Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Relevancy of National Culture in Predicting the Efficacy of Constraints in the Information Systems Consulting Domain

Opportunism is present in professional services and, as a result, organizations adopt mechanisms to constrain it. Despite the work on constraining opportunistic consultants, researchers have generally ignored the potential impact of national culture on the efficacy of constraint mechanisms. Using the theory of relationship constraints (TRC), this study examines the effectiveness of different constraint mechanisms for information systems (IS) consultants in the United States and China based on different levels of information asymmetry, tacit and explicit knowledge. While we found support in both cultures for the salience of these dimensions, we also found important distinctions for the effectiveness of different constraints between the cultures. Legal constraints are more effective in China while social constraints are more effective in the United States. While TRC is relevant in both cultures, national culture moderates the effectiveness of various constraint mechanisms and highlights the need for additional study.
Grounding through operationalization: constructing tangible theory in IS research

The research interests of information systems (IS) researchers often lead to a tension between theory development on the one hand and practical application, such as the implementation of computer applications or business processes, on the other. This tension is, for example, made manifest in the various action research approaches typically used in IS research. This paper presents an approach to IS research that aims to maintain a link between the abstract and the concrete in order to construct ‘tangible theory’. The approach is based on a perspective referred to as socio-instrumental pragmatism and on the concept of grounding knowledge in three different ways: internal grounding, external theoretical grounding, and empirical grounding. Specifically, the suggested approach puts forward the idea of operationalization of abstract knowledge into concrete forms that are more directly applicable in practice.
A longitudinal analysis of information literacy instruction in Canadian academic libraries

Cet article presente une etude longitudinale sur l'enseignement de la culture informationnelle dans les bibliotheques universitaires canadiennes et met en evidence la maniere avec laquelle l'enseignement est organise, presente et evalue. Les resultats d'un sondage national sur l'enseignement de la culture informationnelle, le troisieme sur un periode de dix ans, sont presentes en detail. Cette recherche vise a ameliorer la comprehension et l'avancement de ce type d'enseignement.
Using TAM model to measure the use of social media for collaborative learning

The social media have all generations of Internet users, becoming a prominent communications tool and found to be facilitating teaching and learning by collaborative learning, the part of sharing and collaborating activities among students and between students and the lecturers appear to be very important. From this point, social media appear very helpful in building academic groups to achieve better academic performance of students. It is then, the purpose of this study to provide a better understanding of how students are investing their skills in using their social media for collaborative learning and to examine factors affecting their use through theory of technology accept model (TAM) to improve collaborative learning that will improve the students' academic performance among students in University Technology Malaysia . the result in this study found that university students needs to take a more interactive role in creating a collaborative learning environment and constructing “communities of practice” among students with peers and , faculty, rather than just wasting time.
Object Segmentation by an Automatic Edge Constrained Region Growing Technique

Region growing is a well known technique for image segmentation. However it suffers from certain limitations such as ambiguity regarding initial seed selection and threshold determination for region growing. In this paper we explore the possibility of using region growing technique for segmenting out the foreground object and propose to solve the imperfect results by incorporating the nearest edge information. The whole procedure is rendered automatic by defining a center window containing some part of the object. From this window the seed selection and threshold value for region growing is determined by simple computations. The results on the 'Car' category of the challenging PASCAL VOC 2005 dataset indicate a superior performance to Xavier Bresson's method for object segmentation.
Going for Broke and Playing it Safe : Dynamic Competition with Choice of Variance

We consider a differential game, in which the joint choices of the two players influences the variance, but not the mean, of the one-dimensional state variable. We interpret this state variable as a summary of how far ‘ahead’ player 1 is in the game. The flow payoffs that the players enjoy are a continuous, monotonic and bounded function of this state variable. In any Markov Perfect Equilibrium, patient players chose to play it safe when ahead and to take risks when behind. Thus, in some sense, risk choice in this model follows from the first derivative properties of payoffs. We also give a simple condition that implies both players choose risky strategies when neither one is too far ahead, a situation that ensures a dominant player emerge “quickly”.
An Overview of Dynamic Classification : Mining Collections of Trajectories Robert Grossman

We are interested in the problem of classifying time varying data. We consider the special case in which the time varying data, which arises by sampling trajectories from an underlying family of parameterized dynamical systems. We call this the dynamic classification problem. This problem occurs frequently in practice. For example, there are important applications to risk management, robotics, and aeronautics. We describe a new algorithm to attack this problem and provide experimental data from these domains to demonstrate its scalability on collections ranging in size from 1 GB to 40 GBs.
Duplication of the EFNB1 Gene in Familial Hypertelorism: Imbalance in Ephrin-B1 Expression and Abnormal Phenotypes in Humans and Mice

Familial hypertelorism, characterized by widely spaced eyes, classically shows autosomal dominant inheritance (Teebi type), but some pedigrees are compatible with X‐linkage. No mechanism has been described previously, but clinical similarity has been noted to craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS), which is caused by mutations in the X‐linked EFNB1 gene. Here we report a family in which females in three generations presented with hypertelorism, but lacked either craniosynostosis or a grooved nasal tip, excluding CFNS. DNA sequencing of EFNB1 was normal, but further analysis revealed a duplication of 937 kb including EFNB1 and two flanking genes: PJA1 and STARD8. We found that the X chromosome bearing the duplication produces ∼1.6‐fold more EFNB1 transcript than the normal X chromosome and propose that, in the context of X‐inactivation, this difference in expression level of EFNB1 results in abnormal cell sorting leading to hypertelorism. To support this hypothesis, we provide evidence from a mouse model carrying a targeted human EFNB1 cDNA, that abnormal cell sorting occurs in the cranial region. Hence, we propose that X‐linked cases resembling Teebi hypertelorism may have a similar mechanism to CFNS, and that cellular mosaicism for different levels of ephrin‐B1 (as well as simple presence/absence) leads to craniofacial abnormalities. Hum Mutat 32:1–9, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reversed brain size sexual dimorphism accompanies loss of parental care in white sticklebacks

Uncovering factors that shape variation in brain morphology remains a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Recently, it has been shown that brain size is positively associated with level of parental care behavior in various taxa. One explanation for this pattern is that the cognitive demands of performing complex parental care may require increased brain size. This idea is known as the parental brain hypothesis (PBH). We set out to test the predictions of this hypothesis in wild populations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). These fish are commonly known to exhibit (1) uniparental male care and (2) sexual dimorphism in brain size (males>females). To test the PBH, we took advantage of the existence of closely related populations of stickleback that display variation in parental care behavior: common marine threespine sticklebacks (uniparental male care) and white threespine sticklebacks (no care). To begin, we quantified genetic differentiation among two common populations and three white populations from Nova Scotia. We found overall low differentiation among populations, although FST was increased in between-type comparisons. We then measured the brain weights of males and females from all five populations along with two additional common populations from British Columbia. We found that sexual dimorphism in brain size is reversed in white stickleback populations: males have smaller brains than females. Thus, while several alternatives need to be ruled out, the PBH appears to be a reasonable explanation for sexual dimorphism in brain size in threespine sticklebacks.
Rapid SNP Discovery and a RAD-Based High-Density Linkage Map in Jujube (Ziziphus Mill.)

Background Ziziphus Mill. (jujube), the most valued genus of Rhamnaceae, comprises of a number of economically and ecologically important species such as Z. jujuba Mill. , Z. acidojujuba Cheng et Liu and Z. mauritiana Lam. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and a high-density genetic map are of great benefit to the improvement of the crop, mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) and analyzing genome structure. However, such a high-density map is still absent in the genus Ziziphus and even the family Rhamnaceae. The recently developed restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) marker has been proven to be most powerful in genetic map construction. The objective of this study was to construct a high-density linkage map using the RAD tags generated by next generation sequencing. Results An interspecific F1 population and their parents (Z. jujuba Mill. ‘JMS2’ × Z. acidojujuba Cheng et Liu ‘Xing 16’) were genotyped using a mapping-by-sequencing approach, to generate RAD-based SNP markers. A total of 42,784 putative high quality SNPs were identified between the parents and 2,872 high-quality RAD markers were grouped in genetic maps. Of the 2,872 RAD markers, 1,307 were linked to the female genetic map, 1,336 to the male map, and 2,748 to the integrated map spanning 913.87 centi-morgans (cM) with an average marker interval of 0.34 cM. The integrated map contained 12 linkage groups (LGs), consistent with the haploid chromosome number of the two parents. Conclusion We first generated a high-density genetic linkage map with 2,748 RAD markers for jujube and a large number of SNPs were also developed. It provides a useful tool for both marker-assisted breeding and a variety of genome investigations in jujube, such as sequence assembly, gene localization, QTL detection and genome structure comparison.
The Use of Gamma-H2AX as a Biodosimeter for Total-Body Radiation Exposure in Non-Human Primates

Background There is a crucial shortage of methods capable of determining the extent of accidental exposures of human beings to ionizing radiation. However, knowledge of individual exposures is essential for early triage during radiological incidents to provide optimum possible life-sparing medical procedures to each person. Methods and Findings We evaluated immunocytofluorescence-based quantitation of γ-H2AX foci as a biodosimeter of total-body radiation exposure (60Co γ-rays) in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) model. Peripheral blood lymphocytes and plucked hairs were collected from 4 cohorts of macaques receiving total body irradiation doses ranging from 1 Gy to 8.5 Gy. Each cohort consisted of 6 experimental and 2 control animals. Numbers of residual γ-H2AX foci were proportional to initial irradiation doses and statistically significant responses were obtained until 1 day after 1 Gy, 4 days after 3.5 and 6.5 Gy, and 14 days after 8.5 Gy in lymphocytes and until 1 day after 1 Gy, at least 2 days after 3.5 and 6.5 Gy, and 9 days after 8.5 Gy in plucked hairs. Conclusion These findings indicate that quantitation of γ-H2AX foci may make a robust biodosimeter for analyzing total-body exposure to ionizing radiation in humans. This tool would help clinicians prescribe appropriate types of medical intervention for optimal individual outcome. These results also demonstrate that the use of a high throughput γ-H2AX biodosimeter would be useful for days post-exposure in applications like large-scale radiological events or radiation therapy. In addition, this study validates a possibility to use plucked hair in future clinical trials investigating genotoxic effects of drugs and radiation treatments.
A CMOS CAPACITOR-LESS LOW DROP-OUT VOLTAGE REGULATOR

A 3-5V 50mA CMOS low Drop-out (LDO) linear regulator with a single compensation capacitor of 1pF is presented. The circuit realization is well-studied and developed with respect to the loop-gain response, the transient response, the output noise, the output accuracy, as well as the standby power consumption. The proposed LDO regulator is implemented in the AMI 0.6um CMOS process, the active layout area is 541 x 320 μm. The experimental results show that the maximum output load current is 50mA and the regulated output voltage is 2.8V. The regulator provides a full load transient response less than 5mV overshoots and undershoots. Moreover, it provides a power supply reject rate better than -65dB and an output noise of 0.02 uV/sqrt Hz at 100 kHz.
Blur Discrimination and its Relation to Blur-Mediated Depth Perception

Retinal images of three-dimensional scenes often contain regions that are spatially blurred by different amounts, owing to depth variation in the scene and depth-of-focus limitations in the eye. Variations in blur between regions in the retinal image therefore offer a cue to their relative physical depths. In the first experiment we investigated apparent depth ordering in images containing two regions of random texture separated by a vertical sinusoidal border. The texture was sharp on one side of the border, and blurred on the other side. In some presentations the border itself was also blurred. Results showed that blur variation alone is sufficient to determine the apparent depth ordering. A subsequent series of experiments measured blur-discrimination thresholds with stimuli similar to those used in the depth-ordering experiment. Weber fractions for blur discrimination ranged from 0.28 to 0.56. It is concluded that the utility of blur variation as a depth cue is constrained by the relatively mediocre ability of observers to discriminate different levels of blur. Blur is best viewed as a relatively coarse, qualitative depth cue.
A tale of three caves:New dates for Pleistocene occupation in the inland Pilbara

Abstract Preliminary results of test-pit excavations in Yurlu Kankala and Kariyarra Rockshelter demonstrate the repeated occupation of a topographically distinct ‘island of high land’, in the northeastern Pilbara by Aboriginal people from 45,000 years ago to historical times. These results are the first Pilbara Pleistocene dates from sites outside the Hamersley Range and confirm occupation of this region prior to that in the central and western Pilbara and, at Yurlu Kankala, through the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). A third excavated site, Kunpaja Cave, provides evidence of inland Pilbara occupation through climatic amelioration following the LGM. All three sites are large, highly visible shelters located on ridges or hills, with commanding views over the surrounding land and access to major water sources. It is suggested that these factors played a key role in the discovery and occupation of Yurlu Kankala and Karriyarra Rockshelter by some of the Pilbara’s first settlers, and of Kunpaja Cave as people expanded their territories as the climatic conditions of the LGM changed.
Segmentation of Compound Nouns using Composite Mutual Information

In Korean, a compound noun may be freely formed with or without spaces between simple nouns. The exible word formation rule of Korean raises a serious problem in processing compound nouns with computers, in particular, in searching a dictionary with the compound noun as a search key. This paper describes a corpus-based method for segmenting a compound noun into simple nouns. Segmentation is performed with the composite of four types of mutual information, each calculated from two adjacent syllables. Experiments with a test data set of 1,458 compound nouns show that the correct segmentation rate of the proposed method is 98.3%. A text corpus of 1.1 million words (4.9 million syllables) is used for the calculation of composite mutual information.
A service-oriented middleware for context-aware applications

Context awareness has emerged as an important element in distributed computing. It offers mechanisms that allow applications to be aware of their environment and enable these applications to adjust their behavior to the current context. Considering the dynamic nature of context, the data flow of relevant contextual information can be significant. In order to keep track of this information flow, a flexible service mechanism should be available for the client applications. In this document we present a service-oriented middleware for context-aware applications. This middleware provides support to leverage the development of context-aware applications by providing a scripting-like approach for context-aware application development; allowing the subscription of rules containing context-based events and conditions and a notification to be sent when the specified context holds. Moreover, a domain-specific language has been developed to express these context-based rules.
On improving FOIL Algorithm

FOIL is an Inductive Logic Programming Algorithm to discover first order rules to explain the patterns involved in a domain of knowledge. Domains as Information Retrieval or Information Extraction are handicaps for FOIL due to the huge amount of information it needs manage to devise the rules. Current solutions to problems in these domains are restricted to devising ad hoc domain dependent inductive algorithms that use a less-expressive formalism to code rules. We work on optimising FOIL learning process to deal with such complex domain problems while retaining expressiveness. Our hypothesis is that changing the information gain scoring function, used by FOIL to decide how rules are learnt, can reduce the number of steps the algorithm performs. We have analysed 15 scoring functions, normalised them into a common notation and checked a test in which they are computed. The learning process will be evaluated according to its efficiency, and the quality of the rules according to their precision, recall, complexity and specificity. The results reinforce our hypothesis, demonstrating that replacing the information gain can optimise both the FOIL algorithm execution and the learnt rules.
USING THE INTERNET TO REDUCE SOFTWARE PIRACY — On Anonymous Receipts , Anonymous ID Cards , and Anonymous Vouchers *

Copyright piracy occurs both on the producer side of copyrighted information as well as the consumer side. The producer side experiences two forms of pirating: i) Entirely illegal reproduction and distribution of pirated software, and the more subtle problem of ii) authorized vendors defrauding their software producers, for example, by placing bootlegged copies on their shelves that are indistinguishable by a consumer from authentic packages. This paper discusses how the problems on the producer's side could be alleviated by a different software vending method supported by Internet
A Comparative Analysis of Low-Dose Metronomic Cyclophosphamide Reveals Absent or Low-Grade Toxicity on Tissues Highly Sensitive to the Toxic Effects of Maximum Tolerated Dose Regimens

The survival benefits of traditional maximum tolerated dose (MTD) cytotoxic therapy have been modest for the treatment of most types of metastatic malignancy and, moreover, often come with increased acute and chronic toxicity. Recent studies have demonstrated that the frequent administration of comparatively low doses of cytotoxic agents, with no extended breaks [low-dose metronomic (LDM) chemotherapy], may not only be at least as efficient as MTD therapy but also less toxic. This coincides with an apparent selectivity for “activated” endothelial cells of the tumor vasculature. However, the impact of LDM chemotherapy on the most sensitive target cell populations normally affected by MTD therapy (i.e., bone marrow progenitors, gut mucosa, and hair follicle cells) has not been analyzed in experimental detail. Therefore, we compared effects of LDM and MTD cyclophosphamide (CTX) on bone marrow and gut mucosa. Furthermore, we studied the potential impact of LDM CTX on angiogenesis in the context of wound healing and evidence of organ toxicity. We show absent or moderate hematologic and intestinal toxicity of LDM as opposed to MTD CTX. Of note was the finding of sustained lymphopenia, which is not unexpected given the use of CTX as immunosuppressive drug. There was no negative impact on wound healing or evidence of organ toxicity. LDM offers clear safety advantages over conventional MTD chemotherapy and therefore would appear to be ideal for long-term combination therapy with targeted antiangiogenic drugs.
P2P architecture for self-atomic memory

We propose an architecture for self-adjusting and self-healing atomic memory in highly dynamic systems exploiting peer-to-peer (P2P) techniques. Our approach, named SAM, brings together new and old research areas such as P2P overlays, dynamic quorums and replica control. In SAM, nodes form a connected overlay. To emulate the behavior of an atomic memory we use intersected sets of nodes, namely quorums, where each node hosts a replica of an object. In our approach, a quorum set is obtained by performing a deterministic traversal of the overlay. The SAM overlay features self-capabilities: that is, the overlay self-heals on the fly when nodes hosting replicas leave the system and the number of active replicas in the overlay dynamically self-adjusts with respect to the object load. In particular, SAM pushes requests from loaded replicas to less solicited replicas. If such replicas do not exist, the replicas overlay self-adjusts to absorb the extra load without breaking the atomicity. We propose a distributed implementation of SAM where nodes exploit only a restricted local view of the system, for the sake of scalability.