Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DBFT: Efficient Leaderless Byzantine Consensus and its Application to Blockchains

This paper introduces a new leaderless Byzantine consensus called the Democratic Byzantine Fault Tolerance (DBFT) for blockchains. While most blockchain consensus protocols rely on a correct leader or coordinator to terminate, our algorithm can terminate even when its coordinator is faulty. The key idea is to allow processes to complete asynchronous rounds as soon as they receive a threshold of messages, instead of having to wait for a message from a coordinator that may be slow. The resulting decentralization is particularly appealing for blockchains for two reasons: (i) each node plays a similar role in the execution of the consensus, hence making the decision inherently “democratic” (ii) decentralization avoids bottlenecks by balancing the load, making the solution scalable. DBFT is deterministic, assumes partial synchrony, is resilience optimal, time optimal and does not need signatures. We first present a simple safe binary Byzantine consensus algorithm, modify it to ensure termination, and finally present an optimized reduction from multivalue consensus to binary consensus whose fast path terminates in 4 message delays.
oxidative damage and antioxidant enzymes in blood of patients with Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2

Recent evidences suggest that increased oxidative damage as well as deficits in antioxidants defense systems could be related to the pathogenesis of some hereditary ataxias. The aim of this study was to investigate some redox status biomarkers in patient with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. Samples from 33 patients and 22 control subjects, from Holguín province, were used to determined plasmatic levels of malondialdehyde and enzymatic activities of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase by spectrophotometric methods. Besides, DNA damage in peripheral blood cells was evaluated using the Comet assay. Our results evidenced that oxidative damage is higher in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 Cuban patients in comparison with the control group. In addition, we found an increase of antioxidant activity of evaluated enzymes in affected subjects. These findings suggest that the systemic redox state is altered in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.
The Impact of Privatization on the Performance of the Infrastructure Sector: The Case of Electricity Distribution in Latin American Countries

The authors analyze the impact of privatization on the performance of 116 electric utilities in 10 Latin American countries. The analysis makes a number of contributions to the literature on changes in infrastructure ownership. First, this is the first systemic analysis of the impact of privatization on the distribution of the electricity sector. Second, it constructs an unbalanced panel data set of key indicators for each country. Third, it includes a broader-than in past studies-range of indicators, such as output, employment, productivity, efficiency, quality, coverage, and prices, offering a fuller picture of the effects of privatization on consumers. Fourth, this research covers a longer period of time, and evaluates three stages-before, transition, and after-allowing for the identification of the short- and long-run effects of privatization, as opposed to previous analyses'short time series data that do not identify long-run outcomes. Finally, the counterfactual is considered through the analysis in trends. The authors apply two different methodologies. The first methodology uses means and medians from each period and tests the significance of the changes between periods. The second methodology consists of an econometric model that captures firm fixed effects, firm-specific time trends, and heteroscedasticity corrections. When needed, the authorsused firm-specific time trends to better understand the outcomes. The results suggest that changes in ownership generate significant improvements in labor productivity, efficiency, and product and service quality, and that most of those changes occur in the transition period. Improvements in the post transition period-beyond two years after the change in ownership-are much more modest.
Identification of typical scenarios for the surface Lagrangian residual circulation in the Iroise Sea

[1] This paper describes the surface Lagrangian residual circulation (LRC) over 2.5 day intervals in the Iroise Sea, west of France, and evaluates, for operational purposes, the influence of the different physical mechanisms that govern it. The method consists of the calculation of water displacements with a diagnostic Lagrangian tool that computes the trajectories of numerical particles in a given velocity field. The LRC is inferred from trajectories integrated over five M2 tidal cycles. The analysis is applied to both gridded genuine current measurements and ocean model outputs: the sea surface currents are derived from high‐frequency (HF) radar measurements and from MARS, a 3‐D regional ocean model used here in idealized configurations. To substantiate the analysis, the Lagrangian residual currents are also compared to genuine movements of drifters released in the Iroise Sea in 2005 and 2007. The LRC is mapped for typical scenarios identified from the Lagrangian analysis of HF radar surface currents measured in winter and summer, under weak ( 10 m/s) wind conditions, and in neap tide and spring tide seasons. Idealized numerical simulations that switch on and off each individual physical process are used to isolate in the LRC the patterns induced by the atmospheric forcing, tides, and density‐driven currents.
Systems That Adapt to Their Users

A representative example is shown in Figure 20.1: the COMMUNITYCOMMANDS recommender plug-in for AUTOCAD (introduced by Matejka, Li, Grossman, & Fitzmaurice, 2009, and discussed more extensively by Li, Matejka, Grossman, Konstan, & Fitzmaurice, 2011). To help users deal with the hundreds of commands that AUTOCAD offers—of which most users know only a few dozen— COMMUNITYCOMMANDS (a) gives the user easy access to several recently used commands, which the user may want to invoke again soon; and (b) more proactively suggests commands that this user has not yet used but may find useful, given the type of work they have been doing recently.
Service quality and value affecting parents' satisfaction and behavioral intentions in a childcare centre using a structural approach

This study proposes and tests an integrative model to examine the relations among service quality, perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intention in a childcare centre in Malaysia. The data for this research were collected from 201 parents who sent their children to childcare centre. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques, the results reveal the direct effects of service quality on perceived value and satisfaction. Both perceived value and parent's satisfaction toward the childcare are significant determinants of behavioral intentions. However, service quality has an indirect effect on loyalty when mediated by perceived value and satisfaction. These findings contribute to the understanding of parent behavior, providing researchers and practitioners with insights into how effectively to manage a childcare centre. © 2010, INSInet Publication.
Simultaneous Measurement of Spatial Room Impulse Responses from Multiple Sound Sources Using a Continuously Moving Microphone

Continuous measurement techniques aim at identifying a large number of impulse responses from a signal captured by a moving microphone. In a recently proposed method, each sample of the captured signal is interpreted as a spatio-temporal sample of the sound field, and the individual impulse responses are computed by means of spatial interpolation. In the present study, the approach is extended towards multichannel cases. The superimposed sound field reproduced by multiple sources is recorded with one microphone, and the individual impulse responses are identified. To this end, the sound sources are excited with the same periodic perfect sequence, but a different amount of temporal shift is applied so that the identified impulse responses of different sources do not overlap. An anti-aliasing condition for the microphone speed is derived which is computed based on the spatial bandwidth of the sound field.
Studies on efficacy of certain plant part powders against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. on chickpea, Cicer arietinum (L)

The present research was aimed to study the efficacy of certain plant part powders against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis linn. on chickpea, Cicer arietinum (L.) were conducted under laboratory conditions of 28 ± 1 0C temperature and 70 ± 5 per cent relative humidity in a B.O. D. incubator at Department of Agricultural Zoology & Entomology, College of Agriculture, Bikaner. Among the grain protectants four plant part powders viz., neem leaf, garlic bulb, garlic leaf and onion bulb @ 20, 40 and 60 g/kg grains were evaluated. Neem leaf powder at 60 g/kg grains was found to be most effective in inhibiting the oviposition (55.40%), reduction in eggs hatching (40.88%) and reduction in adult emergence (67.71%). Whereas next to it was garlic bulb resulting reduction in same parameters with 33.15, 30.29 and 55.72 per cent, respectively. The tested plant part powders did not affect the germination of treated chickpea grains.
XI International Conference “ Service sector in terms of changing environment ” Tax system as a factor of tourism competitiveness : The case of Croatia

The main purpose of the paper is to determine the connection and mutual causality of the tax and hidden tax burden and their influence on the development of tourism sector and its competitiveness in Croatia. In the part on taxes burden the attention is dedicated to the corporate income tax (CIT) and the value added tax (VAT). In comparison to other countries, CIT rate in Croatia is not so high, while the current reduced VAT rate of 10% is only applied to accommodation services. The Croatian fiscal system includes an extensive list of hidden fees, and neither the number of these different fees nor the way in which they are calculated is fully known. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality
Successive formation of planetary lenses in an intermediate layer

Abstract We study the formation of lenses of the ocean's intermediate water using a 2.5-layerβ-plane primitive equation model with localized injection of water mass. For the injecting rate of 1.0 Sv, we have observed that strong vortices are shed regularly. These vortices propagate westward much faster than the second baroclinic long Rossby wave. They are totally isolated from each other and show strong baroclinicity as well. Moreover, they remain stable over a sufficiently long period of time. Regular formation of such strong vortices in the intermediate layer has not been reported previously. The translation speed is explained using the Euler's momentum integral theorem for the nonlinear baroclinic vortex on the β-plane. We have demonstrated that coupling between the primary motion in the intermediate layer and the secondary motion in the upper layer with a meridional shift is crucial to the fast westward translation of the intense vortices. A simple dispersion formula relating the zonal translation speed with the vortex radius is also derived under the assumption of quasi-geostrophy. It has turned out that the analytical relation explains the numerical results surprisingly well despite the limitation of its derivation.
DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICS AND CONVERGENCE AMONG 75 CITIES AND COUNTIES IN YANGTZE RIVER DELTA IN CHINA: 1990–2005

This paper applies the distribution dynamics method to study the per capita income disparity from 1990 to 2005 among the 75 cities and counties in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). The main conclusions are as follows: Firstly, the distribution of per capita income across the YRD has changed from being biâ€ modal to being positively skewed over the period 1990â€“2005; the income disparity lessened in the 8th Fiveâ€ Year Plan, increased in the 9th Fiveâ€ Year Plan, and then reduced again somewhat in the 10th Fiveâ€ Year Plan. Secondly, the main contribution to disparity comes from the intra disparity of the Jiangsu region which is biâ€ modal over the period. Thirdly, the rich and poor cities developed independently and steadily at different speeds. Fourthly, convergence in the YRD is caused by the decline of the rich cities rather than progress by the poor cities. Finally, there is relative independence in the region's development, but over the longâ€ term, the YRD indicates a trend of convergence.
1 Additive manufacturing of polypropylene : a 2 screening design of experiment using laser-based 3 powder bed fusion 4

The use of commodity polymers such as polypropylene (PP) is key to open new market 14 segments and applications for the additive manufacturing industry. Technologies such as powder15 bed fusion (PBF) can process PP powder; however, much is still to learn concerning process 16 parameters for reliable manufacturing. This study focusses in the process-property relationships of 17 PP using laser-based PBF. The research presents an overview of the intrinsic and the extrinsic 18 characteristic of a commercial PP powder as well as fabrication of tensile specimens with varying 19 process parameters to characterize tensile, elongation at break, and porosity properties. The impact 20 of key process parameters, such as power and scanning speed are systematically modified in a 21 controlled design of experiment. The results were compared to the existing body of knowledge; the 22 outcome is to present a process window and optimal process parameters for industrial use of PP. 23 The computer tomography data revealed a highly porous structure inside specimens ranging 24 between 8.46% and 10.08%, with porosity concentrated in the interlayer planes in the build 25 direction. The results of the design of experiment for this commercial material show a narrow 26 window of 0.122 ≥ Ev ≥ 0.138 J/mm3 led to increased mechanical properties while maintaining 27 geometrical stability. 28
Social Ties in Academia: A Friend Is a Treasure

Abstract This paper employs a unique data set on articles, authors, and editors of the top general interest journals in economics to investigate the role of social connections in the publication process. Ties between editors and authors are identified based on their academic histories. About 43% of the articles published in these journals are authored by scholars connected to one editor at the time of the publication. Ph.D. students and faculty colleagues of an editor also improve their publication outcomes when this editor is in charge of a journal.
Construction of Investment Risk Measure by the Dispersion Degree of Estimation Errors of Working Capital

This study is based on investorsâ€™ viewpoint and adopts the accruals quality model [1] as proxy variable of earning quality. By applying the process capability concept in engineering application, we establish capability index of basis accrual quality and transform it into the investment risk assessment. It provides investors an effective way to control investment risk and to improve the investment decision-making process.
Project Structure: An Important Factor in Design Planning?

Planning large-scale design projects is difficult due to a combination of structural variations in terms of task-connectivity patters and uncertainties concerning task durations, rework behaviour, requirements changes and resource availability. This paper uses generated, hypothetical models to explore how variations in design project structure – in terms of rework cycle duration and task connectivity level – are likely to impact plannability, and evaluates the findings against those for models of real industrial projects. Results show how the size and number of iteration loops impact the number of alternative task configurations that must be considered during planning. They also show that increasing connectivity between tasks is likely to adversely affect project schedules, particularly in the context of high-rework levels. In line with these and other insights obtained from the simulation analyses, heuristics for design planning are proposed.
Edinburgh Research Explorer The Gaia-ESO Survey:

Aims. The nature of the Thick Disc and its relation with the Thin Disc is presently an important subject of debate. In fact, the structural and chemo-dynamical transition between disc populations can be used as a test of the proposed models of Galactic disc formation and evolution. Methods. We have used the atmospheric parameters, [ α/ Fe] abundances and radial velocities, the results presented here, based only on the ﬁrst months of the Gaia ESO Survey observations, conﬁrm how crucial are today large high-resolution spectroscopic surveys outside the solar neighbourhood for our understanding of the Milky Way history.
Coping Styles Effect on Stress and Psychological Well-being among Individuals with Chronic Pain

The current study aimed at investigating the effect of various coping mechanisms on the level of stress and psychological outcomes (depression and anxiety) among individuals with chronic pain. Ninety-four people with chronic pain completed a battery of tests regarding their perceived stress level, coping strategies of chronic pain, as well as psychological well-being in terms of depression and anxiety symptoms. Mediational analyses were conducted to test the mediating effect of various coping strategies on the relationship between stress and depression/anxiety. Results showed that among the four different groups of coping strategies, negative coping partially mediated between stress and depression, but not between stress and anxiety.
CHARACTERIZATION OF DACHENGZI OIL SHALE FAST PYROLYSIS BY CURIE-POINT PYROLYSIS-GC-MS

Fast pyrolysis of a Dachengzi oil shale sample was studied using a Curie-point pyrolyzer, the pyrolysis products were characterized online by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Nine different Curie-point tempera- tures were chosen to investigate product distribution regularities. Hydro- carbons were the major components of the fast pyrolysis products of oil shale. n-Alkanes were generated at all the nine temperatures, while cyclo- alkanes only appeared at the temperatures above 485 °C. Branched alkanes were seldom produced at all the temperature points because of the bond cleavage at the branch point. Alkenes and aromatic compounds began to be formed at 386 °C and 423 °C separately, and their molecule sizes decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. Various oxygen-containing com- pounds, including ketones, acids, alcohols, esters and phenols, were identified in the shale oil components, indicating the wide existence of oxygen-containing functional groups.
Role of depression and its associating factors in indoor orthopaedic patients

Background and Objectives: Depression has acknowledged and well documented, is common among orthopaedic inpatients may be associated with functional outcomes. Authors aimed to investigate the role, prevalence and associating factors of depression disorder in orthopaedic inpatients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study is designed among patients that admitted at SAIMS, Indore. Four hundred twenty six orthopedic patients were recruited for study. The demographic and clinical measurements were recorded. Levels of depression were assessed by using Zung’s depression scale. Results: Depressive disorder was identified in 87.6% indoor patients significantly (p<0.001) influenced female more than male. The mean depression score in female (67.37±11.75) was significantly higher than male (62.29±12.20). The prevalence of extreme/major depression in female (46.6%) was higher as compared to male (25.7%). Type of trauma was found significantly (p<0.05) associated with depressive disorder. 38.1% male with traumatic condition and 20.0% with non-traumatic condition had moderate depression in comparison to 31.4% and 13.6% female. Depressive disorder was found significantly associated with sex (p<0.001), socio-economic status (p<0.001), length of ortho-illness (p<0.001), length of stay in hospital (p<0.001), exercise/yoga (p<0.05) and type of injury (p<0.05). Conclusions: Higher incidence of depressive disorder recorded in female. Prevention and treatment require more clinical and research attention to reduce the public health burden of depression. The study suggested that higher depressive disorder does occur in indoor orthopaedic patients that associated with various functional outcomes. This study supports the view of depressive disorder was disabling factor in better functional recovery and frequent in female after orthopedic trauma. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ajms.v6i6. 12478 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(6) 2015 70-76
Treatment of distal radius fractures by intramedullar nailing with Micronail

Objective: Distal radius fractures are common fractures in the adult population. For treatment, intramedullary nailing has the advantage of providing effective internal fixation with minimum soft tissue damage. We aimed to present our experience with the use of intramedullary nailing device Micronail® (Wright Medical Technologies, Arlington, TN, USA) in the treatment of unstable extra-articular and simple intra-articular distal radius fractures. Methods: Forty-three patients (mean age 54.7±10.8 years; 54.7% women) with unstable extra-articular and simple intra-articular distal radius fractures suitable for closed reduction (A21, A2.2, A23, A3, C2.1)) were included in this retrospective study. Intramedullary distal radius fixation procedures were performed using Micronail® intramedullary nails in our clinic between February 2011 and January 2017. Clinical outcome measures were range of motion (ROM); visual analog scale (VAS); patient-reported Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH] score; clinician-based Gartland–Werley score; radiographic Stewart score; radiographic parameters (radial inclination, volar tilt, radial height, radio-ulnar variance), and complications. Results: The surgery lasted an average of 32.5±2.42 min. The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 31.4±5.8 weeks. Complete fracture union was obtained at 5.24±0.7 weeks. The postoperative VAS pain score was 2.4±1.2, which was remarkably low. The DASH score was 20±3.7, the Gartland–Werley score was 5.2±4.53, and the Stewart score was 1.7±1.4 on postoperative evaluation. ROM values were over 70° for all motions. Compared with the healthy side, the median loss in ROM was less than 17° for flexion, extension, pronation, and supination. In the postoperative radiological evaluations, there were significant increases in radial inclination (p=0.005), volar tilt (p<0.001), and radial height (p<0.001), and a decrease in radio-ulnar variance (p=0.001) compared to the preoperative values. Thirty patients (69.8%) had no postoperative complications, remaining 13 patients experienced minor complications that were treated effectively. Conclusion: Intramedullar nailing with Micronail® is a minimally invasive technique, which provides effective and safe fixation of unstable extra-articular and simple intra-articular distal radius fractures.