Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interdependent Enterprise Resource Planning risks in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in developing countries

This study investigated casual and resultant risks associated with the adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in Small to Medium-sized Enterprises. Cases from South Africa and Zimbabwe were through semi-structured interviews and analysed by using elements of the grounded theory method. The major resultant risks such as lack of information traceability and visibility and lack of functionality fit in module were identified. These risks were caused by incorrect system setup; insufficient internal expertise; lack of consultant skills; lack of vendor transparency and unclear or misunderstood changing requirements. These causal risks and resultant risks provide evidence for the proposition that a successful ERP implementation is dependent on identifying causal risks and successfully managing them.
Characterization and Sequencing of a Respiratory Burst-inhibiting Acid Phosphatase from Francisella tularensis(*)

Acid phosphatases (Acp) of intracellular pathogens have recently been implicated as virulence factors that enhance intracellular survival through suppression of the respiratory burst. We describe here the identification, purification, characterization, and sequencing of a novel burst-inhibiting acid phosphatase from the facultative intracellular bacterium, Francisella tularensis. Similar to other the burst-inhibiting Acps, F. tularensis Acp (AcpA) is tartrate-resistant and has broad substrate specificity. The AcpA enzyme is unique, however, in that it is easily released from the bacterial cell in soluble form, is a basic enzyme, suppresses the respiratory burst of not only fMet-Leu-Phe but also phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated neutrophils and does not fit into any of the three currently recognized classes of acid phosphatase. We also report the complete nucleotide sequence of the gene acpA, encoding AcpA, and the deduced primary structure of its encoded polypeptide. Comparative sequence analyses of AcpA is discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the cloning and sequencing of a burst-inhibiting acid phosphatase.
Performance Tuning and Evaluation of Iterative Algorithms in Spark

Spark is a widely used distributed, open-source framework for machine learning, relational queries, graph analytics and stream processing. This paper discusses key features of Spark that differentiate it from other MapReduce frameworks, focusing specifically on how iterative algorithms are implemented and optimized. We then analyze the impact of Resilient Distributed Dataset (RDD) caching, Serialization, Disk I/O, and other parameter considerations to improve performance in Spark. Finally, we discuss benchmarking tools currently available to Spark users. While there are several general purpose tools available, we do note that only a few Spark-specific solutions exist, and do not fully bridge the gap between workload characterization and performance implications.
Model-Based Estimates of Long-Term Persistence of Induced HPV Antibodies: A Flexible Subject-Specific Approach

In infectious diseases, it is important to predict the long-term persistence of vaccine-induced antibodies and to estimate the time points where the individual titers are below the threshold value for protection. This article focuses on HPV-16/18, and uses a so-called fractional-polynomial model to this effect, derived in a data-driven fashion. Initially, model selection was done from among the second- and first-order fractional polynomials on the one hand and from the linear mixed model on the other. According to a functional selection procedure, the first-order fractional polynomial was selected. Apart from the fractional polynomial model, we also fitted a power-law model, which is a special case of the fractional polynomial model. Both models were compared using Akaike's information criterion. Over the observation period, the fractional polynomials fitted the data better than the power-law model; this, of course, does not imply that it fits best over the long run, and hence, caution ought to be used when prediction is of interest. Therefore, we point out that the persistence of the anti-HPV responses induced by these vaccines can only be ascertained empirically by long-term follow-up analysis.
Tales Left Tails Tell: Addressing Left-Side Truncation in Strategy Research

This study takes up the issue of left-side truncation (LST) in strategy research. Since reliable data on early-stage and failed firms are often unavailable for analysis, empirical findings are often derived from observations involving survivors. But, what if the missing data bear little resemblance to that which is available? Leveraging a dataset that comprehensively captures an entire industry, including firms that commonly pass unobserved, we demonstrate how LST materially affects empirical results and theoretical acuity. Our analysis suggests that the tools typically used to address LST have flaws that hinder their applicability to many of key questions posed by strategy scholars. In response, and to facilitate more thorough reporting of truncation effects, we present an effective, easy-to-use Truncation Factor.
Impact of Vitrification on the Meiotic Spindle and Components of the Microtubule-Organizing Center in Mouse Mature Oocytes1

ABSTRACT Cryopreservation of oocytes is becoming a valuable method for fertility preservation in women. However, various unphysiological alterations occur in the oocyte during the course of cryopreservation, one of which is the disappearance of the meiotic spindle. Fortunately, the meiotic spindle does regenerate after thawing the frozen oocytes, which enables completion of meiosis and further development after fertilization. Nonetheless, the mechanistic understanding of the meiotic spindle regeneration after cryopreservation is still scarce. Here, to gain insight into the mechanisms of the spindle disappearance and regeneration, we examined the status of spindle microtubules as well as the key components of the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC), specifically gamma-Tubulin, NEDD1, and Pericentrin, in mature (metaphase II) mouse oocytes at different steps of vitrification, a major cryopreservation technique. We found that the configuration of the spindle microtubules dynamically changed during the process of vitrification and that spindle regeneration was preceded by excessive microtubule polymerization, followed by reduction into the normal size and shape. Also, all three MTOC components exhibited disappearance and reappearance during the vitrification process, although Pericentrin appeared to regenerate in earlier steps compared to the other components. Furthermore, we found that the localization of the MTOC components to the spindle poles persisted even after depolymerization of spindle microtubules, suggesting that the MTOC components are impacted by vitrification independently from the integrity of the microtubules. The present study would set the stage for future investigations on the molecular mechanisms of the meiotic spindle regeneration, which may contribute to further improving protocols for oocyte cryopreservation.
Low-Temperature Performance of Nanoscale MOSFET for Deep-Space RF Applications

RF characteristics of a nanoscale MOSFET are measured and analyzed at temperatures ranging from 4.2 to 300 K for deep-space RF applications. This device shows a 197-GHz current gain cutoff frequency (fT) and a 162-GHz maximum oscillation frequency (fmax) when operating at liquid-helium temperature, which represent a 60% and 80% improvement compared to room temperature performances, respectively, fT continually improves as the temperature decreases to near-liquid-helium temperature due to the decrease of gate capacitance (Cgg). fmax decreases as the temperature is lowered below 25 K due to the increase of gate resistance (Rg).
Modeling bovine lameness with limb movement variables

Lameness detection is a world-wide challenge to far-mers and veterinarians. Traditionally, one uses visual observation to make judgment on a cow's lameness or soundness. Visual observation heavily depends on the observer's experience, hence is subjective or ob-server-dependent. And even worse, it is inconsistent. It's reported that the agreement between veterinarians can be as low as 45% [1]. It is necessary and urgent to develop an objective detection method that can automatically detect lameness when it occurs. In this paper, we describe how statistical models can be used to develop such methods and how well the statistical models perform.
Comparison of Track XI fluorometric immunoassay with Bio-EnzaBead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of serum antibody to mouse hepatitis virus

The Track XI system (Microbiological Associates, Bethesda, Md.) was compared with the Bio-EnzaBead assay (Organon Teknika, Durham, N.C.) for the detection of antibody to mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). Strain A/J mice were inoculated intranasally with MHV type 3. Sera were collected at 1, 2, 4, and 9 weeks postinoculation and tested. Individual serum samples were retested twice by each method. The results suggested that the Track XI system was more sensitive and reliable than the Bio-EnzaBead assay in detecting antibody to MHV type 3 in individual serum samples from A/J mice.
Shape Decomposition and Stroke Extraction of Handwritten Korean Characters

For reliable recognition of the handwritten Korean characters, stroke extraction is one of the most important tasks. Classical approaches are based on the thinning operation and they have a limitation due to the problem of distorting original pattern shape. In this paper, we propose a shape decomposition algorithm that decomposes a handwritten Korean character pattern into a set of near-convex parts. The algorithm is designed based on the observation that Korean character patterns can be decomposed using two shape features called T-junction and B-junction. To handle robustly complex situations in which three or more strokes meet at a joint, we detect joint parts from the shape-decomposed pattern. We classify the parts into several types depending on their interrelationships. A line segment is extracted from a part such that it best represents the part and keeps connectivity with neighboring parts. We develop five criteria for the quality evaluation of our method and the thinning-based methods. The evaluation shows that our method is superior to the thinning methods and our results are very promising for the subsegment processes like recognition.
A Chinese Anti-Spam Filter Approach Based on Support Vector Machine

This paper presents an anti-spam filter approach based on support vector machine (SVM). Firstly, we adopt the tri-gram language model to perform word segmentation in the Chinese email. In order to overcome the sparse data problem, the absolute discount smoothing algorithm is applied. Secondly, the different factoid words are identified by the automaton machine, so as to acquire the approximate syntactic and semantic usage of factoid words in the anti-spam filter task. Thirdly, we apply Support Vector Machine to filter the spam, where the emails are permitted to be written by the cross language, including Chinese and English. The experiments in the large-scale corpora with the cross language show that the SVM can improve the generalization than the Naive Bayes (Smoothed by Lidstone algorithm) by 4.09% precision, and 8.18% higher precision than the maximum entropy model.
Supramolecular assemblies of zwitterionic nanoliposome-polynucleotide complexes as gene transfer vectors: Nanolipoplex formulation and in vitro characterisation

Synthetic gene transfer vectors based on zwitterionic nanoliposome-DNA assemblies (nanolipoplexes), formed by the mediation of magnesium ions, were prepared by a scalable method without employing volatile solvents, high-shear force treatments or extrusion. The zwitterionic nanolipoplexes (NLP) were formulated with PC (phosphatidylcholine) and DPPC (a natural lung surfactant) incorporating different amounts of cholesterol (CHOL). The resulting structures were characterised in terms of their morphology, size and DNA content. In addition, the toxicity and transfection efficiency of the nanolipoplexes were evaluated in cultured Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO-K1) cells. The effects of the multivalent cation Mg2+ on nanoliposome-DNA transfection potency were evaluated. Formulations containing 10% CHOL showed maximum transfection efficiency and the optimum amount of Mg2+ ions for transfection with minimum cytotoxicity was ca. 20 mM. The zwitterionic formulations showed significantly less cytotoxicity compared to a commercially available cationic liposome reagent or polyethylenimine (PEI) while they were superior in terms of gene transfer potency. The zwitterionic vectors formulated in this study avoid the use of toxic cationic lipids as well as toxic solvents and may have potential application in gene therapy. The new method will enable scale-up and manufacture of safe and efficacious transfection vehicles required for preclinical and clinical studies. Based on the advantages and superiority of the formulated nanolipoplexes, this method allows for the acceleration of nanolipoplex formulation, enabling the rapid development and evaluation of novel carrier systems for genes and other drugs.
Inter- and intra-tester reliability of sensibility testing in digital nerve repair

The aim of this study was to investigate the inter- and intra-tester reliability of the static two-point discrimination and Semmes–Weinstein monofilament tests in digital nerve repair. A total of 100 digital nerves from 67 patients were included into the study. An experienced orthopaedic surgeon and a physiotherapist examined the sensory nerve recovery. The reproducibility score of both tests was at a poor level, but the reliability of the Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test was higher than the static two-point discrimination test. These tests should not be used alone in the quantitative monitoring of sensory recovery, but should be interpreted with the clinical findings. Level 3 non-randomized controlled study.
Inactivation and Self-association of Ca/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II during Autophosphorylation (*)

The time-dependent loss in enzyme activity associated with the autophosphorylation of Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-kinase) was altered by both pH and ATP concentration. These parameters also influenced the extent to which soluble CaM-kinase undergoes self-association to form large aggregates of sedimentable enzyme. Specifically, autophosphorylation of CaM-kinase in 0.01 mM ATP at pH 6.5 resulted in the formation of sedimentable enzyme and a 70% loss of enzyme activity. Under similar conditions at pH 7.5, the enzyme lost only 30% of its activity, and no sedimentable enzyme was detected. In contrast to 0.01 mM ATP, autophosphorylation of CaM-kinase at pH 6.5 in 1 mM ATP did not result in a loss of activity or the production of sedimentable enzyme, even though the stoichiometry of autophosphorylation was comparable. Electron microscopy studies of CaM-kinase autophosphorylated at pH 6.5 in 0.01 mM ATP revealed particles 100-300 nm in diameter that clustered into branched complexes. Inactivation and self-association of CaM-kinase were influenced by the conditions of autophosphorylation in vitro, suggesting that both the catalytic and physical properties of the enzyme may be sensitive to fluctuations in ATP concentration and pH in vivo.
An Electrochemical Sensor for Phenylephrine Based on Molecular Imprinting

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were applied as molecular recognition elements to an electrochemical sensor for phenylephrine. A MIPs membrane was created on a glassy carbon electrode. SEM revealed a gradual change on the morphology of modified electrodes as the ratios of function monomer and cross-linking varied. When the ratio was 4:40, the surface morphology between the imprinted electrode (M-electrode) and the control electrode (N-electrode) became unambiguously different. This artificial receptor exhibited high selectivity for the template compared to closely related analogue. The response of the sensor varied in different concentration range might due to the heterogeneity of the MIPs membrane. This sensor was also used to determine phenylephrine in tablet samples.
Four-Year Results of Low-Dose CT Screening and Nodule Management in the ITALUNG Trial

Introduction: Recruitment and nodule management are critical issues of lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). We report subjects’ compliance and results of LDCT screening and management protocol in the active arm of the ITALUNG trial. Methods: Three thousand two hundred six smokers or former smokers invited by mail were randomized to receive four annual LDCT (n = 1613) or usual care (n = 1593). Management protocol included follow-up LDCT, 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and CT-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Results: One thousand four hundred six subjects (87%) underwent baseline LDCT, and 1263 (79%) completed four screening rounds. LDCT was positive in 30.3% of the subjects at baseline and 15.8% subsequently. Twenty-one lung tumors in 20 subjects (1.5% detection) were found at baseline, and 20 lung tumors in 18 subjects (0.5% detection) in subsequent screening rounds. Ten of 18 prevalent (55%) and 13 of 17 incident (76%) non–small-cell cancers were in stage I. Interval growth enabled diagnosis of lung cancer in 16 subjects (42%), but at least one follow-up LDCT was obtained in 741 subjects (52.7%) over the screening period. FDG-PET obtained in 6.5% of subjects had 84% sensitivity and 90% specificity for malignant lesions. FNAB obtained in 2.4% of subjects showed 90% sensitivity and 88% specificity. Positivity of both FDG-PET and FNAB invariably predicted malignancy. Surgery for benign lesions was performed on four subjects (10% of procedures) but followed protocol violations on three subjects. Conclusions: High-risk subjects recruited by mail who entered LDCT screening showed a high and stable compliance. Efficacy of screening is, however, weakened by low detection rate and specificity. Adhesion to management protocol might lessen surgery for benign lesions.
Computational structural analysis of protein interactions and networks

Protein interactions have been at the focus of computational biology in recent years. In particular, interest has come from two different communities – structural and systems biology. Here, we will discuss key systems and structural biology methods that have been used for analysis and prediction of protein–protein interactions and the insight these approaches have provided on the nature and organization of protein–protein interactions inside cells.
Effects of gate length on the performance of a top gate silicon nanowire on insulator (SOI) transistor

The effects of gate length Lg on the performance of a top gate silicon nanowire on insulator transistor are studied using three dimensional quantum simulation. From the study it is found that the inverse subthreshold slope and on/off current ratio are very sensitive to gate length. Significant improvement in subthreshold slope and on/off current ratio can be achieved using relatively longer gate with thin gate oxide. This improvement in the subthreshold region is due to better control of channel potential with longer gate. As a result of that the tunneling current through the conduction band is significantly suppressed in the subthreshold regime and there is an improvement in the subthreshold slope and on/off current ratio. Performance metrics such as transconductance gm, intrinsic switching delay tauS and unity current gain frequency fT of the device are also calculated and it is found that the on state performance of the device degrades with longer gate as all three parameters degrade with increased gate length.
Changes in lung mechanics following sighs in premature newborns without lung disease

Sighs, the interspersed breaths of larger tidal volume (VT) than those preceding or following them, occur more frequently in the newborn than in adults. It has been postulated that the sigh augments functional residual volume (FRC), increases lung compliance (CJ, and recruits atelectatic alveoli. Since the premature infant has relatively low FRC, we hypothesized that sighs might be more frequent in these babies and that CL could be shown to change before and/or after a sigh. We studied 14 premature infants (gestational age, 30 ± 2.2 weeks; mean ± SD) without lung disease during quiet sleep. Minute ventilation (VE) was measured by pneumotachography and pleural pressure changes via a water‐filled catheter in the esophagus. In the 78 sighs examined, the incidence was 0.71 sighs/min, similar, to previous reports for full‐term newborns. There was no change in respiratory frequency, VT/VE, nor mean inspiratory flow (VT/Tt, where Tt is the inspiratory time) before or after the event. The volume of the sigh increased from 7.8 ± 0.2 mL/kg to 21.5 ± 0.5 mL/kg, in concert with an increase in breath duration (TTOT) from 0.98 ± 0.02 ± to 2.56 ± 0.12 s, resulting in an unchanged VE, VT/TI). and respiratory duty cycle (TI/TTOT/). This suggests that the increased VT was matched by a prolongation in both TI and TTOT. Following the sigh, CL increased from 1.43 ± 0.13 cmH2O/kg to 1.66 ± 0.27 cmH2O/L/s/kg (paired t‐test, P < 0.001) whilst the lung resistance RL, fell from 62 ± 8 cmH2O/L/s/kg to 55 ± 3.8 cmH2O/L/s/kg (P < 0.05). As reflected by the end—expiratory volume (EEV), FRC did not change. This stability of FRC, coupled with the increase in CL and fall in RL, suggests a recruitment of atelectatic acini with a redistribution of lung volume, such that the previously atelectatic and overdistended acini achieve a more optimal pressureivolume relationship following a sigh. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1994; 17:22–25. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
LIDAR Image Processing with Progressive Morphological Filtering

High-resolution digital terrain models (DTMs) are essential for many topographic applications and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is one of the latest optical remote sensing technologies that used to generate DTM. Airborne LIDAR systems usually return a three-dimensional cloud of point measurements with irregular spacing. In order to generate a DTM, measurements from unwanted features such as trees, vehicles have to be classified and removed. In this study, a progressive morphological filtering and its parametric performance in removing unwanted LIDAR measurements are studied. Numerical experiments show that the progressive morphological filter is more effective than the traditional morphological filter. LIDAR data's DTM generation. In this study, a progressive morphological filtering code based on Matlab (3) has been developed to remove unwanted LIDAR measurements and a parametric study is conducted to understand the effects of filter parameters. By selecting appropriate parameters, the measurements of unwanted objects were removed, while wanted measurements could be preserved.
Evaluation of viability of donor tissue for corneal grafting.

CORNEAL grafting operations performed, the demand for donor material has increased. In order to use the available tissue to the best possible effect, a satisfactory method of storing donor material over a prolonged period of time is necessary. The method of keeping donor eyes in a moist chamber at +40 currently used by most eye banks in this are to use corneas for grafting which have been stored in this manner for longer than 48 hours. leads to a considerable waste of precious tissue.