Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relations of Maturity and Dimensions of Business Intelligence

Among developments in the field of business intelligence (BI), the notion of maturity has gained considerable interest for defining the directions to expected value, for summarizing the experience available, and for defining the possible avenues of BI development. There is considerable experience in creating and implementing BI systems, and many gaps separating the declared goals from the achieved results have been discovered. The time distance from the early stages of BI development allows more or less objective evaluation of these stages, while the current state of BI field is often controversial and ill-defined. A set of concepts called BI maturity models have been presented in the academic and professional sources, carrying basically the same mission – to evaluate the experience and extrapolate the future developments. The models, being more or less uniform in assessing the experience, are mostly different in their attitudes towards current state and especially the future (mature) developments of BI, creating controversy in the expectations regarding the future value of BI. The goal of this paper is to define the controversial elements in the existing maturity models, and to suggest a different position on the concept of business intelligence maturity, using most common dimensions of BI features to evaluate maturity expectations.
The heart-allocation simulation model: a tool for comparison of transplantation allocation policies1

Background. Numerous studies have investigated prognostic factors for the survival of transplant candidates waiting for a donor organ, but little is known about the impact of allocation policies on waiting list outcome. Simulation models would allow a comparison of different policies for allocating donor hearts on pretransplant outcome. Methods. A model was built for the Eurotransplant waiting list for heart transplantation. Survival and delisting distributions were estimated from the Eurotransplant transplant candidate inflow between 1995 and 2000 (n=7,142). Other characteristics were obtained directly from the transplant candidate inflow of 1999 and 2000 (n=2,097) and the donor organs of 1998 and 1999 (n=1,520). Overall and subgroup waiting list mortality were estimated for allocation policies differing by ABO blood group, border, and clinical profile rules. Results. The model estimated that international organ exchange reduces waiting list mortality in the different countries by 1.9% to 12.4%. An allocation policy incorporating the initial clinical profile of the transplant candidates further reduced waiting list mortality by 1.7%. Changing ABO rules toward identical matching yielded a slightly more equitable survival for the different groups, without an overall effect on mortality. The best possible allocation policy is the policy where organs are allocated to patients that are at highest risk of dying, and withholding organs from patients that would eventually delist because of improvement. Conclusions. Patients benefit from international organ exchange and by a heart allocation scheme based on clinical profiles. Timely delisting of patients who are—temporarily—too well for transplantation is the best waiting list policy.
Precision robust control for a three dimensional PZT stage

This paper applies robust control to a three dimensional piezoelectric transducer (PZT) stage. PZT stages are usually applied for precision positioning. However, their nonlinear characteristics, such as hysteresis, might degrade system performance. Therefore, we applied robust control strategies to identify their system dynamics as linear transfer function matrices and regard their nonlinearities as system uncertainties which are treated by robust methodologies. The designed controllers are shown to achieve a root mean square error of less than 5nm (18nrad) for the linear (rotational) movement. Based on the experimental results, the proposed control methods are deemed effective in achieving nano-positioning control.
Plasma binding of disopyramide and mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide.

1 Measuring total plasma levels of disopyramide (DP) and the main metabolite mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide (MND) in patients on maintenance therapy with DP has shown concentrations of MND comparable with those of DP, with wide intersubject variations. 2 A method which permits simultaneous measurement of unbound fraction of DP and MND has been developed. 3 In healthy subjects the unbound fraction of both DP and MND was concentration dependent, i.e. increased with higher concentrations of DP or MND. 4 The plasma protein binding of DP is altered by varying concentrations of MND. Clinically relevant concentrations of MND may increase the unbound fraction of DP approximately twofold. 5 The plasma protein binding of MND is also altered by varying concentrations of DP. Variation in the concentration of DP from the lower to the upper part of the therapeutic range may cause a 1.5-fold increase in the unbound fraction of MND. 6 In the assumed therapeutic range of 6-15 mumol DP/L, the interpatient variance of unbound DP concentration might be ten-fold or even higher. The present findings indicate the need for monitoring unbound drug concentrations in any attempt to establish plasma concentration/effect relationship.
The Effects of the Determinants of Customer Satisfaction on Brand Loyalty

Most of marketing literature recognizes customer satisfaction as a significant antecedent to Brand loyalty. Further, the relationships between both satisfaction constructs with Brand loyalty have mostly been studied separately. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of three customer perceptions (perceived quality, brand image, price fairness) on customer satisfaction and Brand loyalty. A combination of a convenience and judgmental sample survey of 584 mobile phone users, from undergraduate students of major universities in Damascus, was used to the test the hypotheses. The results illustrate that customer satisfaction significantly affects customer loyalty. Also, the factors of perceived quality , brand image and price fairness affect Brand loyalty. Customer perception of perceived quality, brand image and price fairness are almost equally to build up the satisfaction. We suggest that managers should consider perceived quality and price fairness as foundations to build up customer satisfaction, Brand loyalty and, also to improve brand image as an added on value for customers.
State estimation for networked systems with randomly occurring quantisations

In this article, the state estimation problem is investigated for a class of discrete-time networked systems with randomly occurring quantisations. Logarithmic quantisers with different quantisation laws are considered and a Bernoulli distributed stochastic sequence is utilised to determine which quantiser is used at a certain time instant. After converting the quantisation effects into sector-bounded parameter uncertainties, a sufficient condition ensuring the existence of desirable estimators is proposed by using Lyapunov function approach, and parameters of the desired estimator are further obtained. Simulation is carried out on a networked three-tank system in order to illustrate the applicability of the proposed state estimation technique.
Pyrosequencing: nucleotide sequencing technology with bacterial genotyping applications

Pyrosequencing is a relatively new method for real-time nucleotide sequencing. It has rapidly found applications in DNA sequencing, genotyping, single nucleotide polymorphism analysis, allele quantification and whole-genome sequencing within the areas of microbiology, clinical genetics and pharmacogenetics. It is fast becoming a real alternative to the traditional Sanger sequencing method although, at present, read lengths are normally limited to approximately 70 nucleotides. The pyrosequencing method involves four main stages: first, target DNA is amplified using PCR; second, double-stranded DNA is converted to single-stranded DNA templates; third, oligonucleotide primers are hybridized to a complementary sequence of interest; and, finally, the pyrosequencing reaction itself, in which a reaction mixture of enzymes and substrates catalyses the synthesis of complementary nucleotides. Data are shown as a collection of signal peaks in a pyrogram. Pyrosequencing is increasingly used for bacterial detection, identification and typing, and, recently, a commercial system became available for the identification of bacterial isolates. Pyrosequencing can also be partially or fully automated, thus enabling the high-throughput analysis of samples. Wider use of pyrosequencing may occur in the future if longer nucleotide reads are made possible, which will enable its expansion into larger nucleotide sequencing such as multilocus sequence typing and whole-genome sequencing.
GENETIC ASPECTS OF THE SELF

An adequate presentation of the developmeiit of the self will not be possible before it considerable number of problems have been successfully resolved. The procedure I propose to follow in this paper will become more understandable after I outline briefly these problems as I see them. First, it is necessary to establish clearly the meaning in which the concept of self is being used. Since there is no unanimity regarding the understanding of this concept, everyone must formulate his own definition of the self. Next follows the problem of the foundations of this self in the human personality as well as a t the beginning of the human development. This foundation is quite problematic and has been little discussed. I find it necessary and also desirable to devote a major portion of this study, my first on the subject of self-development, to this problem of its foundations. While the subject is problematical in many respects, I believe that much more is known regarding it than is generally assumed. It is my main objective in this paper to establish whatever data I can about this foundation. A third problem relates to the necessity for a frame of reference for one's outlook on development. Or in other words, a theory of human development should be outlined into which available longitudinal data on the self can be fitted. Otherwi\e, conversely, one might assemble all available longitudinal data on the self-development, try to organize them, and arrive a t a theory of development by way of induction. As Ruth Wylie (1961) pointed out recently in her comprehensive survey, stringent data on self-development are hardly available. Although, as I mention below, this is perhaps too strict a viewpoint regarding the validity of nonquantified clinical material, it remains true that little actual information is at hand. Since both theory and data belong together to support each other, both can be presented at this point only in a very sketchy and tentative manner. Thus far the earlier stages are better known than the adult phases of life. The study of these data has as yet hardly been started, in so far as problems such as the self are concerned. We are still in the preliminary stages of experimentation as, for example, Bronfenbrenner (1958) has pointed out. Furthermore, we have not yet even begun to cope with biographical material and the enormous amount of data available from modern cultural anthropology in so far as its scientific usability for the psychology of human life is concerned. Since Gordon Allport's (1941) first systematic and critical discussion of this type of data for valid psychological information, we are still quite experimental in the use of these methods. However, in the present
The influences of birth order, family size and sex differences on risk-taking behaviour.

The effects of birth order, family size and sex differences on risk-taking behaviour were examined. The subjects were 84 10–12-year-old children of both sexes. The risk-taking task was derived from Slovic (1966). Three hypotheses were tested. First-born, youngest and intermediate siblings did not differ in the amount of risk they accepted. Subjects from smaller families accepted less risk than subjects from larger families (P0<05). Male and female subjects did not differ significantly in the amount of risk they accepted. The major finding from the study suggests the importance of family size as a factor in psychological research dealing with ecological variables.
Quantitative Analysis of the Effect of Hydrogen Diffusion from Silicon Oxide Etch-Stopper Layer into Amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O on Thin-Film Transistor

To investigate the effect of hydrogen diffusion from the silicon oxide etch-stopper (SiOx ES) layer into the amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O (a-IGZO) on thin-film transistor (TFT) properties and stabilities, we fabricated a-IGZO TFTs with a SiOx ES layer deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at various silane (SiH4) partial pressures (P[SiH4]). Then, quantitative analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the hydrogen content of the a-IGZO and electrical properties and stability of the TFTs. We found that a low resistance region was formed at the backchannel of the TFT, when the SiOx ES layer was deposited at higher P[SiH4], leading to a drastic negative threshold voltage (Vth) shift. In addition, it was also found that at the frontchannel, the increase in the carrier concentration of a-IGZO was proportional to the increase in the amount of hydrogen in a-IGZO. On the other hand, when P[SiH4] was increased, the subthreshold swing, hysteresis, and gate-bias stability of the TFT improved. The results indicate that hydrogen diffused from the SiOx ES layer passivates the electron traps at the a-IGZO and/or gate insulator/a-IGZO interface, and almost all of the hydrogen also acts as shallow-donor in a-IGZO.
A comparison of isoprene and monoterpene emission rates from the perennial bioenergy crops short‐rotation coppice willow and Miscanthus and the annual arable crops wheat and oilseed rape

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) emissions from bioenergy crops may differ from those of conventional crops. We compared emission rates of isoprene and a number of monoterpenes from the lignocellulosic bioenergy crops short‐rotation coppice (SRC) willow and Miscanthus, with the conventional crops wheat and oilseed rape. BVOC emission rates were measured via dynamic vegetation enclosure and GC‐MS analysis approximately monthly between April 2010 and August 2012 at a location in England and from SRC willow at two locations in Scotland. The largest BVOC emission rates were measured from willow in England and varied between years. Isoprene emission rates varied between
Synthesis and characterization of bimetallic metal-organic framework Cu-Ru-BTC with HKUST-1 structure.

The bimetallic metal-organic framework Cu-Ru-BTC with the stoichiometric formula Cu2.75Ru0. 25(BTC)2·xH2O, which is isoreticular to HKUST-1, was successfully prepared in a direct synthesis using mild reaction conditions. The partial substitution of Cu(2+) by Ru(3+) centers in the paddlewheel structure and the absence of other Ru-containing phases was proven using X-ray absorption spectroscopy.
Systematic pruning of blind decoding results

In LTE downlink control channel, a large number of blind decoding attempts are made while the number of valid codewords is limited. The blind decoding results are then verified using a 16-bit CRC. However, even with the 16-bit CRC, the false alarm (FA) rate of such blind decoding is inevitably high. This paper investigates the problem of pruning of blind decoding results to reduce the FA rate. To the best of our knowledge, the approach using a soft correlation metric (SCM) shows the best FA reduction performance among existing schemes. However, following the Bayes principle, we propose novel likelihood-based pruning that provides systematic balancing between the FA rate and the miss (MS) rate. Moreover, the SNR gain of our likelihood-based pruning is shown to be around 1 dB with respect to SCM-based pruning in AWGN channel. The proposed likelihood-based approach can be applied to any error-correction/detection systems whose decoders make many blind decoding attempts.
Outsourcing Maintenance in Complex Process Industries: Managing Firm Capabilities in Lock-In Effect

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the rationale for choice of suppliers and the influence these decisions have on the firm’s capabilities.Design/methodology/approach– The authors examine the choice of in-house operations vs buying maintenance in the Swedish mining industry through a qualitative case study approach.Findings– The findings reveal a strong tendency to outsource maintenance.Research limitations/implications– This in turn has a strong influence on the firm’s capabilities and long-term competitive advantage and sustainability.Practical implications– Based on the empirical findings, the authors comment on the strength and weaknesses of the different outsourcing and attempt to find practical solutions that assist the firm in creating competitive advantage.Originality/value– The unique contribution of this study is that it extends prior firm capabilities studies by investigating the impact of capability loss specifically in complex, intricate maintenance processes in a dynamic industry.
Genetic parameters for longevity measures in Brazilian Holstein cattle using linear and threshold models

Abstract. The aim in this study was to estimate variance components and heritability of different longevity measures related to productive life and survival at a specified age, using linear and threshold models, to specify the more appropriate measure to express longevity in Brazilian Holstein cows. Production and reproduction records of Holstein cows were collected from 1991 to 2010, for cows born between 1987 and 2006. Variance components were obtained by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) for measures of productive life and a Bayesian analysis for survival measures. The heritability estimates for longevity measures ranged from 0.06 to 0.09, using the linear model and from 0.05 to 0.18 for traits using the threshold model. This suggests an inexpressive genetic gain using selection for these traits, whereas improvements in environmental factors which affect these animals may lead to greater phenotypic gains. Survival up to 48 months from first calving was the measureing point defined as the most appropriate to be included in future official genetic evaluations of Holstein cattle in Brazil.
The effect of emotional facial expressions on children’s working memory: Associations with age and behavior

Studies on adults have revealed a disadvantageous effect of negative emotional stimuli on executive functions (EF), and it is suggested that this effect is amplified in children. The present study’s aim was to assess how emotional facial expressions affected working memory in 9- to 12-year-olds, using a working memory task with emotional facial expressions as stimuli. Additionally, we explored how degree of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in typically developing children was related to performance on the same task. Before employing the working memory task with emotional facial expressions as stimuli, an independent sample of 9- to 12-year-olds was asked to recognize the facial expressions intended to serve as stimuli for the working memory task and to rate the facial expressions on the degree to which the emotion was expressed and for arousal to obtain a baseline for how children during this age recognize and react to facial expressions. The first study revealed that children rated the facial expressions with similar intensity and arousal across age. When employing the working memory task with facial expressions, results revealed that negatively valenced expressions impaired working memory more than neutral and positively valenced expressions. The ability to successfully complete the working memory task increased between 9 to 12 years of age. Children’s total problems were associated with poorer performance on the working memory task with facial expressions. Results on the effect of emotion on working memory are discussed in light of recent models and empirical findings on how emotional information might interact and interfere with cognitive processes such as working memory.
HCV Prevalence and its Predominant Genotypes in Sargodha Region of Pakistan

Background: Hepatitis C (HCV) is known as one of the most deadly viral infections caused by a virus that belongs to the family Flaviviridae. It usually remains asymptomatic but in chronic cases may leads to liver cirrhosis. Aim:To find out the prevalence of HCV in Sargodha region of Pakistan and to evaluate the frequency distribution of various HCV genotypes among those with HCV infection. Method: Individuals, who visited/admitted at our affiliated medical facilities or our collection centers in Sargodha region of Pakistan, were selected for this study. All individuals had given their proper consents for this study and also filled the form related about their medical/clinical history. Serum samples that were found positive for anti-HCV on ICT screening kits (ACON Laboratories Inc., San Diego, USA) were sent to HealthCare Diagnostics and Research Centre, Lahore for molecular detection of HCV and its genotyping. HCV RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed to synthesis cDNA that was further subjected to nested PCR for detection of HCV viral RNA. The multiplex PCR genotyping for HCV was done only for the samples with detected HCV-RNA. Results were analyzed accordingly. Results: After initial screening for Anti-HCV antibodies, a total of 635 blood serum samples were proceeded for HCV detection through a qualitative nested PCR test. 206(32.44%) samples were found positive for HCV RNA. The prevalence was found higher among females (59.22%) than the males (40.73%). After multiplex PCR for HCV genotyping, it was found that 3a (41%) is the most prevalent HCV genotype following 2a genotype (19%). While the distribution of all other genotypes among those with HCV-RNA was in the following order; 1b (7%) > 1a (4%) > 2b (2%). No significant difference was seen in HCV prevalence regarding any gender or a particular age group. Conclusions: The current study concludes that the HCV prevalence in Sargodha region was recorded higher than the officially stated statistics of Pakistan Government. It is proposed that governmental and non-governmental organization should initiate a mass scale awareness campaign and treatment measures in this region to eradicate this disease so that the misery of people could be cut down.
Impacts of Spatial Partitioning in Hydroecological Models: Predicting Grassland Productivity with RHESSys

Environmental models constructed with a spatial domain require choices about the representation of space. Decisions in the adaptation of a spatial data model can have significant consequences on the ability to predict environmental function as a result of changes to levels of aggregation of input parameters and scaling issues in the processes being modelled. In some cases, it is possible to construct a systematic framework to evaluate the uncertainty in predictions using different spatial models; in other cases, the realm of possibilities plus the complexity of the environmental model in question may inhibit numeric uncertainty estimates. We demonstrate a range of potential spatial data models to parameterize a landscape‐level hydroecological model (RHESSys). The effects of data model choice are illustrated, both in terms of input parameter distributions and resulting ecophysiological predictions. Predicted productivity varied widely, as a function of both the number of modelling units, and of arbitrary decisions such as the origin of a raster grid. It is therefore important to use as much information about the modelled environment as possible. Combinations of adaptive methods to evaluate distributions of input data, plus knowledge of dominant controls of ecosystem processes, can help evaluate potential representations. In this case, variance‐based delineation of vegetation patches is shown to improve the ability to intelligently choose a patch distribution that minimizes the number of patches, while maintaining a degree of aggregation that does not overly bias the predictions.