Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Challenges of Offshore Agile Software Development in Sri Lanka and Effects on the Project Outcome

Agile development methods such as Scrum and Extreme Programming are being used by a number of software companies around the world. The offshore software industry in Sri Lanka has also started to adapt these development methods in order to meet the growing demand. However applying agile development methods in an offshore model has its own challenges and each of these challenges has an effect on the outcome of the project. Currently there has been no research done in Sri Lanka as to how each of these challenges effects the project outcome and this formed the main research question. The focus of this reassure was to study how each of these challenges effect the project outcome in terms of time, cost, scope, quality, and the overall project. The first objective was to study and contrast agile development methods with traditional waterfall based development. The second objective was to carry out a literature survey and identify the main challenges that offshore software development companies face when applying agile development methods. The five main challenges identified were, communication, achieving team coherence, following the agile development method, limitations on tools and infrastructure, and testing. The third research objective was to study how these challenges affect the project outcome. The challenges identified in the literature review were used to prepare questionnaires for three companies in Sri Lanka that practice agile development methods in an offshore model. The objective of the questionnaire was to find out how the presence of these challenges effect the project outcome and how overcoming these challenges affect the project outcome. The data gathered from the questionnaires were analyzed using Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient. The results identified that communication, tools and infrastructure, following the Agile development method, and testing had a strong relationship with the project outcome in terms of time, cost, scope, quality, and the overall project outcome. Team coherence had a moderate relationship with the time, cost, scope, quality, and the overall project outcome. Based on the results, a research framework was derived which answered the research question of; how each of the challenges affect the project outcome. Finally, the concluded that all the challenges identified for this research apart from team coherence had a strong effect on the project outcome. Team coherence had a moderate effect on the project outcome.
The contribution of star‐forming galaxies to fluctuations in the cosmic background light

Star-forming galaxies which are too faint to be detected individually produce intensity fluctuations in the cosmic background light. This contribution needs to be taken into account as a foreground when using the primordial signal to constrain cosmological parameters. The extragalactic fluctuations are also interesting in their own right as they depend on the star formation history of the Universe and the way in which this connects with the formation of cosmic structure. We present a new framework which allows us to predict the occupation of dark matter haloes by star-forming galaxies and uses this information, in conjunction with an N-body simulation of structure formation, to predict the power spectrum of intensity fluctuations in the infrared background. We compute the emission from galaxies at far-infrared, millimetre and radio wavelengths. Our method gives accurate predictions for the clustering of galaxies for both the one-halo and two-halo terms. We illustrate our new framework using a previously published model which reproduces the number counts and redshift distribution of galaxies selected by their emission at Graphicm. Without adjusting any of the model parameters, the predictions show encouraging agreement at high frequencies and on small angular scales with recent estimates of the extragalactic fluctuations in the background made from early data analysed by the Planck Collaboration. There are, however, substantial discrepancies between the model predictions and observations on large angular scales and at low frequencies, which illustrates the usefulness of the intensity fluctuations as a constraint on galaxy formation models.
(Very) high creatine kinase (CK) levels after Whole-Body Electromyostimulation. Are there implications for health?

Recently extreme increases in serum creatine-kinase (CK) concentration after initial whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) were reported that indicating a severe (exertional) rhabdomyolysis. Thus our aim was (1) to verify the reported WB-EMS induced CK-increases, (2) to determine the corresponding consequences for health and (3) to assess physiological CK-adaptation to frequent WB-EMS. Thirty-seven eligible WB-EMS novices and six marathon runners living in the Nürnberg-Erlangen area were included. Trail-I and trial-II determined the effect of one single WB-EMS session to exertion (20 min) on electrolytes, muscular and renal parameters; trial-III evaluated the effect of once a week WB-EMS application for 10 weeks on CK-kinetics. Blood samples of corresponding serum parameters were drawn before, immediately after and 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post WB-EMS exercise. After WB-EMS, serum CK-levels increased by the 96-fold (peak-CK: 23.940 ± 24.545 U/L), 8.5-fold higher compared with CKincreases after a marathon run. However, we did not observe any relevant health consequences with respect to cardiac and renal burdens. Further, following the repeated bout effect, 10 weeks of WB-EMS resulted in a 21-fold reduction of CK-concentration (<1.000 U/l) compared with the baseline test. We confirmed there were exceptionally high CK increases after initial WB-EMS when the intensity was (too) high, but this was ameliorated by a rapid and profound “repeated bout effect” after 10 weeks of WB-EMS application. Although we did not detect any negative consequences in this healthy, well-prepared and medically supervised cohort, initial WB-EMS application to exertion should be strictly avoided in order to prevent hepatic, renal and cardiac incidents.
Minimising endophyte contamination from ryegrass seed in cow dung

Perennial ryegrass pastures in New Zealand are usually established from seed naturally infected with the wildtype endophyte. New pastures can now be sown with perennial ryegrass that has no endophyte or has been infected with a new endophyte. Cows can contaminate pastures by consuming ryegrass seed infected with the wild-type endophyte on old pastures, and transferring the seed in their dung onto new pastures. A quarantine period before grazing new pastures may allow cows to eliminate wild-type endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass seed from their digestive tract, preventing contamination from this source. A trial was run at Dexcel, Hamilton, to define an appropriate quarantine period. Cows grazed wild-type (high endophyte) ryegrass pastures containing seedheads for 4 days before grazing Lotus corniculatus (quarantine pasture) for a further 4 days. This procedure was repeated five times from November 2000 to April 2001. Dung samples were collected daily after shifting cows off high endophyte ryegrass. Pastures contained viable ryegrass seed on seedheads from December to April, and ryegrass seedlings germinated in dung samples collected from January to April. Viable endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass seed was present in dung for 2 days after removal from the seed source, with 0.8% of the seed eaten remaining viable. Ryegrass seed endophyte viability was reduced from 100% to 40% after passage through the digestive tract of the cows. It is recommended that cows do not graze endophyte-free pastures or those sown with ryegrass containing a new endophyte for at least 2 days after grazing high endophyte ryegrass pastures containing ryegrass seedheads.
Data preprocessing and balancing to enhance end to end learning in self-driving vehicle

Driving a vehicle has always been a demanding task be it any vehicle since robotics and artificial intelligence has progressed multi-folds in the last decade which gave us the technological grounds to automate many processes which include driving. Developing autonomous vehicle is the current research area for many corporate like are Google, Tesla, Nvidia, and Uber. Several proposed methodology for them is Nvidia’s Behavioural Cloning, CommaAI’s OPENPILOT, Tesla’s AUTOPILOT all of which uses the camera to process surrounding of the vehicle. In this paper, we discuss Nvidia’s recent work (behavioral cloning) and incorporate their work with few techniques of our own like filtering the repeating data and augment the input data to reduce the amount of data collection required.
Monolayer of the 5 d transition metal trichloride OsCl 3 : A playground for two-dimensional magnetism, room-temperature quantum anomalous Hall effect, and topological phase transitions

Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we predict that a monolayer of ${\mathrm{OsCl}}_{3}$ (which is a layered material whose interlayer coupling is weaker than in graphite) possesses a quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulating phase generated by the combination of honeycomb lattice of osmium atoms, their strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC), and ferromagnetic ground state with in-plane easy axis. The band gap opened by SOC is ${E}_{g}\ensuremath{\simeq}67$ meV (or $\ensuremath{\simeq}191$ meV if the easy axis can be tilted out of the plane by an external electric field), and the estimated Curie temperature of such an anisotropic planar rotator ferromagnet is ${T}_{\mathrm{C}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}350$ K. The Chern number $\mathcal{C}=\ensuremath{-}1$, generated by the manifold of Os ${t}_{2g}$ bands crossing the Fermi energy, signifies the presence of a single chiral edge state in nanoribbons of finite width, where we further show that edge states are spatially narrower for zigzag than armchair edges and investigate edge-state transport in the presence of vacancies at Os sites. Since $5d$ electrons of Os exhibit both strong SOC and moderate correlation effects, we employ DFT+$U$ calculations to show how increasing on-site Coulomb repulsion $U$: gradually reduces ${E}_{g}$ while maintaining $\mathcal{C}=\ensuremath{-}1$ for $0lUl{U}_{c}$, leads to a metallic phase with ${E}_{g}=0$ at ${U}_{c}$, and opens a gap of topologically trivial Mott insulating phase with $\mathcal{C}=0$ for $Ug{U}_{c}$.
Immunomodulating Effect of Phyto V7 in Preneoplastic Cervical Lesions

This study tested the hypothesis that an oral administration of a specific complex of phytochemical and micronutrients (Phyto V7) induces an in situ cellular immune response and clearance of High Risk Human Papilloma Virus (HR-HPV) in preneoplastic cervical lesions. A randomized prospective 3 months study with 33 women with histopathological diagnosis of High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (HGSIL) was performed. Patients were randomly divided into Control (CG, n=14) and Treatment (TG, n=19) Groups. Following an electro surgical excisional procedure, only the subjects who were included in the TG received Phyto V7 supplementation for 3 months. At Day 90 none of the groups showed colposcopically visible lesions and HR-HPV DNA was recovered from 50% and 26% of the CG and TG participants, respectively. While in the CG there was ~84% reduction in the percentage of CD8+ T-cells at Day 90, in the TG the reduction was of only ~5%. More remarkably, while there was a dramatic reduction in the percentage of CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells in the CG (>90%), there was a striking increase of >100% of these cells in the TG. This long-term prospective followup study reports a protective role of Phyto V7 supplementation in patients with HR-HPV.
Saproxylic beetles in non-intervention and coppice-with-standards restoration management in Meerdaal forest (Belgium): an exploratory analysis

Abstract: For many centuries, coppice-with-standards management was applied in the mixed oak stands of Meerdaal forest (Belgium). Over the last century, these stands were gradually converted to high forest. On an area of 20 ha, the coppice-with-standards management is being restored, with specific adaptations for biodiversity (conservation of dead wood and veteran trees). A survey of saproxylic beetles was performed at 8 locations in the forest, including one site within the coppice-with-standards restoration. This survey not only allowed an evaluation of the saproxylic beetle richness of the forest complex, but also made exploratory observations on the effect of this type of management, as compared to non-intervention, on species richness and composition of saproxylic beetles. The results show that the overall species richness in the forest complex was quite high and comparable to forest reserves in Germany. Both coppice-with-standards and high forest options appear to be equally species-rich, but consist of different communities, both containing specific, rare and notable species, with more thermophilous and light-demanding species in the coppice-with-standards plot. Based on these observations we suggest that a diversified management approach may be the most suitable to conserve and enhance diverse saproxylic beetle communities in formerly intensively managed semi-natural woodlands. This could include areas of active conservation management aimed at producing open-canopy stands with considerable amounts of sun-exposed deadwood, combined with areas of non-intervention in a matrix of multifunctional forests, where conservation of dead wood and veteran trees is fully incorporated in the management.
’ s repository of research publications and other research outputs Embracing n-ary Relations in Network Science Book Section

Most network scientists restrict their attention to relations between pairs of things, even though most complex systems have structures and dynamics determined by n-ary relation where n is greater than two. Various examples are given to illustrate this. The basic mathematical structures allowing more than two vertices have existed for more than half a century, including hypergraphs and simplicial complexes. To these can be added hypernetworks which, like multiplex networks, allow many relations to be defined on the vertices. Furthermore, hypersimplices provide an essential formalism for representing multilevel part-whole and taxonomic structures for integrating the dynamics of systems between levels. Graphs, hypergraphs, networks, simplicial complex, multiplex network and hypernetworks form a coherent whole from which, for any particular application, the scientist can select the most suitable.
Autonomous Dual-Arm Manipulation of Familiar Objects

Autonomous dual-arm manipulation is an essential skill to deploy robots in unstructured scenarios. However, this is a challenging undertaking, particularly in terms of perception and planning. Unstructured scenarios are full of objects with different shapes and appearances that have to be grasped in a very specific manner so they can be functionally used. In this paper we present an integrated approach to perform dual-arm pick tasks autonomously. Our method consists of semantic segmentation, object pose estimation, deformable model registration, grasp planning and arm trajectory optimization. The entire pipeline can be executed onboard and is suitable for on-line grasping scenarios. For this, our approach makes use of accumulated knowledge expressed as convolutional neural network models and low-dimensional latent shape spaces. For manipulating objects, we propose a stochastic trajectory optimization that includes a kinematic chain closure constraint. Evaluation in simulation and on the real robot corroborates the feasibility and applicability of the proposed methods on a task of picking up unknown watering cans and drills using both arms.
Single-ended fault location technique on a radial distribution network using fault generated current signals

High frequency signals generated due to faults contain information which could be utilised to locate the faults. Based on the principle of reverberation of waves on power network, the high frequency signature of the current signals are related to known reflection points exist in the network. From these the fault section and the probable location of the fault can be identified. The probable location is then used within a power system simulator that models the network. The simulated current waveforms at the probable locations are then cross-correlated against the signals captured. If the identified location is correct, the high frequency signature in the simulated waveform will be similar to that observed in the measured waveform and the cross-correlation value will have a high positive value. If the signatures differ, the cross-correlation value will be small. Simulation studies using PSCAD/EMTDC and analysis using cross-correlation indicate that locating faults on a radial distribution feeder is a possibility using a single ended travelling wave measurement method.
Ultra-broadband photodetectors based on epitaxial graphene quantum dots

Abstract Graphene is an ideal material for hot-electron bolometers due to its low heat capacity and weak electron-phonon coupling. Nanostructuring graphene with quantum-dot constrictions yields detectors of electromagnetic radiation with extraordinarily high intrinsic responsivity, higher than 1×109 V W−1 at 3 K. The sensing mechanism is bolometric in nature: the quantum confinement gap causes a strong dependence of the electrical resistance on the electron temperature. Here, we show that this quantum confinement gap does not impose a limitation on the photon energy for light detection and these quantum-dot bolometers work in a very broad spectral range, from terahertz through telecom to ultraviolet radiation, with responsivity independent of wavelength. We also measure the power dependence of the response. Although the responsivity decreases with increasing power, it stays higher than 1×108 V W−1 in a wide range of absorbed power, from 1 pW to 0.4 nW.
Improved general circulation models of the Martian atmosphere from the surface to above 80 km

We describe a set of two “new generation” general circulation models of the Martian atmosphere derived from the models we originally developed in the early 1990s. The two new models share the same physical parameterizations but use two complementary numerical methods to solve the atmospheric dynamic equations. The vertical resolution near the surface has been refined, and the vertical domain has been extended to above 80 km. These changes are accompanied by the inclusion of state-of-the-art parameterizations to better simulate the dynamical and physical processes near the surface (boundary layer scheme, subgrid-scale topography parameterization, etc.) and at high altitude (gravity wave drag). In addition, radiative transfer calculations and the representation of polar processes have been significantly improved. We present some examples of zonal-mean fields from simulations using the model at several seasons. One relatively novel aspect, previously introduced by Wilson [1997], is that around northern winter solstice the strong pole to pole diabatic forcing creates a quasi-global, angular-momentum conserving Hadley cell which has no terrestrial equivalent. Within such a cell the Coriolis forces accelerate the winter meridional flow toward the pole and induce a strong warming of the middle polar atmosphere down to 25 km. This winter polar warming had been observed but not properly modeled until recently. In fact, thermal inversions are generally predicted above one, and often both, poles around 60–70 km. However, the Mars middle atmosphere above 40 km is found to be very model-sensitive and thus difficult to simulate accurately in the absence of observations.
In search of a multidimensional poverty index for Latin America

This paper examines the Multidimensional Poverty Index jointly developed by OPHI and UNDP for the case of eighteen Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. The MPI is designed to be internationally comparable and to capture acute poverty. For these reasons, it provides relative low levels of poverty in the LAC region which, although being a message of hope, it can puzzle civil society and even NGOs and government agencies working on poverty reduction programmes. Simultaneously many governments in the region are incorporating multidimensional poverty measures as official ones. Thus, there seems to be scope and need for a multidimensional poverty measure that allows comparability across countries in the region, yet captures a ‘second layer’ of poverty (beyond the acute one). We consider alternative adjustments that could be done to the MPI to satisfy the above requirements and evaluate their impacts empirically.
Association mapping of agronomic traits of canola ('Brassica napus' L.) subject to heat stress under field conditions

Brassica is a cool season crop and is susceptible to high temperatures. Developing heat stress tolerant varieties will help the crop to sustain under high temperature and can be used to extend the geographical range of cultivation. We have phenotyped 84 spring type Brassica napus accessions in field under natural heat conditions. Data on various agronomic traits were collected at the end of flowering to maturity stages. An association mapping study was performed to identify QTL associated with heat stress tolerant agronomic traits. A total of 37,269 single nucleotide polymorphism markers were used for this study. Multiple markers distributed on most of the chromosomes were identified. A total of 6, 11, 7, 11 and 7 QTL were identified those explained 52.2%, 71.8%, 53.2%, 73.5% and 61.0% of the total phenotypic variations for plant height, main raceme height, pods on main raceme, pod length, and sterile/aborted pod, respectively. Multiple candidate genes known to be involved in abiotic stress and abortion of different organs were identified in the vicinity of the QTL. For instance, B. napus BnaA03g09160D gene involved in programmed cell death and pollen sterility, BnaA05g33770D and BnaA05g33780D genes associated with pollen sterility and pod abortion were identified in the QTL regions.
Lean in UK Government: internal efficiency or customer service?

This article draws on service operations and Lean management in considering the relationship between internal service processes and customer service in public sector organisations. It draws on extensive evidence from two case studies of large UK Government departments to illustrate that whilst public service organisations recognise that methodologies such as Lean improves their internal processes to date they have not linked this to value or customer service. This article presents a model which shows that public service organisations are driven towards internal operations improvement due to the efficiency agenda leading to a process focus, rather than a market driven approach focusing on the customer. This article argues that although this starting point is not necessarily bad in order to sustain improvement after initial gains there is a need to focus on both process and customer. This article therefore contributes and extends the discussion on the adaptation of Lean for a public sector context.
ON RADIAL AND QUASIRADIAL FOURIER MULTIPLIERS

This is an updated version of notes that were originally prepared for lectures at the Summer School on Nonlinear Analysis, Function Spaces and Applications (NAFSA 10), in Třešt’, Czech Republic. They are based on material in various joint papers ([1], [20], [26], [27], [34], [36], [37]). The notes could not have been written without the contributions of my coauthors Jong-Guk Bak, Gustavo Garrigós, Yaryong Heo, Sanghyuk Lee, Fedya Nazarov, and Keith Rogers. Any deficiencies and errors in these notes are my responsibility.