Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can information technology be a source of competitive advantage

It is still difficult to judge the effect of IT on business performance and competitiveness. Many scholars has sought to contribute by showing the impact of IT on firm performance, and emphasized its potential in creating a sustainable competitive advantage. A brief overview of the literature indicates that many perspectives have emerged, mainly due to different understandings and uses of approaches, methodologies and terminologies. This paper attempts to ascertain if IT can be a source of competitive advantage. We argue that IT can be a source of competitive advantage just like any other resource/capability can be. We suggest that the first step in further research is to clarify the terminology since it represents the foundation for building a coherent framework and the second is to look from the practitioner’s point of view to ensure greater understanding and usefulness for practitioners.
Radiative Effects and Optical Properties of Aerosol during Two Dust Events in 2013 over Zanjan, Iran

ABSTRACTAerosol optical propertieslike Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Angstrom Exponent (AE), ASYmmetry parameter(ASY), Single Scattering Albedo (SSA), and Aerosol Volume Size Distribution(AVSD) have been analyzed for the atmosphere of Zanjan, a city in NorthwestIran. These properties have been studied usingthe ground-based AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET)duringthe periods from 8 to18 May and 8 to 14 June, 2013. During thestudy period, 14th May and 10th June are identified asdusty days, and AOD at 500 nm reached a peak value of 0.64 and 0.80, on thesedays. The high values of AOD and low values of AE during dusty days illustratethat coarse mode particles like dust are dominant. In the visible spectrum ASY usually decreasesand then somewhat increases in the near infrared region. Both SSA and AVSD suggest predominance of coarseparticles on the dusty days. The Santa Barbara DISORT AtmosphericRadiative Transfer (SBDART) model is utilized to simulate the solar irradiancevalues for the above-mentioned periods at the earth's surface, within theatmosphere, and at the Top of the Atmosphere (TOA). The results show thatdominant aerosol types are dust particles which have a coolingeffect on the earth's surfaceduring the studyperiods, especially on two dusty days, 14 May, and10 June. The correlation coefficient shows a very good agreement between theARF values retrieved from AERONET and SBDART simulation results.
A Low-Power RF Front-End Architecture for an L1/L2CS GPS Receiver

With the apparition of several new civilian signals in the years to come, there will soon be great demand for multifrequency receivers. As soon as two signals will be available, users will be able to correct the ionospheric error, the main source of error since the SA has been disabled. Multifrequency receivers will also be able to switch between the current L1 C/A code and the new modernized signals to make best use of their individual characteristics. As expected, the improvements in performance will be accompanied by an increase in complexity, more noticeably at the RF front-end. In this paper, we discuss the different solutions to realize an RF front-end for a dual-frequency GPS receiver and propose an innovative solution which has a power consumption comparable with that of a single-frequency front-end.
Coral reefs modify their seawater carbon chemistry – implications for impacts of ocean acidification

Reviews suggest that that the biogeochemical threshold for sustained coral reef growth will be reached during this century due to ocean acidification caused by increased uptake of atmospheric CO2. Projections of ocean acidification, however, are based on air‐sea fluxes in the open ocean, and not for shallow‐water systems such as coral reefs. Like the open ocean, reef waters are subject to the chemical forcing of increasing atmospheric pCO2. However, for reefs with long water residence times, we illustrate that benthic carbon fluxes can drive spatial variation in pH, pCO2 and aragonite saturation state (Ωa) that can mask the effects of ocean acidification in some downstream habitats. We use a carbon flux model for photosynthesis, respiration, calcification and dissolution coupled with Lagrangian transport to examine how key groups of calcifiers (zooxanthellate corals) and primary producers (macroalgae) on coral reefs contribute to changes in the seawater carbonate system as a function of water residence time. Analyses based on flume data showed that the carbon fluxes of corals and macroalgae drive Ωain opposing directions. Areas dominated by corals elevate pCO2 and reduce Ωa, thereby compounding ocean acidification effects in downstream habitats, whereas algal beds draw CO2 down and elevate Ωa, potentially offsetting ocean acidification impacts at the local scale. Simulations for two CO2 scenarios (600 and 900 ppm CO2) suggested that a potential shift from coral to algal abundance under ocean acidification can lead to improved conditions for calcification in downstream habitats, depending on reef size, water residence time and circulation patterns. Although the carbon fluxes of benthic reef communities cannot significantly counter changes in carbon chemistry at the scale of oceans, they provide a significant mechanism of buffering ocean acidification impacts at the scale of habitat to reef.
Future water availability for global food production: The potential of green water for increasing resilience to global change

While past strategies for agricultural water management have focused on irrigation (use of blue water), this paper demonstrates the dominance of green water in food production. A global, yet spatially disaggregated, green‐blue analysis of water availability and requirement, using the LPJmL dynamic vegetation and water balance model, indicates that many countries currently assessed as severely water short are able to produce enough food for their populations if green water is considered and is managed well. The need to integrate green and blue water management is highlighted in a future scenario of water availability under climate change and population growth (HadCM2 A2). For 2050, the scenario indicates that 59% of the world population will face blue water shortage, and 36% will face green and blue water shortage. Even under climate change, good options to build water resilience exist without further expansion of cropland, particularly through management of local green water resources that reduces risks for dry spells and agricultural droughts.
Glutathione-dependent responses of plants to drought: a review

Water is a renewable resource. However, with the human population growth, economic development and improved living standards, the world’s supply of fresh water is steadily decreasing and consequently water resources for agricultural production are limited and diminishing. Water deficiency is a significant problem in agriculture and increasing efforts are currently being made to understand plant tolerance mechanisms and to develop new tools (especially molecular) that could underpin plant breeding and cultivation. However, the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of plant water deficit tolerance are not fully understood, and the data available is incomplete. Here, we review the significance of glutathione and its related enzymes in plant responses to drought. Firstly, the roles of reduced glutathione and reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio, are discussed, followed by an extensive discussion of glutathione related enzymes, which play an important role in plant responses to drought. Special attention is given to the S-glutathionylation of proteins, which is involved in cell metabolism regulation and redox signaling in photosynthetic organisms subjected to abiotic stress. The review concludes with a brief overview of future perspectives for the involvement of glutathione and related enzymes in drought stress responses.
Delayed onset, Long-term Efficacy of S-1 Monotherapy for an Elderly Patient with Squamous Cell Lung Cancer

The efficacy of S-1 monotherapy as a 2nd-line regimen for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been reported, nor has delayed onset regression after temporary progression of tumor during an identified therapeutic regimen. Here we report a 78-year-old man was diagnosed with T3N3M1b (BRA), stage IV squamous cell lung cancer. His primary lesion progressed after whole brain irradiation and 4 cycles of 1st-line chemotherapy with docetaxel. S-1 monotherapy was prescribed as the 2nd-line treatment. Each cycle of chemotherapy comprised 14 days of S-1 (40 mg, twice daily) followed by 14 drug-free days. After 6 months of S-1 monotherapy, primary and metastatic lesions had started regressing significantly. He continued S-1 monotherapy for 19 months (20 cycles) with a comfortable daily life until reaching progressive disease. S-1 monotherapy as a 2nd-line could be a therapeutic option for elderly patients with NSCLC. Moreover, long-term use of S-1 might be worth trying if adverse events and tumor growth are tolerable and other anti-cancer drugs are not applicable, because S-1 has a potential for delayed onset efficacy.
ON STANDARD AND OPTIMIZATION OF GENERATION CAPACITY FOR CONNECTED SOLAR POWER SYSTEM : CASE STUDY OF ONE PHASE LOW VOLTAGE POWER SYSTEM

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. NGHIÊN CỨU TIÊU CHUẨN VÀ PHƯƠNG PHÁP TỐI ƯU CÔNG SUẤT PHÁT CỦA HỆ THỐNG ĐIỆN MẶT TRỜI NỐI LƯỚI: XÉT CHO TRƯỜNG HỢP LƯỚI ĐIỆN HẠ THẾ 1 PHA Xuan Truong Nguyen, Dinh Quang Nguyen, Tung Tran
The Security and Privacy Issues as One of the Barriers Impeding the E-Business Development in Albania

Abstract The characteristics of international trade are constantly changing. Electronic business is an example of a development that has involved new preconditions and new barriers. Security and privacy issues are becoming more crucial in the current global e-business environment as key factors for its future success. The main purpose of this research is the study of the perception of the security and privacy issues by consumers as one of the barriers impeding the e-business development in Albania. In Albania, as in other Western Balkan countries, e- commerce is regarded as an opportunity for the development of the international trade. This research gives a general review of the latest developments in e-commerce security and privacy in the world compared to the results of the survey conducted in Albania. The Albanian consumers are interested in being involved in e-commerce but sceptical and with a basic level of knowledge regarding privacy and security issues.
Factors Affecting the Adoption of Mobile Payment Systems: An Empirical Analysis

The world witnessed a rapid growth in the e-commerce in the recent years. Widespread use of mobile devices in the e-commerce has a role in this augmentation. Associated with growth of trading volume and the introduction of new devices, new products and solutions emerge and they diversify concerning online payments. Consumer attitudes and behaviors may change according to these developments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors effecting adoption of mobile payment systems by the consumer. 225 individuals were surveyed online through convenience sampling method. A research model was developed and proposed relationships were tested using structural equation modeling. The empirical findings point out that perceived trust, perceived mobility and attitudes positively affect the adoption of MPS; perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have no effect on adoption of MPS. Furthermore perceived reputation positively related to perceived trust and finally environmental risk negatively related to perceived trust.
Development of a Large-scale 3D MEMS Optical Switch Module

A three-dimensional (3D) micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical switch, consisting of twoaxis tilt mirror arrays and free-space optics, is a practical solution for constructing large-scale switching fabrics due to its high component density and low cost. The MEMS-mirror arrays developed by NTT are single-crystal silicon mirrors integrated with high-aspect ratio torsion springs and actuated by electrostatic forces. The free-space optics consist of low-cost high-precision polymer components assembled passively. A prototype module with 100-channel optical fiber input/output exhibited a low coupling loss of 4.0 dB and a switching time of 3 ms.
TEACHERS’ BELIEFS AND PRACTICES IN ASSESSING THE VIEWING SKILL OF ESL LEARNERS

This study explored the English/Language Arts teachers’ beliefs and practices in teaching and assessing students’ viewing skills in secondary education in the Philippines. Three secondary teachers in three government-run institutions were surveyed, interviewed and observed regarding their conception of visual literacy. The study revealed that teacher belief is influenced by their early education. In addition, teachers’ ability to teach and assess viewing skills relies not only on teacher training but also on access to technology and availability instrutional materials. The study suggests a call to strengthen school or government support in order to promote viewing comprehension in basic education to meet the demands of the 21st century.
Optimal Efforts in Heterogeneous Agents Population with Global and Local Interactions

A game where agents interact in small teams is proposed; the interaction is examined when the population consists of different types of agent and a reward mechanism devised to increase competition is introduced. We prove that such a mechanism may expand the set of Nash equilibria and, in particular, reduce the production level of some agents. Finally, we extend our results to heterogeneous populations by means of agents based modeling. This way we can study the dynamics of adjustment of agents response and extend our results when considering local interaction and a egocentric knowledge of the population composition. RESUMEN Se propone un juego en el cual agentes interactuan en un pequeno grupo, la interaccion es examinada cuando la poblacion contituye diversos tipos de agentes y se introduce un mecanismo de recompenza para aumentar la competicion. Se demuestra que tal mecanismo puede expandir el conjunto de equilibrio de Nash y, en particular, reduce el nivel 16 Arianna Dal Forno and Ugo Merlone CUBO 11, 2 (2009) de producion de algunos agentes. Finalmente, extendemos nuestros resultados a poblaciones heteregeneas mediante un modelo de agente artificial. De esta manera es posible estudiar la dinamica de ajustamiento de respuesta de agentes y estender los resultados considerando interaccion local y un conocimiento egocentrico de la composicion de la poblacion.
Efficient dictionary learning implementation on the GPU using OpenCL

The dictionary learning ﬁeld oﬀers a wide range of algorithms that are able to provide good sparse approximations and well trained dictionaries. These algorithms are very complex and this is reﬂected in the slow execution of their computationally intensive implementations. This article proposes eﬃcient parallel implementations for the main algorithms in the ﬁeld that signiﬁcantly reduce the execution time.
The Resistive Plate Chambers of the ATLAS experiment: performance studies

ATLAS (A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS) is one of the four experiments ready for p-p collisions scheduled in autumn 2009 at the LHC at CERN. It is a general purpose experiment, with a physics program that spans from the search of the Higgs Boson to the evidence of physics Beyond the Standard Model (BSM). Events with final state muons are a signature of the most promising physics channels, e.g. the Standard Model Higgs Boson decaying into four muons (H → 4μ). For this reason a completely independent in-air Muon Spectrometer with a toroidal magnetic field for muon track measurement has been realized to trigger and measure the momentum of high energy muons. Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) provide the first-level muon trigger and the measurement of the coordinate in the non-bending direction in the barrel region of the Muon Spectrometer. The installation in the experimental hall of RPCs has been completed and extensive tests of their performance have been performed with cosmic-rays muons. An overview of the ATLAS experiment, focusing on the results of the studies on the RPCs performance will be presented.
Spectral dependence of visible light absorption by carbonaceous particles emitted from coal combustion

Optical characteristics of particles that absorb visible light are needed to model their effects on atmospheric radiation. Light absorption by particles emitted from low‐technology coal combustion has exhibited a strong spectral dependence. I investigate various explanations for this phenomenon and conclude that a spectrally dependent imaginary refractive index is the most plausible. Following previous work on the structure of amorphous carbon, I propose that both the magnitude and spectral dependence of light absorption are controlled by the size of graphitic clusters within the material, and can be described using the optical band‐gap theory. This hypothesis is an alternative to the current measurement divisions of light‐absorbing “black carbon” and non‐absorbing “organic carbon,” and offers an explanation for preferential absorption at blue wavelengths that may extend to ultraviolet wavelengths.
Series Active Filter Design Based on Asymmetric Hybrid Modular Multilevel Converter for Traction System

This paper presents a comparative analysis of a new topology based on an asymmetric hybrid modular multilevel converter (AHMMC) with recently proposed multilevel converter topologies. The analysis is based on various parameters for medium voltage-high power electric traction system. Among recently proposed topologies, few converters have been analysed through simulation results. In addition, the study investigates AHMMC converter which is a cascade arrangement of H-bridge with five-level cascaded converter module (FCCM) in more detail. The key features of the proposed AHMMC includes: reduced switch losses by minimizing the switching frequency as well as the components count, and improved power factor with minimum harmonic distortion. Extensive simulation results and low voltage laboratory prototype validates the working principle of the proposed converter topology. Furthermore, the paper concludes with the comparison factors evaluation of the discussed converter topologies for medium voltage traction applications.
Lithium Resources and Production: Critical Assessment and Global Projections

This paper critically assesses if accessible lithium resources are sufficient for expanded demand due to lithium battery electric vehicles. The ultimately recoverable resources (URR) of lithium globally were estimated at between 19.3 (Case 1) and 55.0 (Case 3) Mt Li; Best Estimate (BE) was 23.6 Mt Li. The Mohr 2010 model was modified to project lithium supply. The Case 1 URR scenario indicates sufficient lithium for a 77% maximum penetration of lithium battery electric vehicles in 2080 whereas supply is adequate to beyond 2200 in the Case 3 URR scenario. Global lithium demand approached a maximum of 857 kt Li/y, with a 100% penetration of lithium vehicles, 3.5 people per car and 10 billion population.
The application of the analytical hierarchical process in complex mining engineering design problems by

Mining engineers are frequently faced with problems where a number of alternative designs need to be evaluated. Some of the typical problems faced by these engineers are deciding on the best option to access the orebody, location of the shafts, the choice of mining method (e.g. trackless or conventional mining), what the optimum layout should be, and what support to use. A large amount of data is typically collected to assist with this design process, but the evaluation and integration of the available information is difficult. In many cases, more than one solution to a particular problem is possible and choosing the ‘best’ option can be a daunting task. The final designs are frequently based solely on subjective decisions and previous experience of mining engineers. As this is not entirely satisfactory, methodologies to assist with this process will greatly increase the confidence that can be placed in the option eventually selected. This paper describes the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) as a decisionmaking tool in mining engineering with specific reference to the use of backfill in a platinum project. Although the technique is used in many other disciplines, it is currently not widely used in mining engineering in South Africa. Some earlier references to the use of this technique in mining engineering can be found in papers published by Acaroglu1 and Ataei et al.2. Musingwini and Minnitt3 used AHP to rank conventional, mechanized and hybrid mining methods in the South African platinum mining industry. From this study, conventional mining was found to be the most efficient method. In a subsequent study, Musingwini4 used AHP to optimize the level and raise spacing for a typical Bushveld Complex platinum mine. Optimizing level and raise spacing in inclined narrow reef mining has been a subject of controversy for decades and some form of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) process is required. AHP was found to be the most appropriate technique for this study. By examining an orebody based on real geological data, the derived optimal range of vertical level spacing was 30 m to 50 m and the raise spacing was 180 m to 220 m. As described by Bushan and Rai5, AHP is particularly valuable when teams of people work on complex problems, especially those with high stakes, involving human perceptions and judgments, whose resolutions have longterm repercussions. It has significant benefits The application of the analytical hierarchical process in complex mining engineering design problems
Abandoned Object Detection

Security of public places in a considerably burning issue. Though the CCTV have installed at the places but the footage is only used after incident had taken place. Those CCTV cameras can be used to prevent such incidents from happening. Hence we are proposing a better way in this project. we are processing the live feed of the CCTV cameras with the image processing. If a person is dropping off some bag or any such suspicious thing and leaving it running away , the camera will catch this activity. And if such bag is untouched for some time span decided by analyzer then it will give notification to authority. Minimum the time span probability stays 50-50, but as time span increases the probability of that thing being abandon or hazardous increases. Hence the incident can be avoided in that case. Goals : 1. Analyze the live feed of CCTV Cameras 2. Use Image processing to detect any possible abandon objects. 3. Decide the time span . 4. Avoid the incident such as bomb blast using smart surveillance .