Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local Adaptations to Global Trends: A Study of an IT-Based Organizational Change Program in a Nigerian Bank

The working assumption of this research is that the utilization of information technology (IT) and IT-based practices in any part of the world currently is taking place within the globalization trends. In recent times, studies in information systems (IS) are beginning to examine whether the globalization process portends homogeneity for developing countries' organizations or whether these organizations can utilize IT and IT-based management techniques according to the sociocultural requirements of their contexts. These studies show the importance of the local context and, more specifically, the importance of adapting global IT-based practices when implementing them in developing countries. However, the precise nature of these adaptations and the factors that shape them are still poorly understood--leaving this a fruitful area for research. In line with this view, this article explores how a Nigerian bank implemented and adapted a global IT-based technique, the factors that influence such adaptations, and what results are achieved.
An environment physically distributed in Java

This paper presents an environment for developing distributed applications. It consists basically of adding to Java language a library to manipulate shared objects, according to a methodology of distributed shared memory-DSM without cache. Shared objects are instances of classes that are data structures (lists, queues and stacks of objects). The environment provides a mechanism of hybrid load balancing among computers and tolerance to faults. The proposed environment has been tested and the results have shown that machines of low cost can be of high performance.
Robust nonlinear ship course-keeping control under the influence of high wind and large wave disturbances

Ship course-keeping control is a complicated problem because the ship dynamics are nonlinear and nonminimum-phase. In this paper, the robust nonlinear control design approach employs two feedback loops: the H∞ approximate input/output (I/O) linearization in the inner-loop and μ-synthesis in the outer-loop to address tracking, regulation, and robustness issues. Computer simulations clearly show that the performance of the proposed robust nonlinear controller design is better than the linear robust controller in handling high wind and large wave disturbances.
Fast-Speed Drives for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Based on Model Predictive Control

Fast speed-tracking with limits commitment for currents and voltages of drivetrain is crucial for EV/HEV. This study proposes a fast-speed drive for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) based on Model Predictive Control (MPC). Fast speed tracking is achieved through optimization of the DC source utilization. With common torque and current limits, the proposed technique predicts the optimum voltage vector applied to the driver. The performance of the PMSM under Field Oriented Control (FOC) and MPC is first analyzed by a simulation study at different working circumstances. The effectiveness of the proposed MPC has been validated by simulation results. Then, an experimental setup has been established for the PMSM drive using a TMS320F2812 DSP. The effectiveness of the proposed MPC has been validated by experimental results. With simulation and experimental results, the presented MPC has been investigated by comparing to the cascaded PI control based on SVPWM to highlight the improvements, especially regarding speed tracking response.
Identification of Rhetorical Structure Relation from Discourse Marker in Bengali Language Understanding

Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST) has been in constant research for a number of years. The different parts of a text are called text spans. RST helps in organizing these text spans. These text spans are connected with each other by Discourse markers. In this paper, we are exploring the possibility of realizing some RST relations (CONTRAST, SEQUENCE and PARALLEL) from multi-nuclear sentences in Bengali Language with the help of the semantic structure of the sentences and the discourse markers. We present a rule based approach for comprehending the RST relations from the discourse markers in Bengali Language.
Identification of the Causative Organism of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis in Ethiopia by PCR

ABSTRACT Tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBLN) is a common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis with multiple differential diagnoses. Demonstration of the etiologic agent by smear microscopy or culture of fine needle aspirate (FNA) specimens is often unsuccessful. FNA specimens from 40 patients presenting at a rural health center in South Ethiopia and diagnosed as positive for TBLN on the basis of clinical and cytological criteria were analyzed for mycobacterial DNA by PCR. Thirty (75%) had cervical lymphadenitis and 11 (27.5%) were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Three primer sets were initially used to identify the causative agent at the genus (antigen 85 complex), complex (IS6110 insertion sequence), and species (pncA gene and allelic variation) levels. Among the forty TBLN cases, 35 (87.5%) were positive by PCR at the genus and complex levels. Based on PCR for detection of allelic variation at position 169, 24 (68.6%) of the 35 were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 6 (17.1%) were positive for M. bovis. These six were positive in additional PCR assays using the JB21-JB22 primer set, which is highly specific for M. bovis. Five (14.1%) showed amplification for both M. tuberculosis and M. bovis with the allele-specific primer set. Cooccurrence of pyrazinamide (PZA)-sensitive and -resistant M. tuberculosis in those five cases was indicated, since all were negative in assays with the JB21-JB22 primer set. This feature was seen in 3 of 11 HIV-positive and 2 of 29 HIV-negative individuals (P < 0.001). Conclusion: among 35 PCR-positive cases of TBLN from southern Ethiopia, 29 (82.9%) were caused by M. tuberculosis and six (17.1%) were caused by M. bovis.
The reliability of the mankin score for osteoarthritis

For the histopathological classification of the severity of osteoarthritic lesions of cartilage, the Mankin score is frequently used. A necessary constraint on the validity of this scoring system is the consistency with which cartilage lesions are classified. The intra‐ and interobserver agreement of the Mankin score was determined. The intra‐ and interobserver agreement of the 14‐point Mankin score was adequate. Between observers 95% of differences were less than ∼7 points. By a more strict definition of the elements of the Mankin score, the intraobserver differences were reduced only for some observers. The interobserver differences were only slightly reduced: between observers 95% of differences were less than ∼6 points. We found the Mankin score to be an adequate histopathological tool.
Isolation and properties of Moloney murine leukemia virus mutants: use of a rapid assay for release of virion reverse transcriptase

A rapid assay for retroviral reverse transcriptase activity released into the culture medium by infected cells was developed. With the assay, 4,000 clonally infected cell lines could be tested in a few hours. We have adapted the assay for use as a screen for the detection of spontaneous viral mutants. Mutants of Moloney murine leukemia virus have been isolated which (i) produce a thermolabile reverse transcriptase, (ii) are temperature sensitive for release of enzyme activity, or (iii) can only productively infect cells already producing gag-related polypeptides. The assay has also been useful for the isolation of nonproducer cells infected with various replication-defective transforming viruses.
Probing the nature of high-z short GRB 090426 with its early optical and X-ray afterglows

GRB 090426 is a short-duration burst detected bySwift (T90 ∼ 1.28 s in the observer frame and T90 ∼ 0.33 s in the burst frame at z = 2.609). Its host galaxy properties and some gamma-rayrelated correlations are analogous to those seen in long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are believed to be of a massive star origin (so-called Type II GRBs). We present the results of its early optical observations with the 0.8-m Tsinghua University–National Astronomical Observatory of China Telescope (TNT) at Xinglong Observatory and the 1-m LOAO telescope at Mt Lemmon Optical Astronomy Observatory in Arizona. Our wellsampled optical afterglow light curve covers from ∼90 to 10 4 s after the GRB trigger. It shows two shallow decay episodes that are likely due to energy injection, which end at ∼230 and 7100 s, respectively. The decay slopes after the injection phases are consistent with each other (α � 1.22). The X-ray afterglow light curve appears to trace the optical, although the second energy-injection phase was missed due to visibility constraints introduced by the Swift orbit. The X-ray spectral index is βX ∼ 1.0 without temporal evolution. Its decay slope is consistent with the prediction of the forward shock model. Both X-ray and optical emission are consistent with being in the same spectral regime above the cooling frequency (νc). The fact that νc is below the optical band from the very early epoch of the observation provides a constraint on the burst environment, which is similar to that seen in classical long-duration GRBs. We therefore suggest that death of a massive star is the possible progenitor of this short burst.
Méditation de pleine conscience et psychothérapie dans la prise en charge de la santé et de la maladie

L’objet de cette recherche est de delimiter le domaine de la meditation en tant que prise en charge therapeutique dans le champ de la psychologie de la sante. Les auteurs portent leur interet sur le courant le plus prolifique de ces dernieres annees en termes de recherche : la meditation en pleine conscience. L’objectif est de definir le concept de meditation et de pleine conscience, pour ensuite porter l’attention sur les psychotherapies qui en decoulent, et les etudes cliniques effectuees dans ce domaine. La meditation en pleine conscience constitue un champ de recherche tres prometteur pour la psychologie de la sante dans le cadre des prises en charge therapeutique. Au regard des nombreuses etudes cliniques, les auteurs constatent que les techniques MBSR, MBCT appliquees a la pleine conscience s’averent pertinentes et apportent un resultat en terme d’amelioration de la sante en general. Toutefois, les recherches sur la pleine conscience n’en sont encore qu’a leur debut. Des approches plus rigoureuses sur le plan methodologique et des developpements conceptuels plus affines s’averent necessaires.
A qualitative study of college students' perceptions of risky driving and social influences

ABSTRACT Objectives: Young adults and teens are documented as the riskiest drivers on the road, and newer issues such as texting and driving are a growing concern. This study sought to determine the risk perceptions of young adults regarding various driving behaviors, their past experiences, how their social circles are structured, and how this might affect their driving. Methods: This study conducted qualitative research with 25 college undergraduate students to determine their peer and social influences regarding distracted driving. Data were analyzed and related to the health belief model and past research on social influence. Results: Though most participants felt that their behaviors were set after learning to drive, they were, in fact, quite susceptible to the influence of those in their social circles (e.g., fear of judgment and accountability) and, more broadly, to social norms. Texting and driving was the largest and most topical distracted driving issue and was also identified as very difficult to stop due to perceived barriers and the idea that intervening is rude. Participants identified low perceived susceptibility and severity (perceived threat) for a number of risky driving behaviors, including texting and driving. Conclusions: Training is needed to encourage people to intervene and speak up regarding behaviors other than drinking and driving, and cues to action and campaigns should target intervention to increase self-efficacy, as well as norms, susceptibility, and common rationalizations for risky behavior.
Nonlinear Polynomials, Interpolants and Invariant Generation for System Analysis

System Invariant properties at various locations play a critical role in enhancing confidence in the reliability of system behavior, be it software, hardware and hybrid systems. While there has recently been considerable interest in researching heuristics for generating loops invariants, almost all developments have focused on generating invariants typically handled using SMT solvers including propositional formulas, difference and octagonal formulas and linear formulas. While we have been investigating methods based on symbolic computation algorithms including Gröbner basis and approximate quantifier elimination for over a decade (see [14, 36, 42, 45, 26, 27, 43, 44, 28, 50, 49, 16, 18] for some of our papers), the SMT and CAV community have only recently started considering nonlinear polynomial invariants since many programs, especially linear filters, hybrid systems, and other applications, need nonlinear invariants for analysis of their behavior. We present an overview of our research with a focus on our work on nonlinear invariant generation [16] as well as interpolant generation [18] from the perspective of their role in software and hybrid system analysis. Our approach is in sharp contrast to some recent approaches in which nonlinear polynomials are approximated using linear inequalities and symbolic-numeric techniques. We also present new research on quantifier elimination heuristics for invariant generation and interpolant generation. Particularly, we give efficient algorithms for interpolant generation for quantifier-free theories of equality on uninterpreted symbols and octagonal formulas. We outline problems and challenges for future research.
Insulin and Blood Fibrinolytic Activity

Summary The effect of insulin on fibrinolysis was studied in hospital patients who were subjected to an insulin tolerance or glucose tolerance test. Blood samples were obtained at frequent intervals over a 2-3 hour period and fibrinolytic activity determined by the dilute whole blood lysis test. Normal control subjects were tested in both fasting and in non-fasting states. A marked increase in fibrinolytic activity was produced during the insulin tolerance test. However, as this increase did not appear until the blood glucose had been reduced to 30-40 mg % it was considered to be due, not to the insulin which had been administered, but rather to the action of those hormones which would be released in response to the hypoglycemia. On the other hand, the results of the glucose tolerance test demonstrated a gradual increase in fibrinolysis during the test period. Again this increased activity could not be attributed to the action of insulin because a similar effect was apparent in the samples obtained from the control subjects. Therefore, it was concluded that the enhancement of fibrinolysis observed in both test and control subjects was not due to the action of insulin.
Modeling of VSC-Based Power Systems in the Extended Harmonic Domain

Averaged modeling is a commonly used approach used to obtain mathematical representations of VSC-based systems. However, essential characteristics mainly related to the modulation process and the harmonic distortion of the signals are not able to be accurately captured and analyzed. The extended harmonic domain (EHD) has recently been seen as an alternative modeling framework since it allows us to consider the harmonic interaction explicitly. However, there is not a clearly established methodology to derive the EHD models in the presence of power electronic switches. This paper presents a generalized methodology based on the switching instants to obtain large-signal EHD models of VSC-based power systems. Three model order reduction approaches are also proposed to address the increased size of the resulting EHD models. Analytic formulas of three modulation techniques: sinusoidal pulse-width modulation, third harmonic injection pulse-width modulation, and space vector pulse-width modulation are provided to obtain the open-loop large signal EHD models. A performance assessment of the proposed modeling approach in respect to model size, the computational time and the accuracy is presented based on simulations and experimental case studies. The obtained results show that the resulting EHD models are accurate and reliable, while the memory and computation time are improved with the proposed model order reductions.
Coordinated individual education with an arthritis passport for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a program for individual education in combination with the use of an arthritis passport. METHODS We studied 3 groups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The first experimental group received educational materials and followed the program under the guidance of their regular providers of health care whose activities were coordinated through arthritis passports. The second experimental group only received education materials; the control group received only usual care. RESULTS There were no effects on self-efficacy expectations, knowledge, health status, or behavior in either experimental group. Opinions of general practitioners, physiotherapists, and visiting nurses concerning the arthritis passport were very positive, but rheumatologists' opinions were not. Opinions on coordination of care were more positive among the physiotherapists of the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS Individual education for patients with rheumatoid arthritis by health care providers during routine consultations, as implemented in this program, had no effect on self-efficacy expectations, knowledge, health status, or health behavior. Likewise, the distribution of educational materials by itself without the involvement of health care providers had no effect. The use of the arthritis passport improved coordination of care, especially for physiotherapists.
Exploring graph-based approaches for non-binary rating prediction CS 224 W ( Analysis of Networks ) course project

In this project, we explore graph-based methods to predict the rating that a user would give to a product. This is the central problem in creating a recommendation system and has been studied in great detail. Most standard approaches attempt the binary recommendation problem – estimating if a person would like/dislike an item, or if one person should be recommended as a friend to another on Facebook. This project aims to explore random-walk and other graph based techniques for problems involving non-binary ratings. We suggest a modification to the original Random Walk with Restarts setting and also propose another solution to predict rating using shortest paths in user-product bipartite graphs.
Co-Verification Based on Program Traces from Different Processors

High complexity and tight time-to-market have created new challenges in Multiprocessor System-on-Chip (MPSoC) designs. Virtual platforms play an important role in this scenario, by enabling design space exploration, functional verification, and IP reuse. Processors are key components on such virtual platforms, where Architecture Description Languages are usually applied to automatically generate simulators and other software tools. This paper focuses on the software verification path and its main contribution is a trace matching methodology, capable of matching traces for different architectures providing a good feedback about the correct execution of a program. We evaluated our methodology and tool using ArchC-generated instruction-set simulators (ISS) for two different processors: MIPS and PowerPC, and compared all 75 programs from acStone benchmark, 3 synthetic errors injected in the programs and in the simulator, and 10 programs with 15 variations from MiBench that matched correctly.
Quantitative evaluation of pancreatic enhancement during dual-phase helical CT.

PURPOSE To determine the improvement in pancreatic enhancement at helical computed tomography (CT) performed with an early delay after administration of contrast material compared with that performed with a standard delay. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dual-phase helical CT of the abdomen was performed in 120 patients with a 150-mL bolus of contrast material infused at 5 mL/sec. Early and standard delayed scanning was performed beginning at 20 seconds and 49-71 seconds, respectively. Regions of interest were measured in the head, body, and tail of the pancreas in 92 patients. The difference in enhancement between early and standard delayed scanning was calculated. RESULTS Mean pancreatic enhancement was 82 HU +/- 3 (standard error) with an early delay, whereas enhancement on standard delay scans was 62 HU +/- 2 (P < .001). An improvement in enhancement greater than 10 HU was attained in 66 of 92 cases (72%). CONCLUSION Pancreatic enhancement at helical CT with an early delay after contrast material administration is often significantly greater than the enhancement seen with a standard delay when a monophasic, rapidly infused bolus of contrast material is used.
1 Software Architecture Evolution

This chapter provides an overview, comparison and detailed treatment of the various state-of-the-art approaches to evolving software architectures. Furthermore, we discuss one particular framework for software architecture evolution in more detail. The role of software architecture in the engineering of software-intensive applications has become more and more important and widespread. Component based software architecture models the structure and behaviour of the system, including the software elements and the relationships between them. It becomes a base for the design process, a guide for the software development process and one of the main input to drive the integration tests. There exist currently a lot of Architecture Description Languages (ADLs) [1], which enable the architect to specify his software system. Indeed, during the design process, the architect relies on the ADL to create the architecture of his system by constructing and combining increasingly complex components and connectors. Despite of the assets of these languages, most of them do not provide means to facilitate the evolution of a software system. However, one of the primary task of the architect is to ensure the quality of a system and its continued existence . Thanks to ADLs, building a functional architecture that contains only business concerns is in fact relatively easy. Supporting the evolution of a software architecture is more pervasive. The essence of the architect's task is to negotiate and balance the conflicting concerns of many diverse stakeholders and to anticipate the possible evolution of their requirements. This characterisation enforces the idea that traditional software architecture languages suffer from a number of key problems that cannot be solved without changing our point of view on the notion of software architecture.
A Neonatal Specialist With Recurrent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Carriage Implicated in the Transmission of MRSA to Newborns

This study reports an investigation of outbreaks of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and colonization involving 17 newborns in the neonatal unit of a teaching hospital. A neonatal specialist colonized with MRSA that eventually became mupirocin-resistant was implicated as a recurrent source of transmission of MRSA to newborns.