Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel genotyping technique for discriminating LVAS-associated hotspot mutations in SLC26A4 gene

An increasing number of biological and epidemiological evidence suggests that IVS7-2A>G and 2168A>G mutations of solute carrier family 26, member 4 ( SLC26A4 ) gene plays a critical role in the development of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS). In this study, we developed a rapid genotyping method for discriminating LVAS-associated hotspot mutations in SLC26A4 gene. The genotyping technique consists of 3’ terminal exonuclease-resistant phosphorothioate-modified allele specific primer extension mediated by exo + polymerase. In PCR amplification by Pfu polymerase, allelic specific primers perfectly matching wild type allele were extended while no specific products were yielded from primers targeting mutant type allele. Similarly, allelic specific primers perfectly matching mutant type allele were extended and no specific products were observed from primers targeting wild type allele . The clinical application of 3’ terminal phosphorothioate-modified allele specific primers extension mediated by Pfu polymerase identified both homozygous for SLC26A4 gene IVS7-2A>G mutation in two LVAS patients diagnosed as by temporal bone CT scan. The genetic results from this method is consistent with that of DNA sequencing. The data suggest that exo + polymerase-mediated 3’ terminal phosphorothioate-modified primer extension is reliable in the identification of SLC26A4 gene hotspot mutation prior to high resolution CT scan. The method is extremely suitable for quickly molecular etiologic screening and early diagnosis and aggressive prevention therapy of LVAS.
Factors Influencing Return Migration to Rural Origin Communities in The Wa West District of Ghana

While the reasons why people out-migrate internally are relatively well documented in the literature on migration in northern Ghana, not much is known about why people return to their rural origin communities. Using structured interviews, in-depth interviews and focus groups discussions, 300 returnees provided data for the study. Returnees were selected through a multiphase, snowball, convenient, and purposive sampling techniques. Results that the major factors that dominated rural return migrations were care for aged parents, homesickness, extended family demands, and responsibility to occupy traditional authority positions. These results challenge the dominant argument in the theoretical literature which emphasizes failed economic motives as reasons for return migrations. This study provided additional perspectives to thehistorical structural theory and literature on migration in northern Ghana by highlighting individual or micro level factors influencing rural return migration of people to the Wa West District of Ghana.
Invest or divest? On the relative improvement potential in outsourcing manufacturing

The study sought to clarify the comparative effect of outsourcing in relation to alternative manufacturing practices. A representative sample of 267 Swedish manufacturing plants was subjected to multiple regression analysis. Results show that in comparison to outsourcing manufacturing, the other practices related to the enhancement of manufacturing capability had a much stronger ability to predict improvements in operating performance. While investments in higher manufacturing capability have only positive effects, outsourcing may entail negative as well as positive effects on operating performance. For the most part, outsourcing leads to negative effects when used as the main strategy to improve performance, but is more likely to cause positive effects if concurrent initiatives are taken to develop manufacturing capabilities. Thus it is argued that there is a far greater performance improvement potential in investing in, rather than divesting, the manufacturing function. Outsourcing is mainly beneficial when used to free resources in order to invest in higher manufacturing capability.
Parametric Range Estimating of Building Costs Using Regression Models and Bootstrap

This paper presents a bootstrap approach for integration of parametric and probabilistic cost estimation techniques. In the proposed method, a combination of regression analysis and bootstrap resampling technique is used to develop range estimates for construction costs. The method is applied to parametric range estimation of building projects as an example. The bootstrap approach includes advantages of probabilistic and parametric estimation methods, at the same time it requires fewer assumptions compared to classical statistical techniques. This study is of relevance to practitioners and researchers, as it provides a robust method for conceptual estimation of construction costs.
Model for prediction of characteristics of lightning breakdown channels in soil in the presence of a buried cable

Assessment of damage due to direct lightning strikes on underground cables is important in the design of protection schemes and mitigating strategies. Existing models do not adequately account for the influence of formation of breakdown channels in the soil. In the paper, a two-dimensional model based on electric-field-related probabilities is proposed to predict the formation of breakdown channels and their effect on ground resistance. The influence of lightning current amplitude, geometric configuration and soil parameters has been considered. The model provides a means for complete assessment of the lightning performance of underground cables.
Mathematical model to approximate the response of a Zener cell output under varying environmental conditions

Fifteen national and territorial metrology institutes in the Asia-Pacific region have taken part in a comparison of dc voltage coordinated by the National Measurement Centre of the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board. A Zener cell was used as the travelling standard in the comparison. A mathematical model based on a first-order differential equation is developed to describe the influence of time, temperature, and humidity on the Zener voltage. The results of comparisons with Josephson array voltage standards (JAVSs) in seven different laboratories agree well with data predicted by the model.
Does the Choice Between Listing on the NYSE Versus Nasdaq Matter? An Examination of Firms that Voluntarily Move from the NYSE to Nasdaq

This paper provides an update to the body of research on the competition between the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. We examine 49 firms that voluntarily moved from the NYSE to Nasdaq from 20002013 to determine if there are economic benefits to switching exchanges. We find no evidence of any significant economic benefit, and little evidence of an industry clientele effect; switching firms tend to be more like an NYSE firm than a Nasdaq firm and there is little market reaction to the switch announcement. We conclude that the two exchanges appear to be in a state of parity.
Impulse loading resulting from shallow buried explosives in water-saturated sand

A transient non-linear dynamics analysis of the detonation of a landmine buried to different depths in water-saturated sand is carried out in order to determine the resulting impulse loading. The results obtained are compared with their experimental counterparts obtained using the vertical impulse measurement fixture (VIMF), a structural mechanical device that enables direct experimental determination of the blast-loading impulse. The mechanical response of the structural steel used in the construction of the VIMF and the hydrodynamic response of the TNT high-energy high-pressure detonation products generated during detonation of a mine and of the air surrounding the VIMF are represented using the standard materials models available in the literature. The mechanical response of the sand surrounding the mine, on the other hand, is represented using the present authors' recent modified compaction model [1], which incorporates the effects of degree of saturation and the rate of deformation, two important effects, that are generally neglected in standard constitutive models for sand. The results obtained indicate that the use of the modified compaction model yields a substantially better agreement with the experimentally determined impulse loads over the use the original compaction model. Furthermore, the results suggest that, in the case of fully saturated sand, the blast loading is of a bubble type rather than of a shock type, i.e. it resembles under-water explosion.
Factors that influence safety culture in construction

Although there is no consensus on how to define the safety culture of an organisation, the concept is now recognised as an essential contributor to improved occupational safety performance in construction. Indeed, the subject of safety culture has attracted considerable attention in the literature in recent years. The health and safety culture in an organisation is determined by the social and psychological relationships in the workplace. Some view safety culture as a management issue but so fuzzy to the extent that it cannot be measured or reliably changed. This paper aims to explore and to make explicit some of the key factors that influence safety culture in construction. The concepts of organisational culture and climate are firstly discussed. The concept of health and safety culture is then evaluated including the factors that influence it; its assessment and measurement methods. The results of interviews with site safety managers of construction companies that exhibit strong safety cultures are repo.
Dynamic Vehicle Dispatching at the Intermodal Transfer Station

Transfer time is one of the most important service quality indicators for evaluating intermodal transit systems. In the advent of advanced public transportation systems, vehicle arrival times and transfer demand can be obtained in real time. Thus, the decision of dispatching vehicles at transfer stations can be optimized to reduce the transfer cost. A time-varying total-cost function, including connection delay and missed-connection costs incurred by transfer passengers and vehicle holding cost, is formulated as a function of holding times for vehicles that are ready to be dispatched at transfer stations. A procedure is developed to dynamically optimize the dispatching time for each ready vehicle by minimizing the time-varying objective function. A transit network consisting of four routes connecting at a transfer terminal is designed in this study to demonstrate the application of the dispatching model. The proposed method can be used to advance transit vehicle dispatching strategies and reduce the transfer time.
The importance of corona effect in lightning surge propagation studies

This research focuses on the simulations of the effect of corona model on different conductors used in transmission line design when subjected to the lighting surge. The paper details the procedures used in modelling the corona, as well as the implementation in the PSCAD/EMTDC Software for surge propagation studies. There are many models available range from a simple and fixed capacitance to the more complex voltage-dependent capacitance. The corona used for this study is modeled based on the approached relationships and the analyses were done by comparing the results with other models for different types of conductors. The traveling voltage is then measured at different point-of-interest (POI) and compared in terms of the steepness and magnitude for different conductors.
Above-Ground and Pot-in-Pot Production Systems for Myrtus communis L.

Pot cultivation has the disadvantage of favoring extreme temperatures in the substrate, which can damage roots. To reduce this problem, the pot-in-pot (PIP) cultivation system has been developed. To determine the influence of PIP systems vs. above-ground pot (AGP) systems in native myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) production, an experimental field site was established where substrate temperature, soil matric potential (SMP), plant growth, water status, and gas exchange were measured. During the one-year experimental period, the PIP system showed mean monthly maximum substrate temperatures that were 6.3°C to 8.6°C lower than the AGP system, while mean monthly minimum temperatures were between 2°C and 5°C higher. Daily minimum SMP values were more negative in AGP, so the irrigation requirements were lower for the PIP system. In general, differences in gas exchange and water potential between both systems were very slight, which demonstrated the absence of drought conditions as a result of the high irrigation frequency. The AGP system produced greater plant height (16%) and shoot dry weight (11%) than PIP, while the PIP system increased root dry weight (14%), which was presumably responsible for the lower shoot/root index in the PIP cultivated plants. Such behavior is related to substrate temperature differences between both cultivation systems. The PIP system produced plants that were better able to survive two weeks without irrigation at the end of the experiment. These results suggest that the PIP system encourages greater root development and a higher SMP, which enables plants to better survive water stress conditions.
A new diode-based curve-fitting predistortion lineariser for GaN power amplifier

In this article, a new strategy is presented for selecting the breakpoints on a typical characteristic of a lineariser for a saturating nonlinear amplifier. As a proof of concept, using this strategy, a new Schottky-diode based curve-fitting predistortion lineariser for a 1.65 GHz centre frequency, 50 MHz bandwidth, 30 W GaN power amplifier is developed. The proposed lineariser is tested using the two-tone test and the Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK) modulated signal. The results show that a 3 dB improvement in the overall gain of the linearised amplifier is achieved. Moreover, for output power levels up to 36 dBm, the linearised power amplifier provides better rejection of the third-order intermodulation. Because of the hard nonlinearity of the GaN power amplifier at the high end, this improvement in intermodulation rejection vanishes for output power levels around 41 dBm.
ANALISA PENERIMAAN PENERAPAN TEKNIK AUDIT BERBANTUAN KOMPUTER (TABK) DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL (TAM) PADA BADAN PEMERIKSA KEUANGAN (BPK) RI

This research intends to reveal factors that influence the auditor of BPK RI to accept the apllying of Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs), if evaluated by using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Statistical tools used in this research is Structural Equation Model (SEM). Data are anayzed by using statistical software LISREL 8.30. This research proved that factor influenced the acceptance of applying TABK in BPK RI is perceived usefulness of TABK (PU) and perceived ease of use of TABK (PEOU) indirectly influenced the acceptance of applying TABK in BPK RI. From this research it was also proved that the attitude factor toward using TABK (ATT) do not influence the decision of auditor of BPK RI to accept the applying of TABK. and attitude toward using TABK (ATT) is not influenced by perceived usefulness of TABK (PU). Abstract in Bahasa Indonesia : Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi penerimaan auditor BPK RI terhadap penerapan Teknik Audit Berbantuan Komputer (TABK), dengan menggunakan Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Uji statistik yang digunakan adalah Structural Equation Model (SEM). Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan bantuan perangkat lunak LISREL 8.30. Penelitian ini berhasil membuktikan bahwa faktor yang mempengaruhi penerimaan penerapan TABK di BPK RI adalah persepsi pengguna tentang kegunaan TABK (PU) dan secara tidak langsung oleh persepsi pengguna tentang kemudahan dalam menggunakan TABK (PEOU). Penelitian ini juga membuktikan, faktor sikap pengguna terhadap penggunaan TABK (ATT) tidak mempengaruhi keputusan auditor BPK RI untuk menerima penerapan TABK dan sikap pengguna terhadap penggunaan TABK (ATT) tidak dipengaruhi oleh persepsi pengguna tentang kegunaan TABK (PU). Kata kunci: Teknik Audit Berbantuan Komputer (TABK), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), persepsi pengguna, sikap pengguna terhadap penggunaan (ATT), dan penerimaan pengguna (ACC).
What drives the virulence and antibiotic resistance changes of Vibrio harveyi in South China Sea?

Background Vibrio harveyi is an important pathogen responsible for severe economic losses in the aquaculture industry worldwide. Bacterial pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance which are of concern for environmental safety and public health exhibit significant spatial distribution patterns. In this study, we determined the prevalence, antibiotic resistance profile, and antibiotic resistance and virulence factor genes of V. harveyi isolated from diseased marine fishes in south coastal China (incl. Hainan, Guangdong and Fujian Province), which can help understand the driving environmental factors of bacterial virulence and antibiotic resistance changes. Results A total of 107 V. harveyi strains were identified by multilocus sequence analysis of 16S rRNA- toxR Vh - rctB (incl. 2 from Fujian, 52 from Hainan, and 53 from Guangdong). Nine typical virulence genes highly presented among isolates with higher average number in Hainan (7.39±0.24) than in Guangdong (6.91±0.28). Five atypical virulence genes were detected in some isolates. Specially, flaC and vvh were detected in more than 60% of the isolates. Its average number was significantly higher in Hainan (2.30±0.20) than in Guangdong (1.70±0.10). V. harveyi isolates were generally resistant (>50%) to vancomycin, amoxicillin, and midecamycin, showed moderate resistant (10%~50%) to tobramycin, gentamicin, furazolidone, rifampicin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but were nearly susceptible (<10%) to other antibiotics tested. Aac(6′)-Ib , tetW , and sul2 were detected in more than 10% isolates. The mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of int and intI1 were presented in 14.95% and 24.30% isolates, respectively. Both the average number of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic resistance genes were higher in Hainan (5.25±0.27 and 1.11±0.15) than in Guangdong (3.87±0.21 and 0.75±0.10). Conclusion This study demonstrated that multiple antibiotic resistances V. harveyi was highly prevalent with being the potential pathogen of marine fishes in South China Sea which requires particular attention. Moreover, both virulence genes and drug resistance were presence more / stronger in Hainan than in Guangdong which suggests that warming temperature and antibiotics pollutants probably enhance antibiotic resistance and bacterial infection. In the future, laboratory chamber experiment are recommend to study the response mechanisms of bacterial virulence and drug resistance to environmental factors, especially temperature and drug pollutants.
Transformer monitoring and diagnostics

Oil-filled power transformers constitute a significant asset for any owner and the impact of an unexpected failure or outage can have consequences of enormous proportions. With advances in testing techniques of the insulation system (the oil and paper), by means of detecting the early signs of deterioration of the insulation system it is becoming possible to extend the life of certain units, by continuous on-line monitoring. The need for up to date accurate and detailed information is needed in order to carry out a proper diagnosis and assessment of the health of the unit. This implies the need for regular DGA (dissolved gas-in-oil analysis). The Faraday Transformer Monitoring and Management System (TMMS), Transformer Nursing Unit (TNU) Model has been developed by Syprotec Inc. of Montreal, QC, Canada to meet this requirement. The Faraday TMMS TNU Model is a transportable monitoring system which is designed to be used for temporary intensive monitoring of critical transformers exhibiting failure characteristics, but may not be at the point yet where intrusive inspection is prudent or convenient. The system is designed to provide continuous on-line dissolved gas analysis of all combustible gases as well as carbon dioxide and water dissolved in oil. The unit is capable of accepting additional analog inputs from sensors installed on the transformer including: top oil temperature; load current; winding temperature; voltage; and ambient temperature.
Wind Energy Resource Assessment and Development: Decision Analysis for Site Evaluation and Application

Abstract In this article, a decision analysis methodology for wind energy resource assessment and development is developed and applied to the Larnaca District in Cyprus. The methodology consists of five steps: (i) formulation of a geo-data base and wind resource assessment with the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program; (ii) establishment of constraint factors that would exclude sites from further examination; (iii) establishment of evaluation criteria and evaluation of possible sites; (iv) assessment of the weights of the evaluation criteria through the Analytic Hierarchy Process; and (v) aggregation of the criteria with the Simple Additive Weighting method, visualization of the results, and sensitivity analysis. An application of the framework in Larnaca District area in the island of Cyprus indicated that 0.1% (0.58 km2) of the study region is suitable for wind resource exploitation. The particular methodological framework applied and the results obtained can be utilized by potential investors and wind energy developers.