Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scenario trees for inflow modelling in stochastic optimisation for energy planning

The Nordic countries Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark have formed a deregulated power market. Electricity bought and sold on this market is dominated by hydro power. However, hydro power generation is restricted by the amount of water in reservoirs. The inflow to these reservoirs shows a yearly cycle and seasonal planning of the production is necessary. Seasonal planning for a fictive power producer in a hydro-thermal system with two regulated rivers is considered. This planning stretches up to 1.5 years ahead with a minimum time resolution of one week. For a price-taking, risk-averse producer who wants to maximise his profit, the representation of the stochastic variables, i.e. inflows and power price, in the planning algorithm is crucial. A multi-stage stochastic programming model with the inflows to different stations and the power price as stochastic elements has previously been constructed. The representation of the stochastic variables as scenario trees is the subject of this thesis. The inflows to the reservoirs in the two rivers are highly spatially correlated and show temporal autocorrelation, as well. These properties are used to construct scenario trees. By using time series models the autocorrelation is explained and principal component analysis reduce substantially the dimension of the stochastic variables. In the scenario tree construction estimated moments of the relevant stochastic variables are used. Altogether, this gives an efficient method to create scenario trees suitable for stochastic programming with few assumptions concerning stochastic properties of the underlying stochastic processes. (Less)
A Research Into Iran-Russia Cooperation During the Syrian Crisis

After the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Iran-Russia relationship entered a new stage and has experienced many vicissitudes so far. In fact, there have been a series of shared goals and interconnection in various political fields between post-revolution Iran and post-soviet Russia. For instance, issues concerning the central Asia, Afghanistan, Caspian Sea and the Caucuses, and opposing the US unilateralism can be mentioned. Iran and Russia have always been the main and influential poles in the Middle East, whose closeness and convergence could mean a historic and long-termalliance in this sensitive period of time. Cooperation in resolving the Syrian crisis has opened a new chapter in Moscow-Tehran bilateral relations. Prior to the Syrian crisis, Iran and Russia had a history of cooperation in Afghanistan and Tajikistan crises, but their collaboration on the Syrian case is of crucial importance for a variety of reasons. In neither of the past crises has Iran-Russia cooperation been sensitive or worrying to other regional or trans-regional powers.
Comparative analysis of Clinial Carbapenem- Resistant (CR), Hypermucoviscous (HM) and CR-HM Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in China

Background: Although carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae (HMKP) were largely non-overlapping, the recent emergence of CR-HMKP has raised great alarm in the world. We compared the molecular characteristics of CRKP, HMKP and CR-HMKP isolates.Results: 220 cases of K. pneumoniae isolates was collected and identified between Jan 2015 and Dec 2016 from Renji Hospital. Carbapenem resistance test and string test were performed to screen CRKP, HMKP and CR-HMKP isolates. All the CRKP, HMKP and CR-HMKP isolates were investigated for capsular genotyping, virulence genes and resistance genes by PCR and DNA sequencing. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to characterize isolates sequence types (STs). Serum killing assay and mouse lethality assay were respectively performed to confirm the virulence of the isolates in vitro and in vivo. Of 220 K. pneumoniae，71 HMKP, 84 CRKP and 8 CR-HMKP were identified. Resistance rate to carbapenems was significantly higher in CRKP than HMKP and CR-HMKP. For MLST and serotyping, ST23 (26.8%)，K1 (33.8%) and K2 (23.9%) serotypes were the most common in HMKP isolates while ST11 (84.5%, 100%) and K-nontypable (91.6%, 100%) were the predominant types in CRKP and CR-HMKP isolates. The existence of virulence genes rmpA, magA and iutA was significantly higher in HMKP while the prevalence of resistance gene blaKPC-2 was higher in CRKP and CR-HMKP. Virulence test in vivo and in vitro both showed the lower virulence of CRKP and CR-HMKP compared to HMKP.Conclusions: In spite of low virulence, the emergence of CR-HMKP indicates a confluence of hypermucoviscous phenotype and carbapenem resistance. Furthermore, the similar molecular characteristics between CRKP and CR-HMKP suggested that CR-HMKP might evolve from CRKP.
Plate buckling resistance: patch loading of longitudinally stiffened webs and local buckling

Incremental launching of steel bridges is a demanding undertaking, on the erection site as well as on the designers desk. Not seldom, the structure itself is during the launching subjected to high concentrated forces on the lower flange when passing over a launching shoe or an intermediate support (e.g. column). These concentrated forces, commonly referred to as patch loads, may be of such magnitude that it governs the thickness of the web in the bridge girder. Though, a small increase in web thickness leads to a substantial gain of steel weight of the bridge. Hence also a higher material cost. One solution to this problem is to increase the buckling resistance of the web with the use of a longitudinal stiffener of open (a plate) or closed type (closed profile of e.g. V-shape). The improved patch load resistance is in the european design code EN 1993-1-5 nowadays determined with the help of the yield resistance for the web and contributing parts of the loaded flange reduced with a factor dependent of the slenderness of the web and the influence of one or more longitudinal stiffeners. Parts in the expression for the yield resistance and the reduction factor have been somewhat questioned and over the years a substantial amount of tests and FE simulations of longitudinally stiffened webs has been carried out. This research work has produced a large amount of test data which has been used herein to further improve the prediction of the patch load resistance of longitudinally stiffened steel girder webs. Based on the use of the gathered test data from the literature and previously done research, a calibrated patch load resistance function was developed for both open and closed longitudinal stiffeners. Furthermore, a partial safety factor for the proposal was determined according to the guidelines in EN 1990 (2002). In all, the proposal was shown to clearly improve the accuracy of resistance prediction when compared to other resistance models as well as the EN 1993-1-5.
Behavioural markers of air traffic controller development

A key challenge when introducing new systems and technologies into Air Traffic control (ATC) is to understand levels of emerging controller proficiency ahead of scheduled implementation. Behavioural markers have been used in several complex industries to assess levels of non-technical skill; however these measures invariably focus upon the desired behaviours attained by the end of training. This research has explored how an Air Traffic Controller’s (ATCO’s) overt non-technical behaviour changes in presence and prevalence as they progress their expertise during training. Through document review, expert engagement, and most extensively direct observation of ATCOs during and after training, a number of non-technical behaviours indicative of varying proficiency have been identified. These markers were placed within a simple three-level learning and development framework. Five categories emerged across the behaviours identified; i) input and interaction with the Human Machine Interface (HMI), ii) interaction with others, iii) physical posture and body Language, iv) attitude and mood; v) communications and verbal commentary. An observation sheet containing the markers was iteratively developed, tested, and refined in various ATC environments. Both expert ATCOs undergoing system transition training, and ab-initio trainee controllers undertaking aerodrome training were followed through longitudinal study. A capped frequency count was used to record the precise presence of individual markers. Several dual-observations were also undertaken to determine inter-rater reliability and construct validity. In total, the performance of the individual markers has been evaluated across 129 real-world observations. 30 markers demonstrate reliable correlations for changing prevalence against total system exposure time and provide an original means of tracking and monitoring subtle changes in the behaviour of ATCOs, as their levels of proficiency in the task matures with new ATC systems.
Investor Risk Behaviour in a Developing Country Setting

The study of individual risk behaviour remains an area of interest in many domains; especially in investments, where every decision bears a certain proportion of risk. Most studies on risk behaviour are based on Western contexts and studies centered around developing countries remains relatively unexploited. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the determinants of risk behaviour of investors in a developing country setting, where investor risk appetite is a less prominent factor and the investment markets are less informationally efficient. A modified version of the Sitkin Pablo model (1992) was integrated with the theory of perceived selfefficacy by Bandura (2010) in order to build a conceptualized model of risk behaviour. The developed model depicts two direct determinants of risk behaviour namely, risk perception and risk propensity. It further discusses about six other indirect determinants which influence the investment decisions. The model was assessed through a cross-sectional study carried out through a scenario-based questionnaire distributed among investors from six different industries. The study revealed that the risk perception of an average individual investor in a developing country setting is comparably low, making their investment decisions more prudent and cautious. The model presented in this study can be used as a tool in determining the risk appetite of investors and assist in the allocation of investment products. It could also be used in diverse applications across different domains such as human resources, insurance industry and marketing to classify risk behavior of employees and customers as well.
Antimicrobial and Transconjugants Characteristics of Sul3 Positive Escherichia Coli Isolated from Animals in Nanning, Guangxi Province

Background: Sulfonamides is the second most popular antibiotic in many countries, which leads to the widespread emergence of sulfonamides resistance. Sul3 is a late sulfanilamide resistance gene, whose research is relatively little. Result: 46 sul3 positive E. coli strains were separated. A total of 12 ST types were observed, and 1 of those was previously unknown type. The ST350 is the most numerous type. All isolates were multidrug-resistant E. coli, with high antimicrobial rates to penicillin, ceftriaxone sodium, streptomycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin and chloramphenicol (100%, 73.9%, 82.6%, 100%, 80.4%, 71.7% and 97.8%), and with at least 3 resistance genes in addition to sul3. The plasmids transfered from 3 sul3-positive isolates to C600, the most of which brought 7 antibiotic resistance and increased resistance genes to C600. The transferred sul3 gene and the plasmid that carries it could be stably inherited in the recipient bacteria for at least 20 days. Those plasmids had no effect on the growth of the recipient bacteria, but it would greatly reduce (at least 60 time) the in vitro competitiveness of the strains. Conclusions: In Nanning, these sul3-positive Escherichia coli have strong antimicrobial resistance, and the plasmid carrying sul3 has the ability to transfer multiple resistance genes, so long-term monitoring is necessary. Since the transferred plasmid will greatly reduce the in vitro competitiveness of the strain, we can consider limiting the spread of antimicrobial in this respect.
Building bilingual education systems : forces, mechanisms and counterweights

Part 1. Looking at the big picture: 1. United States of America - the paradoxes and possibilities of bilingual education 2. Europe - supra-national interventions promoting bilingual education 3. Canada - factors that shaped the creation and development of immersion education 4. Estonia - laying the groundwork for bilingual education 5. Utah - making immersion mainstream 6. Basque Country - plurilingual education 7. Kazakhstan - from twenty trilingual schools to thousands? Voices from the field - England Voices from the field - Canada Voices from the field - Spain Part 2. Looking at the long-term 8. Cymru/Wales - towards a national strategy 9. The Netherlands - quality control as a driving force in bilingual education Voices from the field - Aotearoa/New Zealand Voices from the field - Cymru/Wales Part 3. Understanding the Role of Context 10. United Arab Emirates - searching for an elusive balance in bilingual education 11 Malta - bilingual education for self-preservation and global fitness 12. Colombia - challenges and constraints 13. South Africa - three periods of bilingual or multilingual education Voices from the field - Brunei Conclusion Forces, Mechanisms and Counterweights Appendix: tools introduction Tool 1. National or regional-level planning considerations for bi-/trilingual education Tool 2. A bilingual education continuum.
Cytologic features of micropapillary variant urothelial carcinoma in urinary tract cytology: Case series and review of literature

The micropapillary variant of urothelial carcinoma (MPVUC) is rare and aggressive. Surgical specimens often show atypical micro‐clusters (AMCs) of cells with hyperchromatic, pyknotic, peripheral, irregular nuclei with variable nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios. We reviewed urinary tract cytology (UTC) from patients with MPVUC and hypothesized that AMCs would be present similar to those in surgical specimens.
Impact of foreign directors on carbon emissions performance and disclosure: empirical evidence from France

Purpose Drawing on multiple theoretical approaches, this study aims to investigate whether the presence of foreign directors on the board is associated with a company’s carbon emissions performance (CP) and carbon disclosure (CD). Design/methodology/approach The sample comprises 67 non-financial listed firms from the Société des Bourses Françaises 120 index for the period 2010–2018 and the analysis relies on carbon reports from the carbon disclosure project, using a panel data analysis based on random-effects regression. Findings The paper finds that having foreign directors has a positive significant impact on both aspects of carbon emissions (CE), namely, CP and CD. Foreign directors’ incentives to reveal extensive sustainability information depend on the volume of CE. The findings also indicate that foreign directors are more engaged in enhancing environmental transparency and lowering information asymmetry to maintain/ improve corporate legitimacy. Practical implications The findings show that foreign directors play a vital role as one of the main pillars of a carbon model for sustainable carbon activities and disclosure. The evidence has important insights for the managers of French listed firms, shareholders and regulators. Social implications The evidence underlines the value of foreign directors as a critical resource that enhances CE strategic decisions. Thus, the findings are valuable to managers, as they may consider balancing between foreign and local directors to benefit from a rich heterogeneous resource encompassing the diverse merits of both types of directors, with particular emphasis on foreign directors’ international exposure and experience. Originality/value This study offers significant insights, as it examines the relationship between foreign directors and both the CP and CD in the French context, which is characterized by a non-English civil law system and the issuing of many environmental, climate and emission control laws.
Characteristics of Al/sub 2/O/sub 3//AllnN /GaN MOSHEMT

InAlN/GaN is a new heterostructure system for HEMTs with thin barrier layers and high channel current densities well above 1 A/mm. To improve the leakage characteristics of such thin-barrier devices, AlInN/GaN MOSHEMT devices with a 11 nm InAlN barrier and an additional 5 nm Al 2 O 3 barrier (deposited by ALD) were fabricated and evaluated. Gate leakage in reverse direction could be reduced by one order of magnitude and the forward gate voltage swing increased to 4 V without gate breakdown. Compared to HEMT devices of similar geometry, no degradation of the current gain cutoff frequency was observed. The results showed that InAlN/GaN FETs with high channel current densities can be realised with low gate leakage characteristics and high structural aspect ratio by insertion of a thin Al 2 O 3 gate dielectric layer
Clinical Impact of Interferon-γ in Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody-Positive Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: CD4+ T cells are crucial for the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The roles of gene overexpression in CD4+ T cells and the predictive roles of Th1- and Th17-related cytokines have not been clearly defined in patients with RA. Here, we investigated gene expression levels in CD4+ T cells in methotrexate (MTX)-naïve early RA (eRA) and evaluated changes in CD4+ T-cell-related cytokines during eRA. Methods: Patients with anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive MTX-naïve eRA were recruited. Patients with osteoarthritis were evaluated as controls. Microarray analysis was used to identify overexpressed genes in CD4+ T cells, and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the identified genes. Plasma cytokine levels were measured, and correlations with disease activity were assessed.Results: Thirty-four genes showed overexpression in CD4+ T cells from patients with ACPA-positive MTX-naïve eRA compared with controls. Nineteen were related to interferon (IFN)-γ, and nine were related to interleukin (IL)-17A; five were related to both IFN-γ and IL-17A. Plasma levels of five cytokines were elevated in the ACPA-positive MTX-naïve eRA group compared with those in the control group, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 was significantly elevated in the ACPA-positive MTX-naïve eRA group compared with that in the established active RA and OA groups. In established RA with low disease activity, the drug-free remission group/drug reduction group showed significantly lower IFN-γ and IL-17A levels than the drug maintenance group and relapse after drug reduction group. Conclusion: Our T2 research of IFN-γ emphasized that, not only the Th17 immune response, but the Th1 immune response is also very important for the RA pathogenesis. Concurrent increase in IFN-γ and IL-17 were observed in active stage of ACPA-positive MTX-naïve eRA, and the plasma levels of them could be useful for new clinical biomarkers before and/or after treatment of RA.
Water Erosion of Florida Rock Materials

The objective of this project was to construct two devices to measure the erosion rate of soft rock, cohesive and non-cohesive materials. The first device, termed the RETA (Rotating Erosion Test Apparatus), circulates water around a cylindrical sample and the shear stress applied to it is correlated to erosion rate. Five of these devices have been constructed of which four are currently operational at the Florida Department of Transportation's State Materials Office. The second device developed in this project is a recirculating flume (SERF - Sediment Erosion Recirculating Flume) that can test a wide variety of materials. An electronic sensor array accurately measures the elevation of the test sample that is located flush with the flume's lower surface. As water flow over the sample, erosion of the surface is detected by the sensors and initiates minute movement upwards of the specimen until it is again flush with the surface. This operation is controlled by LABVIEW software which signals the stepping motor to raise the sample discrete distances. The total amount of steps is converted into a vertical distance and compared to the imposed shear stress on the sample, thereby, obtaining an erosion rate. Data obtained from both units show good results and it is expected that they will provide valuable information to bridge designers with regards to scour susceptibility.
From STEM to STEAM: Using Brain-Compatible Strategies to Integrate the Arts

Acknowledgments About the Authors Introduction 1. Why STEM Should Become STEAM 2. What Science Says About the Arts and Creativity 3. Frequently Asked Questions About Integrating the Arts and STEM 4. Implementing Arts Integration in the Primary Grades (K-4) 5. Implementing Arts Integration in the Intermediate Grades (5-8) 6. Implementing Arts Integration in the High School Grades (9-12) 7. STEAM Lesson Plan Appetizers in Science, Technology, and Engineering 8. STEAM Lesson Plan Appetizers in Mathematics 9. Putting It All Together Resources References Index
Evidence-based practice work file - A learning strategy for occupational therapy students during clinical placements: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Background Healthcare professionals and students are expected to work according to evidence-based practice (EBP). The EBP work file, an online learning tool that covers all steps in the EBP process, is an approach to teaching and learning EBP. The aim of this study was to examine possible differences in occupational therapy students’ self-reported attitude, skills, use and implementation of EBP during their second-year clinical placement by comparing students who applied the EBP work file with students who did not use it. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional comparative study was conducted. The sample comprised three cohorts (1, 2 and 3) of second-year occupational therapy students from Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and two cohorts (4 and 5) from Oslo Metropolitan University. Five cohorts in total took part in the study (n = 126 students). The students answered two questionnaires (“EBP Beliefs Scale” and “EBP Implementation Scale”) after completing their second-year clinical placement. The analysis was based on descriptive statistics and calculation of the frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations of all participating students’ scores on the two questionnaires. ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was conducted to analyse differences between the mean totals of the questionnaires. Results The response rate was 57.3%. The average scores were 56.8 on the EBP Beliefs Scale and 15.8 on the EBP Implementation Scale. Students from cohort 5 (who had extra instruction and assignments via the EBP work file) had statistically lower scores than students form cohort 1 on the Implementation Scale. These students believed that EBP results in the best clinical care for patients, but they lacked confidence in their ability to use EBP. Conclusions Additional EBP work-file assignments were insufficient to support students in the implementation of EBP during clinical placements. It is important to teach students EBP skills and to demonstrate how they can use this competency in their work with patients. Including clinical instructors in EBP teaching and learning seems essential.