Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adoption of business-to-business E-commerce in China: an empirical analysis of the Pearl River Delta economic region, the Yangtze River Delta economic region and West China

This thesis analyses e-commerce adoption by businesses in China from organisational, inter-organisational and external perspectives, taking into consideration the impact of regional differences within the nation. A comprehensive theoretical framework was created from both the Information System and Marketing literature. A quantitative study of 445 companies was conducted to validate the proposed theoretical framework. Eight determining factors were extracted from the organisational, inter-organisational and external perspectives by using Principal Component Factor Analysis. They are: Awareness, Intention, Preparation, Business Resources, Human Resources, Power/Dependence, Conflict/Cooperation and External Environment. Discriminant Analysis was then employed to analyse the ranking of these factors in each of three regions in China - the Pearl River Delta Economic Region, the Yangtze River Delta Economic Region and the West Region. This revealed the impact of uneven regional development on B2B e-commerce adoption patterns. Results from MANOVA test further identified differences between the regions. This thesis confirmed the effectiveness of both organisational and technological factors on B2B e-commerce adoption in developing economies, extending previous knowledge from IS literature. This study also revealed the importance of the inter-organisational interaction atmosphere on adoption preferences, which was ignored in existing literature. It is further found in this thesis that regional differences strongly influenced adoption, resulting in three completely different regional adoption patterns. Implications are drawn for both academics and practitioners who wish to study B2B e-commerce adoption in specific geographical regions.
Precise, contactless measurements of the surface tension of picolitre aerosol droplets. (1),

The surface composition and surface tension of aqueous droplets can in ﬂ uence key aerosol characteristics and processes including the critical supersaturation required for activation to form cloud droplets in the atmosphere. Despite its fundamental importance, surface tension measurements on droplets represent a considerable challenge owing to their small volumes. In this work, we utilize holographic optical tweezers to study the damped surface oscillations of a suspended droplet (<10 m m radius) following the controlled coalescence of a pair of droplets and report the ﬁ rst contactless measurements of the surface tension and viscosity of droplets containing only 1 – 4 pL of material. An advantage of performing the measurement in aerosol is that supersaturated solute states (common in atmospheric aerosol) may be accessed. For pairs of droplets starting at their equilibrium surface composition, surface tensions and viscosities are consistent with bulk equilibrium values, indicating that droplet surfaces respond to changes in surface area on microsecond timescales and suggesting that equilibrium values can be assumed for growing atmospheric droplets. Furthermore, droplet surfaces are shown to be rapidly modi ﬁ ed by trace species thereby altering their surface tension. This equilibration of droplet surface tension to the local environmental conditions is illustrated for unknown contaminants in laboratory air and also for droplets exposed to gas passing through a water – ethanol solution. This approach enables precise measurements of surface tension and viscosity over long time periods, properties that currently are poorly constrained.
Thyroid functions in patients with bipolar disorder and the impact of quetiapine monotherapy: a retrospective, naturalistic study

Objective Previous studies have demonstrated a potentially close relationship between mood disorders and thyroid abnormalities. The aims of this study are to investigate: 1) whether significant differences of thyroid profiles exist between manic and depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder (BD); 2) the impact of quetiapine monotherapy on thyroid functions in depressed BD patients. Methods In this retrospective naturalistic study, we reviewed patients’ information based on an electronic medical system from January 2015 to April 2019. Patients with a discharge diagnosis of BD, a current depressive or manic episode, were screened. All depressed BD patients were treated with quetiapine monotherapy for at least one month. For all patients enrolled, the demographic, clinical data and thyroid functions were recorded. The differences between thyroid profiles including total thyroxine (TT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) between patients with different episodes were analyzed. In addition, the change of thyroid functions before and after one-month or three-month quetiapine treatment in depressed BD patients was also analyzed. Results Totally, 28 patients with a manic episode and 58 patients with a depressive episode were enrolled. No significant differences in thyroid profiles were found in patients with different mood episodes. After one-month quetiapine treatment, serum levels of TT4, FT4 and FT3 were significantly reduced (P<0.05), TSH was increased (P=0.015), while TT3 was not significantly changed (P=0.425). After three-month quetiapine treatment, serum levels of TT4, TT3, FT4 and FT3 were significantly reduced (P<0.05), except TSH (P=0.990). Conclusion These findings indicate that thyroid functions were not significantly fluctuated between depressive and manic episodes in BD patients. Nonetheless, quetiapine treatment may disturb the thyroid system and needs close monitoring.
Three-dimensional laser printing of macro-scale glass objects at a micro-scale resolution

Femtosecond laser-induced chemical etching (FLICE) has proved itself a powerful approach when attempting to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) microstructures in glass, whereas maintaining a high spatial resolution in fabricating samples of great heights/thicknesses is challenging due to the diffraction nature of light waves. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of macro-scale 3D glass objects of large heights up to ~3.8 cm with a well-balanced lateral and longitudinal resolution of ~20 μm using the FLICE. Moreover, a freeform hand printed with embedded blood vessel system has been produced. The remarkable accomplishments are achieved by revealing an unexplored regime in the interaction of ultrafast laser pulses with fused silica, which gives rise to depth-insensitive focusing of the laser pulses and polarization-independent selective etching inside fused silica. We examine the difference in the plasma dynamics between interactions of picosecond and femtosecond laser pulses with fused silica glass.
Estimation of the Nearshore Bathymetry using Remote Sensing Techniques: Combining Beach Wizard and cBathy

Our understanding of nearshore coastal zone processes can be improved significantly with the availability of high spatiotemporal resolution bathymetry data. This high resolution data can be used for validation and calibration of numerical models, for providing forecasts of hydrodynamic conditions and morphological development, and for monitoring coastal evolution. Two algorithms that use remote sensing information to infer the corresponding bathymetric evolution are cBathy (Holman et al., 2013) and Beach Wizard (van Dongeren et al, 2008). cBathy models the temporal evolution of bathymetry by assimilating up-to-date bathymetry observations with a prior running average bathymetry. These bathymetry observations are determined using video-derived estimates of wave celerity via the linear dispersion relationship. Beach Wizard is a data-model assimilation scheme that works by comparing multiple sources of observed information with numerical model results. The bathymetry is progressively updated in time in order to make the observed and computed properties converge. Although Beach Wizard has the ability to use multiple sources, the main source of information it uses is video-derived roller energy dissipation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a combination of the two algorithms can improve our ability to estimate the nearshore bathymetry. The method of combining the two algorithms was to use cBathy bathymetry observations in combination with roller dissipation maps as sources to the Beach Wizard data-model assimilation scheme. Results demonstrated that a possible method of combining the sources is to use cBathy bathymetry estimates as Beach Wizard sources during calm conditions and roller dissipation maps as Beach Wizard sources during stormier conditions. cBathy bathymetry estimates perform well as Beach Wizard sources in the surf zone during low energy conditions; however, performance decreases during higher energy conditions (when waves are breaking). It is during these higher energy conditions that imaps become more relevant in this region.
Obtaining Binaural Room Impulse Responses from B-Format Impulse Responses

Given a set of head related transfer functions (HRTFs) and a room impulse response measured with a Soundfield microphone, the proposed technique computes binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) which are similar to binaural room impulse responses that would be measured if in place of the Soundfield microphone, the dummy head used for the HRTF set was directly recording the BRIRs. The proposed technique enables that from a set of HRTFs corresponding BRIRs for different rooms are obtained without a need for the dummy head or person to be present for measurement.
Title Examining Customer Focus in Agile Systems DevelopmentTeams-Findings from Irish and Norwegian Case Studies

While an acute, continuous focus on customer needs is often cited as a key benefit of agile approaches, very little research has examined the customer focus construct in an agile project environment, or looked at the implications or recommendations for project managers. We draw on contemporary theories on customer focus to develop a framework for understanding customer focus in an agile project management context. This framework is applied to cases in Ireland and Norway and the results suggest that while agile approaches appear to increase customer focus, this is by no means guaranteed. In fact there may be significant challenges and problems for project managers to overcome. For example, new communication issues with customer proxies may impair understanding of customer needs and requirements. The project manager needs to consider the identity, location, perceived personality of the customer, and the team’s prior experience with the customer, all of which this research shows can affect the customer focus of the agile team. From this research, a new, empirically validated agile development customer focus framework is presented, providing project managers with a set of factors to be considered in becoming a truly customer focused agile IT project team.
Date of publication xxxx 00, 0000, date of current version xxxx 00, 0000

This paper presents the design and implementation of a single-phase multifunctional electricvehicle (EV) on-board charger with an advanced vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) functionality for emergency roadside charging assistance situations. Using this function, an EV is able to charge from another EV in case of an emergency when the battery is flat and there is no access to a charging station. The designed EV charger can support the proposed V2V function with rated power and without the need for an additional portable charger. It can also provide conventional main and ancillary functions such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G), gridto-vehicle (G2V), reactive power support, harmonics reduction and grid-voltage regulation. All the functions are addressed in the control part through the sharing of existing converters in an all-in-one system. The proposed EV charger is designed and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink, and a laboratory prototype is also implemented to validate its key functions. INDEX TERMS Vehicle to vehicle (V2V), grid to vehicle (G2V), vehicle to grid (V2G), static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), active power filter (APF).
Migração proativa de máquinas virtuais para aplicações móveis na computação em névoa

Aplicacoes frequentemente utilizam nuvens como suporte ao processamento e armazenamento. A diversidade de aplicacoes moveis traz tambem uma diversidade de requisitos de qualidade de servico, tais como requisitos estritos de atraso e disponibilidade de acesso. A computacao em nevoa inclui recursos computacionais na borda da rede para que o atraso no tempo de resposta possa ser reduzido. Neste artigo, apresentamos uma politica de migracao proativa de maquinas virtuais em ambientes de nevoa a fim de melhorar o gerenciamento dos recursos computacionais utilizados pelos veiculos conectados a essa infraestrutura. Simulacoes sugerem que a utilizacao de predicoes sobre o trajeto futuro do veiculo pode melhorar o gerenciamento de recursos da nevoa, mantendo a maquina virtual do usuario em dispositivos de nevoa tao proximos quanto possivel do trajeto do automovel. A solucao apresentada reduz o numero de migracoes realizadas durante o trajeto do usuario sem prejudicar o tempo de resposta da maquina virtual alocada na nevoa.
Optimal Common Sub-Expression Elimination Algorithm of Multiple Constant Multiplications with a Logic Depth Constraint

In the context of multiple constant multiplication (MCM) design, we propose a novel common sub-expression elimination (CSE) algorithm that models the optimal synthesis of coefficients into a 0-1 mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem with a user-defined generic logic depth constraint. We also propose an efficient solution space, which combines all minimal signed digit (MSD) representations and the shifted sum (difference) of coefficients. In the examples we demonstrate, the combination of the proposed algorithm and solution space gives a better solution comparing to existing algorithms.
1 5 Ju l 2 00 4 Metric structures in L 1 : Dimension , snowflakes , and average distortion

We study the metric properties of finite subsets of L1. The analysis of such metrics is central to a number of important algorithmic problems involving the cut structure of weighted graphs, including the Sparsest Cut Problem, one of the most compelling open problems in the field of approximation algorithms. Additionally, many open questions in geometric non-linear functional analysis involve the properties of finite subsets of L1. We present some new observations concerning the relation of L1 to dimension, topology, and Euclidean distortion. We show that every n-point subset of L1 embeds into L2 with average distortion O( √ log n), yielding the first evidence that the conjectured worst-case bound of O( √ log n) is valid. We also address the issue of dimension reduction in Lp for p ∈ (1, 2). We resolve a question left open in [4] about the impossibility of linear dimension reduction in the above cases, and we show that the example of [3, 16] cannot be used to prove a lower bound for the non-linear case. This is accomplished by exhibiting constant-distortion embeddings of snowflaked planar metrics into Euclidean space.
A compiler approach to scalable concurrent-program design

We describe a compilation system for the concurrent programming language Program Composition Notation (PCN). This notation provides a single-assignment programming model that permits concurrent-programming concerns such as decomposition, communication, synchronization, mapping, granularity, and load balancing to be addressed separately in a design. PCN is also extensible with programmer-defined operators, allowing common abstractions to be encapsulated and reused in different contexts. The compilation system incorporates a concurrent-transformation system that allows abstractions to be defined through concurrent source-to-source transformations; these convert programmer-defined operators into a core notation. Run-time techniques allow the core notation to be compiled into a simple concurrent abstract machine which can be implemented in a portable fashion using a run-time library. The abstract machine provides a uniform treatment of single-assignment and mutable data structures, allowing data sharing between concurrent and sequential program segments and permitting integration of sequential C and Fortran code into concurrent programs. This compilation system forms part of a program development toolkit that operates on a wide variety of networked workstations, multicomputers, and shared-memory multiprocessors. The toolkit has been used both to develop substantial applications and to teach introductory concurrent-programming classes, including a freshman course at Caltech.
中央ネパールヒマラヤ，アンナプルナ山塊南部の温度構造（inverted metamorphismとの関係）

The Annapurna region in central Nepal Himalayas is underlain by various kinds of metamorphic rocks including metapelites, metabasites and subordinate metamarls. Two geological units, the Higher Himalayan Sequence and the Lesser Himalayan Sequence, are separated by a regional tectonic boundary, the Main Central Thrust (MCT). Geothermometry based on the Fe-Mg distribution between garnet and biotite in the metapelites suggests that the metamorphic temperatures remain nearly constant in the Lesser Himalayan Sequence (400-450°C). However, they increase steeply towards the Higher Himalayan Sequence (up to ca. 750°C) and attain 600-650°C just below the MCT. Metamorphic history of the Lesser Himalayan Sequence and the Higher Himalayan Sequence is distinctive to each other inferred from the zoning profiles of garnets in the metapelites. Garnets from the Lesser Himalayan Sequence preserve normal growth zoning whereas those from the Higher Himalayan Sequence show mostly reverse zoning with little evidence of growth zoning. The origin of the inverted metamorphism is inferred to be due to overthrusting of ‘hot’ Higher Himalayan Sequence onto the ‘cool’ Lesser Himalayan Sequence.
Efficient and Flexible Crowdsourcing of Specialized Tasks With Precedence Constraints

Many companies now use crowdsourcing to leverage external as well as internal crowds to perform specialized work, and so methods of improving efficiency are critical. Tasks in crowdsourcing systems with specialized work have multiple steps and each step requires multiple skills. Steps may have different flexibilities in terms of obtaining service from one or multiple agents due to varying levels of dependency among parts of steps. Steps of a task may have precedence constraints among them. Moreover, there are variations in loads of different types of tasks requiring different skill sets and availabilities of agents with different skill sets. Considering these constraints together necessitate the design of novel schemes to allocate steps to agents. In addition, large crowdsourcing systems require allocation schemes that are simple, fast, decentralized, and offer customers (task requesters) the freedom to choose agents. In this paper, we study the performance limits of such crowdsourcing systems and propose efficient allocation schemes that provably meet the performance limits under these additional requirements. We demonstrate our algorithms on data from a crowdsourcing platform run by a nonprofit company and show significant improvements over current practice.
How does the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist fit with existing perioperative risk management strategies? An ethnographic study across surgical specialities in Norway

The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) has demonstrated beneficial impacts on a range of patient- and team outcomes, though variation in SSC implementation and staff`s perception of it remain challenging. Precisely how frontline personell integrate the SSC with pre-existing perioperative clinical risk management remains underexplored – yet likely an impactful factor on how SSC is being used and its potential to improve clinical safety. This study aimed to explore how members of the multidisiplinary perioperative team integrate the SSC within their risk management strategies. were
Journal of Experimental & Theoretical Artificial Intelligence

This paper investigates excitation information propagation in artiﬁcial societies. We use a cellular automaton approach, in which it is assumed that social media is composed of tens of thousands of community agents, where useful (innovative) information can be transmitted to the closest neighbouring agents. The model’s originality consists of the exploitation of artiﬁcial neuron-based agent schema with a nonlinear activation function to determine the reaction delay, the refractory (agent recovery) period and algorithms that deﬁne mutual cooperation among several excitable groups that comprise the agent population. In the grouped model, each agent group can send its excitation signal to the leaders of the groups. The novel media model allows a methodical analysis of the propagation of several competing innovation signals. The simulations are very fast and can be useful for understanding and controlling excitation propagation in social media, planning, and social and economic research.
A Differential Dual-Polarized SIW Cavity-Backed Slot Antenna

A compact, low-profile, and dual-polarized differential slot antenna with high isolation and high common-mode rejection is presented in this communication. The antenna is composed of a cross-shaped slot backed by a square substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity. The two differential pairs of grounded coplanar waveguide are used for the excitation of the differential signals. These differential signals excite the diagonal TE<sub>120</sub> and TE<sub>210</sub> modes of the SIW cavity. The proposed antenna offers a differential gain of 7.4 dBi with a front-to-back ratio of 22 dB. A prototype of the designed differential antenna is fabricated as a proof of concept. The experimental results show that the proposed antenna is a good candidate for various <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${X}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band applications.
Quartet-Based Phylogeny Reconstruction with Answer Set Programming

In this paper, a new representation is presented for the maximum quartet consistency (MQC) problem, where solving the MQC problem becomes searching for an ultrametric matrix that satisfies a maximum number of given quartet topologies. A number of structural properties of the MQC problem in this new representation are characterized through formulating into answer set programming, a recent powerful logic programming tool for modeling and solving search problems. Using these properties, a number of optimization techniques are proposed to speed up the search process. The experimental results on a number of simulated data sets suggest that the new representation, combined with answer set programming, presents a unique perspective to the MQC problem.
Decision Trees for Uncertain Data

Traditional decision tree classifiers work with data whose values are known and precise. We extend such classifiers to handle data with uncertain information, which originates from measurement/quantisation errors, data staleness, multiple repeated measurements, etc. The value uncertainty is represented by multiple values forming a probability distribution function (pdf). We discover that the accuracy of a decision tree classifier can be much improved if the whole pdf, rather than a simple statistic, is taken into account. We extend classical decision tree building algorithms to handle data tuples with uncertain values. Since processing pdf's is computationally more costly, we propose a series of pruning techniques that can greatly improve the efficiency of the construction of decision trees.