Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INTERFIRM CONFLICT AND COOPERATION AND THE ROLE OF “THE INFORMATED BOUNDARY SPANNER”

Organizations are more frequently looking beyond their traditional boundaries and arranging new interorganizational arrangements which are realized through the leverage of unique information interchange relationships -electronic linkages across organizational boundaries. This paper decribes how the SMARTS system (a decision support tool) was designed to stimulate interfirm cooperation and provide the users of the system with information to monitor and control other firm’s behavior. By providing employees at lower levels with information that supports their tasks and the process of their interaction with other firms, decentralized decision-making is made possible. Zuboff (1988) introduced the term “informated workers“ for the employees that through IT ( Information Tecnology) have access to high quality information. In the case presented such “informated boundary spanners” should be able to make better decisions based on this information and become increasingly important for interfirm coordination. The study uses qualitatative data to analyze the effects that informated boundary spanners have on interfirm relationships and coordination. Interesting findings regarding the use of information across organizational boundaries are presented. The use of information has implications for both the users of the system as well as the organizations that are being confronted with the system. In addition, the paper shows that the introduction of the system has interesting implications for coordination and conflict in interfirm relationships.
A News Summarization System using Fuzzy Graph Based Document Model

This paper describes a news summarization system using the Fuzzy Graph based Document Model. News articles are modelled as fuzzy graphs whose nodes are sentences and edges are weighted by the fuzzy similarity measure between the sentences. The similarity between sentences is in between 0 and 1. Centrality of the graph retrieves important sentences. The proposed system produces summaries by Eigen value convergence of the similarity matrix. The summaries are evaluated based on the human generated summaries in DUC 2007 data set. The resultd show fuzzy graph based approach for news summarization using Eigen value analysis are quite encouraging. It shows high correlation with human generated summaries.
Geometry of Line Start Synchronous Motors Suitable for Various Pole Combinations

Line start synchronous motors (LSSM) have been recently introduced in the motor market to meet new efficiency class requirements. They exhibit high efficiency and power factor compared with induction motors. On the other hand, the difficult design, manufacture, and high cost due to the presence of permanent magnets limit their widespread use in the market. Another key factor that limits the LSSM diffusion is the need of having a wide variety of different laminations of different sizes, increasing the number of pieces to be stored, the number of mold geometries, etc. This paper investigates the opportunity to use a proper geometry of LSSM that allows the same stator and rotor laminations to be used for a different number of poles. From the manufacturing point of view, the adoption of a unique rotor lamination is extremely advantageous. It is shown that satisfactory performance can be achieved rearranging the stator winding according to the number of poles. Experimental measurements are carried out on an LSSM prototype in which the same lamination is used for 2-pole and 4-pole machines.
Markers of iron status are associated with stage of pregnancy and acute-phase response, but not with parity among pregnant women in Guinea-Bissau

While prenatal Fe supplementation prevents maternal Fe deficiency and anaemia, it is uncertain whether it improves infant health outcomes, at least when taken by Fe-replete women. Inflammation as well as physiological changes complicates the assessment of Fe status during pregnancy. In the present study, we measured the concentrations of serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), Hb and the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) in a cross-sectional study among 738 pregnant women attending antenatal care in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of Fe status markers. The mean gestational age was 23 (sd 7) weeks. Serum ferritin values were lower with progressing gestation, from 27 % lower during weeks 16–20 of gestation up to 59 % lower after 29 weeks of gestation compared with early pregnancy. Using cut-off values for Fe deficiency as established in non-pregnant individuals, 52 % of the women had sTfR levels >2·3 mg/l, while only 25 % had serum ferritin levels < 12 μg/l. Serum ferritin but also sTfR levels were elevated at increased serum CRP and ACT levels. The proportion of sTfR >2·3 mg/l decreased to 47 % after adjustment for elevated serum CRP and ACT levels. On the contrary, the proportion of serum ferritin < 12 μg/l increased to 33 % after adjustment for ACT and CRP. The high proportion of elevated serum sTfR calls for pregnancy-specific cut-offs since increased erythropoiesis is expected in response to increased plasma volume of pregnancy. The present study further underlines the need to adjust for inflammation when serum sTfR and serum ferritin are used to assess Fe status in pregnancy.
Stiffness Feedback for Myoelectric Forearm Prostheses Using Vibrotactile Stimulation

The ability to distinguish object stiffness is a very important aspect in object handling, but completely lacking in current myoelectric prostheses. In human hands both tactile and proprioceptive sensory information are required for stiffness determination. Therefore, it was investigated whether it is possible to distinguish object stiffness with vibrotactile feedback of hand opening and grasping force. Three configurations consisting of an array of coin motors and a single miniature vibrotactile transducer were investigated. Ten healthy subjects and seven subjects with upper limb loss due to amputation or congenital defects performed virtual grasping tasks, in which they controlled hand opening and grasping force. They were asked to determine the stiffness of a grasped virtual object from four options. With hand opening feedback alone or in combination with grasping force feedback, correct stiffness determination was achieved in around 60% of the cases and significantly higher than the 25% achieved without feedback or grasping force feedback alone. Despite the equal performance results, the combination of hand opening and grasping force feedback was preferred by the subjects over the hand opening feedback alone. No differences between feedback configurations and between subjects with upper limb loss and healthy subjects were found.
Detection of anger emotion in dialog speech using prosody feature and temporal relation of utterances

This paper proposes a novel feature for detecting anger in dialog speech. Anger is classified into two types; loud HotAnger and calm ColdAnger. Prosody can reliably detect the former but not the latter. We analyze both types of anger dialog in the two-party setting, and discover that they exhibit some differences in the temporal relation of utterances from neutral dialog. We create a dialog feature that reflects these differences, and investigate its effectiveness in detecting both types of anger. Tests show the proposed feature combination improves the F-measure of Cold and HotAnger by 24.4 points and 8.8 points against baseline technique that uses only prosody.
A Random Walks Method for Text Classification

Practical text classification system should be able to utilize information from both expensive labelled documents and large volumes of cheap unlabelled documents. It should also easily deal with newly input samples. In this paper, we propose a random walks method for text classification, in which the classification problem is formulated as solving the absorption probabilities of Markov random walks on a weighted graph. Then the Laplacian operator for asymmetric graphs is derived and utilized for asymmetric transition matrix. We also develop an induction algorithm for the newly input documents based on the random walks method. Meanwhile, to make full use of text information, a difference measure for text data based on language model and KL-divergence is proposed, as well as a new smoothing technique for it. Finally an algorithm for elimination of ambiguous states is proposed to address the problem of noisy data. Experiments on two well-known data sets: WebKB and 20Newsgroup demonstrate the effectivity of the proposed random walks method.
PDFMeat: managing publications on the semantic desktop

Researchers maintain bibliographies and extensive sets of PDF files of scholarly publications on their desktop. The lack of proper metadata of downloaded PDFs makes this task a tedious one. With PDFMeat we present a solution to automatically determine publication metadata for scholarly papers within the user's desktop environment and link the metadata to the files. PDFMeat effectively matches local full texts to an online repository. In an evaluation for more than 2.000 diverse PDF files it worked highly reliable and showed excellent accuracy of up to 98 percent. We demonstrate PDFMeat for different sets of papers, highlighting the semantic integration and use of the retrieved metadata within the file browser of the desktop environment.
Arl13b regulates ciliogenesis and the dynamic localization of Shh signaling proteins

We show Arl13b is localized to the ciliary membrane and regulates tubulin modifications and ciliary length in vitro. Significantly, we found that Smoothened is enriched in Arl13b null fibroblasts, even without Sonic hedgehog stimulation, but that Glis are not similarly enriched.
Effects of anxiety sensitivity on alcohol problems: evaluating chained mediation through generalized anxiety, depression and drinking motives.

AIMS To test whether the relations between anxiety sensitivity (AS), a transdiagnostic risk factor, and alcohol problems are explained by chained mediation models, from AS through anxiety or depressive symptoms then drinking motives in an at-risk sample. It was hypothesized that AS would influence alcohol problems through generalized anxiety or depression symptoms and then through negatively reinforced drinking motives (i.e. drinking to cope with negative affect and drinking to conform). DESIGN Cross-sectional single- and chained-mediation models were tested. SETTING Self-report measures were completed in clinics at Florida State University and the University of Vermont, USA. PARTICIPANTS Participants consisted of 523 adult daily cigarette smokers [mean age = 37.23, standard deviation (SD) = 13.53; 48.6% female]. MEASUREMENTS As part of a larger battery of self-report measures, participants completed self-report measures of AS, generalized anxiety, depression, drinking motives and alcohol problems. FINDINGS Chained mediation was found from AS to alcohol problems through generalized anxiety then through drinking to cope with negative affect [B = 0.04, 90% confidence interval (CI) = 0.004, 0.10)]. Chained mediation was also found from AS to alcohol problems through depression then through drinking to cope with negative affect (B = 0.11, 90% CI = 0.05, 0.21) and, separately, through socially motivated drinking (B = 0.05, 90% CI = 0.003, 0.11). CONCLUSIONS Anxiety sensitivity and alcohol problems are indirectly related through several intervening variables, such as through generalized anxiety or depression and then through drinking to cope with negative affect.
Canonical Wnt signaling functions in second heart field to promote right ventricular growth

The second heart field (SHF), progenitor cells that are initially sequestered outside the heart, migrates into the heart and gives rise to endocardium, myocardium, and smooth muscle. Because of its distinct developmental history, the SHF is likely subjected to different signals from that of the first heart field. Previous experiments revealed that canonical Wnt signaling negatively regulated first heart field specification. We inactivated the obligate canonical Wnt effector β-catenin using a β-catenin conditional null allele and the Mef2c AHF cre driver that directs cre activity specifically in SHF. We also expressed a stabilized form of β-catenin to model continuous Wnt signaling in SHF. Our data indicate that Wnt signaling acts in a positive fashion to promote right ventricular and interventricular myocardial expansion. Cyclin D2 and Tgfβ2 expression was drastically reduced in β-catenin loss-of-function mutants, indicating that Wnt signaling is required for patterning and expansion of SHF derivatives. Our findings reveal that Wnt signaling plays a major positive role in promoting growth and diversification of SHF precursors into right ventricular and interventricular myocardium.
Me, Myself, and I: Examining the Effect of Loneliness and Self-Focus on Message Referents

ABSTRACT In a world of constant connectivity, individuals still report experiencing feelings of loneliness. Loneliness refers to the subjective feeling of social isolation and is an important emotion in consumption situations. This research examines the effect of loneliness on consumer evaluations of advertisements. Specifically, two experiments investigate how individuals experiencing loneliness respond to self versus other message referents in advertising. Findings from both studies demonstrate that individuals experiencing loneliness have more favorable dispositions toward messaging that references the “self” as opposed to messaging that references “others. ” Theoretical and managerial implications of findings are discussed.
A Comparative Study of the Leisure Function of Eating out at the Night Markets and Hotel Restaurants

Eating out is a common phenomenon in our lives.The leisure function ofeating out is multifarious. In Taiwan, local people welcome both street vendors and hotel restaurants; however, little research has touched and compared the leisure functions of eating out at night markets and hotel restaurants. Consequently, this paper attempts to explore the leisure functions, which they reflect respectively. Convenience sampling method is used and the valid response rate for paired questionnaire is 69%. Data analysis is done using the factor analysis method and the frequencies method. The research findings are as follow: 1.The leisure function of eating out at the night markets is focused on “belonging and love”. 2.For hotel dining, the leisure function is mainly “self-esteem”. Discussion, implication, and recommendations are also provided for future academic research and practitioners' application.
Information fusion for robust speaker verification

In this paper we have studied two information fusion approaches, namely feature vector concatenation and decision fusion, for the task of reducing error rates in a speaker verification system used in mismatched conditions. Three types of features are fused: Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC), MFCC with Cepstral Mean Subtraction (CMS) and Maximum Auto-Correlation Values (MACV). We have used the mismatch sensitivity of Linear Prediction Cepstral Coefficients (LPCC) as a speech quality measure for selecting the weight of the contribution of the MFCC modality in the adaptive decision fusion approach. We show that in most cases concatenation fusion is superior to decision fusion. The results lead us to propose a hybrid fusion approach in which two combinations of concatenation fusion are further fused using adaptive decision fusion. The hybrid system is shown to have the lowest error rates on both clean and noisy speech.
The business and learning benefits of an LCMS

Purpose – An outline of two large organisations’ independent searches for a suitable system that enables them to create, collate and curate digital learning materials, along with updating, managing them and monitoring their use efficiently and effectively. The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges and issues each organisation faces – and sets out how they have overcome them satisfactorily, having reached, independently, a common conclusion. Design/methodology/approach – Two case studies, making use of producer, distributor and user interviews. Findings – Discovering the appropriate learning content management system (LCMS) for your organisation can bring tangible benefits – for the organisation (via improving productivity, efficiency and eliminating “silos” in production), learning and development professionals (in charge of the whole process) and individual workers/learners. Research limitations/implications – The value of a LCMS in meeting business and learning needs – from the points of view of both content creation and accessing learning materials. Practical implications – Implemented successfully, an LCMS can improve learning content developers’ productivity in quantity and quality terms – among other things, through providing a standard framework that produces homogeneity of approach and look-and-feel to the learning materials. This helps improve learning and development professionals’ efficiency and effectiveness. It also enables the organisation to achieve its business targets and goals through developing its people. Moreover, accessing the LCMS through the Cloud means that all the custom-built content produced by third party developers exists on the system. This makes it simpler, easier and faster to update these materials. Social implications – Through the LCMS, learners can access what they need as and whenever they require it. Originality/value – An attempt to discern modern approaches to in-house learning content development through two recent cases.
Technology validation: NMP ST8 Dependable Multiprocessor Project

Current and future space-based processing applications are requiring, and will require, increasing amounts of onboard processing capability. One way to achieve a high level of processing capability is through the use of COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) high-performance processors. While state-of-the-art COTS processors are exhibiting adequate total integrated dose (TID) performance to meet the requirements of the natural space radiation environment, single event upsets (SEUs) caused by galactic cosmic rays and solar protons remain a problem. Traditional approaches to mitigate the SEU problem involve fixed redundancy schemes such as self checking pairs (SCP) or triple modular redundancy (TMR). While effective in mitigating the effects of SEUs, use of these techniques comes at a high price, 100% overhead for SCP, and 200% overhead for TMR, particularly when such a level of protection is not needed. In such cases, it would be beneficial to be able to convert that overhead into useful mission processing capability or power reduction. The idea behind Dependable Multiprocessor is to sense the environment and configure the processing system appropriately to maximize the computational performance density, i.e., the computational performance to power ratio, available to the mission. The goal of the Dependable Multiprocessor Project is to provide spacecraft/payload processing capability 10times - 100times what is available today, enabling heretofore unrealizable levels of science and autonomy. To date, Dependable Multiprocessor (DM) technology has been developed as part of NASA's New Millennium Program (NMP) ST8 (Space Technology 8) project. The objective of this NMP ST8 effort is to combine high-performance, fault tolerant, COTS-based cluster processing and fault tolerant middleware in an architecture and software framework capable of supporting a wide variety of mission applications. Dependable Multiprocessor development is continuing as one of the four selected ST8 flight experiments. The focus of the current phase of the Dependable Multiprocessor project is two-fold: 1) to meet the TRL5 Technology Maturity Assessment technology validation requirements and 2) to complete the plans for the TRL7 flight experiment and demonstration. This paper describes the validation experiments, demonstrations, and performance achieved to date, and the plans for Dependable Multiprocessor flight validation
Serologic survey for Coxiella burnetii phase II antibodies among slaughterhouse workers in Kerman, southeast of Iran.

OBJECTIVE To determine the presence of antibodies against phase II among slaughterhouse workers in Kerman, southeast of Iran. METHODS The antibody titers of the serum samples were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay using phase II Coxiella burnetii as the antigen [kit (Virion\Serion, Wurzburg, Germany) according to the manufacturer's protocol]. RESULTS The positive rate of IgG antibody was 68% in the slaughterhouse workers. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that slaughterhouse workers in Kerman area have a higher risk of infection and should consider potential infection with Coxiella burnetii.
An Experimental Investigation of the Usability of Transaction Authorization in Online Bank Security Systems

Security for online banking has changed considerably during the relatively short period that online banking has been in use. In particular, authentication and identity management in the early implementations were, and sometimes still are, vulnerable to various attacks such as phishing. Current state-of-the art solutions include methods for re-authenticating users via out-of-band channels for each transaction. This paper describes a security investigation of this type of solution. The investigation concludes that it protects against certain attacks while still being vulnerable to other obvious attacks. In the near future, it is expected that the remaining vulnerabilities will be exploited as the attackers get more sophisticated. Possible ways of protecting against these future attacks are outlined.
Figure-of eight reentry in a model of cardiac tissue

A model of a thin sheet of myocardium was used to examine the role played by tissue anisotropy in the induction of reentry. We found that figure of eight reentry could be induced in the model using a properly timed premature stimulus, however if the anisotropy ratio was too low (conduction velocity ratios less than 4:1) the reentry was not sustained.
Advanced Placement Exams, Incentive Programs, and Cost Effectiveness: A Lack of Equity and Excellence for Black Students in Texas, New York, and Florida

Abstract:In this investigation, the authors analyzed the cost effectiveness of receiving passing scores for Black students on Advanced Placement exams in three states (Texas, New York, and Florida) for a 16- year period (e.g., 1997 through 2012). College Board data were downloaded and analyzed for all Advanced Placement exams for Black students in these three states for this time period. Cost effectiveness ratios (i.e., the ratio of passing score costs to failing score costs) were negative for every year for Black students in all three states. As such, a lack of equity was clearly present in the overall Advanced Placement exam performance of Black students in these three states. Given the limited education budgets in many states, it is important for these dollars to be spent wisely. Implications of the findings are discussed, particularly with respect to policy regarding college preparatory programs.