Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using the OPEN process framework to produce a situation specific requirements engineering method

Since it is not possible to identify or to create a single method that is appropriate for all situations, the need for a focussed requirements engineering method (REM) necessitates the search for a mechanism that will support the flexible creation of a number of tailored REMs from a single base. Using a repository of reusable method components, it is possible to use the techniques espoused by the method engineering community to construct an appropriate REM that is well-suited to the particular system or application development endeavour under consideration. One particular example is used to illustrate this approach - that of the OPEN Process Framework (or OPF).
Quality of life of parents/caregivers of children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

PURPOSE To assess the quality of life (LQ) of parents/caregivers of children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS), as well as the influence of socio-demographic aspects on the results obtained. METHODS Participants were 31 parents/caregivers of children and adolescents with DS, divided into three groups: G1, caregivers of ten preschoolers (ages between 1 year and 5 years and 11 months); G2, caregivers of 11 school-aged children (ages between 6 years and 10 years and 11 months); and, G3, caregivers of ten pre-teens and adolescents (ages between 11 years and 15 years and 11 months). Parents/caregivers characterization: most of them were between 40 and 49 years old; high-school was the most common education level, followed by incomplete elementary school and college education; concerning the socio-economic class, most of them were from classes C and B2. The QL WHOQOL- bref protocol was administered. RESULTS Eighty-four percent of the parents/caregivers rated their QL as "good", and 55% reported to be "satisfied" with their health. The lowest average score was found for the Environment domain, which was found to be correlated with socio-demographic variables "education degree" and "socio-economic level". No difference was found between groups when age ranges were compared. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the studied population consider their QL as "good", and is "satisfied" with their health. The Environment domain and the socio-demographic variables "education degree" and "socio-economic level" are the aspects that influence their quality of life.
Amphetamine-Induced Behavior, Dopamine Release, and c-fos mRNA Expression: Modulation by Environmental Novelty

We have shown recently that the psychomotor activating effects of amphetamine in the rat are much greater when this drug is administered in association with environmental novelty than when it is given in a home environment. The main purpose of the present study was to explore the neural basis of this phenomenon. We found, using in situ hybridization of c-fos mRNA, that the pattern of neuronal activation in the cortex, in the caudate, in the shell and core of the nucleus accumbens, and in other subcortical structures was markedly different when amphetamine (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.) was given in association with exposure to environmental novelty relative to when it was given at home. In most brain regions the magnitude of c-fos expression was over two times greater in rats given amphetamine plus novelty than in rats given amphetamine alone. In contrast, an in vivo microdialysis study indicated that environmental novelty did not affect amphetamine-induced dopamine release in either caudate or nucleus accumbens. Furthermore, a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the mesostriatal dopamine system reduced amphetamine- but not novelty-induced c-fosexpression. Finally, we found no differences in the amount of corticosterone secreted after exposure to novelty, amphetamine, or both, suggesting that corticosterone does not play a critical role in the ability of novelty to modulate amphetamine-induced psychomotor activation. In conclusion, it seems that environmental novelty alters the neurobiological effects of amphetamine independently of the primary neuropharmacological actions of this drug in the striatum.
The economics of end-user development

The productivity paradox raised concerns that IT investment rarely leads to productivity gains [1]. End-user development (EUD), however, may provide the answer to this concern if increased productivity can be demonstrated. Recent research has questioned the productivity paradox and substantially improved our understanding about how IT productivity may be influenced by the manner of change.
Multiplexed order-reducing control of linear discrete-time systems

In this work we consider linear discrete-time systems for which groups of control inputs are updated sequentially and cyclically instead of simultaneously, in what is called a multiplexed implementation. Such update scheme may arise, for instance, when hardware or computational constraints make impossible the simultaneous update of all actuators. A control law is proposed here for asymptotic stabilization of the resulting periodic system by the introduction of a set of subspaces to which the system state is driven, resembling sliding mode techniques. The applicability of the method includes systems which are not stabilizable from the update groups of actuators if taken individually. Simulations with a marginally stable system demonstrate the method
Speech recognitionwith speech density estimation by the Dirichlet Process Mixture

This paper shows a method for the modeling of speech signal distributions based on Dirichlet process mixtures (DPM) and the estimation of noise sequences based on particle filtering. In real situations, the speech recognition rate degrades miser ably because of the effect of environmental noises, reflected waves and so on. To improve the speech recognition rate, a technique for the estimation of noise sequences is necessary. In this paper, the distribution of the clean speech is modeled using the DPM instead of the traditional model, which is a Gaussian mixture model (GMM). Speech signal sequences are generated according to the mean and covariance generated from the DPM. Then, noise signal sequences are estimated with a particle filter. The proposed method using extended Kalman filter (EKF) can improve the speech recognition rate significantly in the low SNR region. Applying unscented Kalman filter (UKF), better results can be obtained in also the high SNR.
Sliding mode control for a class of uncertain systems

A method is presented to estimate the dynamics of sliding mode control for a class of uncertain system in presence of unmatched parameter variations and external disturbances. The robust sliding plane is constructed from linear matrix inequality (LMI) based on quadratic stability. An estimate of the whole closed-loop dynamics is given. The results are illustrated by numerical example
Recycling of epidermal growth factor-receptor complexes in A431 cells: identification of dual pathways

The intracellular sorting of EGF-receptor complexes (EGF-RC) has been studied in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Recycling of EGF was found to occur rapidly after internalization at 37 degrees C. The initial rate of EGF recycling was reduced at 18 degrees C. A significant pool of internalized EGF was incapable of recycling at 18 degrees C but began to recycle when cells were warmed to 37 degrees C. The relative rate of EGF outflow at 37 degrees C from cells exposed to an 18 degrees C temperature block was slower (t1/2 approximately 20 min) than the rate from cells not exposed to a temperature block (t1/2 approximately 5-7 min). These data suggest that there might be both short- and long-time cycles of EGF recycling in A431 cells. Examination of the intracellular EGF-RC dissociation and dynamics of short- and long-time recycling indicated that EGF recycled as EGF-RC. Moreover, EGF receptors that were covalently labeled with a photoactivatable derivative of 125I-EGF recycled via the long-time pathway at a rate similar to that of 125I-EGF. Since EGF-RC degradation was also blocked at 18 degrees C, we propose that sorting to the lysosomal and long-time recycling pathway may occur after a highly temperature-sensitive step, presumably in the late endosomes.
MPPT with Single DC-DC Converter and Inverter for Grid Connected Hybrid Wind-Driven PMSG-PV System

A new topology of a hybrid distributed generator based on photovoltaic and wind-driven permanent magnet synchronous generator is proposed. In this generator, the sources are together connected to the grid with the help of only a single boost converter followed by an inverter. Thus, compared to earlier schemes, the proposed scheme has fewer power converters. Model of the proposed scheme in d-q axes reference frame is developed. Two low cost controllers are also proposed for the new hybrid scheme to separately trigger the DC-DC converter and the inverter for tracking the maximum power from both the sources. The integrated operations of both the proposed controllers for different conditions are demonstrated through simulation and experimentation. Steady-state performance of the system and transient response of the controllers are also presented to demonstrate the successful operation of the new hybrid system. Comparison of experimental and simulation results are given to validate the simulation model.
The effect of age on neural processing of pleasant soft touch stimuli

Tactile interactions with our environment stimulate afferent fibers within the skin, which deliver information about sensations of pain, texture, itch and other feelings to the brain as a comprehensive sense of self. These tactile interactions can stimulate brain regions involved in interoception and reward processing. This study examined subjective, behavioral, and neural processing as a function of age during stimulation of A-beta (Aβ) and C tactile (CT) afferents using a soft brush stroke task. 16 adolescents (ages 15–17), 22 young adults (ages 20–28), and 20 mature adults (ages 29–55) underwent a simple continuous performance task while periodically anticipating and experiencing a soft touch to the palm or forearm, during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). fMRI results showed that adolescents displayed greater bilateral posterior insula activation than young and mature adults across all conditions and stimulus types. Adolescents also demonstrated greater bilateral posterior insula activation than young and mature adults specifically in response to the soft touch condition. Adolescents also exhibited greater activation than mature adults in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and striatum during the soft touch condition. However, mature adults showed greater striatum activation than adolescents and young adults during anticipation. In the left anterior cingulate cortex, mature adults exhibited greater activation than adolescents and young adults when anticipating the upcoming touch. These results support the hypothesis that adolescents show an exaggerated neural response to pleasant stimulation of afferents, which may have profound effects on how they approach or avoid social and risky situations. In particular, heightened interoceptive reactivity to pleasant stimuli might cause adolescents to seek experiences that are associated with pleasant stimulation.
Re‐evaluation of post‐wash sperm is a helpful tool in the decision to perform in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection

The aim of this study was to find discriminatory parameters, based on sperm characteristics on the day of ovum pickup, that can help guide the decision to perform either intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF). We evaluated 112 cycles fertilised with both regular and ICSI insemination during the same cycle. A total of 112 cycles were analysed. In 62 cycles, fertilisation was obtained with both ICSI and IVF, and in 50 cycles, fertilisation was obtained by ICSI alone. The sperm samples were re‐evaluated after the preparation process. The mean initial total motile sperm count (TMSC) was 66.3 × 106 ± 47.5 in the group that underwent both methods and 23.1 × 106 ± 20.4 in the ICSI only group (P < 0.05). After sperm preparation, the mean post‐wash TMSC was 4.4 × 106 ± 3.4 and 1.06 × 106 ± 0.9 respectively (P < 0.05). A cutoff of 1.5 × 106 or fewer sperm after preparation as an indicator for ICSI has a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 77%. Re‐evaluation of TMSC can prevent unexpected fertilisation failure. Fewer than 1.5 million TMSC after wash should be considered an indication for ICSI fertilisation.
On the nature of X-ray flashes in the SWIFT era

Aims. X-Ray Flashes (XRFs) are soft gamma-ray bursts whose nature is not clear. Their soft spectrum can be due to cosmological effects (high redshift), an off-axis view of the jet or can be intrinsic to the source. We use SWIFT observations to investigate different scenarios proposed to explain their origin. Methods. We have made a systematic analysis of the afterglows of XRFs with known redshift observed by SWIFT. We derive their redshift and luminosity distributions, and compare their properties with a sample of normal GRBs observed by the same instrument. Results. The high distance hypothesis is ruled out by the redshift distribution of our sample of XRFs, indicating that, at least for our sample, the off-axis and sub-energetic hypotheses are preferred. Of course, this does not exclude that some XRFs without known redshift could be at high distance. However we find that taking into account the sensitivity of the BAT instrument, XRFs cannot be detected by SWIFT beyond ≈ 3. The luminosity distribution of XRF afterglows is similar to the GRB one. This would rule out most off-axis models, but for the homogeneous jet model. However this model predicts a GRB rate uncomfortably near the observed rate of supernovae. This implies that XRFs, at least those of our sample, are intrinsically soft.
Type-Safety in EA Model Analysis

In this paper, we first describe the tension between type-safety and flexibility in EA analysis tools. We then present a web-based system that combines the benefits of static typing with the flexibility of a dynamic and collaborative meta-modeling platform. In particular, we describe the underlying meta-model, the syntax and semantics of the expression language, and derive an associated type system, including polymorphic types, sub-typing, and limited type inference. We then demonstrate the benefits of static type-safety for enterprise architects, like syntax highlighting, code completion, code navigation, and refactoring, in particular in presence of dynamic meta-model changes. The paper ends with a description of a case study using the tool for the analysis of the application landscape complexity using data from four German banks.
Radical cystectomy in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer: long-term results in 1,054 patients.

PURPOSE To evaluate our long-term experience with patients treated uniformly with radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection for invasive bladder cancer and to describe the association of the primary bladder tumor stage and regional lymph node status with clinical outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients undergoing radical cystectomy with bilateral pelvic iliac lymphadenectomy, with the intent to cure, for transitional-cell carcinoma of the bladder between July 1971 and December 1997, with or without adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy, were evaluated. The clinical course, pathologic characteristics, and long-term clinical outcomes were evaluated in this group of patients. RESULTS A total of 1,054 patients (843 men [80%] and 211 women) with a median age of 66 years (range, 22 to 93 years) were uniformly treated. Median follow-up was 10.2 years (range, 0 to 28 years). There were 27 (2.5%) perioperative deaths, with a total of 292 (28%) early complications. Overall recurrence-free survival at 5 and 10 years for the entire cohort was 68% and 66%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival for patients with organ-confined, lymph node-negative tumors was 92% and 86% for P0 disease, 91% and 89% for Pis, 79% and 74% for Pa, and 83% and 78% for P1 tumors, respectively. Patients with muscle invasive (P2 and P3a), lymph node-negative tumors had 89% and 87% and 78% and 76% 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival, respectively. Patients with nonorgan-confined (P3b, P4), lymph node-negative tumors demonstrated a significantly higher probability of recurrence compared with those with organ-confined bladder cancers (P <.001). The 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival for P3b tumors was 62% and 61%, and for P4 tumors was 50% and 45%, respectively. A total of 246 patients (24%) had lymph node tumor involvement. The 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival for these patients was 35%, and 34%, respectively, which was significantly lower than for patients without lymph node involvement (P <.001). Patients could also be stratified by the number of lymph nodes involved and by the extent of the primary bladder tumor (p stage). Patients with fewer than five positive lymph nodes, and whose p stage was organ-confined had significantly improved survival rates. Bladder cancer recurred in 311 patients (30%). The median time to recurrence among those patients in whom the cancer recurred was 12 months (range, 0.04 to 11.1 years). In 234 patients (22%) there was a distant recurrence, and in 77 patients (7%) there was a local (pelvic) recurrence. CONCLUSION These data from a large group of patients support the aggressive surgical management of invasive bladder cancer. Excellent long-term survival can be achieved with a low incidence of pelvic recurrence.
RURAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH IN THE 'NEW ECONOMY': A TEST OF THE SPATIAL DIVISION OF LABOR HYPOTHESIS

Decomposing the occupational structure of rural and urban labor markets allows assessing whether these structures became more alike or more dissimilar between 1970 and 1990. A shift-share method is used to compute 'predicted' and 'specialized' shares for 9 inclusive occupations. A SUR model is used to estimate the convergence process.
How We Can Enhance Nurses' Assertiveness: A Literature Review

Objective : Assertiveness is important for effective team building in nursing. This article aims at evaluating the results of the previous studies on nurses’ assertiveness in each decade in order to discuss the possible ways for enhancing nurses’ assertiveness. Methods : Five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) were searched for English-language articles published from 1946 to December 2012. Article which described the assertiveness of nurses and relevant factors related to assertiveness in a clinical setting or evaluated assertiveness training. Results : Twenty-five studies in 26 articles were identified. In the 1970s and 1980s, research demonstrated that nurses perceived they are submissive helper and were less assertive. These studies indicated that educational achievement was regarded as a key factor in nurses’ assertiveness. The study in 1990s demonstrated that at least one population of nurses was assertive. The studies after 2000 suggested that nurses behave in a passive way, conforming to the stereotype of a ‘nice’ nurse, and were less likely to disagree with others. A sense of responsibility for patients, managers’ leadership, organisational culture, and relationship between colleagues were reported as influencing factors of nurses’ assertiveness. Conclusion : Recently, the number of nurses who are trained in higher educational institutions has increased. Despite this, nurses still experience some difficulties assessing themselves. Nurses should understand their role at the recent health care environment as a professional. Nurse manages should take a leadership to avoid nurses’ concerns of voicing their opinions in order to improve nurses’ assertiveness.
A Technology of User Access-Control Table and Identity Authentication Based on USB in LAN

In this paper, a method of identity authentication based on USB and User Access-Control Table (UAT) applied in local area network (LAN) is proposed. UAT is a kind of equipment access control technology. With the development of LAN, it realizes the privilege management at small cost. Authentication mechanism is illuminated when users accessing the network terminal by a USB key. The security of LAN is enhanced by using the method of identity authentication based on USB and UAT.
Visual Supports for People with Autism: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

The Features of a Good Visual Support Some Commonly Used Visual Supports: A Primer How Visual Supports Can Help with the Development of Language Using Visual Supports to Increase Memory: The Who, What, Where, Why and How Temporal Sequential Skills Using Visual Supports to Increase Attending Using Visual Supports to Increase Motivation Using Visual Supports to Increase Social Skills Strategies for Fading Visual Supports An Example of the Use of Visual Supports to Increase Opportunities References Resource Guide Index.
Silicate emission in Orion

We present mid-infrared spectro-imagery and high- resolution spectroscopy of the Orion bar and of a region in the Orion nebula. These observations have been obtained in the Guaranteed Time with the Circular Variable Filters of the ISO camera (CAM-CVF) and with the Short Wavelength Spectrom- eter (SWS), on board the European Infrared Space Observatory (ISO). Our data shows emission from amorphous silicate grains from the entire Hii region and around the isolated O9.5V star 2 Ori A. The observed spectra can be reproduced by a mixture of interstellar silicate and carbon grains heated by the radia- tion of the hot stars present in the region. Crystalline silicates are also observed in the Orion nebula and suspected around 2 Ori A. They are probably of interstellar origin. The ioniza- tion structure and the distribution of the carriers of the Aromatic Infrared Bands (AIBs) are briefly discussed on the basis of the ISO observations.
Toward a Gamification Model to Improve IT Service Management Quality on Service Desk

Among the different kinds of incident processing centers, the service desk has highlighted with the increasing number of its adopters around the world. Nonetheless, even though it has a series of desirable features and resources, a service desk needs several procedures to survive, without which it can severely suffer with inadequate or inexistent IT service management. In order to overcome this need, the framework of best IT practices, mostly known as ITIL, has been widely implemented on such scenarios. However, its adherence by service desk operators, has not always been as friendly as it should. The main reason for this can be made evident when considering how hard is to comply with so many recommendations laid out on such framework. Additionally, the technical staff attention and worry on complying with that framework is so great that incident treatment quality can be impaired. It is exactly on that challenge, where the persuasive technique named gamification arises here as a proposal to turn hard, tense or tedious tasks, that are commonly performed on this way on service desks, into more interesting and engaging activities in a daily basis. Through game design and elements, gamification can improve the service desk operators' motivation and engaging, by making them more involved in their job and consequentely optimizing the use and adherence of ITIL recommended IT best practices. In this scenario, since the more IT best practices are adequately followed and the more incident treatment quality increases, obviously the more IT service management quality would be improved.