Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Développement et validation expérimentale de modèles d'échangeurs géothermiques horizontaux et verticaux pour le chauffage de bâtiments résidentiels

Le deploiement des pompes a chaleur geothermiques sur le territoire national represente un important potentiel de reduction des emissions de gaz a effet de serre. Afin de le favoriser il est necessaire de comparer precisement les performances annuelles des pompes a chaleur geothermiques aux autres systemes de chauffage et ce en fonction des caracteristiques du bâtiment, du climat et du sol rencontres. Dans ce contexte, cette these vise a elaborer un modele precis et fonctionnel de calcul des performances energetiques annuelles de pompes a chaleur a echangeurs geothermiques horizontaux ou verticaux. Apres un etat de l'art des differents modeles d'echangeurs geothermiques horizontaux et verticaux existants, des modeles de sondes verticales utilisables pour des simulations dynamiques sont identifies et leurs domaines de validite sont precises. Un modele d'echangeur horizontal semi-analytique decline en deux versions adaptees respectivement a des courtes et longues durees de sollicitations thermiques est ensuite developpe. Un dispositif experimental est alors mis au point beneficiant d'une technique novatrice de mesure repartie de temperature du sol par fibre optique. Un essai de validation du modele d'echangeur horizontal est ainsi realise et permet de confirmer la pertinence de ce dernier. Enfin une methode de calcul du coefficient de performance annuel est developpee pour une pompe a chaleur a echangeur horizontal ou vertical. L'application de cette methode a un bâtiment type dans un climat orleanais permet d'eprouver la methode avec de premiers resultats prometteurs.
An investigation into the relationship between leadership and cognitive styles of supervisory employees in the automotive industry

Human attributes that constitute a good leader in terms of leadership qualities and thinking styles are somewhat limited. The latter situation makes it difficult to employ the right person with the right leadership qualities in the continuously changing world of work (Lussier & Achua, 2000). The researcher investigated the relationship between cognitive styles and leadership styles of individuals who are employed in the automotive industry and in a supervisory position. A quantitative research methodology was employed for the study of (n= 115) using the Cognitive-Style Indicator (COSI) developed by Cools and van den Broeck (2007) and the Leadership-style questionnaire developed by Clark (2007). Leadership styles have been researched throughout the world, but a dearth of research specifically pertaining to cognitive styles was rather limiting in the context of the research that was undertaken. On the one hand, leadership focuses on three main dimensions, namely: Authoritarian, Participative and Delegative Leadership Styles. According to Clark (2007), the above three dimensions are the core styles that are used within the workplace. On the other hand, a three-dimensional cognitive style model, as proposed by Cools and Van den Broeck (2007) incorporates three dimensions with specific characteristics pertaining to each style. These three dimensions were labelled as: Knowing (K), Planning (P), and Creating (C) styles, which were utilised to find a significant relationship between the various leadership styles. Significant relationships were found between the Cognitive-Planning style and the Participative Leadership style, the Delegative Leadership style and the KnowingCognitive style, the Creative-Cognitive style and the Delegative Leadership style, and the Knowing-and-Planning Cognitive style. Similarities were also found between the Coloured and African groups, as the Delegative style is relevant to both the Coloured and African groups, while the participative style is more prominent in the White racial group. No significant correlations were produced for the Asian group, however.
Asymptotic Optimality of the Max-Min Fair Allocation

Multiple classes of jobs are processed in a stochastic network that consists of a set of servers. Each class of jobs requires a concurrent occupancy of a subset of servers to be processed, and each server is shared among the job classes in a head-of-the-line processor-sharing mechanism. In each state of the network, the server capacities are allocated among the job classes according to the so-called max-min fair policy. We derive the fluid and diffusion limits of the network under this resource control policy. Furthermore, we provide a characterization of the fixed-point state associated with the fluid limit, and identify a cost function that is minimized in the diffusion regime
Some Neo-Darwinian Decision Rules for Altruism: Weighing Cues for Inclusive Fitness as a Function of the Biological Importance of the Decision

A neo-Darwinian heuristic for decisions involving altruism is'hypothesized in this article. Following W. Hamilton's (1964) analysis of inclusive fitness, the assumption of this study is that tendencies to help another person are selected against, except when the donor and recipient are related and share genes underlying these tendencies. An important social psychological implication of Hamilton's formulation is that in group-living individuals (a) natural selection favors those who are prone to help others as a function of the latters' relatedness, potential fecundity, or other features indicating a recipient's capacity to enhance the donors' inclusive fitness, and (b) this effect is especially strong when help is biologically significant (e.g., the recipient will not survive otherwise). Such a heuristic is demonstrated in several studies involving hypothetical decisions to help: In life-or-death situations, people chose to aid close kin over distant kin, the young over the old, the healthy over the sick, the wealthy over the poor, and the premenopausal woman over the postmenopausal woman; whereas when it is a matter of an everyday favor, they gave less weight to kinship and opted to help either the very young or the very old over those of intermediate age, the sick over the healthy, and the poor over the wealthy.
Increased expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor is a pejorative prognosis marker in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent stimulator of endothelial cell proliferation. It has been implicated in tumor growth of human thyroid carcinomas. Using the VEGF immunohistochemistry staining score, we correlated the level of VEGF expression with the metastatic spread of 19 cases of thyroid papillary carcinoma. The VEGF immunostaining score, ranging from 0-9, was determined as the multiplication of a percentage of labeled thyrocytes score (0, no labeling; 1, <30%; 2, 31--60%; 3, >61% of labeled thyrocytes) and an intensity score (0, no staining; 1, weak; 2, mild; 3, strong staining). The mean score +/- SD was 5.74 +/- 2.59 for all carcinomas. The mean score for metastatic papillary carcinoma was 8.25 +/- 1.13 vs. 3.91 +/- 1.5 for nonmetastatic papillary cancers (P < 0.001). By discriminant analysis, we found a threshold value of 6.0, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 87.5%. There were no statistical differences between metastatic and nonmetastatic carcinomas when age, tumor size, or thyroglobulin levels were considered. The VEGF immunostaining score seems to be a helpful marker for metastasis spread in differentiated thyroid cancers. An increased production of VEGF could assess an aggressive disease and be the hallmark of a trend to produce metastasis. We propose the VEGF immunostaining score as a marker for the prognosis in differentiated thyroid cancers. A value of 6 or more, should be considered as at high risk for metastasis threat, prompting the physician to institute a tight follow up of the patient.
Partial degradation of p-aminoazobenzene by a defined mixed culture of Bacillus subtilis and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

A defined mixed culture of Bacillus subtilis and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was used to accomplish the partial biodegradation of the azo-dye p-aminoazobenzene (pAAB). Kinetic experiments were conducted, under aerobic conditions, to study the mineralization of p-aminoazobenzene by the above-defined mixed culture, under aerobic conditions. The combination of two previously developed models, (Zissi et al., 1997), which describes pAAB biodegradation by Bacillus subtilis into aniline and p-phenylenediamine, and (Zissi and Lyberatos, 1999), which describes aniline biodegradation by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, is shown to predict well the anticipated mixed culture growth and partial biodegradation of pAAB. In previous work (Zissi et al., 1997) it was observed that pphenylenediamine was unstable during the experiments therefore the fate of p-phenylenediamine was not studied. The overall kinetic model of the defined mixed culture was then used to study the behavior of the mixed culture system in a range of operating conditions in the chemostat. The partial degradation of pAAB (regarding one of the two products, aniline) was described by an interaction between the two bacteria with competitive and commensalistic elements. The two bacteria are shown to coexist in a CSTR for some ranges of the operating variables.
Inhibition of Subglottic Stenosis with Mitomycin-C in the Canine Model

The objective of this randomized, prospective study was to study the efficacy of topical mitomycin-C in the inhibition of subglottic stenosis in a canine model. Subglottic stenosis was elicited with the carbon dioxide laser in 10 mongrel dogs. Radial incision and serial dilation of the subglottic airway were then carried out. The animals were randomized to receive a topical solution of 1% mitomycin-C to the dilated area for a 5-minute duration or no further treatment. Weekly direct microlaryngoscopy and photodocumentation were performed during the 6-week study. Airway distress developed in 4 of the 5 control dogs, requiring early sacrifice, while all treatment group animals survived the duration of the study (p ≤ .006). Morphometric analysis of the subglottic photographs confirmed a greater than 100% increase in the percentage of relative airway at sacrifice in the treatment group (p ≤ .049). A statistically significant (p ≤ .015) decrease in collagen formation in the subglottic scar of dogs treated with topical mitomycin-C was documented. Mitomycin-C favorably altered the clinical progression of subglottic stenosis, improved quantified airway patency, and reduced the amount of subglottic collagen formation in the canine model.
Forearm and tibial bone measures of distance- and sprint-trained master cyclists.

PURPOSE Cycling is very popular; however, it is often believed to be associated with below average bone mass. This study compared bone measures of sprint- and distance-trained cyclists competing at World Master Track Championships, along with sedentary controls (30-82 yr), and examined the associations of bone measures with age. METHODS Radius and tibia epiphyseal and shaft bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and cross-sectional area along with shaft polar moment of resistance (RPol) and endocortical/periosteal circumferences were assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Intergroup differences were assessed by ANOVA and age relationships by correlation analyses. RESULTS Sprint cyclists had the largest bone shafts and bone strength surrogates; the difference in diaphyseal BMC, area, and RPol compared with controls being >or=10% in the tibia and >or=8% in the radius (P < 0.01). Distance cyclists versus control group differences were smaller (tibia: approximately 4-10%; radius: <2%), reaching statistical significance only for tibial BMC and area (P < 0.05). Generally, epiphyseal bone measures showed no group differences. In the radius, age correlations were negative for both the sprinters' and the controls' diaphyseal and the sprinters' epiphyseal BMD; they were positive for the controls' diaphyseal endocortical and periosteal circumferences (P < 0.05). In the cyclists' tibiae, neither epiphyseal nor diaphyseal bone measures were correlated with age. CONCLUSIONS Sprint cyclists and to a lesser extent distance cyclists had greater tibia and radius bone strength surrogates than the controls, with tibial bone measures being well preserved with age in all groups. This suggests that competition-based cycling and the associated training regime is beneficial in preserving average or above-average bone strength surrogates into old age in men.
A Survey of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Helminths of Bovine Slaughtered in Abattoir, Wudil Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria

A survey of gastrointestinal helminth parasitic infections of Bovine (cattle) slaughtered in Wudil Local Government Area abattoir in Kano State, Nigeria was carried out for 12 months in 2013. A total of 375 of faecal samples of the animals were examined comprising of 251 adult males and 124 adult females using formol ether concentration technique. Out of which 131 (34.9%) were infected with one or more parasites. Two species of parasitic nematode 79 (21.1%) and two species of parasitic trematode 52 (13.9%) were encountered. Male cattle had the highest prevalence of helminths infections than females, and was statistically significant (p<0.05). The prevalence rates of the species encountered consist of Ascaris 58 (15.5%), Haemonchus contortus 21 (5.6%), Fasiola gigantica 19 (5.1%) and Schistosoma bovis 33 (8.8%). The helminth infections were significantly highest (18.2%) in the rainy season (p<0.05). The study reveals that there is a high tendency for increase in the transmission of helminth zoonoses within the studied area especially fascioliasis. But with personal hygiene and environment sanitation, the prevalence of helminthic diseases can be reduced.
An Ontology-Driven Knowledge Management System Used in the Patent Library

The introduction of the ontology-driven mechanism brings new opportunities for the knowledge management. In this paper, we describe the results of our continuing work, by researching on the structure design of the ontology-driven knowledge management system, and propose three stages in the system model, i.e., the knowledge acquisition, the knowledge organization and knowledge application. Based on the proposed model, we choose the technology novelty consulting system in our patent library as the platform to perform the patent knowledge management and the experiment results validate the feasibility and validation of our system model.
Ageing with HIV/AIDS: a scoping study among people aged 50 and over living in Quebec

ABSTRACT The population of people aged 50 and over represents a significant proportion of people living with HIV in Western nations. While the number of older people living with HIV is rapidly increasing in Canada, research originating in this country remains relatively scarce. This article therefore proposes to describe the impact of the intersection of HIV and ageing on the identities and lived experiences of people living with HIV of 50 and over (PLHIV50+), both on an individual and social level, in order to offer a picture of their lived experience. Using a phenomenological approach, nine semi-structured individual interviews with PLHIV50+ (men and women) were undertaken. Data analysis identified several central themes which constituted the essence of their experience of the intersection of HIV and ageing, such as the experience of premature ageing, the impact of HIV on intergenerational relationships, the shrinking of one's social network, rejection experienced by the older population, a difficult return to work and a deterioration in living conditions. The results of this research highlight the many challenges faced by PLHIV50+, on physical, relational, work and economic levels. Even though some of the problems faced by PLHIV50+ were related to the experience of corporal changes and a deterioration of health, our research was able to highlight the societal and structural factors underlying the stigma of HIV and ageing.
Lungfish neural characters and their bearing on sarcopterygian phylogeny

The phylogenetic affinity of lungfishes has been disputed since their discovery, and they have variously been considered the sister group of actinistians, the sister group of amphibians, or equally related to actinopterygians and crossopterygians. Previous discussions of these hypotheses have considered neural characters, but there has been no general survey of the nervous systems of sarcopterygians that examines the bearing of neural characters on these hypotheses in the context of a cladistic analysis. Such a survey of representatives of all living sarcopterygian groups reveals at least twenty‐three characters that are possible apomorphies at some hierarchical level among sarcopterygians. Neural synapomorphies corroborate the phylogenetic hypotheses that actinistians, amphibians, and dipnoans are each monophyletic taxa. The hypothesis that Latimeria is the sister group of amphibians is the least corroborated, as only a single possible synapomorphy, presence of cervical and lumbar enlargements of the spinal cord, supports this hypothesis. The hypothesis that lungfishes are the sister group of amphibians is supported by two possible synapomorphies: loss of a saccus vasculosus and the presence of neurocranial endolymphatic sacs. The hypothesis that actinistians are the sister group of lungfishes is the most corroborated, based on five possible synapomorphies: presence of a superficial isthmal nucleus, a laminated dorsal thalamus with marked protrusion into the third ventricle, olfactory peduncles, evaginated cerebral hemispheres with pronounced septum ependymale, and electroreceptive rostral organs. However, all five characters may be plesiomorphic for bony fishes. The nervous systems of Latimeria and Neoceratodus are very similar to each other, as are the nervous systems of lepidosirenid lungfishes, caecilians, and salamanders. If Neoceratodus is the most plesiomorphic species of living lungfishes, then lepidosirenid apomorphies may have arisen by paedomorphosis. Our inability to examine the neural characters of a relevant outgroup (rhipidistians) may result in many sarcopterygian plesiomorphic characters being interpreted as apomorphic characters, due to the wide distribution of paedomorphic characters among living sarcopterygians and their possible resemblance to plesiomorphic characters present in living outgroups that can be examined.
Neutral Sphingomyelinase 1 Deficiency in the Mouse Causes No Lipid Storage Disease

ABSTRACT Sphingomyelin is a major lipid in the bilayer of subcellular membranes of eukaryotic cells. Different sphingomyelinases catalyze the initial step in the catabolism of sphingomyelin, the hydrolysis to phosphocholine and ceramide. Sphingomyelinases have been postulated to generate ceramide as a lipophilic second messenger in intracellular signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, or apoptosis. To elucidate the function of the first cloned Mg2+-dependent, neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase 1) in sphingomyelin catabolism and its potential role in signaling processes in a genetic and molecular approach, we have generated an nSMase 1-null mutant mouse line by gene targeting. The nSMase 1-deficient mice show an unconspicuous phenotype and no accumulation or changed metabolism of sphingomyelin or other lipids, despite grossly reduced nSMase activity in all organs except brain. We also addressed the recent proposal that nSMase 1 possesses lysophospholipase C activity. The unaltered metabolism of lysophosphatidylcholine or lyso-platelet-activating factor excludes the proposed role of nSMase 1 as a lysophospholipase C.
Did the Morocco stock market benefit from the free trade agreement with the US?

Abstract The US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) promised to eliminate trade barriers between the two countries over a period of 25 years. The negotiation and conclusion of the agreement presented challenges for the US negotiating team. Very little trade in services existed between the two countries before the negotiations, which made it difficult to identify interests and obstacles. This paper examines the impact of the FTA on the stock returns in Morocco. The Free Trade Area was officially signed on 15th June 2004. It was implemented on 1st January 2006. The study uses an OLS regression on the Casablanca Stock Exchange returns and the daily data were pulled from DataStream. The data selected are the MASI daily index prices in the Casablanca Stock Exchange. Empirical findings showed that the FTA implementation had a positive impact on the stock returns in Morocco. The results of the study could be used for policymakers, financial professionals and investors.
Nursing’s orphans: How the system of nursing education in Australia is undermining professional identity

Abstract This paper draws on the results of a national study of approaches to teaching nursing’s history in Australia. We argue that the neglect of history learning within undergraduate nursing and midwifery education is undermining the development in students of a strong professional nursing identity. The data in our study shows that instead of proud, informed professionals, we are at risk of producing a generation of professional orphans – unaware of who they are and where they’ve come from, unaware of reasons underlying cultural practices within the profession, lacking in vision for the future, insecure about their capacity to contribute to future directions, and not feeling part of something bigger and more enduring.
Extension of plurisubharmonic functions with growth control

Abstract Suppose that X is an analytic subvariety of a Stein manifold M and that φ is a plurisubharmonic (psh) function on X which is dominated by a continuous psh exhaustion function u of M. Given any number c > 1, we show that φ admits a psh extension to M which is dominated by cu+ on M. We use this result to prove that any ω-psh function on a subvariety of the complex projective space is the restriction of a global ω-psh function, where ω is the Fubini–Study Kähler form.
Healing of intrabony peri-implantitis defects following application of a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (Ostim) or a bovine-derived xenograft (Bio-Oss) in combination with a collagen membrane (Bio-Gide). A case series.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present case series was to evaluate the healing of intrabony peri-implantitis defects following application of a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (NHA) or a bovine-derived xenograft in combination with a collagen membrane (BDX+BG). MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-two patients having moderate peri-implantitis (n=22 intrabony defects) were randomly treated with (i) access flap surgery (AFS) and the application of NHA, or with AFS and the application of BDX+BG. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and after 6 months of non-submerged healing. RESULTS Post-operative wound healing revealed that NHA compromized initial adhesion of the mucoperiosteal flaps in all patients. At 6 months after therapy, NHA showed a reduction in the mean PD from 7.0+/-0.6 to 4.9+/-0.6 mm and a change in the mean clinical attachment loss (CAL) from 7.5+/-0.8 to 5.7+/-1.0 mm. In the BDX+BC group, the mean PD was reduced from 7.1+/-0.8 to 4.5+/-0.7 mm and the mean CAL changed from 7.5+/-1.0 to 5.2+/-0.8 mm. CONCLUSION Within the limits of the present case series, it can be concluded that at 6 months after surgery both therapies resulted in clinically important PD reductions and CAL gains.