Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Order statistics on optically interconnected multiprocessor systems

Processor arrays with an optical bus are introduced as a new computational model. We use the order statistics problem as an example to demonstrate how to design efficient parallel algorithms on such systems. Besides proposing a new algorithm on the model, some basic data movement operations involved in the algorithm are discussed. We believe that these operations can be used to design other parallel algorithms on the same model. Time analysis indicates that order statistics can be done more efficiently on a linear array with a pipelined optical bus than that with an electronic bus. The initial result is promising, and the author believes that optical buses may emerge as a powerful communication mechanism for connecting large parallel computer systems in the near future. <<ETX>>
Cross Country Comparison: Business Process Management Maturity, Social Business Process Management and Organizational Culture

In recent few decades, business process management (BPM) has been in focus of a great number of researchers and organizations. There are many benefits derived from the implementation of BPM in organizations. However, there has been also noticed that lately traditional BPM faces some difficulties in terms of the divide between models and their execution, lost innovations, lack of information fusioning and so on. As a result, there has been a new discipline, called social BPM, which incorporates principles of social software into the BPM. On the other hand, many researchers indicate organizational culture as a vital part of the BPM success and maturity. Therefore, the goal of this study is to investigate the current state of BPM maturity and the usage of social BPM among the organizations from Croatia, Slovenia and Austria, with the regards to the organizational culture as well. The paper presents the results of a survey conducted as part of the PROSPER project (IP-2014-09-3729), financed by Croatian Science Foundation. The results indicate differences in the level of BPM maturity, the usage of social BPM and the dominant organizational culture in the observed organizations from different countries. These differences are further discussed in the paper. Keywords—Business process management, BPM maturity, organizational culture, social BPM.
An Approach for Predicting Bug Triage using Data Reduction Methods

Most of the software companies need to deal with large number of software bugs each and every day. Software bugs are inevitable and fixing software bugs is an expensive task. The proposed system employs the combination of data reduction techniques that is feature selection algorithm (FS) and instance selection algorithm (IS) in order to shrink the bug data set and also to upgrade the accuracy of bug triage. Predictive model is used to determine the order of reduction techniques for a new bug data set, i.e., to choose between FS to IS or IS to FS. The aim of effective bug triaging software is to assign potentially skilled developers to new coming bug reports. To decrease the manual and time cost, text classification techniques are applied to accomplish automatic bug triage approach aims to precisely predict the developer to solve or fix the new bug report. The proposed system performance is verified using Mozilla bug data set. To exhibit the effectiveness, scales of data set is reduced by using data reduction technique in order to decrease the time and labor cost, improve the accuracy of bug triage with high-quality bug data in software development and maintenance.
Nonlinear chaos - based security solution for fingerprint data during communication

Protecting privacy for exchanging information through the media has been a topic researched by many people. This work presents a security solution for transmitting fingerprint images over insecure channels. Here security is provided by an encryption technique based on reversible hidden transform (RHT), fractional wavelet packet transform (FrWPT), chaotic map and singular value decomposition (SVD). This scheme proposes the use of coupled two-dimensional piecewise nonlinear chaotic map (CTPNCM) for selecting the transform order of FrWPT. And here the inputs to this chaotic map act as the secret keys. By architecture itself this nonlinear chaotic map provides more security to the encryption scheme than the linear ones.
Affective Priming in Political Campaigns: How Campaign-Induced Emotions Prime Political Opinions

Campaign priming is generally assumed to function through the activation of memory content. By focusing on specific issues or issue aspects, campaigns render corresponding cognitive concepts more accessible and hence influence which concepts are likely to be used in subsequent evaluation processes. Thus, priming is mainly understood as a cognitive process. In the present study we investigate the impact of campaign-induced emotions on opinion formation. We argue that emotions may activate cognitive content which may in turn influence political judgments. Our analyses support the hypothesis that political campaigns may influence public opinion not only through cognitive priming but also through affective priming.
Why are older informal carers in better health? Solving a causality problem

Informal care is a widespread and important segment of long-term care, which is carried out independently of or in parallel with formal care, i.e. as a complement or replacement. Informal caregivers represent the backbone of long-term care, as has been witnessed by numerous international studies. In our article we focus on the relationship between the health status of the respondent and the decision to provide informal help to others as well as the intensity of the care. We show that this relationship is endogenous (reverse causality), using different measures of health and instrumental variables from Wave 5 and Wave 3 of SHARE Survey, and determine the causal effects of health on informal care, provided within and/or outside household. We also model the effect of various different covariates on informal caregiving. In conclusion we provide reflections on the research and discuss the policy relevance of the study.
DESIGNING AND SIZING PASSIVE MINE DRAINAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS

The passive treatment of contaminated coal mine drainage is a rapidly growing and evolving technology. Passive systems typically require less operation and maintenance efforts and are less expensive than conventional treatment systems. Three principal types of passive technologies currently exist for the treatment of coal mine drainage: the aerobic system, the compost wetland, and the anoxic limestone drain.
Measurement of Source Star Colors with the K2C9-CFHT Multi-color Microlensing Survey

Microlensing events observed from locations separated by ∼au have different peak times and peak magnifications due to microlensing parallax. K2 Campaign 9 (K2C9) was the first space-based microlensing parallax survey capable of measuring microlensing parallaxes of free-floating planet candidate microlensing events. Simultaneous to K2C9 observations we conducted the K2C9 Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope Multi-Color Microlensing Survey (K2C9-CFHT MCMS) in order to measure the colors of microlensing source stars to improve the accuracy of K2C9’s parallax measurements. We describe the difference imaging photometry analysis of the K2C9-CFHT MCMS observations, and present the project’s first data release. This includes instrumental difference flux light curves in up to three filters (g, r, and i) of 217 microlensing events identified by other microlensing surveys, reference image photometry of more than 30 million point sources calibrated to PanSTARRS data release 1 photometry with an absolute accuracy better than 0.02 mag . We derive accurate analytic transformations between the PanSTARRS bandpasses and the Kepler bandpass, as well as color-surface brightness relations in the PanSTARRS bandpasses. To demonstrate the use of our data set, we analyze ground-based and K2 data of a short timescale microlensing event, OGLE-2016-BLG-0795. We find the event has a timescale tE = 4.5 ± 0.1 days and microlens parallax πE = 0.09 ± 0.03 or 0.91 ± 0.04, subject to the standard satellite parallax degeneracy. We argue that the smaller value of the parallax is more likely, which implies that the lens is likely a stellar-mass object in the Galactic bulge as opposed to a super-Jupiter mass object in the Galactic disk.
Ground stiffness measurement by the continuous surface wave test

The continuous surface wave (CSW) test is a seismic technique for determining ground stiffness by measuring the velocity of Rayleigh wave propagation along the ground surface. A sinusoidal force is generated by a shaker placed on the ground surface and the response is detected by an array of geophones also at the surface. Measurements are made for a range of shaker frequencies thereby allowing a profile of stiffness with depth to be established. The continuous surface wave test is performed relatively quickly and is less expensive than conventional stiffness measurement techniques; in addition it is nonintrusive and non-destructive thus making it attractive for civil engineering applications. This paper describes the continuous surface wave test, the execution of the test, analysis of the data as well as interpretation of the results. Calibration results as well as typical results from full scale field tests are presented.
Combined Oral Contraceptive Effects on Low-Grade Chronic Inflammatory Mediators in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with dyslipidemia, dysglycemia, metabolic syndrome, and low-grade chronic inflammation, which increase the risks for cardiovascular disease. Combined oral contraceptives may affect the mediators of low-grade chronic inflammation with potential additive risk in PCOS patients. This meta-analysis investigates the impact of oral contraceptive on markers of chronic inflammation in PCOS patients. Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane database were used to search studies reporting on this matter in the target population. Twenty seven studies were selected, including a total of 838 women. The data were expressed as the standardized mean difference. The random-effects model was used to summarize effect sizes. Heterogeneity was examined using Cochran's test (Q) and I2 statistics. Most of the preparations increased C-reactive protein (CRP) in PCOS patients (p >0.001). The increase in homocysteine levels was not significant (p >0.05). Follistatin significantly increased with pills containing cyproterone acetate (p= 0.008). Interleukin-6 changes were inconsistent and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 decreased with pills containing desogestrel, norgestimate, and drospirenone. Collectively, the results of this review indicate that oral contraceptives modify most inflammatory markers of PCOS patients. However, the clinical implications are not clear yet and future studies must consider longer follow-up and the inclusion of objective clinical parameters.
Assessing the Influence of Quiescence Eggs on the Dynamics of Mosquito Aedes aegypti

The anthropophilic and peridomestic female Aedes aegypti bites humans to suck blood to maturate fertilized eggs, which are laid in appropriate recipients (breeding sites). These eggs can hatch in contact with water releasing larvae, or can be stored in a dormant state (quiescence), which last for extended periods. Taking into account this ability of eggs of A. aegypti mosquitoes, mathematical model is developed taking into account four successive quiescence stages. The analysis of the model shows that the ability of the eggs surviving in dormant state in adverse abiotic conditions, depending on the model parameters, can increase the fitness of mosquito population; in other words, the capacity of the mosquitoes generating offsprings is increased.
Correlations for Nusselt Number in Free Convection from an Isothermal Inclined Square Plate by a Numerical Simulation

This paper presents a numerical study on three-dimensional transient natural convection from an inclined isothermal square plate. The finite difference approach is used to solve the governing equations, in which buoyancy is modeled via the Boussinesq approximation. The complete Navier-Stokes equations are transformed and expressed in term of vorticity and vector potential. The transformed equations are solved using alternating direction implicit (ADI) method for parabolic portion of the problem and successive over relaxation (SOR) for the elliptic portion. Solutions for laminar case are obtained up to Grashof number of 5x104 as well as the inclination angles were varied from 0o to 180o with 30o intervals, and the Prandtl number of 0.7 is considered. The results are shown in terms of isothermal plots, and the local and average Nusselt numbers are also presented. The simulation results show that the main process of heat transfer is conduction for Grashof number less than 103 and convection for Grashof number larger than 103. It is also found that, the values of Nusselt number show fairly large dependence on inclination angle and there is a significant difference in heat transfer rates between the upward and downward orientation. The average Nusselt number increases to 20% at the vertical position compared to horizontal position then decreases with increasing inclination of plate at downward orientation. Based on the results obtained, correlations have been proposed to evaluate the Nusselt numbers of both upward and downward orientation. Validations of the present results are made through comparison with available numerical and experimental data, and a good agreement was obtained.
Study of self-avatar's influence on motor skills training in immersive virtual environments

Immersive virtual reality simulators are increasingly being used in different domains. One open research problematic of such systems is the user's representation inside the environment, what is called, the self-avatar representation. Our research focus on using immersive virtual environments (IVEs) for training motor skills. In this case, the typical self-avatar representation is the user's hand. Researchers have focused on studying the influence of hand appearance and structure on the user's sense of presence and embodiment, but little is known about the role it plays in learning motor skills. In this paper we present the design and implementation of a virtual reality (VR) training simulator for a basic motor task, as well as the design of an experiment to investigate this research problematic.
Synthesis of nanoscale heterostructures comprised of metal nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and metal nanoparticles: investigation of their structure and electrochemical properties

One-dimensional nanoscale heterostructures comprised of multisegment gold-nickel nanowires, carbon nanotube, and nickel nanoparticles were fabricated in a unique approach combining top-down and bottom-up assembly methods. Porous alumina template was utilized for sequential electrodeposition of gold and nickel nanowire segments. This was followed by chemical vapor deposition growth of carbon nanotubes on multisegment gold-nickel nanowires, where nickel segment also acted as a carbon nanotube growth catalyst. The aligned arrays of these gold-nickel-carbon nanotube heterostructures were released from porous alumina template and then subjected to wet-chemical process to be decorated with nickel/nickel oxide core/shell nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were utilized for morphology, interface, defect, and structure characterization. The electrochemical performance of these heterostructures was studied using cyclic voltammetry method and the specific capacitance of various heterostructures was estimated and compared.
EFFECT OF POROSITY ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF 8630 CAST STEEL

Porosity is measured from radiographs of 8630 steel fatigue test specimens taken prior to fatigue testing. The measurement procedure uses an in situ calibration method based on the specimens themselves to determine the relationship between the indications on the radiographs and thickness of steel. Measured porosity dimensions from the radiographs are found to agree well with measurements made on a cut and polished specimen surface. By summing the specimen porosity measurements over a specimen cross-section, a cross-sectional porosity versus specimen length distribution is determined. The maximum cross-sectional porosity found in the specimens in this study range from about 15% to 65% based on the radiographic analysis. Cross-sectional porosity distributions determined from two radiographic views of the specimens show excellent agreement and demonstrate the method’s repeatability. The maximum crosssectional porosity in the radiographs is found to correlate well with the fatigue test specimens’ measured elastic modulus. Converting the elastic modulus measurements to an apparent porosity in the specimen, a close to one-to-one correspondence is found between this apparent porosity and the maximum cross-sectional porosity in the specimens. The average specimen porosity determined from the radiographs does not correlate with the measured elastic modulus. Fatigue test results are compared with the radiographic analysis by determining the fatigue notch factors of the test specimens based on their measured fatigue lives, test conditions, measured elastic modulus and other properties. Comparison between the notch factor and porosity from the radiographs shows a good correlation, but this result is specific to the fatigue test specimen geometry used. In preliminary work to compare measured the fatigue notch factors determined from the test results and handbook values, an equivalent porosity to specimen diameter ratio is calculated and compared with textbook stress concentration factors. This comparison shows that the fatigue test results for specimens with macroporosity fall between the effect of a transverse hole and a spherical hole in a round bar. Based on this preliminary finding, a more in-depth investigation of the effect of porosity dimensions on fatigue life in currently underway.
Can We Stratify Cardiovascular Risk in Argentina

Correct stratification of cardiovascular risk (CVR) is complex. In primary prevention [defined as the preventive activity performed in people without atherosclerotic evidence (most of the population > 35 years)] this is conceived as a population strategy, consisting in identifying high risk subjects to decrease levels of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) by means of lifestyle or medication changes, as this is a much more efficient approach than focusing on the low risk population. The best tool to establish priorities in primary prevention is the accurate individual CVR estimation using CVR scores or functions. Cardiovascular risk scores are mathematical models based on cohort prospective studies modeling CVR as a function of different nonmodifiable (as age and sex) and modifiable (smoking, hypertension, cholesterol or its fractions and diabetes mellitus) CVRF.
FGF signalling and blastema growth during amphibian tail regeneration

Urodeles amphibians can regenerate their tails, including spinal cord and ganglia, as adults. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tail regeneration, and particularly recruitment of neural progenitors and the initiation of their division have yet to be fully elucidated. We have studied the role of FGF2 in this process and found that FGF2 is important both for regeneration of the spinal cord and of the mesenchymal tissues of the tail stump, as indicated by its up-regulation in the blastema and in ependymal cells and by the fact that FGF2-soaked beads increase blastema growth as compared to controls. We have also studied the expression of Pleurodeles Sox1 in regenerating tails, as members of this gene family have been shown to be upstream of FGF signalling in other systems. We show by RT-PCR analysis that this gene is expressed at low levels in normal tail, suggesting that its presence in the adult newt tail may be causally related to its high regenerative capability. Furthermore, this gene is significantly up-regulated following tail amputation indicating that it plays an important role during tail regeneration.
An XMM-newton survey of the local group galaxy M 33 : variability of the detected sources

We present an analysis of the individual observations of a deep XMM-Newton survey of the Local Group spiral galaxy M 33. We detected a total of 350 sources with fluxes (in the 0.2–4.5 keV energy band) in the range 6.7 $\times$ $10^{-16}{-}1.5$ $\times$ 10 -11 erg s -1 . This comprehensive study considers flux variability, spectral characteristics, and classification of the detected objects. Thirty-nine objects in our catalogue are new sources, while 311 were already detected in a previous analysis of most of the same data using combined images. We present improved positions of these sources and the X-ray parameters of each source in each individual observation that covers the source. We then used these parameters to systematically search for flux variability on time scales of hours to months or years. The long-term light-curves were generated for the 61 sources showing a significant variability of the (0.2–4.5) keV flux, by a factor of 1.2 to 144. The detected variability was then used to classify 8 new X-ray binary candidates in M 33. Together with the hardness ratio method and cross-correlation with optical, infrared, and radio data, we also classify or confirm previous classification of 25 supernova remnants and candidates, 2 X-ray binaries, and 11 super-soft source candidates (7 of which are new SSS candidates). In addition, we classify 13 active galactic nuclei and background galaxies, 6 stars, and 23 foreground star candidates in the direction of M 33. Further 206 objects are classified as “hard”, approximately half of which are sources intrinsic to M 33. The relative contribution of the classified XRB and SSS in M 33 is now comparable to M 31. The luminosity distribution of SNRs in both spiral galaxies is almost the same, although the number of the detected SNRs in M 33 remains much higher.
Association between Air Cane Field Burning Pollution and Respiratory Diseases: A Bayesian Approach

Respiratory diseases and air pollution are the goals of many scientific works, but studies of the relations between these diseases and cane field burning pollution are still not well studied in the literature. In this work, we consider the times between days of extrapolations of the number of daily hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases as our data. To analyze this data set, we introduce different statistical models related to burning focus pollution and their relations with the counting of hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases. Under a Bayesian approach and with the help of the free available WinBUGS software, we get posterior summaries of interest using standard MCMC (Markov Chain Monte Carlo) methods.
The Influence of Managerial Competency and External Environment on the Competitive Advantage of a Creative Industri in West Sumatra

This study aimes to analyze the influence of managerial competency and external environment in the competitive advantage of creative industries of West Sumatera. The sample size is determined by Rubin formula numbering 157 managers of creative industries of West Sumatera. The sampling technique used is proportional stratified random sampling, in which the samples are allocated proportionally in six cities namely: Padang, Padang Panjang, Bukittinggi, Payakumbuh, Pariaman, and Solok. The research method used is survey and the data are collected through questionnaires. The data analysis technique used is Structural Equation Model (SEM) and PLS software tools. The study showes that managerial competency and external environment effects positively and significantly on the competitive advantage of creative industries of West Sumatera.