Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparability of leadership constructs from the Malaysian and Pakistani perspectives

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare the applicability of transformational leadership and substitutes-for-leadership theories in Malaysia’s and Pakistan’s work settings. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a survey-based approach using professional employees in both countries as respondents. In total, 215 responses to a web-based survey in Malaysia and 523 responses to a survey administered using personal methods in Pakistan were used for the analysis. Findings The results revealed that Malaysia’s leaders were rated high on the dimensions of transformational and transactional leadership. The transformational leadership dimensions produced desirable effects on subordinates’ outcomes in both samples, but the contingent punishment dimension of transactional leadership produced especially undesirable effects on subordinates’ outcomes. Substitutes for leadership also independently affected subordinates’ outcomes and produced similar effects on subordinates’ outcomes in both samples. In general, the effects in the Malaysian sample are larger than those in the Pakistani sample. Research limitations/implications The results suggest that the transformational leadership style is effective in both cultures, but the transactional leadership style is culturally contingent. While leaders in collectivist cultures like Malaysia and Pakistan should practice more transformational leadership than transactional leadership, leaders in Pakistan should be particularly careful while practicing transactional leadership because of the society’s high level of collectivism and moderately high-power distance orientation. Practical implications The results suggest that the transformational leadership style is effective in both cultures, but the transactional leadership style is culturally contingent. While leaders in collectivist cultures like Malaysia and Pakistan should practice more transformational leadership than transactional leadership, leaders in Pakistan should be particularly careful while practicing transactional leadership because of the society’s low power distance orientation. Originality/value Since this study is the first to compare the applicability of western theories in collectivist cultures that differ significantly in their power distance orientation, it contributes meaningfully to the cross-culture leadership field.
Common Areas for Improvement in Physical Science Units That Have Critically Low Student Satisfaction

Course and teaching evaluation questionnaires (CTEQs) have become standard practice in Australian universities to evaluate teaching and student experiences. National results have shown that ratings of disciplines in the physical sciences (Information Technology, Engineering and Science) generally perform poorly on the CTEQs compared to other disciplines. In this paper, a thematic analysis of the students' feedback was undertaken for units in physical science cluster that students experienced as needing critical attention. These units were delivered in semester 2, 2010 at Monash University. The analysis has revealed that the top three concerns for students across the physical science disciplines are lecturer presentation, lecture content and unit organization. These findings are consistent with those from over 35 years ago despite changes in student demographics, advances in learning theory and technological advances used in the delivery of course content.
Measuring Non-native Speakers’ Proficiency of English by Using a Test with Automatically-Generated Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

This paper proposes the automatic generation of Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (FBQs) together with testing based on Item Response Theory (IRT) to measure English proficiency. First, the proposal generates an FBQ from a given sentence in English. The position of a blank in the sentence is determined, and the word at that position is considered as the correct choice. The candidates for incorrect choices for the blank are hypothesized through a thesaurus. Then, each of the candidates is verified by using the Web. Finally, the blanked sentence, the correct choice and the incorrect choices surviving the verification are together laid out to form the FBQ. Second, the proficiency of non-native speakers who took the test consisting of such FBQs is estimated through IRT. Our experimental results suggest that: (1) the generated questions plus IRT estimate the non-native speakers' English proficiency; (2) while on the other hand, the test can be completed almost perfectly by English native speakers; and (3) the number of questions can be reduced by using item information in IRT. The proposed method provides teachers and testers with a tool that reduces time and expenditure for testing English proficiency.
Logistic Discrimination with Total Variation Regularization

This article introduces a regularized logistic discrimination method that is especially suited for discretized stochastic processes (such as periodograms, spectrograms, EEG curves, etc.). The proposed method penalizes the total variation of the discriminant directions, giving smaller misclassification errors than alternative methods, and smoother and more easily interpretable discriminant directions. The properties of the new method are studied by simulation and by a real-data example involving classification of phonemes.
Image retrieval using multiple orders of Geometry-preserving Visual Phrases

Most approaches for image retrieval are based on the bag-of-visual-word (BoV) representation. However, the BoV model typically ignores the spatial information that is crucial for visual representation. Zhang, et al. [1] proposed an approach to encode spatial information into Bo V using Geometry-preserving Visual Phrases (GVP). They found 2-GVP gives the best results in general, while the performance of high order GVP (length>; 2) decreases because it encodes too much spatial constraint. Although high order GVP performs worse in general, it can often generate a better top 10 retrieved images than 2-GVP because near duplicate images usually correspond with a strong spatial constraint with the query image. Based on this observation, we propose an approach to merge the result of multiple orders of GVP to encode more spatial information reasonably in the searching step (M-GVP). Experiment results on the Oxford 5K dataset show that M-GVP can stably improve the general retrieval accuracy, and particularly give a better top 10 ranked images compared with GVP method.
Improved consistent elastic image registration based on landmark correspondence

Consistent image registration jointly estimates the forward and reverse transformation between two images while constraining these transforms to be inverses of one another. The consistent image registration produces mapping functions that have less pair-wise registration error and reflect the anatomical relationship of image transformation. This paper improves the consistent image algorithm based on landmark proposed by Johnson. After the convergence of consistent image registration proposed by Johnson, our method inserts new landmarks at the position where has large consistent error, in order to reduce the consistency error as a whole. Where and how to insert new landmarks are discussed in details in this paper. The Experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm is effective to reduce the consistent error and improve the registration accuracy concurrently.
Morphologic Features of Extrahepatic Manifestations of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are the prototypic complications of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in the liver. However, hepatitis C virus also affects a variety of other organs that may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C infection include a multitude of disease processes affecting the small vessels, skin, kidneys, salivary gland, eyes, thyroid, and immunologic system. The majority of these conditions are thought to be immune mediated. The most documented of these entities is mixed cryoglobulinemia. Morphologically, immune complex depositions can be identified in small vessels and glomerular capillary walls, leading to leukoclastic vasculitis in the skin and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in the kidney. Other HCV-associated entities include porphyria cutanea tarda, lichen planus, necrolytic acral erythema, membranous glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, insulin resistance, sialadenitis, sicca syndrome, and autoimmune thyroiditis. This paper highlights the histomorphologic features of these processes, which are typically characterized by chronic inflammation, immune complex deposition, and immunoproliferative disease in the affected organ.
A Scanning Electron Microscope image segmentation method for steam generator fouling rate estimation

In this paper, we propose a new approach to segment Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images and separate particles from background. The automatic segmentation of SEM images is a challenging problem owing to illumination non-homogeneities and image variability. We take advantage of priors on the inspected material as well as complementary clues (intensity, space and contours) to get a segmentation method as robust as possible on a wide range of images. The proposed algorithm first applies the mean-shift clustering procedure, which consists in successively detecting the modes of the image probability density function and merging them with intensity and contour clues. Then a spatially constrained K-Means algorithm alternatively estimates the bias field and classifies pixels between crystal and background. This method was successfully applied to compute the fouling rate of a nuclear plant steam generator tube mock-up.
Scalable Variational Inference for Bayesian Variable Selection in Regression, and Its Accuracy in Genetic Association Studies

The Bayesian approach to variable selection in regression is a powerful tool for tackling many scientiflc problems. Inference for variable selection models is usually implemented using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). Because MCMC can impose a high computational cost in studies with a large number of variables, we assess an alternative to MCMC based on a simple variational approximation. Our aim is to retain useful features of Bayesian variable selection at a reduced cost. Using simulations designed to mimic genetic association studies, we show that this simple variational approximation yields posterior inferences in some settings that closely match exact values. In less restrictive (and more realistic) conditions, we show that posterior probabilities of inclusion for individual variables are often incorrect, but variational estimates of other useful quantities|including posterior distributions of the hyperparameters|are remarkably accurate. We illustrate how these results guide the use of variational inference for a genome-wide association study with thousands of samples and hundreds of thousands of variables.
Human Feeder Layers for Human Embryonic Stem Cells1

Abstract Human embryonic stem (hES) cells hold great promise for future use in various research areas, such as human developmental biology and cell-based therapies. Traditionally, these cells have been cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder layers, which permit continuous growth in an undifferentiated stage. To use these unique cells in human therapy, an animal-free culture system must be used, which will prevent exposure to mouse retroviruses. Animal-free culture systems for hES cells enjoy three major advantages in the basic culture conditions: 1) the ability to grow these cells under serum-free conditions, 2) maintenance of the cells in an undifferentiated state on Matrigel matrix with 100% MEF-conditioned medium, and 3) the use of either human embryonic fibroblasts or adult fallopian tube epithelial cells as feeder layers. In the present study, we describe an additional animal-free culture system for hES cells, based on a feeder layer derived from foreskin and a serum-free medium. In this culture condition, hES cells maintain all embryonic stem cell features (i.e., pluripotency, immortality, unlimited undifferentiated proliferation capability, and maintenance of normal karyotypes) after prolonged culture of 70 passages (>250 doublings). The major advantage of foreskin feeders is their ability to be continuously cultured for more than 42 passages, thus enabling proper analysis for foreign agents, genetic modification such as antibiotic resistance, and reduction of the enormous workload involved in the continuous preparation of new feeder lines.
The Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant MitoQ Prevents Loss of Spatial Memory Retention and Early Neuropathology in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Considerable evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined the ability of the novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ (mitoquinone mesylate: [10-(4,5-dimethoxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxo-1,4-cycloheexadienl-yl) decyl triphenylphosphonium methanesulfonate]) to prevent AD-like pathology in mouse cortical neurons in cell culture and in a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD). MitoQ attenuated β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in cortical neurons and also prevented increased production of reactive species and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) in them. To determine whether the mitochondrial protection conferred by MitoQ was sufficient to prevent the emergence of AD-like neuropathology in vivo, we treated young female 3xTg-AD mice with MitoQ for 5 months and analyzed the effect on the progression of AD-like pathologies. Our results show that MitoQ prevented cognitive decline in these mice as well as oxidative stress, Aβ accumulation, astrogliosis, synaptic loss, and caspase activation in their brains. The work presented herein suggests a central role for mitochondria in neurodegeneration and provides evidence supporting the use of mitochondria-targeted therapeutics in diseases involving oxidative stress and metabolic failure, namely AD.
An RFID-Based Position and Orientation Measurement System for Mobile Objects in Intelligent Environments

Ambient intelligence (AmI) considers responsive environments in which applications and services adapt their behavior according to the user's needs and changing context. One of the most challenging aspects for many applications in AmI environments is location and orientation of the surrounding objects. This is especially important for effective cooperation among mobile physical objects in such smart environments. In this paper, we propose a robust indoor positioning system that provides 2-D positioning and orientation information for mobile objects. The system utilizes low-range passive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The proposed system, which consists of RFID carpets and several peripherals for sensor data interpretation, is implemented and tested through extensive experiments. Our results show that the proposed system outperforms similar existing systems in minimizing the average positioning error.
The Road to Success: Necessary and Unnecessary Visual Features in Parallel Individuation

Each day, we interact with and make judgments about objects we see in the visual field. These interactions depend on the perceptual segmentation of figure from ground, and the subsequent processing of the segmented representations. In order to survive in our increasingly complex world, it is not enough to know what is object and what is background; we must be able to rapidly infer information about sets of objects, such as their identity, in what direction are they moving, and how many are there. Parallel individuation is the rapid selection of multiple targets for precise and rapid processing. One of the hallmarks of parallel individuation behavior is the ability to report the number of items in small sets with extreme speed and accuracy; this behavior is called ‘subitizing’. Previous research has suggested that subitizing, and other tasks dependent on parallel individuation, rely on targets that are spatially separate from each other: objects rather than object parts. In this thesis, we explored what visual features, like connectivity, interfere with or are necessary for parallel individuation to occur. We first demonstrated that both connected and unconnected targets can be subitized. In order to ensure the same neural mechanism was responsible for the behavior observed in both stimulus conditions, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare the neural responses to connected and unconnected stimuli. We targeted
Improved wavelet transform for noise reduction in power analysis attacks

In side channel attacks (SCA), noise has been a hot topic for affecting the quality of obtained observations. In this paper, we propose a kind of improved wavelet transform denoising method based on singular spectral analysis (SSA) and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Principal signal component in SSA can be selected by DFA adaptively, and residual part can be denoised by wavelet transform to retrieve important information. The method of superposition between signal component and denoised residual part improves the denoising efficiency of original wavelet transform. In order to verify the usefulness of the proposed method, we choose the correlation power analysis (CPA) to attack hard implementation of AES by using wavelet transform and the proposed method for preprocessing. Results show that the proposed method improve the success rate whilst decrease the necessary number of power consumption traces significantly. And the proposed method outperforms wavelet transform in noise elimination.
A V-band high linearity two-stage subharmonically pumped mixer

The “gain expansion” of a subharmonically pumped mixer (SHM) is utilized for the first time, to compensate for the “gain compression” of the cascaded amplifier. Consequently, a linear two-stage SHM is obtained. A proof-of-concept circuit is designed and manufactured in a 0.25 μm InP DHBT process, which down-converts a V-band RF signal to an IF signal, driven by a LO signal whose frequency is a half of that for a fundamental mixer (2×SHM). In RF range from 55 GHz to 67 GHz, the SHM has 6 to 9 dB conversion gain when LO power is 5 dBm. Simultaneously, it achieves a high third-order output intercept point (OIP3) from 10 dBm to 16 dBm. The measured input and output 1-dB compression points (P1dB and OP1dB) at RF frequency of 61 GHz are -2 dBm and 3 dBm, respectively. Obtained OP1dB and OIP3, to the best of authors' knowledge, is the best among the published 2×SHMs. Furthermore, this SHM is measured as the LO frequency is one-third (3×SHM) and a quarter (4×SHM) of that for a fundamental mixer, which has conversion gains of 3 dB and -1 dB, respectively.
Clinical Implications of ESR1 Mutations in Hormone Receptor-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer is the most frequent breast cancer subtype. Endocrine therapy (ET) targeting the estrogen receptor (ER) pathway represents the main initial therapeutic approach. The major strategies include estrogen deprivation and the use of selective estrogen modulators or degraders, which show efficacy in the management of metastatic and early-stage disease. However, clinical resistance associated with progression of disease remains a significant therapeutic challenge. Mutations of the ESR1 gene, which encodes the ER, have been increasingly recognized as an important mechanism of ET resistance, with a prevalence that ranges from 11 to 39%. The majority of these mutations are located within the ligand-binding domain and result in an estrogen-independent constitutive activation of the ER and, therefore, resistance to estrogen deprivation therapy such as aromatase inhibition. ESR1 mutations, most often detected from liquid biopsies, have been consistently associated with a worse outcome and are being currently evaluated as a potential biomarker to guide therapeutic decisions. At the same time, targeted therapy directed to ESR1-mutated clones is an appealing concept with preclinical and clinical work in progress.
An Approach to Combine Balancing with Hierarchical Whole-Body Control for Legged Humanoid Robots

Legged humanoid robots need to be able to perform a variety of tasks including interaction with the environment while maintaining the balance. The external wrenches, which arise from the physical interaction, must be taken into account in order to achieve robust and compliant balancing. This work presents a new control approach for combining multiobjective hierarchical control based on null space projections with passivity-based multicontact balancing for legged humanoid robots. In order to achieve a proper balancing, all task forces/torques are first distributed to the end effectors and then mapped into joint space considering the task hierarchy. The control approach is evaluated both in simulation and experiment with the humanoid robot TORO.
A Mixed Mode BIST Scheme Based on Reseeding of Folding Counters

In this paper a new scheme for deterministic and mixed mode scan-based BIST is presented. It relies on a new type of test pattern generator which resembles a programmable Johnson counter and is called folding counter. Both the theoretical background and practical algorithms are presented to characterize a set of deterministic test cubes by a reasonably small number of seeds for a folding counter. Combined with classical approaches for test width compression and with pseudo-random pattern generation these new techniques provide an efficient and flexible solution for scan-based BIST. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme outperforms previously published approaches based on the reseeding of LFSRs or Johnson counters.
Automatic Classification of Context in Induced Barking

In this study, we present the results of classiﬁcation experiments of induced dog barks in diﬀerent contexts of behaviour. We applied four validation schemes to trained models in order to determine the level of individuals dependency for context classiﬁcation. We did an analysis based on feature selection techniques to determine the best acoustic low-level descriptors for this task. Results showed that classiﬁcation performance decreases when the model is evaluated leaving out acoustic information of individuals in the training stage. The acoustic feature set used in our experiments shown better results in comparison with other works using the same data.
A study on network performance metrics and their composition

Purpose – Research backbone networks like GEANT2 and the national research and education networks are used by a variety of scientists and research projects. These users and the network engineers operating the networks would like to get access to network performance metrics to optimise their use of the network and to troubleshoot performance degradations when they happen. A variety of tools for performing network measurements already exist, and the perfSONAR architecture developed in the Joint Research Activity 1 (JRA1) of GEANT2 aims at integrating them into a coherent framework. However, a harmonised definition of the most interesting metrics and how measurements must be carried out is still lacking.Design/methodology/approach – This paper suggests some of the elementary metrics which are relevant for assessing network performance, along with an indication about how to post‐process (or “transform”, or “compose”) them in order to obtain derived summary values that can quickly and intuitively give an indic.