Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-Level Modeling for Optimal Train Routing and Scheduling in Busy Railway Stations

—This paper studies a train routing and scheduling problem for busy railway stations. Our objective is to allow trains to be routed in dense areas that are reaching saturation. Unlike traditional methods that allocate all resources to setup a route for a train and until the route is freed, our work focuses on the use of resources as trains progress through the railway node. This technique allows a larger number of trains to be routed simultaneously in a railway node and thus reduces their current saturation. To deal with this problem, this study proposes an abstract model and a mixed-integer linear programming formulation to solve it. The applicability of our method is illustrated on a didactic example.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Response to Public Comments Received on the September 2008 Proposed Silica Development Support Document

The public comment period for the September 2008 Proposed Development Support Document (DSD) for silica ended in January 2009. The Association of Electric Companies of Texas, North American Insulation Manufacturers Association , and American Chemistry Council’s Crystalline Silica Panel, submitted comments. The Toxicology Division (TD) of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) appreciates the effort put forth by these organizations to provide technical comments on the proposed DSD for silica. The goal of the TD and TCEQ is to protect human health and welfare based on the most scientifically-defensible approaches possible (as documented in the DSD), and evaluation of these comments furthered that goal. A summary of comments from each organization is provided below, followed by TCEQ responses. The full comments are provided in Appendices A, B, and C. Comments on issues that suggest a change in the DSD are addressed whereas comments agreeing with TCEQ’s approach are not. TCEQ responses indicate what changes, if any, were made to the DSD in response to the comment.
Public vs. Private Firms: Energy Efficiency, Toxic Emissions and Abatement Spending

Abstract We examine the effect of firm ownership status on three environmentally relevant variables: energy efficiency, toxic emissions, and spending on pollution abatement. Prior research has demonstrated that public firms invest less than private firms and suggests this difference is due pressure from investors to strongly favor short over long-term earnings. We extend this logic to other firm behavior, examining whether publicly owned facilities invest in energy efficiency and pollution reduction differently than privately owned facilities. Using data from the US Census of Manufactures from 1980 to 2009, information on pollution from the Environmental Protection Agency Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) and pollution abatement spending from the Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures survey, we find that facilities switching to public ownership are less energy efficient and spend less on pollution abatement than their privately owned counterparts. However, we also find that facilities switching to public ownership have lower toxic emissions than other facilities. We also examine how different sources of external pressures alter these results and find that increased regulatory scrutiny is correlated with increased energy efficiency, toxic emissions, and abatement spending. More concentrated institutional ownership in public firms is associated with lower energy efficiency as is a greater brand focus. These latter results are broadly consistent with the idea that publicly owned firms respond to pressures from investors with a reduced focus on environmentally relevant variables. However, since facilities switching to public ownership have lower toxic emissions, this suggests that there are two competing pressures in publicly owned facilities: cost pressures, consistent with lowered energy efficiency, and public perceptions, consistent with lower toxic emissions, particularly since TRI data became available. In this sense, the combination of ownership and transparency of information appears to influence how firms prioritize different stakeholders.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA SEQUENCE POLYMORPHISMS IN ARGENTINE POPULATION

Mitochondrial DNA sequencing, D-Loop Region HVI Segment, has been incorporated since 1993 in our laboratory in order to study maternal lineage. At the moment, we have studied 558 individuals to investigate maternal relationship. Most of the sequences have been obtained from blood samples, and others from bone, hairs, and soft tissue samples, for this reason mitochondrial DNA sequencing has become a tool of choice for forensic casework. The analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence can be reported as a list of differences from the “Anderson Sequence “ or the “Cambridge Reference Sequence “ (CRS); most of them are base transitions; and in second term transversions; the presence of two bases at approximately equal intensities defined as “heteroplasmy”, has also been observed. We studied the hypervariable region I of the D-Loop in order to analyze the DNA sequence polymorphism present in our population.
GIVING BEHAVIOUR : WHO DONATES CASH WAQF ?

Malaysia ranked 10 th out of 145 countries in The World Giving Index 2015. This study explored whether cash waqf donors/non-donors can be distinguished using demographic variables and their perceptions of cash waqf. Data were collected through survey questionnaires in Selangor/Klang Valley, Malaysia. Based on 386 samples, the results indicate that demographic variables and individual perceptions on cash waqf are useful to explain and predict donors/non-donors. Findings from this study will help awqaf institutions in their effort to develop some marketing plans that can encourage Muslim to participate in cash waqf.
Rac 1-dependent transcriptional up-regulation of p 27 Kip 1 by homophilic cell – cell contact in vascular endothelial cells

The mechanism for the transcriptional up-regulation of p27 due to the formation of the cell–cell contact was investigated in vascular endothelial cells. The induction of the cell–cell contact by adding an extra number of endothelial cells activated Rac1, up-regulated p27 mRNA and protein, and also facilitated the cell cycle arrest. Transduction of the Rac1 inhibitor protein using the cell-penetrating peptide or treatment with a Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 inhibited the p27 up-regulation and delayed the cell cycle arrest. Rac1 was therefore suggested to mediate the contact-induced transcriptional up-regulation of p27. The role of Rac1 in the regulation of the p27 promoter activity was next examined with a luciferase reporter assay. The promoter activity was increased by inducing the cell–cell contact, which was significantly inhibited by the Rac1 inhibitory protein and NSC23766. The evaluation of various truncated promoter regions determined region −620 to −573 nucleotides from the initiation codon to be responsible for the contact-induced, Rac1-dependent activation of the p27 promoter. The present study thus demonstrated for the first time that the activation of Rac1 due to the cell–cell contact plays a critical role in the transcriptional up-regulation of p27 in vascular endothelial cells. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The effects of dand I-amphetamine upon hoarding behavior and feeding in the Mongolian gerbil ( Meriones unguiculatus ) *

A number of findings suggest that the physiological control of rodent food hoarding may be very similar to that of feeding. For example, rats both eat and hoard more when food deprived (Wolfe, 1939; Morgan, Stellar, & Johnson, 1943), when placed at a low temperature (McCleary & Morgan, 1946), when given a preferred food (Bindra, 1948), when frustra ted (Hunt, 1941; McCord, 1941), and when electrically stimulated in the lateral hypothalamus (Herberg & Blundell, 1967). Furthermore, rats neither eat nor hoard very much in a strange situation (Miller & Viek, 1944). Finally, estrogen in the female rat (Herberg, Pye , & Blundell, 1972; Pye & Herberg, 1972) and androgen in the male gerbil (Nyby, 1974) suppress both hoarding and weight gain. However, while amphetamine clearly suppresses feeding behavior in the rat (Cole, 1968·; 1973) conflicting data exist for its effect upon food hoarding. Zucker and Milner (1964) found that amphetamine increased hoarding at the two lower dosages (1 & 2.5 mg/kg) while only the highest dosage (5 mg/kg) suppressed hoarding. It was speculated that amphetamine exerted a nonspecific disruption of hoarding at the highest dosage by causing stereotyped repetitive motor movements. The effects of amphetamine upon feeding were not measured in this experiment. In a more recent study, Blundell (1971), using exactly the same dosages of amphetamine as Zucker and Milner, found that all three dosages suppressed both feeding and hoarding in a dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, Blundell found that two additional anorexic agents, fenfluramine and chlorphentermine, which do not affect motor activity, also showed similar dose-dependent depressions of both feeding and hoarding. Blundell's results strongly suggest that anorexic agents affect feeding and hoarding in a similar fashion. One possible explanation for the discrepant hoarding results is that Zucker and Milner used racemic
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria and Their Efficiency on the Growth of Maize ( Zea mays )

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) has ability to convert insoluble form of phosphorous to an available form. Applications of PSB as inoculants increase the phosphorus uptake by plant in the agriculture field. In this study, isolation and identification of PSB were carried out in Indian agriculture field (Nainital region, Uttarakhand). A total of 8 phosphate solublizing bacterial colonies were isolated on the Pikovskaya’s (PKV) agar medium, containing insoluble tri-calcium phosphate (TCP). The colonies showed clear halo zones around the bacterial growth were considered as phosphate solubilizers. Out of 8 bacterial isolates, 3 isolates showed high phosphate solubilization index (PSI) ranged from 4.88 ±0.69 to 4.48 ±0.30, lower pH ranging 3.08 ±0.08 to 3.82 ±0.12 and high phosphate solubilization varied from 305.49 ±10 μg/ml to 277.72 ±1.45 μg/ml, were selected for further characterization. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis A4 isolate and H6 isolate were closely related to Alcaligenes aquatilis (99%), and C1 isolate was closely related to Burkholderia cepacia (99%). In addition, pot examination also showed the greatest efficiency in promotion of maize growth compared to uninoculated plant. Isolated PSB were able to produce different organic acids (such as gluconic acids, formic acid, and citric acid) in the culture supernatant and may consider as the principle mechanism for phosphate solubilization. This study clearly indicates that A4, C1 and H6 isolate may use as a biofertilizers in ecological agricultural systems instead of synthetic chemicals and may help to sustain environmental health and soil productivity.
PSFC / JA-19-13 Experimental and synthetic measurements of polarized synchrotron emission from runaway electrons in Alcator C -

This paper presents the first experimental analysis of polarized synchrotron emission from relativistic runaway electrons (REs) in a tokamak plasma. Importantly, we show that the polarization information of synchrotron radiation can be used to diagnose spatially-localized RE pitch angle distributions. Synchrotron-producing REs were generated during low density, Ohmic, diverted plasma discharges in the Alcator C-Mod tokamak. The ten-channel Motional Stark Effect diagnostic was used to measure spatial profiles of the polarization angle θpol and the fraction fpol of detected light that was linearly-polarized. Spatial transitions in θpol of 90 ◦—from horizontal to vertical polarization and vice versa— are observed in experimental data and are well-explained by the gyro-motion of REs and high directionality of synchrotron radiation. Polarized synchrotron emission is modeled with the synthetic diagnostic Soft; its output Green’s (or detector response) functions reveal a critical RE pitch angle at which θpol flips by 90 ◦ and fpol is minimal. Using Soft, we determine the dominant RE pitch angle which reproduces measured θpol and fpol values. The spatiotemporal evolutions of θpol and fpol are explored in detail for one C-Mod discharge. For channels viewing REs near the magnetic axis and flux surfaces q = 1 and 4/3, disagreements between synthetic and experimental signals suggest that the sawtooth instability may be influencing RE dynamics. Furthermore, other sources of pitch angle scattering, not considered in this analysis, could help explain discrepancies between simulation and experiment.
Does Internet Speed Matter ? Impact of Internet Speed on E-Applications Adoption by Firms in Luxembourg

The aim of this paper is to examine the impacts of broadband connection type, and Internet speed on e-activities (e-commerce, e-administration, e-tendering, e-invoicing, etc. ) among Luxembourgish firms. Our paper shows how the speed of Internet connection affects the intensity of Internet use (measured by the number of e-activities adopted). Using an ordered logit model we show that a higher Internet speed is positively related to the probability that the firm will engage in a greater number of eactivities. Our work uses data from the 2013 survey of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage and e-commerce, among enterprises in Luxembourg (STATEC, 2013). The dataset covers firms with at least 10 employees in manufacturing and services (excluding financial services). This results in a representative sample of 1,869 firms. We found five main results. First, e-commerce is linked to Internet speed. Firms are more likely to engage in e-commerce if their Internet connection speed is higher than 30 Mbits. Second, firms with broadband and mobile connections are more likely to engage in e-activities compared to other firms, all else remaining constant. Third, being part of a very competitive market increases the probability to adopt three or more e-practices by 2 percentage points. Fourth, we found that large firms and some knowledge intensive firms are more likely to engage in e-activities which is in line from with the findings from previous univariate analyses. Fifth, we found no evidence of a rank effect. Large and small firms are equally likely to use e-applications especially in the presence of high Internet speeds and both broadband and mobile connections. JEL Classification: L21, O31, 033
The Effect of Independent Directors on Firm Value

Separation between management and ownership is the main reason for the rise of the different agency problems faced by many firms. The failure of giant firms such as, Enron and WorldCom, gave rise to a series of efforts to improve corporate governance. Reforms are imposed on companies in order to protect shareholders’ rights. A major requirement was to increase the number of outsiders serving on the board of directors. However, the effectiveness of independent directors was and still is an important topic for researchers especially after the rush of adding more outsiders post the Sarbanes-Oxley act. The research paper investigates whether current board structures are becoming more effective than before. And to investigate whether increasing the independent directors for a high managerial entrenched firm will have a higher impact on shareholders’ wealth. The findings support the fact that when management is highly entrenched, an increase in outsiders will lower the negative impact of percentage independent directors on the firm value.
The Impact of Celebrity Endorsement on Brand Affection and Purchase Intention: The Mediating Role of Word of Mouth

Celebrity endorsement is widely used as an advertising technique. This study examines three dimensions of celebrity endorsement, including trustworthiness, expertise and attractiveness, as predictors of positive word of mouth by consumers. It also gauges the impact of word of mouth on purchase intention and brand affection in terms of the role it plays as a mediating construct between celebrity endorsement and consumers’ behavioral outcomes. The study uses a sample of 369 respondents to test a structural equation model. Its results reveal that the fully mediated model is superior to the partially mediated model and that trustworthiness is the most important attribute of celebrity endorsement, yielding positive consumer behavior.
The Impact Of Iso 9001 : 2008 Quality Management System On Manufacturing Performance At Len Industri ( Ltd . ) Company

Global electronics industry experienced growth from 2013-2015, businesses are forced to achieve competitive advantage to win the market. Len Industri (Ltd.) Company implement ISO 9001: 2008 certified quality management system since 2009. However, the achievement ofLen Industri (Ltd.) Company’s performance have not been up to reach the CBP targets and needsan improvement. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of ISO 9001 : 2008 Quality Management Systems, consist of customer focus, leadership, involvement of people, process approach, system approach to management, continual improvement, factual approach to decision making, mutually beneficial supplier relationships simultaneously and partially on manufacturing performance atLen Industri (Ltd.) Company. This study is a quantitative methods using questionnaires of 192 employees. Path analysis techniques is used for data analysis. Findings are customer focus, leadership, involvement of people, process approach, system approach to management, continual improvement, factual approach to decision making, mutually beneficial supplier relationships and the manufacturing performance are quite well implemented based on respondents and there is a significant impact between of ISO 9001 : 2008 Quality Management Systems on Manufacturing Performance simultaneosly. Partially found that leadership, system approach to management and continual improvement have a significant effect on manufacturing performance.
Variety , seeding rate and disease control affect faba bean yield components

Faba beans (Vicia faba L.) have been grown since 8000 years B.C. in the Middle East. Despite their long growing history in the world, there are only few researches carried out in Baltic region in last decades about variety, seeding rate and disease control effect on faba beans’ growth, development and yield formation. Research was carried out at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies during 2015–2017. Three factors were researched: A – variety (‘Laura’, ‘Boxer’, ‘Isabell’), B – seeding rate (30, 40 and 50 germinate able seeds m-2), C – treatment with fungicide (with and without application of fungicide Signum (1 kg ha-1)). Meteorological conditions were diverse and sometimes caused stress for crop, but in general they favoured faba beans’ growth and development. High average yield of the field beans was obtained during all three trial years, however, yield differed significantly among them. Sowing time was constantly quite early, germination took longer time as expected due to the low air temperature, but later, temperature and humidity level improved and conditions were suitable for plant growth and development with some exceptions during flowering and pod filling. Number of productive stems per 1 m2 was significantly affected only by seeding rate. Plant height in trial site was affected by variety (p < 0.001), fungicide application (p = 0.008) and meteorological conditions (p < 0.001) of the year. Number of pods per plant differed depending on trial year (p < 0.001). Number of seeds per plant had a close positive correlation with number of pods per plant. Whereas number of seeds per pod was a relatively stable and typical characteristic for variety. We can observe correlation between faba bean yield and number of productive stems per 1 m2 at harvest, plant height, number of pods and seeds per plant.
Learn-As-You-Fly: A Distributed Algorithm for Joint 3D Placement and User Association in Multi-UAVs Networks

In this paper, we propose a distributed algorithm that allows unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to dynamically learn their optimal 3D locations and associate with ground users while maximizing the network’s sum-rate. Our approach is referred to as ’Learn-As-You-Fly’ (LAYF) algorithm. LAYF is based on a decomposition process that iteratively breaks the underlying optimization into three subproblems. First, given fixed 3D positions of UAVs, LAYF proposes a distributed matching-based association that alleviates the bottlenecks of bandwidth allocation and guarantees the required quality of service. Next, to address the 2D positions of UAVs, a modified version of K-means algorithm, with a distributed implementation, is adopted. Finally, in order to optimize the UAVs altitudes, we study a naturally defined game-theoretic version of the problem and show that under fixed UAVs 2D coordinates, a predefined association scheme, and limited interference, the UAVs altitudes game is a potential game where UAVs can maximize the limited interference sum-rate by only optimizing a local utility function. Our simulation results show that the network’s sum-rate is improved as compared to both a centralized suboptimal solution and a distributed approach that is based on closest UAVs association.
Analysis Of Perception Of Chili Farmers On Sustainable Development

Indonesia as an agricultural country seeks to respond to the importance of sustainable development through various programs and activities; and farmers as the forefronts of implementing sustainable agriculture need to be consulted. The aims of this research are (1) to look at the characteristics of farmers in Bangli Regency, Bali, Indonesia, through descriptive analysis, (2) to analyze the level of perception of farmers on sustainable agriculture, and (3) to study the relationship characteristics of farmers by using the possible implementation approaches, Spearman Correlation and the Chi-squared test. The results showed that the level of education of farmers in Bangli Regency, Bali, was high; as much as 43.33% were graduated from high school and only 1.67% did not complete primary school. Their knowledge of the concept of sustainable agriculture was fair; 66.67% of respondents answered correctly on the definition of sustainable agriculture. Respondent perceptions of the concept of sustainable agriculture showed good results; only variables of education and knowledge of sustainable agriculture have a real connection with the perception of sustainable agriculture. Relationship analysis shows that there is no real connection between the perception of sustainable agriculture and the decision on implementing it, except on the relationship between environmental dimension and the reasoning in farming chilies. Access to extensions has a real relationship with the source of information and knowledge of sustainable agriculture, which later impacts chili farming and the decision to replant chilies with a concept of sustainable agriculture.