Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biases in the standard rain rate product by the TRMM microwave radiometer over land

This study investigates the causes of biases in the rain rate estimates by the TMI standard algorithm. Retrieval error is separated from rain/no-rain classification error. As it is well known, the retrieval error is sensitive to storm height. It is interesting that the observed brightness temperature at 85GHz shows clear diurnal variation for given storm height and surface rain rate. It can be explained by the diurnal variation of the land surface brightness temperature (related with the land surface physical temperature) under inhomogeneous rainfall or the diurnal variation of the freezing height (related with the air temperature).
In situ localization of type III and type IV collagen‐expressing cells in human diabetic nephropathy

Nodular intercapillary glomerulosclerosis is the most typical lesion of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and is characterized by increased extracellular matrix (ECM) and amorphous masses of mesangial matrix. The local exaggeration of these deposits results in the formation in the typical diabetic nodule. To clarify the composition of the ECM of sclerotic lesions in DN, we investigated the distribution of type III and type IV collagens and their mRNAs by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively. In normal renal tissues, there was no intraglomerular immunostaining for type III collagen, while strongly positive staining was found in the extraglomerular interstitum. Positive immunostaining for type IV collagen was also present in the mesangium, glomerular basement membrane (GBM), Bowman's capsule, and the vascular pole of the normal glomerulus. In DN, the nodular lesions were negative for type III collagen and strongly positive for type IV collagen. On the other hand, in the late stage of global sclerosis, both type III and type IV collagens were diffusely present in the sclerotic matrix. To determine the origins of these type III and type IV collagens in the sclerotic matrix, in situ hybridization was performed, utilizing thymine‐thymine (T‐T) dimerized synthetic oligonucleotides complementary to either proα(III) chain or pro α1 (IV) chain mRNAs as probes. The signals were detected by enzyme immunohistochemistry using an anti‐T‐T antibody. Intraglomerular cells (glomerular epithelial and mesangil cells) containing type III collagen mRNA were found in DN with sclerotic lesions, but not in normal glomeruli. At this stage of sclerosis, intraglomerular cells (mainly glomerular epithelial cells and infrequently mesangial cells) were positive for type IV collagen mRNA, but there were few positive cells in globally sclerotic glomeruli. This study provides evidence that both type III and type IV collagens are synthesized by intraglomerular cells during sclerosis and become significant constituents of the sclerotic matrix in DN.
The impact of ERP systems on firm and business process performance

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide further insights into the adoption of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and the impacts on organisational performance. It aims at challenging existing claims of ERP vendors with regard to the benefits of their products and at providing evidence of the benefits of bundling ERPS with supply chain management systems.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted to collect data on several aspects of organisational performance in companies that adopted ERPS and/or SCMS and the respective control groups. Financial key performance indicators were used to measure overall firm performance and the supply‐chain operations reference model to operationalise performance at the business process (supply chain) level.Findings – The key results contradict the claims of ERPS vendors insofar as no significant performance differences were found between ERPS adopters and non‐adopters, either at the business process level, or at the overall firm level. While it.
Slug : A Semantic Web Crawler

This paper introduces “Slug” a web crawler (or “Scutter”) designed for harvesting semantic web content. Implemented in Java using the Jena API, Slug provides a configurable, modular framework that allows a great degree of flexibility in configuring the retrieval, processing and storage of harvested content. The framework provides an RDF vocabulary for describing crawler configurations and collects metadata concerning crawling activity. Crawler metadata allows for reporting and analysis of crawling progress, as well as more efficient retrieval through the storage of HTTP caching data.
A linear model for TF distribution of signals

We describe a new linear time-frequency model in which the instantaneous value of each signal component is mapped to the curve functionally representing its instantaneous frequency. This transform is linear, uniquely defined by the signal decomposition, and satisfies linear marginal-like distribution properties. We further demonstrate the transform generated surface may be estimated from the short time Fourier transform by a concentration process based on the phase of the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), differentiated with respect to time. Interference may be identified on the concentrated STFT surface, and the signal with the interference removed may be estimated by applying the linear-time-marginal to the concentrated STFT surface from which the interference components have been removed
INNOVATING BUSINESS THROUGH E-COMMERCE : EXPLORING THE WILLINGNESS OF MALAYSIAN SMEs

E-commerce adoption amongst SMEs has received much attention lately, as many believed that such a new way of doing commerce can open up endless opportunity for SMEs to be more competitive. In Malaysia, the government has introduced various initiatives to promote E-commerce adoption among businesses, however, the uptake is still slow. This study represents an empirical survey on the factors that influence E-commerce adoption amongst Malaysian SMEs in the manufacturing sector. An analysis was done on 107 responses from the CEOs/managers of Malaysian SMEs. The findings indicate that perceived relative advantage, perceived complexity, perceived observability of E-commerce influence such adoption decision. In addition, the study also provides evidence that CEO commitment to IT is a major influencing factor.
Physical and Functional Interaction between the Methyltransferase Bud23 and the Essential DEAH-Box RNA Helicase Ecm16

ABSTRACT The small ribosomal subunit assembles cotranscriptionally on the nascent primary transcript. Cleavage at site A2 liberates the pre-40S subunit. We previously identified Bud23 as a conserved eukaryotic methyltransferase that is required for efficient cleavage at A2. Here, we report that Bud23 physically and functionally interacts with the DEAH-box RNA helicase Ecm16 (also known as Dhr1). Ecm16 is also required for cleavage at A2. We identified mutations in ECM16 that suppressed the growth and A2 cleavage defects of a bud23Δ mutant. RNA helicases often require protein cofactors to provide substrate specificity. We used yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two-hybrid analysis to map the binding site of Bud23 on Ecm16. Despite the physical and functional interaction between these factors, mutations that disrupted the interaction, as assayed by two-hybrid analysis, did not display a growth defect. We previously identified mutations in UTP2 and UTP14 that suppressed bud23Δ. We suggest that a network of protein interactions may mask the loss of interaction that we have defined by two-hybrid analysis. A mutation in motif I of Ecm16 that is predicted to impair its ability to hydrolyze ATP led to accumulation of Bud23 in an ∼45S particle containing Ecm16. Thus, Bud23 enters the pre-40S pathway at the time of Ecm16 function.
Dynamic motor parameter identification for high speed flux weakening operation of brushless permanent magnet synchronous machines

An experimental investigation is conducted to determine the behaviour of brushless PM synchronous machine parameters in the high speed flux weakening operating range. Real-time operating characteristics are determined for two commercially available 4 Nm interior PM synchronous machines. Special computer assisted measuring techniques are employed using an experimental vector controlled drive, capable of providing sinusoidal excitation waveforms at up to 8000 RPM. Perturbation analysis is performed on the measured data and results are applied to a variation of the classical d-q axis equivalent circuit model. The experimental results are repeatable and show a significant variation in the machine parameters as a function of the torque angle. Magnetic nonlinearities are also identified and accounted for through recomputation of the machine model over a wide range of operating points. The authors demonstrate that all tests can be performed with no previous knowledge of manufacturer proprietary information or results from finite element simulation.
Advances in Brief Inactivation of the Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Induces Apoptosis Protease-activating Factor-1 Dependent and Independent Apoptotic Pathways during Embryogenesis 1

Inactivation of the retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor in the mouse induces mid-gestational death accompanied by massive apoptosis in certain tissues. Herein, we analyzed the role of the apoptosis proteaseactivating factor Apaf-1, an essential component of the apoptosome, in mediating apoptosis in Rb-deficient mice. Analysis of compound mutant embryos lacking Rb and Apaf-1 revealed that Apaf-1 was absolutely required for apoptosis in the central nervous system and lens. In contrast, apoptosis in the peripheral nervous system and skeletal muscles only partly depended on Apaf-1 function. The dependency on Apaf-1 coincided with the requirement documented previously for E2F1 and p53 in the respective tissues. Loss of Apaf-1 specifically suppressed apoptosis but not the proliferation and differentiation defects in Rb-mutant embryos. We also show that the Apaf1 but not the Rb allele is retained in pituitary tumors arising in Rb / :Apaf1 / double heterozygous mice. Our results indicate that Apaf-1 plays a critical role in apoptosis in a subset of tissues and that both E2F1:p53:Apaf-1-dependent and -independent apoptotic pathways operate downstream of Rb.
Topiramate: a prospective study on the relationship between concentration, dosage and adverse events in epileptic patients on combination therapy.

RATIONALE The relationship between topiramate (TPM) concentration, dosage and adverse events in patients with epilepsy is still controversial. We therefore performed a prospective study in patients with poorly controlled epilepsy treated with TPM, predominantly in combination with other antiepileptic drugs. The goal of the study was to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of adverse events due to TPM and its serum concentration or dosage, respectively. METHODS The relationship between the occurrence of adverse events and TPM serum concentration or dosage, respectively, was examined in a group of 42 young adult and adult patients with poorly controlled epilepsy. Within 22 months, all patients treated with TPM had been included in the study. The 8 adverse events occurring most frequently (difference > or = 10%) in TPM-treated patients in 5, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group studies, were checked regularly. This side effect profile has been presented by Reife et al. (1995a). Other possible or probable adverse events were also documented. RESULTS The difference in TPM serum concentrations and TPM dosages (mg/kg) for patients without an adverse event, and patients with a given adverse event was statistically significant for "abnormal thinking, impaired concentration, weight loss, dizziness, speech problems, somnolence, ataxia, increased seizure frequency and paresthesia". To avoid adverse events, we recommend an initial "maintenance serum concentration" of below 4 microg/mL. As regards the TPM dosage, our results suggest initial maintenance dosages of 100 TPM or lower, 1.5 mg/kg or lower, respectively. These conclusions are limited by the relatively small number of patients.
Template-Based Multiple Codebooks Generation for Fine-Grained Shopping Classification and Retrieval

Visual codebook based quantization of robust appearance descriptors extracted from local image patches is an effective means of capturing image statistics for object classification. A codebook is usually constructed by using a cluster method such as k-means at object level or image level. The codebook is global. For fine-grained categorization and recognition problems, however, the global object-level codebook can not reveal subtle differences among sub-categorization. Because different parts for an object have different appearances and statistical natures, the key to identify the fine-grained differences lies in finding the right alignment of image regions that contain the same object part. We adopt a template model that captures common shape patterns of object parts. With the template model, the image parts are aligned. Then, we generate multiple local codebooks, each for one template. Each local codebook is a "terminological and spatially local dictionary" for the corresponding template and can present more precisely context of the part. In addition, the sizes of different local codebooks may be different according to the context of the part. Experiment results on two datasets show that multiple local codebooks improve the existing methods. In addition, smaller size of codebook reduces computational time for codebook generation.
Propagation of Uncertainty in Landmark Based Self-localization of Autonomous Mobile Robots

This paper presents uncertainty propagation in landmark based position estimation methods. Analysis of two methods has been carried out where robot position is estimated by detecting one or two globally distinct features using a pivoted stereo vision system. We make a basic assumption about error in estimating point features in camera images and propagate it into robot position estimate using first order approximation of non-linear functions. Simulation results illustrate the performance of the method.
The Development of a Component Commonality Metric for Mass Customization

In this paper, we review the commonality indices that have been developed thus far and demonstrate their possible limitations in evaluating component commonality for mass customization. Therefore, we develop a commonality index that considers generic bills-of-materials for mass customization instead of material-requirements-planning-like product structures. The construction of the index is carried out stepwise. At first, the intermediate commonality metrics with respect to common components, must-generic items, and options are defined. Then, we introduce the total commonality index, which enables the evaluation of the overall commonality of a product family. The index suggests a significant increase of commonality as the number of must-generic items and common components increases. However, product options have a minor contribution to the improvement of commonality. On the basis of a sensitivity analysis, the managerial implications that would result from using the index in practice are derived. We also explore the interdependencies between component commonality and variety-induced complexity on the shop floor. Finally, we discuss the application requirements that should be satisfied in order to effectively use the index
The Use of Technology in Programs for Students with Visual Impairments in Florida

Teachers of students with visual impairments in Florida were surveyed to determine their use of various types of access technologies. Each category of device, with the exception of refreshable braille devices, was used by at least 25 percent of the teachers. The majority stated that they were not familiar with most of the devices listed and had difficulty acquiring the training needed to learn devices well enough to teach the students to use them. On the basis of these findings, recommendations for preservice and in-service training are suggested.
Approximate topological matching of quadrilateral meshes

We study approximate topological matching of quadrilateral meshes, that is, the problem of finding as large a set as possible of matching portions of two quadrilateral meshes. This study is motivated by applications in graphics that involve shape modeling whose results need to be merged in order to produce a final unified representation of an object. We show that the problem of producing a maximum approximate topological match of two quad meshes in NP-hard. Given this result, which makes an exact solution extremely unlikely, we show that the natural greedy algorithm derived from polynomial-time graph isomorphism can produce poor results, even when it is possible to find matches with only a few non-matching quads. Nevertheless, we provide a "lazy-greedy" algorithm that is guaranteed to find good matches when mis-matching portions of mesh are localized. Finally, we provide empirical evidence that this approach produces good matches between similar quad meshes.
Scalable and Parallel Processing of Influence Maximization for Large-Scale Social Networks

Influence maximization is a problem of finding a small subset of nodes as seeds in a social network such that the total influence of this subset of nodes for disseminating a message in the social network can be maximized. The problem has been extensively investigated in recent years and many influence maximization algorithms have been proposed. However, all of the existing algorithms are sequentially executed algorithms. It would take long time if they run on large-scale social networks. In this paper, we study parallel algorithms for two influence maximization problems in large-scale social networks: influence maximization without budget limitation and influence maximization with limited budget. We propose two parallel algorithms, Community-based Max Degree (CMD) algorithm and Max Degree Cost Ratio (MDCR) algorithm, respectively for the two problems. Both algorithms can run in parallel on Hadoop platform. Experiments are conducted for various sizes of social networks. The results show that our algorithms are scalable and outperform the common heuristic algorithms.
Experimental evaluation of a flexible joint driven by water pressure for underwater robots

We describe here the development a joint mechanism for underwater robotic manipulators. Arms of underwater robots require small-scale bodies and high waterproofing properties. In most of underwater robots, electric motors are used as actuators to drive the robotic arm/arms, but using electric motors for underwater manipulators may be problematic due to the size/weight of the robotic arm and need to waterproof the electric motors. We develop a joint mechanism composed of combinations of rigid and flexible members, which can be deformed by a prismatic actuator fixed onto two rigid parts. We utilize a leaf spring as the flexible joint and a McKibben actuator driven by water hydraulic pressure as the prismatic actuator. The number of members in this mechanism is smaller than that of a mechanism composed of a combination of one pulley and one coil spring. One advantage of this mechanism is the avoidance of gears, thus eliminating sliding parts from the joint.
Analysis of Task Assignment Policies in Scalable Distributed Web-Server Systems

A distributed multiserver Web site can provide the scalability necessary to keep up with growing client demand at popular sites. Load balancing of these distributed Web-server systems, consisting of multiple, homogeneous Web servers for document retrieval and a Domain Name Server (DNS) for address resolution, opens interesting new problems. In this paper, we investigate the effects of using a more active DNS which, as an atypical centralized scheduler, applies some scheduling strategy in routing the requests to the most suitable Web server. Unlike traditional parallel/distributed systems in which a centralized scheduler has full control of the system, the DNS controls only a very small fraction of the requests reaching the multiserver Web site. This peculiarity, especially in the presence of highly skewed load, makes it very difficult to achieve acceptable load balancing and avoid overloading some Web servers. This paper adapts traditional scheduling algorithms to the DNS, proposes new policies, and examines their impact under different scenarios. Extensive simulation results show the advantage of strategies that make scheduling decisions on the basis of the domain that originates the client requests and limited server state information (e.g., whether a server is overloaded or not). An initially unexpected result is that using detailed server information, especially based on history, does not seem useful in predicting the future load and can often lead to degraded performance.
Personality and the Construal of Situations

Author(s): Todd, Elysia Ruth | Advisor(s): Funder, David C | Abstract: The same situation may be perceived to have different qualities depending on who is making the assessment of the situation. Since situations have important implications for behavior, there is clearly value in pursuing an understanding of how people's perceptions of situations differ and what the predictors of these differences might be. However, few researchers have investigated this topic and none have examined its relationship to situations in a comprehensive manner. Following the development of the Riverside Situational Q-Sort (RSQ: Wagerman a Funder, 2009) it has become possible to assess the manner in which individuals idiosyncratically construe a wide variety of situational features in ways that can be compared across very different situations. This dissertation examines personality's relationship to the broad individual difference variable "Distinctiveness of Situational Construal" which is defined here as the cumulative assessment of the discrepancy between an individual's distinctive description of a situation and a more consensual view of the situation. In each of three studies, the RSQ was used to assess participants' perceptions of situational stimuli. Study 1 featured two brief video scenarios as situational stimuli. Study 2 featured three Thematic Apperception Test images, and Study 3 featured situations experienced by the subjects in a laboratory setting. A variety of methods for quantifying construal were also evaluated in relation to each of these studies. The results indicate that distinctiveness of situational construal is quantifiable in a meaningful manner, that a person's tendency towards distinctive construal is stable across different situations, that this tendency towards distinctive construal has meaningful personality correlates, and that the patterns of these correlates replicate across three separate studies. Among the findings; extraversion and depression were positively correlated with distinctiveness of situational construal. Common CAQ correlates of distinctiveness of construal included items signifying independence, assertiveness, distrust, and even malicious traits. Common personality correlates of normativity included items signifying interpersonal warmth and sympathy, interest in intellectual and aesthetic concerns, as well as tendencies towards suppression of self and discomfort with uncertainties. Overall this dissertation demonstrates that distinctiveness of construal can be quantified across a variety of situations and that the potential applications are myriad.