Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vaporization and Conversion of Ethanolamines used in Metalworking Operations

Objectives This study examined how ethanolamines (EAs) with the same functional alcohol group (HOCH2CH2), such as mono-EA (MEA), di-EA (DEA), and tri-EA (TEA), in water-based metalworking fluids (wbMWFs) are vaporized, condensed, and transformed by heat generated during metalworking. Methods Two types of experimental apparatus were manufactured to achieve these objectives. Results Vaporization tests using a water bath showed that the vaporization rate increased markedly from 0.19 mg/m2·min at 23.5℃ to 8.04 mg/m2·min at 60℃. Chamber tests with a heat bulb revealed that "spiked" MEA was fully recovered, while only 13.32% of DEA and no TEA were recovered. Interestingly, non-spiked types of EAs were detected, indicating that heat could convert EAs with more alcohol groups (TEA or DEA) into other EAs with fewer group(s) (DEA or MEA). The EA composition in fresh fluid was 4% DEA, 66% TEA, and 30% MEA, and in used fluids (n = 5) was 12.4% DEA, 68% TEA, and 23% MEA. Conversion from TEA into DEA may therefore contribute to the DEA increment. Airborne TEA was not detected in 13 samples taken from the central coolant system and near a conveyor belt where no machining work was performed. The DEA concentration was 0.45 mg/m3 in the only two samples from those locations. In contrast, airborne MEA was found in all samples (n = 53) regardless of the operation type. Conclusion MEAs easily evaporated even when MWFs were applied, cleaned, refilled, and when they were in fluid storage tanks without any metalworking being performed. The conversion of TEA to DEA and MEA was found in the machining operations.
Towards organisational cultural alignment of strategic information systems planning (SISP) methodologies.

It appears that current Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) methodologies (for example, Critical Success Factors (C SF), Value Chain Analysis Cycle) have been developed in western countries, such as the UK and the USA. According to Hofstede (1984), trying to develop a system in one country and implement it in another is bound to be problematic since both national culture and organisational culture are likely to differ. Lybereas et al. (1993) suggest that organisational culture must be taken into account when undertaking SISP and known IS planning frameworks should be amended to fit specific cultural contexts. The critical analysis of the literature indicates that the existing approaches are unable to provide a sufficiently complete classification of organisational culture. Moreover, these approaches are unable to describe the culture accommodated by a SISP methodology. Hence organisational culture and the culture accommodated by a SISP methodology cannot be mapped onto a single current approach in order to investigate the mismatches or agreements between them. This research presents an initial conceptual framework for this purpose. A clear justification for considering organisational culture prior to strategic activity has been established. A method for investigating organisational culture has been developed. This has been used to investigate the organisational culture of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), and the culture accommodated by the CSF. The analysis suggests that the organisational culture of NBP is: high-power distance, highuncertainty avoiding, non-participating, non-consulting, non-compromising, individualism and preferring quantity over quality of work. In contrast, the CSF methodology accommodates a culture which is: low-power distance, low-uncertainty avoiding, collective, participating, consulting, compromising and preferring of quality over quantity assurance. The possible mismatches and agreements between them are explored with the help of the framework. This has led to recommendations regarding the enhancement of the CSF methodology and/or NBP's organisational culture for cultural alignment.
Dynamic Rescheduling of Tasks for the Macro-Data∞ow Paradigm ⁄

A major deflciency of static scheduling techniques is their inability to handle datadependent looping and conditional branching which cause non-deterministic task execution times. This paper presents a heuristic, hybrid dynamic/static task-scheduling strategy which attempts to handle non-deterministic task execution times. The goal of this strategy is to achieve an improvement in execution time over static scheduling without being overwhelmed by overhead costs. In the proposed approach, the tasks are initially scheduled statically using estimates of task completion times. During run time, tasks are migrated following heuristic rules to take advantage of idle periods on processors. Results from simulations indicate that this technique can produce a performance improvement over the static approach when operating in certain problem domains. The proposed strategy is compared with \ideal" static scheduling in order to characterize its e‐ciency.
Older Persons' Experiences of Depressive Ill-Health and Family Support

The aim of this study was to explore experiences of the meaning of family support among older persons with depressive ill-health. Data were collected from twenty-nine participants through semistructured interviews and analysed using interpretative hermeneutic and reflective methodology. The findings revealed a main theme, hovering between feelings of belongingness and aloneness in relationships with family members, based on two themes: a sense of being worthy and a sense of being unworthy. Experiences of support and lack of support from family members were not opposites but connected in internal relationships and can be pictured as a movement on a continuum of ambiguity. Family support promotes the emotional needs of older persons with depressive ill-health to be confirmed. The family plays a vital role, not always by direct assistance, but indirectly by supporting the older person's own “guiding principles” for managing her/his situation. The feelings of aloneness as well as shame and guilt at poor or absent family responsiveness should be adequately addressed. Innovative nursing care can lead to improvement by focusing on acquiescence to the older person's life situation.
When Lawyers are Prosecuted: The Struggle of a Profession in Transition

The principal argument of the paper is that abuses of Chinese lawyers are in some ways signals of (or result of) the progress that is being made in establishing China's legal system. Lawyers are intimidated and prosecuted because lawyers have become more proactive, aggressive and innovative in defending the rights of their clients and of their own, posing serious legal challenges that prosecution has never encountered before. This challenge is possible because criminal justice reform in China in the past ten years have created opportunities and incentives for a growing legal profession. Thus, the predicament of lawyers today should be examined in the context of a profession in fundamental transition.
Short-Term Load Forecasting for Microgrids Based on Artificial Neural Networks

Electricity is indispensable and of strategic importance to national economies. Consequently, electric utilities make an effort to balance power generation and demand in order to offer a good service at a competitive price. For this purpose, these utilities need electric load forecasts to be as accurate as possible. However, electric load depends on many factors (day of the week, month of the year, etc.), which makes load forecasting quite a complex process requiring something other than statistical methods. This study presents an electric load forecast architectural model based on an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) that performs Short-Term Load Forecasting (STLF). In this study, we present the excellent results obtained, and highlight the simplicity of the proposed model. Load forecasting was performed in a geographic location of the size of a potential microgrid, as microgrids appear to be the future of electric power supply.
Industrial Diversification, Partial Privatization and Firm Valuation: The Chinese Evidence

This paper investigates the relationship between industrial diversification and firm valuation in a sample of 816 publicly listed firms in China, and contributes to the literature in three ways: First, it provides one of the first few studies on diversification and performance in an emerging market dominated by partially privatized firms. Second, it explores the determinants of corporate diversification by considering some unique aspects of agency and political conflicts inherent in China’s transition towards a market economy. Third, it employs an instrumental variable framework to examine the interrelation between diversification and firm valuation. The paper finds that when the decision to diversify is modeled as an endogenous choice based on firm characteristics, multi-segment firms have significantly higher Tobin’s q than single-segment firms, even after controlling for factors such as ownership structure, ownership concentration and growth opportunities. An explanation is that non-government controlled firms that perform better and possess more cash are more likely to adopt diversification strategies and tend to diversify more. In contrast, government controlled multi-segment firms have lower Tobin’s q than non-government controlled multi-segment firms, providing evidence in support of the political cost hypothesis of diversification. Overall, our results illustrate that the effect of diversification on firm valuation depends on firm’s endogenous choice and the extent of government control.
Nonlinear stability of relativistic sheared planar jets

The linear and non-linear stability of sheared, relativistic planar jets is studied by means of linear stability analysis and numerical hydrodynamical simulations. Our results extend the previous Kelvin-Hemlholtz stability studies for relativistic, planar jets in the vortex sheet approximation performed by Perucho et al. (2004a,b) by including a shear layer between the jet and the external medium and more general perturbations. The models considered span a wide range of Lorentz factors (2.5 20) and internal energies (0.08c 2 60c 2 ) and are classified into three classes according to the main characteristics of their long-term, non-linear evolution. We observe a clear separation of these three groups in a relativistic Mach-number Lorentz-factor plane. Jets with a low Lorentz factor and small relativistic Mach number are disrupted after saturation. Those with a large Lorentz factor and large relativistic Mach number are the stablest, due to the appearance of short wavelength resonant modes which generate local mixing and heating in the shear layer around a fast, unmixed core, giving a plausible solution for the problem of the long-term stability of relativistic jets. A third group is present between them, including jets with intermediate values of Lorentz factor and relativistic Mach number, which are disrupted by a slow process of mixing favored by an efficient and continuous conversion ofkinetic into internal energy. In the long term, all the models develop a distinct transversal structure (shear/transition layers) as a consequence of KH perturbation growth, depending on the class they belong to. The properties of these shear layers are analyzed in connection with the parameters of the original jet models.
Modelling the asset allocation process and the effectiveness of the models through time

This thesis considers the predictability of asset prices for financial reserving via a cascade style stochastic investment model for the asset classes of cash, equities and fixed interest. Structural breaks occur in 1947 and 1973 but stability since then means that stochastic investment modelling is a feasible proposition. The final model contains four real variables with inflation as the sole exogenous variable. Inflation modelling is both difficult and not critical in a stochastic investment model. Nominal returns are determined from inflation scenarios applied to the real variables. The equations for fixed interest satisfy appropriate diagnostic criteria and produce the features observed in the data. Those for equities are simple but limited. The model is tested with forecasts and scenarios involving different inflation outlooks.
Non-Sparse Regularization for Multiple Kernel Learning

Learning linear combinations of multiple kernels is an appealing strategy when the right choice of features is unknown. Previous approaches to multiple kernel learning (MKL) promote sparse kernel combinations to support interpretability and scalability. Unfortunately, this 1-norm MKL is rarely observed to outperform trivial baselines in practical applications. To allow for robust kernel mixtures, we generalize MKL to arbitrary norms. We devise new insights on the connection between several existing MKL formulations and develop two efficient interleaved optimization strategies for arbitrary norms, like p-norms with p>1. Empirically, we demonstrate that the interleaved optimization strategies are much faster compared to the commonly used wrapper approaches. A theoretical analysis and an experiment on controlled artificial data experiment sheds light on the appropriateness of sparse, non-sparse and $\ell_\infty$-norm MKL in various scenarios. Empirical applications of p-norm MKL to three real-world problems from computational biology show that non-sparse MKL achieves accuracies that go beyond the state-of-the-art.
The hyaluronan receptor (CD44) participates in the uptake and degradation of hyaluronan

The hyaluronan receptor belongs to the polymorphic family of CD44 glycoproteins, which have been implicated in a variety of cellular functions including adhesion to hyaluronan and collagen, the binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial cells during extravasation, and conferring metastatic potential to carcinoma cells. Here, we demonstrate that the receptor also participates in the uptake and degradation of hyaluronan by both transformed fibroblasts (SV-3T3 cells) and alveolar macrophages. These cells were incubated with isotopically labeled hyaluronan for various periods of time, and the extent of degradation was determined by either molecular-sieve chromatography or centrifugation through Centricon 30 microconcentrators. The macrophages degraded the hyaluronan at a faster rate than the SV-3T3 cells, which may reflect the fact that they contained a greater number of receptors. More importantly, in both cell types, the degradation of hyaluronan was specifically blocked by antibodies directed against the receptor. However, the receptor by itself did not have the ability to degrade hyaluronan, since preparations of SV-3T3 membranes containing the receptor did not break down hyaluronan. Subsequent experiments revealed that macrophages can internalize fluorescein-tagged hyaluronan, and this process was blocked by antibodies against the receptor. Furthermore, the subsequent degradation of hyaluronan was inhibited by agents that block the acidification of lysosomes (chloroquine and NH4Cl). Thus, the most likely explanation for these results is that the receptor mediates the uptake of hyaluronan into the cell where it can be degraded by acid hydrolases in lysosomes. The ability of cells expressing the receptor to degrade hyaluronan may be important during tissue morphogenesis and cell migration.
Non-linear radial pulsation models for extreme helium stars: application to V652 Her (BD + 13° 3224)

Opacity Project (OP) and OPAL opacities were used to calculate non-linear hydrodynamic models of 0.7-MC:) radially pulsating extreme helium stars, having mean (averaged over a pulsation cycle) effective temperatures and luminosities in the ranges 10 4 K ~ <Teff) ~ 5 x 10 4 K and 1282 ~ <L )ILC:) ~ 8091 respectively. Separated helium and metal ionizing layers cause local maxima (or bumps) in the depth-dependent Rosseland mean opacity, which were found to be responsible for two distinct regions of pulsation instability; they will be referred to as the helium instability region (HeIR) and Z-bump instability region (ZBIR). At <L) < 3000 LC:) the cooler HeIR and hotter ZBIR are separated by a region of stability where radial pulsations are either unexcited or characterized by a very small radial displacement amplitude (! R/R'" 10- 3). At <L) = 1282 LC:) for example, the stability region is bounded by <Teff). ed ~ 12000 K and <Teff)blue ~ 17500 K; it becomes narrower with increasing luminosity, so that both instability regions merge at <L ) ~ 3000 LC:) where <Teff)red ~ <Teff)blue ~ 15 000 K. All ZBIR models represent fundamental mode radial pulsators; for these cases an approximate formula was derived to express the pulsation constant (Q) in terms of <L) and the mean mass-radius ratio. (V652 Her) remains the only hot extreme helium star known to be a radial pulsator; published photometric and spectroscopic data were used to test non-linear radial pulsation models and, indirectly, new opacities upon which they were based. The best, and remarkably good, agreement between observed and theoretical (radial velocity and luminosity) curves was obtained with M=O.72 MC:), <Teff) = 23 500 K and <L) = 1062 LC:) when OP opacities (with mixture X = 0.0015, Y = 0.98287 and Z = 0.01563) were adopted. As a consequence, BD + 13°3224 was identified as a ZBIR fundamental mode radial pulsator having a mean surface gravity of logg=3.7.
Adaptive Bayesian equalizer with decision feedback

A Bayesian solution is derived for digital communication channel equalization with decision feedback. This is an extension of the maximum a posteriori probability symbol-decision equalizer to include decision feedback. A novel scheme utilizing decision feedback that not only improves equalization performance but also reduces computational complexity greatly is proposed. It is shown that the Bayesian equalizer has a structure equivalent to that of the radial basis function network, the latter being a one-hidden-layer artificial neural network widely used in pattern classification and many other areas of signal processing. Two adaptive approaches are developed to realize the Bayesian solution. The maximum-likelihood Viterbi algorithm and the conventional decision feedback equalizer are used as two benchmarks to asses the performance of the Bayesian decision feedback equalizer. >
Bioclimate envelope models: what they detect and what they hide

INTRODUCTION In a recent issue of Global Ecology and Biogeo-graphy , Pearson & Dawson (2003) provided an informative review of the use of bioclimate envelope models (BEM) for predicting future distributional ranges of temperate plant species under expected global climate change. The authors discuss several criticisms of the BEM approach and they conclude that these need not be a major drawback when applied as a starting point for predicting the impacts of potential climate change on species ranges. Here, I argue that the strongly deterministic and reductionist BEM rely on biological assumptions that are much more commonly violated in nature than Pearson & Dawson (2003) assume. Moreover, the statistical methods currently used for model validation overestimate model fits as a result of pseudoreplication. Both features make BEM prone to produce artificially optimistic scenarios of future climate change impacts on plant distributions. Little doubt exists that climate determines the large-scale distributions of many temperate plant species (Woodward, 1987). However , ongoing range shifts are affected by a multitude of other constraints and processes acting on population performance (e.g. These differ greatly across species' ranges from their expanding to their eroding margins, and so also does the character of the respective populations (Lesica & Allendorf, 1995; Davis & Shaw, 2001). This will most probably result in geographically differential responses to changing environmental conditions , a point largely ignored by BEM approaches. In the following, I will comment on three major biological critiques of BEM that have been reviewed and downplayed by Pearson & Dawson (2003). BIOTIC INTERACTIONS BEM treat species as if they were acting independently of their biotic environment, thus neglecting potential effects of predation, competition or mutualisms on range dynamics. Pearson & Dawson (2003) argue accordingly that interactions between species may shape their spatial distributions on fine geographical scales, but are of minor importance at coarse scales, which are the main focus of BEM. However biotic interactions, not climate, are commonly considered the principal determinants of low-latitude range limits (Brown et al ., 1996). Moreover, ecological research on biological invasions (unintended 'large-scale experiments') has broadly documented that biotic interactions affect species' performance throughout their established ranges. The release of invaders from their specialist antagonists in invaded areas underpins improved performances as compared with populations within the original range, and thus constitutes a key factor promoting the invasion process (Keane & Crawley, 2002). Range dynamics themselves are likewise affected by biotic …
Feature Fatigue: When Product Capabilities Become Too Much of a Good Thing

As technology advances, it becomes more feasible to load products with a large number of features, each of which individually might be perceived as useful. However, too many features can make a product overwhelming for consumers and difficult to use. Three studies examine how consumers balance their desires for capability and usability when they evaluate products and how these desires shift over time. Because consumers give more weight to capability and less weight to usability before use than after use, they tend to choose overly complex products that do not maximize their satisfaction when they use them, resulting in ”feature fatigue. ” An analytical model based on these results provides additional insights into the feature fatigue effect. This model shows that choosing the number of features that maximizes initial choice results in the inclusion of too many features, potentially decreasing customer lifetime value. As the emphasis on future sales increases, the optimal number of features decreases. The results suggest that firms should consider having a larger number of more specialized products, each with a limited number of features, rather than loading all possible features into one product.
Evaluation of nutritional status using anthropometric measurements and MQSGA in geriatric hemodialysis patients

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is common among hemodialysis patients and is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional status of geriatric hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Total of 163 hemodialysis patients were initially screened, and 55 patients (28 males, 27 females; mean age: 72.9±8.4 years) met the criteria for inclusion. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA) scores: Group I (n=22) normal nutrition, Group II (n=20) mild-to-moderate malnutrition, and Group III (n=13) severe malnutrition. RESULTS: When we assessed the correlation between MQSGA nutrition score and data of malnourished patients (n=33), positive significant correlation was found between age, C-reactive protein level, and malnutrition-inflammation score. Negative significant correlation was found between body mass index, bicep skinfold, tricep skinfold, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, and phosphate and albumin levels. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition is very common and increasing with aging in geriatric hemodialysis patients. MQSGA score and anthropometric measurements can be used to assess nutritional status in geriatric hemodialysis patients.