Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Qualitative Study of International Organizational Buyer Behavior

The primary goal of this qualitative research was to gather information from practitioners about the buying process used by companies in the United States and Germany when purchasing customized software. Before using a popular organizational buyer behavior process model for an international study the author believed it was important to examine whether companies in the countries in the study actually used each step of the model. A multiple-case study design was chosen, since it allowed both for a better understanding of the actual software buying process used by companies and for a comparison of buying processes between companies. The author observed and interviewed individuals at four companyâ€™s corporate headquarters, two companies in the United States and two companies in Germany. The study found that both Americans and German companies do, to varying degrees, go through each stage of a widely used organizational buyer behavior model. It was also observed, however, that the amount of time and effort dedicated to different stages of the model varied by country. The study also identified differences between buyers in the United States and Germany in regard to the perceived importance of certain vendor selection criteria, which provides support for future empirical studies.
Design, Manufacture and Performance Evaluation of an Effective Dual Operated Groundnut Decorticator with Blower

A manual ( hand operated or bicycle paddle ) groundnut decorticating machine attached with a blower is designed, manufactured and its performance assessed. The main components of the machine were the frame, hopper, neck feed control gate, shelling drum, shaft running on bearings, a pneumatic type mechanism, concave sieve and a blower. The rest are pulley and sprocket, discharge outlet and belt drive. The assembled angle iron parts were welded together whiles the sheet metal parts were riveted to hold in position. Testing of the decorticating machine was assessed at three different moisture contents of groundnut (0, 5.1 and 9.3%) and three different levels of machine shaft speed (10, 20 and 30 rpm) all at an average feed rate of 25kg/hr. The results revealed that the decorticating machine’s optimum performance was at 20 rpm machine shaft speed with groundnut moisture content of 0% (purely dry), machine cracking efficiency and percentage groundnut fully cracked was 71.2% and 85.3% respectively. There was reduction in machine performance at machine speeds of 10 rpm and 30 rpm with 45.1%, and 49.7% machine cracking efficiency respectively for the same feed gate rate openings. This was because at a speed of 10 rpm, the nuts were partially cracked (41.6%) and that of 30 rpm and cracked (39.3%), the quantum of groundnut losses through the blower increased considerably leading to a reduction in the quantity of groundnut collected.
The Role of Pharmacovigilance Center in Sudan in Reporting Adverse Drug Reactions

Pharmacovigilance is an active discipline, which is the study of structured mechanisms of the safety of medicines being used in clinical situations in large populations. In this chapter, the authors attempt to characterize the different types of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and related problems and mechanisms by which they cause harm to patients. They investigate the methods of detection of ADRs and various pharmacovigilance methods. The role and contributions of international organizations will be presented. The authors present the importance and need for education of healthcare professionals about pharmacovigilance and the proper reporting of ADRs for the purpose of efficient and safe use of medicines. The establishment of the Sudan pharmacovigilance center and how the system works will be discussed. Sources of data and actions taken since its inception are presented. The authors conclude by highlighting the problems and weaknesses of the system and ways to strengthen it. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-0309-7.ch021
A filtering method based on wavelet transform for collected data of automatic ammunition loading system

Embedded fault diagnosis machine for the automatic ammunition loading system real-time monitors the automatic ammunition loading system, collects the data by using sensors, analyzes the data, detects and isolates faults, or predicts the health of the system in the future. The denoising of the collected data is of great significance to effectively reveal the operation information of ammunition automatic loading system. In order to solve the problem of the traditional median filter could not be taken into account the details and the smoothness, a filtering method based on wavelet transform for automatic ammunition loading system is proposed in this paper. This method can effectively reduce the noise and improve the signal noise ratio (SNR), the signal after wavelet filter retains all the low frequency of the single axis swing, filters out the high frequency noise. It ensures the correctness of the follow-up data analysis and processing, detection, isolation of the fault or predict the health of the system.
Lifestyle-induced maternal body composition changes and birthweight in overweight/obese pregnant women

Introduction: Obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) have been associated with higher occurrence of large for gestational age (LGA) babies, and several interventions have been proposed to limit GWG, which, however, does not reflect adequately the subtle changes in body composition that happens during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the variations of body composition, induced by a lifestyle program intended to limit GWG and measured through bioelectrical impedence analysis (BIA), could affect the newborns’ weight in overweight/obese women. Methods: One hundred and thirty-nine women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 were enrolled between 9 th -12 th week and a lifestyle program, consisting of low glycemic diet with caloric restriction and physical activity, was prescribed to them. BIA was performed at enrolment and at 35 th -36 th week. Data regarding the newborns’ weight were collected from clinical charts after delivery. Results: Women who exceeded recommended range of GWG had an higher occurrence of LGA babies. Analysing the body composition, fat free mass (FFM) showed a direct correlation with the birthweight centile, even after correcting for BMI at enrolment, age and gestational diabetes mellitus. Interestingly, women who had an increase in fat mass (FM) and visceral FM throughout pregnancy had an higher occurrence of small for gestational age (SGA) babies. Conclusion: The increase in FM and visceral FM during pregnancy in overweight/obese women is linked to a higher occurrence of SGA babies. Proceedings of the 11 th International Workshop on Neonatology and Satellite Meetings · Cagliari (Italy) · October 26 th -31 st , 2015 · From the womb to the adult Guest Editors: Vassilios Fanos (Cagliari, Italy), Michele Mussap (Genoa, Italy), Antonio Del Vecchio (Bari, Italy), Bo Sun (Shanghai, China), Dorret I. Boomsma (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), Gavino Faa (Cagliari, Italy), Antonio Giordano (Philadelphia, USA)
Testing for Long Memory in REIT Returns

This study examines the long memory properties of composite, equity, mortgage, and hybrid real estate investment trust (REIT) returns by using semi-parametric and wavelet estimators. In particular, this paper applies the GPH semi-parametric estimator, the Haar and the Daubechies wavelet procedures to investigate the long memory properties of REIT returns. The results from the various procedures reveal that composite, equity, mortgage, and hybrid REIT returns are long memory processes with anti-persistence. The existence of long memory suggests that the dynamics which govern the four return series contain predictable components. This finding indicates that the markets for composite, equity, mortgage, and hybrid REITs are inefficient. The fact that these markets are inefficient suggests that investors can devise profitable strategies by using historical data or past information.
Real Time Speed Control of a DC Motor Based on its Integer and Non-Integer Models Using PWM Signal

This paper exploits the advantage of non-integer order modeling of a process over integer order, in those cases where the process model is required for control purpose. The present case deals with speed control of a DC motor. Based on the real time open loop response, DC motor is being modeled as integer and non-integer order first order plus delay system. Both these models are then separately used for determining two sets of Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller parameters through Ziegler Nichols (ZN) closed loop tuning method. In addition to this, a model based control technique i.e. Internal Model Control (IMC) is also implemented using both integer and non-integer model respectively. For carrying out the real time speed control of DC motor, LabVIEW platform has been used. After going through the results, it is observed that the controller performance considerably improves, if non-integer order model is used for controller design rather than integer order model.
A Simple Protocol for Isolating Small RNA from Cassava (M anihot esculenta Crantz)

Small RNAs of 20-30 nucleotide are involved in re gulatory processes at DNA or RNA levels in many eukaryotic plant systems. Good and efficient protocols to isolate small RNAs are needed for characterization. A simple method for isolating small RNAs from virus infected plant species has been developed. The method involves precipitation of low molecular weight RNA using NaCl, PEG 8000 and LiCl. The purity of isolated small RNA was confirmed by A260/280 and A260/230 ratio. The described protocol also resulted in isolation of sufficiently higher yield of small RNA from virus infected leaf samples of cassava. The current protocol can be completed in a day and is cost effective. With regard to cost, the per sample cost associated with commercially available kits were approximately 32 times and for Trizol it is 5 times higher than that of current protocol.
Supplementation of P with rhizobial inoculants to improve growth of Peanut plants

Biological nitrogen fixation represents the major source of N input in agricultural soils and rhizobia chemically convert the nitrogen from the air to make it available for the plant.The N fixation process is influenced by many factors and P is one of them. Due to the important role played by P in the physiological processes of plants, application of P to soil deficient in this nutrient leads to increase plant growth and yield. This research was carried out to investigate the effects of biological and chemical fertilizers on some physiological characters of peanut plants. Five different rhizobial inoculants (approximately 1.9 x 108 cfu) alone and in combination with DAP (as phosphate fertilizer @ 60kg/ha) were used as treatments. After 30 days of germination all the treatments showed significant effects on physical parameters of peanut plants, more significant results observed when plants treated with rhizobial inoculations with combination of DAP. Due to the imperative role played by P in the physiological processes of plants, application of P with rhizobial inoculants are beneficial for leguminous plants growth.
Relation between recruitment, sea surface temperature, and density- independent mortality of the Pacific sardine (Sardinops caeruleus) off the southwest coast of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

The density-independent mortality, considered in the stock-recruitment model of Ricker, was related to the interannual variability of the sea surface temperature (SST) during 1981 to 1993 in Bahia Magdalena, Baja California Sur and Isla Cedros, Baja California, Mexico. From the stock-recruitment curve fitted to the observed data the variation in the density-independent mortality was estimated, maintaining fixed the value of the density-dependent coefficient. The density-independent parameters estimated in this way were related to the SST by using a functional relationship that considers six principal components. This function permitted identification of the changes of the density-independent mortality and its relation to the recruitment of the Pacific sardine Sardinops caeruleus. We determined density-independent mortality greater than 3.38 as years with recruitment greater than 25,000 t, and density-independent mortality less than 3.38 as years with recruitment less than 15,000 t. The seasons of greatest influence on the density-independent mortality in relation to the SST were autumn, winter and spring in both regions (Bahia Magdalena and Isla Cedros). In these seasons when the SST > 19.3°C (warmer waters) the variations in recruitment of Pacific sardine were observed.
CPW-TO-STRIPLINE VERTICAL VIA TRANSITIONS FOR 60 GHZ LTCC SOP APPLICATIONS

In this work, CPW-to-stripline (SL) vertical via transitions using gradually stepped vias and embedded air cavities are presented for V-band LTCC System-on-Package (SoP) applications. In order to reduce radiation loss due to abrupt via discontinuities, gradual via transitions are proposed and investigated. In addition, in order to reduce increased parasitic shunt capacitance due to stepped via structures, air cavities are embedded below the transition vias. Using a 3-D EM simulation tool, the proposed transitions are designed and analyzed, compared to the conventional transition. Three-segment transmission lines (CPW-SL-CPW) in 7-layer LTCC dielectrics were fabricated and measured. The two stepped via (STV2) transition embedding air cavities shows an insertion and return losses of 1.6 dB and below −10 dB, respectively, over 60 GHz. The transition loss per one STV2 transition is 0.7 dB at 60 GHz.
Regimes of differential accumulation: mergers, stagflation and the logic of globalization

The paper offers a new approach for analysing capitalist development and crisis, tying together mergers and acquisitions, stagflation and globalization as integral facets of accumulation. The framework builds on the concept of differential accumulation, emphasizing the power drive by dominant capital groups to beat the average and exceed the normal rate of return. Four regimes of differential accumulation are articulated: internal breadth by amalgamation, external breadth through green-field investment, internal depth via cost-cutting, and external depth through stagflation. The complex relationships between these different regimes, as well as their broader societal implications, are analysed in light of the US experience over the past century. Several broad conclusions emerge. (1) Of the four regimes, the most important are amalgamation and stagflation, which tend to oscillate inversely to each other. (2) Over the longer haul, amalgamation grows exponentially relative to green-field investment, contributing to the stagnation tendency of modern capitalism. (3) The wave-like pattern of mergers and acquisitions reflects the progressive break-up of socioeconomic 'envelopes', as dominant capital moves through successive amalgamation at the industry, sectoral, national, and, finally, global level. In this sense, the current global merger wave is an integral facet of differential accumulation. (4) Periodic lulls in amalgamation tend to be compensated for by stagflation, which appears as a crisis at the societal level, but which contributes significantly to differential accumulation at the disaggregate level. An end to the present worldwide merger boom could therefore trigger global stagflation. (5) Stagflation crises have been previously 'resolved' when dominant capital broke its existing envelope, pushing to amalgamate within a broader universe of takeover targets. Given that there is nothing more to conquer beyond the global envelope, future stagflation crises may prove much more difficult to tame.
The Impact of Surface Roughness on Transonic Compressor Performance

The increasing necessity for highly efficient engines and flow emission standards has steered the need for research into more efficient design and optimization of gas turbines. Surface roughness in the blades of compressors and turbines is one of the factors causing performance deterioration in gas turbines. This study involves the investigation of surface roughness effects on the performance of a research compressor stage through numerical simulations in a commercial CFD code, ANSYS CFX. An initial numerical study on a NACA airfoil was conducted with roughness and validated with the experimental data. It is followed by the implementation of uniform sand grain roughness over the rotor and stator blades of the compressor stage using the surface roughness model available in ANSYS CFX. Two different cases, one with roughness on the rotor and one with roughness on the stator and rotor combination were done. The results from the study shows the reduction in the main performance parameters such as pressure ratio, efficiency and mass flow in the compressor stage. The flow calculations shows an increase in blockage of the flow in the stage with an increase in surface roughness on the blades. Surface streamlines shows the influence of surface roughness on the separation over the suction side of the stator and the regions near the hub in the rotor.
The effectiveness of non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation and DLI as a selective treatment in class III ß-thalassemic patients

Background: At present, the only curative treatment for β-thalassemia major is allogenic bone marrow transplantation accompanied with considerable mortality and morbidity in class III β-thalassemia. Regarding few case reports on successful non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation in class III β-thalassemic cases, we evaluated the effectiveness of this type of allogenic stem cell transplantation, considering less toxic non-myeloablative conditioning regimen. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study in Shariati Hospital bone marrow transplantation center during 2001-3, 13 class III β-thalassemia patients (on the basis of history and physical examination and liver biopsy) were transplanted with peripheral blood and bone marrow stem cells from their HLA-identical siblings. Non-myeloablative conditioning regimen included fludarabine busulan antithymocyte globulin. Graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylactic regimen was cyclosporin and metothrexate. In the case of the declining chimerism, the patients were treated with donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI). Results: The conditioning regimen was tolerated well without any considerable toxicity in hematologic, gastrointestinal and pulmonary systems. Five (38.5%) patients had acute and 2(15.4%) had chronic GVHD. Two patients died after transplantation. While two cases had a thalassemia-free survival. Conclusion: Although associated with high graft failure and the recurrence of disease, non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation may be used as a curative, less toxic post-transplantation treatment for class III s-thalassemia. Keywords: s-thalassemia, Stem cell transplantation, Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI),
Unsteady near-shore natural convection induced by surface cooling

Natural convection in calm near-shore waters induced by daytime heating or nighttime cooling plays a significant role in cross-shore exchanges with significant biological and environmental implications. Having previously reported an improved scaling analysis on the daytime radiation-induced natural convection, the authors present in this paper a detailed scaling analysis quantifying the flow properties at varying offshore distances induced by nighttime surface cooling. Two critical functions of offshore distance have been derived to identify the distinctness and the stability of the thermal boundary layer. Two flow scenarios are possible depending on the bottom slope. For the relatively large slope scenario, three flow regimes are possible, which are discussed in detail. For each flow regime, all the possible distinctive subregions are identified. Two different sets of scaling incorporating the offshore-distance dependency have been derived for the conduction-dominated region and stable-convection-dominated region respectively. It is found that the scaling for flow in the stable-convection-dominated region also applies to the time-averaged mean flow in the unstable region. The present scaling results are verified by numerical simulations.
Current trends strategies in the test redundancy reduction

Software testing is most important and expensive part in software development process. The failures of software can lead disastrous consequence, such as loss of data, fortune and lives. This process usually expensive, and the key of expensiveness of testing is that typically take a long time to execute the whole set of test cases. Test case minimization technique generates a representative set from the original test suite that satisfy all the requirements as an original test suite but contains less number of test cases. Redundant test cases are removed from the test suite. Many strategies in a greedy approach have been developed (including GE, GRE, and HGS), Formal Concept Analysis and non-greedy approach (tReductLAHC, tReductSA) using Metaheuristic Algorithm. The non-greedy approach is more effective compared to greedy approach. In this paper, a review of the strategies is provided to investigate the current trends in the test reduction research area. We can categorize these strategies as Greedy and Metaheuristic Approach. To enhance the performance by using a metaheuristic algorithm, we are proposing our work with adopts the sequence permutation and hybridization strategies.
Not all social cleavages are the same: On the relationship between religious diversity and party system fragmentation

Abstract Most studies examining the relationship between social cleavages and party system fragmentation maintain that higher levels of social diversity lead to greater party system fragmentation. However, most aggregate-level studies focus on one type of social cleavage: ethnic diversity. In order to develop a better understanding of how different cleavages impact electoral competition, this article considers another type of social cleavage: religious diversity. Contrary to previous literature, higher levels of religious diversity provide incentives for cross-religious cooperation, which in turn reduces party system fragmentation. Using a cross-national data set of elections from 1946–2011, the results show that, in contrast to most studies examining the effects of social cleavage diversity on the number of parties, higher religious diversity is associated with lower levels of party system fragmentation.
Value-based Source Code Specialization for Energy Reduction

The objective of this research is to create a framework for energy optimization of software programs. In particular, this paper presents algorithms and a tool flow to reduce the computational effort of programs, using value profiling and partial evaluation. Such a reduction translates into both energy savings and performance improvement. Namely, our tool reduces computational effort by specializing a program for highly expected situations.Procedure calls which are frequently executed with same parameter values are defined as highly expected situations (common cases). The choice of the best transformation of common cases is achieved by solving three search problems.The first is to identify common cases to be specialized, the second is to search for an optimal solution for effective common case, and the third is to examine the interplay among the specialized cases. Experimental results show that our technique improves both energy consumption and performance of the source code up to more than twice and in average about 35% over the original program in Lx processor environment. Also, our automatic search pruning techniques reduce the searching time by 80% compared to exhaustive approach.