Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sourcing Strategies in Information Systems Development: Examining Sourcing Motives in the Financial Sector from the Resource Based View

After 20 years of accomplishment Barney discusses in the recent issue of the Journal of Management (JOM, September 2011, 37(4)) the decline or the revitalization of the resource based view (RBV). This thesis gives support for its relevance in the field of sourcing ISdevelopment. Looking into the discipline of IS-sourcing, at first glance it might be seen as a natural part as any other of an organization. However, taking a closer inspection on sourcing in the financial sector we have found that the resources used in IS-development are an important factor for sustained competitive advantage depending on the application of different sourcing modes. Investigating several case organizations from the financial sector we have on the basis of the resource based view analyzed selected IS-sourcing projects and the motive for sourcing as well as if appropriate sourcing strategies are applied. With the starting point from Roy and Aubert’s (2000) research and implications on their treatment of IS-sourcing modes, we challenge their study in a way that we are convinced that it needs to be combined with the VRIO framework. Our empirical results confirm that the VRIO framework sheds insight on the diffusion of finding the applied sourcing mode. While analyzing the empirical findings and using the wellgrounded theories with the stake from the resource based view, we have theoretically derived the appropriate IS-sourcing mode for each investigated case. The empirical findings revealed that the IS-sourcing model is implicitly applied in practice. However, the extrapolation from the application of the theoretically derived sourcing mode to the success of the sourcing project needs further evidence. Our discussion of IS-sourcing in the financial sector addresses in fact the importance of seeing IS-sourcing as a resource that includes capabilities of high or low strategic value, for gaining sustained competitive advantage. Metaphorically sourcing of IS-development can be seen as a bag that holds resources which form the competitive advantage. Although ISsourcing strategies from the RBV perspective may seem of concern to only a small group of interest, it should in fact concern any financial organization that cares about keeping competitive on the market. Regarding the empirical findings, this discovery has relevant applications in Roy and Aubert’s (2000) research and contribute to the resource based view.
Does pulmonary rehabilitation reduce anxiety and depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Purpose of review Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent in at least 20–40% of patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are known to affect prognosis and worsen quality of life. This review examines whether pulmonary rehabilitation can effectively improve psychological status in COPD patients. Recent findings Over the last decade, evidence has accumulated to show that comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation, which includes exercise training and disease education or psychosocial support or both, can effectively improve anxiety and depression in COPD. The quality of supporting data varies but indicates a consistent and homogeneous effect in favour of pulmonary rehabilitation for anxiety and depression when compared with conventional community care. Pulmonary rehabilitation also appears to improve anxiety and depression in rehabilitating COPD patients with less favourable psychosocial health, but its efficacy for treating more severe and enduring anxiety and depression is largely unproven. Additionally, it is not certain which components of pulmonary rehabilitation lead to improved anxiety and depression, and further research is needed to ensure that psychological benefits accrued during rehabilitation are sustained. Summary Anxiety and depression afflict a significant proportion of COPD patients and lead to worse patient-centred outcomes. Evidence supports the use of pulmonary rehabilitation to effectively manage psychological morbidity in COPD.
Symposium 4: Hot topics in parenteral nutrition Current evidence and ongoing trials on the use of glutamine in critically-ill patients and patients undergoing surgery

The amino acid glutamine has numerous important roles including particularly antioxidant defence, immune function, the inflammatory response, acid–base balance and N economy. The present systematic review of randomised controlled trials of nutrition support with glutamine up to August 2008 has found that parenteral glutamine in critical illness is associated with a non-significant reduction in mortality (risk ratio 0·71 (95% CI 0·49, 1·03)) and may reduce infections. However, poor study quality and the possibility of publication bias mean that these results should be interpreted with caution. There is no evidence to suggest that glutamine is harmful in terms of organ failure and parenteral glutamine may reduce the development of organ failure.
Revisiting participatory budgeting as a potential service delivery catalyst

Service delivery as an action or a concept in modern public services raises numerous problems and challenges. Some of these problems relate to responsiveness, inadequate funding, gaps in communication or the unsuccessful introduction of reform measures. From a service delivery perspective, the perceived reality remains that government is unable to satisfy the demands of the broader population, due to a myriad factors which include archaic management practices, ABSTRACT
Role of port authorities in Australia, Canada and the European Union

This paper provides a comparison of systems of management and governance within a focus on seaports in Australia, Canada and the European Union. The centrepiece of the research is a survey of port authority representatives and private body managers comparing their attitudes in the area of port strategies and container terminal development projects. The goal of the research is to illustrate regional differences in port policy management. The study compares the level of private sector involvement, areas of control by port authorities, importance of long-term objectives of port policy, and relative advantages of private sector investment seen by port management representatives in Australian, Canadian and European ports. Due to the concentration of container shipping activity within a relatively small number of ports, the approach of the validation is case study based. Through coverage of a large proportion of container activity within the survey, this paper offers an important disaggregate approach in the qualitative analysis of regulatory systems in ports within and across regions.
A sufficient stochastic framework to capture the uncertainty of load models in the management of distributed generations in power systems

With the high penetration of renewable power sources in the form of distributed generations (DGs), the amount of uncertainty in the power systems is increased greatly. This high uncertainty has affected most of the grid operation strategies including the optimal management of DGs. One significant source of uncertainty is the forecast error in the modeling of the future active and reactive load values. In order to deal with this problem, this paper suggests a new stochastic framework based on the scenario generation process and roulette wheel mechanism. This method converts the stochastic problem into a number of deterministic problems with different probabilities. Since the problem investigated is a complex nonlinear optimization problem, a sufficient optimization algorithm based on the bio-inspired krill herd algorithm is proposed to solve the problem effectively. The satisfying performance of the proposed method is examined on the IEEE standard test system.
RECENT ADVANCES IN THE MOLECULAR GENETICS OF UROGENITAL TUMORS

Statistical analysis of human cancers has demonstrated an exponential relationship between the incidence and age of onset. ' Recent molecular studies have clearly shown that the reason for this intriguing association is the accumulation of a variety of genetic aberrations which are necessary for the initiation and progression of cancer^. ^-^ In addition, several lines of evidence have shown that specific types of gene mutations are associated with the malignant potential or biological characteristics of human cancers. A variety of tumors with different and unique biological characteristics originate in the urogenital organs. For example, prostate cancers show hormone-dependent growth and testicular germ cell tumors exhibit pluripotentiality with regard to their histopathological appearance. Therefore, molecular studies of urogenital tumors may provide important information about the various biological mechanisms associated with carcinogenesis. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent advances in the molecular genetics of urogenital tumors, and to provide a guide for urologists so that they can understand carcinogenesis from a molecular genetic perspective.
Gait Recognition Considering Walking Direction

Gait recognition is an important research problem in the field of computer vision. The goal is to identify people by analysis of gait patterns. Because the technique can be performed remotely, it has been applied to access control, surveillance, etc. Most research is based on the assumption that people’s walking direction is perpendicular to the camera axis. In this case the silhouette can be extracted to identify individuals. This limits the application and development of gait recognition. Consequently, walking direction has recently become a popular and challenging research problem. An improved gait recognition approach is proposed. It can give high recognition rates in cases where people’s walking direction is not perpendicular to the camera axis. We describe a novel approach to walking direction computation using information about camera position. The walking direction angle and camera affine projection model are used to define features that can be related to a kinematic model of a human being. Support Vector Machine is used for classification and to evaluate the power of the approach. We apply our method to real human walking image sequences, and achieve relatively high recognition rates. Our approach illustrates how changes in walking direction affect gait parameters in terms of recognition performance. We show that the use of the walking direction algorithm improves recognition rates under variation in viewing direction.
Adhesive surface determines raft composition in platelets adhered under flow

Summary. Adhesion to von Willebrand factor (VWF) induces platelet spreading, whereas adhesion to collagen induces aggregation. Here we report that cholesterol‐rich domains (CRDs) or rafts play a critical role in clustering of receptors that control these responses. Platelets adhered to VWF and collagen show CRDs concentrated in filopodia which contain both the VWF receptor glycoprotein (GP) Ibα and the collagen receptor GPVI. Biochemical analysis of CRDs shows a threefold enrichment of GPIbα (but not GPVI) in VWF‐adhered platelets and a fourfold enrichment of GPVI (but not GPIbα) in collagen‐adhered platelets. Depletion of cholesterol (i) leaves the initial adhesion unchanged, (ii) inhibits spreading on VWF and aggregate formation on collagen, (iii) leaves filopodia formation intact, and (iv) reduces the localization in filopodia of GPIbα but not of GPVI. These data show that the adhesive substrate determines the composition of CRDs, and that cholesterol is crucial for redistribution of GPIbα but not of GPVI.
A robust multimodal fusion framework for command interpretation in human-robot cooperation

We present a novel multimodal interaction framework supporting robust human-robot communication. We consider a scenario where a human operator can exploit multiple communication channels to interact with one or more robots in order to accomplish shared tasks. Moreover, we assume that the human is not fully dedicated to the robot control, but also involved in other activities, hence only able to interact with the robotic system in a sparse and incomplete manner. In this context, several human or environmental factors could cause errors, noise and wrong interpretations of the commands. The main goal of this work is to improve the robustness of humanrobot interaction systems in similar situations. In particular, we propose a multimodal fusion method based on the following steps: for each communication channel, unimodal classifiers are firstly deployed in order to generate unimodal interpretations of the human inputs; the unimodal outcomes are then grouped into different multimodal recognition lines, each representing a possible interpretation of a sequence of multimodal inputs; these lines are finally assessed in order to recognize the human commands. We discuss the system at work in a case study in which a human rescuer interacts with a team of flying robots during Search & Rescue missions. In this scenario, we present and discuss real world experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
The Effect of Personal and Virtual Word‐of‐Mouth on Technology Acceptance

This paper extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to incorporate the impact of personal and virtual word-of-mouth (pWOM and vWOM). The authors hypothesize that both types of word-of-mouth will be positively related with consumer perceptions of innovation usefulness and perceived ease of use. In addition, the authors examine two competing hypotheses regarding the relative impact of pWOM and vWOM on perceptions of innovation attributes. One hypothesis argues that potential adopters place more weight on pWOM sources because they perceive relatively more similarity between themselves and pWOM sources. The alternative hypothesis argues that potential adopters place more weight on vWOM sources because those sources (relative to pWOM sources) expose potential adopters to a wider variety of information and a larger number of experts. Finally, the authors argue that symbolic product usage will enhance the relationship between word-of-mouth and consumer perceptions of innovation attributes. These hypotheses are tested using data collected in Japan from over 600 potential adopters of Blu-ray DVD recorders and smart phones. Findings indicate that, in both product categories, pWOM and vWOM are positively and significantly related with perceived ease of use. Moreover, in both samples pWOM is positively and significantly related with perceived usefulness, while vWOM is significantly related with perceived usefulness only in the smart phone sample. With regard to the relative impact of pWOM and vWOM on perceptions of innovation attributes, results indicate that vWOM has a larger impact on potential adopter perceptions of ease of use. Finally, the estimated model provides support for the hypothesis that symbolic consumption increases the impact of word-of-mouth on perceptions of innovation attributes. In particular, findings indicate that the impact of pWOM on perceptions of innovation usefulness is higher among potential adopters of smart phones than among potential adopters of Blu-ray DVD recorders. Similarly, the impact of vWOM on perceptions of ease of use is higher among potential smart phone adopters than among potential adopters of Blu-ray DVD recorders.
High-Chlorophyll-Area Assessment Based on Remote Sensing Observations: The Case Study of Cape Trafalgar

Cape Trafalgar has been highlighted as a hotspot of high chlorophyll concentrations, as well as a source of biomass for the Alboran Sea. It is located in an unique geographical framework between the Gulf of Cadiz (GoC), which is dominated by long-term seasonal variability, and the Strait of Gibraltar, which is mainly governed by short-term tidal variability. Furthermore, here bathymetry plays an important role in the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters. In order to study the spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a in this region, 10 years of ocean colour observations using the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) were analysed through different approaches. An empirical orthogonal function decomposition distinguished two coastal zones with opposing phases that were analysed by wavelet methods in order to identify their temporal variability. In addition, to better understand the physical–biological interaction in these zones, the co-variation between chlorophyll-a and different environmental variables (wind, river discharge, and tidal current) was analysed. Zone 1, located on the GoC continental shelf, was characterised by a seasonal variability weakened by the influence of other environmental variables. Meanwhile, Zone 2, which represented the dynamics in Cape Trafalgar but did not show any clear pattern of variability, was strongly correlated with tidal current whose variability was probably determined by other drivers.
An MGF-based capacity analysis of equal gain combining over fading channels

Exact average capacity results for L-branch coherent equal-gain combining (EGC) in correlated and uncorrelated fading channels are not known. This paper develops a novel framework (approach) for capacity analysis of L-branch EGC in generalized fading channels. In addition, Gamma shadowed generalized Nakagami-m fading model is proposed in order to statistically model the fading environments in high frequencies such as 60 GHz and above. Some simulations are carried out and then the obtained results are accentuated by means of numerical analysis based on the proposed framework. Numerical and simulation results, performed to verify the correctness of the proposed framework, are in perfect agreement.
Scaling effects and the inheritance of juvenile body weight in chickens.

Data are presented for 10 generations of selection for high and low body weight at 8 weeks of age. The response of males was greater than that of females in the high weight line, but not in the low weight line. The asymmetrical response of sexes in the high weight line was eliminated by adjustment for scaling effects. Although heritabilities were greater in the high line than in the low line, they were essentially equal for both sexes within a line.
The Extent of Voluntary Information in the Annual Report and the Share Price Volatility： Application of DEA and SFA on the French Market

In the current paper, the authors investigate empirically the relationship between the share price volatility and the amount of voluntary information disclosed in the corporate annual report. The authors use the data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) models on a sample of 50 listed French firms belonging to the Societes des Bourses Francaises (SBF250) index from 2004 to 2008. The authors focus on the extent of voluntary disclosure in the annual reports that have been measure by using a composite disclosure index. Then, the authors study the relevance of disclosure policies through the ability of the voluntary disclosure level to effectively reduce the share price volatility. The findings of DEA and SFA provide, in average, highly efficient scores of the sample, reveal the several dispositions taken by the French Exchange Market authorities and the initiative of French firms to improve the market stability. In addition, the findings highlight, in average, stability of the firms’ efficiency scores over the studied period. The authors explain these findings by the stability of corporate disclosure policy as suggested in previous literature (e.g., Botosan, 1997). However, there are some differences between the findings of SFA and DEA models.
A Linearity Improvement Technique for Thin-film Barium Strontium Titanate Capacitors

A device architecture is proposed to improve the linearity of barium strontium titanate (BST) capacitors while maintaining the tunability and the quality factor. Thin-film parallel plate capacitors are fabricated utilizing the proposed architecture. The measurement results successfully demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. Up to 14 dB of improvement on IIP3 is observed
Pressure transmission ratio reproducibility in stress continent and stress incontinent women

Our objective was to determine the effect of cough strength on pressure transmission ratios and establish quantitative and qualitative intra‐observer test‐retest reproducibility of pressure transmission ratios calculated from dynamic urethral pressure profilometry. The study included 242 consecutive urodynamic evaluations on women without pelvic organ prolapse. Dynamic urethral pressure profiles were performed in duplicate with coughs of different intensities. The analysis included pressure transmission ratios from the proximal 3 urethral quartiles (Q1 through Q3) and the mean pressure transmission ratio calculated from these quartiles. The final diagnoses were stratified into genuine stress incontinence, 135 (56%), and stress continence, 107 (44%).
State Estimation of Induction Motor Drives Using the Unscented Kalman Filter

This paper investigates the application, design, and implementation of unscented Kalman filters (KFs) (UKFs) for induction motor (IM) sensorless drives. UKFs use nonlinear unscented transforms (UTs) in the prediction step in order to preserve the stochastic characteristics of a nonlinear system. The advantage of using UTs is their ability to capture the nonlinear behavior of the system, unlike extended KFs (EKFs) that use linearized models. Four original variants of the UKF for IM state estimation, based on different UTs, are described, analyzed, and compared. The four transforms are basic, general, simplex, and spherical UTs. This paper discusses the theoretical aspects and implementation details of the four UKFs. Experimental results for a direct-torque-controlled IM drive are presented and compared with the EKF. The focus of this study is on low-speed performance. It is concluded that the UKF is a viable and powerful tool for IM state estimation and that basic and general UTs give more accurate results than simplex and spherical UTs.
Cerebral blood volume measurements by rapid contrast infusion and T  2* ‐weighted echo planar MRI

Cerebral blood volume (CBV) provides information complementary to that of cerebral blood flow in cerebral ischemia, tumors, and other conditions. We have developed an alternative theory and method for measuring CBV based on dynamic imaging by MRI or CT during a short contrast infusion. This method avoids several limitations of traditional approaches that involve waiting for steady state or measuring the area under the curve (AUC) during bolus contrast injection. Anesthetized dogs were studied by T 2* ‐weighted echo planar imaging during gadolinium‐DTPA infusions lasting 30–60 sec. CBV was calculated from the ratio of the signal changes in tissue and artery. Method responsiveness was compared to AUC measurements using the vasodilator acepromazine. The ratio of signal change in tissue to that in artery rapidly approached an asymptotic value even while the amount of contrast in artery continued to increase. Using 30‐sec infusions, the mean (± SD) of CBV for control animals was 3.6 ± 0.9 ml blood/100 g tissue in gray matter and 2.3 ± 0.8 ml blood/100 g tissue in white matter (ratio = 1.6). Acepromazine increased CBV to 5.7 ± 1.5 ml blood/100 g tissue in gray matter and 3.1 ± 0.8 ml blood/100 g tissue in white matter (ratio = 2.0). AUC measurements after bolus injection yielded similar values for control animals but failed to demonstrate any change after acepromazine. It is possible to measure CBV using dynamic MRI or CT during 30–60‐sec contrast infusions. This method may be more sensitive to changes in CBV than traditional AUC methods. Magn Reson Med 47:1145–1157, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.