Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Learning Path Prediction — A Learning Analytics Solution

In the course of the last few years, many educational and research communities have been deeply invested in the development of learning analytics. Learning analytics measures the effectiveness and efficiency of learning environments, in order to understand the needs of learners and to improve the teaching process. The research presented in this paper uses Parallel Particle Swarm Optimization (PPSO) mechanism to analyze and predict a dynamic learning path for learners based on competence and meta-competence values observed in a learning environment. The proposed system is able to auto-configure and auto-customize itself to offer personalized and individualized instruction, and calculate an optimal learning pathway for learners. Furthermore, it provides on-demand and adaptive support for learners based on their needs. Experimental evaluations – carried out within a Java Programming course -- demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Prevalence and trends in obesity and severe obesity among children in the United States, 1999-2012.

IMPORTANCE Childhood obesity is the focus of public health efforts and accurate estimates of the prevalence and severity of obesity are needed for policy decisions and directions for future research. OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity over time for 14 years of the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2012, and to examine differences in the trends by age, race/ethnicity, and sex. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Representative sample (N = 26 690) of children in the United States, ages 2 to 19 years, in repeated cross-sections of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2012. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prevalence of overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 85th percentile), obesity (BMI ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex), class 2 obesity (BMI ≥ 120% of the 95th percentile or BMI ≥ 35), and class 3 obesity (BMI ≥ 140% of the 95th percentile or BMI ≥ 40). RESULTS From 2011 to 2012, 17.3% (95% CI, 15.3-19.3) of children in the United States aged 2 to 19 years were obese. Additionally, 5.9% (95% CI, 4.4-7.4) of children met criteria for class 2 obesity and 2.1% (95% CI, 1.6-2.7) met criteria for class 3 obesity. Although these rates were not significantly different from 2009 to 2010, all classes of obesity have increased over the last 14 years. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Nationally representative data do not show any significant changes in obesity prevalence in the most recently available years, although the prevalence of obesity may be stabilizing. Continuing research is needed to determine which, if any, public health interventions can be credited with this stability. Unfortunately, there is an upward trend of more severe forms of obesity and further investigations into the causes of and solutions to this problem are needed.
Ethnic Conflict: A Model of Concessions

The Coase Theorem suggests that the ability of completely informed agents to make transfers should generally avert conflict. This thesis considers a complete information model of ethnic conflict where the dominated group consists of heterogeneous agents, but the dominant group can only bargain with the dominated group as a whole. This broadly captures a political system with race-based parties and coalitions. Moreover in this thesis the dominant group can make credible ex-ante transfers to the dominated group outside a standard bargaining framework. Then conditions arise where conflict occurs.
Diverse Hap43-Independent Functions of the Candida albicans CCAAT-Binding Complex

ABSTRACT The CCAAT motif is ubiquitous in promoters of eukaryotic genomes. The CCAAT-binding complex (CBC) is conserved across a wide range of organisms, specifically recognizes the CCAAT motif, and modulates transcription directly or in cooperation with other transcription factors. In Candida albicans, CBC is known to interact with the repressor Hap43 to negatively regulate iron utilization genes in response to iron deprivation. However, the extent of additional functions of CBC is unclear. In this study, we explored new roles of CBC in C. albicans and found that CBC pleiotropically regulates many virulence traits in vitro, including negative control of genes responsible for ribosome biogenesis and translation and positive regulation of low-nitrogen-induced filamentation. In addition, C. albicans CBC is involved in utilization of host proteins as nitrogen sources and in repression of cellular flocculation and adhesin gene expression. Moreover, our epistasis analyses suggest that CBC acts as a downstream effector of Rhb1-TOR signaling and controls low-nitrogen-induced filamentation via the Mep2-Ras1-protein kinase A (PKA)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Importantly, the phenotypes identified here are all independent of Hap43. Finally, deletion of genes encoding CBC components slightly attenuated C. albicans virulence in both zebrafish and murine models of infection. Our results thus highlight new roles of C. albicans CBC in regulating multiple virulence traits in response to environmental perturbations and, finally, suggest potential targets for antifungal therapies as well as extending our understanding of the pathogenesis of other fungal pathogens.
AC-DC-AC converter with grid voltage dips mitigation

In the paper a control system of AC-DC-AC converter used as a grid interface for renewable energy sources is presented. The generic Direct Power and Torque Control with Space Vector Modulation (DPTC-SVM) scheme has been expanded by two modules: grid voltage dips compensation and higher harmonics compensation. Some simulation and experimental results, illustrating properties of the considered system with compensation modules under symmetrical and nonsymmetrical voltage dips are given.
How Cisco succeeds at global risk management

Subtitle: Supply chains have become increasingly vulnerable to disruptions, from natural disasters to the global credit freeze. Some companies take a reactive stance to this potential, scrambling to make do when an event does occur. Cisco pursued a different approach: a comprehensive, proactive risk management program that embraces all of its worldwide supply chain partners. Here's the practitioners' perspective on that program in action.
A second monoclinic polymorph of 2-(diformylmethylidene)-3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole

The crystal structure of the title compound, C13H13NO2, is a polymorph of the structure first reported by Helliwell et al. [Acta Cryst. (2006), E62, o737-o738]. It is also monoclinic (space group P21/c), but with completely different cell constants. The molecular conformations of these polymorphs differ by a 180° rotation of one formyl group. The present molecule is planar [maximum deviation 0.089 (2) Å] with the exception of the two methyl groups which lie on either side of the plane. There are strong intra- and intermolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The latter link pairs of molecules across crystallographic centers of symmetry. Two aldehyde O atoms are brought close together [2.896 (4) Å in this arrangement but are not hydrogen bonded. In the earlier polymorph, one formyl group is rotated by 180° to yield intermolecular hydrogen bonding and an infinite polymeric chain. The other formyl group is involved in the same intramolecular hydrogen bonding as has been found here.
Emergent supply chains in the agrifood sector: insights from a whole chain approach

Purpose – This paper aims to report research into emergent supply chain management (SCM) practices in a context in which the imperative for business development requires efficient inter-firm collaboration. It explores the way key supply chain (SC) actors perceive entrepreneurial opportunities and evaluates their SC processes. Design/methodology/approach – A whole chain approach, using qualitative methods, was used to investigate retail, wholesale and production links, with a special focus on small businesses which predominate in the agrifood sector. The methodology used is of vital importance to understand the complexity of the sector and the interdependencies among stakeholders. Findings – Results suggest several SC malfunctions originating in diverse strategic planning practices and different entrepreneurial mentalities which hinder the process of emergence from traditional to more modern chain configurations. The fact that the nature of new opportunities in the agrifood sector (e.g. organics) was poorl.
Mutations in poll but not mutSLH destabilize Haemophilus influenzae tetranucleotide repeats

Haemophilus influenzae (Hi), an obligate upper respiratory tract commensal/pathogen, uses phase variation (PV) to adapt to host environment changes. Switching occurs by slippage of nucleotide repeats (microsatellites) within genes coding for virulence molecules. Most such microsatellites in Hi are tetranucleotide repeats, but an exception is the dinucleotide repeats in the pilin locus. To investigate the effects on PV rates of mutations in genes for mismatch repair (MMR), insertion/deletion mutations of mutS, mutL, mutH, dam, polI, uvrD, mfd and recA were constructed in Hi strain Rd. Only inactivation of polI destabilized tetranucleotide (5′AGTC) repeat tracts of chromosomally located reporter constructs, whereas inactivation of mutS, but not polI, destabilized dinucleotide (5′AT) repeats. Deletions of repeats were predominant in polI mutants, which we propose are due to end‐joining occurring without DNA polymerization during polI‐deficient Okazaki fragment processing. The high prevalence of tetranucleotides mediating PV is an exceptional feature of the Hi genome. The refractoriness to MMR of hypermutation in Hi tetranucleotides facilitates adaptive switching without the deleterious increase in global mutation rates that accompanies a mutator genotype.
Indonesian medical sentence transformation for question generation

We present a novel scheme of sentence transformation for Indonesian medical question generation (ImeQG) system by utilizing effectively documents for information navigation. Through the ImeQG proposed method, we conducted a general procedure of dependency analysis for extract verbs and relevant phrases to generate natural sentences by applying transformation rules. For this purpose, we defined some P-A templates based on a statistical measure. An experimental evaluation in this proposed method showed 79.00% for precision, 87.80% for recall and 81.50% for F1.
Absolute lymphocyte count predicts overall survival in follicular lymphomas

The peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) recovery after autologous stem cell transplantation has been shown to be an independent prognostic factor for survival for different haematologic malignancies. The role of ALC at diagnosis for follicular (grades 1 and 2) lymphomas (FL) on survival is not well described. The primary objective of this study was to assess the role of ALC on overall survival (OS) in FL patients. Of 1104 FL patients, 228 patients were originally diagnosed, followed, and had all treatment at the Mayo Clinic from 1984 and 1999, were evaluated. The median follow‐up was 89 months (range: 8·35–248). ALC as a continuous variable was identified as a predictor for OS [Hazard ratio (HR) = 0·74, P < 0·04]. ALC ≥ 1·0 × 109/l (n = 164) predicted a longer OS versus ALC < 1·0 × 109/l (n = 64; 175 vs. 73 months respectively, P < 0·0001). When compared with the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI), ALC was an independent prognostic factor for OS by multivariate analysis (HR = 0·677, P < 0·0001). These data suggest a critical role of FL patients’ immune status at diagnosis on survival.
Fast Chan-Vese without edges and connected component analysis for kidney segmentation in MRI images

In this paper, fast Chan-Vese (CV) with simple shape model and connected component analysis (CCA) is proposed to segment kidneys in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The performance of the CV model is improved by considering the sign of the level set in single layer (gray level) intensity image taking only the fitness term of the energy functional. Connected component analysis is performed on the mask obtained from final level set to earmark the possible candidate kidney. Once the candidate objects are identified, shape model is imposed to obtain the kidney. For the same size and placement of initial contour on the MRI image the fast CV has shown superior performance to that of the original CV model. In addition the paper also compares Otsu's thresholding algorithm with fast CV method. It then established that both Otsu's global thresholding and the proposed fast Chan-Vese model with single level set method achieve comparable performance for kidney segmentation. Further, the paper shows that Otsu's adaptive thresholding model is superior to fast CV model in terms of speed.
Managing information across the enterprise

From the Publisher: This book looks to help general managers become "Information-Enabled Managers," serving as key players in enterprise development for their companies. Offering practical guidelines for all types of business managers, the book presents an enterprise-wide perspective on decision making, information technology, and partnerships between IS and End-Users. It provides information on the latest tools and techniques, and thoroughly covers topics such as outsourcing, vendor management, and moving from legacy systems to client/server and network systems.
An Innovative Freeze‐Dried Reduced Graphene Oxide Supported SnS2 Cathode Active Material for Aluminum‐Ion Batteries

Rechargeable aluminum‐ion batteries (AIBs) are attractive new generation energy storage devices due to its low cost, high specific capacity, and good safety. However, the lack of suitable electrode materials with high capacity and enhanced rate performance makes it difficult for real applications. Herein, the preparation of 3D reduced graphene oxide‐supported SnS2 nanosheets hybrid is reported as a new type of cathode material for AIBs. The resultant material demonstrates one of the highest capacities of 392 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and good cycling stability. It is revealed that the layered SnS2 nanosheets anchored on 3D reduced graphene oxide network endows the composite not only high electronic conductivity but also fast kinetic diffusion pathway. As a result, the hybrid material exhibits high rate performance (112 mAh g−1 at 1000 mA g−1). The detailed characterization also verifies the intercalation and deintercalation of relatively large chloroaluminate anions into the layered SnS2 during the charge–discharge process, which is important for better understanding of the electrochemical process of AIBs.
Creating Relevant Value Through Demand and Supply Integration

Firms that pursue cost leadership strategies tend to focus on operational efficiency but sometimes fail to fully hear the “voice of the customer. ” Alternatively, firms pursuing differentiation strategies tend to focus on the customer, but sometimes to the detriment of operational excellence. To help address such imbalances, an emerging stream of supply chain research has introduced the concept of demand and supply integration (DSI). DSI involves coordinating the activities and processes reflective of a firm’s customer focus, with the operational, supply-side activities that make demand fulfillment possible. This article contributes to this research stream by providing researchable propositions intended to foster support of a new dominant logic in supply chain management thought, describing how firms can best achieve “relevant” customer value by coordinating supply- and demand-focused activities within and across their functional units.
On the speedup required for a multicast parallel packet switch

A parallel packet switch (PPS) is a switch in which the memories run slower than the line rate. Arriving packets are load-balanced packet-by-packet over multiple lower speed center stage packet switches. It is known that, for unicast traffic, a PPS can precisely emulate a FCFS output-queued (OQ) switch with a speedup of two and an OQ switch with delay guarantees with a speedup of three. In this paper we ask: is it possible for a PPS to emulate the behavior of an OQ multicast switch? The main result is that for multicast traffic an N-port PPS can precisely emulate a FIFO OQ switch with a speedup of S>2/spl radic/N+1, and a switch that provides delay guarantees with a speedup of S>2/spl radic/(2N)+2.
Visualizing mechanosensory endings of TrkC‐expressing neurons in HS3ST‐2‐hPLAP mice

Somatosensory neurons are classified into three main types according to their modalities: nociceptive, thermal, and mechanosensory. Within each modality group, neurons can be further divided into morphologically and functionally distinct subclasses. Here we show that heparan sulfate D‐glucosaminyl 3‐O‐sulfotransferase 2 (HS3ST‐2) is a marker for specific subsets of TrkC‐expressing cutaneous low‐threshold mechanosensory and proprioceptive mechanosensory neurons. Two‐color in situ analysis revealed that almost all HS3ST‐2 signals colocalized with TrkC but not with TrkA or TrkB mRNA. To visualize the morphological subtypes of HS3ST‐2/TrkC‐expressing neurons, we generated a HS3ST‐2‐hPLAP knock‐in mouse line, in which HS3ST‐2‐expressing neurons and their projections are labeled by human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPLAP). AP staining in these mice demonstrated that sensory endings of muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs as well as the cutaneous mechanosensory Merkel and longitudinal lanceolate endings in the whiskers are strongly positive for hPLAP activity. In contrast, no nociceptive endings are labeled. In the glabrous and hairy skin, rare Merkel endings and transverse lanceolate endings are weakly stained. During development, each type of nerve endings forms at different time point. Muscle innervations differentiate first, followed by formation of cutaneous sensory endings. Our results revealed the subtype identities of TrkC‐positive mechanosensory neurons and demonstrated the usefulness of HS3ST‐2 as a genetic marker for these subclasses of neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 511:543–556, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Effect of Anoxia on PolyP Content of Phycomyces blakesleeanus Mycelium Studied by 31P NMR Spectroscopy

Abstract: The effect of anoxia and the respiratory chain inhibitors azide and cyanide on the polyphosphate content of Phycomyces was studied by in vivo31P NMR spectroscopy. Anoxia was manifested by a decrease of core polyphosphates (PPi) and increase of intracellular inorganic phosphate (Pi) signal. Normalized changes in PPi/Pi ratio between control and nitrogen‐purged mycelia suggest that the sensitivity to anoxia differs with growth phases. Azide acts in the same way as anoxia, by decreasing the PPi/Pi ratio, while cyanide causes an increase of the PPi/Pi ratio.
New Field Sensors Based on Combined Fluxgate- Hall Effect Magneto-Transport Arrangement

A novel 2D magnetic field sensor is presented that is based on a combined Fluxgate/Hall-Effect arrangement. The proposed device involves a thin, isotropic, circular magnetic core, the magnetization of which is driven to saturation, by means of a rotating excitation-field produced by four printed planar coils. That way, the core magnetization rotates, without Barkhausen jumps inducing two orthogonal harmonic flux-density signals that are sensed respectively by two pairs of Hall devices positioned at the edge of the core. The presented sensor incorporates discrete Hall devices and electronic circuitry, as well as a 200 mm diameter amorphous core, packaged on a PCB board. However, the system can easily be implemented on a single silicon-chip, by means of standard CMOS technologies. In this case, the amorphous core is attached onto the chip that contains the Hall devices, planar coils, and electronic circuitry, according to a state-of-art low-temperature post-process
An improved memristor-CMOS XOR logic gate and a novel full adder

This brief proposes an improved XOR logic gate and a novel full adder. The presented XOR has simple structure which consists of 2 CMOS transistors and 4 memristors, and it reduces 4 CMOS transistors compared with the previous. In addition, the novel full adder consists of 7 CMOS transistors and 10 memristors. This novel full adder reduces 8 CMOS transistors and 2 memristors, which means the size of the circuit is smaller and power consumption is lower. Through analysis and simulation, the feasibilities of the improved XOR logic gate and novel full adder are demonstrated.
Two-double Post Waveguide BPF on LTCC

In this paper, a 4.7 GHz Multilayered Substrate Integrated Waveguide (MSIW) bandpass filter based on PCB or LTCC is presented. The filter consists of one MSIW cavities in a multilayer design, with a coupling circular-post, and a slot aperture. It is found that the filter can deliver a simulated bandwidth of 100 MHz, centered at 4.67 GHz with an insertion loss of 1 dB, and a pole at 4. 48 GHz.
Heterogeneous system performance prediction and analysis using PS

PS (PVM simulator), is a simulator of PVM programs which lets users conduct performance prediction and analysis of distributed applications executed in heterogeneous and network computing environments. The article describes the tool and its development environment. As a prediction tool, the PS simulator lets developers obtain extrapolated performance data by estimating the behavior that a parallel application would attain on different types of architectures from traces collected on a workstation or on a scaled down distributed environment. As an analysis tool, it lets developers collect aggregate and analytical indexes related to heterogeneous system performance (such as efficiency, throughput, response time, and individual processor utilization) or traces that can be processed offline by a variety of tools for performance visualization and analysis (such as ParaGraph). It also lets users evaluate the effect of such factors as time spent in blocks of code, processor speed, network latency, and bandwidth on the overall application performance.
Can the Large Penrosian Firm cope with the Dynamics of Technology

Whilst knowledge is a growing feature of corporate competitiveness and growth, it will make firms increasingly dependent on outside resources (including public and foreign resources), and will be increasingly disruptive to their internal organisation. This is because knowledge is increasingly specialised in its production, and leads to periodic step-jumps in technical performance with potentially disruptive effects on corporate organisation.
Have East Asian companies improved their information environments since the crisis

Since the Asian crisis, East Asian companies have been encouraged to improve their disclosure practices, thereby increasing the availability of operating, financial and corporate governance information to market participants. This research examines whether East Asian companies have improved their information environments since both the crisis and the introduction of corporate governance codes. The results show that the introduction of codes has been associated with a shift in analyst following towards smaller companies and an overall reduction in analyst forecast error. This indicates an overall improvement and a levelling out of information environments across companies. These results are also reflected in the weakened relationships between analyst following, analyst forecast error and market value.