Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manual of patent examining procedure

This publication provides a detailed rule-by-rule analysis of the Patent and Trademark Office Rules of Practice; the text of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure; and the text of notices, directives, clarifications and "helpful hints" issued by the PTO. It includes two full volumes of practice-proven blank forms that can be photocopied, filled out and filed with the PTO. The forms volumes present a checklist of what must be done to submit an application or other document with the PTO. The price quoted for the work covers one year's worth of service (four updates).
Clinical Features and Cytokine Profile in Myositis Patients with Anti-EJ Autoantibodies Detected by a Novel Immunoprecipitation Assay

Objective This study aimed to clarify the clinical features, the serum level of autoantibodies, and cytokine of myositis patients with anti-EJ antibody, which targets glycyl tRNA-synthetase (GlyRS). Methods Sera of 236 Chinese patients with myositis were screened for anti-EJ by a novel immunoprecipitation assay of flag-tagged GlyRS. Anti-EJ positive patients are evaluated for the clinical features and cytokine profile. Results The sera from 4 of 236 adult myositis patients were found to carry the anti-EJ using established novel immunoprecipitation assay and immunoblotting. The prevalence of anti-EJ in our cohorts is about 1.7%. The decline of anti-EJ level was detected in two patients during disease remission. Interstitial lung disease and muscle weakness, but not skin involvement, are common clinical features of anti-EJ positive patients. Moreover, using a cytokine profile analyses, we found that the serum levels of IP-10, IL-6, MCP-1, and VEGF were significantly elevated in patients with anti-EJ and gradually decreased during disease remission of two patients, whereas IL-8 level was obviously reduced in these patients. Conclusion The novel immunoprecipitation assay is suitable to detect and monitor the levels of anti-EJ autoantibody. The serum levels of anti-EJ, IP-10, IL-6, MCP-1, and VEGF may be related to disease activity in myositis patients with anti-EJ antibodies.
Pattern of Computer and Internet Use among Teachers in Higher Institutions in Nigeria

This research borders on assessing teachers’ competences in the use of ICT tools in teaching and research in Nigeria. Two common ICTs: the computer and the internet were selected, and the skills and attitudes of teachers in 7 Nigerian higher Institutions were assessed. About 760 questionnaires were distributed to 7 higher institutions comprising 4 Universities, 2 Polytechnics & one College of Education; a response rate of 67% was achieved. Our result showed that about 96.7% of the teachers have access to a PC and 84.9% have self-owned PCs. Access to Internet stood at 88.6% and the point of access was traced mostly to cyber cafes (49.8%), although slightly over half of all respondents (54.4%) claimed to have access point in their offices, and one out of every 5 have Internet connections at home. Encouragingly, 40.8% and 37.5% have more than 5yrs experience using both computer and the internet respectively and a paltry 8.5% have used both the computer and the internet for less than one year across the institutions. About 53% of these teachers were found to be frequent with the use of the computer out of which 45% spend up to 5hrs on a weekly basis. On the overall, time spent online per teacher is calculated at about 5hrs per week. A good number of the teachers were found to be proficient with varied computer applications and several Internet services (mean=3.51, S.D 1.08). To foster improved access and use of both Computer and the Internet, a number of useful policy directions are advanced. This tends to increase Teacher's productivity in all higher school of Learning.
The Role of Addiction Mindsets in Smoking Cessation: Scale Development and Pilot Randomized Trial

The Role of Addiction Mindsets in Smoking Cessation: Scale Development and Pilot Randomized Trial Vasundhara Sridharan Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Yuichi Shoda Department of Psychology Lay theories about the malleability of human attributes, also known as fixed and growth mindsets, have been shown to impact behavior in many domains. The goal of this work was to measure and test the role of mindsets in nicotine addiction. In Study 1, data (N = 600) from both current smokers and non-smokers led to the development of a single-factor 6-item measure of mindset called the Addiction Mindset Scale (AMS). In Study 2, a survey of daily smokers (N = 200) showed that higher scores on the AMS, indicative of growth mindset, were positively and significantly associated with greater motivation to quit, greater commitment to quitting, greater self-efficacy to abstain, greater attribution of failure to lack of effort as opposed to ability, and fewer self-reported barriers to cessation (all p’s < .05). In Study 3, participants (N = 398) were randomly assigned to receive a growth mindset intervention or to a control group that did not receive anything. All participants were provided a smartphone application (app) that taught them skills to quit smoking and their cessation and engagement with the app were assessed after two iv months (92% outcome data retention). The groups did not differ on engagement with the quitsmoking app, but the intervention group showed descriptively higher quit rates. A per protocol analysis showed that participants who used the programs as intended showed greater engagement with the app and higher odds of cessation. Taken together, the studies illustrate the relationship between addiction mindset and smoking cessation and underscore the promise of a growth mindset intervention to change addictive behaviors.
Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude of Parents of Asthmatic Children on the Seasonal Flu Vaccine

1 Clinic of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, SBU İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey 2 Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, SBU İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey 3 Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, İzmir Katip Çelebi University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey 4 Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, İzmir Katip Çelebi University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey DOI: 10.5578/ced.20219714 • J Pediatr Inf 2021;15(3):e127-e132 Original Investigation / Özgün Araştırma
Computation of the Characteristics of Coplanar-Type Strip Lines by the Relaxation Method (Short Papers)

The characteristics of new strip lines (i.e., a single strip conductor and a two symmetrical strip-conductor coplanar-type strip line, which consist of single- or two-center strip conductors and ground plates on a dielectric substrate and outer ground conductor) are calculated by the relaxation method. The effect of the outer ground conductor on these lines is analyzed, and the characteristic impedance and velocity ratio are determined. The characteristic impedance is determined experimentally, and the maximum values of the discrepancies compared with the calculated values of each of the lines are 2.0-3.0 percent.
The use of multi-variate models for the prediction of heat transfer in vehicle exhaust systems

Abstract This paper describes the development of an exhaust system model based on the characterization of heat transfer in a series of 11 test sections designed to represent a range of configurations seen in production exhaust systems. These sections include variations in the wall thickness, diameter, bend angle, and radius. This work is part of a larger activity aimed at the accurate modelling of heat transfer and subsequent catalyst light-off in production exhaust systems consisting of similar geometries. For each section a range of steady state tests was performed on a dynamic test cell using a port injected gasoline engine. In each case a correlation between the observed Reynolds number Re and the Nusselt number Nu was developed. A model of the system was implemented in MATLAB—Simulink in which each pipe element was split into 25 subelements by dividing the pipe into five, both axially and radially. After each individual section had been characterized, a generic model was built that was capable of determining the relationship between the Nusselt number and the Reynolds number for previously unseen pipe geometries. Complex exhaust systems can be constructed from smaller elements of defined geometry. The modelling approach was validated using experimental data gathered from vehicle testing on a chassis dynamometer. The steady state relationship between Re and Nu allows heat transfer in the test section to be predicted over transient test cycles and demonstrates good agreement with relationships in the literature.
Role of compositional changes on thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties of Fe-P-C-based amorphous alloys

This work aimed to tune the comprehensive properties of Fe-P-C-based amorphous system through investigating the role of microalloying process on the crystallization behavior, glass forming ability (GFA), soft magnetic features, and mechanical properties. Considering minor addition of elements into the system, it was found that the simultaneous microalloying of Ni and Co leads to the highest GFA, which was due to the optimization of compositional heterogeneity and creation of near-eutectic composition. Moreover, the FeCoNiCuPC amorphous alloy exhibited the best anelastic/viscoplastic behavior under the nanoindentation test, which was owing to the intensified structural fluctuations in the system. However, the improved plasticity by the extra Cu addition comes at the expense of magnetic properties, so that the saturation magnetization of this alloying system is significantly decreased compared to the FeCoPC amorphous alloy with the highest soft magnetic properties. In total, the results indicated that a combination of added elemental constitutes, i.e., Fe69Co5Ni5Cu1P13C7 composition, provides an optimized state for the comprehensive properties in the alloying system.
Patent Statistics as an Innovation Indicator? Evidence from the Hard Disk Drive Industry

We assess the usefulness of patent statistics as an indicator of innovation using a direct measure of innovation in the hard disk industry (1976–98). Three findings emerge: (1) patents “predict” innovations better than a random guess, and a simple refinement makes them more useful; (2) conditional on innovating, conglomerates and larger firms patent more than specialized startups and smaller firms; and (3) patent reforms seem to make the patent-innovation relationship nonstationary. These results suggest researchers to use caution when comparing patents of different types of firms and across years because ill-informed R&D policy interventions may entail detrimental impacts on economic growth and welfare.
Impact of Inflation on Gross Domestic Product Growth in Ghana

This paper examines the impact of inflation and other macroeconomic variables such as physical capital, government expenditure, and money supply on GDP growth in Ghana. The study obtained data from the World Development Indicators for the period 1986-2018 and employed vector autoregressive (VAR) models for the analysis. The results showed that general inflation, low inflation rates, physical capital, and money supply have positive, statistically, significant, effect on GDP growth, while, government expenditure and high inflation have negative, statistically significant, effect on GDP growth for the period studied. The study concludes that GDP grows positively at a general level of inflation and low rates of inflation but grows negatively at a high rate of inflation in Ghana. The study, therefore, recommends that government should implement monetary and fiscal policies that will help keep inflation rates low and redirect her spending to the productive sectors in the country to enhance GDP growth.
Design of High-Performance Concrete Mixture Using Neural Networks and Nonlinear Programming

A method of optimizing high-performance concrete mix proportioning for a given workability and compressive strength using artificial neural networks and nonlinear programming is described. The basic procedure of the methodology consists of three steps: (1) Build accurate models for workability and strength using artificial neural networks and experimental data; (2) incorporate these models in software allowing an evaluation of the specified properties for a given mix; and (3) incorporate the software in a nonlinear programming package allowing a search of the optimum proportion mix design. For performing optimum concrete mix design based on the proposed methodology, a software package has been developed. One can conduct mix simulations covering all the important properties of the concrete at the same time. To demonstrate the utility of the proposed methodology, experimental results from several different mix proportions based on various design requirements are presented.
The Month-of-the-Year Effect in the European, American, Australian and Asian Markets

This paper examines the existence of the month-of-the-year effects in four different continents, namely Europe, Asia, America, and Oceania. Nine indexes were analyzed in order to verify differences between monthly returns from January 1990 to December 2013, followed by an examination of the January effect, Halloween effect, and the October effect, testing for statistical significance using an OLS linear regression in order to verify whether those effects offer consistent opportunities for investors. Investors with globally diversified portfolios benefit from the Halloween effect, with a 1.2% average monthly excess return in winter and spring, while the pre-dotcom-bubble period had a better performance than the post-dotcom-bubble period. In the global post-dotcom-bubble period, there is statistical evidence for 1.60% and 1% lower average monthly returns in January (the January effect) and in months other than October (the October effect), respectively, contradicting the literature. The dotcom bubble seems to be responsible for the January effect differing from what might otherwise have been expected in the later period. There is no consistent and clear impact on continental incidence. The Halloween effect is revealed to be a fruitful strategy in the FTSE, DAX, Dow Jones, BOVESPA, and N225 indexes taken one-by-one. The January effect excess average return was only statistically significative for the pre-dotcom-bubble period for globally diversified portfolios. This paper contributes to a wider global and comparable view upon month-of-the-year effect.
Inter-sector partnerships: complex dynamics and patterns of behaviour

This thesis examines inter-sector partnership processes from a complex dynamical systems perspective. Inter-sector partnerships is increasingly researched both as new forms of government and policy making, and in the sustainability field. The theories traditionally used to analyse this topic fail to confront their dynamics as a whole. Recent approaches draw on complexity theory but, by pre-defining the principles for analysis, constrain the complete understanding of these phenomena. This thesis combines an inductive and deductive approach to explore the complex principles that drive agents’ interactions both at an emergent level (macro), process level (meso) and a causality level (micro). This aims at 1) providing a theoretical and methodological framework to study inter-sector partnerships as complex dynamical processes; and 2) advancing the understanding of social dynamics in the field of complexity theory. This work is based on two case studies collected during fieldwork in Brazil and Ecuador using participatory inquiry and semi-structured interviews to account for the multiple agents, perspectives and components of these processes. These experiences reflect dissimilar topics of collaboration and context conditions intended to provide various scenarios of work and highlight regularities through cross-examination. The results show that, despite the differences, a common pattern of behaviour governs the creation and evolution of multi-stakeholder processes in both case studies. This pattern shows five stages driven by different complex principles: 1) the creation of niche opportunities; 2) the occupation of this niche by a new agent; 3) the emergence of collective behaviour and inter-sector partnerships; 4) the influence of the collaborative process in the system dynamic; and 5) the expansion of a new dynamic in the system. The results provide new insights into the functioning of complex social systems and show that multi-stakeholder processes represent (1) a phase transition in the system dynamics; and 2) a poised state in the system dynamic at the complex regime or edge of chaos, state where the system optimises its capacity to adapt to change, innovate and perform complex tasks. These findings have a direct practical implication by providing practitioners and policy makers with a tool (qualitative dynamical modelling) to promote or reinforce inter-sector partnerships, and to drive social systems to this intermediate regime of optimal performance, the edge of chaos.
Rollover crash neck injury replication and injury potential assessment

Catastrophic neck compression and flexion injuries with quadriplegia are foreseeable outcomes of rollover crashes. However, current static regulatory tests cannot directly predict real-world rollover neck injuries. In this study, a dynamic test was developed and integrated bending moment (IBM) criteria proposed that can replicate/predict rollover neck flexion injuries with the Hybrid III dummy, upper and lower neck load cells, and a lateral vehicle camera. Platen drop tests were performed, revealing realistic pre-trip occupant positioning and a relationship between upper and lower neck loading. Dynamic rollover tests of 5 cars (FMVSS roof strength to weight ratio (SWR) range = 2.3 to 5.1) showed reduced neck flexion injury potential with increasing SWR and minimum roof SWR threshold of about 3.5 consistent with other proposed rollover injury criteria. For the covering abstract see ITRD E144229.
Design of seismic isolated structures : from theory to practice

Development of Seismic Isolation Worldwide. Theoretical Basis of Seismic Isolation. Isolation System Components. Code Provisions for Seismic Isolation. Mechanical Characteristics and Modeling of Isolators. Buckling and Stability of Elastomeric Isolators. Design Earthquake Ground Motions. Design Examples. Computer Applications. Specifications for Design, Manufacturing, and Testing of Isolation Devices. Appendix. References. Index.
Organization: A Diagnosis Method

This chapter contains a method for organizational diagnosis. The method allows the diagnosis (1) of any job position;(2) of any organizational unit: a work team, a marketing department, a project-group, etc.; (3) of any type of organization which resembles a firm : small and large organizations, industrial or service firms, low-tech and high-tech firms, etc.; (4) of the relation between two organization units, between the Production and Sales departments for example; (5) of any decision process: strategic decision, managerial decision, investment decision, innovation process, etc.; (5) of the coordination between the organization and outside people or organizations: with clients, sub-contractors, partners, etc. The text begins with a definition of the notion of organization, and then shows how one may analyze the quality, quantity and relevance of the coordination between activities. This analysis of coordination is the first part of the diagnosis. Next, the twelve types of organization most commonly met in practice are described, each having its specific functioning characteristics, advantages and drawbacks. The second part of the diagnosis consists in comparing the organization studied with each of these types. This often allows the identification of organizational problems several months in advance. It also gives a set of solutions to help the organization evolve. The manager who performs the diagnosis (or who has it done by a specialist), may then choose among these possibilities those which are closest to his or her objectives, those easiest to implement, and/or most economical. The main part of the text ends with a brief presentation of eleven coordination systems, which must be taken into account in more detailed studies. We thus have in around 40 pages a compact presentation of a practical diagnosis method which can be applied to a wealth of different organizations. The document includes five annexes. The first two give details on points only mentioned in the main text (divisionalized and hybrid structures). The next two compare the twelve types of organization we presented with other models mentioned by researchers and consultants. A final annex presents the ways with which jobs may be grouped into organizational units, and smaller units into larger ones.
Current Stress Optimization for Double-Sided CLLLC Topology-Based IPT System With Constant Output Current Tolerating Pad Misalignments

In the inductive power transfer (IPT) system, a hybrid topology with the anti-misalignment ability and load-independent output is usually used to improve the stability of the system and simplify the control scheme. However, the power distribution of the hybrid topology is uneven with misalignment, resulting in high current stresses in partial coils. In order to minimize the current stresses, a parameter design method with double-sided capacitor-inductor-inductor-inductor-capacitor compensation topology is proposed to optimize the coil currents without the effect on the output fluctuation. Finally, a 3.5-kW laboratory-scale prototype was built to validate the proposed method. The results show that the proposed parameter design method can minimize the maximum current stress significantly, and the hybrid IPT system has good performances of misalignment tolerance and load-independent output current.
First Identification and Genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Prevalence of Encephalitozoon intestinalis in Patients with Acute Diarrhea in the Republic of Korea

Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi can cause diarrhea in humans, especially severe diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. However, there have been few studies on Enc. intestinalis and Ent. bieneusi in patients with acute diarrhea in the Republic of Korea (ROK). In this study, fecal samples were collected from 1241 patients with acute diarrhea in 2020. Among these, 24 cases of Enc. intestinalis and one case of Ent. bieneusi were detected via PCR amplification of small subunit ribosomal RNA. Genotyping of the internal transcribed spacer region sequence revealed that the detected Ent. bieneusi genotype was in Group 1. This study provides the first evidence that Ent. bieneusi exists in humans in addition to animals in the ROK. To identify the causative agent, continuous monitoring of Enc. intestinalis and Ent. bieneusi is necessary for patients with acute diarrhea in the ROK.
The car and crime: critical perspectives.

This thesis critically examines the literature on joyriding, car crime, motor projects and masculinities. Fieldwork in motor projects combined with the methods of cultural studies locates car crime within a gendered car culture. Thus motor projects are seen to 'work' within that gendered car culture but a longer term solution to car crime is to be found in 'green' transport policies and changes in gender relations. Theoretically it recognises the reality of car crime and also the reality of the environmental consequences of car use but also the ideological context which places the car at the centre of transport Policy and many men's dreams of transcendant personal freedom. It draws as many conclusions about criminology as about car crime.