor (ET) was associated with dementia. Prospective studies are required to elucidate the association between ET and dementia.
Small- and medium-sized enterprises in public procurement in primary social and healthcare services

Small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) policies tend traditionally to focus on supply-side support instruments. However, public procurement provides a potential demand-side SME policy tool to enhance SMEs and maintain competition in the market. SMEs are often under-represented in public procurement compared to their overall economic weight. Existing literature provides limited information on the instruments of public service providers to create business opportunities for SMEs. The aim of this single case study is to describe the role of SMEs in the statutory public service provision of primary social and healthcare. The study also provides insight into the public service provider's ability to facilitate SME access to public procurement and thereby to enhance the efficiency of the local market. We found that a service voucher system could be an additional option for public procurement, as it allows more flexibility in involving small businesses in the production of public services.
Differential expression of fourteen proteins between uveal melanoma from patients who subsequently developed distant metastases versus those who did Not.

PURPOSE To compare the proteomic profiles of two categories of primary uveal melanoma tissue samples; those from patients who have subsequently developed metastatic disease and those who have not. METHODS Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D DIGE) was performed on 25 uveal melanoma tissue specimens (minimum follow-up of 7 years) comparing nine uveal melanoma tumors from patients who developed metastatic disease and 16 from those who did not. Most of the tumors which metastasized also exhibited chromosome 3 monosomy. Selected differentially expressed proteins were further followed up by immunohistochemistry and functional validation in vitro using siRNA. RESULTS Proteomic analysis revealed 14 statistically significant differentially expressed proteins, with nine showing increased expression (PDIA3, VIM/HEXA, SELENBP1, ENO1, CAPZA1, ERP29, TPI1, PARK7, and FABP3) and five showing decreased expression (EIF2S, PSMA3, RPSA, TUBB, and TUBA1B) in uveal melanomas that subsequently metastasized compared with those that did not. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for six of the differentially expressed proteins and gave similar results to the 2D DIGE study for two of these proteins, fatty acid-binding protein, heart-type (FABP3) and triosephosphate isomerase (TPI1). siRNA knockdown in the 92.1 uveal melanoma cell line confirmed a functional role for FABP3 and TPI1 in invasion in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Proteomic analysis identified proteins differentially expressed in uveal melanoma that will subsequently metastasize, some of which appear to have a functional role in invasion. These results may contribute to better predictive tests (along with genetic analysis) and to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
Measurement-Based Modeling of Power Module Parasitics with Increased Accuracy

Simulating time-domain applications with multi-chip power modules requires estimating the module's internal package impedances. This is especially true for modules designed with wide band-gap transistors. Traditional parasitic extraction techniques do not satisfactorily address this need, because they generally do not capture the frequency dependence of the interconnect parasitics. Additionally, they cannot estimate the mutual coupling between module terminals, which is commonly used to reduce commutation loop inductance. This paper proposes a new measurement-based modeling procedure that addresses both challenges with the traditional characterization methods. First, it is shown that by gating ON the semiconductors, the semiconductor channel impedance is reduced to its on-state resistance. This increases the package's proportional contribution, which dramatically improves the resulting accuracy and enables inductance estimation across a wide frequency range. Second, by providing a dual system of equations and isolating one impedance term in the half-bridge module, it is shown that the mutual coupling between the DC terminals can be reliably extracted. The proposed methodology is applied to a discrete-packaged SiC MOSFET, and a medium voltage SiC MOSFET half-bridge power module from Cree/Wolfspeed, which incorporates mutual coupling between its DC terminals.
High-Efficiency High-Power Bridgeless Integrated AC-DC Converter for On-Board Vehicle Battery Charger

In order to design a high-efficiency, cost-effective, high-power on-board vehicle battery charger for supplying electric vehicles, a novel bridgeless, soft switched integrated AC–DC converter is proposed. The proposed converter can realize the ZVS operation of the power factor correction (PFC) circuit’s power switches by sharing MOSFET switches of PFC circuit and full-bridge LLC resonant converter. Different from previous quasi-single-stage integrated AC–DC converter [7]– [12], the topology’s stable output voltage and the bus voltage can be simultaneously independently achieved. Moreover, the proposed converter possesses with intrinsic voltage-doubler PFC characteristic, which is suitable for high output voltage applications. The detailed operation principles for the proposed converter are analyzed and discussed. The feature of the proposed topology was demonstrated using PSIM simulation and a hardware prototype. The experimental results showed the converter achieves full-range ZVS for primary switches and the efficiency of 94.5% under the 110 V input voltage.
Programmable Gate Driving Platform for Easy Device Driving and Performance Tuning

A programmable device driver platform capable of driving most power semiconductor devices and adapting to both voltage source and current source driving schemes is demonstrated here. It enables driving most power electronics devices, including Si IGBT, SiC MOSFET, SiC BJT and GaN HFET. Two-level or multi-level voltage source driving as well as current source driving are also demonstrated to showcase its capability. The programmable driver platform allows user to quickly drive devices and evaluate their performance in dynamic characterization. It also provides a tool for users to quickly optimize their gate driving performance in power electronics converters.
Beyond Normal Failures: Dynamic Management of Software Projects

The skillset focusing on the life cycle of projects is critical to both understanding and practising sound management. In practice, attention is often paid to the actions and procedures required to build the system to the detriment of the tasks that are essential in managing the project. Discrete attempts to create such systems often lead to a mismatch between system, expectation and a changing reality. This paper looks beyond discrete processes as part of an effort to generate a dynamic model. The rationale for a Dynamic Feedback Model stems from the need to focus on a continuous and long-term perspective of development and growth in change-intensive environments. The paper makes the case for a Learning and knowledge-driven view of software development and presents such a model in a way that accounts for the long-term survival, growth and evolution of software-intensive systems--crucial areas in terms of the success of systems. While the emphasis is on the development of software, which is pervasive in most systems, the key issues appear to pertain to most technical development projects and environments.
Endovascular therapy for advanced post-thrombotic syndrome: Proceedings from a multidisciplinary consensus panel

Patients with advanced post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and chronic iliac vein obstruction suffer major physical limitations and impairment of health-related quality of life. Currently there is a lack of evidence-based treatment options for these patients. Early studies suggest that imaging-guided, catheter-based endovascular therapy can eliminate iliac vein obstruction and saphenous venous valvular reflux, resulting in reduced PTS severity; however, these observations have not been rigorously validated. A multidisciplinary expert panel meeting was convened to plan a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate endovascular therapy for the treatment of advanced PTS. This article summarizes the findings of the panel, and is expected to assist in developing a National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trial and other studies to improve the care of patients with advanced PTS.
Arthroscopy-assisted Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Patellar Tendon Substitution

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate clinically, functionally, and objectively our initial expe rience using free, autogenous middle third patellar ten don for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without extraarticular augmentation in 62 of 75 patients (80% followup) who were available for clinical review at a minimum 2-year followup. Subjective, clinical, func tional, Cybex dynamometer, and KT-1000 arthrometer tests were performed along with modified tests of the Hospital for Special Surgery, Noyes Cincinnati, Tegner, and Lysholm knee rating scales. Ninety-two percent had a negative pivot shift at followup. The mean Cybex dynamometer extension deficits postoperatively were 9% and 7% at 180 and 240 deg/sec. Mild patellar pain symptoms were noted in 18%. The reoperation rate was 10% with a mild flexion contracture as the most common reason. The Hospital for Special Surgery scoring scale postoperatively was 88; Noyes, 86; Lysholm, 88; and Tegner, 6. Mean postoperative single-legged and ver tical jump indices were 88% and 87%, respectively. The KT-1000 arthrometric evaluation postoperatively revealed a mean maximum manual difference of 0.3 mm; 92% of the patients had a maximum manual dif ference of ≤3 mm. Subjectively, 95% indicated that they would undergo the procedure again. Early results demonstrate excellent stability, preservation of motion, and encouraging evaluations by scoring scales and arthrometric evaluation.
Childhood Firearm Injuries in the United States

Firearm injuries are a leading cause of death among US children. This article examines patterns by intent, trends over time, state-level patterns, and precipitating circumstances. OBJECTIVES: Examine fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries among children aged 0 to 17 in the United States, including intent, demographic characteristics, trends, state-level patterns, and circumstances. METHODS: Fatal injuries were examined by using data from the National Vital Statistics System and nonfatal injuries by using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Trends from 2002 to 2014 were tested using joinpoint regression analyses. Incident characteristics and circumstances were examined by using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System. RESULTS: Nearly 1300 children die and 5790 are treated for gunshot wounds each year. Boys, older children, and minorities are disproportionately affected. Although unintentional firearm deaths among children declined from 2002 to 2014 and firearm homicides declined from 2007 to 2014, firearm suicides decreased between 2002 and 2007 and then showed a significant upward trend from 2007 to 2014. Rates of firearm homicide among children are higher in many Southern states and parts of the Midwest relative to other parts of the country. Firearm suicides are more dispersed across the United States with some of the highest rates occurring in Western states. Firearm homicides of younger children often occurred in multivictim events and involved intimate partner or family conflict; older children more often died in the context of crime and violence. Firearm suicides were often precipitated by situational and relationship problems. The shooter playing with a gun was the most common circumstance surrounding unintentional firearm deaths of both younger and older children. CONCLUSIONS: Firearm injuries are an important public health problem, contributing substantially to premature death and disability of children. Understanding their nature and impact is a first step toward prevention.
PREOPERATIVE SENSORIMOTOR MAPPING IN BRAIN TUMOR PATIENTS USING SPONTANEOUS FLUCTUATIONS IN NEURONAL ACTIVITY IMAGED WITH FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING: INITIAL EXPERIENCE

OBJECTIVE To describe initial experience with resting-state correlation mapping as a potential aid for presurgical planning of brain tumor resection. METHODS Resting-state blood oxygenation-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were acquired in 17 healthy young adults and 4 patients with brain tumors invading sensorimotor cortex. Conventional fMRI motor mapping (finger-tapping protocol) was also performed in the patients. Intraoperatively, motor hand area was mapped using cortical stimulation. RESULTS Robust and consistent delineation of sensorimotor cortex was obtained using the resting-state blood oxygenation-dependent data. Resting-state functional mapping localized sensorimotor areas consistent with cortical stimulation mapping and in all patients performed as well as or better than task-based fMRI. CONCLUSION Resting-state correlation mapping is a promising tool for reliable functional localization of eloquent cortex. This method compares well with “gold standard” cortical stimulation mapping and offers several advantages compared with conventional motor mapping fMRI.