Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Competitive Intelligence Software Evaluation Taxonomy (SET) for SMEs in Malaysia - AnEffectiveness Report

The increasing need for competitive advantage in fast moving industries such as Information, Communication Technologies (ICT), means some SMEs are looking at Competitive Intelligence (CI), a systematic process for gathering, analysing, and managing information that can affect a company's plans, decisions, and operation. Some software companies have developed online tools and software that promise to enhance the CI process and the value CI brings to organisations. The success of these CI software tools depends, however, on the sophistication of an organisation’s understanding of the CI process and scope. Different companies derive different values from different approaches to CI, and therefore require a online tool or software that is specific to their company’s needs, resources and management style. This research investigated the management structures and contexts of ICT SMEs in Malaysia to develop a more customised approach to the effective use of CI software for SMEs in the ICT sector, as well as in the selection of appropriate CI software. This paper describes the two-stage research approach. The first stage involved identifying the management style and context of a group of 680 SMEs, in the Malaysian Government’s Multimedia Super Corridor, a government supported area for local businesses. This stage used a cluster analysis approach, to create a taxonomy of ten SME clusters and their management style. These clusters were then used as the basis for the second stage to develop suitable criteria to evaluate available online tools and software for conducting competitive intelligence from an SME perspective. The evaluation criteria were applied to eight CI-ready software packages to identify the most suitable software for each cluster of SMEs. Finally, the research surveyed a small sample of managers to obtain the prospective users’ perceptions of the recommended software. The research findings provide evidence of a range of SME structures in a variety of contexts. Levels of importance placed on different levels in the CI process are identified, as well as aspects that need support, automation and/or augmentation. The software evaluation in the second part of the research provided ten recommendations of suitable software package(s) for each SME cluster. The perceived effectiveness study that concluded the research provided mixed responses. All in all, the research confirms that SMEs can be analyzed by clusters but further research would be necessary to confirm the effectiveness of using the recommended CI software over a longer period of time. The authors would like to note that some of the diagrams (Diagrams 3 and 4) and tables (Tables 1 and 2) featured in this article are only partially shown and had to be resized and cropped to fit the publication’s requirements and dimensions. (Abstract by authors)
The aenigmatite-rhonite mineral group

The aenigmatite-rhonite mineral group consists of eight minerals: Aenigmatite, rhonite, serendibite, krinovite, welshite, dorrite, wilkinsonite and hogtuavite. The general chemical formula of the minerals in this group may be written as {X2} [Y6] (Z6) O 20 , with {X} eightfold coordinated Na (super +) , Ca (super 2+) and [Y] sixfold coordinated Mg (super 2+) , Fe (super 2+) , Fe (super 3+) , Ti (super 4+) , Al (super 3+) , Mn (super 2+) , Cr (super 3+) , Ti (super 3+) , Ca (super 2+) , Sb (super 5+) , Nb (super 5+) and As (super 5+) , and (Z) fourfold coordinated Si (super 4+) , Al (super 3+) , Fe (super 3+) , Be (super 2+) and B (super 3+) . There are two subgroups: a sodic group, including the minerals aenigmatite, krinovite and wilkinsonite, and a calcic group with rhonite, serendibite, dorrite, welshite and hogtuavite. The general features of the crystal structure are common to all the minerals of this group. These minerals occur in a wide range of rock types, e.g. alkaline lavas, sodium-rich intrusives, granitic gneisses, skarns, limestone-basalt contacts and meteorites, but mostly as accessories. Experimental data on stability are available only for aenigmatite and rhonite. Aenigmatite was synthesized at 700 degrees C/1000 bars and 750 degrees C/500 bars by Thompson & Chisholm (1969) and Lindsley (1969). The oxygen fugacity is constrained be lower than the faylite-quartz-magnetite = FQM buffer. Rhonite is stable from 850 degrees -1000 degrees C/1 bar to at least 5 kbar, 900 to 1100 degrees C (Kunzmann, 1989). There is no limit on oxygen fugacity. In alkali-basaltic rocks, the stability is restricted to pressures lower than 600 bars and temperatures from 840 to 1200 degrees C (Kunzmann, 1989). The chemistry of this group is complex, due to the flexibility of the structure. The structural formulae of 192 available analyses can be described in terms of seven substitutions: 1: Si IV +Na VIII Al IV +Ca VIII ; 2: Si IV +Mg VI Al IV +Al VI ; 3: Ti VI +Mg VI 2Al VI ; 4: Mg VI Fe (super 2+VI) ; 5: Al IV B IV ; 6: Si IV +Be IV 2Al IV ; 7: Sb (super 5+VI) +2Mg VI 3Fe (super 3+VI) . The theoretical number of end-members (and names) resulting from these seven substitutions is immense. A simplified nomenclature is proposed here based on three substitutions. I: 2 Si IV +2Na VIII 2Al IV +2Ca VIII ; II: 2Si IV +2(M (super 2+) ) VI 2Al IV +2(M (super 3+) ) VI ; III: 2Ti (super 4+VI) +2(M (super 2+) ) VI 4(M (super 3+) ) VI . This results in a rectangular polyhedron for the aenigmatite-rhonite group, in which ten sub-volumes can be assigned to ten end-members.
Survival of the Obscuring Torus in the Most Powerful Active Galactic Nuclei

Dedicated searches generally find a decreasing fraction of obscured active galactic nuclei (AGN) with increasing AGN luminosity. This has often been interpreted as evidence for a decrease of the covering factor of the AGN torus with increasing luminosity, the so-called receding torus models. Using a complete flux-limited X-ray selected sample of 199 AGN, from the Bright Ultra-hard XMM-Newton Survey, we determine the intrinsic fraction of optical type-2 AGN at as a function of rest-frame 2–10 keV X-ray luminosity from to . We use the distributions of covering factors of AGN tori derived from CLUMPY torus models. Since these distributions combined over the total AGN population need to match the intrinsic type-2 AGN fraction, we reveal a population of X-ray undetected objects with high-covering factor tori, which are increasingly numerous at higher AGN luminosities. When these “missing” objects are included, we find that Compton-thick AGN account at most for % of the total population. The intrinsic type-2 AGN fraction is 58 ± 4% and has a weak, non-significant (less than 2σ) luminosity dependence. This contradicts the results generally reported by AGN surveys and the expectations from receding torus models. Our findings imply that the majority of luminous rapidly accreting supermassive black holes at reside in highly obscured nuclear environments, but most of them are so deeply embedded that they have so far escaped detection in X-rays in <10 keV wide area surveys.
A novel back‐trajectory analysis of the origin of black carbon transported to the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau during 1996–2010

Black carbon (BC) deposited on snow and ice accelerates glacier melting and contributes to climate change of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau (HTP). Taking into account emissions, hydrophilic‐to‐hydrophobic conversion, and removal processes of BC, a novel back‐trajectory approach is developed to study the origin of BC reaching the HTP. The results indicate that BC received by the HTP increased by 41% from 1996 to 2010, implying that the BC problem is accelerating in the HTP region. South Asia and East Asia are the main source regions, accounting for 67% and 17% of BC transported to the HTP on an annual basis, followed by Former USSR (∼8%), Middle East (∼4%), Europe (∼2%), and Northern Africa (∼1%). BC reaching the HTP is high in winter and low in summer, and the relative contributions of different source regions vary with seasons. We show the seasonal spatial distribution of BC sources directly on a 0.5° × 0.5° grid, which provides information to policymakers about the best target areas for mitigating the climate changes and other effects on the HTP.
Response to the Reviewer’s Comments

We would like to thank the editor for considering the revised version of this manuscript, and the two reviewers (Stephen Livingstone and Martin Margold) for the very detailed and thorough reviews, as well as constructive criticism. The comments of the reviewers made us particularly aware of the lack of detailed geomorphological characterization of the subglacial channels described, as well as the missing literature relevant to the topic, which hindered the interpretation and purpose of the paper. In response to the comments, we added a detailed geomorphological description of the subglacial channels, together with a discussion of lateral meltwater drainage vs. subglacial drainage in the channels in consideration. The most significant changes in order of their appearance in the paper are:
RELATIONAL PSYCHOPHYSICS – MAJOR MESSAGES FROM HERMANN EBBINGHAUS’ AND MAX WERTHEIMER’S WORK

In past and modern research some main philosophical and methodological issues of human and animal perception have been discussed, with special emphasis on the relational basis of psychophysics. For example, the question has been raised if, and to which extent, there are viable bridges between traditional gestalt-oriented approaches and modern perceptual-- cognitive work. Thereby the key concept of “frame of reference” is illustrated here by pointing to Hermann Ebbinghaus’ classic geometric-optical illusions ( cf. the Ebbinghaus- Titchener illusion), on the one hand, and Max Wertheimer’s gestalt theory of the transposition phenomenon, on the other.
Slash Compression Treatment Reduced Tree Mortality from Prescribed Fire in Southwestern Ponderosa Pine

Intensive thinning prescriptions intended to restore historic forest structure have produced heavy broadcast slash fuel loads in northwestern Arizona, sometimes leading to high tree mortality following prescribed burning. Mechanical slash compression with a D-6 bulldozer to reduce the severity of fire effects on residual trees was evaluated. Ten of 42 measured trees (24%) died within 2 years after burning of broadcast slash, and crown scorch of trees without slash compression treatment averaged 26%. In contrast, no trees died after burning of compressed slash and crown scorch averaged 3%, even though the total fuel loading was indistinguishable from the broadcast slash treatment. The practice of raking fuels away from the boles of old-growth trees also contributed to reduced scorch as compared to younger, unraked trees. Slash compression is a viable method of reducing mortality, offering ecological and economical tradeoffs. Benefits include the ability to reduce large quantities of slash, safeguarding old- growth tree survival while rapidly achieving open forest structure. Costs include paying for equipment operation as well as the possibility of damage to soils or plants. West. J. Appl. For. 19(3):149 -153.
Power Loss Comparison of Single- and Two-Stage Grid- Connected Photovoltaic Systems

This paper presents power loss comparison of single and two-stage grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems based on the loss factors of double line-frequency voltage ripple (DLFVR), fast irradiance variation + DLFVR, fast dc load variation + DLFVR, limited operating voltage range + DLFVR, and over- all loss factor combination. These loss factors will result in power deviation from the maximum power points. In this paper, both single-stage and two-stage grid-connected PV systems are considered. All of the effects on a two-stage system are insignificant due to an additional maximum power point tracker, but the tracker will reduce the system efficiency typically about 2.5%. The power loss caused by these loss factors in a single-stage grid- connected PV system is also around 2.5%; that is, a single-stage system has the merits of saving components and reducing cost, and does not penalize overall system efficiency under certain operating voltage ranges. Simulation results with the MATLAB software package and confirmed the analysis. Index Terms: Loss factor, power loss comparison, single-stage grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system, two- stage grid-connected PV system.
DEVELOPMENT OF A MOLECULAR GRAM-STAIN ASSAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BLOOD STREAM INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SEPSIS

Sepsis is a serious medical condition resulting from the severe dysregulation of the immune response that is generally triggered by infection. It affects more than 1.1 million Americans, has an average mortality rate of 30%, and is estimated to cost $24.3 billion annually. Currently, blood culture followed by Gram-stain analysis is the gold standard for diagnosing bacterial infections associated with sepsis. This method generates a high rate of false negative results and, in general, requires 20 to 48 hr to provide results. Both of these problems are related to the requirement that the bacterial pathogens grow under defined laboratory conditions. This delay and lack of accuracy in diagnosis affects the administration of the correct antimicrobial therapy. I have designed, developed, and begun to validate a rapid, sensitive, and specific DNA-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay, designated the Molecular Granstain (MGS) assay, to detect bacterial pathogens directly from septic patient blood samples. This assay also differentiates Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Importantly, results from this assay may be used to remove patients from unnecessary antimicrobial treatment at least 4 days earlier than is currently
On Optimal and Simultaneous Stochastic Perturbations with Application to Estimation of High-Dimensional Matrix and Data Assimilation in High-Dimensional Systems

This chapter is devoted to different types of optimal perturbations (OP), deterministic, stochastic, OP in an invariant subspace, and simultaneous stochastic perturbations (SSP). The definitions of OPs are given. It will be shown how the OPs are important for the study on the predictability of behavior of system dynamics, generating ensemble forecasts as well as in the design of a stable filter. A variety of algorithm-based SSP methodology for estimation and decomposition of very high-dimensional (Hd) matrices are presented. Numerical experiments will be presented to illustrate the efficiency and benefice of the perturbation technique.
Identification of PLA2 and α-Neurotoxin Proteins in the Venom of Pseudonaja affinis (Dugite)

Abstract The Western brown snake Pseudonaja affinis (dugite), common to the Perth area of Western Australia, possesses one of the most lethal venoms in the world. Little is known, however, about the toxic protein constituents of the venom, other than those causing coagulopathic and procoagulant effects. The current study was therefore undertaken in order to identify other protein constituents and activities present. Crude venom induced a contraction in rat tracheal preparations through phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) activity, as shown by the complete and partial inhibition of contraction by PLA 2 inhibitors 4-bromophenacyl bromide and quinacrine. Further, a reduced degree of smooth muscle contraction in the presence of the leukotriene receptor antagonist SKF104353 suggested that this effect was mediated by leukotriene metabolites. The venom-induced contraction did not reoccur upon a second administration of the venom, despite the muscle retaining its contractile function and appearing histologically undamaged. Chromatographic separation of the protein constituents of the venom showed that PLA 2 activity was associated with all protein fractions. A low-molecular-weight component of the venom was further investigated through N-terminal sequencing and found to possess high identity to the short-chain α-neurotoxin family of toxins. Venom activity on cultured rat cardiac myocytes and cultured cortical neurons was also examined. The crude venom was found to temporarily inhibit the beating of the cardiac myocytes, after which the beating resumed erratically. Cortical neurons, however, were irreversibly affected, showing concentration-dependent cell death.
Trophic state and seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton communities in two sand-pit lakes at different successional stages

The seasonal and inter-annual dynamics of phytoplankton in two Italian sand-pit lakes have been analysed over three years (2004-2006). The studied lakes, Ca' Morta (CM) and Ca' Stanga (CS), have a common origin and are contiguous, but are of different ages and have been managed in different ways. CM was created in 2002 and was still being dredged during the study period, while sand quarrying in CS began in 1998 and ended at the beginning of the study period. These conditions were thought to be of particular interest in assessing the influence of dredging activities on algal assemblages. Physical and chemical water parameters were also analysed to characterise the two lakes and investigate the effects of hydro-chemical features on phytoplankton. CS was stratified from April to October each year during the study period, while CM showed weaker thermal stratification. Conductivity, dissolved nitrate and dissolved reactive silica concentrations were greater in CM than in CS. The mixing depth/euphotic depth ratio was also higher in CM, probably because of water column mixing induced by hydraulic dredging. Overall, 185 phytoplankton taxa were found, of which ca 50% were present in both lakes. No significant differences in species richness were observed between lakes, but the decreasing trend of Simpson index values measured in CS showed a reduction in biodiversity after the excavation phase. Phytoplankton biomass was higher in CS than in CM, the latter being oligo-mesotrophic and the former mesotrophic. Diatoms and dinoflagellates were the dominant taxa in both lakes. The main differences in phytoplankton assemblages were related to the persistence of chryptophytes and chlorophytes in CM. Multivariate analyses support the hypothesis that different thermal patterns induced by dredging activities, along with certain physico-chemical parameters of the water, were the major factors shaping phytoplankton communities.
Optimization and validation of an ELISA using recombinant Toxoplasma gondii matrix antigen 1 for serodiagnosis of the infection

Toxoplasma gondii infection can be diagnosed directly by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), hybridization and isolation of parasites and indirectly with serological methods[4; 5; 18]. Although all these tests have shortcomings, serological tests, particularly the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), seem to be the most practical and economical. The crude antigen prepared from tachyzoites has been traditionally utilized for commercially serological detection kits. However the use of recombinant antigens can be alternative sources of antigens allowing better standardization of the tests and reducing the costs of production requires mass production of the parasite either from the peritoneal fluids of infected mice or from tissue cultures. In spite of the potential advantages of using recombinant antigens in serology tests, their sensitivities have not yet achieved perfect result; therefore, further research on new antigensis extremely desirable [10; 16; 17; 3]. In this context, the Toxoplasma gondii matrix antigen 1 (TgMAG1) known as 65-kDa protein abundantly expressed within the cyst and in the cyst wall surrounding the bradyzoites [15], has documented to be immunogenic during the infection with T. gondii in mouse model and promising reagent for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in humans [15;12; 6]. However, its usefulness has not yet been confirmed in animal toxoplasmosis. In this study, the optimization and validation of E.coli-expressed rTgMAG1as ELISA antigen were described Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.15(2) 2015; 56-60
The pond biodiversity index “IBEM”: a new tool for the rapid assessment of biodiversity in ponds from Switzerland. Part 2. Method description and examples of application

The pond biodiversity index "IBEM": a new tool for the rapid assessment of biodiversity in ponds from Switzerland. Part 2. Method description and examples of application Ponds are now widely recognized to contribute signicantly to regional freshwater biodiversity. Therefore, tools to easily and rapidly assess biological quality specically for these aquatic habitats have been increasingly requested by conservation planners and nature managers. In close association with practitioners, we developed such a method for Switzerland; the pond biodiversity index "IBEM". The IBEM-Index is based on the assessment of the taxonomic richness of 5 groups: aquatic vege- tation, Gastropoda, Coleoptera, adult Odonata and Amphibia. No abundance data are necessary and genus level identication is required for all groups except Amphibia (species level). The sampling methodology is a stratied random strategy and allows the use of richness estimators to transform the observed taxonomic richness (Sobs) into true taxonomic richness (Strue). As the IBEM assessment follows the methodology presented in the Water Framework Directive, it is based on the calculation of the ratio of true taxonomic richness (Strue) to reference-based predicted richness (Sref). Each of theve taxonomic groups is assessed separately and the overall biological quality of any given pond (i.e. the IBEM-Index) is the average of theve ratios. This score is later converted into one ofve quality classes for each pond: bad (0 to 0.2), poor ( > 0.2 to 0.4), moderate (> 0.4 to 0.6), good (> 0.6 to 0.8), and high (> 0.8 to 1). In this paper, the implementation of the IBEM-Index is described in detail. The sampling methodologies are developed (for the biodiversity and the environmental variables) as well as the assessment methodology. Finally, two examples are presen- ted in detail, for a "good" quality pond and for a "bad" quality pond. The method implementation also includes a website (http://campus.hesge.ch/ibem) which allows the online calculation of the index, and provides support for both sampling and assessment methodologies to users. The IBEM-Index is a rapid assessment method which gives an overall value of pond biodiversity in terms of taxa richness and can be used, for example, in regional screenings or site monitoring in Switzerland. Moreover, as biodiversity is generally recognized as a good indicator of global ecological quality, the IBEM-Index can also be used to investigate ecosystem quality.