Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A software engineering model for the development of adaptation rules and its application in a hinting adaptive e-learning system

The number of information systems using adaptation rules is increasing quickly. These systems are usually focused on implement nice and complex functionality for adaptation of contents, links or presentation, so software engineering methodologies for the description of rules are required. In addition, the distributed service oriented Internet philosophy presents the challenge of combining different rules from independent Internet sources. Moreover, easy authoring, rule reuse and collaborative design should be enabled. This paper presents the AR (Adaptation Rules) model, a new software engineering model for the description of rules for adaptation. These rules can be composed as a set of smaller atomic, reusable, parametric, interchangeable and interoperable rules, with clear restrictions in their combinations. Our model enables the distribution of rules as well as rule reuse and collaboration among rule creators. We illustrate our approach with the application of this model to a hinting adaptive e-learning system that generates exercises with hints, which can be adapted based on defined rules. Advantages of the AR model are confirmed with an evaluation that has been done with teachers and learning analytics experts for adaptive e-learning.
Antecedents and Consequences of Top Management Team Diversity: Expanding the Upper Echelons Research Stream

Top managers' characteristics play a key role in affecting organizational outcomes, yet the question of how organizations can build and benefit from diverse top management team (TMT) composition remains unanswered. This dissertation examines both antecedents and consequences of TMT diversity and, by focusing on the interface between the chief executive officer and the top management team (CEO-TMT), provides new insights into the upper echelons research stream. In particular, in four cumulative studies the dissertation explores: (a) the current state of research on the CEO-TMT interface and its contribution to the upper echelons literature; (b) the role of different selection strategies (external hiring versus internal promotion) as antecedents of diverse TMT composition; (c) the moderating impact of individual level dissimilarity and career experience diversity on the relationship between external CEO succession and firm performance; and (d) the firm performance effects of TMT diversity faultlines and the moderating role of CEOs' characteristics. The empirical setting is based on 310 large listed firms headquartered in four European countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) over the period 2005 to 2009. Four key findings are drawn from the papers. First, to adequately understand the antecedents and consequences of TMT composition, upper echelon researchers should pay careful attention to the interaction between the attributes of the CEO and the characteristics of other top managers. Second, different selection strategies act as key determinants of TMT composition. Organizations build diverse TMT membership by selecting dissimilar executives from inside the firm, rather than from the external labor market. Third, CEOs hired from the external labor market have a negative impact on firm performance after their appointment, except if they are demographically similar to other TMT members and possess diverse career experience. Fourth, to realize the performance benefits of TMT diversity faultlines, firms need to match the attributes of the CEO with those of other senior executives. Overall, the central message of the dissertation is that firms should continue to embrace TMT diversity but, at the same time, they should not assume that the benefits of diverse TMT composition will be activated automatically. To enhance performance benefits from TMT diversity, firms should pay careful attention to the selection strategies through which they alter diverse TMT membership over time, as well as to the importance of the team leader (i.e., the CEO) in reducing team diversity costs and in realizing performance advantages. http://verdi.unisg. ch/www/edis.nsf/SysLkpByIdentifier/4270/$FILE/dis4270.pdf
Country level corruption as a liability of foreignness: effects on staffing, incentives, and activities

Past research examining country-level corruption found that corruption reduces foreign direct investment. However, this research lacks implications for multinational corporations considering operating in high corruption countries. Recent international research has examined subsidiary challenges beyond initial investment decisions, but has not addressed operational challenges posed by corruption. Research investigating country-level corruption as a liability of foreignness (LOF) is needed because this theoretical perspective specifically examines mechanisms for managing and controlling subsidiaries. This paper utilizes the LOF perspective, integrating learning, international human resource management, and agency theories, to understand how corruption affects subsidiary adaptation strategies.
Customer experience modeling: from customer experience to service design

Purpose – Customer experience has become increasingly important for service organizations that see it as a source of sustainable competitive advantage, and for service designers, who consider it fundamental to any service design project.Design/methodology/approach – Integrating contributions from different fields, CEM was conceptually developed to represent the different aspects of customer experience in a holistic diagrammatic representation. CEM was further developed with an application to a multimedia service. To further develop and build CEM's models, 17 customers of a multimedia service provider were interviewed and the data were analyzed using Grounded Theory methodology.Findings – Combining multidisciplinary contributions to represent customer experience elements enables the systematization of its complex information. The application to a multimedia service highlights how CEM can facilitate the work of multidisciplinary design teams by providing more insightful inputs to service design.Originality/.
A new digital background calibration technique for pipelined ADC

A digital background calibration technique to compensate for the finite opamps dc gain in pipelined analog-to-digital converters is presented. By transforming the ADC and measuring the gain ratios between different configurations, a background calibration is possible without interrupting the ADC operation or injecting a calibration signal. A modified multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) is proposed. This new MDAC allows the ADC to toggle between different configurations to create a reference signal used for the calibration. Simulations results prove the effectiveness of this new method.
Measuring and benchmarking intellectual capital

The importance of intellectual capital (IC), as a prime value driver in today's knowledge‐based economy, is undisputed. Benchmarking is seen as a tool for identifying, understanding, and adopting best practices in order to increase operational performance. The paper explores techniques of benchmarking the operational management of IC. The research is based on a longitudinal action and case research in an R&D organization. The failure to benchmark IC management practices between two seemingly identical subsidiaries has implications for the measurement and benchmarking of IC. The research concludes that it is critical to understand the context, organizational epistemology and value‐creation pathways before organizations start any attempt to compare or benchmark IC.
GroEL and CCT are catalytic unfoldases mediating out-of-cage polypeptide refolding without ATP

Chaperonins are cage-like complexes in which nonnative polypeptides prone to aggregation are thought to reach their native state optimally. However, they also may use ATP to unfold stably bound misfolded polypeptides and mediate the out-of-cage native refolding of large proteins. Here, we show that even without ATP and GroES, both GroEL and the eukaryotic chaperonin containing t-complex polypeptide 1 (CCT/TRiC) can unfold stable misfolded polypeptide conformers and readily release them from the access ways to the cage. Reconciling earlier disparate experimental observations to ours, we present a comprehensive model whereby following unfolding on the upper cavity, in-cage confinement is not needed for the released intermediates to slowly reach their native state in solution. As over-sticky intermediates occasionally stall the catalytic unfoldase sites, GroES mobile loops and ATP are necessary to dissociate the inhibitory species and regenerate the unfolding activity. Thus, chaperonin rings are not obligate confining antiaggregation cages. They are polypeptide unfoldases that can iteratively convert stable off-pathway conformers into functional proteins.
Ray-Tracing-Based mm-Wave Beamforming Assessment

The use of large-size antenna arrays to implement pencil-beam forming techniques is becoming a key asset to cope with the very high throughput density requirements and high path-loss of future millimeter-wave (mm-wave) gigabit-wireless applications. Suboptimal beamforming (BF) strategies based on search over discrete set of beams (steering vectors) are proposed and implemented in present standards and applications. The potential of fully adaptive advanced BF strategies that will become possible in the future, thanks to the availability of accurate localization and powerful distributed computing, is evaluated in this paper through system simulation. After validation and calibration against mm-wave directional indoor channel measurements, a 3-D ray tracing model is used as a propagation-prediction engine to evaluate performance in a number of simple, reference cases. Ray tracing itself, however, is proposed and evaluated as a real-time prediction tool to assist future BF techniques.
Agency Problems in Information Security : Theory and Application to Korean Business

Many researchers have argued that security measures are not effective for protecting IT systems against cyber-attacks because they cannot keep up with attack strategies and are often developed reactively. However, according to principal-agent theory, the low effectiveness of security measures might be the outcome of moral hazard which results in suboptimal efforts of users to maintain IT systems appropriately. In order to identify empirical evidence elucidated by principal-agent theory, a regression analysis using data from 2,401 Korean firms is performed. In accord with the findings in the previous literature on principal-agent theory, the empirical results confirm that moral hazard contributes to the low effectiveness of security measures, and can be attenuated by employing security training programs.
Cylindrical NF-FF transformation from NF data acquired on a non-classical sampling grid

An effective near-field-far-field transformation technique with cylindrical scanning using a nonclassical cylindrical grid is here proposed and experimentally validated. Such a grid is obtained by fixing the number of scanning generatrices according to the minimum cylinder rule and the number of near-field data on each of them according to the nonredundant sampling representation based on the spherical modelling of the antenna under test. A remarkable reduction of the number of near-field data with respect to the classical transformation thus results, since the distance between two consecutive sampling points on each generatrix increases when moving towards the periphery of the scanning cylinder. Moreover, the proposed technique allows the elimination of the characteristic ripple due to the discontinuity of the near field at the edges of the measurement cylinder.
Monte Carlo simulation for bioprospecting the endemic New Zealand terrestrial flora for 1 antibiotic drug leads 2

A Monte Carlo simulation for bioprospecting the endemic New Zealand terrestrial flora for 1 antibiotic drug leads 2 Eric J Buenz 3 Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Nelson, New Zealand 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Correspondence to: 19 20 Eric J Buenz 21 Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology 22 322 Hardy Street 23 Nelson, 7120 24 New Zealand 25 26 Email: Eric.Buenz@nmit.ac. nz 27 Tel: +64 (0)22 513 5791 28
Corporate Governance, Earning Quality and Information Asymmetry: Evidence from Insider Trading Around the Globe

We investigate the performance and its link with information asymmetry, corporate governance and legal enforcement of insider transactions in 36 countries covering 10 Asian countries, 20 European countries and 6 countries in the rest. The results show that abnormal returns after insider trading are generally positive over time especially on Monday (insider sales) and Friday (insider purchase) for both executive and non-executive directors. The insider trading performance is typically related to earnings management which is measured by accruals. Corporate insider trading is informative and can assist in the analysis of future prospect of the firm. The zero-investment portfolios based on insider trading and accruals offers positive returns in most of the countries. However, after adjusting market risk, the profit of insider trading portfolios remain only in a few countries. The regression analysis exhibit the importance of corporate governance to limit the insider profits.
Mapping physical interactions within chromatin by proteomic approaches

Our ability to study protein–protein interactions has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, enabling numerous large‐scale studies to be performed in a variety of organisms. Despite this success, some classes of proteins, including those bound to chromatin, remain difficult to characterize through proteomic approaches. Some of the problems faced by researchers studying chromatin‐bound proteins include low complex solubility, heterogeneous sample composition, and numerous transient interactions, which can be further complicated by the presence of DNA itself. To tackle these issues, a number of innovative protocols have been developed to better study the various facets of chromatin biology. In this review, we will discuss novel approaches to study protein–DNA interactions as well as protein complexes affecting chromatin.
Customer preferences for improved flame-based cookstove features in two South African study areas

The continued large-scale use of inefficient flame-based cookstoves directly influences human development levels globally, including in South Africa. It has been demonstrated that the adoption and sustained use of safe, inexpensive and improved stove designs by domestic households could lead to a significant reduction of household air pollution (HAP). From examination of descriptions of previous improved cookstove dissemination programmes, it becomes apparent that the focus on customer preferences was absent in many of the unsuccessful projects. Social marketing strategies with a customer focus have been widely applied (for more than three decades) in the fields of public health and the environment with significant success. This paper investigates the customer preferences for improved flame-based cookstove features in two South African study areas using a willingness-to-pay survey methodology. The paper will suggest which combination of stove features (i.e. fuel types, sizes, durability and payment options) represent a necessary companion to other strategies in the dissemination of improved flame-based stoves in the South African market place.
Effect of second stage perineal warm compresses on perineal pain and outcome among primiparae

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of second stage perineal warm compresses on perineal pain and outcome among primiparae. A non-randomized controlled clinical trial was utilized at the labor and delivery unit of National Medical Institution in Damanhour, Albehera Governorate, Egypt. Research was carried out from beginning May 2014 till the end of October 2014, with a total of 160 parturients in their second stage of labor. They were equally randomly divided into study (N = 80) and control (N = 80) groups. Four tools were utilized to collect the necessary data. The first tool was a Socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule. The second tool was a Numerical Pain Rating Score (NPRS), to estimate the subjective level of pain intensity. The third tool was a modified Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS), to measure the behavioral responses to pain. The fourth tool was the second stage and perineal outcome assessment tool: to assess duration of the second stage of labor, mode of delivery, need for pain relief during 2nd stage, baby birth weight, perineal condition, degrees of perineal tear and need to repair. The results revealed that perineal pain intensity did statistically significantly decrease among the study group after the intervention ( P = .000). On the other hand, it was slightly increased among the control group after the intervention ( P = .106). There was a statistically significant difference between the study and control groups in favor of the former in relation to perineal tear, vaginal tear, degree of perineal tear and need to repair where P = . 000. The study concluded that second stage perineal warm compresses had better effects on perineal pain and perineal outcome. It resulted in less perineal pain and less genital tract trauma as well as decrease needs to repair. Consequently, it is recommended that perineal warm compresses should be incorporated into pain relief and perineal maintaining options available to women during second stage of labor.
Cross-talk between Rac1 and Cdc42 GTPases regulates formation of filopodia required for dengue virus type-2 entry into HMEC-1 cells.

Infection with dengue virus type-2 (DENV-2) begins with virus adherence to cell surface receptors. In endothelial cells (HMEC-1), a cell model for DENV-2 infection, alpha 5 beta 3 integrin has been identified as a putative receptor for the virus. Previous work had suggested that the actin cytoskeleton of HMEC-1 cells plays an important role in virus entry and infection. In the present work, fixed and living HMEC-1 cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein-actin were monitored for actin reorganization after virus inoculation, utilizing fluorescence and time lapse microscopy. Cell infection and production of infective viruses were quantified using an anti-E protein antibody and by measuring the p.f. u. ml(-1). Specific drugs that antagonize actin organization and regulate actin-signalling pathways were tested in viral adhesion and infection assays, as were the expression of dominant-negative Rac1 and Cdc42 proteins. Disorganization of actin precluded infection, while microtubule depolymerization had no effect. Activation of Rac1 and Cdc42 signalling, which occurs upon virus binding, induced reorganization of actin to form filopodia in the cellular periphery. Formation of filopodia was a requirement for virus entry and further cell infection. Expression of the dominant-negative proteins Rac1 and Cdc42 confirmed the role of these GTPases in the actin reorganization that is required to form filopodia. In addition, inhibition of the ATPase activity of myosin II greatly decreased infection, suggesting its participation in filopodial stability. We show here, for the first time, that internalization of DENV-2 into endothelial cells requires viral induction of dynamic filopodia regulated by Rac1 and Cdc42 cross-talk and myosin II motor activities.
Structurally Distinct Membrane Nanotubes between Human Macrophages Support Long-Distance Vesicular Traffic or Surfing of Bacteria1

We report that two classes of membrane nanotubes between human monocyte-derived macrophages can be distinguished by their cytoskeletal structure and their functional properties. Thin membrane nanotubes contained only F-actin, whereas thicker nanotubes, i.e., those > ∼0.7 μm in diameter, contained both F-actin and microtubules. Bacteria could be trapped and surf along thin, but not thick, membrane nanotubes toward connected macrophage cell bodies. Once at the cell body, bacteria could then be phagocytosed. The movement of bacteria is aided by a constitutive flow of the nanotube surface because streptavidin-coated beads were similarly able to traffic along nanotubes between surface-biotinylated macrophages. Mitochondria and intracellular vesicles, including late endosomes and lysosomes, could be detected within thick, but not thin, membrane nanotubes. Analysis from kymographs demonstrated that vesicles moved in a stepwise, bidirectional manner at ∼1 μm/s, consistent with their traffic being mediated by the microtubules found only in thick nanotubes. Vesicular traffic in thick nanotubes and surfing of beads along thin nanotubes were both stopped upon the addition of azide, demonstrating that both processes require ATP. However, microtubule destabilizing agents colchicine or nocodazole abrogated vesicular transport but not the flow of the nanotube surface, confirming that distinct cytoskeletal structures of nanotubes give rise to different functional properties. Thus, membrane nanotubes between macrophages are more complex than unvarying ubiquitous membrane tethers and facilitate several means for distal interactions between immune cells.
The evolution of r factor. A study of a "preantibiotic" community in Borneo.

Abstract Although the therapeutic use of antibiotics favors the selection of bacteria that contain R factor, it does not necessarily follow that man-made antibiotics have induced the evolution of R factor. We have obtained evidence that R factor evolved before the advent of the antibiotic era. Cultures of fecal flora were taken from 128 people living in an "antibiotic-virgin" community in north Borneo. The total experience of this entire community with antibiotics consisted of 19 injections of penicillin given in 1959 during a yaws-eradication program. Six strains of Escherichia coli isolated from four subjects were found to possess transferable drug resistance. This multiple-antibiotic resistance was shown to be due to R factor by serial transfer through several recipients, by the absence of transfer from cell-free filtrates, and by the occurrence of transfer independently of the chromosome.
Specificity of the lactoferrin and transferrin receptors in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Lactoferrin (LF) and transferrin (TF) are postulated to be important physiological sources of iron for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A dot binding assay involving the use of gonococcal total membranes derived from cells grown in iron‐limited conditions demonstrated the presence of separate receptors for LF and TF. The ligand and functional specificities of these receptors were examined in competition‐binding and growth experiments. The results indicate that the LF and TF receptors are highly specific for the human protein, suggesting that this property may be partially responsible for conferring the human host specificity of N. gonorrhoeae.