Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ANTIMALARIAL EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PAULLINIA PINNATA LEAVES IN PLASMODIUM BERGHEI INFECTED MICE AND COURSE OF INFECTION.

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the antimalarial activity of methanolic leaves extract of Paullinia pinnata on chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK 65 infected mice. METHODOLOGY The curative study was conducted in thirty-six Wistar albino mice of both sexes which were divided into six groups of six animals each. The animals were infected with P. berghei NK 65. Group I was the negative control and received the vehicle (10% DMSO). Group II received no treatment. Groups III and IV were the positive controls and received chloroquine (CQ) (10mg/kg) and artesunate (4 mg/kg)-amodiaquine (10mg/kg) combination (ACT) respectively. Groups V and VI received 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg doses of the extract respectively. Administration was done orally once for three or four days for the standard drugs or the extract/vehicle respectively. The percentage parasitaemia, packed cell volume (PCV), body weight and death was monitored on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11 (7 day post administration). The study of the course of infection of P. berghei was monitored in eighteen Wistar albino mice of both sexes which were similarly grouped, infected and treated for 3 days. Group A received the vehicle (distilled water) only. Group B was treated with CQ (10 mg/kg) and Group C with ACT. The percentage parasitaemia and death was monitored from day 0 to day 30 (27 day post administration). RESULTS In the curative study, the extract suppressed parasitaemia at both doses on day 4. The group treated with 200mg/kg dose showed a higher percentage chemosuppression though not significant. The course of infection study revealed that recrudescence occurred on day 8 in the CQ treated group which lasted until day 23 after which the recrudescence was lost without re-treatment. A similar result was observed in the ACT group. CONCLUSION The methanolic leaves extract of Paullinia pinnata has weak anti-malarial property. Chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei NK65 loses credibility and needs to be revalidated biannually.
Comprehensive Electric-Thermal Photovoltaic Modeling for Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (PHILS) Applications

This paper presents a dynamic, electric-thermal model for a photovoltaic (PV) cell that combines electrical and thermal parameters to accurately emulate PV panels in real time for power-hardware-in-the-loop simulation (PHILS). In this model, the irradiance and ambient temperature are used to calculate the PV cell temperature based on a five-layer thermal model. The cell temperature is then used in the electrical model to accurately adjust the PV electrical characteristics. A custom experimental setup is built to test and verify the electrical and thermal characteristics of the PV cell model. This electric-thermal model is validated using experimental data in realistic scenarios. The model is also tested with PHILS using a real-time simulator and a programmable dc power supply to emulate PV power generation under various load changes. The model is well matched to the experimental measurements with an error within 2.4% for the electrical aspects and within 1.5% for the thermal aspects in the tested scenarios.
Applying synaptic delays for virtual sensing and actuation in mobile robots

In this article we describe the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) with synaptic time delays between the nodes as a means to increase the capabilities of the usual control modules used in behavior based robotics. This inclusion allows the controllers to manage explicit temporal information in different levels. In the sensing level it permits the use of virtual sensors that improve the precision of the information provided by sensors through a temporal correlation of their values. In the actuation level we use the network with an infrasensorized robot in a problem that requires active sensing, where the control and actuation mechanisms are coordinated in order to obtain a better sensorial image of the environment by means of a spatio-temporal representation of a perception sequence. The decision of the appropriate delays is automated through learning and evolution.
The seven secrets of service strategy

Seven Secrets of Service Strategy Introduction 1. Getting to know your customers 2. Creating customer value the service concept 3. Measurement for improved performance 4. Managing customer complaints for profit 5. Loyalty building 6. People make great service 7. The service management wheel of fortune Each chapter contains sets of key questions to ask of your business, your customer service and of your customers themselves, together with metrics, executive "do"s and "don't"s and practical guidance on a range of issues from segmentation to loyalty programmes.
A B-spline algorithm for the numerical solution of Fisher's equation

Purpose – This paper seeks to develop an efficient B‐spline Galerkin scheme for solving the Fisher's equation, which is a nonlinear reaction diffusion equation describing the relation between the diffusion and nonlinear multiplication of a species.Design/methodology/approach – The solution domain is partitioned into uniform mesh and, using the quartic B‐spline functions, the Galerkin method is applied to the Fisher's equation.Findings – The method yields stable accurate solutions. Obtained results are acceptable and in unison with some earlier studies.Originality/value – Using the uniform mesh, quartic B‐spline Galerkin method is employed for finding the numerical solutions of Fisher's equation.
Fiber-Optic Interferometry Using Narrowband Light Source and Electrical Spectrum Analyzer: Influence on Brillouin Measurement

We observe an interference pattern using a simple fiber-optic interferometer consisting of an electrical spectrum analyzer and a narrowband light source, which is commonly employed for observing the Brillouin gain spectrum. This interference pattern expands well beyond the frequency range corresponding to the Brillouin frequency shift in silica fibers (~11 GHz at 1.55 μm). Using both silica single-mode and polymer optical sensing fibers, we then experimentally prove that the distinctive noise in a self-heterodyne-based Brillouin measurement with an unoptimized polarization state originates from the interference between the reference light and the Fresnel-reflected light. This noise can be almost completely suppressed by employing a delay line that is longer than the coherence length of the light source and by artificially applying a high loss near the open end of the sensing fiber.
Perching with a robotic insect using adaptive tracking control and iterative learning control

Inspired by the aerial prowess of flying insects, we demonstrate that their robotic counterpart, an insect-scale flapping-wing robot, can mimic an aggressive maneuver seen in natural fliers— landing on a vertical wall. Such acrobatic movement differs from simple lateral maneuvers or hover, and therefore requires additional considerations in the control strategy. In this paper, we propose a single-loop adaptive tracking flight control suite designed with an emphasis on the ability to track dynamic trajectories, and an iterative learning control algorithm to account for unmodeled dynamics and systematic errors for improved landing accuracy. Magnets were chosen to enable attachment to the vertical surface due to their simplicity. The proposed controller was verified in a series of hovering and aggressive translational flights. Furthermore, we show that by learning from previous failed attempts, the biologically-inspired robot could successfully perch on a magnetic wall after eight learning iterations.
The relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and company attributes and accounting conservatism of Jordanian listed companies

This study examines the relationship between the corporate governance mechanisms related to the ownership structure, board of directors, audit committee and auditor quality along with company attributes and the accounting conservatism of Jordanian listed companies. The theoretical foundation of such a relationship was provided by five comprehensive theories which are the agency theory, the positive accounting theory, the resource dependence theory, stewardship and the signaling theory. The data were obtained from the annual reports of 348 Jordanian companies from 2009 to 2011. Upon using the multiple regression analysis, the results show that the relationship between the corporate governance mechanisms and accounting conservatism was somewhat varied. Fifteen hypotheses were developed in this study. Seven of them were significant while eight were not. For ownership structure, institutional and foreign ownership were significant while family and managerial ownership were not statistically significant. Board independence, financial expertise and board tenure were significant, while board size, CEO and multiple directorships were not significant due to the higher level of P-value compared to 0.05. On the other hand, audit committee and auditor independence were statistically significant to conservatism, while auditor brand name, company size and debt contract were reported to be negatively and not significantly related to conservatism. These results indicate that corporate governance plays a vital role in enhancing the level of conservatism and reducing agency conflict. Further, regulator bodies in Jordan should increase the effectiveness of corporate governance in Jordanian companies in order to enhance the quality of financial reports. In addition, this study opens up avenues for more studies on accounting conservatism not only in Jordan, but also in other countries where this area of study is lacking. Furthermore, it opens up opportunities and provides avenues for more in-depth research related to the quality of financial reports.
Elite sprint swimming performance is enhanced by completion of additional warm-up activities

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of completing additional warm-up strategies in the transition phase between the pool warm up and the start of a race on elite sprint swimming performance. Twenty-five elite swimmers (12 men, 20 ± 3 years; 13 women, 20 ± 2 years, performance standard ~807 FINA2014 points) completed a standardised pool warm up followed by a 30-min transition phase and a 100-m freestyle time trial. During the transition phase, swimmers wore a tracksuit jacket with integrated heating elements and performed a dry land-based exercise routine (Combo), or a conventional tracksuit and remained seated (Control). Start (1.5% ± 1.0%, P = 0.02; mean ± 90% confidence limits) and 100-m time trial (0.8% ± 0.4%, P < 0.01) performances were improved in Combo. Core temperature declined less (−0.2°C ± 0.1°C versus −0.5°C ± 0.1°C, P = 0.02) during the transition phase and total local (trapezius) haemoglobin concentration was greater before the time trial in Combo (81 µM ± 25 µM versus 30 µM ± 18 µM, P < 0.01; mean ± standard deviation) than in Control. Combining swimmers traditional pool warm up with passive heating via heated jackets and completion of dry land-based exercises in the transition phase improves elite sprint swimming performance by ~0.8%.
Quantifying postoperative deficits of physical function following spinal surgery.

This study evaluates the degree of objectively quantified physical deconditioning of spinal surgery patients. The object is to evaluate the data in terms of the pain and disability claimed by 35 male and 11 female patients three months after spinal surgery. Among the males, two subgroups (i.e., disc excision or spinal fusion) were evaluated. All patients reported subjective indices of pain/disability and completed quantified tests of lumbar motion, sagittal trunk strength, lifting capacity, and bicycle ergometry. In general, true lumbar motion was markedly restricted to 50%-60% and trunk strength means were below 50% of gender-specific normative values. There were similar deficits for lifting capacity. Those who had spinal fusions tended to perform poorly, with a relatively high incidence of pain/disability. There were no differences found between the male group and subgroups who were gainfully employed or had a brief period of disability prior to surgery or had low subjective pain/disability. These results indicate that a patient's subjective pain/disability were not a reliable measure of functional capacity by three months postoperatively. Regardless of working status, pain level, or brevity of disability, there was a significant loss of performance ability and risk of persistent dysfunction after surgical treatment.
The Issue of Probability of Traffic Road Accident on the Elements of the Transport Network

The uneven distribution of traffic on sections of the road network leads to the increase of intensity of traffic, which in turn exceeds the bandwidth of these areas. This leads to congestion and traffic jams, which significantly reduce the efficiency of functioning of the city's transport system, lead to an increase of mental and emotional stress of the driver and a temporary disruption of some of his physiological functions. The study is aimed at assessing the impact of the duration of traffic congestion on the level of fatigue and the reaction time of drivers of different ages and temperaments, as it largely determines the likelihood of traffic accidents in the transport network elements. To do this, the graphs, where there are considered the combined influence of age and the initial state of drivers with different temperaments at the level of fatigue of the driver in traffic jams and at the time of his reaction, are built. Developed non-linear model evaluates changes of reaction time of drivers of all temperaments in a traffic jam. Analysis of the graphs shows that for the drivers of all considered types of temperaments and ages (except phlegmatic temperament) with an initial normal state before the traffic congestion, further stay in the traffic jam leads to a deterioration of the functional state and to increase of their reaction time. Traffic congestion does not adversely affect driver-phlegmatic, but on the contrary, his condition gradually improves. The results can be applied in the development of measures for the improvement of road safety in the cities.
Evaluating Green Supply Chain Management Capability, Environmental Performance, and Competitiveness in Container Shipping Context

This study investigated crucial green supply chain management (GSCM) and firm performance dimensions based on global container shipping service. On the basis of a factor analysis, six GSCM dimensions: green policy, green shipping practice, green marketing, green collaboration with supplier, green collaboration with partner, green collaboration with customer, and three firm performance dimensions: reduction of pollutant, decrease of cost, improved competitiveness were identified. According to their factor means in the GSCM dimensions, a cluster analysis subsequently assigned responding firms into four groups, namely, the external green oriented group, the internal green oriented group, the high internal and external green oriented group, and the low internal and external green oriented group. Differences in firm performance and GSCM dimensions among groups were examined.
High‐Performance Product Management: The Impact of Structure, Process, Competencies, and Role Definition

Product management is one of the most important functions in marketing. Yet the product management literature has focused largely on creating successful products and has relatively little to say about creating effective product management organizations. This paper focuses on the organizational determinants of high-performance product management at three levels: (1) the product manager as an individual; (2) the marketing processes related to product management; and (3) the organization structure and role definition. The paper identifies several key factors that potentially impact product management performance. A set of qualitative interviews is conducted to develop hypotheses related to constructs that may drive product management performance. These hypotheses are used to develop a causal model for product management performance that includes constructs related to roles and responsibilities, organization structure, and marketing processes related to product management. An empirical survey of 198 product managers from a variety of industries is conducted to test the causal model. The results of the causal model suggest that performance of a product management organization is driven by structural barriers in the organization, the quality of marketing processes, roles and responsibilities, and knowledge and competencies. The findings suggest that structural boundaries and interfaces are the biggest impediment to effective product management, followed by clarity of roles and responsibilities. The research highlights the importance of organization structure and effective human resource practices in improving product management performance.
Improving Datacenter Energy Efficiency Using a Fast Array of Wimpy Nodes

Energy has become an increasingly large financial and scaling burden for computing. With the increasing demand for and scale of Data-Intensive Scalable Computing (DISC), the costs of running large data centers are becoming dominated by power and cooling. In this thesis we propose to help reduce the energy consumed by large-scale computing by using a FAWN: A Fast Array of Wimpy Nodes. FAWN is an approach to building datacenters using low-cost, low-power hardware devices that are individually optimized for energy efficiency (performance/watt) rather than raw performance alone. FAWN nodes are individually resource-constrained, motivating the development of distributed systems software with efficient processing, low memory consumption, and careful use of flash storage. In this proposal, we investigate the applicability of FAWN to data-intensive workloads. First, we present FAWN-KV: a deep study into building a distributed key-value storage system on a FAWN prototype. We then present a broader classification and workload analysis showing when FAWN can be more energy-efficient, and under what conditions that wimpy nodes perform poorly. Based on our experiences building software for FAWN, we finish by presenting Storage Click: a software architecture for providing efficient processing of remote, small storage objects.
Equity Betas, Accounting Fundamentals and Market Efficiency in Brazil

This study presents an integrated approach on how financial statements might capture company risk and tests the derived accounting variables against equity betas. The intention is to offer a finance-theory-based framework to those financial statement external users that are interested in assessing companies' risks. Another goal of the article is to assess whether stock prices reflect fundamental risks as identified in the companies' financial statements. The assumption underlying this investigation is that although capital markets might not be efficient at all times, a certain level of efficiency can be identified if equity risk reflects fundamentals. To test the proposition, a Spearman's rank correlation was run both at company and portfolio levels. Data from sixty-two listed companies were gathered from 1995 to 2004. The setting for this test is the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange. Results show a reasonable association between the accounting variables chosen and equity betas, evidencing that market prices reflect companies' fundamentals. The results also confirm the predicted signals for all accounting variables, evidencing that the model discussed bellow may be used as a framework for assessing equity risk. This might be of particular interest to the task of estimating betas of unlisted companies.
New industrialised housing model for young starters in Malaysia: Identifying problems for the formulation of a new business model for the housing industry

Young people are currently facing a considerable risk when it comes to increasing house prices and interest rates as a substantial portion of their monthly income. This is due to the fact that they now have a responsibility in making monthly repayments of their housing loans. The current housing market in any part of the world does not allow the price to be affordable and at the same time, it does not give the freedom for buyers to customise their current and future needs for their house. To achieve this freedom, a new business model for young starters needs to be created to allow flexibility. This should not only cover the physical elements of the house such as the unit-envelope wall, structural components, services, but must also take into account the flexibility in terms of tenure contracts associated with finance and repayment by the inhabitants. This paper specifically investigates the current issues faced by young starters in Malaysia in terms of the affordability towards current housing ownership, quality of conventional housing and customisation options of existing dwellings. Subsequently, based on the literature and secondary data, this study proposes a new business model that would be imperatively able to close the gap in the housing industry in Malaysia for young starters to own homes. This study illustrates the first part of the bigger research that looks into the current problems and proposes a conceptual business model before testing it in the Malaysian housing market by using focus group studies.
Effectiveness of selective genotyping for detection of quantitative trait loci: an analysis of grain and malt quality traits in three barley populations.

Marker genotype data and grain and malt quality phenotype data from three barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mapping populations were used to investigate the feasibility of selective genotyping for detection of quantitative trait loci (QTLs). With selective genotyping, only individuals with high and low phenotypic values for the trait of interest are genotyped. Here, genotyping of 10 to 70% of each population (i.e., 5 to 35% in each tail of the phenotypic distribution) was considered. Genomic positions detected by selective genotyping were compared to QTL position estimates from interval mapping analysis using marker genotype data from the entire population. Selective genotyping reliably detected almost all of the mapped QTLs, often with only 10% of the population genotyped. Selective genotyping also detected spurious QTLs in regions of the genome where no significant QTL had been mapped. Even with additional genotyping to verify putative QTLs, the total genotyping effort for detection of QTLs for a single trait by selective genotyping was usually less than 30% of that required for conventional interval mapping. Simultaneous investigation of two or more traits by selective genotyping would require additional genotyping effort, but could still be worthwhile.
Effect of Government Spending and Macro-Economic Uncertainty on Private Investment in Services Sector: Evidence from Pakistan

This study examines the effect of government spending and macroeconomic uncertainty on private fixed investment in services sector of the Pakistan for the period from 1972 to 2005. We first investigated time series properties of data then estimated long run model using cointegration technique. The results show that government spending and interest rate affect private investment in services sector in Pakistan. The preferred short-run dynamic investment function indicates that increase in government current spending and interest rate discourages private investment and similarly macroeconomic instability and uncertainty affect the private investment negatively.